US5502575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging apparatus having a counterfeiting prevention function
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1993-07-29
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2013-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An imaging apparatus comprising a counterfeiting prevention arrangement and reliably preventing counterfeit reproduction of currency, negotiable certificates, and other registered documents is provided by preventing modification or removal of the counterfeiting prevention arrangement. Modification or removal of the counterfeiting prevention arrangement is prevented in this imaging apparatus by integrating circuit elements or components of the counterfeiting prevention arrangement with circuit elements or components of the image processors of the imaging system in a single chip, or sealing these components in a single mold, effectively preventing modification or removal of the counterfeiting prevention arrangement without disabling the imaging system.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsutomu Kai
- 👤 Kazuyuki Murata
- 👤 Yasuhiro Kuwahara
- 👤 Hitoshi Ono
- 👤 Tsutomu Mikami
- 👤 Tomoko Suetake
- 👤 Akio Kojima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00838; H04N1/00856; H04N1/00875; H04N1/0088; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to a digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; encryption means for encrypting said digital color signal and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first single chip for holding at least said analog-to-digital converter means and said encryption means; and a second single chip for holding at least said color masking means and said decryption means where the imaging apparatus only operates when said first single chip and said second single chip are combined.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to a digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; encryption means for encrypting said digital color signal and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first single chip for holding at least said analog-to-digital converter means and said encryption means; and a second single chip for holding at least said color masking means and said decryption means where the imaging apparatus only operates when said first single chip and said second single chip are combined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein: a. said first single chip further includes first identification code generation means for generating a first identification code; b. said encryption means encrypts said first identification code and said digital color signal in said encrypted signal; c. said second single chip includes (1) detection means for detecting said identification code from the decrypted signal, and (2) a second identification code generation means for providing a second identification code to said image forming means when said first identification code is detected; and d. said image forming means forms said image on said copy sheet in response to said second identification code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said first identification code and said digital color image are intermixed prior to encryption.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
150 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to a digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; encryption means for encrypting said digital color signal and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first molded coating means for coating at least said analog-to-digital converter means and said encryption means; and a second molded coating means for coating at least said color masking means and said decryption means where the imaging apparatus only operates when said first molded coating means and said second molded coating means are combined.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to a digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; encryption means for encrypting said digital color signal and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first molded coating means for coating at least said analog-to-digital converter means and said encryption means; and a second molded coating means for coating at least said color masking means and said decryption means where the imaging apparatus only operates when said first molded coating means and said second molded coating means are combined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 4, further including first identification code generation means for generating a first identification code; detection means for detecting said identification code from the decrypted signal; and second identification code generation means for providing a second identification code to said image forming means when said first identification code is detected; and wherein (1) said first molded means coats said first identification code generation means and said encryption means encrypts said first identification code in said encrypted signal, (2) said second molded means further coats said detection means and said second identification code generation means; and (3) said image forming means forms said image on said copy sheet in response to said first identification code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said first identification code and said digital color image are intermixed prior to encryption.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
156 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating an image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; identification code generation means for generating an identification code; means for intermixing said digital color signal and said identification code prior to encryption; encryption means for encrypting the intermixed digital color signal and identification code and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypting signal and for producing a decrypted signal; detection means for detecting said identification code from said decrypted signal; and interruption means for interrupting proper operation when said detection means fails to detect said identification code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
156 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating an image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; identification code generation means for generating an identification code; means for intermixing said digital color signal and said identification code prior to encryption; encryption means for encrypting the intermixed digital color signal and identification code and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypting signal and for producing a decrypted signal; detection means for detecting said identification code from said decrypted signal; and interruption means for interrupting proper operation when said detection means fails to detect said identification code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said encryption means encrypts said digital color signal by a matrix operation to obtain said encrypted signal, and wherein said decryption means decrypts said encrypted signal by an inverse matrix operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said identification code is a video signal comprising an array of plural characters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
An imaging apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further including: a first single chip for holding at least said identification code generation means, said encryption means, and said analog-to-digital converter means to prevent said imaging apparatus from forming said image on said copy sheet if said first single chip is removed; and a second single chip for holding at least said decryption means, said detection means, color masking means, and said interruption means for interrupting proper operation to prevent said imaging apparatus from forming said image on said copy sheet if said second single chip is removed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to a digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; identification code generation means for generating an identification code; means for intermixing said digital color signal and said identification code prior to encryption; encryption means for encrypting the intermixed digital color signal and identification code, and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first single chip for holding at least said analog-to-digital converter means and said encryption means; and a second single chip for holding at least said color masking means and said decryption means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
155 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to a digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; identification code generation means for generating an identification code; means for intermixing said digital color signal and said identification code prior to encryption; encryption means for encrypting the intermixed digital color signal and identification code, and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first single chip for holding at least said analog-to-digital converter means and said encryption means; and a second single chip for holding at least said color masking means and said decryption means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
157 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to a digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; identification code generation means for generating an identification code; means for intermixing said digital color signal and said identification code prior to encryption; encryption means for encrypting the intermixed digital color signal and identification code, and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first molded coating means for coating at least said analog-to-digital converter means and said encryption means; and a second molded coating means for coating at least said color masking means and said decryption means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
157 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document; analog-to-digital converter means for converting an analog color signal read by said color image sensor means to a digital color signal; color masking means for compensating the color data of said digital color signal and for generating image formation data for forming an image; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image formation data; identification code generation means for generating an identification code; means for intermixing said digital color signal and said identification code prior to encryption; encryption means for encrypting the intermixed digital color signal and identification code, and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first molded coating means for coating at least said analog-to-digital converter means and said encryption means; and a second molded coating means for coating at least said color masking means and said decryption means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document to produce an image signal; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on the image signal; encryption means for encrypting said image signal and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first single chip for holding at least said encryption means; and a second single chip for holding at least said decryption means where the imaging apparatus only operates when said first single chip and said second single chip are combined.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document to produce an image signal; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on the image signal; encryption means for encrypting said image signal and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first single chip for holding at least said encryption means; and a second single chip for holding at least said decryption means where the imaging apparatus only operates when said first single chip and said second single chip are combined.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document to produce an image signal; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image signal; encryption means for encrypting said image signal and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first molded coating means for coating at least said encryption means; and a second molded coating means for coating at least said decryption means where the imaging apparatus only operates when said first molded coating means and said second molded coating means are combined.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
99 words
An imaging apparatus comprising: color image sensor means for reading an original document to produce an image signal; image forming means for forming an image on a copy sheet based on said image signal; encryption means for encrypting said image signal and for producing an encrypted signal; decryption means for decrypting said encrypted signal; a first molded coating means for coating at least said encryption means; and a second molded coating means for coating at least said decryption means where the imaging apparatus only operates when said first molded coating means and said second molded coating means are combined.
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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) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |