Patent Application
20100059984
1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates generally to document authentication and, more particularly, to an improved method and system for authentication of documents using a combination of security ink and a chemical reactant.
2. Description of Related Art
Detection of counterfeit documents, including, but not limited to sales receipts, tickets, coupons and other value-based documents, is desirable to businesses, governments and other institutional bodies that rely on the authenticity of documentation. Counterfeiters copy original receipts, tickets, coupons, and other value-based documents, and use these counterfeit copies to defraud businesses and consumers of millions of dollars each year.
Various scams exist to take advantage of copying original receipts and other paper based items of value. For example, after legitimately purchasing a product from a retailer, a counterfeiter may copy the authentic sales receipt multiple times. The counterfeiter will then return to the store with the counterfeit receipt, pick up another originally purchased product and “return” that product using the counterfeit receipt.
To prevent this, many retailers and gaming houses currently use sales receipts that contain a unique barcode that will only allow one return per receipt. Instead of “returning” the product using the counterfeit sales receipt, counterfeiters circumvent this security feature by simply walking out of the business establishment with the product identified in the counterfeit sales receipt, which is later “fenced” on Internet auction sites or at flea markets. If the counterfeiter is stopped leaving the store with the stolen goods, the counterfeiter uses the counterfeit sales receipt as proof that the product was never returned.
A number of security inks, both covert and overt, have been developed to deter counterfeiters, but there is still a need for a security ink to protect value-based paper documents that cannot be copied and is readily identifiable as an authentic document.
In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method and system of document authentication comprise applying a neutralizer security ink to a paper document to be authenticated, the neutralizer security ink neutralizing a reactant in the paper document. A test solution is applied to at least a first area on the paper document to be authenticated where the neutralizer security ink has been applied. The application of the test solution to the first area results in no color change in the first area due to the neutralization of the reactant in the paper document. The application of the test solution to a second area where neutralizer security ink has not been applied results in color change in the second area due to a chemical reaction between the reactant and at least one component of the test solution.
In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method and system of document authentication comprise applying a neutralizer security ink to a paper document to be authenticated, the neutralizer security ink neutralizing a reactant in the paper document. A color changing security ink is applied to the paper document to be authenticated at least to an area where the neutralizer security ink was applied, the color changing security ink having a first security color and a second security color. A test solution is applied to the paper document to be authenticated at least on the area where the neutralizer security ink and color changing security ink have both been applied. The application of the test solution to the area where the neutralizer security ink and color changing security ink have both been applied causes the color changing security ink to change from the first security color to the second security color.
In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of document authentication comprises applying a color changing security ink to a paper document to be authenticated. The paper document has a coating. The color changing security ink has a first security color and a second security color. A test solution is applied to the paper document to be authenticated. The paper document is identified as authentic when the application of the test solution to the area where the color changing security ink has been applied causes the color changing security ink to change from the first security color to the second security color.
The foregoing has outlined rather generally the features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of this disclosure in order that the following detailed description may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of this disclosure will be described hereinafter, which may form the subject of the claims of this application.
This disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows, with reference to the drawings, in which:
A system, method and paper for document authentication are disclosed herein. The system, method and paper for document authentication may be utilized on documents for a variety of purposes, including (but not limited to) validation, security and/or anti-counterfeiting measures. Such documents may be, for example, original sales receipts, tickets, coupons or other value based paper documents.
In one preferred embodiment, the system, method, and paper for document authentication utilizes a two-tiered security system. The first tier comprises a neutralizer security ink that neutralizes a reactant in the paper document to be authenticated. The neutralizer security ink is preferably colorless and may be printed or otherwise applied to the paper document in a conventional manner, such as, for example, using a conventional flexographic printing press. A second tier or level of security may optionally be provided by printing or otherwise applying a color changing security ink to a portion of the paper containing the neutralizer security ink.
The neutralizer security ink preferably comprises at least one buffer agent, at least one binder agent and at least one surfactant. In one exemplary embodiment, the buffer agent preferably comprises potassium phosphate, sodium phosphate and sodium thiosulfate. The binder agent preferably comprises a commercially available hydroxyethylcellulose, such as Natrosol® 250 GR (sold by Hercules, Inc.), and water. The surfactant preferably comprises a commercially available surfactant, such as Surfynol® 104PG-50 (sold by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.).
The following table sets forth the preferred weight percentage of the ingredients of the exemplary neutralizer security ink.
A suitable ultraviolet brightener or ultraviolet absorber may be added to the neutralizer security ink depending on the optical brightness characteristics of the paper substrate. The addition of ultraviolet properties to the neutralizer security ink confers additional advantages to utilization of the ink. The ultraviolet property may be used during printing to enable visual confirmation that the print pattern is satisfactory. The ultraviolet property may also be used as an additional security feature, as the ultraviolet-treated colorless neutralizer security ink may present a visible pattern when exposed to the appropriate ultraviolet conditions. Any suitable ultraviolet additive may be used, such as Leucophor® AC (sold by Clariant Corp.), which may preferably be added to the neutralizer security ink up to 2% of the final formulation.
In step 32, document 1 is distributed by the issuer as proof or representation of some value. Examples include (but are not limited to) the issuance of a receipt as proof of purchase of a store item, or the issuance of a ticket for a sporting event paid for with cash consideration. In step 33, document 1 returns to the issuer and is presented as proof of the previous exchange. Examples of this type of return may include (but are not limited to) the presentment of a proof of purchase receipt when a customer seeks to return a store-bought item, or the presentment of a ticket for entrance to a sporting event. The issuer may then check document 1 for authenticity.
In step 34, an issuer may authenticate document 1 by applying a counterfeit detection test solution to document 1, creating, for example, application areas 4a and/or 4b as illustrated in
Therefore, should the test solution be applied to the area 4b of the paper document 1, the area 4b will darken because of the chemical interaction between the iodine in the test solution and the starch in the paper document 1. In contrast, when the test solution is applied to the area 4a of the document where the neutralizer security ink (pattern 2) is applied, only part of the area 4a will darken in response to the chemical interaction between the iodine in the test solution and the starch in the paper document 1. The overlapping region 3 will not darken because the neutralizer security ink has neutralized the starch in the paper 1. This, in turn, provides the first tier of document authentication protection.
In step 35, the issuer may then determine whether the appropriate pattern of discoloration and non-discoloration has appeared. Only authentic documents printed with the neutralizer security ink will resist discoloration in the appropriate pattern when the test solution is applied to the designated print areas (e.g., area 3 in
In addition, as mentioned above, an additional security feature for document authentication may be provided through the addition of a suitable ultraviolet brightener or ultraviolet absorber to the neutralizer security ink. The ultraviolet-treated colorless neutralizer security ink may present a visible pattern when exposed to the appropriate ultraviolet conditions. The presence of the visual pattern provides further confirmation that document 1 is original and authentic and the absence of the visible pattern provides further confirmation that document 1 is a counterfeit.
The print pattern may vary according to the needs of the user. Options available to the end-user include (but are not limited to) company names, logos, watermarks, printed text or special security patterns. For instance, the print pattern may be a simple square that reveals a square when test solution is applied and the area around the square darkens. More complicated patterns may also be used. For instance, the neutralized print area may reveal a name or logo upon application of test solution. The end-user may design the print patterns according to the end-user's own requirements.
It is understood that any combination of chemical reactants may be used, and that this disclosure is not limited to the use of iodine and starch as the principle mechanism for authentication. It is further understood that the test solution may be applied in a variety of ways, including (but not limited to) using a pen-like marker filled with the test solution, a dropper filled with the test solution, or a brush or applicator dipped in the test solution.
Referring now to
The color changing security ink preferably comprises at least one dye agent, at least one binder agent, and at least one surfactant. In one exemplary embodiment, the dye preferably comprises bromocresol green and bromocresol green sodium salt. The binder agent preferably comprises a commercially available hydroxyethylcellulose, such as Natrosol® 250 GR (sold by Hercules Inc.). The surfactant preferably comprises a commercially available surfactant, such as Surfynol® 104PG-50 (sold by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.). The balance of the color changing security ink is preferably comprised of at least isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) and water.
The following table sets forth the preferred weight percentage of the ingredients of the exemplary color changing security ink.
The color changing security ink may be applied using a conventional flexographic printing process. In an exemplary embodiment, a standard flexographic printing press with aniloxes between 100-800 lines and volume of greater than 0 to 20 BCM is utilized. Each printing unit is preferably thoroughly washed and flushed with warm or hot water to insure all possible contaminants from previous inks are removed. Other printing or coating methods may also be used in accordance with this disclosure.
In step 43, document 21 is distributed by the issuer as proof of purchase or representation of some value. Examples include (but are not limited to) the issuance of a receipt as proof of purchase of a store item, or the issuance of a ticket for a sporting event for which a customer has paid value. In step 44, document 21 returns to the issuer and is presented as proof of the previous exchange. Examples of this type of return may include (but are not limited to) the presentment of a proof of purchase receipt when a customer seeks to return a store-bought item, or the presentment of a ticket for entrance to a sporting event. The issuer may then check document 21 for authenticity.
In step 45, the issuer may test document 21 for authenticity by applying the counterfeit detection test solution described above to paper document 21, creating, for example, marked area 24, which overlaps neutralized area 22b (containing the neutralizer security ink) and printed area 25a (containing the color changing security ink). A reaction between compositions in the test solution and compositions in the color changing security ink creates the color changing effect.
In this preferred embodiment, a reactant chemical, such as, for example, tartaric acid (C4H6O6), is added to the counterfeit detection test solution to enable the color changing function of the color changing security ink. In one exemplary embodiment, approximately 1.5 grams of a mixture of 0.8 grams of tartaric acid and 50 grams of distilled water was added to the ink reservoir of a commercially available counterfeit currency detector marker containing iodine, such as Dri Mark® Smart Money® Counterfeit Detector Pen (sold by Dri Mark Products, Inc.). The counterfeit currency detector marker preferably retains its ability to detect counterfeit currency despite the addition of a reactant chemical (such as tartaric acid), thereby allowing an end-user to authenticate value-based documents and currency with a single test solution. It is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the use of tartaric acid and other chemicals may be used as appropriate.
The subsequent chemical reaction between the tartaric acid composition in the test solution and the composition in the color changing security ink causes the color changing security ink to change from the first security color (represented by the stripes) to the second security color (represented by the spots) in area 25a. In this preferred embodiment, the first security color is light blue, and the second security color is yellow. It is understood, however, that this disclosure is not limited to a color change from light blue to yellow, and that other dyes may be incorporated into the color changing security ink to effect other desired color changes.
In step 46, the issuer may examine the revealed security pattern to determine whether the document is authentic or counterfeit. For example, area 25a has changed color from the first security color (e.g., light blue) to the second security color (e.g., yellow), which may be indicative of an authentic document. Area 23 does not change color because the color changing security ink was not applied to it. Area 23 does, however, remain clear because of the neutralization of the reactants (e.g., starch) in paper document 21. The sides of area 24 discolor upon application of the test solution because the reactant (e.g., starch) in paper document 21 has not been neutralized by neutralizer security ink and chemically reacts with the iodine in the test solution. Area 25b retains the first security color (as represented by the striped lines) because the test solution was not applied to it. The totality of these effects or any one of them may be regarded as the two-tier security pattern that readily identifies a document as authentic or counterfeit.
This second tier, therefore, provides an additional layer of security in that only the proper print pattern of neutralizer security ink and color changing security ink can reveal the desired security pattern upon application of the test solution. If an incorrect security pattern is revealed, then the issuer may determine that document 21 is counterfeit in step 47. In contrast, if the appropriate security pattern is revealed, then the issuer may determine that document 21 is authentic in step 48.
In addition, as mentioned above, an additional security feature for document authentication may be provided through the addition of a suitable ultraviolet brightener or ultraviolet absorber to the neutralizer security ink. The ultraviolet-treated colorless neutralizer security ink may present a visible pattern in those areas not covered by the color changing security ink when exposed to the appropriate ultraviolet conditions. The presence of the visual pattern provides further confirmation that document 21 is original and authentic and the absence of the visible pattern provides further confirmation that document 21 is counterfeit.
It should be noted that the actual two-tier security pattern may vary according to the needs of the user. Options available to the end-user include (but are not limited to) company names, logos, watermarks, printed text or special security patterns. Furthermore, the print pattern of the color changing security ink does not need to duplicate the print pattern of the neutralizer security ink. The only areas where the color changing security ink and neutralizer security ink must overlap are those areas where a color change from the first security color to the second security color is desired. The end-user may utilize any combination of discoloration, neutralization, non-color change and color change to create the overall security pattern strategy for the user's specific security needs.
In an alternative preferred embodiment, the color changing security ink described above may be utilized without application of the neutralizer security ink on a document to be authenticated. In this embodiment, a layer of color changing security ink may be printed or otherwise applied directly on to a commercially available paper having a coating, such as, for example, a high gloss coat or varnish. Examples of available high gloss coat or varnished papers include (but are not limited to) Appleton POS Plus® or Kanzaki KIP-370®. The gloss coat or varnish functions as a barrier, which prevents chemicals from contacting reactants in the paper (such as starch), thereby enabling the color changing function of the color changing security ink.
In this embodiment, application of the test solution described above to the color changing security ink causes the color changing security ink to change color from the first security color to the second security color. When this occurs, the document is authenticated.
Having described and illustrated the principles of this application by reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it should be apparent that the preferred embodiment(s) may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the principles disclosed herein and that it is intended that the application be construed as including all such modifications and variations insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.
