EP1149364B1 - Device for validating authenticity features on documents of value and security documents - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for validating authenticity features on documents of value and security documents, especially bank notes, personal documents, plastic cards and similar. The device consists of an automatic testing apparatus into which the bank notes for testing are fed and hereby run through a detector device. The detector device is suitable for detecting and evaluating the electroluminescent properties of the authenticity features.

Description

The invention relates to a device for validation of authenticity features on value and security documents, in particular banknotes, personal documents, plastic cards and the like more, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

An aforementioned device has become known, for example, with the subject matter of EP 0 633 553 B1 or EP 0 477 711 B1.

Both devices are so-called banknote testing machines, which are able to check a large number of banknotes in a continuous operation within a relatively short time.

In the cited documents, however, has the disadvantage that an image recognition is performed, which is time consuming. This impairs the processing performance of such testing machines. Namely, a complete image recognition is performed, i. symbols are recognized and compared with stored symbols. However, this requires that the throughput speed be reduced during symbol recognition and evaluation in order to obtain sufficient computation time for the evaluation and good-bad decision.

In addition, the known symbol recognition based only on the detection of visible symbols, which is no longer appropriate in the current state of the art in the authentication of banknotes.

DE 197 08 543 A1 discloses a test device for automated authenticity testing of a value and security document which has two mutually parallel carriers, of which at least one is transparent, wherein at least one inner side of the carrier has a planar electrode arrangement, in particular in the manner of Plate capacitors for generating an alternating electric field is present. During the test, the alternating electric field passes through the value and security document at least in the area of electroluminescence-active safety features, whereby an electroluminescent radiation signal is generated, which is supplied to a signal conditioning. However, the electrode arrangement is fixedly arranged on the inside of the non-adjustable support, wherein there is an air gap between the electrodes and the value and security document to be tested, which falsifies the test result, especially at high test speeds, by undefined weakening of the alternating electric field. A high-speed batch processing operation is therefore not possible with this tester.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a device for validation of authenticity features (hereinafter also called tester) of the type mentioned in such a way that at significantly higher throughput speeds and invisible authenticity features can be evaluated and processed with good quality.

To solve the problem, the invention is characterized by the technical teaching of claim 1.

An essential feature of the invention is that the testing machine now has at least one detector device which is suitable for exciting and detecting electroluminescent properties of authenticity features on value and security documents and supplying this electroluminescent signal to signal processing for evaluation, and in that the value and security documents go through the testing machine in the batch processing operation and at least one of the electrodes is spring-loaded pressed against the surface of the value and security document.

Thus, the device is no longer limited to the recognition of optically visible authenticity features, but it can be detected and evaluated invisible authenticity features, in particular authenticity features which have electroluminescent properties.

From the applicant's own applications, it is known to provide banknotes with electroluminescent properties. However, it has not hitherto been known to provide the evaluation of such authenticity features in testing machines with a high processing speed.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the invention provides that the detector device consists of at least two opposing electrodes, between which the security and value document to be tested is moved, and wherein at least one detector is present, which detects the electroluminescent signal of the authenticity feature and into an electrical Signal converts.

The term "electroluminescence" is understood to mean all phosphorescent and fluorescent elements which generate a corresponding luminescence signal under the action of an alternating electromagnetic field. It is not necessary for the signal to be in the visible range. It can be in the IR range as well as in the UV range; but it can also be in the visible range. Likewise, it is provided that this luminescence signal is located both in the visible and in the invisible range and that the associated detector device detects and evaluates this signal.

To generate an electromagnetic alternating field with a frequency up to a few MHz, it is necessary that the security and value document to be tested at the location of the authenticity signal to be checked is interspersed with this electromagnetic alternating field. For this purpose, it is provided to couple the electromagnetic alternating field to the security and value document. The coupling is preferably capacitive, i. the security and value document is passed in the field gap between two opposing electrodes, wherein the electrodes are each connected to a pole of the signal source for the generation of the electromagnetic alternating field.

So that the best possible interaction of the electromagnetic alternating field with the safety and value document can be achieved, the air gap between the electrodes and the value and security document is minimized. For this purpose, at least one of the electrodes is spring loaded against the security and value document pressed so that - by minimizing the air gap - the security and value document is traversed with the highest possible electric field strength.

There are several possibilities for the formation of such electrodes:

First, it is intended to form the one electrode approximately as a surface electrode, while the other electrode is formed as a spring-loaded roller, which is opposite to the surface electrode. The spring load can be effected in that the axis of this pressure roller is biased spring loaded in the transport plane of the value and security document, so that this pressure roller spring loaded on one side of the value and security document applies, while the other side of the value and Sicherheitdokumentesr banknote abuts against the opposite, areally formed electrode.

The emitted luminescence signal can then best be detected by the areally formed electrode being permeable to the emitted luminescence signal, and the detector device for detecting the luminescence signal being arranged beyond this electrode.

However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that both electrodes are formed by corresponding pinch rollers, wherein at least one of the pinch rollers is biased spring loaded in the transport plane of the security and value document.

In this embodiment and in the aforementioned embodiment, it is a prerequisite that the cylindrical or cylindrical electrode formed as a pressure roller has a conductive coating which is coupled to the one pole of the alternating field generator. This can be done simply by the fact that the lining of the pressure roller is electrically conductively connected to the axis of the pressure roller and the axis is biased electrically insulating by a spring-loaded pressure device. The signal to be coupled to the pad is then transmitted to the axle via a slipring contact and from there to the pad.

In a third embodiment of the invention, it is provided that two planar electrodes are provided, wherein at least one of the sheet-like electrodes is biased spring loaded against the other electrode, so as to introduce into the gap between the electrodes banknote possible without intermediate air gap of the alternating electromagnetic field enforce.

Again, it is preferred for the sake of simplicity, if at least one of the sheet-like electrodes is designed to be permeable to the luminescence signal. If this luminescence signal is at least partially in the visible range, it is preferred if at least one of the electrodes is made of a transparent electrically conductive material (eg indium-tin oxide), which may still be colored, for example in the manner of a filter disk, by a narrow-band passage allow the detected luminescence signal on the arranged beyond this transparent electrode detector.

However, if the emitted luminescence signal lies in the invisible range, then it is sufficient to make at least one electrode transmissive only for the spectral range of the luminescence signal, while the electrode may then be opaque in the visible range.

The detector device can only be arranged on a specific track of the banknote to be checked. It is also possible for a plurality of detector devices to be arranged next to one another, and it is also possible for a detector device to be assigned two detectors for the evaluation of the luminescence signal. This embodiment has the advantage of only evaluating the difference signal, which consequently is independent of extraneous influences (e.g., temperature drift, ambient humidity, and the safety and value document).

The difference formation of two detector devices thus leads to an improved evaluation reliability of the detected luminescence signal.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to several execution paths representing drawings. Here are the drawings and their description further features and advantages of the invention.

Figur 1:

schematisiert in Seitenansicht ein Prüfautomat nach der Erfindung,

Figur 2:

eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer Detektorvorrichtung in einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Figur 3:

eine vergrößerte Darstellung einer Detektorausführung in einer zweiten Ausführungsform,

Figur 4:

schematisiert die Draufsicht auf eine zu prüfende Banknote mit Anordnung der Detektorvorrichtung,

Figur 5:

eine weitere Ausführungform eines Prüfautomaten nach der Erfindung schematisiert im Schnitt,

Figur 6:

eine gegenüber Figur 5 abgewandelte Ausführungsform,

Figur 7:

eine gegenüber Figur 5 und 6 abgewandelte Ausführungsform der Ausbildung von Elektroden,

Figur 8:

eine gegenüber Figur 7 abgewandelte Ausführungsform bezüglich der Abwandlung der Elektroden,

Figur 9:

die schematisierte Draufsicht auf zwei Detektoren zur Abtastung einer Banknote,

Figur 10:

das Signalbild, welches sich bei der Abtastung mit zwei Detektoren nach Figur 9 ergibt.

Figur 11:

Draufsicht auf eine Elektroden-Anordnung mit fingerförmigen Elektroden

Figur 12:

die Anordnung nach Figur 10 im Schnitt

Show it:

FIG. 1:

schematized in side view a tester according to the invention,

FIG. 2:

an enlarged view of a detector device in a first embodiment,

FIG. 3:

an enlarged view of a detector embodiment in a second embodiment,

FIG. 4:

schematizes the plan view of a bill to be checked with the arrangement of the detector device,

FIG. 5:

a further embodiment of a testing machine according to the invention schematically in section,

FIG. 6:

an embodiment modified from FIG. 5,

FIG. 7:

an embodiment of the formation of electrodes modified from FIGS. 5 and 6,

FIG. 8:

an embodiment modified with respect to FIG. 7 with respect to the modification of the electrodes,

FIG. 9:

the schematic plan view of two detectors for scanning a banknote,

FIG. 10:

the signal image, which results in the scanning with two detectors of Figure 9.

FIG. 11:

Top view of an electrode assembly with finger-shaped electrodes

FIG. 12:

the arrangement of Figure 10 in section

The testing machine of Figure 1 consists essentially of a conveyor belt 1, which is driven in the direction of arrow 5. In this case, a stack with security and value documents 3 lies in a feed chute 2, whereby in each case one banknote is drawn in via the intake rollers 4 and fed to the detector device 9 on the conveyor belt 1 in the direction of the arrow 5.

There are shown a number of conveyor rollers 6 and a guide roller 7, wherein the entire drive of the conveyor belt 1 via a separately driven drive belt 8 takes place.

However, the invention is not limited thereto. The drive of the conveyor belt 1 can also take place directly via the drive of at least one of the conveyor rollers 6 or the deflection roller 7.

Instead of a conveyor belt 1, other longitudinal conveyors may also be used, e.g. Chain conveyors, articulated conveyors, gripper drives and the like more.

Likewise, it is not shown that the tester can be associated with other test devices, such. Testing devices for the detection of optically visible authenticity features and the like.

In the area of the detector device 9 - upon detection of the authenticity feature - an electroluminescent signal is generated, which is detected by a detector 23 and is supplied via the line 25 to a signal processor 10, which in turn communicates with a display device 11.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the detector device 9 consists of a pressure roller 14, the axis 16 is pressed by a spring 17 against the banknote 12 to be tested. The pad 15 of this pressure roller 14 is formed conductive and is connected via the line 20 to the one pole of a signal source 18 in connection.

The spring 17 is in this case supported against a stationary support 19.

The other pole of the signal source 18 is connected via the connecting line 21 with an electrically conductive conductive foil 22, which is arranged on the opposite side of the security and value document 12. Between the pad 15 and the conductive foil 22 so that an alternating electromagnetic field is generated, which passes through the security and value document 12 approximately perpendicular to the surface. As soon as an electroluminescent authenticity feature 27-32 (cf., FIG. 4) arrives in the region of this detector device 9, a luminescence signal 24 is generated, which strikes the detector 23 and generates a signal in the line 25 which is detected and further processed by the signal processor 10 becomes.

In Figure 3 it is shown that a detector device 23 consists of two approximately sheet-shaped, opposing Leitfolien 22, 26, between which the banknote to be tested 12 is transported in the direction of arrow 5. At least one of the guide foils 22, 26 may in this case be spring-loaded against the other guide foil.

For the sake of clarity, it is shown that the detector 23 is at a distance from the respective upper guide foil 22. However, this is not necessary; The detector 23 can be fastened in each case close to the respective conductive foil 22, in order to ensure the shortest possible and diffusion-free path of the luminescence signal 24.

FIG. 4 schematically shows that the detector device 9, 13 can only be arranged on a track of a banknote 12, i. the width of the detector device transversely to the transport direction (arrow 5) may be smaller than the width of the security and value document 12th

It can be seen that several authenticity features 27-32 of different lengths and possibly also wide are arranged along this track, the sequence of these authenticity features during the transport of the security and value document 12 by the detector device 9,13 generating a rhythmically changing luminescence signal 24 , which can also be used to authenticate the security and value document.

It is, of course, possible to arrange a plurality of detector devices 9, 13 next to one another or one behind the other on the value and security document 12, it also being possible to evaluate several tracks in addition to the evaluation of one track.

In a further embodiment, the transport of the value and security document for the time of the test can be briefly interrupted. Once the check has been completed, the transport of the value and security document begins again.

Reference is made, for example, to FIGS. 9 and 10, where it is shown that two detectors 9, 9 'scan a banknote 12. While the detector device 9 is associated with the authenticity features 27-32 of the track to be scanned, the second detector device 9 'is not associated with any authenticity features, but only scans the surface of the value and security document.

The signals of both detectors 9,9 'are shown schematically in FIG. It can be seen that by the difference formation of the signal of the detector device 9 with the detector device 9 'incorrect influences can be turned off. Such incorrect influences are, for example, a temperature variation, undesired exposure of the sensor device (detector 23) and similar incorrect influences.

In the series arrangement of a plurality of detector devices then the difference signal between the first and the second detector device can be evaluated.

Advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that with the evaluation of invisible authenticity features 27-32 improved authenticity of value and security documents is guaranteed. The evaluation can be done at high speed because it can be dispensed with a pattern recognition. It only needs to be checked whether a luminescence signal is present in a certain area of the security and value document or not.

An equipped with the detector device testing machine can therefore be significantly increased in its processing speed.

FIG. 5 shows, as a further exemplary embodiment, that at least one of the electrodes can be formed as an ITO film or as a glass plate, resulting in a plate electrode 34 which is at least partially electrically conductive and conductive with the connection line 21 with the one pole Signal source 18 is connected, while the other electrode is formed as an electrode head 35 which is pressed by means of springs 42 to one side of the banknote 12 to be tested.

For the sake of simplicity of drawing, an air gap 33 is shown between the underside of the plate electrode 34 and the top of the security and value document 12. This air gap 33 should ideally be omitted and disappear, because this achieves a high flux density in the region between the underside of the plate electrode 34 and the top of the electrode head 35. Air gaps 33 thus disturb and should be avoided as far as possible. For this reason, the springs 42 are provided which press the security and value document 12 spring-loaded against the surface of the plate electrode 34.

The electrode head 35 is in this case arranged in the opening of a support plate 44, which represents the transport plane for the security and value document 12.

Schematically illustrated electroluminescent elements 43 are shown, which are embedded in the present embodiment in the material of the security and value document 12. However, the invention is not limited thereto.
Such EL elements 43 can also be applied as a coating on the value and security document 12, both a one-sided and a two-sided coating being possible.

FIG. 6 shows that, instead of a plate electrode 34, it is also possible to provide a round electrode 36, which in the simplest case is designed as a conductive wire. It can be seen that the field lines 37 generated in this case pass through the bank note 12 to be checked relatively vertically and place it on the surface of the electrode head 35.

Another embodiment can be achieved by a plurality of wires stretched in parallel or by a fabric of electrically conductive wires. In all these embodiments, it is possible, despite the non-transparent wire material, to check the electroluminescence of the value and security document.

Instead of a round electrode 36 and an electrode head 35, two opposing tip electrodes 38 can also be provided according to FIG. 7, which generate a particularly highly concentrated electric field with corresponding field lines 37.

The security and value document 12 in this case passes through the gap between the two oppositely arranged tip electrodes 38.

As a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 shows that it is also possible to provide two adjacent electrodes 38, which are not necessarily designed as tip electrodes.

As a further embodiment, the laterally arranged electrodes can also be designed as comb-like structures. These can then interlock and their electric field then stimulates the elektroluminszierende layer in the value and security document to light up.

In the electrode gap 39 between the electrodes form field lines 41, which extend partially outside the banknote to be examined, but also partially penetrate into the material of the security and value document and bring the embedded there EL elements 43 to light.

In the figures 11 and 12, a modified embodiment is shown in comparison to the embodiment of Figure 7 and 8. The electrode arrangement here consists of finger-like interlocking finger electrodes, which form between them the electrode gap (flux gap), in which the field is concentrated.
The electrode arrangement is arranged on one side of the banknote 12 and the field lines pass through the banknote. As a result, the EL elements 43 embedded in the banknote or applied to the banknote are excited and emit a luminescence signal 24.

In the drawing, it is not shown that the processing speed (transport speed in the direction of arrow 5) may vary for the security and value document. Thus, it may be provided that the security and value document can be drawn into the security device for value and security documents at high speed, but during the examination of the authenticity features according to the present invention, the throughput speed of the security and value document by the detector device 9 is reduced or the security and value document in the recognition of the authenticity features by means of the detector device 9 is even temporarily stopped to obtain a corresponding output signal.

This is stated that the transport speed of the security and value document 12 does not necessarily have to be constant.

Drawing Legend

1

conveyor belt

2

funnel

3

Stack with value and security documents

4

feed roller

5

arrow

6

conveyor roller

7

idler pulley

8th

drive belt

9

detecting device

10

signal processing

11

display device

12

bill

13

detecting device

14

pressure roller

15

covering

16

axis

17

feather

18

source

19

support

20

lead

21

lead

22

guide foil

23

detector

24

luminescence

25

management

26

guide foil

27

authenticity feature

28

authenticity feature

29

authenticity feature

30

authenticity feature

31

authenticity feature

32

authenticity feature

33

air gap

34

Plate electrode

35

electrode head

36

around electrode

37

field lines

38

tip electrode

39

electrode gap

40

-

41

field lines

42

feathers

43

EL elements

44

support plate

45

finger electrode

Claims (13)

1. An assembly for verification of authenticity features on value and security documents (12), in particular, bank notes, ID documents, plastic cards and the like, comprising a detector arrangement (9, 13) provided with electrodes (15,22; 22,26; 34,35; 35,36; 38,38; 45,45) and detector (23), and further comprising a signal processor (10), wherein the electrodes (15,22; 22,26; 34,35; 35,36; 38,38; 45,45), during the verification of electroluminescent authenticity features of a document of value or security, generate an electric alternating field (37, 41) penetrating the electroluminescent authenticity features, thereby exciting them to show electroluminescent emission sensed by detector (23) and supplied in the form of an electric electroluminescent emission signal to the signal processor (10), characterized in that the value and security documents (12) to be verified are passed through the system by stack processing operation, and that at least one of electrodes (15,22; 22,26; 34,35; 35,36; 38,38; 45,45) in spring-loaded condition, is forced to the surface of the value or security document (12) actually to be verified.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the detector arrangement (9,13) is composed of at least two oppositely arranged electrodes (15, 22; 22,26; 34,35; 35,36; 38,38) between which the bank note (12) to be verified is moved, and that at least one detector (23) is provided to sense the electroluminescent signal of the authenticity feature transforming the same into an electric signal.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the said one electrode (22) is of an approximately planar configuration, and that the said other electrode is in the form of an electrically conductive coating (15) of a contact roller (14).
4. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that both electrodes (22, 26) are of an approximately planar configuration.
5. An assembly according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one of said electrodes (15, 22, 26, 34, 35, 36, 38) is penetrable for the electroluminescent signal of the authenticity feature (27-32), and that the detector (23) is arranged in the vicinity of the said electrode.
6. An assembly according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one of the electrodes (15, 22, 26) is penetrable for the EL signal of the authenticity feature (27-32), and that detector (23) receives its signal via an optical waveguide which is arranged in the vicinity of the said electrode.
7. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a plurality of detector arrangements (9, 9') in the direction of transport are arranged in staggered relationship.
8. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least the one conductive electrode is formed as a plate electrode (34) made of a transparent and electrically conductive material, for example of indium tin oxide.
9. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the electrodes is in the form of a round electrode (36).
10. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the electrodes is in the form of a pointed electrode (38).
11. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the electrodes (15, 22; 22,26; 34,35; 35,36; 38,38) are arranged opposite to one another, and that the bank note (12) to be verified is moved in the gap (36) formed between the electrodes.
12. An assembly according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the electrodes (38,38; 45,45) are arranged on one side of the value or security document.
13. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that an output signal is generated of the differentiation of the measuring signals of two different detector arrangements (9, 9').

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