Copy restrictive documents

• US 6,103,353 A
• Filed: 07/08/1998
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Gasper, John, Sutton, James Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess, Bruce H.
• Application Number:
  US09/111,984
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 283/72, 283/74, 283/94, 283/107, 283/109, 283/93, 428/195, 428/194, 428/201, 428/203, 428/204, 428/206, 428/207, 428/411.1, 428/913, 430/9-11, 430/14, 430/523, 380/54, 503/227
• US Class Current: 428/195.1
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/146 using a non human-readable pattern which becomes visible on reproduction, e.g. a void mark
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 7/0027 using protective coatings or layers by lamination or by fusion of the coatings or layers
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 7/00 Selection of materials for use in image-receiving members, i.e. for reversal by physical contact; Manufacture thereof photosensitive materials for photographic purposes G03C
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 8/00 Layers covering the final reproduction, e.g. for protecting, for writing thereon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24851 Intermediate layer is discontinuous or differential
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 Translucent outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24876 Intermediate layer contains particulate material [e.g., pigment, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24893 including particulate material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24901 including coloring matter

Abstract

A media for restricting the copying of a document utilizing one or more microdots that are embedded in said document for providing a non-visual, but machine detectable mark or marks. The detected means for detecting the presence of one or more microdots in said document inhibits a copy machine from copying the document.

Claims

1. A copy restrictive medium comprising:

a transparent medium incorporating a pattern of visually undetectable microdots that are detectable by opto-electronic means which are capable of deactivating a printing device;

an image-bearing medium; and

means for laminating said transparent medium to said image-bearing medium to form a copy restrictive medium.

2. The copy restrictive medium according to claim 1, wherein said pattern of microdots forms a unique signature.

3. A copy restrictive medium comprising:

a transparent medium incorporating a pattern of yellow microdots, wherein said microdots are visually undetectable, but can be detected by opto-electronic means which are capable of deactivating a printing device;

an image-bearing medium; and

means for laminating said transparent medium to said image-bearing medium to form a copy restrictive medium.

4. The copy restrictive medium according to claim 3, wherein said pattern of yellow microdots forms a unique signature.