EP2764499B1 - Automatic examination of value labels - Google Patents

Automatic examination of value labels Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2764499B1
EP2764499B1 EP12762620.8A EP12762620A EP2764499B1 EP 2764499 B1 EP2764499 B1 EP 2764499B1 EP 12762620 A EP12762620 A EP 12762620A EP 2764499 B1 EP2764499 B1 EP 2764499B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
luminescence
image
mailpiece
postage
ascertained
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EP12762620.8A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2764499A1 (en
Inventor
Jürgen KRÜGER
Rainer Anthonj
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Deutsche Post AG
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Deutsche Post AG
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/005—Testing security markings invisible to the naked eye, e.g. verifying thickened lines or unobtrusive markings or alterations
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/06—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using wave or particle radiation
    • G07D7/12—Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for automatically checking the authenticity of labeled with luminescent ink value labels with simultaneous value recognition.
  • the invention relates to a method for the automatic authenticity checking and value recognition of luminescent ink marked Postwertish.
  • German Offenlegungsschrift discloses DE 196 49 874 A1 a security having, in a certain area, a luminescent background partially covered by a contrasting colorant, such as a non-luminescent ink.
  • the shape and arrangement of the cover provide a coding that correlates with data specific to the document.
  • the document is illuminated with excitation radiation of the luminescent substance.
  • One Detector which is sensitive only in the spectral region of the luminescence radiation will recognize only the luminescent regions as "bright" regions.
  • German patent application DE 10 2006 017 764 A1 it is known to arrange at least two different luminescent substances emitting at different emission wavelengths at different locations on the surface of the security and / or security document so as to form a luminescent substance pattern, each emission wavelength being associated with a character and with each location being associated with a character position, whereby a machine-readable first string of characters is formed by selecting the various luminescent substances in conjunction with their location.
  • a suitable energy input to excite the luminescence a pattern with different emission wavelengths of different luminescent substances can be detected by machine, which contains coded information which, after decoding, can be compared with other information in the value document for validation purposes.
  • a device that can automatically read contents of value documents, such as checks.
  • the data is at least partially printed or written on a luminescent background.
  • the device recognizes which text is to be detected on the basis of the position of the luminescence and detects it.
  • the document is irradiated with light of a wavelength suitable for exciting the luminescence.
  • the characters to be read are applied with a non-luminescent ink and contrast with the luminescent background so that they can be recognized.
  • Usual postage stamps have a luminescent mark, which is located in a defined area on the postage stamp. This can be for example is a luminescent ink printed frame, bar, or other pattern, with an indication of value applied outside of this luminescent region. But it is also possible that the postage stamp has a planar luminescent region, to which a value is applied with non-luminescent ink.
  • the luminescent property can not be recognized by the human eye under daylight-like illumination. However, an indication of value can always be recognized by the human eye under daylight-like illumination.
  • the postage stamps found are canceled by a marking.
  • This mark can be printed or stamped on and is visible to the human eye under daylight-like lighting.
  • the recognition speed decreases. Therefore, the throughput speed of the shipments through the sorting system must be reduced. To ensure the same overall throughput of a mail distribution center, therefore, more sorting machines must be purchased.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a method which increases the speed for the secure automatic verification of the authenticity of a luminescent area having and applied to a mailing surface applied postage stamp. It is another object of the invention to provide a device for carrying out the method.
  • the mailing surface is illuminated with light containing wavelengths from a first, spectral range. This may be, for example, daylight-like lighting. Under this illumination, a first image of the mailing surface is taken with a camera system which is evaluated with regard to the location of postal stamps applied to the mailing surface. Subsequently, the postal value mark is irradiated with light containing wavelengths from a second spectral range, this light being suitable for exciting the luminescence of the luminescent printing ink, and a second image of the postage value being recorded with a camera system under this illumination.
  • a first, spectral range This may be, for example, daylight-like lighting.
  • a first image of the mailing surface is taken with a camera system which is evaluated with regard to the location of postal stamps applied to the mailing surface.
  • the postal value mark is irradiated with light containing wavelengths from a second spectral range, this light being suitable for exciting the luminescence of the luminescent printing ink, and a second image of the postage
  • This second image is evaluated for the location of the luminescent region. Subsequently, a comparison of the two evaluations with regard to the criterion of the presence of luminescence takes place at the location or locations where postal stamps are applied according to the evaluation of the first image, whereby only such postage stamps are further investigated in the following steps, where the presence of luminescence has been detected. Subsequently For example, one or more frames of the second image are defined at the location or locations where the presence of postage indicia has been detected. This image detail or image sections are evaluated with regard to the determination of the location and geometry of the luminescence pattern or the luminescence patterns of each postage indicium recognized on the mailing surface in which the presence of luminescence was detected.
  • the comparison of the evaluation of the image section or the image sections with stored luminescence patterns leads, in agreement with the decision on the authenticity of each postage due.
  • the two-step verification increases the speed of authenticating since the first check for the presence of luminescence at the location (s) of postage stamps is very fast.
  • the quality of the verification is increased with the second stage of the verification of the respective luminescence pattern, whereby only those postage indicia are checked in the second stage, in which the presence of luminescence was determined in the first stage.
  • the authenticity check of the postage due to the detection of luminescence can occur under such low illumination intensity that the shipment is not damaged.
  • the first image of the mailing surface is evaluated with regard to the reading in of the value applied in the value specification of postage stamps recognized as genuine.
  • located on the postage stamp information such as the value specified by means of an OCR software can be read into a control means.
  • OCR stands for the English word for text recognition, Optical Character Recognition.
  • the text recognition is done under illumination with light containing wavelengths from a first spectral range, such as a daylight-like spectral range, in which case the radiation is not sufficient to damage the broadcast, for example, a light radiation with a wavelength spectrum similar to daylight at the same radiation intensity is less energy than one Light radiation with a radiation spectrum that is suitable to excite the luminescence.
  • the quality of the review can be further increased by checking the location relationship of the value specification to a luminescent area of the postage stamp.
  • These local relationships can be stored in a database system which is located on a separate control means, a control means of the sorting system or a central unit, wherein the sorting system is connected to the central unit.
  • both the first and the second image are recorded with the same camera system.
  • the intensity of the luminescence is also evaluated during the evaluation of the second image.
  • the recorded intensity of the luminescence can be compared with luminescence intensities stored, for example, in a database system, and this comparison can additionally be used to check the authenticity of the postage stamp, which leads to a further increase in the quality of the authenticity check.
  • the database system can be located on a separate control means, a control means of the sorting system or a central unit, wherein the sorting system is connected to the central unit.
  • the stored luminescence patterns and luminescence intensities and, if appropriate, the local relationships of value specifications for luminescent regions are not input manually, but are determined from the postal value marks present in the mail stream by recorded luminescence pattern and luminescence intensities depending on an adjustable accumulation of occurrence are deposited as a reference pattern.
  • the process automatically learns new postage stamps. If certain luminescence patterns and / or intensities occur frequently in the shipment stream, the probability that these are genuine postage stamps indicates that they are likely.
  • the limits, from which an accumulation is regarded as an indication of the authenticity, are adjustable.
  • luminescence patterns and / or intensities that were not yet known but have occurred frequently can be manually confirmed as true.
  • the length and width dimensions of the programs are evaluated in the evaluation of the first or second image.
  • the thickness of each shipment can be detected. In many cases, this information can already be used to determine a target franking charge. If, in addition, the mass of the consignment is also detected by weighing, for example, the desired franking fee can be determined as a function of the consignment dimensions and the mass and compared with the value of the added values of the postage stamps found on the consignment surface and recognized as genuine. Deliveries recognized as sub-franked can be removed from the process.
  • the target franking fees for items of different dimensions and / or mass can be stored in a database.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur automatischen Echtheitsüberprüfung von mit lumineszenter Druckfarbe markierten Wertlabeln mit gleichzeitiger Werterkennung. Insbesondere betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zur automatischen Echtheitsüberprüfung und Werterkennung von mit lumineszenter Tinte markierten Postwertzeichen.The invention relates to a method for automatically checking the authenticity of labeled with luminescent ink value labels with simultaneous value recognition. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the automatic authenticity checking and value recognition of luminescent ink marked Postwertzeichen.

Unter Postwertzeichen sollen bei dieser Erfindung alle Wertmarken und Wertlabel unabhängig von ihrer Aufbringungsart wie beispielsweise Aufkleben, Aufdrucken, Aufstempeln oder ähnlich, verstanden werden. Insbesondere umfasst die Erfindung auch aufgedruckte Freimachungsvermerke.Under Postwertzeichen in this invention, all tokens and value labels regardless of their application, such as gluing, printing, stamping or the like to be understood. In particular, the invention also includes printed franking marks.

Durch den Einsatz moderner Reproduktionstechniken wird es immer einfacher, Wertdokumente, wie beispielsweise Postwertzeichen, mit verhältnismäßig geringem Aufwand zu reproduzieren. Eine mit einem modernen Farbkopiergerät hergestellte Reproduktion eines Postwertzeichens kann mit bloßem Auge kaum vom Original unterschieden werden. Damit steigt die Gefahr von Fälschungen. Die Überprüfung der Freimachung von Postsendungen, insbesondere von Briefen, geschieht heutzutage üblicherweise automatisch. Dabei sollen gefälschte Postwertzeichen erkannt werden.Through the use of modern reproduction techniques, it is becoming increasingly easier to reproduce value documents, such as postage stamps, with relatively little effort. A reproduction of a postage stamp produced with a modern color copying machine can hardly be distinguished from the original with the naked eye. This increases the risk of counterfeiting. Checking the franking of postal items, especially letters, usually happens automatically today. This fake Postwertzeichen be recognized.

Um Fälschungen entgegenzuwirken, ist es bekannt, Wertpapiere durch eine besondere Codierung abzusichern. So offenbart beispielsweise die deutsche Offenlegungsschrift DE 196 49 874 A1 ein Wertpapier, das in einem bestimmten Bereich einen lumineszierenden Untergrund aufweist, der partiell durch einen farblich kontrastierenden Stoff, wie beispielsweise eine nichtlumineszierende Druckfarbe, abgedeckt ist. Die Gestalt und Anordnung der Abdeckung ergeben eine Codierung, die mit für das Dokument spezifischen Daten korreliert ist. Beim Lesen der Codierung wird das Dokument mit Anregungsstrahlung des Lumineszenzstoffs beleuchtet. Ein Detektor, der lediglich im Spektralbereich der Lumineszenzstrahlung empfindlich ist, wird nur die lumineszierenden Bereiche als "helle" Bereiche erkennen. Der übrige Teil des Dokuments sowie die Abdeckung in dem lumineszierenden Bereich erscheinen für den Sensor dunkel, sofern die Abdeckung im Wellenlängenbereich der Lumineszenzstrahlung nicht oder nur geringfügig reflektiert oder emittiert. Auf diese Weise wird ein starker Kontrast zwischen Untergrund und Abdeckung erzeugt, der eine einfache Lesbarkeit der Codierung ermöglicht.To counteract counterfeiting, it is known to secure securities by a special coding. For example, the German Offenlegungsschrift discloses DE 196 49 874 A1 a security having, in a certain area, a luminescent background partially covered by a contrasting colorant, such as a non-luminescent ink. The shape and arrangement of the cover provide a coding that correlates with data specific to the document. When reading the coding, the document is illuminated with excitation radiation of the luminescent substance. One Detector which is sensitive only in the spectral region of the luminescence radiation will recognize only the luminescent regions as "bright" regions. The remaining part of the document as well as the cover in the luminescent region appear dark to the sensor, as long as the cover does not reflect or only slightly reflects or emits in the wavelength range of the luminescent radiation. In this way, a strong contrast between background and coverage is created, which allows easy readability of the coding.

Aus der deutschen Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2006 017 764 A1 ist es bekannt, zumindest zwei unterschiedliche und mit verschiedener Emissionswellenlänge emittierende Lumineszenzstoffe an verschiedenen Orten der Oberfläche des Wert- und/oder Sicherheitsdokumentes anzuordnen, so dass sie ein Lumineszenzstoffmuster bilden, wobei jede Emissionswellenlänge einem Zeichen zugeordnet ist und wobei jeder Ort einer Zeichenposition zugeordnet ist, wodurch durch Auswahl der verschiedenen Lumineszenzstoffe in Verbindung mit deren Ort eine maschinenlesbare erste Zeichenfolge gebildet ist. Unter Einsatz eines geeigneten Energieeintrages zur Anregung der Lumineszenz wird ein Muster mit verschiedenen Emissionswellenlängen verschiedener Lumineszenzstoffe maschinell erkennbar, welches eine kodierte Information enthält, die nach Dekodierung mit anderen Informationen des Wertdokuments zu Validierungszwecken verglichen werden kann.From the German patent application DE 10 2006 017 764 A1 it is known to arrange at least two different luminescent substances emitting at different emission wavelengths at different locations on the surface of the security and / or security document so as to form a luminescent substance pattern, each emission wavelength being associated with a character and with each location being associated with a character position, whereby a machine-readable first string of characters is formed by selecting the various luminescent substances in conjunction with their location. Using a suitable energy input to excite the luminescence, a pattern with different emission wavelengths of different luminescent substances can be detected by machine, which contains coded information which, after decoding, can be compared with other information in the value document for validation purposes.

Aus der US-amerikanischen Patentschrift US 4,588,211 ist eine Vorrichtung bekannt, die automatisch Inhalte von Wertdokumenten, wie beispielsweise Schecks, lesen kann. Dabei sind die Daten zumindest teilweise auf einen lumineszierenden Hintergrund gedruckt oder geschrieben. Die Vorrichtung erkennt anhand der Position der Lumineszenz, welcher Text erfasst werden muss und erfasst ihn. Das Dokument wird mit Licht einer Wellenlänge bestrahlt, die geeignet ist, die Lumineszenz anzuregen. Die zu lesenden Zeichen sind mit einer nicht lumineszenten Tinte aufgebracht und bilden gegenüber dem lumineszenten Hintergrund einen Kontrast, so dass sie erkannt werden können.From the US patent US 4,588,211 For example, a device is known that can automatically read contents of value documents, such as checks. The data is at least partially printed or written on a luminescent background. The device recognizes which text is to be detected on the basis of the position of the luminescence and detects it. The document is irradiated with light of a wavelength suitable for exciting the luminescence. The characters to be read are applied with a non-luminescent ink and contrast with the luminescent background so that they can be recognized.

Übliche Postwertzeichen weisen eine lumineszente Markierung auf, die sich in einem definierten Bereich auf dem Postwertzeichen befindet. Dabei kann es sich beispielsweise um einen mit lumineszenter Tinte gedruckten Rahmen, Balken oder ein anderes Muster handeln, wobei eine Wertangabe außerhalb dieses lumineszenten Bereichs aufgebracht ist. Es ist aber auch möglich, dass das Postwertzeichen einen flächigen lumineszenten Bereich aufweist, auf den eine Wertangabe mit nicht lumineszenter Tinte aufgebracht ist. Die lumineszente Eigenschaft ist mit dem menschlichen Auge unter tageslichtähnlicher Beleuchtung nicht zu erkennen. Eine Wertangabe ist aber in jedem Fall mit dem menschlichen Auge unter tageslichtähnlicher Beleuchtung erkennbar.Usual postage stamps have a luminescent mark, which is located in a defined area on the postage stamp. This can be for example is a luminescent ink printed frame, bar, or other pattern, with an indication of value applied outside of this luminescent region. But it is also possible that the postage stamp has a planar luminescent region, to which a value is applied with non-luminescent ink. The luminescent property can not be recognized by the human eye under daylight-like illumination. However, an indication of value can always be recognized by the human eye under daylight-like illumination.

Beim Durchlauf der Sendungen durch die Sortiermaschine werden die aufgefundenen Postwertzeichen durch eine Markierung entwertet. Diese Markierung kann aufgedruckt oder aufgestempelt werden und ist für das menschliche Auge unter tageslichtähnlicher Beleuchtung erkennbar.As the consignments pass through the sorting machine, the postage stamps found are canceled by a marking. This mark can be printed or stamped on and is visible to the human eye under daylight-like lighting.

Bei der Echtheits- und Wertüberprüfung von auf Postsendungen aufgebrachten Postwertzeichen kommen aufwändige Sortiermaschinen zum Einsatz, die einen hohen Investitionswert darstellen. Diese Sortiermaschinen werden in Postverteilzentren mit einem hohen Sendungsaufkommen eingesetzt. Daher müssen die Sendungen mit hoher Geschwindigkeit durch die Maschine laufen, wobei gleichzeitig hohe Ansprüche an die Überprüfungsergebnisse gestellt werden. Postwertzeichen werden dabei auf Echtheit und eine eventuelle Mehrfachverwendung, erkennbar durch das Vorhandensein einer Entwertungsmarkierung, überprüft. Ein sicheres Auslesen der Kodierung auf dem lumineszenten Untergrund erfordert einen intensiven Kontrast zwischen dem Untergrund und der Kodierung. Dies kann durch intensive Anregung der Lumineszenz durch energiereiche Strahlung beispielsweise im Infrarot- oder Ultraviolettbereich geschehen. Andererseits darf aber eine Postsendung nicht zu intensiv bestrahlt werden, um einer Überhitzung oder anderer Schädigung der Sendung vorzubeugen. Ist wegen beispielsweise einer geringen Bestrahlungsintensität die Lumineszenz und damit der Kontrast zwischen Hintergrund und Kodierung nur gering, nimmt die Erkennungsgeschwindigkeit ab. Daher muss die Durchlaufgeschwindigkeit der Sendungen durch die Sortieranlage reduziert werden. Um den gleichen Gesamtdurchsatz eines Postverteilzentrums zu gewährleisten, müssen daher mehr Sortiermaschinen angeschafft werden.In the authenticity and value verification of postage stamps applied to postal items, elaborate sorting machines are used which represent a high investment value. These sorting machines are used in postal distribution centers with a high shipment volume. Therefore, the shipments have to run at high speed through the machine, while making high demands on the inspection results. Postage stamps are checked for authenticity and a possible multiple use, recognizable by the presence of a cancellation mark. A secure reading of the coding on the luminescent background requires an intensive contrast between the background and the coding. This can be done by intensive excitation of the luminescence by high-energy radiation, for example in the infrared or ultraviolet range. On the other hand, however, a mail item must not be irradiated too intensively in order to prevent overheating or other damage to the item. If the luminescence and therefore the contrast between the background and coding are only slight due to, for example, a low irradiation intensity, the recognition speed decreases. Therefore, the throughput speed of the shipments through the sorting system must be reduced. To ensure the same overall throughput of a mail distribution center, therefore, more sorting machines must be purchased.

Die US-amerikanische Patentschrift US 7,536,553 B2 offenbart ein Verfahren für die automatische Überprüfung der Echtheit von einem fluoreszierenden Bereich aufweisendenPostwertzeichen mit Wertangabe, wobei dasPostwertzeichen auf einer Sendungsoberfläche aufgebracht ist mit den Schritten:

  • Beleuchtung der Sendungsoberfläche mit Licht enthaltend Wellenlängen aus einem ersten Spektralbereich,
  • Aufnahme eines ersten Bildes der Sendungsoberfläche mit einem Kamerasystem,
  • Auswertung des ersten Bildes hinsichtlich des Ortes oder der Orte von aufgebrachten Postwertzeichen auf der Sendungsoberfläche,
  • Beleuchtung der Sendungsoberfläche mit Licht enthaltend Wellenlängen aus einem zweiten Spektralbereich, wobei dieses Licht geeignet ist, die Fluoreszenz der fluoreszenten Druckfarbe anzuregen,
  • Aufnahme eines zweiten Bildes der Sendungsoberfläche mit einem Kamerasystem,
  • Auswertung des zweiten Bildes hinsichtlich des Ortes oder der Orte von Lumineszenz,
  • Vergleich der beiden Auswertungen hinsichtlich des Kriteriums des Vorhandenseins von Lumineszenz an dem Ort oder den Orten, an dem oder an denen Postwertzeichen gemäß der Auswertung des ersten Bildes aufgebracht sind, wobei nur solche Postwertzeichen in den folgenden Schritten weiter untersucht werden, bei denen das Vorhandensein von Fluoreszenz festgestellt wurde,
  • Definition eines Bildausschnitts oder von Bildausschnitten des zweiten Bildes an dem Ort oder an den Orten, an dem oder an denen das Vorhandensein von Postwertzeichen festgestellt wurde"
  • Auswertung des Bildausschnitts oder der Bildausschnitte hinsichtlich Bestimmung von Ort und Geometrie des Fluoreszenzmusters oder der Fluoreszenzmuster eines jeden auf der Sendungsoberfläche erkannten Postwertzeichens, bei dem das Vorhandensein von Fluoreszenz erkannt wurde,
  • Vergleich der Auswertung des Bildausschnitts oder der Bildausschnitte mit hinterlegten Fluoreszenzmustern und Entscheidung über Echtheit eines jeden Postwertzeichens bei Übereinstimmung.
The US patent US 7,536,553 B2 discloses a method for automatically verifying the authenticity of indicia affixed with a fluorescent region, wherein the indicium is applied to a mailing surface, comprising the steps of:
  • Illumination of the transmission surface with light containing wavelengths from a first spectral range,
  • Taking a first image of the broadcast surface with a camera system,
  • Evaluation of the first image with regard to the location or locations of applied postal stamps on the consignment surface,
  • Illuminating the transmission surface with light containing wavelengths from a second spectral range, this light being suitable for exciting the fluorescence of the fluorescent ink,
  • Taking a second image of the broadcast surface with a camera system,
  • Evaluating the second image for the location or locations of luminescence,
  • Comparison of the two evaluations regarding the criterion of the presence of luminescence at the location or locations at which or at which postage stamps are applied according to the evaluation of the first image, wherein only those postage stamps are further investigated in the following steps, in which the presence of Fluorescence was detected
  • Definition of an image or image of the second image at the location or locations where the presence of postage stamps has been detected "
  • Evaluation of the image section or of the image sections with regard to determination of location and geometry of the fluorescence pattern or the fluorescence pattern of each postage indicium recognized on the mailing surface, in which the presence of fluorescence was detected,
  • Comparison of the evaluation of the image section or the image sections with stored fluorescence patterns and decision on the authenticity of each postage stamp in case of agreement.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, ein Verfahren anzugeben, das die Geschwindigkeit für die sichere automatische Überprüfung der Echtheit von einen lumineszierenden Bereich aufweisenden und auf eine Sendungsoberfläche aufgebrachten Postwertzeichen erhöht. Weiterhin ist es Aufgabe der Erfindung, eine Vorrichtung zur Verfahrensdurchführung anzugeben.The object of the invention is to provide a method which increases the speed for the secure automatic verification of the authenticity of a luminescent area having and applied to a mailing surface applied postage stamp. It is another object of the invention to provide a device for carrying out the method.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe durch ein Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des unabhängigen Anspruches 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen des Verfahrens ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen 2 - 10.According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the method will become apparent from the dependent claims 2-10.

Zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens für die automatische Überprüfung der Echtheit eines einen lumineszenten Bereich aufweisenden und auf eine Sendungsoberfläche aufgebrachten Postwertzeichens wird zunächst die Sendungsoberfläche mit Licht enthaltend Wellenlängen aus einem ersten, Spektralbereich beleuchtet. Dabei kann es sich beispielsweise um tageslichtähnliche Beleuchtung handeln. Unter dieser Beleuchtung wird ein erstes Bild der Sendungsoberfläche mit einem Kamerasystem aufgenommen, das hinsichtlich des Ortes von auf die Sendungsoberfläche aufgebrachten Postwertzeichen ausgewertet wird. Anschließend wird das Postwertzeichen mit Licht enthaltend Wellenlängen aus einem zweiten Spektralbereich bestrahlt, wobei dieses Licht geeignet ist, die Lumineszenz der lumineszenten Druckfarbe anzuregen, und ein zweites Bild des Postwertzeichens mit einem Kamerasystem unter dieser Beleuchtung aufgenommen. Dieses zweite Bild wird hinsichtlich des Ortes des lumineszenten Bereichs ausgewertet. Anschließend findet ein Vergleich der beiden Auswertungen hinsichtlich des Kriteriums des Vorhandenseins von Lumineszenz an dem Ort oder den Orten, an dem oder an denen Postwertzeichen gemäß der Auswertung des ersten Bildes aufgebracht sind, statt, wobei nur solche Postwertzeichen in den folgenden Schritten weiter untersucht werden, bei denen das Vorhandensein von Lumineszenz festgestellt wurde. Anschließend werden ein Bildausschnitt oder mehrere Bildausschnitte des zweiten Bildes an dem Ort oder an den Orten, an dem oder an denen das Vorhandensein von Postwertzeichen festgestellt wurde, definiert. Dieser Bildausschnitt oder diese Bildausschnitte werden hinsichtlich der Bestimmung von Ort und Geometrie des Lumineszenzmusters oder der Lumineszenzmuster eines jeden auf der Sendungsoberfläche erkannten Postwertzeichens, bei dem das Vorhandensein von Lumineszenz erkannt wurde, ausgewertet. Der Vergleich der Auswertung des Bildausschnitts oder der Bildausschnitte mit hinterlegten Lumineszenzmustern führt bei Übereinstimmung zu der Entscheidung über Echtheit eines jeden Postwertzeichens. Durch die zweistufige Überprüfung wird die Geschwindigkeit der Erkennung der Echtheit erhöht, da die erste Überprüfung auf die Anwesenheit von Lumineszenz an dem Ort beziehungsweise den Orten von Postwertzeichen sehr schnell von statten geht. Die Überprüfungsqualität wird mit der zweiten Stufe der Überprüfung des jeweiligen Lumineszenzmusters erhöht, wobei nur diejenigen Postwertzeichen in der zweiten Stufe überprüft werden, bei denen in der ersten Stufe das Vorhandensein von Lumineszenz festgestellt wurde. Die Echtheitsüberprüfung des Postwertzeichens durch die Detektion von Lumineszenz kann unter so geringer Beleuchtungsintensität geschehen, dass die Sendung nicht geschädigt wird.In order to carry out the method according to the invention for the automatic verification of the authenticity of a postal value mark having a luminescent area and applied to a mailing surface, first the mailing surface is illuminated with light containing wavelengths from a first, spectral range. This may be, for example, daylight-like lighting. Under this illumination, a first image of the mailing surface is taken with a camera system which is evaluated with regard to the location of postal stamps applied to the mailing surface. Subsequently, the postal value mark is irradiated with light containing wavelengths from a second spectral range, this light being suitable for exciting the luminescence of the luminescent printing ink, and a second image of the postage value being recorded with a camera system under this illumination. This second image is evaluated for the location of the luminescent region. Subsequently, a comparison of the two evaluations with regard to the criterion of the presence of luminescence takes place at the location or locations where postal stamps are applied according to the evaluation of the first image, whereby only such postage stamps are further investigated in the following steps, where the presence of luminescence has been detected. Subsequently For example, one or more frames of the second image are defined at the location or locations where the presence of postage indicia has been detected. This image detail or image sections are evaluated with regard to the determination of the location and geometry of the luminescence pattern or the luminescence patterns of each postage indicium recognized on the mailing surface in which the presence of luminescence was detected. The comparison of the evaluation of the image section or the image sections with stored luminescence patterns leads, in agreement with the decision on the authenticity of each postage due. The two-step verification increases the speed of authenticating since the first check for the presence of luminescence at the location (s) of postage stamps is very fast. The quality of the verification is increased with the second stage of the verification of the respective luminescence pattern, whereby only those postage indicia are checked in the second stage, in which the presence of luminescence was determined in the first stage. The authenticity check of the postage due to the detection of luminescence can occur under such low illumination intensity that the shipment is not damaged.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung des Verfahrens wird das erste Bild der Sendungsoberfläche hinsichtlich des Einlesens des in der Wertangabe aufgebrachten Werts von als echt erkannten Postwertzeichen ausgewertet. Dabei können auf dem Postwertzeichen befindliche Informationen wie beispielsweise die Wertangabe mittels einer OCR-Software in ein Steuerungsmittel eingelesen werden. OCR steht dabei für das englische Wort für Texterkennung, Optical Character Recognition. Die Texterkennung geschieht unter Beleuchtung mit Licht enthaltend Wellenlängen aus einem ersten Spektralbereich, beispielsweise einem tageslichtähnlichen Spektralbereich, wobei auch hierbei die Strahlung nicht dazu ausreicht, die Sendung zu schädigen, da beispielsweise eine Lichtstrahlung mit einem Wellenlängenspektrum ähnlich dem Tageslicht bei gleicher Strahlungsintensität energieärmer ist als eine Lichtstrahlung mit einem Strahlungsspektrum, das geeignet ist, die Lumineszenz anzuregen. Durch die Auftrennung der Echtheitsüberprüfung und dem Auslesen von Information kann die Durchlaufgeschwindigkeit der Postwertzeichen durch die Vorrichtung weiter erhöht werden, ohne Sendungen durch Strahlung zu schädigen oder die Erkennungsqualität zu verringern.In an advantageous development of the method, the first image of the mailing surface is evaluated with regard to the reading in of the value applied in the value specification of postage stamps recognized as genuine. In this case, located on the postage stamp information such as the value specified by means of an OCR software can be read into a control means. OCR stands for the English word for text recognition, Optical Character Recognition. The text recognition is done under illumination with light containing wavelengths from a first spectral range, such as a daylight-like spectral range, in which case the radiation is not sufficient to damage the broadcast, for example, a light radiation with a wavelength spectrum similar to daylight at the same radiation intensity is less energy than one Light radiation with a radiation spectrum that is suitable to excite the luminescence. By separating the authenticity check and the reading out of information, the throughput speed of the postage stamps through the device can continue be increased without damaging shipments due to radiation or to reduce the quality of detection.

Die Überprüfungsqualität kann noch weiter erhöht werden, in dem die Ortsbeziehung der Wertangabe zu einem lumineszenten Bereich des Postwertzeichens überprüft wird. Diese Ortsbeziehungen können in einem Datenbanksystem hinterlegt sein, das sich auf einem separaten Steuerungsmittel, einem Steuerungsmittel der Sortieranlage oder einer zentralen Einheit befindet, wobei die Sortieranlage mit der zentralen Einheit verbunden ist.The quality of the review can be further increased by checking the location relationship of the value specification to a luminescent area of the postage stamp. These local relationships can be stored in a database system which is located on a separate control means, a control means of the sorting system or a central unit, wherein the sorting system is connected to the central unit.

Sind mehrere Postwertzeichen auf eine Sendung aufgebracht, werden die Werte der als echt erkannten Postwertzeichen aufaddiert, so dass der Wert der Freimachung der Sendung erkannt wird.If several postage stamps are applied to a consignment, the values of the postage stamps recognized as genuine are added up, so that the value of the franking of the consignment is recognized.

In einer besonders vorteilhaften Ausführungsform werden sowohl das erste, als auch das zweite Bild mit demselben Kamerasystem aufgenommen. Dadurch wird das Investitionsvolumen einer entsprechenden Vorrichtung verringert, sowie die benötigte Aufstellungsfläche einer entsprechenden Vorrichtung verkleinert.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, both the first and the second image are recorded with the same camera system. As a result, the investment volume of a corresponding device is reduced and the required installation area of a corresponding device is reduced.

Weiterhin hat es sich als vorteilhaft erwiesen, wenn bei der Auswertung des zweiten Bildes auch die Intensität der Lumineszenz ausgewertet wird. Dabei kann die aufgenommene Intensität der Lumineszenz mit beispielsweise in einem Datenbanksystem hinterlegten Lumineszenzintensitäten verglichen werden und dieser Vergleich zusätzlich für die Überprüfung der Echtheit des Postwertzeichens herangezogen werden, was zu einer weiteren Qualitätssteigerung bei der Echtheitsüberprüfung führt. Das Datenbanksystem kann sich auf einem separaten Steuerungsmittel, einem Steuerungsmittel der Sortieranlage oder einer zentralen Einheit befindet, wobei die Sortieranlage mit der zentralen Einheit verbunden ist.Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous if the intensity of the luminescence is also evaluated during the evaluation of the second image. In this case, the recorded intensity of the luminescence can be compared with luminescence intensities stored, for example, in a database system, and this comparison can additionally be used to check the authenticity of the postage stamp, which leads to a further increase in the quality of the authenticity check. The database system can be located on a separate control means, a control means of the sorting system or a central unit, wherein the sorting system is connected to the central unit.

Als besonders vorteilhaft hat es sich erwiesen, dass die hinterlegten Lumineszenzmuster und Lumineszenzintensitäten und gegebenenfalls die Ortsbeziehungen von Wertangaben zu lumineszenten Bereichen nicht manuell eingegeben werden, sondern aus den im Sendungsstrom befindlichen Postwertzeichen ermittelt werden, indem aufgenommene Lumineszenzmuster und Lumineszenzintensitäten in Abhängigkeit einer einstellbaren Häufung des Auftretens als Vergleichsmuster hinterlegt werden. Auf diese Weise lernt das Verfahren selbsttätig neue Postwertzeichen. Kommen bestimmte Lumineszenzmuster und/oder -intensitäten gehäuft im Sendungsstrom vor, spricht die Wahrscheinlichkeit dafür, dass es sich um echte Postwertzeichen handelt. Die Grenzen, ab denen eine Häufung als Indiz für die Echtheit angesehen wird, sind einstellbar. In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung können Lumineszenzmuster und/oder -intensitäten, die noch nicht bekannt waren, aber gehäuft aufgetreten sind, manuell als echt bestätigt werden.It has proven to be particularly advantageous that the stored luminescence patterns and luminescence intensities and, if appropriate, the local relationships of value specifications for luminescent regions are not input manually, but are determined from the postal value marks present in the mail stream by recorded luminescence pattern and luminescence intensities depending on an adjustable accumulation of occurrence are deposited as a reference pattern. In this way, the process automatically learns new postage stamps. If certain luminescence patterns and / or intensities occur frequently in the shipment stream, the probability that these are genuine postage stamps indicates that they are likely. The limits, from which an accumulation is regarded as an indication of the authenticity, are adjustable. In an advantageous development of the invention, luminescence patterns and / or intensities that were not yet known but have occurred frequently can be manually confirmed as true.

In weiteren vorteilhaften Ausbildungen der Erfindung werden die Längen- und Breitendimensionen der Sendungen bei der Auswertung des ersten oder zweiten Bildes ausgewertet. Zusätzlich kann die Dicke jeder Sendung erfasst werden. In vielen Fällen ist mit diesen Angaben bereits die Bestimmung eines Soll-Freimachungsentgelts möglich. Wird zusätzlich auch die Masse der Sendung beispielsweise durch Wiegen erfasst, kann in Abhängigkeit der Sendungsdimensionen und der Masse das Soll-Freimachungsentgelt ermittelt und mit dem Wert der aufaddierten Werte der auf der Sendungsoberfläche aufgefundenen und als echt erkannten Postwertzeichen verglichen werden. Dabei als unterfrankiert erkannten Sendungen können aus dem Prozess ausgeschleust werden. Die Soll-Freimachungsentgelte für Sendungen unterschiedlicher Dimension und/oder Masse können dabei in einer Datenbank gespeichert sein.In further advantageous embodiments of the invention, the length and width dimensions of the programs are evaluated in the evaluation of the first or second image. In addition, the thickness of each shipment can be detected. In many cases, this information can already be used to determine a target franking charge. If, in addition, the mass of the consignment is also detected by weighing, for example, the desired franking fee can be determined as a function of the consignment dimensions and the mass and compared with the value of the added values of the postage stamps found on the consignment surface and recognized as genuine. Deliveries recognized as sub-franked can be removed from the process. The target franking fees for items of different dimensions and / or mass can be stored in a database.

Claims (10)

  1. A method for the automatic verification of the authenticity of postage indicia that have a value indication and that have a luminescent area, whereby the postage indicium has been applied onto the surface of a mailpiece,
    with the following steps:
    • the surface of the mailpiece is illuminated with light having wavelengths from a first spectral region,
    • a first image of the surface of the mailpiece is taken with a camera system,
    • the first image is evaluated regarding the place or places where the postage indicia have been applied onto the surface of the mailpiece,
    • the surface of the mailpiece is illuminated with light having wavelengths from a second spectral region, whereby this light is capable of exciting the luminescence of the luminescent printing ink,
    • a second image of the surface of the mailpiece is taken with a camera system,
    • the second image is evaluated regarding the place or places of luminescence,
    • the two evaluations are compared regarding the criterion of the presence of luminescence at the place or places where the evaluation of the first image has shown that postage indicia have been applied, whereby the only postage indicia that are further examined in the subsequent steps are those for which the presence of luminescence was ascertained,
    • an image section or image sections of the second image are defined at the place or places where the presence of postage indicia was ascertained,
    • this image section or these image sections are evaluated regarding the determination of the placement and geometry of the luminescence pattern or luminescence patterns of each postage indicium that was detected on the surface of the mailpiece and for which the presence of luminescence was ascertained,
    • the evaluation of the image section or image sections is compared to stored luminescence patterns and, if this yields a match, the decision is made that a given postage indicium is authentic, whereby the stored luminescence patterns and luminescence intensities are determined on the basis of the postage indicia located in the stream of mailpieces, which is done in that detected luminescence patterns and luminescence intensities are stored as a reference pattern as a function of an adjustable frequency of the occurrence,
    • the image section or image sections are evaluated regarding the determination of the intensity of the luminescence of each postage indicium that was detected on the surface of the mailpiece and for which the presence of luminescence was ascertained,
    • the intensity of the luminescence is compared to stored luminescence intensities and, if this yields a match, the decision is made that a given postage indicium is authentic.
  2. The method according to claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the first image of the surface of the mailpiece is evaluated by reading the indicated value of the applied postage indicium that has been recognized as being authentic.
  3. The method according to claim 2,
    characterized in that
    the value of all of the postage indicia that have been applied to the surface of the mailpiece and that have been recognized as being authentic are added up.
  4. The method according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the first image as well as the second image are taken with the same camera system.
  5. The method according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that,
    luminescence patterns and luminescence intensities that have occurred with an adjustable frequency have to be confirmed manually as reference patterns.
  6. The method according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the length and width dimensions of the mailpieces are ascertained during the evaluation of the first image or of the second image.
  7. The method according to claim 6,
    characterized in that
    the thickness of each mailpiece is ascertained.
  8. The method according to claim 7,
    characterized in that
    the weight of the mailpiece is ascertained.
  9. The method according to claim 8,
    characterized in that
    a required postage rate can be determined as a function of the mailpiece dimensions and weight, and this can be compared to the amount of the added-up values of the postage indicia that have been found on the surface of the mailpiece and that have been recognized as being authentic, whereby mailpieces recognized as having insufficient postage can be diverted from the process.
  10. The method according to claim 9,
    characterized in that
    required postage rates for mailpieces having different dimensions and/or weights are stored in a database.
EP12762620.8A 2011-10-04 2012-09-27 Automatic examination of value labels Active EP2764499B1 (en)

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CN103827930A (en) 2014-05-28
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US20140241569A1 (en) 2014-08-28
EP2579222A1 (en) 2013-04-10
US9224059B2 (en) 2015-12-29

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