Coin-discriminator voucher anti-counterfeiting method and apparatus

Abstract

Vouchers and methods for providing vouchers configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a voucher can include a substrate, a first indicia on the substrate, and a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate. At least one of the first indicia and the second indicia can indicate a value of the voucher. A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . A voucher configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers, the voucher comprising: 
 a substrate configured to be dispensed from a coin-counting machine;    a first indicia on the substrate; and    a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate, at least one of the first indicia and the second indicia indicating a value of the voucher, wherein the second indicia is configured to change appearance in response to a change in ambient temperature.    
     
     
         9 . The voucher of  claim 8  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia includes thermo-chromic ink.  
     
     
         10 . The voucher of  claim 8  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia has an activation temperature of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         11 . The voucher of  claim 8 , further comprising a third indicia on the substrate, the third indicia being at least partially obscured by the thermally responsive second indicia.  
     
     
         12 . The voucher of  claim 8  further comprising a substantially non-visible mark on the substrate, wherein rubbing adjacent to the mark with an object will render the mark visible.  
     
     
         13 - 21 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . A voucher configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers, the voucher comprising: 
 a substrate;    a first indicia on the substrate, the first indicia indicating a value of the voucher;    a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate configured to chance appearance in response to a change in ambient temperature, the second indicia being responsive at a temperature between 75 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit;    a plurality of perforations in the substrate defining a pattern; and    a substantially non-visible third indicia on the substrate, wherein rubbing adjacent to the third indicia with an object will render the third indicia visible.    
     
     
         23 . The voucher of  claim 22  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia includes thermo-chromic ink.  
     
     
         24 . The voucher of  claim 22  wherein the substrate includes thermal paper.  
     
     
         25 . A voucher configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers, the voucher comprising: 
 a substrate configured to be dispensed from a coin-counting machine, the substrate including at least a thermally responsive substrate portion configured to change appearance in response to a change in ambient temperature, the thermally responsive substrate portion having a first visual appearance at a first ambient temperature and a second visual appearance at a second ambient temperature; and    an indicia on the substrate.    
     
     
         26 . The voucher of  claim 25  wherein the first visual appearance of the thermally responsive substrate portion is lighter than the second visual appearance of the thermally responsive substrate portion, and wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature.  
     
     
         27 . The voucher of  claim 25  wherein the first visual appearance of the thermally responsive substrate portion is darker than the second visual appearance of the thermally responsive substrate portion, and wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature.  
     
     
         28 . The voucher of  claim 25  wherein the indicia is positioned adjacent to the thermally responsive substrate portion.  
     
     
         29 . A voucher configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers, the voucher comprising: 
 a substrate configured to be dispensed from a coin-counting machine;    a first indicia on the substrate; and    a second indicia on the substrate, the second indicia having a first visual appearance at a first ambient temperature and a second visual appearance at a second ambient temperature, wherein one of the first visual appearance or the second visual appearance is a visible appearance and the other visual appearance is a non-visible appearance.    
     
     
         30 . An article of manufacture configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit articles, the article comprising: 
 a flexible and elongate substrate usable in connection with a coin-counting machine and configured to receive a first indicia from a printer operatively connected to the coin-counting machine; and    a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate, wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to change appearance in response to a chance in ambient temperature.    
     
     
         31 . The article of  claim 30 , wherein the coin-counting machine is usable to provide a total value related to a plurality of randomly received coins, and wherein the first indicia is a value related to the total value.  
     
     
         32 - 44 . (canceled)  
     
     
         45 . The voucher of  claim 8  wherein the substrate includes a first surface opposite a second surface, and wherein the first indicia is on the first surface and the second indicia is on the second surface.  
     
     
         46 . The voucher of  claim 8  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to respond to human touch.  
     
     
         47 . The voucher of  claim 8  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to respond to human breath.  
     
     
         48 . The voucher of  claim 22  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to respond to human touch.  
     
     
         49 . The voucher of  claim 22  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to respond to human breath.  
     
     
         50 . The voucher of  claim 25  wherein the thermally responsive substrate portion is configured to respond to human touch.  
     
     
         51 . The voucher of  claim 25  wherein the thermally responsive substrate portion is configured to respond to human breath.  
     
     
         52 . The voucher of  claim 29  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to respond to human touch.  
     
     
         53 . The voucher of  claim 29  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to respond to human breath.  
     
     
         54 . The article of  claim 30  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to respond to human touch.  
     
     
         55 . The article of  claim 30  wherein the thermally responsive second indicia is configured to respond to human breath.