Composition, method and apparatus for providing a coded hidden identification on a selected printable item by a coded printing composition
First Claim
1. A method of printing in which a printed item is given a coded identification, comprising:
- (a) making up a selected number of populations of microparticles, said microparticles being of a non-encapsulated, non-layered form normally invisible to a human eye and each such population comprising a group of microparticles having a combination of highly uniform properties selected from the properties of shape, size, uniformly dispersed color and uniformly dispersed fluorescence which combination of properties establishes a coded identification, any of which can be selectively detected after said microparticles have been transferred to a printed item;
(b) making up a non-coded printing composition for use exclusively in an electrostatic printing machine;
(c) adding to and substantially uniformly mixing said selected number of populations of microparticles with said printing composition to form a coded printing composition such that when said selected number of populations of microparticles are added and mixed with said printing composition they do not themselves dissolve or degrade or impair or degrade the utility of the printing composition, and they maintain their said properties and the high uniformity thereof and permit said printing composition contained in said coded printing composition to remain non-coded and to be used in its customary manner;
(d) installing said coded printing composition in a container from which said coded printing composition is dispensed during printing by an electrostatic printing machine to which said container is mounted; and
(e) printing a selected number of items with said printing machine thereby causing at least a portion of said selected number of populations of microparticles within said coded printing composition to be transferred to at least a portion of the printed areas of each item printed and thereby providing a detectable coded identification in such areas to which said microparticles are transferred.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coded hidden identification is provided for a selected printable item by providing a coded printing composition based on adding to and substantially uniformly mixing a selected number of populations of microparticles with a printing composition, said microparticles being normally invisible to the human eye and each such population having a group of microparticles of similar size, shape or color to form a combination of highly uniform and unique properties, the printing composition adapted for use in a printing machine, such as a photocopy or laser printing machine cartridge, and printing items with the coded printing composition so as to transfer the microparticles to the item. The microparticles may be characterized by a number of detectable properties, or a combination thereof, which are not detectable by the human eye to provide the coded hidden identification. The microparticles may contain, for example, a fluorescent dye and be made to fluoresce to reveal the identification, or they may be of a form such that magnification may be used to reveal the hidden identification.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of printing in which a printed item is given a coded identification, comprising:
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(a) making up a selected number of populations of microparticles, said microparticles being of a non-encapsulated, non-layered form normally invisible to a human eye and each such population comprising a group of microparticles having a combination of highly uniform properties selected from the properties of shape, size, uniformly dispersed color and uniformly dispersed fluorescence which combination of properties establishes a coded identification, any of which can be selectively detected after said microparticles have been transferred to a printed item; (b) making up a non-coded printing composition for use exclusively in an electrostatic printing machine; (c) adding to and substantially uniformly mixing said selected number of populations of microparticles with said printing composition to form a coded printing composition such that when said selected number of populations of microparticles are added and mixed with said printing composition they do not themselves dissolve or degrade or impair or degrade the utility of the printing composition, and they maintain their said properties and the high uniformity thereof and permit said printing composition contained in said coded printing composition to remain non-coded and to be used in its customary manner; (d) installing said coded printing composition in a container from which said coded printing composition is dispensed during printing by an electrostatic printing machine to which said container is mounted; and (e) printing a selected number of items with said printing machine thereby causing at least a portion of said selected number of populations of microparticles within said coded printing composition to be transferred to at least a portion of the printed areas of each item printed and thereby providing a detectable coded identification in such areas to which said microparticles are transferred. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A coded printing composition for printing a coded identification of a selected item, comprising:
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(a) a selected number of populations of microparticles, said microparticles being normally invisible to a human eye and each such population comprising a group of microparticles of a non-encapsulated, non-layered form and having a combination of highly uniform properties selected from the properties of shape, size, uniformly dispersed color and uniformly dispersed fluorescence, any of which can be selectively detected after said microparticles have been transferred to the item; (b) a non-coded printing composition for use exclusively in an electrostatic printing machine; and (c) said microparticles being added to and substantially uniformly mixed with said printing composition to form a coded printing composition in which said microparticles themselves do not dissolve or degrade or impair or degrade the utility of the printing composition and maintain their said properties and the high uniformity thereof and permit said printing composition contained in said coded printing composition to remain non-coded and be used in its customary manner. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of determining whether particular printed items printed by electrostatic printing have been printed with a coded printing composition, comprising:
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(a) providing a coded printing composition comprising a non-coded printing composition for use exclusively in an electrostatic printing machine and having up to about ten percent by weight of non-encapsulated non-layered, microparticles having a uniform and uniformly dispersed fluorescence property and of a substantially uniform shape and size normally invisible to a human eye but detectable when used during printing by fluorescence detectors; and (b) scanning said printed items with a fluorescence image acquisition and analysis system to determine if fluorescent microparticles are present.
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Specification