Coin-discriminator voucher anti-counterfeiting method and apparatus

• US 6,349,972 B1
• Filed: 10/21/1999
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coinstar Asset Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Coinstar Incorporated (Outerwall Inc.)
• Inventors: Brown, David J., Manion, Timothy J., Scherer, Scott J., Geiger, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fridie, Jr., Willmon
• Application Number:
  US09/422,917
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 283/67, 283/70, 283/72, 283/74, 283/92, 283/901, 283/902, 194/216, 380/54, 700/235
• US Class Current: 283/67
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/22 Perforated or incised material
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/34 Markings visible under particular conditions or containing coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/346 Perforations
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/405 Marking
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 1/04 dispensing change equal to a sum deposited
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 3/16 in combination with coin-counting
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/14 using chemical means
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 9/008 Feeding coins from bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/202 Depositing operations within ATMs depositing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/08 Counting total of coins inserted
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/901 Concealed data
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/902 Anti-photocopy

Abstract

Anti-counterfeiting and counterfeit detection devices and procedures are provided particularly usable in connection with vouchers issued by coin discriminator or coin counting machines. Paper stock may be preprinted with inks which are not readily photocopied without apparent alteration. Preprinting is preferably in two or more orientations such as longitudinal and lateral and preferably some preprinting is positioned closer to the paper stock edge than can typically be achieved using ordinarily available laser printers or inkjet printers. A pattern of perforations, preferably micro perforations, are provided in a curved, preferably tightly radiused shape or configuration. Serial numbers or other identifiers may be preprinted on portions of the paper stock and matching or correlatable numbers printed on such preprinted paper stock substantially at the time of printing the voucher value. Patterns or indicia printed on one surface of the paper are preferably registered with respect to patterns or indicia printed on the opposite side such that a voucher may be validated by verifying proper registration such as when holding a voucher up to a light.

Claims

1. A method for providing a voucher in a coin discriminator, having a discriminator printer, with the voucher configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a computer coupled to said printer and an i/O device coupled to said computer;

printing at least first language on a thermal paper substrate, oriented in a first direction, using a fluorescent ink such that said first language has a first appearance on said thermal paper substrate but wherein a photocopy of first language has a second appearance, different from said first appearance;

printing at least second language oriented in a directions about 90 degrees to said first direction positioned less than 0.25 inches from an edge of said thermal paper substrate;

placing a substantially non-visible mark on said thermal paper substrate using a first marking medium;

wherein said thermal paper substrate has marked thereon, at least an initial serial number identifying a unit of said thermal paper substrate;

loading said unit of said thermal paper substrate into a position from which thermal paper substrate in said unit can be fed to said discriminator printer;

inputting said serial number into said computer using said i/O device;

using said discriminator printer to print, on said thermal paper substrate, at least first indicia containing an indication of a value of said voucher;

printing a number related to said serial number on said thermal paper substrate;

providing a plurality of perforations in said medium to define a first curved pattern of microperforations which includes a region defining a radius of curvature less than about 0.5 inches; and

rubbing said non-visible mark with a coin wherein portions of said coin adhere to said non-visible mark to render said mark visible.

2. A method for providing a voucher in a coin discriminator, having a discriminator printer, with the voucher configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers, the method comprising the steps of:

using said discriminator printer to print, on a substrate, at least first indicia containing an indication of a value of said voucher; and

providing a plurality of perforations in said substrate to define a first curved pattern of perforations.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first curved pattern includes a defining a radius of curvature less than about 0.5 inches.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said perforations are microperforations.

5. A method for providing a voucher in a coin discriminator, having a discriminator printer, with the voucher configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a substantially non-visible mark on a first substrate using a first marking medium;

using said discriminator printer to print, on said substrate, at least first indicia containing an indication of a value of said voucher; and

rubbing said non-visible mark with a coin wherein portions of said coin adhere to said non-visible mark to render said mark visible.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first marking medium comprises white ink containing titanium oxide.

7. Apparatus for use in outputting results from a coin discriminator having a discriminator printer, with the voucher configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers, comprising:

a computer coupled to said printer;

a thermal paper substrate having

at least first language printed on said substrate, oriented in a first direction, using a fluorescent ink such that said first language has a first appearance on said thermal paper substrate but wherein a photocopy of first language has a second appearance, different from said first appearance;

at least second language printed on said substrate oriented in a direction about 90 degrees to said first direction positioned less than 0.25 inches from an edge of said thermal paper substrate;

a substantially non-visible mark on said thermal paper substrate wherein when said non-visible mark is rubbed with a coin, portions of said coin adhere to said non-visible mark to render said mark visible;

wherein said thermal paper substrate has marked thereon, at least an initial serial number identifying a unit of said thermal paper substrate;

said thermal paper substrate located in a position from which thermal paper substrate can be fed to said discriminator printer;

i/O means for inputting said serial number into said computer;

means for controlling said discriminator printer to print, on said thermal paper substrate, at least first indicia containing an indication of a value of said voucher;

means for controlling said discriminator printer to print a number related to said serial number on said thermal paper substrate; and

a plurality of perforations in said medium defining a first curved pattern of microperforations which includes a region defining a radius of curvature less than about 0.5 inches.