US5480239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Postage meter system having bit-mapped indicia image security
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1993-10-08
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2013-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A deterrent to counterfeiting of indicias on mailpieces is provided in a method and apparatus for implementing the printing of the indicia using a customized printhead or customized printer drivers such that the dots of the bit-mapped printing are produced by the printer in unevenly spaced rows or columns. The dot size may also be varied in accordance with data from the meter, printed value, variable data such as the date, and forensic data suitably encrypted. When the indicia is scanned, the variations are readily detectable and the information is easily extracted by Postal Authorities.
Inventors
- 👤 Hyung-Kun P. Kim
- 👤 Arno Muller
- 👤 Easwaran C. N. Nambudiri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:10
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00733; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00516; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/0058; G07B2017/00637; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00709; G07B2017/00717; G07B2017/00822; G07B2017/0083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A printer for printing a postal indicia comprising: means to deter counterfeiting, said means including a computer printing bit map imaging means having a dot pattern image generator for generating a unique dot pattern information, and having a graphic image generator for generating graphical information, and print composite imaging means for receiving said graphical information and dot pattern information and creating composite printing information said dot pattern image generator causing said composite printing information to symmetrically vary dot position in accordance with variation in said dot pattern information; a matrix printer operative in conjunction with said computer printing bit map imaging means; said matrix printer including printing elements, a driver arranged for causing said matrix printer to print a plurality of dots in a pattern in accordance with said composite printing information from said composite imaging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A printer for printing a postal indicia comprising: means to deter counterfeiting, said means including a computer printing bit map imaging means having a dot pattern image generator for generating a unique dot pattern information, and having a graphic image generator for generating graphical information, and print composite imaging means for receiving said graphical information and dot pattern information and creating composite printing information said dot pattern image generator causing said composite printing information to symmetrically vary dot position in accordance with variation in said dot pattern information; a matrix printer operative in conjunction with said computer printing bit map imaging means; said matrix printer including printing elements, a driver arranged for causing said matrix printer to print a plurality of dots in a pattern in accordance with said composite printing information from said composite imaging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The printer of claim 1 wherein said composite printing information causes said matrix printer to print a plurality of dots comprising said postage indicia wherein said dots sizes are caused to symmetrically vary to produce a texture in accordance with said composite printing information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The printer of claim 2 or 1 wherein said composite printing information causes said matrix printer to print a plurality of dots comprising said postage indicia wherein said dots are positions in columns of symmetrically varying column spacing to produce a texture in accordance with said composite printing information.
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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) | 1999-01-01 | 1999-07-03 | 2000-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-01 | 2003-07-03 | 2004-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-01 | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |