US5975583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carrier representing value and comprising patterns applied by a laser beam
Assignee: Industrial Automation Integrators IAI BV
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Filing: 1995-03-29
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Granted: 1999-11-02
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Expires: 2015-03-29
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a carrier representing value provided with recognizable pattern, for instance in the form of giro checks, bankchecks, banknotes, shares, bonds and other documents representing a value, wherein the patterns are formed by parts treated by means of a laser beam. This object is reached in that the patterns have been provided by means of a laser light beam. The use of a laser beam makes it possible to apply particularly fine structures which either cannot be applied with other treating methods, or only with the greatest financial effort. The use of laser beams enables variation of the width or depth of the channels or perforations which is almost impossible with other treating methods.
Inventors
- 👤 Johannes Ignatius Marie Cobben
- 👤 Arnoud Augustinus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:24
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/30; B42D25/346; B42D25/20; B42D25/29; B42D25/40; B42D25/405; B42D25/43; B42D25/435; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A carrier representing value, comprising: an identifying mark in said carrier, said identifying mark discernible with the naked eye; and a laser perforated pattern comprising first and second features, said first feature being a symbol discernible with the naked eye and said second feature forming a portion of said first feature formed so small that said second feature cannot be seen with the naked eye; and said symbol resembling said identifying mark.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A carrier representing value, comprising: an identifying mark in said carrier, said identifying mark discernible with the naked eye; and a laser perforated pattern comprising first and second features, said first feature being a symbol discernible with the naked eye and said second feature forming a portion of said first feature formed so small that said second feature cannot be seen with the naked eye; and said symbol resembling said identifying mark.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for forming markings on a carrier representing value, comprising the steps of: printing a pattern on the carrier to provide a printed pattern; and perforating the carrier to provide a perforated pattern resembling the printed pattern; the perforated pattern having first and second features, the first feature being a predefined shape sufficiently large in size that the predefined shape is discernible with a human eye, said second feature being a variation on the predefined shape and being of such a small size, that the second feature is not discernible by a human eye, thereby rendering the carrier difficult to forge as the second feature is not discernible by a human eye making exact duplication unlikely to protect against forgery, and making forgery easily detectable by comparing the perforated pattern with a perforated pattern on a forged carrier which lacks the second feature.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for forming markings on a carrier representing value, comprising the steps of: printing a pattern on the carrier to provide a printed pattern; and perforating the carrier to provide a perforated pattern resembling the printed pattern; the perforated pattern having first and second features, the first feature being a predefined shape sufficiently large in size that the predefined shape is discernible with a human eye, said second feature being a variation on the predefined shape and being of such a small size, that the second feature is not discernible by a human eye, thereby rendering the carrier difficult to forge as the second feature is not discernible by a human eye making exact duplication unlikely to protect against forgery, and making forgery easily detectable by comparing the perforated pattern with a perforated pattern on a forged carrier which lacks the second feature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
A method as in claim 2, further comprising: selecting a material for said carrier; said step of generating including stacking at least two carriers and directing a laser at said carriers, said laser of sufficient power to create holes in all of said at least two carriers and said carriers and said power and said material for said carrier being such that a one of said at least two closest to said laser has a slightly different hole size than a second of said at least two, whereby first and second ones of said at least two are distinguishable.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for creating a fraud prevention device in a value-representing carrier, comprising the steps of: generating a pattern in the carrier to provide a generated pattern of a size such that the generated pattern is discernible with the naked eye; and perforating the carrier with a perforated pattern resembling the generated pattern, the perforated pattern including identifiable features of such a small size that said identifiable features cannot be discerned with the naked eye to protect against forgery of said carrier.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for creating a fraud prevention device in a value-representing carrier, comprising the steps of: generating a pattern in the carrier to provide a generated pattern of a size such that the generated pattern is discernible with the naked eye; and perforating the carrier with a perforated pattern resembling the generated pattern, the perforated pattern including identifiable features of such a small size that said identifiable features cannot be discerned with the naked eye to protect against forgery of said carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein said step of generating includes modifying a portion of a piece of material of which said carrier is made using a laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein said step of generating includes stacking multiple carriers and directing, toward the resulting stack, a laser, of such power that material of at least two of said multiple carriers are modified by interaction with said laser and such that respective symbols formed in a first and a second of said at least two are distinguishable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 6, wherein said step of generating includes forming at least one aperture in said carrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 6, wherein said step of generating includes forming at least one depression in said carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A carrier representing value having a printed pattern; and a perforated pattern comprising perforations arranged to resemble said printed pattern, each of said perforations having first and second features, said first feature being a predefined shape sufficiently large in size that said predefined shape is discernible with a human eye, said second feature being a variation on said predefined shape and being of such small size, that the second feature is not discernible by a human eye, thereby rendering said carrier difficult to forge as said second feature is not discernible by a human eye making duplication unlikely to protect against forgery, and making forgery easily detectable by comparing said perforated pattern with a perforated pattern on a forged carrier which lacks a second feature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A carrier representing value having a printed pattern; and a perforated pattern comprising perforations arranged to resemble said printed pattern, each of said perforations having first and second features, said first feature being a predefined shape sufficiently large in size that said predefined shape is discernible with a human eye, said second feature being a variation on said predefined shape and being of such small size, that the second feature is not discernible by a human eye, thereby rendering said carrier difficult to forge as said second feature is not discernible by a human eye making duplication unlikely to protect against forgery, and making forgery easily detectable by comparing said perforated pattern with a perforated pattern on a forged carrier which lacks a second feature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein said first features represent at least one of numbers and letters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A carrier as in claim 10, wherein said predefined shape is one of shapes other than shapes defining numbers and letters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A carrier as in claim 10, wherein said first feature is at least one depression in said carrier and said second feature includes variations in depth of said at least one depression.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A carrier as in claim 10, wherein said first feature is at least one substantially round hole and said second feature is the preciseness of the roundness of said hole.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A carrier as in claim 10, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A carrier as in claim 10, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture in said carrier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
A carrier as in claim 10, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier and said second feature is a variation in a depth of said depression.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A carrier as in claim 10, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture of a certain average width in said carrier and said second feature is a variation in said width.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 10, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein said predefined shape is one of shapes other than shapes defining numbers and letters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A carrier as in claim 19, wherein said first feature is at least one depression in said carrier and said second feature includes variations in depth of said at least one depression.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A carrier as in claim 19, wherein said first feature is at least one substantially round hole and said second feature is the preciseness of the roundness of said hole.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A carrier as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A carrier as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture in said carrier.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
A carrier as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier and said second feature is a variation in a depth of said depression.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
A carrier as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture of a certain average width in said carrier and said second feature is a variation in said width.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein said first feature is at least one depression in said carrier and said second feature includes variations in depth of said at least one depression.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A carrier as in claim 27, wherein said first feature is at least one substantially round hole and said second feature is the preciseness of the roundness of said hole.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
(A carrier as in claim 27, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A carrier as in claim 27, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture in said carrier.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
A carrier as in claim 27, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier and said second feature is a variation in a depth of said depression.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
A carrier as in claim 27, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture of a certain average width in said carrier and said second feature is a variation in said width.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 27, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein said first feature is at least one substantially round hole and said second feature is the preciseness of the roundness of said hole.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
A carrier as in claim 34, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
A carrier as in claim 34, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture in said carrier.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
A carrier as in claim 34, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier and said second feature is a variation in a depth of said depression.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
A carrier as in claim 34, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture of a certain average width in said carrier and said second feature is a variation in said width.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 34, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
A carrier as in claim 40, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture in said carrier.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
46 words
A carrier as in claim 40, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier and said second feature is a variation in a depth of said depression.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
41 words
A carrier as in claim 40, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture of a certain average width in said carrier and said second feature is a variation in said width.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 40, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture in said carrier.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
46 words
A carrier as in claim 45, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier and said second feature is a variation in a depth of said depression.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
41 words
A carrier as in claim 45, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture of a certain average width in said carrier and said second feature is a variation in said width.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 45, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
46 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one depression in a surface of a primary plane of said carrier and said second feature is a variation in a depth of said depression.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
A carrier as in claim 49, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture of a certain average width in said carrier and said second feature is a variation in said width.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 49, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
41 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein at least one of said first feature and said second feature is at least one aperture of a certain average width in said carrier and said second feature is a variation in said width.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 52, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
A carrier as in claim 9, wherein at least one of said first and second features includes a coloring of a portion of said carrier that is distinct from a remainder of said carrier.
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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) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-05-03 | 2003-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-01 | 2007-05-03 | 2007-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-01 | 2011-05-03 | 2011-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |