Patent US4678322A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4678322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the prevention of unauthorized copying of documents
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1986-05-30
•
Granted: 1987-07-07
•
Expires: 2006-05-30
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are disclosed for the prevention of unauthorized copying of documentation on an office, or other type, copier. Unique phosphors are applied to paper. When such a paper is placed on or in a copier so prepared, the presence of the phosphor is detected and the copier is disabled. Inside the copier a laser emits a beam toward the paper. Two detectors detect, respectively, the laser light reflected from the document and the stimulated light from the phosphor coating or layer. Detection of both signals, in the proper time sequence, will cause the photocopier to cease operation prior to electrostatic or other capture of the image. Upconversion phosphors could be utilized as the phosphor coating due to their scarcity and unliklihood of use in this manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel R. Finkel
- 👤 Paul F. Jacobs
- 👤 Kenneth I. Gustafson
- 👤 William D. Green
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/04; G03G21/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of prohibiting the copying of special documents on an office copier or the like comprising: directing a beam of light toward a document placed on said copier for copying, first detecting the presence of said light as reflected from said document, second detecting the presence of light as emitted by said document, and disabling the operation of said office copier upon the detection of the presence of both of said reflected light and said emitted light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of prohibiting the copying of special documents on an office copier or the like comprising: directing a beam of light toward a document placed on said copier for copying, first detecting the presence of said light as reflected from said document, second detecting the presence of light as emitted by said document, and disabling the operation of said office copier upon the detection of the presence of both of said reflected light and said emitted light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of prohibiting the copying of special documents as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of second detecting further includes: the detection of radiation from said document, said radiation being excited by a beam of light of higher frequency impinging upon a radiation emitting surface or material on or in a document.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of prohibiting the copying of special documents as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of second detecting further includes: the detection of radiation from said document, said radiation being excited by a beam of light of lower frequency impinging upon a radiation emitting surface material on or in a document, said surface being an upconversion phosphor substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for prohibiting the copying of special documents on an office copier or the like comprising: means for directing a beam of light toward a document placed on said copier for copying, first means for detecting the presence of said light as reflected from said document, second means for detecting the presence of light as emitted by said document, and means for disabling the operation of said office copier upon the detection of the presence of both of said reflected light and said emitted light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for prohibiting the copying of special documents on an office copier or the like comprising: means for directing a beam of light toward a document placed on said copier for copying, first means for detecting the presence of said light as reflected from said document, second means for detecting the presence of light as emitted by said document, and means for disabling the operation of said office copier upon the detection of the presence of both of said reflected light and said emitted light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second detecting means comprises: detection means for detecting radiation from a document, said radiation being excited by a beam of light of higher frequency impinging upon a radiation emitting surface or material on or in a document.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second detecting means comprises: detection means for detecting radiation from a document, said radiation being excited by a beam of light of lower frequency impinging upon a radiation emitting surface or material on or in a document, said surface being an upconversion phosphor substance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1219192A
Cited
US3597082A
Cited
GB1332185A
Cited
US3713861A
Cited
US3700324A
Cited
US3831007A
Cited
US3928226A
Cited
US3977785A
Cited
US4183989A
Cited
US4183989B1
Cited
US4334771A
Cited
GB2041827A
Cited
US4248528A
Cited
US4586811A
Cited
US4603970A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-07-06 | 1991-01-05 | 1991-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-06 | 1995-01-05 | 1995-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-06 | 1999-01-05 | 1999-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |