US4786941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of protection of confidential documents
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1987-06-12
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Granted: 1988-11-22
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Expires: 2007-06-12
Abstract
Abstract Two or more copies of a document are made with complementary portions missing for separate secure transporting or storing. The copies may be made on an electrostatic copies having an image erase feature or on a printer which can impress an erase signal on the printing signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael T. Regan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:07
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/04; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; G03G15/045; G03G15/047; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/04; G03G2215/0429; G03G2215/0468; G03G2215/048; G03G2215/049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of rendering a document unintelligible to the casual observer for purposes of transportation, storage or the like, comprising the steps of: imagewise exposing a charged photoconductor to produce at least two electrostatic images of said document in a step separate from said exposing step exposing the respective image portions of said photoconductor to complementary patterns of erasing radiation to erase complementary portions of said images in a pattern making each image separately unintelligible, and producing a visible image corresponding to each of said unintelligible electrostatic images.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of rendering a document unintelligible to the casual observer for purposes of transportation, storage or the like, comprising the steps of: imagewise exposing a charged photoconductor to produce at least two electrostatic images of said document in a step separate from said exposing step exposing the respective image portions of said photoconductor to complementary patterns of erasing radiation to erase complementary portions of said images in a pattern making each image separately unintelligible, and producing a visible image corresponding to each of said unintelligible electrostatic images.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said erasing step is performed prior to said exposing step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said erasing step is performed by passing said photoconductor under an array of light emitting diodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |