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US5538290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for inhibiting the copying of checks and negotiable documents
Assignee: Formtronics Inc
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Filing: 1994-05-12
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2014-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for enhancing the security of a check or negotiable document and deterring the generation of copies of the check or negotiable document. The signature area of a document is imprinted with a pantographic background design different from a pantographic background design covering the remainder of the face of a check. A warning clause describes the color and/or background of the signature area. The endorsement area of a document is also imprinted with a pantographic background design. A warning clause describes the color and/or background of the endorsement area. The endorsement area background may further include a representation of the watermark certification seal to aid an individual in more quickly determining whether the proper watermark seal exist on the check or negotiable document.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert I. Diamond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:01
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M3/00; B41M3/14; B41M3/142; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A negotiable document having enhanced security for deterring generation of copies of the negotiable document, comprising: a backing having an artificial watermark certification seal; and a visually perceptible watermark certification seal representation located on the backing for comparison with the artificial watermark certification seal to determine validity of the negotiable document.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A negotiable document having enhanced security for deterring generation of copies of the negotiable document, comprising: a backing having an artificial watermark certification seal; and a visually perceptible watermark certification seal representation located on the backing for comparison with the artificial watermark certification seal to determine validity of the negotiable document.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The negotiable document of claim 1, wherein the representation is located within an endorsement area of the negotiable document.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The negotiable document of claim 1 further including: an endorsement area on a first side of the backing for endorsing the negotiable document; and a pantographic background design substantially covering the endorsement area of the negotiable documents, said pantographic background design having a single color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The negotiable document of claim 3, wherein the pantographic background design is multicolored.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The negotiable document of claim 3, wherein the endorsement area further includes a warning clause describing the pantographic background design of the endorsement area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The negotiable document of claim 5, wherein the warning clause describes the color of the pantographic background design.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The negotiable document of claim 1 further including: a signature area on a second side of the backing; and a pantographic background design substantially covering the signature area and differing from a pantographic background design on the second side of the backing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The negotiable document of claim 7, wherein the pantographic background design of the signature area is multicolored.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The negotiable document of claim 7, wherein the signature area further includes a warning clause describing the pantographic background design of the signature area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The negotiable document of claim 9, wherein the warning clause describes the color of the pantographic background design.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
A negotiable document having enhanced security for deterring generation of copies of the negotiable document, comprising: a backing having an artificial watermark certification seal; a watermark certification seal representation on the backing for comparison with the artificial watermark certification seal to determine validity of the negotiable document; an endorsement area on a first side of the backing for endorsing the negotiable document; a pantographic background design substantially covering the endorsement area, said pantographic background having a single color; a signature area on a second side of the backing; and a pantographic background design substantially covering the signature area and differing from a pantographic background design on the second side of the backing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
A negotiable document having enhanced security for deterring generation of copies of the negotiable document, comprising: a backing having an artificial watermark certification seal; a watermark certification seal representation on the backing for comparison with the artificial watermark certification seal to determine validity of the negotiable document; an endorsement area on a first side of the backing for endorsing the negotiable document; a pantographic background design substantially covering the endorsement area, said pantographic background having a single color; a signature area on a second side of the backing; and a pantographic background design substantially covering the signature area and differing from a pantographic background design on the second side of the backing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The negotiable document of claim 11, wherein the representation is located within the endorsement area of the negotiable document.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The negotiable document of claim 12, wherein the pantographic background of the endorsement area is multicolored.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The negotiable document of claim 11, wherein the endorsement area further includes a warning clause describing the pantographic background design of the endorsement area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The negotiable document of claim 14, wherein the warning clause describes the color of the pantographic background design.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The negotiable document of claim 11, wherein the pantographic background design of the signature area is multi-colored.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The negotiable document of claim 11, wherein the signature area further includes a warning clause describing the pantographic background design of the signature area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The negotiable document of claim 17, wherein the warning clause describes the color of the pantographic background design.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for enhancing security of a negotiable document and deterring copying of the negotiable document, comprising the steps of: generating an artificial watermark certification seal on the negotiable document; and placing a visually perceptible watermark certification seal representation on the negotiable document.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for enhancing security of a negotiable document and deterring copying of the negotiable document, comprising the steps of: generating an artificial watermark certification seal on the negotiable document; and placing a visually perceptible watermark certification seal representation on the negotiable document.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19, further including the step of placing the watermark certification seal representation in an endorsement area of the negotiable document.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 19 further including the steps of: printing a first pantographic background design within a signature area; printing a second pantographic background design substantially covering a first side of the negotiable document and differing from the first pantographic background design; and generating a warning clause describing the pantographic background design of the signature area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 19, further including the step of printing a pantographic background design within an endorsement area on a second side of the negotiable document.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22, further including the step of generating a warning clause describing the pantographic background design within the endorsement area.
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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) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |