DE1524687A1 - Device for checking the authenticity of securities - Google Patents

Description

Essen, June 6, 1966 (26 446 / La / th)

Patent registration of the company
Transmarine Corporation
II71I Chillicothe Rd.,
Chesterland, Ohio / -USA-

Device for checking the authenticity of securities.

A wide variety of facilities have already been created to check the authenticity of securities and Increasingly, it has been found necessary to carry out more than one authentication on a security to be able to carry out more than one checking device in order to actually achieve valid checking results. So far it was however, it is not possible to carry out more than one authenticity check without making the system excessively expensive, and So far there is also no procedure for two positive but very simple and foolproof authenticity checks to be able to carry out in one and the same system.

00981 7/001 9

The main object of the present invention is therefore is to use a new method to create a device for authentication, which this method alone or in combination with the commonly used light transmission tests applies.

In the method according to the invention for checking authenticity for securities, the distance and clarity of print lines behind the image in a security is measured properly, to see if they're using well-defined Standard dimensions match.

This authenticity check is particularly valuable because it uses the previously known photocopying process it is impossible to get such a clear drawing on a copy of securities that the tester emits its authenticity signal. In addition, an analysis of counterfeit or counterfeit banknotes reveals mutuals Relationships of light-dark signals in comparison with those in real notes fluctuates strongly, which can be measured to determine authenticity.

The invention proposes to achieve the object of the invention a device for checking the authenticity of securities or banknotes with parallel, equidistant from each other running straight lines at one point of the paper, which is characterized in that it is a frame zur'Blimierung a test area, in this frame Slidably arranged devices for receiving and holding plague a security to be checked in a substantially smooth position, these facilities by hand in the test area can be inserted, furthermore a crosshair in this

009817/0019

Test area, which is practically parallel and close to the part of the note to be checked with the parallel lines is arranged with paper pushed into the test area, with these crosshairs straight parallel lines in Evenly spaced the same number per inch as the security, creating a He11 dark effect what can be achieved, if the paper is pushed into the test area, is also a lighting device is provided in order to throw light through this paper to the crosshair, furthermore a photocell for Monitoring only a narrow, selected part of the cross-hairs to determine the through the paper and the Crosshair passing through the amount of light, and circuits for counting the number of light-dark signals which pass through the crosshair together with the paper slip when moving the paper slip by a precisely defined distance opposite the crosshairs are generated and for the delivery of an authenticity signal, if the exact minimum number of light-dark Signals was counted

In particular, it is provided that the crosshairs at least at a distance of 0.6 mm parallel to the security or in a special case of the bank note is arranged and covered in such a way that only an area of approximately 1.6 by 4.8 mm transversely to the direction of movement of the banknote remains free for scanning by the photocell. Closes in electrical terms A preamplifier is attached to the photocell to amplify the signal pulses from the photocell, which amplifies it Impulses are then converted into practical rectangular wave impulses, their ups and downs in a downstream "Shaper" are each shaped into a single, short signal with high amplitude, which is then transformed into a

009817/0019

152A687

Logical circuits are counted, whereupon an authenticity signal occurs after a certain number of signals. According to a special feature of the invention, this authenticity signal creates a second circuit for a second Check switched on. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement for fluoroscopy The banknote and the test circuit are only switched on when the banknote carrier has made the last 1.6 mm of its way in the test area, the speed of this movement has no effect on the authenticity check. Of It is further provided that the electrical switching elements are designed in such a way that the difference between the in the light and the amount of light falling through the dark areas is measured and an authenticity signal is only emitted when a certain difference value is reached. Finally will preferably the fluoroscopy device with lower Voltage operated, so that there is a high proportion of infrared rays, with one against infrared rays very sensitive photocell is used.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings explained; show it:

Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention in a schematic Representation, partly in section with the assigned control circuits;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration on an enlarged scale of the support for the paper note and the Arrangement of the crosshairs;

0098 1 7/0019

FIG. 5 shows a section through part of the arrangement from Figure 2 along the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal section through FIG. 3 longitudinally the line 4-4 to represent the holder of the crosshair with its cover;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an American i-dollar note, in which the areas in the background of the image are indicated, which of the invention Device to be checked to verify its authenticity;

FIGS. 6a and 6b show the detectable He11 dark effect, if a crosshair that has the same number of lines per unit of length as in the The background of the image is arranged very little is shifted over the note;

Figure 6c an unclean light-dark effect, since the The background of the picture is not original, so it is not real;

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the manner in which the crosshair associated with the The signal received from the recording photocell is passed through logic or counting circuits to obtain a To give an authenticity signal; and

FIG. 8 shows a diagram to illustrate the difference in the light-dark signal due to the invention Device for checking original papers, imitations and photocopies.

009817/0019

Even if so far as well as in the following detailed Description of the device according to the invention was essentially about checking the authenticity of banknotes and should be, the device according to the invention can just as easily be used to verify the authenticity of any other securities, Check documents or other papers, textiles or colored objects. All of these items can be Check for authenticity, fabric, composition, color, pattern or the like. Using the device according to the invention. While Thus, especially in the case of paper money, banknotes of any currency and any value can be checked, then that is according to the invention Device especially intended for checking the authenticity of American paper money in lower values. For example, it is very suitable for checking one-, five- and ten-dollar bills. It is specifically intended to check the authenticity of any document sent to anywhere close to one another, in even Has spaced lines which are generally in the background of an image on the Paper are arranged.

FIG. 1 shows a section through a change machine equipped with the test device according to the invention with a frame 11 on which a substantially horizontal guide rail 14 is attached, which is a guide forms for a slide 12 with which the bank note to be checked is pushed into and out of the device. To be sufficient To achieve play for this slide 12, its dimension is perpendicular to its direction of movement slightly smaller than the height of the guide rail 14. The guide rail 14 has a longitudinal groove 18 into which the Slide 12 is inserted. This slide 12 has

009817/0019

24687

a chamber 20 for receiving a bank note 22. This chamber consists of a support plate 24 and a cover plate with an outwardly facing lip 28 with which it can be lifted by the person operating the device. This cover plate 26 has an eyelet 30 pointing forwards, into which a pivot pin 32 in the slide 12 engages. When the cover plate 26 is opened, the lower surface of this eyelet 30 serves as a stop for those in the chamber banknote to be inserted 22.

The support plate and the cover plate have a larger number of concentric bores 3 ^> which are arranged at different distances from one another and which run through the plates at right angles to their direction of movement. Due to the large number of these bores J> K , the bank note to be checked can be checked for authenticity at very many points.

In the illustration in Figure 1, the slide 12 is completely pushed in. The holes are aligned in this position 3 ^ with corresponding holes 36 in a plate 38, which is attached to the lower part of the slide rail 14 and spans this. A control panel 40 is below this plate 38 attached and carries a selected number of light-sensitive photocells 42, for example photodiodes or photoresistors, which are inserted into the bores protrude. The number of these photocells, the electrical characteristics of the individual cells and their arrangement, can be changed naturally change depending on the requirements when checking the document. From a suitable bulb light is thrown onto the photocells 42 through the holes and through the bank note to be checked.

009817/0019

A test device is used for the authenticity test according to the invention 41 attached to the device frame 11 by means of suitable fastening parts 43. This facility 41 has a see-through tube 45 * which goes up to just above the bank note 22 to be checked reaches down. The cover plate 26 has two incisions 47 and 49 (Figure 2), which are so wide that the tube 45 can be pushed in easily, so that the end of the tube can be pushed over a selected point of the bank note to be checked. There can be one or two such Slots are provided, namely two slots, if two such test devices 41 are used or if the user of the device does not know exactly which side of the banknote needs to be checked. A wedge-shaped one Extension 45a is attached to tube 45 to prevent that the tube hooks behind the edge of a banknote when the slide 12 is pushed in. The tube 45 is arranged so that it slides over the background of the image portion of an American banknote. For example it slides over the areas of such a type shown in dashed lines 47a and 49a in FIG Banknote.

This tube 45 carries a crosshair 5I at the lower end, which lies close above the bank note 22 to be checked. It is assumed that this reticle is about 0.6 mm (0.025 ^M) 5I above the banknote 22nd A photocell 55 is connected to the other end of the tube 45, as the figure shows in detail. The exact distance of the crosshair 51 from this photocell 53 is not of great importance as long as the tube 45 transmits the light falling through the crosshair to the photocell 53. About light

009817/0019

to throw through the banknote and through the crosshair 5I, a strong light source 55 is provided, which its light beam 57 through the bank note 22 and the Sends crosshair 5I to photocell 53.

The working principle of the device according to the invention is based on the fact that the background of the image on American banknotes is evenly spaced has parallel lines. For example, the background behind George Washington is based on an American One dollar bill, 120 lines per inch, horizontally and vertically. The image background on a The five dollar bill has approximately II7 lines per inch in horizontal and 75 lines per inch vertically, while the background approximates a ten-do note 75 lines per inch in the vertical direction and 75 lines per inch in the horizontal direction. If therefore the crosshair has parallel lines in the same number per inch as one or the other of the parallel lines in the background The image of an American one-dollar, five-dollar, or ten-dollar bill results in a broad chiaroscuro -Effect when the crosshair essentially aligns with the * one or another group of lines is in line and practically parallel to this note and just above it. this FIG. 6a shows particularly clearly FIG. 6a, in which an enlarged crosshair 51a is shown, which has a dark area results. Werr * as in Figure 6b, the crosshair 51a upwards is shifted in the direction of arrow 6l, there is a light area in the previously dark area 59. If that Crosshairs, as shown by reference numeral 51b in FIG is, is covered, the view through the opening 51 shows the alternating dark and light areas.

009817/0018

The invention enables the number of hello-to-dark signals to be counted, or in other words, the number of light and dark areas when the crosshair 51 is shifted with respect to the background of the bank note or vice versa. Experience has shown that on an American one-dollar bill or other low-value thank you note, a movement of only about 1.6 mm between the bank note and the crosshairs results in nine light and dark indications. Just as there is only a slight noticeable difference in the lines on the background of the image compared to the number of lines in the crosshairs, the light-dark areas are not wide enough to produce the desired full light or dark areas in the opening of the masking 51b . FIG. 6c shows a spotted light-dark formation which occurs when the lines in the background of the image are blurred, or when their number per inch differs from the crosshair part 51. In this case, as will be described later, a negative test signal is emitted in the test device according to the invention. It has been found that a fluctuation of about $ 5-7 in the number of lines per inch of the crosshair compared to the lines on the bank note does not result in the desired broad light-dark areas which are necessary for emitting a positive authenticity signal. For this reason , a one-dollar bill or a five-dollar bill could be checked with the same crosshairs in this form of authentication.

In order to obtain the authenticity information with the light-dark effect, as described above, the crosshairs are covered except for a special transparent area, as can be seen particularly clearly from FIG. The cover or mask is here with the reference numeral 51b

009817/0019

bp while the free crosshair part 51 only allows light to pass through. The dimensions of the free part of the crosshair 51 can be approximately 4.8 mm in the horizontal and approximately 1.6 mm in the vertical direction. It has been shown that this area of the crosshair 51 results in a precise authenticity check if the lines on the banknote and in the crosshair deviate from each other by no more than 5 - 7% in the number of lines per inch, with a slight angular shift between the banknote in the Slider and the crosshair is possible, so that the lines in the background of the image are not exactly aligned with the lines of the crosshair 51. The angular displacement of the bank note with respect to the crosshairs results in an angular displacement of the light-dark effect, but this displacement must not be too great in order not to prevent the practically complete darkening of the free part of the crosshair. As will be described in detail below, the results of the invention depend on the fact that full coverage of the free area of the crosshairs (FIG. 4) is achieved when the light-dark areas overflow.

If a measurement of the vertical lines in the background of the image of the banknote is desired, the banknote must be in In the longitudinal direction relative to the crosshair opening 51c in FIG. 4, the lines in the opening 51c at right angles to those in the crosshair opening 51. A cam at the end of the slide insert could too for this purpose, deflect the slide for this longitudinal movement in order to check the authenticity of the vertical lines to be able to perform. In certain cases it may also be desirable to have both the horizontal and vertical lines to measure for a double authentication.

0098 1 7/0019

To obtain a recognized signal with the one shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b to achieve the light-dark effect shown is intended that the light source 55 and the photocell 55 are not actuated until the slide 12 is practically completely inserted. So it is assumed that the touch of a microswitch 90 energizes a test circuit 96, which in turn turns on the light source 55 and the photocell 55 to the To shine a banknote and to scan it while it covers about the last 3 mm of its inward movement until a Plunger 80 is actuated by a solenoid 76 to hold the slide 12 in its retracted position. It has been found that during this final movement of the slide to the position of about 1.6 mm the light-dark -F laugh 59 according to FIGS. 6a and 6b alternately as light and dark in the free area of the crosshairs much more often appear as necessary to carry out the authentication were. A sequence of He11-Dunkel-He11-Dunkel, which is easily achieved in the short space which is provided for the test, is sufficient for the authenticity test perform. In any case, the change of the light-dark surface 59 is independent of the speed the movement of the slide 12 into its retracted position. As a result, there are no expensive drives for one constant speed or other synchronization equipment required to achieve the desired training To generate light-dark marks in the crosshairs, as this is easy Pushing in by hand by the operator the necessary mutual movement to achieve a desired one Reading generated.

U098 1 7/0019

152468?

The reading is achieved by greatly simplified logic circuits, which are shown in detail in the blook diagram in Figure 7 are shown. Here, the photo cell 53 is an approximately sinusoidal signal 103, which the through the Light passage through the masked crosshair 51 can be seen Shape shows. Of course, this on-off view does not need to produce a smooth sine curve, but it does show Ups and downs regardless of the speed of movement of the slider in relation to the crosshairs. The signal 103 becomes then fed to a preamplifier 63, in which it is amplified and gives a waveform which is about the Signal 105 above equals. The signal 105 shows that four complete light passages have been detected since four heights are available. This pre-amplified signal is fed to a DC reconverter 65, in which the sinusoidal part of the signal I05 is separated and in wave form 107 is delivered. Well known conventional DC regeneration methods can be used for this purpose insert. Such methods are well known to anyone skilled in the art. The signal 107 is transmitted to a "shaper" 67, in which each climax results in a momentary strong impulse, as shown by waveform 109 / This shaper 67 is also known to any person skilled in the art who uses such circuits to change the characteristics of voltage signals. This signal I09 represents four voltage pulses , i.e. that four He11 dark sequences are complete through the crosshair opening 51 in the mask 51b were observed. The previous signals I03 and indicate the passage of more than four surfaces, but it has been shown to be perfect for the purpose of the invention is sufficient if only two impulses or two areas are detected in order to generate a usable authenticity signal.

009817/0019

admit. Therefore, if the shaper 67 can generate more than four impulses, only the first four are counted, two would even be sufficient for the authenticity check. It should be noted, however, that if for the authentication of smaller American banknotes four impulses were selected for the authentication counting pulses can be varied as desired.

In order to logically count the number of pulses in signal 109, the invention provides suitable logic circuits which have so-called flip-flop switches. For this purpose, a flip-flop switch 1, which has been designated by the reference numeral 69 , counts two pulses, one when switching in one direction and the other when switching back to the starting position, in order to then transfer the signals to a second flip-flop -Switch 7I, which can count two more pulses. Therefore, if four pulses have been counted, a switch 73 is operated to an authenticity signal 75 to make, or to operate the remainder of the test circuit in order, as is described in detail in patent application no. 405 666, to issue an Lichtsignalegalisierung. If no authenticity signal is received, nothing happens. After a certain period of time without an authenticity signal being emitted, the piston 80 is released, whereby the slide 12 can be withdrawn, which in turn causes the cancellation of any counts that have already taken place. Suitable fixed point devices for the flip-flops 69 and 71 are, for example, the Fairchild Fuh-92,329, a medium-strength flip-flop which is used in counters and is manufactured by the Fairchild Semi-conductor Company in California.

009617/0019

It should be pointed out that the light-dark effect achieved by the cross-hairs 51 is by no means perfect Elimination of the passage of light into the photocell 53 is achieved, but in the embodiment according to the invention the strength of the light attenuation is of the utmost importance and actually gives a second test meter. So is in particular in FIG. 8 a typical type of light-dark signals when checking an original banknote, a forgery and a photocopy. As the figure shows, lies the top millivolt light level for all signals at around 75 mV. the big difference, however, is in the dark signal, the original banknote being about 40 mV while the imitation about 70 mV and the photocopy about 70 mV result. As a result, you only need for the dark signal Set threshold values which must be reached before the authenticity is displayed. In the example according to FIG. 8, the lower threshold could be 50 mV, for example be. In other words, the preamplifier 63 of the circuit diagram according to Figure 7 would not respond and amplify any signals, except those except for the specified Minimum threshold come down.

After a detailed full study of the printing process on original banknotes and a comparison with them in the production of forgeries and photocopies, it was found that the results according to FIG due to the properties of these printed products and some special features of the device according to the invention. Practically all of the paper money around the world is printed using the intaglio process, which makes one wide Range of shading results. However, due to the high cost and complexity of intaglio printing,

Ü09817 / 0019

almost all forgeries were carried out in letterpress or planograph printing. In the pianograph printing process there is the printing area at the same height or level as the unprinted area, while with the letterpress printing process the printing area is designed in relief. Neither with Letterpress printing still with planograph printing, so much printing ink can be deposited and consequently it cannot Deep toning can be achieved by releasing the ink from the recessed indentations underneath the flat surface can be released during the intaglio process.

In order to achieve the advantage of this pressure differentiation of signals according to Figure 8, the invention provides to operate the light source 55 with low voltage, so that there is a high proportion of infrared radiation. The photocell 53 is then selected so that it is before responds mainly to infrared radiation and low light intensities. For example, a solar is particularly suitable Energy converter from Solar Systems Inc. from Illinois for the requirements of the device according to the invention. There As a result of the intaglio printing process, when more dye is applied to the banknote, more infrared radiation is generated is absorbed and the dark signal is consequently much darker than would be possible with the pianograph Process or the letterpress process a first-class forgery would be produced

The device according to the invention, which is only intended to cover the area from the voltage peak, which the light signal represents to measure up to the tension valley, which represents the dark signal, and to set thresholds

Ü098 1 7/0019

is set, can therefore easily between original banknotes and distinguish even excellent forgeries. The device still feels one fixed number of He11-Dunkel-Plachen on, but the Area between light and dark must match the threshold requirements to match.

As already mentioned, controls the width or height of the opening in the direction of the banknote movement, which through the mask 51b is limited to the masking tape and leaves a change in the lines of the banknote by shrinkage, Aging or other possible changes while the length of the opening is transverse to the direction of bill movement an angular change between the lines in the banknote and the crosshairs by a specified amount allows.

As also already mentioned, brings the solenoid 76, which by a signal from the power supply 7 ^ via a line 78 is controllable, a piston 80, which is slidably mounted in the frame 11, in such a position that he holds the slide 12 in the retracted position. An extensible flat coil spring 82, one end of which is attached to the Slide 12 is attached, and the other end is hooked on the frame 11, pulls the slide into the starting position back when the second authenticity check has shown that the banknote is counterfeit.

The power supply is via a line 92 to a switch 90 connected, which, as already mentioned, when the banknote carriage is moved into the inserted position is actuated and thereby the test circle with the crosshair

009 ^ 17/0019

about 1.6 mm before the end position of the banknote carriage 12 turns on. A line 9 ^ connects the power supply ¹ Jh to the second test circuit 96. This test circuit 96 is connected to a number of light-sensitive cells 42 and determines the authenticity of the banknote 22 with a second test To set the motor 56 in motion, which in turn sets a pair of rollers 91, 93 in motion and thereby releases the banknote from the chamber 20. When the bank note 22 is fully moved out of the chamber 20, the front edge of the bank note actuates an arm 95 of a microswitch 97 which in turn switches on a relay circuit 74 in order to emit a desired payout signal 77. A counter signal from the payout circuit switches off the solenoid 76, thereby releasing the piston 80 and pulling the slide 12 back. The motor 56 is pivotably mounted on a pin 57 so that a spring-loaded screw 59 through the frame 11 can bring the rollers 91 and 95 into resilient contact with one another.

The acceptance or rejection signal from the test circuit 96 can either only come from the pad cross line test or from the test the distance between the voltage peak and the voltage valley, as described above, or on the light transmission test as in the aforementioned patent application. The payout signal 77 expediently excites any suitable one Payment mechanism.

As the foregoing description shows, the main object of the invention is to determine the number of lines accurately solved in the background of the image of a banknote, using a crosshair, which is practically the same

00981770019

Number of lines parallel to this, so that a moiré effect, which is caused by both groups of lines, sets flip-flops or any other counting circuit with a and off signals. Of course, some suitable mechanical mechanisms can be provided to the slide 12 to move over the banknote at the end of its movement after the crosshair circle has been energized so as to align the vertical lines to measure in the background of the portrait instead of the horizontal lines. In this case it is expedient to have the crosshair lines in the vertical direction and the mask expediently becomes 90 from that shown in FIG Position rotated '. On the other hand, a combination of two crosshairs can be used to mark both the Horizontal, like checking the vertical lines for authenticity.

Expectations:

009817/0019

Claims (10)

Expectations. 'P 2 A 6 Q 7 1. Device for checking the authenticity of securities, which at any point at equal distances from each other have parallel straight lines running parallel, with a frame in which a limited test area is provided and which ;? opposite this test area movably arranged devices for receiving and for holding a security to be checked in practical having a smooth layer, characterized in that a crosshair (51) is arranged in the test surface in such a way that it is practically parallel close to the part (47a, 49a) of the security (22) with the parallel lines when the security is moved in relation to the test surface so that the crosshairs also run at regular intervals straight, parallel lines the same number per inch as the lined part of the security and practical arranged parallel to the lines on the security paper, creating a He11 dark effect when Inserting the security into the test area is achieved that devices (55) are provided to this part to illuminate the security with the parallel lines from the side opposite the crosshair, that a photocell (53) is provided which only scans a small selected part of the crosshairs (51) and thereby the amount of light falling through the security and the crosshairs determined, and that electrical counting circuits for counting the number of He11 dark areas which pass the cross-hairs when moving the security a specified distance in relation to the cross-hairs, and for issuing an authenticity signal when a specified minimum number of signals has been counted. 009817/0019 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the crosshair (51) is at least 0.6 mm from the security paper (22) is arranged away parallel to this. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the security is a bill with a picture and the part (47a, 49a) of the bill to be checked is the with parallel lines printed background. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the selected area of the crosshairs, which is scanned by the photocell (53), to about 1.6 mm in the direction of movement of the security and about 4.8 mm transversely to this direction of movement covered by a mask (51b) is. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical device has a preamplifier (63) for Receiving and amplifying the signal pulses (103) of the photocell (53), furthermore arrangements (65) for conversion of these amplified signal pulses (105) in practice square wave impulses (IO7) with ups and downs and a shaper (67) for reshaping each height and Depth of the square waveform pulses in each one single, short signal (109) with high amplitude, and that logic circuits (69, 71) for counting the number of high amplitude signals and for outputting an authenticity signal (75) after a fixed number of signals are provided. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a second circuit is switched on by the authenticity signal and a second authentication of the security is carried out. 009817/0019 7 · Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a wedge-shaped organ (45a) on the pad cross support (45) is provided and thereby a violation of the security to be checked (22) is prevented. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement (55) for x-raying the security (22) and the test circuit (96) are only switched on when the receiving element (12) for the security (22) covers the last 1.6 mm of its way into the test area, and that the speed of this arrangement (12) with respect to the crosshair (51) does not check the authenticity impaired. 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit is designed such that it makes the difference measures between the amount of light flowing through in the light and dark areas and only for a certain one Difference value emits an authenticity signal. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the device (55) for fluoroscopy of a part of the The low voltage security (22) works to generate more infrared rays, and that the photocell (53) is very sensitive to infrared. Patent attorney Dr. W. Andreevsky 009817/0019