Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Wicker

Thomas M. Wicker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8444181
    Abstract: A verifiable/copy-protected document features a combination of nearly identical line-screen patterns for embedding latent images within visually integrated settings. The latent images can be detected for purposes of verification with a matching viewer but are indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings under ordinary viewing conditions. The line-screen patterns, which can be incorporated into document artwork, are printed at certain combinations of line frequencies and print densities so that the line-screen patterns digitally reproduce as a largely undifferentiated solid tint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Document Security Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Wicker, David M. Wicker, Michael Scott Caton
  • Patent number: 7982917
    Abstract: A document comprising a latent security image that is visible when the document is reproduced after being scanned by a standard commercial bank scanner. The security image comprises a plurality of lines, dots, or spots having a frequency and a density such that the image is reproduced after being scanned by the standard commercial bank scanner. A method of making a reproducible document comprising a security device comprises generating the document by creating an original containing the security device, scanning the original to a digital computer using a conventional scanner, and converting the scanned original to a digital image file which is printable via a digital press, a color copier, etc. A document comprises a security image that is not visible under ordinary light, and is visible when the document is exposed to a predetermined type of light. The security image is printed with an ink visible under one of UV light, infrared light, X-rays, of Gamma rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Document Security Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wicker
  • Patent number: 7976068
    Abstract: A compound security feature is formed by printing latent images together with visually integrated settings using an invisible ink. Even if illuminated by a wavelength capable of rendering the inks visible, the latent images remain visually indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings. However, the latent images and visually integrated settings differ in one or more less obvious ways so that the latent images can be distinguished by using a visual aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Document Security Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Wicker, David M. Wicker, Michael Scott Caton
  • Patent number: 7906198
    Abstract: A document containing security images which enable original documents to be distinguished from copies of the originals. The document 60 bears an image 63 containing a latent image 68. Latent image 68 may be formed from two or more images 65 and 66. The first image 65 is preferably formed at a high line frequency and at a first angle in one or more colors. The second image 66 is preferably formed at a lower line frequency at the same angle as first image 65 and in one or more colors. The colors in the first image 65 and the second image 66 are preferably chosen so that latent image 68 has substantially the same color as image 63.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wicker
  • Publication number: 20090001710
    Abstract: A document containing security images which enable original documents to be distinguished from copies of the originals. The document may include a background of a first color and an image formed of a second and third color which appear to be the first color when viewed together, providing a hidden image which does not appear in reproductions of the document. The document may contain a background of a first color printed with lines at a first angle, and an image of the first color but having lines printed at a different angle, providing a hidden image which does not appear in reproductions of the document. The document may contain a background of printed with lines at a first angle and a predetermined line frequency, and an image printed with lines at a second angle and at a line frequency less the one half of the line frequency of the background, providing a substantially hidden image which appears in a reproduction of the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas M. WICKER
  • Patent number: 7367593
    Abstract: A security document and a method of making and authenticating the document in which the document contains a security feature of an image/background pattern printed in one subtractive color on the document and at least one other but different image/background pattern printed in another subtractive color superimposed directly over the one image/background pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Adler Tech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wicker
  • Publication number: 20030030271
    Abstract: A security document and a method of making and authenticating the document in which the document contains a security feature of an image/background pattern printed in one subtractive color on the document and at least one other but different image/background pattern printed in another subtractive color superimposed directly over the one image/background pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wicker
  • Patent number: 5788285
    Abstract: A method and product for making non-reproducible documents, in which a nearly invisible indicia on the document is printed by continuous screened lines of a desired pitch, and a background that will not reproduce by copying that is formed by orthogonal reproduction of positive/negative images of continuous lines to produce broken lines of a desired width and pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wicker
  • Patent number: 5271645
    Abstract: Commercially available pigments mixed with fluorescence compound to obtain print stuff mixtures for transfer thereafter to mattes. The print stuff mixtures obtainable thereby are used to print securitY and face-value documents which will be color copier resistant, that is, not be accurately reproducible or replicable by a photocopier. An empirical test is provided which will allow the ordinary skilled printer to determine the best titer of commercially available fluorescence to be used in the ink/pigment mixing scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wicker