Specification Field of the Invention The invention relates to the use of holograms with respect to security documents and devices. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for individualizing holograms for security and authentication purposes. The invention also relates to methods for discouraging the counterfeiting of bank drafts. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of holograms with bank drafts for discouraging the counterfeiting of same. Background

The personal identification and security industries, including the banking industry, are engaged in an arms race with forgers. The ability of forgers to duplicate many security documents and devices has been greatly enhanced by the advent of the new generation of high resolution color graphic desktop publishing systems and duplicating machines. Easily forged security documents and devices now include may bank notes, driver's licenses. Social Security cards, identification cards, passports, credit cards, etc. Holograms have now been introduced as an anti-counterfeit measure and are frequently incorporated into many security documents and devices so as to increase the difficulty of their duplication. A method for mass producing holograms for use with security documents and devices has been disclosed by Dennison (WO 8903760, incorporated herein by reference) . Dennison discloses a thermoplastic coating of metallized paper and/or heat-resistant plastic substrates which may be employed for embossing holographic patters onto such substrates at high speed. The holographic pattern

may then be covered with a coating of ink compatible primer. If the holographic pattern is incorporated into a security device or document, it is useful to coat it with a laminated covering to protect the integrity of the holographic image and to deter its duplication. However, artful forgers have determined that laminated coverings can be chemically removed from the hologram. The stripped hologram can then be employed to form a master embosser either by electro- plating or by impression molding. The master embosser can then be used to mass produce unauthorized copies of the hologram.

What was need was an easy method for personalizing each hologram so as to neutralize the utility of its counterfeit reproduction ad duplication.

Summary The invention is a holographic signature panel for use with security documents and devices. In its most elementary form, the holographic signature panel includes a panel having a holographic pattern and a signature affixed thereonto. The signature serves to partially occult the holographic image and to etch an image of the signature onto the embossed holographic pattern so as to personalize the holographic patterns and render it unique. The personalization of a holographic pattern largely neutralizes the utility of its reproduction by counterfeiters. The holographic signature panel provides an enhanced degree of assurance with respect to the genuineness of the signature and/or with respect to the authenticity of the security document or device onto which the holographic signature panel is incorporated. The holographic signature panel may be employed in connection with personal identification papers and in connection with other security documents and/or devices.

The invention is also a holographic bank draft form. In its most elementary embodiment, the holographic bank draft form is similar to a conventional bank draft form except that all or a substantial portion of the front face of the bank draft, including the signature entry area, comprises a hologram. The hologram includes a transparent layer of ink compatible material for writing or marking ink images thereon. Affixing the drawer's signature onto the hologram serves to partially occult the holographic image. If the hologram is embossed, affixing a signature and/or one or more terms thereonto may also serve to etch the embossing of the hologram, thereby further defacing its holographic image. The occultation and/or etching of a holographic pattern largely neutralizes the utility of its reproduction by counterfeiters. The holographic signature panel of the bank draft provides an enhanced degree of assurance with respect to the genuineness of the signature and/or with respect to the authenticity of the security document or device onto which the holographic signature panel is incorporated.

In an other embodiment, a smaller hologram may be employed to cover the signature entry area onlt* or several such holograms may be employed to cover several areas of the bank draft form. In either event, the hologram(s) of this embodiment cover both the signature entry area and/or various other data entry areas, e.g. areas for entering the date, name of the payee, amount of the bank draft, etc. In this embodiment, the signature entry area and the various data entry areas are coated with a transparent layer of ink compatible material. In a variation of this embodiment and/or of the first embodiment, the remainder of the hologram may be coated with a

transparent layer of ink incompatible material so as to preserve its integrity during handling.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of a personal identification card illustrating an unsigned holographic signature panel lacking both a signature and a protective lamination.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the unsigned holographic signature panel of Fig. 1, illustrating intact holographic embossing. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a personal identification card illustrating a holographic signature panel which lacks a protective lamination but includes a signature. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the holographic signature panel of Fig. 3, illustrating holographic embossing which has been partially destroyed by a signature.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a personal identification card illustrating a completed holographic signature panel having both a signature and a protective lamination thereover.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the completed holographic signature panel of Fig. 5 illustrating a transparent protective layer covering the signature.

Brief Description of the Drawings for Bank Draft Example Fig. 1' is a plan view of an unsigned holographic bank draft form having a single large hologram encompassing both the signature entry area and the date entry areas, the signature entry area and the date entry areas having a transparent layer of ink compatible material. Fig. 2 ' is an enlarged sectional view of the unsigned holographic bank draft of Fig. 1', illustrating intact holographic embossing.

Fig. 3' is a plan view of a holographic bank draft form onto which the drawers signature has been affixed and onto which the terms of the bank draft have been entered. Fig. 4' is an enlarged sectional view of the holographic bank draft form of Fig. 3', illustrating holographic embossing which has been partially destroyed by a signature.

Fig. 5' is a plan view of a completed bank draft form with a protective lamination thereover.

Fig. 6' is an enlarged sectional view of the completed holographic bank draft of Fig. 5' illustrating a transparent protective layer covering the signature. Detailed Description

A preferred holographic signature panel (2) and a preferred method for making same are illustrate in Fig.'s 1-6. Fig.'s 1 and 2 illustrate an unsigned holographic panel (4) incorporated into a photographic identification card (6) . In this , particular instance, the photographic identification card (6) serves as the substrate onto which the unsigned holographic panel (4) has been incorporated. However, a wide variety of other security documents and devices may also serve as substrates (6) for supporting unsigned holographic panels (4) . There are tow types of preferred holographic panels (4) . The first type has a reflective surface (8) embossed or otherwise formed with a pattern of ridges (10) and troughs (12) within the submicrometer range for forming a conventional holographic pattern, Dennison discloses that metallized paper and other substrates (6) having a layer of thermoplastic coating can be embossed at high speed. Other conventional method s for embossing, electro-plating, etching, etc. are well known and may be employed for forming holographic panels (4) of this first type, i.e. of

the type which has a pattern of ridges (10) and troughs (12) .

The second type of preferred holographic panel (4) employs a photosensitive polymeric layer having an alternating pattern of dark and bright contrasting lines within the submicrometer range for forming the holographic image.

If the holographic panel (4) is incompatible with the application of ink, then an ink compatible layer (14) or primer may be applied as a thin coating onto the holographic panel (4) . The ink compatible layer (14) should preferably be transparent. Polyacetate may serve as a preferred composition of the ink compatible layer (14) . Once the holographic panel (4) has been incorporated onto a substrate (6) and one the holographic panel (4) has been primed with a thin coat of ink compatible layer (14) , a preferred holographic signature panel (2) may then be formed by affixing or otherwise superimposing a signature (16) onto the holographic panel (4) , as illustrated in Fig.'s 3 and 4. If the holographic panel (4) is of the type made of the photosensitive polymeric layer, then the affixation of the signature (16) serves to partially device the holographic image by blocking or occulting that portion of the holographic panel (4) over which the signature (16) is affixed. On the other hand, if the holographic panel (4) is of the type which includes a pattern of ridges (10) and troughs (12) , then the affixation of the signature

(16) serves to partially device the holographic image both by etching the signature (16) onto the embossed holographic pattern and by partially blocking or occulting that portion of the holographic panel (4) over which the signature (16) is affixed. Even if the signature (16) were chemically removed from the holographic panel (4) after it had been affixed

thereto, the etching of the signature onto the embossed holographic pattern which results from affixation of the signature (16) would serve to prevent the use of the holographic panel (4) as a template to make unauthorized duplicates. Any unauthorized duplicates would include the etched image of the signature (16) within the holographic . pattern. Furthermore, the partial defacing of the embossed holographic pattern would prevent the re-use of an "erased" holographic panel with a different signature because the "erased" holographic panel would always include the etched image of the signature (16) within the holographic pattern.

Fig.'s 5 and 6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the holographic signature panel (2) which includes a protective laminate (18) for covering the signature (16) and preventing or deterring its alternation or removal. A preferred protective laminate (18) has a composition of mylar and may cover not only the signature (16) but also the holographic panel (4) and the entire substrate (6) which supports the holographic panel (4) . The protective laminate (18) should be transparent. Conventional transparent adhesive tape applied to the holographic panel (4) may also be employed as a protective laminate (18) . The assurance of authenticity of a holographic signature panel (2) may be further enhanced by imprinting a serial number onto the each holographic panel (4) . The serial numbers may be recorded by the manufacturer and abe employed for maintaining an inventory and an accounting of all such panels so as to prevent or control unauthorized use.

Further enhancement of the assurance of authenticity may be achieved by including several scattering elements within the holographic panel (4) . If these scattering elements are illuminated by a light beam, the impinging light is reflected into

several directions so as to form several scattered beamlets. One or more of the scattered beamlets may be selected to identify authentic holographic panels (4) . The selected beamlets which are scattered from an appropriately oriented identification card (6) illuminated by an appropriately positioned source beam may be detected by photodetectors which are appropriately positioned to receive the "selected" beamlets. Newly "selected" beamlets may be chosen periodically and the positions of the photodetectors changed so as to correspond to the new scatted directions. If a scatter element included a large number of scattering directions, it would be difficult for a forger to precisely replicate the scattering elements and the orientation of all of the beamlets. Precise replication would be especially difficult, if the "selected beamlets" were changed periodically.

The Method A preferred method for making a holographic signature panel (2) is illustrated in Fig.'s 1-6. To start, an unsigned holographic panel (4) is attached to a substrate (6) and coated with an ink compatible primer, as illustrated in Fig.'s 1 and 2. A preferred embodiment of the unsigned holographic panel (4) includes a reflective layer having an embossed pattern of ridges (10) and troughs (12) for forming the holographic image. An alternative preferred embodiment of the unsigned holographic panel (4) includes a photosensitized polymer layer having a pattern of dark and light contrasting lines for forming the holographic image.

The signature (16) may then be affixed to the unsigned holographic panel (4) as illustrated in Fig.'s 3 and 4. The affixation of the signature (16) causes the holographic image to be defaced by partially blocking or occulting it. If the

holographic panel (4) includes an embossed holographic pattern of ridges (10) and troughs (12) , then affixation of the signature (16) thereonto may also cause a partial physical destruction of such holographic pattern by means of crushing or displacement due to the mechanical action of the pen or other instrument by which the signature (16) is affixed. The signature (16) becomes etched within the embossed holographic pattern. After the signature (16) is affixed to the holographic panel (4) , the signature (16) may then be protected by coating the holographic panel (4) with a protective laminate (18) . The protective laminate (18) is illustrated in Fig.'s 5 and 6. In one of the preferred modes, the holographic signature panel (2) may be employed as part of a personal identification system or other security documents and identification system or other security documents and devices. For this application, control over the holographic signature panel (2) is retained for the entire period prior to the application of the protective laminate (18) by the issuer. Retention of control over the holographic signature panel (2) by the issuer enhances the assurance that the holographic panel (4) will not be replicated by an unauthorized person. It also enhances the assurance that the signature (16) will not be alternated after its affixation. After the protective laminate (18) is applied, the holographic signature panel (2) may be then released by the issuer to the signer.

Alternatively, the holographic signature panel (2) may be employed by the signer to enhance the authenticity of his or her signature (16) . Applications in this area include the use of holographic signature panels (2) on bank checks and other security documents and devices requiring an authentic signature (16) .

Example: Holographic Bank Draft A preferred embodiment of the holographic bank draft form (2') and a preferred method for using same are illustrated in Fig.'s l'-6'. In the preferred embodiment, the holographic bank draft form (2') includes a substrate (4') of paper or other paper like materials conventionally employed for supporting holograms. The substrate (4') may include printed material such as the bank identification numbers (6') on the bottom margin (8') of the bank draft form

(2'). Overlaying part or all of the substrate (4') is a hologram (10'). If bank identification numbers (6') or other items are printed on the substrate (4') , then it is preferred that the hologram (10') not be overlaid over such printed areas of the substrate (4') .

The hologram (10') is then be bonded or otherwise attached to the substrate (4') by conventional methods described below. Those items necessary to make a convention bank draft form (2') which are not printed onto the substrate (4') can be printed or otherwise incorporated onto the hologram (10'). For example, the name and address of the bank (12') and of the drawer (14') and the executory language of the bank draft form (2') may be printed either onto the substrate (4') or incorporated into the hologram (10') . In a preferred embodiment, the signature entry area (16') for the drawer's signature

(18') and the various data entry areas (20') of the bank draft form (2'), e.g. the area for entering the date, the name of the payee, and the amount of the bank draft, are all incorporated into the hologram (10'). Such items may be printed directly onto the hologram (10'). Such printing overlays the hologram (10') and partially occults the holographic image. Alternatively, such items may be incorporated directly into the holographic image.

There are two types of preferred holograms (10'). The first type has a reflective surface (8') embossed or otherwise formed with a pattern of ridges (22') and troughs (24') within the submicrometer range for forming a conventional holographic pattern, Dennison discloses that metallized paper and other substrates (4') having a layer of thermoplastic coating can be embossed at high speed. Other conventional methods for embossing, electro-plating, etching, etc. are well known and may be employed for forming holograms (10') of this first type, i.e. of the type which has a pattern of ridges (22') and troughs (24') .

The second type of preferred hologram (10') employs a photosensitive polymeric layer having an alternating pattern of dark and bright contrasting lines within the submicrometer range for forming the holographic image.

If the surface of the hologram (10') is incompatible with the application of ink, then an ink compatible layer (26') or primer may be applied as a thin coating over the entire hologram (10'). In an alternative embodiment, the ink compatible layer (26') is applied to only those areas onto which data must be entered or signatures (18') must be affixed. Alternatively, the coating of ink compatible material (26') over the hologram (10') may take other patterns. The ink compatible layer (26') should preferably be transparent. Polyacetate may serve as a preferred composition of the ink compatible layer (26').

Once the hologram (10') has been overlaid onto the substrate (4') and the hologram (10') has been coated or partially coated with a thin layer of ink compatible layer (26'), an executed holographic bank draft (2') may then be formed from the blank holographic bank draft form (2') by entering the

appropriate data into the data entry areas (20') (i.e. the date, payee, amount, etc.) and then affixing the drawer's signature (18') onto the signature entry area (16') of the hologram (10'), as illustrated in Fig.'s 3' and 4'. In the preferred mode, affixation of the drawer's signature(s) (18') should be done with an ink writing instrument, e.g. a pen. Entry of the terms of the bank draft and other data may be made by ink writing instruments, by type writers, printers etc. If the hologram (10') 'is of the type made of the photosensitive polymeric layer, then the affixation of the signature (18') serves to partially deface the holographic image by blocking or occulting that portion of the hologram (10') over which the signature (18') is affixed. On the other hand, if the hologram (10') is of the type which includes a pattern of ridges (22') and troughs (24'), then the affixation of the signature (18') serves to partially deface the holographic image both by etching the signature (18') onto the embossed holographic pattern and by partially blocking or occulting that portion of the hologram (10) over which the signature (18') is affixed.

Fig. 's 5' and 6' illustrate a preferred embodiment of the holographic bank draft (2') which includes a protective laminate (28') for covering the signature (18') and for preventing or deterring its alteration or removal. A preferred protective laminate (28') has a composition of mylar and may cover not only the signature (18') but also the hologram (10') and the entire substrate (4') which supports the hologram (10'). The protective laminate (28') should be transparent. Conventional transparent adhesive tape applied to the hologram (10) may also be employed as a protective laminate (28').

The transparent layer of ink incompatible material serves to protect the hologram (10') from finger prints, accidental marking, etching, and the like. Optionally, after the holographic bank draft form (2') is completed and executed, the holographic portion may then be covered with a protective laminate (28') so as to prevent its alteration.

In an alternative embodiment, the holographic bank draft form (2') comprises a substrate (4') and a holographic sticker panel (10'), i.e. a tamper-proof adhesive-backed holographic panel (10'). The holographic bank draft form (2') is assembled by the user or the user's agent by applying the holographic sticker panel (10') to the substrate directly prior to use. The holographic sticker panel (10') may include one or more signature entry areas (16') and/or data entry areas (20'). In a preferred mode, the signature entry area and/or data entry areas of holographic sticker panel (10') are filled in by the user after its attachment to the substrate (4').

However, in some instances, it may be possible for the user to fill-in the signature and/or date entry areas of the holographic sticker panel (10') prior to its transfer onto the substrate (4'). A preferred tamper-proof adhesive-backed holographic panel (10') includes a checkered adhesive backing. Once the holographic panel (10') is attached to the substrate (4'), any attempt to peel the holographic panel (10') therefrom causes the holographic image to become distorted or destroyed due to the uneven attachment of the checkered adhesive backing to the substrate (4'). Tamper-proof adhesive-backed holographic panels (10') having checkered adhesive backing are marketed by Crown Rolleaf (Patterson, New Jersey) and by Flexcon, Inc. (Spencer, Massachusetts) . As an additional feature, the tamper-proof adhesive-backed holographic panels (10') may be printed with serial

numbers. The serial numbers may be logged on a separate registry maintained by the bank. If the bank draft form (2') is lost or stolen, the absence of a valid serial number on the holographic sticker panel (10') may be ascertained by a bank by comparing the submitted serial number with the bank's registry of valid serial numbers. The failure of a submitted serial number to correlate with a valid serial number logged onto the bank's registry, may alert the bank to the possibility that a submitted draft is invalid.