Patent US5513563A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5513563A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indicia security via variable dot size
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-14
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Granted: 1996-05-07
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Expires: 2014-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed that makes it more difficult to print fraudulent indicia. Security is achieved by varying the dot size of pixels in the printed image according to a predetermined arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 William Berson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:37
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41M; B41M3/00; B41M3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A postal meter printer for printing alphanumeric characters and indicia on a plurality of mail pieces, said printer comprises: means for printing a plurality of dots that represent the alphanumeric characters and indicia; means for storing specific information about the postal meter and the plurality of mail pieces; means coupled to said storing means for developing one or more codes that contain information about the postal meter and the plurality of mail pieces; and means coupled to said developing means and said printing means for varying the dot size on specific printed regions of the plurality of mail pieces so that said one or more printed regions of the mail piece containing varying dot sizes will be coded in accordance with the code produced by said developing means without changing the identity of the alphanumeric characters and indicia.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A postal meter printer for printing alphanumeric characters and indicia on a plurality of mail pieces, said printer comprises: means for printing a plurality of dots that represent the alphanumeric characters and indicia; means for storing specific information about the postal meter and the plurality of mail pieces; means coupled to said storing means for developing one or more codes that contain information about the postal meter and the plurality of mail pieces; and means coupled to said developing means and said printing means for varying the dot size on specific printed regions of the plurality of mail pieces so that said one or more printed regions of the mail piece containing varying dot sizes will be coded in accordance with the code produced by said developing means without changing the identity of the alphanumeric characters and indicia.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The printer claimed in claim 1, wherein said printing means comprises: means for holding ink; means coupled to said holding means for placing drops of ink that represent dots on the mail pieces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The printer claimed in claim 2, wherein said placing means comprises: a tube in which ink flows coupled to said holding means; means coupled to said tube for ejecting discrete quantities of ink from said tube; means coupled to said ejecting means for supplying an electric charge to the quantities of ink to determine the size of the dots that represent alphanumeric characters and indicia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The printer claimed in claim 3, wherein said ejecting means is a piezoelectric device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The printer claimed in claim 4, wherein said supplying means is a deflection plate.
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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) | 1999-05-07 | 1999-11-06 | 2000-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-07 | 2003-11-06 | 2004-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-07 | 2007-11-06 | 2008-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |