US5447335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security device and authenticatable item
Assignee: De la Rue International Ltd
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Filing: 1991-11-22
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Granted: 1995-09-05
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Expires: 2011-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An authenticatable item and security device carry a number of symbols (4A, 4B, 4C, 6A, 6B, 6C) identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols. All the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Haslop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:28
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/30; B42D25/328; B42D25/20; B42D25/29; B42D25/324; B42D25/40; B42D25/405; B42D25/425; B42D25/45; B42D25/455; B42D25/46; B42D25/465; B42D25/47; G; G03; G03H; G03H1/00; G03H1/0005; G03H1/0011; G03H1/02; G03H1/024; G03H1/0244; G03H1/26; G03H1/2645; G03H1/265; G03H2001/0204; G03H1/22; G03H1/2249; G03H2001/2281; G03H2210/00; G03H2210/20; G03H2210/30; G03H2210/32; G03H2210/33; G03H2210/50; G03H2210/52; G03H2210/54; G03H2250/00; G03H2250/42; G03H2260/00; G03H2260/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An authenticatable item carrying a number of symbols identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An authenticatable item carrying a number of symbols identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A security device for mounting to an authenticatable item, the security device carrying a number of symbols identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
A security device for mounting to an authenticatable item, the security device carrying a number of symbols identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 2, further comprising a heat or pressure sensitive adhesive to enable the device to be fixed to a surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the device is such that it can be mounted on a flexible planar surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols in a set vary regularly in their relative orientations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols in a set vary regularly in their relative sizes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein the symbols making up a set are arranged in a line with the sizes of successive symbols decreasing regularly along the line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the appearance of the symbols results from a diffraction effect visible in white light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols in a set exhibit substantially the same optical performance at regularly spaced relative angles of rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols of one set are different from the symbols of the other set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein one symbol is common to both sets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the item or device carries at least six symbols.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols in a set are substantially equally spaced apart.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols are identifiable to the unassisted naked eye.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols of one set are interleaved with the symbols of the other set.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols of the sets are juxtaposed so as to define a number of composite symbols.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 16, wherein one of the symbols comprises a closed contour which is positioned around at least one symbol of one or more other sets of symbols.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 17, wherein the symbols making up the composite symbol exhibit differently varying optical performances as the viewing angle of inclination varies.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein each symbol of one set overlaps at most one symbol of the other set.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the symbols of the two sets exhibit mutually opposed variations in optical performance as the viewing angle of inclination varies.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device a according to claim 2, wherein the symbols are presented against a background image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 21, wherein the background image is diffracting.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein at least some of the symbols present the appearance of a pair of two dimensional images which move relative to one another as the viewing angle of inclination varies.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein at least some of the symbols present a three-dimensional object in the form of an object hologram.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
An authenticatable item carrying a security device according to claim 2, wherein a layer of varnish is provided on the item underneath the device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
An authenticatable item according to claim 1, wherein the item comprises a security document.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
An item according to claim 26, wherein the security document is a banknote.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of manufacturing a security device carrying a number of symbols identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle, the method comprising providing on a substrate a number of symbols identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of manufacturing a security device carrying a number of symbols identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle, the method comprising providing on a substrate a number of symbols identifiable to the naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein the symbols are provided by impressing a diffraction structure on to the substrate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein the substrate comprises a hot stamping foil from which individual security devices can be blocked.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
109 words
A shim for use in manufacturing a diffractive security device, the shim having a surface relief pattern which can be impressed into a substrate and is constructed so as to impress a corresponding surface relief pattern in the substrate and define said diffractive security device which carries a number of symbols identifiable to a naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
109 words
A shim for use in manufacturing a diffractive security device, the shim having a surface relief pattern which can be impressed into a substrate and is constructed so as to impress a corresponding surface relief pattern in the substrate and define said diffractive security device which carries a number of symbols identifiable to a naked eye, there being at least two sets of at least three symbols, wherein all the symbols within a set are substantially identical, are positioned in a non-overlapping, regular geometric arrangement, and at at least one common viewing angle of inclination, exhibit substantially the same optical performance, the optical performance varying with inclination viewing angle.
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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) | 1998-09-04 | 1999-03-06 | 1999-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-04 | 2003-03-06 | 2003-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-04 | 2007-03-06 | 2007-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |