Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
CHEMICALLY AND RELIEF ENCODED SECURITY PAPERS
Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the field security systems for documents,
including more particularly to novel methods of creating documents.
Background
Presently known approaches for preventing duplication or counterfeiting of
documents have focussed on printing information on original documents using
specially designed inks or materials; camouflaging validation information in
background patterns; or producing relief patterns on the document in the form
of
embossed characters. These methods generally allow the information to be
viewed in some special manner on the original, but due to the unique color,
texture,
or reflective properties of the material, or relief structure, do not allow
the
information to be readily discernible on a photocopy or duplicate of the
original.
These techniques may generally provide protection from the unauthorized
duplication or counterfeiting of valuable documents, but the security measures
that
are effected through the practice of these techniques may still, however, be
circumvented by unscrupulous copyists and counterfeiters who are familiar with
these techniques and possess machinery to circumvent these measures. Thus,
those who seek the protection provided by these techniques may still be
vulnerable
to some extent.
There thus remains a need to provide a counterfeit proof and copy proof
original document and a technique for validating a document that is unique to
the
document and/or source who seeks the security measures provided by this
technique, so that the chance of successful duplication or counterfeiting of
the
document is further minimized.
Summary of the invention
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The present inventions comprise a novel method for imprinting a unique
signature on a document, which is detectable to verify the authenticity of the
document.
In a preferred method and embodiment of the present inventions, a unique
chemical solution is applied to the document forming a validation mark
thereon.
The unique chemical solution comprises a unique chemical identifying agent
and/or
a unique molecular code. The authenticity of the document is verified by
detecting
the unique chemical identifying agent through means such as the application of
a
complementary chemical activator. The authenticity of the document is further
verified by detecting the unique molecular code through means such as
spectrographic or forensic analysis.
In another preferred method and embodiment of the present inventions, the
unique chemical identifying agent and/or molecular chemical code is mixed with
an
ink and applied to a document forming a validation mark thereon. The ink is
applied to the document forming information on the validation mark. The ink
can
be security-based to provide another means to verify the authenticity of the
document. The authenticity of the document is verified by detecting the unique
chemical identifying agent through means such as the application of a
complementary chemical activator. The authenticity of the document is further
verified by detecting the unique molecular code through means such as
spectrographic or forensic analysis.
In still another preferred method and embodiment of the present inventions,
relief markings are formed on a document according to the unique pattern
forming
a validation mark thereon. The authenticity of the document is verified by
detecting
the unique pattern formed by the relief markings.
In still another preferred method and embodiment of the present inventions,
relief markings are formed on a document according to the unique pattern
forming
a validation mark thereon. A unique chemical signature comprising a unique
chemical identifying agent and/or a unique molecular code is also applied to
the
document. The authenticity of the document can be verified by detecting the
unique pattern formed by the relief markings. The authenticity of the document
can
be further verified by detecting the unique chemical identifying agent through
means such as the application of a complementary chemical activator, and by
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detecting the unique molecular code through means such as spectrographic or
forensic analysis.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The various objects, features and advantages of the present invention may
be better understood by examining the Detailed Description of the Drawings
below,
together with the appended figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a top view of a counterfeit-resistant document according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view depicting a preferred method of forming a
validation mark on the document of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective v;ew of an alternatively preferred method of forming
the validation mark on the document of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an alternatively preferred method of forming
the validation mark on the document of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a top view depicting a document comprising the validation mark of
Fig. 1 prior to detection of a unique molecular code on the validation mark of
the
document of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a top view depicting a preferred method of detecting a unique
molecular code on the validation mark of the document of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a top view of a counterfeit-resistant document according to another
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a top view of a counterfeit-resistant document according to still
another preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 9-12 are top views of various unique patterns that can be employed in
the document of Fig. 8;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view depicting a preferred method of forming a
validation mark on the document of Fig. 8;
Fig. 14 is a top view depicting a preferred method of detecting a unique
pattern on the validation mark of the document of Fig. 8, wherein a pattern
formed
by relief markings on a document match a reference pattern;
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Fig. 15 is a top view of a reference pattern employed in an alternative
preferred method of detecting a unique pattern on the validation mark of the
document of Fig. 8; and
Fig. 16 is a top view depicting the preferred method of Fig. 14, wherein a
pattern formed by relief markings on a document do not match a reference
pattern.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
It is anticipated that the present invention is particularly suitable in
situations
where it is desirable to verify the source of valuable documents, such as,
e.g.,
stocks or bonds that are capable of being verified by the corporation or
governmental agency after redemption thereof, or even currency that can be
verified by a banking institution or a governmental agency. The present
invention,
however, is not limited to these applications and can be used in any
application in
which it is desirable to be able to discern an original from an alteration or
reproduction. Co-pending Application Ser. No. is filed concurrently
herewith, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
Fig. 1 depicts a counterfeit-resistant document 10 comprising a substrate 12
and a validation mark 14 according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The substrate 12 is preferably of paper stock. Any material
suitable for
printing, however, may be used without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
The validation mark 14 comprises a unique chemical signature that
comprises a unique chemical identifying agent and a unique molecular code.
Preferably, the unique chemical identifying agent and unique molecular code
are
combined as a unique chemical concentrate in a mixture of isopropyl alcohol
and
distilled water to form a clear covert unique chemical solution 24, shown as
being
applied in Fig. 2. The ratio of the water/alcohol solution to the unique
chemical
concentrate varies with the strength of the unique chemical concentrate. In
general, the greater the strength of the unique chemical concentrate, the
greater
the ratio of the wateNalcohol solution to the unique chemical concentrate. By
way
of example, a typical ratio of the water/alcohol solution to the unique
chemical
concentrate is 25:1. The proportion of water to isopropyl alcohol is
preferably
approximately 5:1.
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In alternative embodiments, Ultra Violet (UV) dye is added to the unique
chemical solution 24 to further enhance the security provided by the
validation
mark 14, as will be described in further detail below. The proportion of
distilled
water to UV dye is typically approximately 4:1.
The unique chemical solution 24 is applied to the surface of the substrate 12
in the form of a coating 16. Before the coating 16 cures, an embossing or
debossing process is utilized to form relief markings 18 on the surface of the
substrate 12 as depicted in Figs. 2 and 3. The relief markings 18 break down
the
surface of the substrate 12 to aid the unique chemical solution 24 in
penetrating
the surface of the substrate 12 minimizing the amount of the unique chemical
concentrate r;scessary to allow detection thereof.
As depicted in Fig. 2, a hardened appiicaiion device, such as a pattern
wheel 20, is employed to form the relief markings 18 on the substrate 12. The
application of the,standard pattern wheel 20 with sufficient pressure on the
surface
of the substrate 12 causes the relief markings 18 to form on the substrate 12.
A
sprayer 22 is employed to apply a conservative amount of the unique chemical
solution 24 on the substrate 12 prior to the formation of the relief markings
18 on
the substrate 12. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 3, the sprayer 22 applies
the
unique chemical solution 24 on the standard pattern wheel 20, so that the
unique
chemical solution 24 simultaneously penetrates the surface of the substrate 12
as
the relief markings 18 are formed thereon.
As shown in Fig. 4, the embossing or debossing process is foregone, and
the validation mark 14 is formed by flood coating the unique chemical solution
24
onto the substrate 12 with the sprayer 22. In general, however, if the unique
chemical solution 24 is flood coated onto the substrate 12 without forcing the
solution into the substrate 12, the ratio of the water/alcohol solution to the
unique
chemical concentrate is less than, or the amount of unique chemical solution
24
applied to the substrate 12 is greater than if the unique chemical solution 24
is
forced into the substrate 12, such as with the pattern wheel 20 described
above.
The chemical signature is unique to the source of the document 10, such as,
e.g. in this case, the ABC Company. The unique chemical signature is a precise
formulation that is selected by and unique to the source, such that detection
of the
unique chemical signature on the document 10 allows for identification of the
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source and resulting verification of the document's~authenticity. The
uniqueness of
the chemical signature arises from the specific chemical identifying agent and
specific molecular code found therein. Alternatively, the chemical signature
is also
unique to a particular type of document 10, such as, e.g. in this case, a
stock
certificate issued by the ABC company, allowing identification of the
particular type
of document 10 as well as the source of the document 10. More alternatively,
the
chemical solution 24 is unique to the printing or issue date of the document
10,
manufacturer of the document 10, or any other aspect of the document 10.
The unique chemical identifying agent in the unique chemical solution 24 on
the document 10 is detected in the field as follows. The unique chemical
identifying agent is matched with a complementary chemical activator, which
when
combined, create a specific chemical transformation, such as, e.g., a
chromatic
change in the unique chemical identifying agent. In alternative preferred
embodiments, the unique chemical solution 24 comprises multiple unique
chemical
identifying agents that activate differently when combined with respective
complementary chemical activators. The complementary chemical activator is
preferably combined as a concentrate in distilled water to form a
complementary
activating solution 28.
As depicted in Figs. 5 and 6, the presence of the unique chemical identifying
agent of the unique chemical solution 24 on the document 10 is visually
detected
by applying the complementary activating solution 28 to the validation mark
14,
such as by, e.g., spraying with a spray bottle 2fi. The combination of the
complementary activating agent with the unique chemical identifying agent
creates
a chemical reaction, i.e., the validation mark 14 undergoes a chromatic
transformation that alters the validation mark 14 as shown in Fig. 5 to that
shown in
Fig. 6, a transformation which can easily be recognized by the unaided human
eye.
If the unique chemical solution 24 comprises multiple unique chemical
identifying
agents, application of the complementary activating solution 28 comprising of
respective complementary chemical activators creates different chemical
reactions
or chromatic transformations.
The unique molecular code in the unique chemical solution 24 on the
document 10 is detected spectrographically. A resulting measured
spectrographic
composition that matches a known spectral signature profile of the unique
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molecular code confirms the document as the original and valid document 10.
Alternatively, the unique molecular code is detected by sending the document
to a
forensic laboratory to determine the precise molecular code on the document
10.
The UV dye, if added to the unique chemical solution 24 as described
above, is detected by exposing the document 10 to ultraviolet light so that
the UV
dye visually appears underneath the ultraviolet light.
The present invention of the document 10 is preferably practiced as follows.
A unique chemical signature, i.e., a unique molecular code and a unique
chemical
identifying agent, which identify the source of a document 10 and/or, if
applicable,
other aspects of the document 10, are selected, combined in a unique chemical
solution 24, and applied to the document 10 in the manner described above to
form
the validation mark 14 thereon. The document 10 is then distributed in the
normal
course of business, such as, e.g., to shareholders if the document 10 is a
stock
certificate, to bondholders if the document 10 is a bond, or to banks and the
general public if the document 10 is currency. When the source of the document
10 comes into possession of an unverified document that has been circulated
through the normal course of business and that the source anticipates as being
an
original and valid document 10, such as in the case of the redemption of
stocks or
bonds, the authenticity of that unverified document is verified as follows.
The unverified document is verified by employing a two-tiered process. At
the first tier, the complementary activating solution 28 is sprayed on the
area of the
unverified document where the validation mark 14 is expected to be located. If
the
known chromatic transformation does not visually expose the validation mark,
the
unverified document is confirmed as a counterfeit or replication of the
original and
valid document 10, and no further analysis of the bogus document is necessary.
If
the known chromatic transformation visually exposes the validation mark 14 as
described above, the authenticity of the unverified document is partially
verified.
The partially verified document can be fully verified by detecting the unique
molecular code on the partially verified document at the second tier.
At the second tier, a spectrographic analysis is performed on the area of the
partially verified document where the validation mark 14 is expected to be
located.
A resulting measured spectrographic composition that matches a known spectral
signature profits of the unique molecular code confirms the partially verified
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document as the original and valid document 10. Conversely, a resulting
measured spectrographic composition that does not match the known spectral
signature profile of the anticipated molecular code confirms the partially
verified
document as a counterfeit or replication of the original and valid document
10.
Alternatively, at the second tier, the partially verified document is sent to
a
forensic laboratory to determine the precise chemical composition of any
existing
chemical substances on the area of the document where the validation mark 14
is
expected to be located. A determination of a precise chemical composition on
the
partially verified document that matches the expected molecular code confirms
the
partially verified document as the original and valid document 10. Conversely,
a
dete;,~"i,~.wtion of either the lack of a chemical composition or a precise
chemical
composition that does not maich tree exrActed molecular code confirms the
partially verified document as a counterfeit or replication of the original
and valid
document 10.
If UV dye is added to the unique chemical solution 24, the authenticity of an
unverified document is verified through a three-tiered process as follows. At
the
first tier, the authenticity of a document anticipated to be the original and
valid
document 10 is exposed to ultraviolet light. If the validation mark 14 does
not
visually appear under the ultraviolet light, the unverified document is
confirmed as
a counterfeit or replication of the original and valid document 10, and no
further
analysis of the bogus document is necessary. If the validation mark 14
visually
appears, the authenticity of the unverified document is partially verified.
The
partially verified document can be fully verified, as described above with
respect to
the document 10, by applying the complementary activating solution 28 to the
partially verified document at the second tier, and spectrographically or
forensically
analyzing the partially verified document at the third tier.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the afore-
described authentication process. For instance, the unique chemical
identifying
agent detection process and the unique molecular code detection process can be
combined into one tier to provide uncontroverted evidence that a document is
bogus to, e.g., support a criminal case of fraud or counterfeiting against the
purported culprit.
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Or a four-tiered verification process can be used by sequentially exposing
the document to UV light at the first tier, spraying the document with the
complementary activating solution 28 at the second tier, spectrographically
analyzing the document at the third tier, and then forensically analyzing the
document at the fourth tier to fully verify the authentication of an
unverified
document. Or the authenticity of the document can be fully verified merely by
spraying the document with the complementary activating solution 28. Any of
the
techniques described above can be foregone or combined with the other
techniques in any manner that satisfies the particular user's security needs.
In alternative embodiments, the unique chemical signature does not
comprise both the unique chemical identifying agent and the unique molecular
code, but rather comprises one or the other, so that the authentication of the
document 10 is -fully verified by either applying the complementary activating
solution 28 on the document 10, or spectrographically or forensically
analyzing the
document 10.
To facilitate the practice of the present invention, no person possesses
knowledge of both the specific composition of the unique chemical concentrate
to
be applied to the document 10, and the identity of the end user, i.e., the
source of
the document 10. This anonymity can be accomplished, because the manufacturer
of the document 10 need not know the precise composition of the unique
chemical
concentrate to apply it to the document 10 in accordance with the present
invention. Even the source of the document 10 need not know the precise
composition of the unique chemical concentrate unless the source verifies the
authenticity of documents forensically. The manufacturer of the unique
chemical
concentrate need not know the identity of the end user, because it merely
supplies
the unique chemical concentrate to the manufacturer of the document 10.
Further,
possession of the unique chemical solution 24 and the complementary activating
solution 28 is controlled. The unique chemical solution 24 is possessed by
only
those persons authorized by the source to manufacture the document 10. If the
complementary activating solution 28 is used to verify the authenticity of the
document 10, the complementary activating solution 28 is possessed by only
those
persons authorized by the source to verify the authenticity of the document
10.
The security provided by the present invention is further enhanced by the fact
that
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the technology in producing unique chemical concentrates is kept secret from
the
general public and is known only to a few commercial manufacturers. One such
supplier of these unique chemical concentrates is Permion Technologies, Inc.
located at 2288 Hunter Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1XTH5.
Fig. T depicts a counterfeit-resistant document 30 comprising a substrate 32
and a validation mark 34 according to another preferred embodiment of the
present
invention. The counterfeit-resistant document 30 is similar to the counterfeit-
resistant document 10, with the exception that the unique chemical
concentration is
combined with any one or combination of a variety of inks instead of the
alcohol/water solution to form a unique signature ink 36.
In one embodiment, the unique chemical concentration is combined with a
non-security type of ink, such as an offset or flexographic ink, to form the
unique
signature ink 36. The unique signature ink 36 is applied to the substrate 32
with a
standard printing process to form a validation mark 34 with informational
value.
The authenticity of the document 30 is verified in the same manner as
described
above with respect to the document 10.
In other embodiments, the unique chemical concentration is combined with
a specially designed ink to form the unique signature ink 36, and applied to
the
substrate 32 in a manner that provides the document 30 with an additional
security
measure. The color of the ink is closely matched with the color of the
substrate 32,
and the unique signature ink 36 is applied as a very thin coating to the
substrate 32
using a conventional printing process to form the validation mark 34. The
validation mark 34 is latent in that the coating has more uniform directional
reflective properties than that of the substrate 32 when the coating is dry.
Further
detailed information concerning the chemical composition of the ink used to
form
the validation mark 34 is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,695,220 issued to
George
K. Phillips, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
The validation mark 34 is not readily ascertainable by the unaided eye at
particular viewing angles. When the validation mark 34 is viewed at an angle
approximately perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 32, the brightness
of
the substrate 32 is similar to the brightness of the unique signature ink, and
the
validation mark 34 is not readily ascertainable by the unaided eye. On the
other
hand, when the validation mark 34 is viewed at an angle different from that
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perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 32, the brightness of the
substrate 32
is dissimilar to the brightness of the unique signature ink, and the
validation mark
34 is readily ascertainable by the unaided eye. Further details concerning the
latent characteristics of the validation mark 34 are disclosed in U.S. Patent
No.
5,695,220 issued to George K. Phillips, which has previously been incorporated
herein by reference. The validation mark 34 preferably forms a validating
word,
such as "VALID" or "SAFE," as depicted in Fig. 7 to indicate the authenticity
of the
document 30.
The present invention of the document 30 is preferably practiced as follows.
A unique chemical concentrate comprising the unique chemical identifying agent
and the unique molecular code, which identify the source of a document 30, is
selected, mixed with the latent ink 36, and applied to the document 30 to form
the
validation mark 14 as described above. When the source of the document 30
comes into possession of a document that is anticipated as being the document
30, the authenticity of that document is verified through a three-tiered
process as
follows. At the first tier, the unverified document is exposed to visual light
and
viewed at an angle different from the angle perpendicular to the document. If
validation words, such as "VALID" or "SAFE," do not visually appear on the
unverified document, the unverified document is confirmed as a counterfeit or
replication of the original and valid document 30 and no further analysis of
the
bogus document is necessary. If validation words do appear on the unverified
document, the authenticity of the document is partially verified. The
authenticity of
the partially verified document is fully verified, as described above with
respect to
the document 10, by applying the complementary activating solution 28 on the
partially verified document 30 at the second tier, and by spectrographically
analyzing or forensically analyzing the partially verified document at the
third tier.
In alternative embodiments, UV dye is added to the ink to provide an
additional security measure as described above with respect to the document
10.
Like the document 10, any of the techniques described with respect to the
document 30 above can be foregone or combined with the other techniques in any
manner that satisfies the particular users security needs.
As mentioned above, the unique chemical concentrate can be combined
with other security type of inks, such as thermographic or photographic inks.
The
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composition and method of using thermographic inks to form validation marks on
documents is disclosed in pending Application Serial No. 08/602,243, entitled
"Document Security System Having Thermographic Pantograph and Validation
Mark," and filed by George K. Phillips on Febuary 16, 1996, which is fully
incorporated herein by reference.
Fig. 8 depicts a counterfeit-resistant document 40 comprising a substrate 42
and a validation mark 44 according to another preferred embodiment of the
present
invention.
The validation mark 44 comprises a set of relief markings 48 having a
unique pattern 46. The unique pattern 46 formed by the relief markings 48 is
not
readily detected by the unaided eye, but under magnification reveals a
magnified
pattern, such as unique patterns 52, 54, 56, and 58 respectively depicted in
Figs.
9-12.
The unique pattern 52 shown magnified in Fig. 9 comprises a series of
parallel rectilinear lines 60 that are equally spaced apart. The rectilinear
lines 60
are perpendicular to the length of the validation mark 44. The uniqueness of
the
pattern 52 lies in a spacing size 62 between the rectilinear lines 60. The
unique
pattern 54 shown magnified in Fig. 10 comprises a series of parallel
rectilinear lines
64 that are unequally spaced apart. The uniqueness of the pattern 54 lies in a
cyclical combination 66 of the rectilinear lines 64.
The unique pattern 56 shown magnified in Fig. 11 comprises a series of
intersecting rectilinear lines 68 that are equally spaced apart in both
directions.
The uniqueness of the pattern 56 lies in the size of the rectangles 70 formed
by the
intersecting rectilinear lines 68. The unique pattern 58 shown magnified in
Fig. 12
comprises a series of intersecting rectilinear lines 72 that are unequally
spaced
apart in both directions. The uniqueness of the pattern 58 lies in the
cyclical
combination 74 of the rectangles 76 formed by the intersecting rectilinear
lines 72.
In alternative embodiments, the unique patterns 'shown in Figs. 9-12 are
angularly oriented with respect to the validation mark 44 in a variety of
directions to
provide angular uniqueness to the patterns. The unique patterns in which the
relief
markings 48 can be formed are not limited to the rectilinear lines shown in
Figs. 9-
12 and can include any line or shape that is capable of identifying a source.
For
instance, the relief markings 46 can be created by forming an array of holes
in the
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substrate resulting in a unique number of holes found in a given length or
area of
the validation mark 44. The more unique the pattern formed by the relief
markings
48 are, the more security the validation mark 44 provides.
As depicted in Fig. 13, a hardened application device, such as a pattern
wheel 50, is employed to form the relief markings 48 on the substrate 42. The
application of the unique pattern wheel 50 with sufficient pressure on the
surface of
the substrate 42 causes the relief markings 48 to form on the substrate 42. As
shown in Fig. 13, the unique pattern, and in this case, unique pattern 56, is
formed
into the unique pattern wheel 50. As the unique pattern wheel 50 rolls across
the
substrate 42, relief markings 18 having a corresponding unique pattern 56 are
formed onto the substrate 42 to create the validation mark 44.
As mentioned above, the unique pattern 46 formed on the document 40 is
not readily detected by the unaided eye, but is rather detected by magnifying
the
validation mark 44. Preferably, a magnification loupe 78, as shown in Fig. 14,
is
employed to magnify the unique pattern 46. The magnification loupe 78 is
customized in that markings are applied to the magnification loupe to form a
reference pattern 80 (shown in dashed lines) thereon. The reference pattern 80
is
larger than but proportional to the unique pattern 46. The size ratio between
the
reference pattern 80 and the unique pattern 56 is approximately equal to the
magnification power of the magnification loupe 78, so that the magnified
unique
pattern 46 can be more easily compared to the reference pattern 80.
Alternatively,
as shown in Fig. 15, the reference pattern 80 is printed on a separate piece
of
paper 82 for comparison with the magnified unique pattern 56.
The present invention of the document 40 is practiced as follows. A unique
pattern 46, which identifies the source of a document 40 is selected. The
relief
markings 48 are formed onto the document 40 in accordance with the unique
pattern 46 to form the validation mark 44 as described above. When the source
of
the document 40 comes into possession of a document that is anticipated as
being
the document 40, the authenticity of that document is verified as follows. The
area
of the document where the validation mark 44 is expected to be located is
magnified with the magnification loupe 78 to expose any relief markings
thereon as
shown in Fig. 14. If relief markings exist, the pattern formed by the relief
markings
is compared to the reference pattern 80 formed on the magnification loupe 78,
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such as shown in Fig. 14, or a separate piece of paper 82, as shown in Fig.
15. A
match between the pattern formed by the relief markings and the reference
pattern
80, as depicted in Figs. 14 and 15, indicates that the document originates
from the
anticipated source, confirming the document as the original and valid document
40.
Conversely, a lack of relief markings, or a lack of a match between the
pattern
formed by the relief markings and the reference pattern 80, as depicted in
Fig. 16,
indicates that the document does not originate from the anticipated source,
confirming the document as a counterteit or replication of the original and
valid
document 40.
The validation mark 44 of the document 40 alternatively comprises a unique
chemical signature such as that described with respect to the document 10. The
unique chemical signature comprises a unique chemical identifying agent and
unique molecular code and is applied to the validation mark 44 in the same
manner
as described with respect to Fig. 2, with the exception that the unique
pattern
wheel 50, rather than the standard pattern wheel 20, is used to impress the
unique
chemical solution 24 into the substrate 42 of the document 40.
If the validation mark 44 comprises a unique chemical signature, the present
invention of the document 40 is practiced as follows. A unique pattern 46 and
a
unique chemical signature are selected, which identifies the source, and if
applicable, other aspects of the document 40. The unique pattern 46 is formed
on
a unique pattern wheel 50, and the unique chemical signature is applied to the
document 40 by employing the unique pattern wheel 50 to form the validation
mark
44 as described above. When the source of the document 40 comes into
possession of an unverified document that is anticipated as being the document
40, the authenticity of the unverified document is verified through a three-
tiered
process as follows.
At the first tier, the unverified document is analyzed to determine if it
comprises any relief markings that match the reference pattern 80 in the
manner
described above. If the unverified document does not comprise relief markings,
or
the relief markings do not form a pattern that matches the reference pattern
80, the
unverified document is confirmed as a counterfeit or replication of the
original and
valid document 40, and no further analysis of the bogus document is necessary.
If
the relief markings form a pattern that matches the reference pattern 80, the
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authenticity of unverified document is partially verified. The partially
verified
document is fully verified, as described above with respect to the document
10, by
applying the complementary activating solution 28 on the partially verified
document 40 at the second tier, and spectrographically or forensically
analyzing
the partially verified document at the third tier.
In alternative embodiments, UV dye is added to the ink to provide a four-
tiered security measure. At the first tier, the authenticity of a document
anticipated
to be the original and valid document 10 is exposed to ultraviolet light. If
the
validation mark 14 does not visually appear under the ultraviolet light, the
unverified document is confirmed as a counterfeit or replication of the
original and
valid document 10, and no further analysis of the bogus document is necessary.
If
the validation mark 14 visually appears, the authenticity of the unverified
document
is partially verified. The partially verified document can be fully verified,
as
described above, by analyzing any relief markings on the partially verified
document at the second tier, applying the complementary activating solution 28
to
the partially verified document at the third tier, and spectrographically or
forensically analyzing the partially verified document at the fourth tier as
described
above.
Like the documents 10 and 30, any of the techniques described with respect
to the document 40 above can be foregone or combined with the other techniques
in any manner that satisfies the particular user's security needs.
While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and
described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more
modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts
herein.
The invention, therefore is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the
appended claims.
