US5403039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-resistant article and method of authenticating the same
Assignee: Oberthur Gaming Technologies Corp
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Filing: 1992-10-14
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Granted: 1995-04-04
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Expires: 2012-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A printed document, such as a lottery ticket, includes a thermochromic layer at least over the imprinted data region. The printed document can be authenticated by applying heat to the thermochromic material and observing the presence or absence of a reversible color change.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Borowski, Jr.
- 👤 Robert O. Fulton
- 👤 Jacques Lavoie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:39
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/14; A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/06; A63F3/065; A63F3/0685; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/902; Y10S283/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A flat, unfolded printed document comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) data imaged on a portion of the substrate; and (c) a layer of a thermochromic material capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to heat placed over at least the data portion of the substrate, said layer of thermochromic material being exposed on the substrate at all times during use of the printed document, said data and said layer of thermochromic material together serving to authenticate said document.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A flat, unfolded printed document comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) data imaged on a portion of the substrate; and (c) a layer of a thermochromic material capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to heat placed over at least the data portion of the substrate, said layer of thermochromic material being exposed on the substrate at all times during use of the printed document, said data and said layer of thermochromic material together serving to authenticate said document.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The printed document of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic material comprises a mixture of a water base material and a slurry containing a microencapsulated oil and leuco dye,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The printed document of claim 1 wherein the data includes game data and non-game data, said thermochromic material covering only the non-game data portion of the substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The printed document of claim 1 wherein the substrate is made from a material selected from the group consisting of virgin and recyclable paper,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The printed document of claim 1 which is in the form of a lottery ticket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The printed document of claim 5 wherein the lottery ticket is printed on a foil laminated substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The printed document of claim 1 which is in the form of a negotiable instrument.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of authenticating a flat, unfolded printed document, said printed document comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) data imaged on a portion of the substrate; and (c) a layer of thermochromic material capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to heat placed over at least the data portion of the substrate, said layer of thermochromic material being exposed on the substrate at all times during use of the printed document, said process comprising heating the thermochromic layer to a temperature sufficient to cause of reversible color change, whereby if a reversible color change does not occur, the printed document is not authentic.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of authenticating a flat, unfolded printed document, said printed document comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) data imaged on a portion of the substrate; and (c) a layer of thermochromic material capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to heat placed over at least the data portion of the substrate, said layer of thermochromic material being exposed on the substrate at all times during use of the printed document, said process comprising heating the thermochromic layer to a temperature sufficient to cause of reversible color change, whereby if a reversible color change does not occur, the printed document is not authentic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step of heating the thermochromic layer is performed by contacting the thermochromic layer with a part of the human body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4488646A
Cited
GB2188283A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-03 | 1998-10-03 | 1999-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-03 | 2002-10-03 | 2003-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-03 | 2006-10-03 | 2007-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |