US5752152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Copy restrictive system
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1996-02-08
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Granted: 1998-05-12
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Expires: 2016-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A system and associated method for restricting the copying of an image document that contains an image of arbitrary and undetermined character that is formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots. One embodiment of the system includes a copy machine and associated software that scans for the presence of microdots in an image document and if present prevents the copy machine from making a copy. The microdots are of such a size that they are not visible to the unaided eye, but when machine scanned their presence is sensed.
Inventors
- 👤 John Gasper
- 👤 Jay Stuart Schildkraut
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00838; H04N1/0084; H04N1/00843; H04N1/00846; H04N1/00856; H04N1/00875; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N1/32149; H04N1/32203; H04N1/32208; H04N1/32251; H04N1/32288; H04N1/32293; H04N1/32309; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3204; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3269; H04N2201/327; H04N2201/3271; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; detecting means for detecting the presence of one or more microdots in said document ; and controlling means responsive to said detecting me ans for restricting a copy machine from copying the document when a microdot is detected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; detecting means for detecting the presence of one or more microdots in said document ; and controlling means responsive to said detecting me ans for restricting a copy machine from copying the document when a microdot is detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said detecting means detects the presence of one or more microdots on the document based on one or more characteristics of color, color shift, optical density, size, shape, profile, orientation, geometrical arrangement, and spacing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said microdots have a spectral character of low visual perceptibility.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the microdots are yellow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the microdots are luminescent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the equivalent circular diameter of the microdots is 300 microns or less with the edge of a microdot defined by the isodensity profile at which the optical density is half the maximum density.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the area of the microdot is subdivided into smaller areas of different colors, the color yellow occupying 50 % or more of the area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the spatial arrangement of the microdots is periodic with one or more periodicities.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the spatial arrangement of the microdots is aperiodic with one or more aperiodicities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the spatial arrangement of the microdots is a combination of periodic and aperiodic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the microdots have an optical density, size, and spacing so as to not visually modify the lightness or color balance of the image in the document.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the microdots are embedded into or deposited onto at lease one surface of the document.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein microdots embedded into the back side of a document to incorporate information about the manufacture and/or source of the document.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) detecting the presence of at least one microdot on the image document when a copy action is attempted; and c) restrict ing the copy action when the at least one microdot is detected.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) detecting the presence of at least one microdot on the image document when a copy action is attempted; and c) restrict ing the copy action when the at least one microdot is detected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said microdots are selected to have a spectral character of low visual perceptibility.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the microdots are yellow.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the microdots are luminescent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the equivalent circular diameter of the microdots is 300 microns or less with the edge of a microdot defined by the isodensity profile at which the optical density is half the maximum density.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the area of the microdot is subdivided into smaller areas of different colors, but with yellow occupying 50% or more of the area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the spatial arrangement of the microdots is periodic with one or more periodicities.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the spatial arrangement of the microdots is aperiodic with one or more aperiodicities.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the spatial arrangement of the microdots is a combination of periodic and aperiodic.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the microdots are minimally spaced 0.5 mm center-tocenter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said microdots are embedded into or deposited onto at least one surface of the document.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said microdots are embedded into the backside of a document to incorporate information about the manufacture and/or source of the document.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: a) forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium havinga a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) detecting the presence of one or more microdots on the image document; and c) enabling or disabling the copying of the image document based on the detected presence of one or more microdots.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: a) forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium havinga a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) detecting the presence of one or more microdots on the image document; and c) enabling or disabling the copying of the image document based on the detected presence of one or more microdots.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of a document comprising the steps of: a) embedding a plurality of microdots into a document; b) scanning the document to obtain document pixel values; c) defining a first metric that measures the closeness of document pixel values to predetermined microdot values; d) defining a second metric that measures the periodicity of the first metric; e) comparing the second metric to a predetermined value to determine the presence of microdots; and f) authorizing the copying based on the presence or the absence microdots.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of a document comprising the steps of: a) embedding a plurality of microdots into a document; b) scanning the document to obtain document pixel values; c) defining a first metric that measures the closeness of document pixel values to predetermined microdot values; d) defining a second metric that measures the periodicity of the first metric; e) comparing the second metric to a predetermined value to determine the presence of microdots; and f) authorizing the copying based on the presence or the absence microdots.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: a) forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) determining the closeness of document pixel values to predetermined microdot values; d) determining the presence or the absence of at least one microdot on the image document based on the measures of closeness from step c); and e) authorizing the copying based on the presence or the absence of the at least one microdot.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: a) forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) determining the closeness of document pixel values to predetermined microdot values; d) determining the presence or the absence of at least one microdot on the image document based on the measures of closeness from step c); and e) authorizing the copying based on the presence or the absence of the at least one microdot.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: a) forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) detecting the presence of one or more microdots on the image document based on one or more characteristics of color, color shift, optical density, size, shape, profile, orientation, geometrical arrangement, and spacing; and c) enabling or disabling the copying of the image document based on the detected presence of one or more microdots.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: a) forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) detecting the presence of one or more microdots on the image document based on one or more characteristics of color, color shift, optical density, size, shape, profile, orientation, geometrical arrangement, and spacing; and c) enabling or disabling the copying of the image document based on the detected presence of one or more microdots.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: a) forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium having a predetennined pattern of microdots representing a signature thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) detecting the presence of the microdot represented signature; and c) enabling or disabling the copying of the image document based on the detected presence of the represented signature.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for controllably enabling the copying of an image document comprising the steps of: a) forming an image of arbitrary and undetermined character in or on a document medium having a predetennined pattern of microdots representing a signature thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) detecting the presence of the microdot represented signature; and c) enabling or disabling the copying of the image document based on the detected presence of the represented signature.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: a) an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) estimating the contribution of the unknown image to the color of a pixel in the image document based on the color of neighboring pixels; d) determining the color that is expected for a microdot containing pixel based on the estimated color of the unknown image at that pixel location as determined in step c); e) defining a metric related to the difference between the expected color of a microdot containing pixel as determined in step d) and the actual color of the pixel; f) repeating steps c) through e) for each pixel location in the image; and g) restricting a copy action as a function of the metrics resulting from step f).
Claim 39
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: a) an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) estimating the contribution of the unknown image to the color of a pixel in the image document based on the color of neighboring pixels; d) determining the color that is expected for a microdot containing pixel based on the estimated color of the unknown image at that pixel location as determined in step c); e) defining a metric related to the difference between the expected color of a microdot containing pixel as determined in step d) and the actual color of the pixel; f) repeating steps c) through e) for each pixel location in the image; and g) restricting a copy action as a function of the metrics resulting from step f).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
(New) The method according to claim 31 wherein step g) enables a copy action as a function of the metrics resulting from step f).
Claim 41
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: a) an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined periodic pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) estimating the contribution of the unknown image to the color of a pixel in the image document based on the color of neighboring pixels; d) determining the color that is expected for a microdot containing pixel based on the estimated color of the unknown image at that pixel location as determined in step c); e) defining a metric related to the difference between the expected color of a microdot containing pixel as determined in step d) and the actual color of the pixel; f) repeating steps c) through e) for each pixel location in the image to form a global metric; and g) defining a second metric related to the periodicity of the global metric; and h) restricting a copy action as a function of the second metric.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: a) an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined periodic pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) estimating the contribution of the unknown image to the color of a pixel in the image document based on the color of neighboring pixels; d) determining the color that is expected for a microdot containing pixel based on the estimated color of the unknown image at that pixel location as determined in step c); e) defining a metric related to the difference between the expected color of a microdot containing pixel as determined in step d) and the actual color of the pixel; f) repeating steps c) through e) for each pixel location in the image to form a global metric; and g) defining a second metric related to the periodicity of the global metric; and h) restricting a copy action as a function of the second metric.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
188 words
(New) A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: a) an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) selecting a section of the arbitrary and unknown image in which the microdot pattern has a likelihood of being detectable; d) estimating the contribution of the unknown image to the color of a pixel in the selected section based on the color of neighboring pixels; e) determining the color that is expected for a microdot containing pixel based on the estimated color of the unknown image at that pixel location as determined in step d); f) defining a metric related to the difference between the expected color of a microdot containing pixel as determined in step e) and the actual color of the pixel; g) repeating steps c) through f) for each pixel location in the selected section; and h) restricting a copy action as a function of the metrics resulting from step g).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
188 words
(New) A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: a) an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) selecting a section of the arbitrary and unknown image in which the microdot pattern has a likelihood of being detectable; d) estimating the contribution of the unknown image to the color of a pixel in the selected section based on the color of neighboring pixels; e) determining the color that is expected for a microdot containing pixel based on the estimated color of the unknown image at that pixel location as determined in step d); f) defining a metric related to the difference between the expected color of a microdot containing pixel as determined in step e) and the actual color of the pixel; g) repeating steps c) through f) for each pixel location in the selected section; and h) restricting a copy action as a function of the metrics resulting from step g).
Claim 45
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: a) an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined periodic pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) selecting a section of the arbitrary and unknown image in which the microdot pattern has a likelihood of being detectable; d) estimating the contribution of the unknown image to the color of a pixel in the selected section based on the color of neighboring pixels; e) determining the color that is expected for a microdot containing pixel based on the estimated color of the unknown image at that pixel location as determined in step d); f) defining a metric related to the difference between the expected color of a microdot containing pixel as determined in step e) and the actual color of the pixel; g) repeating steps d) through f) for each pixel location in the selected section to form a global metric; h) defining a second metric related to the periodicity of the global metric; and i) restricting a copy action as a function of the second metric.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for restricting the copying of an image document comprising: a) an image of arbitrary and undetermined character formed in or on a document medium having a predetermined periodic pattern of microdots thereby creating an image document of arbitrary and undetermined character; b) scanning the image document to obtain document pixel values; c) selecting a section of the arbitrary and unknown image in which the microdot pattern has a likelihood of being detectable; d) estimating the contribution of the unknown image to the color of a pixel in the selected section based on the color of neighboring pixels; e) determining the color that is expected for a microdot containing pixel based on the estimated color of the unknown image at that pixel location as determined in step d); f) defining a metric related to the difference between the expected color of a microdot containing pixel as determined in step e) and the actual color of the pixel; g) repeating steps d) through f) for each pixel location in the selected section to form a global metric; h) defining a second metric related to the periodicity of the global metric; and i) restricting a copy action as a function of the second metric.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-11 | 2001-11-10 | 2002-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-11 | 2005-11-10 | 2006-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-11 | 2009-11-10 | 2010-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |