US4816824A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Merchandise verification and information system
Assignee: Light Signatures Inc
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Filing: 1987-11-30
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Granted: 1989-03-28
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Expires: 2007-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for individually tracing units of merchandise with authentication devices or tags as such tags (with merchandise) move through channels of commerce. The total system incorporates a non-counterfeitable authenticator or verification tag which bears a machine-readable identification number and which in one form includes perforated, tear-off sections bearing the identification number and in another form is adhesively integrated with a product package. Operating with the tag, the physical system includes a central processor with a memory means that is addressable by using the tag identification number. A tag reader senses the machine-readable identification number (may alo verify the tag) and addresses the memory means for registering information to specifically identify the tag and indicate batch information. As the tag (and unit of merchandise) move to commerce, the memory information is supplemented to provide a history of such movement. In subsequent operations, the memory can then be tested for meaningful information on the merchandise. As one key to using the method to procure significant data, the system incorporates apparatus for testing the content of the memory to manifest the identification of specific tags that are related as a subset of merchandise of interest.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Katz
- 👤 Robert N. Goldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:30
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/004; G07D7/0043; G07D7/0047; G07D7/06; G07D7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A merchandise unit form of document comprising: a plurality of document sections separately fixed together, at least one of the said sections having an identified sensible anticounterfeit characteristic; verification indicia on at least one of said sections for use to authenticate said anticounterfeit characteristic; and identification indicia on said document sections for facilitating said document to flow in commerce as by separation of said sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A merchandise unit form of document comprising: a plurality of document sections separately fixed together, at least one of the said sections having an identified sensible anticounterfeit characteristic; verification indicia on at least one of said sections for use to authenticate said anticounterfeit characteristic; and identification indicia on said document sections for facilitating said document to flow in commerce as by separation of said sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A form of document according to claim 1 wherein said identification indicia includes a batch and document designation for said document.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A form of document according to claim 1 wherein said verification indicia comprises a record on said one section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A form of document according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of document sections are joined by perforations for separation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A form of document according to claim 1 wherein said document sections comprise paper sections interconnected by lines of perforations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A form of document according to claim 1 wherein said identification indicia includes a batch and document designation for said document and wherein said plurality of document sections are joined by perforations for separation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A form of document according to claim 1 wherein said verification indicia comprises a record on said one section and wherein said document sections comprise paper sections interconnected by lines of perforations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
A verification and information system for use with specific documents comprising a medium having a sensible anticounterfeit characteristic, said devices bearing identification indicia, said system comprising: means for sensing said sensible anticounterfeit characteristic of said documents to determine the authenticity of each specific document; means for printing indicia on said documents to provide specific identification for each document; a central processor apparatus including a memory means comprising cells to register data on each document; means for entering data in a cell on each document as manifest by said indicia; and means to enter status data in a cell for each document to represent at least one status and thereby provide a record in said central processor of at least one specific location in commerce of said document.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
A verification and information system for use with specific documents comprising a medium having a sensible anticounterfeit characteristic, said devices bearing identification indicia, said system comprising: means for sensing said sensible anticounterfeit characteristic of said documents to determine the authenticity of each specific document; means for printing indicia on said documents to provide specific identification for each document; a central processor apparatus including a memory means comprising cells to register data on each document; means for entering data in a cell on each document as manifest by said indicia; and means to enter status data in a cell for each document to represent at least one status and thereby provide a record in said central processor of at least one specific location in commerce of said document.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 8 further including means for recording said anticounterfeit characteristic on said document.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said means for printing prints identification indicia on plural sections of said document.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of auditing the commercial history of documents comprising the steps of: providing sheets of medium having a unique anticounterfeit characteristic to function as a part of said documents; sensing and recording said anticounterfeit characteristic for determining authenticity of specific documents; assigning identification data to each of said documents; imprinting said documents with indicia representative of said identification data; registering at least one status for said documents in a record stage using said identification data; and tracing said documents by verifying said anticounterfeit characteristic and indexing said record storage with said identification data.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of auditing the commercial history of documents comprising the steps of: providing sheets of medium having a unique anticounterfeit characteristic to function as a part of said documents; sensing and recording said anticounterfeit characteristic for determining authenticity of specific documents; assigning identification data to each of said documents; imprinting said documents with indicia representative of said identification data; registering at least one status for said documents in a record stage using said identification data; and tracing said documents by verifying said anticounterfeit characteristic and indexing said record storage with said identification data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said step of imprinting includes printing identification data on plural sections of said document.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said step of imprinting includes printing both batch and document identification on said document.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said step of sensing and recording includes recording said characteristic on said document.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-27 | 1992-09-26 | 1993-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-09-26 | 1997-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-27 | 2000-09-26 | 2001-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |