Registers – Records – Particular code pattern
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-07-03
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Records
Particular code pattern
C235S487000, C283S072000, C283S057000, C283S074000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254007
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to security documents including a security image area composed of a printed security image and a printed complementary security image. The security image area is arranged to provide an indication of document authenticity.
For example, the security image elements and the complementary security image elements may be designed such that an attempted duplication or reproduction results in the formation of a readily apparent warning image on the face of the duplicate document. The security image elements and the complementary security image elements are arranged such that the presence of the security image and the security image elements is not readily apparent on the original. Examples of security documents of this type are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,579,370, 5,149,140, 5,197,765, 5,340,159, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Typically, conventional security documents are constructed by utilizing what is commonly referred to as an orthogonal halftone printing screen. The screen enables production of an orthogonal array of printed dots across the face of the document. Two different screens may be superimposed to produce a security image wherein a security image or warning term is superimposed on a background image. Although the traditional orthogonal printing screens have enjoyed significant commercial use, this conventional security document printing scheme is somewhat limited in its versatility and efficiency.
Further, many conventional security documents include a security image consisting of an orthogonal array of printed elements (see
FIG. 5
) The orthogonal array is, in many cases, convenient to produce because it complements many of the existing document design schemes available today, including orthogonal halftone screening. However, in certain circumstances, a security image constructed of printed units arranged in an orthogonal array may be more easily recognized by the naked eye or more easily reproduced by duplicating equipment.
Accordingly, there is a need for a more versatile and efficient security document production scheme, preferably one that takes advantage of the computing power available throughout the document production industry and one that does not utilize a conventional orthogonal array of printed elements.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need is met by the present invention wherein a security image element tiling scheme is provided. A security document is prepared by designating specialized tiling elements to be printed in selected image element cells across the face of the document.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of preparing a security document is provided comprising the steps of: (i) designating a security image area on a face of a document; (ii) dividing the security image area into a plurality of image element cells, such that the image element cells define an array of image element cells across the security image area; and (iii) designating respective printed tiling elements to be printed in selected ones of the image element cells to define a printed security image and a printed complementary security image within the security image area. Individual ones of the respective printed tiling elements comprise printed units positioned within the respective image element cells. The printed units are positioned such that image element cells including the respective printed tiling elements define substantially identical repeating printed elements, and such that individual ones of the repeating printed elements comprise apportioned repeating printed elements. The apportioned repeating printed elements are defined by a combination of printed units from neighboring image element cells.
The printed tiling elements may be designated such that a first type of printed tiling element defines the security image and a second type of printed tiling element defines the complementary security image. The first and second types of printed tiling elements may define substantially equal or different printed tones. The printed tiling elements may also be designated such that the first and second types of printed tiling elements define substantially identical printed unit arrangements of substantially equal printed tones. The printed tiling elements may be further designated such that the first and second types of printed tiling elements define substantially identical printed unit arrangements that are either rotated relative to one another in the plane of the document face or arranged as respective reverse images of one another.
The printed tiling elements may be designated such that the substantially identical repeating printed elements define a substantially uniform repeating element array. The printed tiling elements may also be designated such that individual ones of the repeating printed elements further comprise interior repeating printed elements defined by a combination of printed units within individual image element cells. The printed tiling elements may further be designated such that apportioned repeating printed elements are defined by a quadrant of neighboring image element cells. Additionally, the printed tiling elements may be designated such that adjacent repeating printed elements share at least one printed unit.
The printed tiling elements may be designated such that the printed units further define a substantially uniform array of extraneous printed units in the security image area. Partial extraneous printed units within neighboring image element cells may be provided to complement one another to form a complete extraneous printed unit.
The printed tiling elements may be designated such that they further comprise partial printed units positioned within the respective image element cells. The partial printed units within neighboring image element cells may be arranged such that partial printed units within a quadrant of neighboring image element cells complement one another to form a complete printed unit.
The security image area may be divided such that the image element cells define first and second diagonal axes and a cell center positioned at the intersection of the first and second diagonal axes. Individual ones of the printed tiling elements may be designated such that the printed tiling elements define at least two on-axis printed units and at least two pairs of off-axis printed units. The two on-axis printed units are substantially aligned with the first diagonal axis and are positioned on opposite sides of the cell center. The off-axis printed units are substantially offset from the second diagonal axis and are positioned on opposite sides of the cell center. The printed tiling elements may be designated such that the printed units define a skewed hexagon, wherein the skewed hexagon is characterized by a first diagonal axis dimension that is different than a second diagonal axis dimension.
The printed tiling elements may be designated such that individual ones of the printed tiling elements further comprise partial printed units positioned in respective corners of individual tiling elements. The printed tiling elements may also be designated such that individual ones of the printed tiling elements further comprise two on-axis printed units on each side of the cell center and two pairs of off-axis printed units on each side of the cell center.
The printed tiling elements may be designated such that individual ones of the printed tiling elements further comprise: a central printed unit positioned proximate the cell center; partial printed units positioned in respective corners of individual tiling elements; two on-axis printed units on each side of the cell center; and two pairs of off-axis printed units on each side of the cell center.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a security document is provided comprising a security image area defined on a face of the document. The security image area is divided into a plurality of image element cells defining an array of image element cells across
Franklin Jamara A.
Kilworth, Gottman, Hagan & Schaeff, L.L.P.
Lee Michael G.
The Standard Register Company
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