US5303370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anti-counterfeiting process using lenticular optics and color masking
Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank NA
•
Filing: 1992-11-13
•
Granted: 1994-04-12
•
Expires: 2012-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An image of a symbol or other indicium of origin or authenticity is encrypted, and printed on the item or a label in superposition with a color mask. In a preferred embodiment, an intermediate parallax record is formed of a series of images of a symbol or other indicium, each differing from the preceding one by a predetermined amount of parallax (i.e. change of viewing angle.) A multiple exposure of the series of intermediate parallax record images is made through a lenticular screen to create the encrypted image of the indicium. The lenticular screen and the medium on which the multiple exposure is made are moved relative to each other between exposures. The encrypted image and the superimposed color mask are then printed as a composite image to produce an unintelligible criss-cross of colored lines. When viewed through a lenticular screen which matches that used to create the encrypted image, the original indicium is revealed in clear form.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Brosh
- 👤 Timothy Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:49
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of authenticating the origin of an item comprising the steps of: a. Selecting an indicium for identifying the origin of the item; b. Creating an interlace-encrypted image of the identifying indicium by projecting a succession of images thereof through a lenticular array onto a recording medium for a predetermined exposure interval, and moving the recording medium relative to the lenticular array by a predetermined incremental scan distance between each exposure; c. creating a color mask comprised of first and second intersecting elements each of a different color; and d. printing the interlace-encrypted image and the color mask in superposition on the item.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of authenticating the origin of an item comprising the steps of: a. Selecting an indicium for identifying the origin of the item; b. Creating an interlace-encrypted image of the identifying indicium by projecting a succession of images thereof through a lenticular array onto a recording medium for a predetermined exposure interval, and moving the recording medium relative to the lenticular array by a predetermined incremental scan distance between each exposure; c. creating a color mask comprised of first and second intersecting elements each of a different color; and d. printing the interlace-encrypted image and the color mask in superposition on the item.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
An authentication method according to claim 1 further including the step of producing an intermediate parallax record of the selected indicium by creating a series of images thereof, each differing from the prior one by a predetermined amount of parallax, successive ones of the series of images of the intermediate parallax record being used to provide the succession of images projected onto the recording medium to create the interlace-encrypted image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An authentication method according to claim 2 in which the images of the intermediate parallax record are created by recording a succession of images of the identifying indicium corresponding to a series of steps of incremental relative displacement between the indicium and a second recording medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An authentication method according to claim 3 in which the total relative displacement of the indicium is approximately equal to the dimension of the indicium in the direction of displacement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An authentication method according to claim 4 in which the incremental relative displacement of the identifying indicium is less than approximately 2% of the dimension of the indicium in the direction of displacement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An authentication method according to claim 1 in which the total relative displacement between the recording medium and the lenticular array for the succession of exposures is equal to the spatial frequency of the lenticular array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An authentication method according to claim 6 in which the spatial frequency of the lenticular array is 0.0185", the incremental scan distance is 0.00023", and the number of images projected onto the recording medium is 80.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An authentication method according to claim 1 in which the colors are selected such that the density of the areas of intersection of the color elements is approximately equal to or greater than that of the interlace-encrypted image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An authentication method according to claim in which the first color is selected from among the three primary colors, and the second color is the secondary color, or a near approximation thereof, corresponding to the first color.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An authentication method according to claim 9 in which the color mask covers approximately 40% of the area occupied by the interlace-encrypted image when printed on the item.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
An authentication method according to claim 1 in which the color mask is created by forming a first set of spaced lines of one color to provide the first element, and by forming a second set of spaced lines of a second color to provide the second element, the lines of the first and second set respectively intersecting each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An authentication method according to claim 11 in which the colors are selected such that the density of the areas of intersection of the color elements is approximately equal to or greater than that of the interlace-encrypted image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An authentication method according to claim 11 in which the background color of the field occupied by the lines of the first and second sets and the interlace-encrypted image is of a third color.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An authentication method according to claim 13 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan and the third color is yellow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
An authentication method according to claim 11 in which the step of creating the color mask further comprises forming a third set of spaced lines of a third color, the first and third sets of lines being of such width and spacing as to partially overlap to create lines of a fourth color.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
An authentication method according to claim 15 in which the lines of the second color element are formed to intersect the fourth-color lines, and in which the colors are selected such that the density of the areas of intersection between the lines of the second and fourth colors are of a density approximately equal to or greater than that of the interlace-encrypted image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An authentication method according to claim 15 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan, and the third color is yellow, whereby the area of overlap of the first and third colors is orange.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
An authentication method according to claim 1 in which the step of creating the color mask further comprises the step of creating a third element of a third color, with the first and third elements partially overlapping each other o create a fourth element of a fourth color.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
An authentication method according to claim 18 in which the second color element is arranged to intersect the fourth color element, and in which the colors are selected so that the density of the intersection of the second and fourth color elements is approximately equal to or greater than the density of the interlace-encrypted image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
An authentication method according to claim 18 in which the third element forms a background for the field occupied by the first and second elements and the interlace-encrypted image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An authentication method according to claim 19 in which each color element is created by forming a set of parallel spaced lines.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
An authentication method according to claim 21 in which the lines of the set forming the first element are parallel to the lines of the set forming the third element so that the fourth color element consists of a set of spaced parallel lines of the fourth color.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
An authentication method according to claim 22 in which the lines of the first and third sets are selected to be parallel to the scan direction of the interlace-encrypted image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
An authentication method according to claim 21 in which the spacing and width of the line in the first, second, and third sets are selected such that the color mask covers approximately 40% of the field of the interlace-encrypted image when printed on the item.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
An authentication method according to claim 19 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan, and the third color is yellow, whereby the overlap between the first and third colors is orange.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
An identifier for demonstrating the origin of an item comprising: a. an encrypted image of an indicium of the origin of the item; b. a color mask consisting of first and second intersecting elements each of a different color; c. the encrypted image and the color mask being printed in registration with each other on the item.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
57 words
An identifier for demonstrating the origin of an item comprising: a. an encrypted image of an indicium of the origin of the item; b. a color mask consisting of first and second intersecting elements each of a different color; c. the encrypted image and the color mask being printed in registration with each other on the item.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
58 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 26 in which the encrypted image is a multiple exposure of a succession of images of the indicium projected through a lenticular array onto a recording medium with the recording medium and the lenticular array being moved relative to each other by a predetermined incremental scan distance between each exposure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 27 in which each of the images of the indicium differs from the preceding one by a predetermined amount of parallax.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 26 in which the the density of the areas of intersection of the color elements is approximately equal to or greater than that of the encrypted image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 29 in which the first color is one of the three primary colors, and the second color is the secondary color, or a near approximation thereto, corresponding to the first color.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 30 in which the color mask covers approximately 40% of the area occupied by the encrypted image when printed on the item.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 26 in which the color mask is comprised of a first set of spaced lines of one color forming the first element, and a second set of spaced lines of a second color forming the second element, the lines of the first and second set respectively intersecting each other.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 32 in which the colors are selected such that the density of the areas of intersection of the color elements is approximately equal to or greater than that of the encrypted image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 33 in which the background color of the field occupied by the lines of the first and second sets and the encrypted image is of a third color.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 34 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan and the third color is yellow.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 32 in which the color mask further comprises a third set of spaced lines of a third color, the first and third sets of lines being of such width and spacing as to partially overlap to create lines of a fourth color.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
53 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 36 in which the lines of the second color element intersect the fourth-color lines, and in which the density of the areas of intersection between the lines of the second and fourth colors are approximately equal to or greater than that of the encrypted image.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 36 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan, and the third color is yellow, whereby the area of overlap of the first and third colors is orange.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 26 in which the color mask further comprises a third element of a third color, with the first and third elements partially overlapping each other to create a fourth element of a fourth color.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 39 in which the second color element intersects the fourth color element, and in which the density of the area of intersection of the second and fourth color elements is approximately equal to or greater than that of the encrypted image.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 39 in which the third color element forms a background for the field occupied by the first and second elements and the encrypted image.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 39 in which each color element is comprised of a set of parallel spaced lines.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
50 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 42 in which the lines of the set forming the first element are parallel to the lines of the set forming the third element so that the fourth color element consists of a set of spaced parallel lines of the fourth color.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
46 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 42 in which the spacing and width of the lines in the first, second, and third sets are such that the color mask covers approximately 40% of the field of the encrypted image when printed on the item.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
An identifier for an item according to claim 40 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan, and the third color is yellow, whereby the overlap between the first and third colors is orange.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of authenticating the origin of an item comprising the steps of: a. Selecting an indicium for identifying the origin of the item; b. Creating an encrypted image of the identifying indicium: c. creating a color mask comprised of first and second intersecting elements each of a different color; and d. printing the encrypted image and the color mask in superposition on the item.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of authenticating the origin of an item comprising the steps of: a. Selecting an indicium for identifying the origin of the item; b. Creating an encrypted image of the identifying indicium: c. creating a color mask comprised of first and second intersecting elements each of a different color; and d. printing the encrypted image and the color mask in superposition on the item.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
59 words
An authentication method according to claim 46 in which the encrypted image is produced by creating a multiple exposure of a succession of images of the indicium projected through a lenticular array onto a recording medium with the recording medium and the lenticular array being moved relative to each other by a predetermined incremental scan distance between each exposure.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
An authentication method according to claim 47 in which each of the images of the indicium differs from the preceding one by a predetermined amount of parallax.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
70 words
An authentication method according to claim 47 further including the step of producing an intermediate parallax record of the selected indicium by creating a series of images thereof, each differing from the prior one by a predetermined amount of parallax, successive ones of the series of images of the intermediate parallax record being used to provide the succession of images projected onto the recording medium to create the multiple exposure.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
38 words
An authentication method according to claim 46 in which the colors are selected such that the density of the areas of intersection of the color elements is approximately equal to or greater than that of the encrypted image.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
38 words
An authentication method according to claim 50 in which the first color is selected from among the three primary colors, and the second color is the secondary color, or a near approximation thereof, corresponding to the first color.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
60 words
An authentication method according to claim 46 in which the color mask is created by forming a first set of spaced lines of one color to provide the first element, and by forming a second set of spaced lines of a second color to provide the second element, the lines of the first and second set respectively intersecting each other.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
38 words
An authentication method according to claim 52 in which the colors are selected such that the density of the areas of intersection of the color elements is approximately equal to or greater than that of the encrypted image.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
34 words
An authentication method according to claim 53 in which the background color of the field occupied by the lines of the first and second sets and the interlace-encrypted image is of a third color.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
An authentication method according to claim 54 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan and the third color is yellow.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
53 words
An authentication method according to claim 52 in which the step of creating the color mask further comprises forming a third set of spaced lines of a third color, the first and third sets of lines being of such width and spacing as to partially overlap to create lines of a fourth color.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
54 words
An authentication method according to claim 56 in which the lines of the second color element are formed to intersect the fourth-color lines, and in which the areas of intersection between the lines of the second and fourth colors are of a density approximately equal to or greater than that of the encrypted image.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
38 words
An authentication method according to claim 56 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan, and the third color is yellow, whereby the area of overlap of the first and third colors is orange.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
48 words
An authentication method according to claim 46 in which the step of creating the color mask further comprises the step of creating a third element of a third color, with the first and third elements partially overlapping each other to create a fourth element of a fourth color.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
55 words
An authentication method according to claim 59 in which the second color element is arranged to intersect the fourth color element, and in which the colors are selected so that the density of the intersection of the second and fourth color elements is approximately equal to or greater than the density of the encrypted image.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
29 words
An authentication method according to claim 59 in which the third element forms a background for the field occupied by the first and second elements and the encrypted image.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
An authentication method according to claim 59 in which each color element is created by forming a set of parallel spaced lines.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
48 words
An authentication method according to claim 62 in which the lines of the set forming the first element are parallel to the lines of the set forming the third element so that the fourth color element consists of a set of spaced parallel lines of the fourth color.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
30 words
An authentication method according to claim 63 in which the lines of the first and third sets are selected to be parallel to the scan direction of the encrypted image.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
36 words
An authentication method according to claim 60 in which the first color is magenta, the second color is cyan, and the third color is yellow, whereby the overlap between the first and third colors is orange.
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