U.S. patent application number 14/635471 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-03 for system and method for embossing media used for secure transactions.
This patent application is currently assigned to CTPG Operating, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is CTPG Operating, LLC. Invention is credited to Robert Delaney, Kyle Turner.
Application Number | 20150246524 14/635471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52727390 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150246524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delaney; Robert ; et
al. |
September 3, 2015 |
System and Method for Embossing Media Used for Secure
Transactions
Abstract
A system and method for embossing a media substrate used for
secure transactions. The system includes, but is not limited to, a
printer, having a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
having program code for: storing a first plurality of security
features, wherein the first plurality of security features comprise
embossment features; printing a first embossment feature of the
first plurality of security features on the media substrate upon a
first predetermined interval; printing a second embossment feature
of the first plurality of security features on the media substrate
upon a second predetermined interval; and printing the first
embossment feature and the second embossment feature on the media
substrate of the first plurality of security features upon a third
predetermined interval.
Inventors: |
Delaney; Robert; (Ithaca,
NY) ; Turner; Kyle; (Binghamton, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CTPG Operating, LLC |
Ithaca |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CTPG Operating, LLC
Ithaca
NY
|
Family ID: |
52727390 |
Appl. No.: |
14/635471 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61947111 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947121 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947135 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947143 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947152 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947160 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947174 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947197 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947206 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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61947214 |
Mar 3, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
101/27 ;
101/32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1273 20130101;
H04N 1/3232 20130101; G06F 3/1285 20130101; G06F 3/1294 20130101;
G06F 3/1259 20130101; B41F 19/02 20130101; G06F 21/602 20130101;
G06F 3/1236 20130101; G06K 15/028 20130101; G06F 3/1222 20130101;
H04N 1/00204 20130101; B41J 3/38 20130101; H04N 2201/3269 20130101;
G06F 21/44 20130101; G06F 3/1238 20130101; G06F 3/1288 20130101;
B41J 2/325 20130101; G06F 21/608 20130101; G06K 15/4095 20130101;
G06F 3/1293 20130101; H04N 2201/0082 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B41F 19/02 20060101
B41F019/02 |
Claims
1. A system for embossing a media substrate used for secure
transactions, comprising: a printer, having a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium having program code for: storing a
first plurality of security features, wherein the first plurality
of security features comprise embossment features; printing a first
embossment feature of the first plurality of security features on
the media substrate upon a first predetermined interval; printing a
second embossment feature of the first plurality of security
features on the media substrate upon a second predetermined
interval; and printing the first embossment feature and the second
embossment feature of the first plurality of security features on
the media substrate upon a third predetermined interval.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a host computer,
having a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having
program code for: transmitting a data stream to the printer,
wherein the data stream includes at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the non-transitory computer
readable storage medium of the printer further comprises program
code for: receiving in the data stream at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval transmitted by the host computer,
analyzing the data stream for the at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval; and identifying the at least one of
the first predetermined interval, the second predetermined
interval, and the third predetermined interval in the data
stream.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval is the passage of a period of
time.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval is reception of a command.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-transitory computer
readable storage medium of the printer further comprises program
code for storing a second plurality of security features, wherein
the second plurality of security features comprise non-embossment
features.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the non-embossment features
comprise a non-embossment feature selected from the group
consisting of pantographs, watermarks, microprinting, verification
grids, validation marks, color, uv marks, IR marks, barcodes,
serial numbers, anti-copying marks, and any combination
thereof.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the non-transitory computer
readable storage medium of the printer further comprises program
code for printing at least one of the non-embossment features on
the media substrate with the: first embossment feature upon the
first predetermined interval; second embossment feature upon the
second predetermined interval; and first embossment feature and the
second embossment feature upon the third predetermined
interval.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the printer is selected from the
group consisting of a thermal printer and a thermal transfer
printer.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-transitory computer
readable storage medium of the printer further comprises program
code for merging at least one of the first embossment feature and
the second embossment feature with variable data, and for printing
the merged at least one of the first embossment feature and the
second embossment feature with variable data on the media
substrate.
11. The thermal printer of claim 2, wherein the variable data
comprises variable data selected from the group consisting of
receipt data, check data, financial data, identification data,
contract data, ownership data, legal data, government data,
prescription data, medical/healthcare data, public safety data,
permit data, ticket data, and label data.
12. A method embossing a media substrate used for secure
transactions, comprising the steps of: storing a first plurality of
security features in a printer, wherein the first plurality of
security features comprise embossment features; printing a first
embossment feature of the first plurality of security features on
the media substrate upon a first predetermined interval; printing a
second embossment feature of the first plurality of security
features on the media substrate upon a second predetermined
interval; and printing the first embossment feature and the second
embossment feature of the first plurality of security features on
the media substrate upon a third predetermined interval.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of
transmitting a data stream to the printer, wherein the data stream
includes at least one of the first predetermined interval, the
second predetermined interval, and the third predetermined
interval.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of
receiving at the printer the data stream including at least one of
the first predetermined interval, the second predetermined
interval, and the third predetermined interval transmitted by the
host computer.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:
analyzing the data stream for the at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval; and identifying the at least one of
the first predetermined interval, the second predetermined
interval, and the third predetermined interval in the data
stream.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval is the passage of a period of
time.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval is reception of a command.
18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of storing
a second plurality of security features in a printer, wherein the
second plurality of security features comprise non-embossment
features.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of printing
at least one of the non-embossment features on the media substrate
with the: first embossment feature upon the first predetermined
interval; second embossment feature upon the second predetermined
interval; and first embossment feature and the second embossment
feature upon the third predetermined interval.
20. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
merging at least one of the first embossment feature and the second
embossment feature with variable data, and printing the merged at
least one of the first embossment feature and the second embossment
feature with variable data on the media substrate.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit
of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/947,111, filed on
Mar. 3, 2014; U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/947,121,
filed on Mar. 3, 2014; U.S. provisional patent application No.
61/947,135, filed on Mar. 3, 2014; U.S. provisional patent
application No. 61/947,143, filed on Mar. 3, 2014; U.S. provisional
patent application No. 61/947,152, filed on Mar. 3, 2014; U.S.
provisional patent application No. 61/947,160, filed on Mar. 3,
2014; U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/947,174, filed on
Mar. 3, 2014; U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/947,197,
filed on Mar. 3, 2014; U.S. provisional patent application No.
61/947,206, filed on Mar. 3, 2014; and U.S. provisional patent
application No. 61/947,214, filed on Mar. 3, 2014, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to printers capable of
printing security features on a media substrate and, more
particularly, to a system and method for embossing a media
substrate used for secure transactions.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Security printing relates to the practice of manufacturing a
media substrate with certain security indicia/features to prevent
forgery and counterfeiting of items such as passports, checks, bank
notes, and prescription pads. As should be understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art, security printing can include, for
example, the inclusion of non-embossment security features such as
watermarks, UV coatings, security fibers, microprinting, holograms,
phosphorescent inks, and pantographs (e.g., "void") etc. in the
manufacture of the media substrate. Security documents (documents
with security features/patterns) are used across a diverse
marketplace to deter fraud, counterfeiting and theft. In most
cases, the security features are pre-printed on media. The
pre-printed media must be stored in a secure location so that
counterfeiters and thieves are not able to obtain the secure media
which would allow them to freely print fraudulent documents.
[0006] There are some printers that can print these secure patterns
on demand on standard media. The advantage of these "security
printers" is that standard media does not have to be secured from
theft as the secure documents can be created on demand.
[0007] As counterfeiters become more sophisticated, there is an
increasing need to for additional, unique, and varied security
features to protect items such as passports, checks, bank notes,
and prescription pads from being successfully counterfeited.
[0008] Description of the Related Art Section Disclaimer: To the
extent that specific patents/publications/products are discussed
above in this Description of the Related Art Section or elsewhere
in this Application, these discussions should not be taken as an
admission that the discussed patents/publications/products are
prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the
discussed patents/publications/products may not be sufficiently
early in time, may not reflect subject matter developed early
enough in time and/or may not be sufficiently enabling so as to
amount to prior art for patent law purposes. To the extent that
specific patents/publications/products are discussed above in this
Description of the Related Art Section and/or throughout the
application, the descriptions/disclosures of which are all hereby
incorporated by reference into this document in their respective
entirety(ies).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention recognizes that there are potential
problems and/or disadvantages with certain conventional security
indicia/features formed on security documents. For example, some
conventional security features can be duplicated by simply
scanning/photocopying a security document. To a counterfeiter, a
security document that contains security features that can simply
be copied by a scanner or by a copy machine is considered currency.
Various embodiments described herein may be advantageous in that
they may solve or reduce one or more of the potential problems
and/or disadvantages discussed above.
[0010] Various embodiments described herein may exhibit one or more
of the following objects, features and/or advantages:
[0011] It is a principal object and advantage of the present
invention to provide a printer configured, programmed or structured
to print unique embossment designs/features on a media substrate
(alone or in combination with other non-embossment security
features) to create security documents which are less likely to be
counterfeited than conventional security documents. The unique
embossment features can include, but are not limited to, any word,
number, alpha numeric combination, abstract design (e.g., random
shapes, dots, and/or lines) or non-abstract design (e.g., house
design, nature scene, sporting equipment) (as should be appreciated
by those of skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this
disclosure). The printer can include an embossing stamp or print
head to emboss the embossment designs on a media substrate, which
can be embossed and changed on demand (per a particular interval
such as a command or a time period or other event, which is
described in further detail below).
[0012] According to an embodiment, one or more embossment designs
can separately be incorporated into the media on any portion of the
media, and in any direction on the media, and can be a mirror image
of any actual embossment design.
[0013] According to an embodiment, one or more different embossment
features can be printed at predetermined intervals, including, but
not limited to, a predetermined period of time. For example, one or
more different embossment features can be printed every month
(i.e., for a month period of time and change), day, hour, hour,
half-hour, or every five minutes of printer functioning time
(including actual printing and/or other functioning of the printer)
non-functioning time (e.g., off, stand-by mode), or an event (e.g.,
holiday, first Thursday of the month, election day, first full moon
of the year). In this embodiment, the time interval may be selected
by the user, or may be selected by a host computer (randomly or
otherwise by programming) and transmitted to the printer or
selected by the printer (randomly or otherwise by programming). In
order to determine passage of a time interval, the printer may have
an internal clock, or counter. Alternatively, the printer may
access an external clock or timer, such as over the internet. The
interval that the one or more different embossment features can be
printed may not be periodic, but may vary. For example, one or more
different embossment features can be printed after a ten minute
interval, then at a five minute interval, then at a thirteen minute
interval etc. Even where a one or more different embossment
features can be printed is set to print at varying intervals, it
may be capped beneath a certain time limit. For example, the one or
more different embossment features can be printed at varying times,
each time shorter than thirty minutes.
[0014] Alternatively, in an embodiment, the predetermined interval
may be determined by one or more of a user, programming of the
printer, or programming of a host computer connected (wired or
wirelessly) to the printer. The predetermined interval may also be
determined, in part, by the type of variable data (variable data
(such as receipt data, check data, financial data, identification
data (birth certificate, pallet, container), contract data,
ownership data (deeds, titles), legal data (trusts etc.),
government data, prescription data, medical/healthcare data, public
safety data (e.g., elevator inspections, health inspections),
permit data (hunting licenses), ticket data, or label data (part
identification)), for example, that is to be printed. A combination
of the above referenced intervals may also be used to determine
which one or more embossment features may be applied.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment, a host or server computer
can be connected (wired or wirelessly) to the printer and be
programmed, configured, connected, and/or structured to provide in
a data stream or more of the plurality of embossment features,
plurality of predetermined intervals, variable data, and/or
non-embossment security features (and instructions regarding the
same) to the printer, which can be stored in the printer's memory.
The printer of an embodiment of the present invention can be
programmed, configured, structured, and/or connected to merge and
print embossment features with variable data and/or one or more
non-embossment security features (such as pantographs, watermarks,
microprinting, verification grids, validation marks, color, uv
marks, IR marks, barcodes, serial numbers, anti-copying marks,
holograms, phosphorescent inks, and any combination thereof), and
do so in real time.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment, the printer can contain
firmware, which can contain a non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium having program code for performing the functionality
described herein. The firmware can be updated by a host computer or
server computer that is in wired or wireless communication with the
firmware within the computer.
[0017] In accordance with an embodiment, the host computer can
contain an application, which can contain a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium having program code for performing
the functionality described herein (which can be updated by a user,
by the printer, or by another computer such as a server
computer).
[0018] In accordance with an embodiment, a method for carrying out
the functionalities of the system described herein is provided,
which can include the implementation of the firmware stored on the
printer and implementation of the application stored on the host
computer or server computer, and one or more algorithms that can be
programmed into the firmware or applications.
[0019] An advantage of a system with a printer including an
embosser over standard digital printers is that the added
embossment feature is very difficult for a counterfeiter or thief
to copy. In many instances of copy fraud, a scanner can be used to
copy the digital image and reproductions can be made with a
standard laser printer. On a document with an embossment, a scanner
will not be able to reproduce the raised embossment security
feature. The counterfeiter would be forced to try to copy the
embossment with some secondary operation on the paper. This
additional operation and added difficulty, in addition to the
embodiment directed to changing the embossment security features
(embossment features) on demand based on a number of potentially
different variables, will likely discourage most
counterfeiters.
[0020] Indeed, the aspect of embodiment related to the changing of
the embossment features on demand makes it even more difficult for
counterfeiters to duplicate an authentic copy of a security
document. For example, when a secure document is presented for
authentication, the raised embossment feature on the media
substrate can be felt by a validator checking the document (a
person visually or tacitly observing, or a mobile device with an
application specifically programmed to identify and validate the
security document and the raised embossment feature thereon). If it
is a specific embossment feature that is supposed to be on the
specific media substrate, the illegal copy can be quickly detected.
Stated differently, using an impact print head, for example, as the
embosser can provide additional levels of security on a security
document (by itself or in addition to non-embossment security
features) as the embossment feature can be changed on demand. For
example, the producer of the secure document can send a different
embossment feature/pattern to each document if desired, or the
embossment feature can be changed at certain predetermined
intervals (as discussed herein). By changing the embossment often
at certain predetermined time intervals, for example, the producer
of the secure document can make it more difficult for the
counterfeiter to be successful at reproducing the original.
[0021] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a specialized improved computer system is created--here
the devices and/or systems that are specifically structured,
configured, connected, and/or programmed to store a plurality of
security features including embossment features in a printer, and
to print one or more different embossment features at certain
predetermined intervals (e.g., print a first embossment feature on
a media substrate upon a first predetermined interval; print a
second embossment feature on the media substrate upon a second
predetermined interval; and print the first embossment feature and
the second embossment feature on the media substrate upon a third
predetermined interval).
[0022] The data transmission, communication, and any control
signals between the at least one host computer or server computer
and the printer are sent and received pursuant to wired or wireless
communication. The wireless communication/transmission can be over
a network, which can be any suitable wired or wireless network
capable of transmitting communication, including but not limited to
a telephone network, Internet, Intranet, local area network,
Ethernet, online communication, offline communications, wireless
communications and/or similar communications means. The wireless
transmission can be accomplished through any wireless
protocol/technology, including, but not limited to, ZigBee
standards-based protocol, Bluetooth technology, and/or Wi-Fi
technology. Further, this data can be encrypted as needed based on
the sensitivity of the data or the location the printer, for
example. The devices can be located in the same room, in a
different room in the same building, and/or in a completely
different building and location from each other. A user using a
host computer (or a different computer) can send data transmission,
control or communication signals to the printer perform any of the
functionalities described herein. A user using the host computer
(or a different computer) can instruct the printer to perform the
functionalities described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a printer that is
structured, configured, and/or programmed to print embossment
security features on a media substrate.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a system architecture diagram of a thermal printer
that is structured, configured, and/or programmed to print security
features on a thermal media substrate with various communication
links to a computer, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a more detailed system architecture diagram of the
thermal printer and computer shown in FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a photograph of a thermal media substrate without
variable data that was produced by the thermal printer of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a photocopy of the photograph shown in FIG. 4,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 6A is a flowchart of a method of an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 6B is a flowchart of a method of an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like components.
[0032] Turning to FIG. 1, a perspective schematic view of a printer
104 (preferably a thermal printer) that is structured, configured,
and/or programmed to print embossment security features (embossment
features) 25 on a media substrate 23 (preferably a thermal media
substrate), is provided. The printer 104 can include, but is not
limited to, thermal paper roll 13, a thermal mechanism 15 (as
should be appreciated by those of skill in the art in conjunction
with a review of this disclosure), a platen 17 made of sufficiently
compliant material (as should be appreciated by those of skill in
the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure), a
traversing embossing head 19, feed rollers 21, media substrate or
thermal paper 23, and an embossment feature/design 25.
[0033] In FIG. 1, a thermal printer 104 is shown with thermal paper
roll 13, which can be coated with a chemical that changes color
when exposed to heat. In use, the thermal printer 104 can be
programmed to print variable data and/or non-embossment security
features on the thermal paper 13 as the thermal paper 13 passes
through the thermal mechanism 15. The paper 13 can then pass
through the impact mechanism (including the platen 17 and
traversing embossing head 19), where (per programming of the
thermal printer) wires in the traversing embossing head 19 strike
the thermal paper against the platen 17. The impact of the wires on
the paper against the platen 17 can cause a permanent deflection in
the paper, which can be verified by visually, by touch, and/or by a
mobile or other computing device with an application programmed to
verify such an embossment feature. As shown in FIG. 1, the
permanent deflection (or embossment feature) 25 shown is a
non-abstract word design--Cognitive TPG--incorporated on the now
security document 23.
[0034] Turning to FIG. 2, a system architecture diagram of a
printer 104 (preferably a thermal printer) that is structured,
configured, and/or programmed to print embossment features, and
non-embossment security features on a thermal media substrate 13,
and can have various communication links to a host computer 102 (or
other computer such as a server computer), according to an
embodiment of the present invention is shown. Communication
connections between the computer 102 and the thermal printer 104,
including a wired connection 106 and a wireless connection 108, are
shown. A network 116 is also shown. A user 112 using the computer
102 (or a different computer) can instruct the thermal printer 104
to print a particular pre-stored embossment or non-embossment
security feature (e.g., a particular pantograph loaded in memory of
the thermal printer) on a thermal media substrate 13, to do so in
accordance with a particular predetermined interval, and to merge
the particular security feature(s) with variable data.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed system architecture diagram of
the thermal printer 104 and computer 102 shown in FIG. 2, according
to an embodiment of the present invention. The thermal printer 104
can include a (1) memory 112 that can store at least one security
feature and preferably, a plurality of security features such as
embossment and non-embossment security features, and (2) firmware
110 that can be programmed to perform all of the functionalities of
the printer described herein including to print the at least one
security feature, and preferably, the plurality of security
features that are stored in the memory on demand and per particular
predetermined intervals, and to merge the embossment and/or
non-embossment security feature(s) with variable data (such as
receipt, check, or prescription data, for example, as should be
understood by those of skill in the art) preferably in real time
depending on the particular application. The firmware 110 and
memory 112 can have wired 106/wireless 108 communication
connections to the computer 102. In an alternative embodiment, the
security features can be stored, updated, etc. on and by the
computer 102.
[0036] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of a non-embossment security
feature. Fig, 4 is a photograph of a thermal media substrate that
was produced by the thermal printer of an embodiment of the present
invention. This substrate was printed without any variable data.
However, this substrate can also be printed with variable data, as
described herein, The receipt shown in FIG. 5 was printed with a
"void pantograph," which is not shown in the original thermal media
substrate shown in FIG. 4. However, the "void pantograph" is shown
in FIG. 5, which is a photocopy of the photograph shown in FIG. 4.
Thus, the "void pantograph" manufactured into the thermal media
substrate of FIG. 3 prevents the ability to make counterfeits of
the thermal media substrate of FIG. 3 through the process of
photocopying.
[0037] Additional detail regarding the computer 102, the printer
104, and any other computers can include the following. The
computer 102 can include a personal computer, desktop, laptop, and
tablet, as well as any other fixed or mobile computerized device
comprising a processor and a network connection and capable of
communicating with the other components (e.g., printer 104 and
other computers such as a server computer(s)). The computer 102,
therefore, can be any processor-based device that is capable of
facilitating a user's 112 access and interaction with the printer
104 and any other computer(s). Each of the printer 104, computer
102, and other computer(s) can include a processor that can
comprise or are in communication with a non-transitory
computer-readable medium on which is stored computer-executable
program instructions (software, or firmware 110 in the case of a
printer 104) that are executed by the processor to cause the
processor to perform one or more of the functionalities and/or
method step described herein. In an alternative embodiment, a
processor that works with a particular component can be located
remotely instead of locally, and can be in wired or wireless
communication with the component. Each of the printer 104, computer
102, and any other computer(s) can include a local memory (112 and
103, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3), and can also include or
otherwise be associated with a dedicated or shared database (e.g.,
in the cloud, not shown).
[0038] The printer 104 and the computer 102 can each contain a
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having program code
(firmware 110) for performing one or more of the following
non-limiting steps of example methods shown in FIGS. 6A-B, in
accordance with an embodiment. These methods are non-limiting, and
other embodiments of methods are contemplated in accordance with
the present disclosure.
[0039] At step 601, the printer firmware can have program code for
storing a first plurality of security features (which can also be
stored in memory 112 and retrieved by the firmware 110), wherein
the first plurality of security features comprise embossment
features at step 601; and for printing a first embossment feature
of the first plurality of security features on a media substrate
upon a first predetermined interval; printing a second embossment
feature of the first plurality of security features on the media
substrate upon a second predetermined interval; and printing the
first embossment feature and the second embossment feature of the
first plurality of security features on the media substrate upon a
third predetermined interval at step 603. An embodiment
contemplates any combination of printing of embossment features
upon the receipt or occurrence of a particular predetermined
interval. Details of potential embossment features and the
predetermined intervals are described in the Summary of the
Invention section above, and are incorporated herein in its
entirety.
[0040] At step 605, the embossment features and/or the
predetermined intervals can be provided (transmitted) to the
printer 104 by the host computer 102 (which can be programmed to
carry out such functionality), which can be connected to the
printer 104. This transmission can be within a data stream (per
wired 106/wireless 108 communication connections) provided to the
printer 104. Alternatively, the embossment features and/or the
predetermined intervals can be pre-stored on the printer 104. The
printer's 104 firmware 110 can be programmed to, for example,
receive in the data stream at least one of the first predetermined
interval, the second predetermined interval, and the third
predetermined interval transmitted by the host computer at step
607; analyze the data stream for the at least one of the first
predetermined interval, the second predetermined interval, and the
third predetermined interval at step 609; and identify the at least
one of the first predetermined interval, the second predetermined
interval, and the third predetermined interval in the data stream
at step 611.
[0041] The printer's 104 firmware 110 can also be programmed to
receive and/or print at least one non-embossment feature on the
media substrate 23 with the first embossment feature upon the first
predetermined interval; second embossment feature upon the second
predetermined interval; and first embossment feature and the second
embossment feature upon the third predetermined interval. The
printer's 104 firmware 110 can further be programmed to merge at
least one of the first embossment feature and the second embossment
feature with variable data, and to print the merged at least one of
the first embossment feature and the second embossment feature with
variable data on the media substrate (and can also merge the
variable data with a non-embossment security feature).
[0042] Another aspect of the present invention is the thermal
media. The thermal media can be made of various layers and
coatings. The substrate layer contains the base paper and can
contain security features such as security fibers and security
marks. The substrate layer should preferably be extremely smooth so
that all of the thermal elements in the thermal print head come in
good contact the substrate to aid in the development of square dots
for security printing. The thermal sensitive layer of the media
should preferably also be extremely smooth and free of voids. The
thermal sensitivity of this layer should preferably be high so that
once the dot energy is applied the dot is formed very quickly. The
media should preferably have protective coatings to resist fading
do to exposure to UV, moisture, oils, or grease. Also, the media
can have security coatings which can contain phosphorescent, IR or
UV inks.
[0043] Embodiments of a thermal transfer printer, examples of which
can be used as the printer in conjunction with embodiments of the
methods and systems described herein and shown in the referenced
Figures, exist and are possible. The thermal transfer printer can
be connected, configured, programmed and/or structured to perform
the functions (e.g., printing security features and various
embossments on standard media substrate) described herein.
[0044] In accordance with an embodiment, a thermal print head
element can have a dot resolution of 300 dots per inch (DPI) or
higher to print security features at an acceptable dot resolution
as set forth herein.
[0045] Even though thermal printers and thermal transfer printers
are specifically referenced and described in certain embodiments
herein, other digital printers and corresponding appropriate media
substrates are contemplated to be part of the systems and methods
described herein.
[0046] A "module," as may be used herein, can include, among other
things, the identification of specific functionality represented by
specific computer software code of a software program. A software
program may contain code representing one or more modules, and the
code representing a particular module can be represented by
consecutive or non-consecutive lines of code.
[0047] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of
the present invention may be embodied/implemented as a computer
system, method or computer program product. The computer program
product can have a computer processor or neural network, for
example, that carries out the instructions of a computer program.
Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of
an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment,
and entirely firmware embodiment, or an embodiment combining
software/firmware and hardware aspects that may all generally be
referred to herein as a "circuit," "module," "system," or an
"engine." Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take
the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more
computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code
embodied thereon.
[0048] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s)
may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable
storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or
store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction
performance system, apparatus, or device.
[0049] The program code may perform entirely on the user's
computer, partly on the user's computer, completely or partly on
the thermal printer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on
the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0050] The flowcharts/block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the
architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowcharts/block diagrams may represent a
module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises instructions
for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also
be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions
noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures.
For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be
performed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes
be performed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality
involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block
diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks
in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be
implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform
the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose
hardware and computer instructions.
[0051] While several embodiments of the invention have been
discussed, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations of the present invention are
possible. Such modifications do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
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