US5216229A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Verifiable object having incremental key
Assignee: DocuSystems Inc
•
Filing: 1990-12-07
•
Granted: 1993-06-01
•
Expires: 2010-12-07
Abstract
Abstract An object verification system generates an incremental verification key which can be carried on the object co-extensive with the region of the associated randomly varying characteristic. The incremental key can be formed by measuring values of the characteristic and comparing selected pairs of values. The algebraic sign of the comparison can be used as an indicium for creating a verification key distributable across the region of the object. Alternately, the magnitude of the difference between the selected pairs of values can be also be included in some or all of the indicia.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Copella
- 👤 Kevin J. Pease
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/08; G06K7/082; G06K7/083; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 94
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of creating an incremental security profile of a randomly varying characteristic of an object comprising: (a) sensing first and second values of a parameter of the characteristic; (b) generating an incremental indicium indicative of a difference between only the two values; (c) recording the incremental indicium; and repeating steps (a)-(c).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of creating an incremental security profile of a randomly varying characteristic of an object comprising: (a) sensing first and second values of a parameter of the characteristic; (b) generating an incremental indicium indicative of a difference between only the two values; (c) recording the incremental indicium; and repeating steps (a)-(c).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 with the generating step including forming an indicium that includes an algebraic sign of the difference.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 1 including generating a plurality of indicia with at least some of the indicia including both an algebraic sign and a representation of a difference between only two respective random characteristic values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 including, in step (c), writing a representation of the incremental indicium onto the object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 including writing a plurality of representations of incremental indicia onto the object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 including, in step (c), forming a displacement related representation of the indicium prior to recording.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 with the randomly varying characteristic that of a magnetic region and including writing a characteristic enhancing discontinuous digital signal onto the magnetic region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 7 with step (c) including writing the incremental indicia onto a portion of the magnetic region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 7 with step (c) including writing the incremental indicia onto the object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 7 with step (c) including storing the indicia at a location remote from the object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 with the randomly varying characteristic the translucency of a portion of the object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 with the randomly varying characteristic the reflectance of a portion of the object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 1 with the sensed parameter values corresponding to amplitudes representative of the random characteristic and with the generated indicium of step (b) including an algebraic sign of a difference between first and second amplitude values.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 13 with the generated indicium including in addition a representation of the amplitude difference.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 with the indicium recorded only when corresponding to a selected algebraic sign.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 with the generated indicium recorded on the object as a displacement relative to a respective base line.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for creation of an incremental profile of a randomly varying verification characteristic of an object comprising: means for sensing values of a selected parameter of the characteristic; means for sequentially creating a plurality of indicia with each indicium representative of an incremental difference between selected first and second values of the parameter of the characteristic; and means for recording some of said indicia after creation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for creation of an incremental profile of a randomly varying verification characteristic of an object comprising: means for sensing values of a selected parameter of the characteristic; means for sequentially creating a plurality of indicia with each indicium representative of an incremental difference between selected first and second values of the parameter of the characteristic; and means for recording some of said indicia after creation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 17 with the verification characteristic carried by a magnetic region on the object and wherein said sensing means includes means for reading the magnetic region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 17 with the verification characteristic carried in a translucent region of the object and with the apparatus including means for detecting translucency of the region.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 17 including means, coupled to said recording means, for selecting those indicia to be recorded.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as in claim 20 with each said indicium including at least a representation of an algebraic sign representative of said incremental difference and with said selecting means including means for enabling recording of only indicia corresponding to a selected algebraic sign.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as in claim 17 with said recording means including means for generating displacements relative to a base line with said displacement representative of respective ones of said series of indicia.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 22 including means for writing representations of at least selected of said displacements onto the object.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as in claim 23 with said writing means including a printer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 23 with said writing means including a magnetic write head.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 17 with said creating means including means for forming an amplitude difference between first and second values of the parameter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
A verifiable object comprising: a base; a unique, randomly variable measurable characteristic carried by said base; a relative, incremental representation of said characteristic extending along said base as a plurality of spaced apart indicia with each said indicium including a representation of a difference between selected first and second values of a parameter of said characteristic.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
A verifiable object comprising: a base; a unique, randomly variable measurable characteristic carried by said base; a relative, incremental representation of said characteristic extending along said base as a plurality of spaced apart indicia with each said indicium including a representation of a difference between selected first and second values of a parameter of said characteristic.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 with at least some of said indicia including a representation of an algebraic sign of said difference.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A verifiable object as in claim 28 with said indicia including a representation of only an algebraic sign.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 with at least some of said indicia including a value corresponding to a difference between first and second amplitude values of said characteristic.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 including a magnetic region on said base, said magnetic region including said randomly variable, measurable characteristic.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 including a radiant energy transmissive region on said base with said transmissive region including said randomly variable, measurable characteristic.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 including a region, at least in part reflective of radiant energy, on said base with said reflective region including said randomly variable, measurable characteristic.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 including a recordable magnetic region with said spacedapart indicia recorded thereon.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 with representations of said spaced apart indicia printed thereon.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 including means for enhancing said measurable characteristic.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A verifiable object as in claim 31 including a predetermined characteristic enhancing electrical signal written onto said magnetic region.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
A verifiable object as in claim 37 with said enhancing electrical signal a saturation recorded, discontinuous, multi-valued signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 with each said indicium carried on said base as a machine readable displacement relative to a respective base line.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A verifiable object as in claim 27 with each said parameter value corresponding to an amplitude value of said randoml variable characteristic.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
A verifiable object as in claim 40 with at least some of said indicia including an algebraic sign of a corresponding amplitude difference.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
85 words
An object which carries an incremental verification key usable for verification of an available part of the object, the object comprising: a base; a unique, randomly variable measurable characteristic extending along a region of and carried by said base; an incremental, distributed, verification key extending along a second region of and carried by said base with a subset of said key, contained within the part of the object and combinable with an associated subsection of said region for verification of the part of the object.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
85 words
An object which carries an incremental verification key usable for verification of an available part of the object, the object comprising: a base; a unique, randomly variable measurable characteristic extending along a region of and carried by said base; an incremental, distributed, verification key extending along a second region of and carried by said base with a subset of said key, contained within the part of the object and combinable with an associated subsection of said region for verification of the part of the object.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
40 words
An object as in claim 42 with said key including a plurality of indicia distributed in said second region with each said indicium including a representation of a difference between first and second values of a parameter of said characteristic.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
An object as in claim 42 with a magnetic region carried on said base with said magnetic region containing said randomly variable characteristic.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
An object as in claim 44 with said magnetic region being at least in part, recordable.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
An object as in claim 42 with a magnetic region carried on said base and with said second region contained therein.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
An object as in claim 46 with said randomly variable characteristic contained in said magnetic region.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
An object as in claim 42 with a translucent region carried on said base and containing said randomly variable characteristic.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
An object as in claim 42 with a reflective region carried on said base and containing said randomly variable characteristic.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
An object as in claim 43 with said representation carried by said base as a displacement with respect to a selected reference.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
An object as in claim 42 with said measurable characteristic extending in an arcuate region.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
120 words
An object which carries a distributed verification key with a subpart of the object carrying a subset of the verification key, the subpart being independently verifiable, the object comprising: a base; a unique randomly variable measurable characteristic extending along a region of and carried by said base with a part of said region extending into a subpart of said base; and a distributed verification key formed of a plurality of indicia extending along a second region, extensive with said region, carried by said base with a portion of said plurality contained within said subpart of said base, said part of said region being detectable and combinable with said portion of said plurality for verification of the subpart of the object.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
120 words
An object which carries a distributed verification key with a subpart of the object carrying a subset of the verification key, the subpart being independently verifiable, the object comprising: a base; a unique randomly variable measurable characteristic extending along a region of and carried by said base with a part of said region extending into a subpart of said base; and a distributed verification key formed of a plurality of indicia extending along a second region, extensive with said region, carried by said base with a portion of said plurality contained within said subpart of said base, said part of said region being detectable and combinable with said portion of said plurality for verification of the subpart of the object.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
An object as in claim 52 with each said indicium including a representation of a difference between first and second values of a parameter of said characteristic.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
An object as in claim 53 with each said parameter value an amplitude value of said random characteristic.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
31 words
An object as in claim 52 with at least some of said indicia including an algebraic sign of an amplitude difference between first and second amplitude values of said random characteristic.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
An object as in claim 52 with a magnetic region carried on said base with said magnetic region containing said randomly variable characteristic.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
An object as in claim 56 with said magnetic region being at least in part, recordable.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
An object as in claim 52 with a magnetic region carried on said base and with said second region contained therein.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
An object as in claim 58 with said randomly variable characteristic contained in said magnetic region.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
16 words
An object as in claim 52 with said second region extending substantially equidistant from said region.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
An object as in claim 52 with said verification key extending in a curved region.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for validating an object which carries a unique, randomly variable measurable characteristic which extends along a region thereof and which also carries an incremental verification key, formed of a plurality of spaced apart indicia, which extends along a second region thereof, the apparatus comprising: a first sensor for detecting peak values of said randomly variable characteristic; circuitry for processing pairs of the detected peak values; a second sensor for detecting at least some of said indicia; circuitry for comparing processed, detected, pairs of peak values to corresponding of said indicia; and circuitry for generating a validity indicium in response to said comparison.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for validating an object which carries a unique, randomly variable measurable characteristic which extends along a region thereof and which also carries an incremental verification key, formed of a plurality of spaced apart indicia, which extends along a second region thereof, the apparatus comprising: a first sensor for detecting peak values of said randomly variable characteristic; circuitry for processing pairs of the detected peak values; a second sensor for detecting at least some of said indicia; circuitry for comparing processed, detected, pairs of peak values to corresponding of said indicia; and circuitry for generating a validity indicium in response to said comparison.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 62 with said processing circuitry including means for forming differences between pairs of detected peak values.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 63 including further means for forming a plurality of algebraic signs with each sign associated with a respective formed difference.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 62 with said second detecting sensor including means for sensing displacement relative to a respective reference.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as in claim 62 with the randomly variable characteristic extending in a curved region and with said first sensor operative along said curved region.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of validating an object which carries a unique, randomly variable, measurable characteristic which extends along a region thereof and which also carries an incremental verification key formed of a plurality of spaced apart indicia which indicia extend along a second region thereof, the method comprising: detecting peak amplitude values of the randomly variable characteristic; processing the detected peak amplitude values; detecting displacement relationships between some of the verification indicia and respective base indicators associated therewith; comparing the processed, detected peak amplitude values to corresponding of the displacement relationships; and generating a validity indicium in response to said comparison.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of validating an object which carries a unique, randomly variable, measurable characteristic which extends along a region thereof and which also carries an incremental verification key formed of a plurality of spaced apart indicia which indicia extend along a second region thereof, the method comprising: detecting peak amplitude values of the randomly variable characteristic; processing the detected peak amplitude values; detecting displacement relationships between some of the verification indicia and respective base indicators associated therewith; comparing the processed, detected peak amplitude values to corresponding of the displacement relationships; and generating a validity indicium in response to said comparison.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 67 with the processing step including forming a difference between first and second peak amplitude values.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 67 with the processing step including forming an algebraic sign of a difference between first and second peak amplitude values.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of creating an incremental profile of a randomly varying characteristic of an object comprising: (a) sensing first and second amplitude values of a parameter of the characteristic; (b) generating an incremental indicium based on a difference between amplitudes of only the two values; (c) recording the incremental indicium; and repeating steps (a)-(c).
Claim 78
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of creating an incremental profile of a randomly varying characteristic of an object comprising: (a) sensing first and second amplitude values of a parameter of the characteristic; (b) generating an incremental indicium based on a difference between amplitudes of only the two values; (c) recording the incremental indicium; and repeating steps (a)-(c).
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 70 with the generating step including forming an indicium with an algebraic sign of the difference.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 70 including generating a plurality of indicia with at least some of said indicia including both an algebraic sign and a representation of an amplitude difference between only two respective random characteristic values.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for creation of an incremental profile of a randomly varying verification characteristic of an object comprising: means for sensing amplitude values of a selected parameter of the characteristic; means for sequentially creating a series of indicia with each indicium representative of a difference between respective first and second amplitude values of the characteristic; and means for recording each said indicium on the object.
Claim 82
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus for creation of an incremental profile of a randomly varying verification characteristic of an object comprising: means for sensing amplitude values of a selected parameter of the characteristic; means for sequentially creating a series of indicia with each indicium representative of a difference between respective first and second amplitude values of the characteristic; and means for recording each said indicium on the object.
Claim 83
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for validating an object which carries a unique, randomly variable measurable characteristic which extends along a region thereof and which also carries an incremental verification key, formed of a plurality of spaced apart indicia, which extends along a second region thereof, the apparatus comprising: a first sensor for detecting peak values the randomly variable characteristic; a device for processing the detected peak values; a second sensor for detecting relationships between some of the indicia and a respective reference; a comparator for comparing processed, detected, peak values to corresponding of said detected relationships; and an indicator for generating a validity indicium in response to said comparison.
Claim 84
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for validating an object which carries a unique, randomly variable measurable characteristic which extends along a region thereof and which also carries an incremental verification key, formed of a plurality of spaced apart indicia, which extends along a second region thereof, the apparatus comprising: a first sensor for detecting peak values the randomly variable characteristic; a device for processing the detected peak values; a second sensor for detecting relationships between some of the indicia and a respective reference; a comparator for comparing processed, detected, peak values to corresponding of said detected relationships; and an indicator for generating a validity indicium in response to said comparison.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 74 with said processing device including an arithmetic unit for forming differences between pairs of detected pea values.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 75 including circuitry for forming a plurality of algebraic signs with each sign associated with a respective formed difference.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 74 with said second sensor including means for sensing displacement relative to the respective reference.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as in claim 74 with the randomly variable characteristic extending in a curved region and with said first sensor operative along said curved region.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 74 with said first sensor including a magnetic read head.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 74 with said second sensor including an optical detector.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 74 with said processing device including a programmed computer.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as in claim 81 with said programmed computer including said comparator.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 81 with said programmed computer including said validity indicium generating indicator.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 81 with said programmed computer including an arithmetic unit for forming differences between pairs of detected peak values.
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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) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |