EP0935223A1 - Apparatus for authenticating valuable documents - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has a transport mechanism for conveying the paper along a transport path and a detection device on the transport path (9). The detection device has two adjacent integrated optical modules (5,6) for scanning the notes (2) in two different wavelength regions. The optical modules are arranged with their longitudinal axes essentially parallel to each other and with their front panels facing the transport path slightly tilted wrt. each other.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a device for checking securities, in particular Banknotes comprising a transport device for conveying the securities along of a transport path and a detection device arranged on the transport path.

State of the art

The automatic detection of banknotes and other securities is both in the Bank area as well as for example at the point of sale an important concern. The construction the hardware is not unimportant for the smooth transport of the banknotes and the quality of the reading process. It should enable a high processing speed. The precision and performance of the hardware often leads to high costs of the device, which can significantly reduce the market opportunities.

From US 5,607,040 is a device for checking the authenticity of individual banknotes known at the point of sale. It is with two optical lenses directly opposite each other Scanners equipped to scan the front and back of the banknote. Before and after Rollers are provided for the scanners to transport the banknotes. The rod-shaped Optical scanners are used to digitize and detect those printed on the note Numbers trained. The notes are transported and processed in the longitudinal direction.

Rod-shaped optical scanners are e.g. known from US 5,489,992, US 5,214,273 and available on the market.

From DE 39 17 419 A1 a note recognition device is known in which the Banknote to be checked for value and authenticity with a light source which covers at least two different wavelength ranges. The reflected light will detected with two different sensors (green light and red light sensor) and line by line registered. For detection, a difference signal is determined and with a predefined one Pattern compared.

The known devices are not capable in mechanical / electronic terms to satisfy.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned in the introduction, which has powerful yet relatively inexpensive hardware. Especially a high level of security of detection at high transport speed be made possible.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the According to the invention, the detection device comprises two integrated ones arranged side by side optical modules for scanning the securities in two different wavelength ranges.

Each module is a mechanically closed unit and generates and processes the each prescribed wavelength range independently. The optical components can therefore be optimally adjusted to the respective spectral range. The The device according to the invention can be manufactured using prefabricated components take place, which has a prescribed (geometric / mechanical) precision. When assembling, it is sufficient to pay attention to the exact positioning of the modules.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the modules are included parallel longitudinal axes, but mounted to each other with slightly tilted front panels. The So modules both scan the same side of the security, with the sensing housing surfaces - as mentioned - are slightly tilted towards each other. It should be noted that this Aspect of the invention regardless of whether the modules have different wavelength ranges process or not.

The scanning housing surfaces are, for example, at an angle greater than 0 ° to one another tilted. If the angle is too small, the location of the line of contact between the banknote and the rear front panel are not specified exactly enough. Is the angle against it too large, then the front panel mentioned acts as an obstacle instead of a distraction.

The front panels meet at the edges (or with the adjoining side walls) to each other and thereby enable reliable management of the security without Using additional mechanical guide elements. The rear one in the conveying direction Module can be slightly set back compared to the front (e.g. by 1 mm).

Due to the tilted arrangement of the front panel of the second module, the front one Edge of the banknotes in one after leaving the front panel of the rear module encountered the front panels of the second module at a certain angle. The inclination of the second front plate forces a small change of direction. As a result, it will leaf-like object curved. Because of a certain inherent stability, the bend leads to that the bank note in the area of the scanning axis of the second module is in contact with the Front panel stands.

The relocation of the second module compared to the first can be in addition to Determine the place where the banknote hits the front plate.

The integrated optical modules - viewed in cross section to the longitudinal axis - are included Advantage asymmetrical. The optical scanning axes of the neighboring modules can be be brought closer to each other in this way. The modules are basically identical (albeit working with different wavelengths) and almost reversed laid alongside each other.

The wavelength range of one module can be in the visible and that of the other are outside the visible spectrum. For example, a module with a green Light and the other work with infrared or UV light. But it can do more be provided as two wavelength ranges and a corresponding number of modules. Basically each module works monochromatic. But it is also conceivable that e.g. one of the modules processed several wavelengths.

An optical module suitable for detection extends over the entire width the transport path of the securities. For illuminating the surface of the test item Securities are e.g. several light sources arranged at regular intervals (e.g. LEDs) integrated. Instead of individual point light sources, too a fluorescent tube or the like may be provided. The optical scan axis is represented by a larger number of imaging elements (e.g. rod lenses) on optical detector points pictured. The number of detector points usually corresponds to a multiple (e.g. 10 times) the mapping elements. The whole arrangement is in one tightly sealed, prismatic (e.g. square in cross section) housing with a transparent cover.

A transport roller is advantageously provided opposite the optical modules. This pushes the banknote onto the transparent front of the modules. The mentioned role can be found approximately in the middle between the modules (i.e. at the transition of the adjoining fronts). For example, she makes contact in the area of the rear edge of the front front panel in the transport direction. the goal is ensure with a single roller that the security (especially in the Area of the scanning axes) is in contact with the modules, so that a constant optical Imaging quality is given.

The entire device (feed, transport track, storage, etc.) is preferably designed such that the banknotes (or securities) are transported and processed in the transverse direction can be. With a given transport speed, more can be done Banknotes are processed per unit of time. There is also a deviation from the correct one Location less critical.

From the following detailed description and the entirety of the claims there are further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

Eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung im Querschnitt;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung der genannten Vorrichtung in der Draufsicht.

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:

Fig. 1

A schematic representation of a device according to the invention in cross section;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the above device in plan view.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 shows schematically a section of an arrangement for checking and storing or sorting banknotes 2. These are of a more or less complex System of rollers, baffles etc. from an input slot to a note storage transported (not shown). Located in a suitable location on the transport system the reading station 1.

In the present context, only the reading station 1 according to the invention is of interest to you scans the banknotes 2 conveyed by the feed, not shown, identifies them and checks their authenticity.

Transport systems for securities are known per se and are needed here not to be explained in more detail. In Fig. 1 two roles 4.1, 4.2 are shown as an example, which then capture the banknote 2 at the reading station 1 and on a predetermined one Transport path 9 away in the desired direction. Typically the banknote 2 is fed to the reading station 1 in a comparable manner. To one if possible The upstream and downstream pairs of rollers ensure reliable transport brought as close as possible to the reading station 1. In addition, a role 3 over the Reading station 1 is provided, which the banknote 2 to the transparent front plates 10, 11th presses. It can be seen that the roll 3 is mounted and arranged so that the banknote 2 is pressed in the area of the rear edge 10.1 of the front panel 10.

The reading station 1 comprises two optical modules 5, 6. These are through a holder 7 hold parallel but slightly tilted to each other. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the Tilt angle on the order of e.g. 5 °. The two front panels 10, 11 are thus not parallel to each other. It should also be noted that at the transition between the two Modules 5, 6 the front plate 11 with respect to the front plate 10 in one direction perpendicular is slightly set back to the transport path 9 (e.g. 1 - 3 mm).

The bracket 7 carries e.g. also a connector 8. This is basically the hardware interface between the modules 5, 6 and the electronics (not shown) for evaluation of the signals. In the present example, the electronics are on one or more Boards 18 housed, which are also inserted into the housing of the reading station 1 are. The boards 18 extend e.g. perpendicular to the transport path (in Fig. 1 after Left).

The two optical modules are constructed essentially identically. The following will therefore only module 5 described in more detail.

The longitudinal axis of the module 5 is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in the illustration in FIG. 1 (i.e. parallel to the axis of rotation of roller 3). The housing of the module 5 is in cross section e.g. square. On the front is the transparent front plate already mentioned 10 arranged. Module 5 contains both the light source and the photodetectors integrated. Light emitting diodes 12, for example, which serve the scanning axis, serve as the light source 12 illuminate (see also Fig. 2). With a module length in the range of 15 to 25 cm 30 to 60 light-emitting diodes 12 are, for example, at regular intervals via the Distributed length. The radiation cones of the light emitting diodes 12 can overlap, so that a illumination that is as uniform as possible is achieved.

The scanning axis 17 is provided with a series of rod lenses 13 (or other suitable optical ones Imaging elements) on CCD detectors 14 on the rear wall 15 of the module 5 pictured. The number of rod lenses 13 is greater than that of the light emitting diodes 12. At 20 to 40 light-emitting diodes 12, for example, 100 rod lenses are provided (that is, about 4 to 8 times more).

The individual pixels of the CCD detectors 14 are very small in relation to the aperture of the Rod lenses 13. Typically there are several along the length of the scan axis shown distributed a thousand pixels.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the structure of the module 5 is asymmetrical in cross section. The scanning axis is therefore not in the middle of the front plate 10, but closer at the edge 10.1. The second module 6 is constructed or arranged as a mirror image of the module 5. Its scanning axis is offset from the center towards the edge 11.1. To this It is achieved that the distance of the scanning axis is smaller than the width of an individual Module (e.g. 2/3 of the width).

At the edges 10.1 and 11.1, the front plates 10 and 11 meet preferably offset to each other. The banknote 2 is therefore at an angle of e.g. a few degrees the front panel 11 and is deflected accordingly.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 in a top view. The banknote 2 is guided past the modules 5, 6 in the transport direction 16. The longitudinal edge 2.1 the bank note 2 is transverse to the transport direction 16. The scanning axes 17, 18 of the modules 5, 6 also run transversely to the transport direction 16 and have a minimal mutual Distance.

According to a preferred embodiment, the side edge of the banknote 2 is not predetermined by appropriate guide means of the transport system, but determined when processing the data. So it doesn't matter which one Position takes the banknote 2 in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction 16. Of the The edge and thus the position of the feature to be checked is calculated from the image data. This has the advantage that notes are completely without special hardware precautions different sizes can be processed.

The reading station according to the invention carries out a test on the basis of optically detectable Characteristics of the banknote. For example, predetermined areas of the banknote be tested with the help of pattern recognition methods. The basis of the analysis form the image signals that are used with the modules in different spectral ranges (e.g. green, red, infrared) were scanned.

It is clear that the figures are only one of the many possible embodiments of the invention demonstrate. For example, if the security is scanned from both sides , two of the arrangements shown in the figures can be provided. you will be arranged one behind the other in the transport direction. Show the two sides of the paper different Features, then it can be quite useful to put in front and back to scan different wavelength ranges.

The inclination and the relocation of the second module in relation to the first can be combined or used individually. In principle, it is not excluded that several modules directly on top of one another in the manner according to the invention consequences.

A monochromatic detection can be done using a monochromatic Light source or a monochromatic photodetector and / or by use appropriate filter can be reached.

In terms of production technology, the one that can be implemented with the described embodiments modular structure of interest. It paves the way for cost-effective production.

In summary, it should be noted that the device according to the invention is simple Means a quick and reliable examination of securities with the help of optical Pattern recognition allowed. The invention is particularly suitable for applications in Banking sector (semi or fully automatic bank safes, automatic switches for the Depositing and withdrawing cash). Another possible area of application could be automatic verification of identity cards or other personal documents be.

Claims (8)

Device for checking securities, in particular banknotes, comprising a) a transport device for conveying the securities (2) along a transport path (9) and b) a detection device (1) arranged on the transport path (9), characterized in that a) the detection device (1) has two integrated optical modules (5, 6) arranged next to one another for scanning the securities (2) in two different wavelength ranges. Device in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical Modules (5, 6) with their longitudinal axes essentially parallel to each other and with their front plates (10, 11) facing the transport path (9) slightly against each other are arranged tilted. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the front plates (10, 11) the modules (5, 6) are tilted towards each other by an angle between 0 ° and 10 °. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the optical modules (5, 6) are constructed asymmetrically in cross section and that they are arranged side by side in such a way that the scanning axes (17, 18) have a minimum Distance from each other. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the optical modules (5, 6) are monochromatic and that at least one of the modules for scanning in the visible and one outside the visible spectral range is trained. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the optical module (5) extends over an entire width of the transport path (9) The front panel (10) is an integral part of the module (5), that there are several in Regularly arranged light sources (12), a larger number of optical imaging elements (13) and a plurality of optical detectors (14). Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that opposite a transport roller (3) is arranged in the detection device (1), which causes that the securities (2) slide along the surface of the front plates (10, 11). Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it for the transport of the securities (2) with their longitudinal edge (2.1) transverse to the transport direction is trained.

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