Abstract: A financial transaction document, such as a check, is manufactured by dividing the clear band of the document into two parallel portions. The first portion is printed with ferrous loaded ink to produce the standard MICE encoded financial information currently employed in such transaction documents. The second band, located either directly above or directly below the first band, has symbols printed with non-ferrous inks in specific locations. A system is employed to read the information in both bands, and to differentiate between properly printed documents, using the ferrous and non-ferrous printing in adjacent bands, from improperly printed documents which do not employ this printing technique.

Abstract: A method of encrypting a sequence of characters such as a code number on an information slide or disc is provided. The method allows the encryption of a plurality of sequences on a single user-markable disc or slide which may be deciphered by a reference to a single code word.

Abstract: A system for the encryption of documents is described. A document, which may contain not only text, but also handwriting, pictures, charts, or other graphic images, is converted into a bitmap. This bitmap is encrypted and printed, preferably in a widely-spaced format for ease of subsequent processing, as an encrypted document. The encrypted document may then be copied or sent via facsimile machine as any other printed document, but without disclosing its contents to individuals other than the intended recipient. The encrypted document, or a replica thereof, is then scanned into a decryption device, which converts it into an encrypted bitmap, decrypts the encrypted bitmap, and displays or prints the decrypted document. Bitmap compression may optionally be used to reduce the size of the encrypted document.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking the correct processing of bank notes in automatic bank note sorters for sorting certain amounts of money into different categories according to given criteria, whereby partial amounts are destroyed if necessary, and a log is prepared, after a given amount of money has been processed or after a certain unit of time, to record information about the processed bank notes, among other things, and the log additionally contains at least one authenticity marking calculated from given log data and clearly related to the data included in the calculation.

Abstract: A copy preventing sheet-form screen comprises a lenticular screen formed by a sheet of transparent plastic material having, a series of adjacent lens portions with major optical axes perpendicular to the front face and a series of light blocking striae located spaced apart underlying respective lens portions. The striae extend across a major part of the major optical axes so that when covering a sheet printed with meaningful information, the screen enables the information to be easily seen when viewed obliquely in ambient white light but prevents a meaningful copy thereof being made by conventional, perpendicularly aligned, phototransference techniques. The screen can be attached to the printed sheet by adhesive or formed as an adhesive tape to cover only preselected areas of printing. The screen may also form one or both sides of a security envelope enclosing the printed sheet and sealed by a security label carrying an authorized signature.

Abstract: A method of forming a franking impression on a mail item and apparatus for forming the franking impression is disclosed. Material which is switchable from one stable state to another stable state by exposure to light of predetermined wavelength is deposited on the mail item while in one state and a selected region of the deposited material is exposed to light of the predetermined wavelength to effect switching of the selected region to the other state and thereby to represent franking or other secure information.

Abstract: A check protector comprises a print head operating under microprocessor control to print on a medium two separate patterns of characters, each indicating the same amount, preselected by means of a keyboard, and for printing immediately before one of the patterns an intelligible message indicating that the predetermined amount is a maximum amount, thereby to produce a secure financial instrument which is difficult to alter or forge for the purpose of increasing the amount.

Abstract: A memory aiding device for aiding in remembering a predetermined personal identification number. A substrate has sequence representing integers predisposed on it in rows and columns for representing a personal identification number. Each respective sequence representing integer is printed at a respective column and row intersection. A user definable location is designated at an intersection of a row and a column and designates a set of sequence representing integers. A set of marks is recorded on a sheet member. Each mark indicates a respective numeral of the personal identification number represented by a corresponding sequence representing integer. When the recorded sheet member is disposed under the substrate at the user defined location, the personal identification number represented by the corresponding sequence representing integers is perceived by perceiving the marks.

Abstract: A set of forms having an OMR card for delivering packages is provided. Substantially all or part of information indicated on these forms can be input into a machine, without depending upon manual processing or with hardly changing the conventional process for manufacturing such forms or the method of filling them in.At least one of these forms is the OMR card. Of information to be written on the forms, information used for calculating the sending fee, such as the name and category of items, and the delivery substation code, is indicated by selectively marking characters, numerals, symbols or pictures, which have already been printed in a blank for marking these indicators. Location ID marks are printed on the card so that an OMR can read the marks.

Abstract: A process for the authentication of documents which comprises generating developed documents in an electophotographic apparatus, or in a laser printer, with an encapsulated toner comprised of a core comprised of polymer, pigment, and an infrared absorbing component, and thereover a polymeric shell; and subjecting the document to an infrared reader whereby the near infrared absorbing component is detected spectroscopically.

Abstract: A security device comprising a substrate having applied thereto an array of characters, the characters being of a sufficiently small size as to appear uniform when ordinarily viewed but individually identifiable when viewed with the aid of appropriate magnification means, whereby group(s) of the characters are phase-shifted relative to the others in such a manner as to collectively define an image, the image being relatively indiscernible when the device is ordinarily viewed but discernible when viewed with the aid of a finding screen.

Abstract: A listing apparatus, comprising, in its broadest aspects, a transparent plastic coverplate, a rigid backplate, and a spring punch assembly. The rigid, transparent, plastic coverplate includes a coverplate slot system comprising a plurality of interconnected coverplate listing slots being connected by at least one coverplate connecting slot. The rigid backplate has a plurality of backplate slots disposed therein, the rigid backplate being securely disposed in a spaced relationship with the clear plastic coverplate. The backplate slots are aligned with the coverplate listing slots. The spring punch assembly, which includes a punch rod, is located within the coverplate slot system and slidable therethrough. Connectors provide the spaced relationship between the clear plastic cover and the rigid backplate so as to accommodate a list to be inserted therebetween.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive apparatus for encoding and decoding messages is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first surface having a first series of indicia and a second surface having a series of letters. Each of the letters correspond to a unique one of the indicia. The device further includes a cover for rotating one of the surfaces through a plurality of positions and sequentially revealing one of the indicia and its corresponding letter.

Abstract: This method consists in introducing a programmed defect at the writing level; the defect will be detected at the reading level by means of a key corresponding to the writing control algorithm which is known only to the user.

Abstract: A game is described involving operations on a permutation group (X,*) where X is a set of symbols, illustratively the alphabet, and * is a two argument operation on the symbols of said set, said group having closure, associativity, an identity element and an inverse for each element of the set. A series of plaintext symbols of the set X is encoded by replacing each plaintext symbol with a symbol pair comprising two of the three symbols x, y, z in the relation x*y=z and where x, y, and z are each elements of the set X and one of x, y and z is the plaintext symbol to be encoded. The encoded symbol pairs are then decoded to recover the series of plaintext symbols.

Abstract: A device for photocopying a document to produce two partial documents for secure transmission. A transparent sheet is placed on the cover glass and has a pattern thereon of portions which are complementary along longitudinally equal shift distances. There is a frame having the transparent sheet attached to the bottom thereof and including parallel side members. A holder is disposed within the frame and on the transparent sheet between the side members for longitudinal sliding a document over the pattern between a first position and a second position located at the equal shift distance. The holder comprises a top member and a transparent carrier member slidably disposed on the transparent sheet and attached to the top member for sliding movement in combination therewith with a document to be photocopied therebetween. The holder is moveable between the first position and the second position. A combined stop and detent prevents the holder from sliding too far and resiliently holds the holder in the positions.

Abstract: A textile label, that is destinated to be applied to several different types of products, such as clothing, or to any other article, in order to distinguish the corresponding products. It is possible to quickly obtain a showing, without any light being required or even in total darkness, of many details of interest to the buyer or to the user of the product. Characteristically, the textile label is made in the manner of a textile substrate, having incorporated therein at least one phosphorescent thread that forms one or more embroideries. This thread can readily be seen from the top surface or from the bottom surface of the label. The textile label provides quick and easy control over the origin and quality of a highly recognized distinguished product to which it is attached, preventing its total falsification by anyone.

Abstract: A mailing piece for use in mass mailings including an envelope having insert material 26 within the envelope. An index mark 76 on the insert 26 are correlated with index openings 64, 66, 68 on the front 22 of the envelope so that, for example, the answers to questions disposed in areas 58, 60, 62 on the insert may be displayed to the recipient of the mailer through a window 56 in the front 22 of the envelope upon alignment of the index mark 76 with the index openings 64, 66 and 68 with such answers corresponding to questions located in areas 70, 72 and 74 associated with each index opening 64, 66 and 68.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the security of instant lottery tickets. A book number indicating from which packet a particular lottery ticket originated is printed on the back of the ticket and an integrity number is printed on the front of the ticket. The integrity number is related to the book number by an algorithm known only to the ticket manufacturer and the lottery administration. To further enhance the security of the ticket, the book number and integrity number are simultaneously printed onto the ticket.

Abstract: An improved ballot structure for use in connection with absentee balloting is disclosed which features removable adhesive-backed labels having indicia printed thereon of the names of candidates for particular offices. Voters detach these labels and paste them in spaces corresponding to the office for which they desire to vote. The number of spaces per office corresponds to the total number of candidates for which the voter is entitled to vote. The portion of the ballot containing the labels is detached by the voter and discarded and the portion containing the sticker selected by the voter is then supplied to election officials. In this way, improved election security is achieved in a simple, low cost and effective ballot structure. Preferably, the labels have bar coded representations of the candidates' names printed thereon, for ready tabulation by machine.

Abstract: A bank check or like instrument has a marking area at the right side thereof which includes a plurality of rows and columns of blocks for receiving marks. The combination of the marked blocks represents a dollars and cents amount. The contiguous area adjacent the rows and columns of blocks is coated with wax to prevent marking outside the boundaries of the blocks.

Abstract: A credit card and charge slip are provided which resist credit card fraud. The credit card has auxiliary characters and corresponding dates at which each should be used, the auxiliary characters not being embossed at a copy area as are the numbers of the credit card. A merchant finalizes a credit card purchase by writing the auxiliary character only on the bank copy of the credit slip. The credit slip can be formed with aligned holes in all of the sheets except the bank sheet, so a merchant can write the auxiliary character directly on the bank sheet without even partially separating the sheet.

Abstract: A system for the metering of encrypted postage and similar indicia includes a device for printing such indicia and a device for reading such indicia. The printing is accomplished with a dot matrix printer and a bar-code printer driven by signals obtained by a character generator and an encryption circuit. The reading is accomplished by a bar-code reader and a dot matrix reader. Intelligence is obtained by correlating received characters against a stored array of symbols to determine the presence of a symbol, and the comparison of the separated coded data with a reference code to determine the accuracy of the printed material. Thereby, forgery and alteration is inhibited. The data and the encrypted material are imprinted by indicia utilizing both the formats of alphanumeric characters and the formats of a bar code.

Abstract: A system for the metering of encrypted postage and similar indicia includes a device for printing such indicia and a device for reading such indicia. The printing is accomplished with a dot matrix printer driven by signals obtained by altering character generation signals with encryption signals. The interleaving is accomplished on a row-by-row basis by inserting delays from an encryption circuit into signals from a character generator circuit. The reading is accomplished by correlating received characters against a stored array of symbols to determine the presence of a symbol, the extraction of coded data from character data of the received and identified character, and the comparison of the separated coded data with a reference code to determine the accuracy of the printed material. Thereby, forgery and alteration is inhibited.

Abstract: An interest-bearing financial instrument kit is provided comprising a travelers check having a format for the entry and collection of interest due on the check, and a calculator for the calculation of the interest due on the check. The calculator comprises a first and second flat, circular, planar member concentrically affixed to each other at their centers to allow rotation of each member with respect to each other and having concentrically aligned scales representing the total value of the check relative to the time elapsed from date of purchase to date of redemption, and representing the face value of the check, whereby the second member can be rotated relative to the first member to visually obtain the total value of the travelers check when cashed.

Abstract: A hospital patient medication record card system that includes a medication card mounted to a back support that in turn has a guide member affixed to its bottom edge. The guide member has markings, generally hour numerals, that generally indicate times related to the administration of medication for the patient. A marker member slidably mounted to the guide member can be selectively positioned over the numeral that indicates the time of the administration of the medication.

Abstract: Graphic means in the form of one or more symbols applied to one or more of the panels of a plurality of cargo containers to be loaded in a cargo receiving space, such as the cargo receiving space of a vehicle. The symbols provide graphic instructions to a loader as to how the cargo containers should be oriented in the cargo space of a vehicle in order to obtain a loading pattern which substantially maximizes the number of cartons that can be loaded in the cargo receiving space. The loading pattern obtained from the graphic instructions provided by the symbols also serves to reduce the clearance between the cartons and the walls of the cargo receiving space and hence the possibility of damage to cargo in the containers or cartons due to shifting while in transit.