US3800142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of verifying the authenticity of a document and identifiable document produced thereby
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-05
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-01-05
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed herein pertains to a means of verifying the authenticity of a document, identification card, or any object for which a means of establishing authenticity is desired, whereby such document, I.D. card or other object, hereinafter referred to generically as ''''document,'''' is treated with a suitable thermoluminescent phosphor in a coded manner and for subsequent verification is exposed to a means for detecting the presence of said thermoluminescent phosphor and for deciphering the message thereby embodies in such document.
Inventors
- 👤 W Harshaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/08; G06K19/10; G06K19/14; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/02; G01T1/10; G01T1/11; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A process for identifying a document comprising the steps of: a. embedding a small amount of a thermoluminescent phosphor in one or more small confined areas of the document, said areas being arranged to give a coded message upon subsequent readout; b. exposing said document to an activating radiation for said phosphor at a temperature at which the energy imparted by activating radiation will not be immediately discharged; c. thereafter positioning said document in a readout device capable of interpreting the coded message; and d. increasing the temperature of said document to a temperature at which said phosphor will discharge the radiation energy stored therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process for identifying a document comprising the steps of: a. embedding a small amount of a thermoluminescent phosphor in one or more small confined areas of the document, said areas being arranged to give a coded message upon subsequent readout; b. exposing said document to an activating radiation for said phosphor at a temperature at which the energy imparted by activating radiation will not be immediately discharged; c. thereafter positioning said document in a readout device capable of interpreting the coded message; and d. increasing the temperature of said document to a temperature at which said phosphor will discharge the radiation energy stored therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 in which said activation is effected at room temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 2 in which the temperature in said readout device is increased to about 80*-85* C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 in which the amount of phosphor in different areas is varied to give different amplitudes of energy upon readout.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 in which said message is encoded by using two or more thermoluminescent phosphors with different emission frequencies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 5 in which said message is coded and decoded by the spatial arrangement of said different phosphors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 5 in which said message is coded and decoded by the use of band-pass filters to separate the emission from said phosphors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 in which said document is dated by the use of a phosphor having a half-life appropriate for the time lapse desired to be identified.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 in which said phosphor is one that discharges at least a portion of the activating energy at ambient temperature so that deliberate heating of the document is not required.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
An identifiable document having a small amount of thermoluminescent phosphor embedded in one or more small confined areas of said document, the number and positioning of said areas being designed by predetermined code to give specific identifying information, said phosphor being capable of activation by radiation at room temperature and capable of discharging the stored radiation energy therein and thereby the identifying information upon increasing the temperature of said document.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
An identifiable document having a small amount of thermoluminescent phosphor embedded in one or more small confined areas of said document, the number and positioning of said areas being designed by predetermined code to give specific identifying information, said phosphor being capable of activation by radiation at room temperature and capable of discharging the stored radiation energy therein and thereby the identifying information upon increasing the temperature of said document.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |