US5873604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Document security system having thermo-activated pantograph and validation mark
Assignee: Verify First Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-16
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Granted: 1999-02-23
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Expires: 2016-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A document protection system is disclosed which employs a thermochromic pantograph and a validation mark. Also disclosed is a method to print thermochromic pantographs onto a substrate. A thermochromic pantograph according to the present invention has a latent image which is rendered visible when sufficient heat is applied to the document to activate the reactive properties of the thermochromic ink. The latent image could form a warning message such as "STOP" or "ALERT" which would alert recipients that a counterfeit copy has potentially been created. The thermochromic pantograph may also comprise a camouflage background pattern which conceals the printed ink of the latent image. A validation mark preferably has a latent "validation" image which can be visually identified on an original document, but which cannot be accurately reproduced by conventional copying or scanning means, and thus will not be visible on an unauthorized copy or duplicate. The use of both thermochromic pantograph and validation mark in the present invention provides multiple levels of protection against the unauthorized alteration or counterfeiting of valuable documents. Used in conjunction, these features allow the present invention to provide efficient and effective protection against unauthorized alterations and counterfeits.
Inventors
- 👤 George K. Phillips
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:35
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M3/00; B41M3/14; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/20; B42D25/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A tamper and counterfeit resistant document comprising: a first surface and a second surface, a thermochromic pantograph on said first surface, and a validation mark; said thermochromic pantograph comprising a latent image and a camouflage pattern; said camouflage pattern comprising a graphic having printed areas and areas without print, said printed areas and said areas without print forming said graphic; said validation mark comprising a latent validation image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tamper and counterfeit resistant document comprising: a first surface and a second surface, a thermochromic pantograph on said first surface, and a validation mark; said thermochromic pantograph comprising a latent image and a camouflage pattern; said camouflage pattern comprising a graphic having printed areas and areas without print, said printed areas and said areas without print forming said graphic; said validation mark comprising a latent validation image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1 wherein said thermochromic pantograph is subject to visible spectral changes when exposed to temperature changes exceeding at least one thermo-activation temperature level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 2 wherein said at least one thermo-activation temperature level is the radiant temperature range of a photocopier or scanner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 2 wherein said visible spectral changes are irreversible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 2 wherein said visible spectral changes are reversible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1 wherein said thermochromic pantograph comprises soft thermochromic ink.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1 wherein said thermochromic pantograph comprises thermochromic ink having heat crystals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1 wherein said latent image becomes visible when exposed to specific temperature levels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 8 wherein said latent image comprises thermochromic ink.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1 wherein said camouflage pattern comprises non-thermochromic ink.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1 wherein said camouflage pattern comprises a pattern of intercrossing and interspaced lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1 wherein said validation mark comprises relief impressions having a plurality of distinct and contrasting relief structures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1 further comprising a thermal verification mark.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of making a document comprising the steps of: applying a thermo-activated latent image in a first location on a first surface of a substrate; and forming a validation mark on said substrate, said validation mark formed on said substrate in a second location separately from said thermo-activated latent image.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of making a document comprising the steps of: applying a thermo-activated latent image in a first location on a first surface of a substrate; and forming a validation mark on said substrate, said validation mark formed on said substrate in a second location separately from said thermo-activated latent image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said applying step comprises the steps of: trapping a background pattern of non-thermochromic ink onto a substrate; spreading a latent image layer of thermochromic ink over said background pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said applying step comprises the step of offset printing said thermo-activated latent image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tamper and counterfeit-resistant document comprising: a substrate; a thermo-activated pantograph formed on the surface of said substrate, said thermo-activated pantograph having a latent image pattern and a background; and a validation mark, said validation mark formed on said substrate separately from said thermo-activated pantograph.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tamper and counterfeit-resistant document comprising: a substrate; a thermo-activated pantograph formed on the surface of said substrate, said thermo-activated pantograph having a latent image pattern and a background; and a validation mark, said validation mark formed on said substrate separately from said thermo-activated pantograph.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 17 wherein said background comprises a camouflaged background pattern.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 18 wherein said validation mark comprises relief impressions having a plurality of distinct and contrasting relief structures.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 17 further comprising a thermal verification mark.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1, wherein said validation mark is on said first surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1, wherein said validation mark is on said second surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1, wherein said camouflage pattern is irregular.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 1, wherein said thermochromic pantograph is in a first location on said document, and said validation mark is in a second location on said document, said second location and said first location not coincident.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
A document comprising: a substrate; a thermo-activated latent image disposed on a first location of said substrate; and a patterned background disposed on said first location of said substrate, said patterned background comprising a graphic, said graphic comprising a first area having a first color and a second area having a second color, said second color different from the first color.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
61 words
A document comprising: a substrate; a thermo-activated latent image disposed on a first location of said substrate; and a patterned background disposed on said first location of said substrate, said patterned background comprising a graphic, said graphic comprising a first area having a first color and a second area having a second color, said second color different from the first color.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The document of claim 25, wherein said first color is black and said second color is white.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The document of claim 25, wherein said latent image visibly appears when exposed to a radiant temperature range of a photocopier or scanner, and said latent image is obscured by said patterned background when exposed to a temperature outside said radiant temperature range of a photocopier or scanner.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The document of claim 25, wherein said first area of said graphic comprises ink having a first color, and said second area of said graphic comprises ink having a second color different from said first color.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 25 wherein said patterned background is irregular.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The document of claim 25, wherein said graphic comprises intercrossing and interspaced lines.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The document of claim 25, wherein said graphic comprises shaded blocks having contours, and wherein said latent image comprises characters aligned within said contours of said blocks.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tamper and counterfeit resistant document of claim 17, wherein said validation mark comprises a latent validation image detectable on said document and substantially undetectable on a reproduction of said document.
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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) | 2002-02-22 | 2002-08-24 | 2003-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-22 | 2006-08-24 | 2007-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-22 | 2010-08-24 | 2011-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |