US5575508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for inhibiting the copying of checks and negotiable documents
Assignee: Formtronics Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-02
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Granted: 1996-11-19
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Expires: 2014-11-02
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 08:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M3/00; B41M3/14; B41M3/142; B41M3/146; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/29; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00838; H04N1/00883
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A negotiable document having enhanced security for deterring generation of copies of the negotiable document, comprising: a backing; a first warning mark printed on the backing and comprised of a first dot size pattern; a second warning mark printed on the backing and comprised of a second dot size pattern; and a background pattern printed on the backing and surrounding the first and second warning marks, said background pattern comprising a third dot size pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A negotiable document having enhanced security for deterring generation of copies of the negotiable document, comprising: a backing; a first warning mark printed on the backing and comprised of a first dot size pattern; a second warning mark printed on the backing and comprised of a second dot size pattern; and a background pattern printed on the backing and surrounding the first and second warning marks, said background pattern comprising a third dot size pattern.
Claim 3
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 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The negotiable document of claim 2, wherein the pantographic background design is multicolored.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The negotiable document of claim 2, wherein the endorsement area further includes a warning clause describing the pantographic background design of the endorsement area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The negotiable document of claim 4, wherein the warning clause describes the color of the pantographic background design.
Claim 7
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 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The negotiable document of claim 6, wherein the pantographic background design of the signature area is multicolored.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The negotiable document of claim 6, wherein the signature area further includes a warning clause describing the pantographic background design of the signature area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The negotiable document of claim 8, wherein the warning clause describes the color of the pantographic background design.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for enhancing security of a negotiable document and deterring copying of the negotiable document, comprising the steps of: generating a first warning mark on a negotiable document backing, said first warning mark comprised of a first dot size pattern reproducible by various copier systems; generating a second warning mark on the negotiable document backing, said second warning mark comprised of a second dot size pattern reproducible by various copy systems; and generating a background pattern around the first and second warning marks, said backing pattern comprised of a third dot size pattern reproducible by various copy systems.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for enhancing security of a negotiable document and deterring copying of the negotiable document, comprising the steps of: generating a first warning mark on a negotiable document backing, said first warning mark comprised of a first dot size pattern reproducible by various copier systems; generating a second warning mark on the negotiable document backing, said second warning mark comprised of a second dot size pattern reproducible by various copy systems; and generating a background pattern around the first and second warning marks, said backing pattern comprised of a third dot size pattern reproducible by various copy systems.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 10 further including the steps of: printing a first pantographic background design within a signature area on a first side of a negotiable document; 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 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10, further including the step of printing a pantographic background design within an endorsement area on a second side of the negotiable document.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12, further including the step of generating a warning clause describing the pantographic background design within the endorsement area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-19 | 2000-05-20 | 2000-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-19 | 2004-05-20 | 2004-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-19 | 2008-05-20 | 2008-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |