Document containing security images

• US 20050219599A1
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Document Security Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Document Security Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Wicker, David M., White, Patrick J., Wicker, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US10/896,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20050219599A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.140
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/26 Halftone or interference patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/023 Measuring conductivity by direct contact
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes

Abstract

A document containing security images which enable original documents to be distinguished from copies of the originals. The document may include an image having a hidden conductive trace and contact points. The document can be verified as being an original by applying a voltage to a plurality of probes in contact with the contact points.

Claims

1. A document carrying an image comprising:

a first contact area contained within the image;

a conductive trace contained within the image and connected to the first contact area; and

a second contact area contained with the image and connected to the conductive trace.

2. The document according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first contact area, the conductive trace and the second contact area are obscured by non-conductive portions of the image.

3. An apparatus for validating a document having a conductive image, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of electrical contacts configured for contacting a respective contact portion of the conductive image;

a controller configured to provide a voltage across the plurality of electrical contacts; and

a display configured to provide an indication of a valid document when electrical current passes between the plurality of contacts through the conductive image.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display comprises a light.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts, the controller and the display are held by a single housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the conductive image has an electrical conductor of a predetermined resistance, and the document is determined to be an original document when at least one of a predetermined resistance, a predetermined voltage or a predetermined current is measured by the controller.