WO1992014221A1

WO1992014221A1 - Checking device

Info

Publication number: WO1992014221A1
Application number: PCT/CH1992/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rainer Schmieg
Original assignee: De La Rue Giori S.A.
Priority date: 1991-02-08
Filing date: 1992-02-10
Publication date: 1992-08-20
Also published as: AU1198692A; DE4103832A1; EP0524288A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for checking objects for authenticity or originality, the device having an inspection section on which line cameras (40) and at least one sensor, preferably several sensors, are mounted. These sensors are capacitive (20) and/or electro-optical and/or electro-acoustic and/or HF devices. Rollers (30, 31) fitted with pressure sensors can be used to convey the objects along the inspection section.

Description

Test arrangement

The invention relates to a test arrangement and an associated operating method according to the preamble of claims 1 and 11.

The invention of the type mentioned is used for checking securities, means of payment, credit cards, documents etc. and therefore comes, for. B. in the service sector when checking banknotes for authenticity or originality for use.

The invention is based on the object of realizing an arrangement or an associated operating method by means of which the authenticity / originality of z. B. means of payment and other objects by measuring the outer geometry, the structuring of the cross section and the surface as well as the dielectric properties and their comparison of the measurement results with existing characteristic values, which are determined predominantly by the measurement of calibration pieces, is made possible.

The inventive solution to the problem is described in claim 1 and ii. Advantageous training and further developments as well as preferred applications of the invention are set out in the subclaims.

The idea of the solution according to the invention is that optical and dielectric structures are created in the production of objects which are interesting for imitations, which have characteristic, measurable characteristic values which can be used for later identification and, based on this, a statement about the originality is possible. These parameters are e.g. the geometry, the electrical properties, the structuring of the cross sections or surfaces of the object to be tested, also called the test piece.

As a result, there is the possibility of automated selection on the basis of the measured values, without taking into account the external appearance, which is generally of interest for imitations, but instead differentiating and / or integrally measuring material properties, which are based on the chemical composition and generally resulting from the manufacturing process physical structuring of the objects to be tested. The arrangement according to the invention and the associated measurement technology have the advantage that the use of the device and the measurement technology largely measure and document only the production status and the production tolerances of the objects to be inspected, independently of the production conditions, and from this the framework conditions for derive the later comparison measurement.

Therefore the system, e.g. for checking payment means, largely independent of the various currencies because it is capable of learning, e.g. For example, the production standard is automatically documented by measuring the tolerance limits and is updated when the production quality increases.

A further advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that both the assembly tolerances and also signs of wear are largely compensated for by the fact that a recalibration by inserting and measuring a calibration piece is carried out with the both of the predeterminable intervals or if a measurement is undecided Adjustment, as well as the state of wear, is checked and is compensated for by a correction program by means of a comparison with the characteristic curve of the basic calibration present in the evaluation circuit in the evaluation computer.

Further advantages of the technology described are that, by means of a relatively simple construction, the objects can be checked by anyone, neither the method / methods nor the objects to be checked requiring particular secrecy, because the visual information of the If the test piece is not taken into account during the measurement or is taken into account only in the sense of a geometry detection, the actual decision about the authenticity is made by the measurement of data which cannot be detected visually but which result from the sum of the properties of the object to be tested.

Manipulation of the system can be ruled out in that the calibration and its result in the evaluation computer must lead to defined results, otherwise the system is blocked if the result is not conclusive.

Since credit cards are largely issued directly by banks, it is possible here to measure the characteristics of the signature made when issuing them and to save them as a feature in the card identification. Later changes are recorded in this way and lead to the withdrawal of the card.

With appropriate dimensioning of the measuring head, for example as measuring clamps and by expanding the device-internal learning technology, the originality of other objects made of dielectric materials etc. can also be checked, characteristic curves can be determined and these at later times if suspected Imitation or falsification can be compared.

As a result, there is also the possibility of “learning” specific features of imitations by means of a series of measurements, while the learning process takes the tolerance by measuring objects with different manufacturing standards / features. to define the range or the acceptance limits and to transfer these features in the form of a data record to other measuring devices by data transfer or to update measuring devices available on the market by means of a corresponding service (EDI, etc.).

Banknotes and securities that are / have been withdrawn from circulation or their value changes can also be included in the above service.

On the basis of the determination of non-visual properties of the test object, the authenticity or inauthenticity of the test object can be determined with an extraordinarily high hit rate. The arrangement according to the invention, which is described in more detail below, is compact and is inexpensive and easy to manufacture in terms of material.

In the following the invention with reference to FIG. l to 13 explained in more detail. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows the external view of a possible embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention _;

FIG. 2 shows a part of the interior view in the device module according to FIG. 1

FIG. 3 shows the section through a transport roller according to FIG. 2 _;

FIG. 4 the external view of a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention _/

FIG. 5 the interior view of the arrangement according to FIG. 4 _; 6 shows a sectional view through the sensor system according to FIG. 5 in direct or alternating current technology,

7 shows an individual part drawing of an alternative sensor system using millimeter or micrometer wave technology,

8 shows the partially assembled sensor system according to FIG. 7

9 shows the assembled sensor system according to FIG. 8,

10 shows an alternative electroacoustic sensor system,

11 shows an alternative electro-optical sensor system,

12 shows a further alternative sensor system for testing the spectral reflection characteristic of holograms,

FIG. 13 shows a further alternative sensor system using hologram technology according to FIG. 12 in a different perspective

The test procedure is described by way of example with reference to the embodiment from FIGS. 1 to 3. The device has transport rollers 30, 31 at the beginning and at the end of the test section. For testing, the test piece 70 is inserted into the device 10 by one or two rollers 30 provided with a device for measuring the transport path, which in the example under consideration has a capacitor 20 and line scan cameras 40, retracted. Alternatively, this can be done manually without rolling. The thickness of the test piece 70 is measured by the lifting movement of the rollers 30 during the drawing-in. Characterized in that the feed roller 30 is segmented in length with its roller body 38 seated on the shaft 39 and the segments are mounted coaxially on, for example, piezoelectric pressure sensors 37, it is possible to measure surface structuring as well as to include damage or folded test pieces in the test.

The test piece 70 is thus drawn in and / or transported by one and / or two rollers 30 and 31 located opposite one another. One or more ring-shaped sensor areas are mounted on one or both rolls 30 and 31. The sensors 37 of Fig. 3 contain e.g. Piezo sensors with which the surface structure of the test piece 70 is scanned during the passage. The width and number of the sensors 37 arranged in a ring, also called a sensor ring, depends on the required resolution. Touch rings 36 are mounted concentrically on the spring-mounted sensor rings and detect changes in thickness and structure which result from the structure of the object to be tested.

The ripple of the test signals resulting from the surface structuring of the bank notes (paper, watermark, printing ink, pagination etc.) is measured.

As an alternative, there is the possibility, in the case of rollers 30 and / or 31 lying opposite one another, to oscillate the rings on one roller by means of the integrated piezo rings and to operate the rings of the opposite roller as receiving sensors. The transmission behavior of the test ^¬ is measured while pieces 70, which results through their structuring a charakteri¬ STIC, value-dependent ripple for the test pieces 70, which are compared with characteristics that are present in the computer.

In the case of worn or heavily used banknotes, the transmission behavior is changed in total, but the characteristic ripples are retained in a damped form, since in normal use a banknote is worn approximately evenly over the entire surface.

After or during the drawing in, the test piece 70 passes through an arrangement of one or two line cameras 40 provided with a backlight (FIG. 2), which show the start and the width, the course of the width and / or the length of the test piece as well as the dimensions and / or measure the position of the imprints on the test piece also in their position relative to the outer contour, that is to say the outer geometry and the distribution of the printed image, and transfer them to the evaluation circuit. The length is measured by one and / or several line cameras mounted in the longitudinal direction with area lighting, e.g. Luminescent film, during the run, the position and distribution of an imprint being measured.

The line scan cameras 40, in conjunction with a corresponding evaluation circuit, also allow the serial numbers of banknotes to be recorded during the drawing-in; if necessary, a corresponding marking can be carried out before rejection. At the same time, the test piece 70 for capacitance measurement is passed between two capacitor plates 20 arranged above and below the passage, which primarily determines the moisture content of the test piece 70 and transfers it to the evaluation computer. The water content of most papers changes the outer geometry.

According to a variant, instead of the capacitor plates 20, an HF measuring device can also be provided in the device 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 3, which preferably works in the microwave range and an HF antenna (this is the upper part, for example, designated 20) according to FIG. 2) and a corresponding receiver (that is, for example, the part underneath according to FIG. 2) (see also FIGS. 7 to 9).

In this case, the measurement is carried out by passing the test piece 70 past the RF antenna designed as a slot antenna, with which the dielectric values of the test piece 70 and their change during the run are measured. The measured values and their changes are transferred to the evaluation computer. The test is carried out by measuring the transmission and / or reflection of the emitted electromagnetic waves.

Instead of the antenna arrangement, a cell-shaped arrangement of resonators, possibly consisting of a plurality of staggered lines, can also be provided. The device is preferably equipped both with capacitors and with an HF measuring device of the type described above, so that the test piece 70 passes through the capacitor and the HF measuring device in succession.

By the arrangement it is possible in the test ^¬ pieces both worth specific than, for example feature to incorporate dielek¬-symmetrical structures, and to measure differences in the dielectric properties, the turing through the Struktu¬ of the material (watermark) or give color saturation and Authenticity check to be used.

The measurement results of the line camera (s) 40 are offset against the measurement results of the change in capacitance measurement (s) in the evaluation computer (not shown) and thus the change in geometry of the paper, e.g. compensated by the effect of moisture.

The measurement technique described, in conjunction with the corresponding sensor arrangements, permits relative and / or absolute measurements, both of the geometric structures and of the material-related properties of the test pieces 70.

However, the decision about originality is based on the result of a series of relative measurements, which Record characteristic features of the structure of the object to be checked and their change parameters, as far as can be determined within the scope of intended use, are recorded in characteristic curves. From the combination of the different characteristic curves on the originality of the objects to be measured, conclusions are drawn and / or the same is recognized from the combination of their characteristic characteristic values and the value of any banknote is transmitted to the evaluation computer, for example in an automatic change machine.

The sensor system has properties that allow the device to be recorded in learning mode in connection with a computer. Data and properties of test pieces 70 to use. It is also possible to use the device for quality monitoring of test pieces 70.

The housing geometry 10 is adapted to the conditions of use of the arrangement. This means, for example, that additional brackets must be designed for installation in ATMs, for example. Among other things, to ensure that the test piece 70 can be transported unhindered.

Credit cards can also be checked using the arrangement.

The measurement of the dielectric values of the cards allows a very differentiated use-oriented marking, which can be predetermined by the individual card organizations, through the fixed or variable dielectric structuring of the surface, the volume and, if appropriate, textures introduced into the card material and the possibility of simultaneously metallic To accommodate structures in the form of circuits, antennas, etc. on and / or in the surface, which can also supply and / or read in / read out memory circuits which are integrated in the card. Since credit or check cards generally consist of plastics, it is possible to issue a variable pagination by changing the cross-section and / or deformation or punching out which is related to the characteristics of the card when the card is issued bring, which is detected by the tester and compared for authenticity with the characteristics of the card.

Since the extent of the map deformation is determined by a random generator when creating the characteristic values and e.g. the two pieces of information are independent of one another as a sequence of numbers on the magnetic track of the card or in its memory module.

During the measurement, the magnetic track information is read into the evaluation computer and compared in the device by means of the high-frequency measurement with the physical (dielectric) state of the card.

Encryption of the characteristic data is not necessary in this case, since imitation, which is to be associated with the magnetic track characteristic values of the card, can largely be ruled out due to the lack of reproducibility and thus a largely exclusion of the imitability of the original pagination.

4 to 6 show a device 11 in a portable version which can be used as a monitor device for connection to a computer or in connection with a connected computer for checking the originality. For independent operation, a display and an operating keyboard are attached to the top. The device 11 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be opened, approximately the size of a pocket calculator, and has a base part 13 and a cover 12. In the base part 13 and in the cover 12, the device contains opposing arrays 41, 42 made of plate capacitors, between which the test pieces are inserted, for example by opening and closing them. The measurement is initiated by closing the device with a test piece inserted and includes the parameters previously entered on the keyboard.

The test is carried out by carrying out capacitance measurements at different frequencies on the test piece through the individual capacitors 41, 42 distributed over the surface of the test piece.

Due to the differences in the density of the printing and the carrier material, there are different measured values within the distribution, which give specific characteristic curves for the individual nominal values.

The measured characteristic curves are compared in the evaluation computer with existing characteristic curves and a decision about the originality is made from this comparison within predetermined tolerances.

Another arrangement contains arrays, through the capacitor surfaces of metallically limited dielectric filled resonators, the resonance frequency of which is detuned by the inserted test pieces. The degree of detuning of the resonance frequency of the individual resonators within definable tolerance ranges is a measure of the originality of the test object.

The in FIG. The structure shown in FIG. 5 can also be used for acoustic transmission measurement if one of the probe tips is excited to longitudinal vibrations by an exciter (possibly with a corresponding modulation) and the opposite sensor after the transmission of these vibrations by the test piece measures the characteristic course of the transmission behavior and transmits the result to the evaluation circuit (see FIG. 10).

Are shown in FIG. 6 the capacitor plates 40, 41 are replaced by light-emitting diodes and photosensitive substances, the substance-specific reflection behavior of the object is measured in this case. The degree of reflection at the measurement location is a measure of the originality of the measured object and is detected during the move into the test device or by a scanning movement of the test device over the object to be tested, compared with a known characteristic curve and from this the decision about the Originality of the object to be checked is derived.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a micrometer-long sensor. A continuous slot is formed orthogonally to the central web in a waveguide 57 with a central web 58. The central web is 58 surrounded by a dielectric 59. This can have a wedge-shaped transition for adaptation to the waveguide 57. To simplify the manufacture of this arrangement, the waveguide 57 can have a wall recess on which a piece of metal corresponding to the wall recess is formed as a ceiling 50. Depending on the distance of the slot from the cover 50, a dielectric 53 must also be formed, the geometry of which corresponds to that of the dielectric 59.

10 shows an electroacoustic transmission measuring section. Perpendicular to two truncated cones 60 (sensors) which are mounted in a housing 17, the test piece is preferably designed with a pressure plate 70 'as a carrier. One of these sensors serves as an emitter, the other as a receiver. Both sensors 60 can also be designed passively only as receivers. The test piece can be passed between the two sensors 60 in this electroacoustic scanning device. This results in a location-dependent characteristic signal sequence which is dependent on the structure of the object and which is compared as an object-specific characteristic curve with the characteristic curves present in the evaluation computer.

The measuring tip of the scanning device is appropriately dimensioned for checking banknotes of a certain characteristic type of production in such a way that the area of the measuring tip is coordinated with the printing pattern of the object to be checked. This dimensioning results in a key function with regard to the scanning options. Objects with a smaller grid are not detected by the measuring tip. Objects with a larger grid give significant signals during the measurement, which suggest a lack of originality or imitation.

With this arrangement there is also the possibility of performing a basic and recalibration by means of a correspondingly prepared calibration piece, the characteristic of which is stored in the memory of the evaluation computer.

The measurement, during the test, detects both the structure of the unevenness caused by the printed image and the density differences in the area of the watermark zone, which is generally effected by a bleaching process.

FIG. 11 shows an electro-optical sensor. Orthogonal to the direction of transport of the test piece 70 is a lens system 83, a prism system 82 made of a cube of at least two, one behind the other at a short distance

Prisms, a lens 81 and a photosensitive emitter 80 or a detector are formed. The prism system 82 has an additional beam path, preferably orthogonal to the beam path indicated above. A lens and a photosensitive detector 92 are formed in it. The detectors are preferably formed on the walls of the device housing 18, which encloses the arrangement described above almost light-tight. This means that light can only enter the arrangement via the lens system 83. A detector for measuring the reflection behavior of, for example, embossing hologram can also be integrated into the system, for example into the test section according to FIGS. 1 to 3 or into the device according to FIGS. 4 and 5. Such a sensor is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. It consists of one or more light sources 92, for example of an arrangement of differently colored light-emitting diodes, which illuminate the surface of the hologram at a defined angle while being drawn into the device, with wavelengths corresponding to the hologram, of lenses 90, 91 in the form rod lenses and one or more color sensors or a semiconductor camera 99, which, mounted at a reflection angle, detects the light component reflected by the surface of the embossing hologram according to its characteristic spectral color distribution and transmits the result to the evaluation computer. The semiconductor camera 99 and the lens mounted in front of its eyepiece are arranged in the reflection path to the light source 92 and a lens 91 mounted in front of it. The associated center of the solder preferably forms the center of the prism or cylinder segment which can be configured according to the arrangement, the center line of which coincides with the solder line. This technique has the advantage that with holograms, even if the surface is partially damaged, the characteristic distribution of the reflection spectrum is retained.

Each of the sensors described above can be installed individually or in combination with one or more other sensors in a test arrangement. This enables flexible detection.

Different sensors can be combined with each other.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Test arrangement for checking for authenticity or originality, characterized in that capacitive and / or electro-optical and / or electro-acoustic and / or HF, in particular micrometer wave sensors for testing a test piece (70) are arranged along a test section.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that an evaluation unit is provided, in which various determined measured values are brought together.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that rollers (30, 31) for conveying the test piece (70), preferably in pairs, are arranged.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1 and 3, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the rollers (30, 31) with pressure sensors (37), in particular piezo sensors, are provided.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims l to 4, characterized in that two capacitor plates (20; 41, 42) are arranged such that the test piece (70) can be carried out between them.

6. Arrangement according to one of claims l to 5, characterized in that the RF sensor has a waveguide (57) and that a slot which is perpendicular to an associated waveguide web (58) in the interior of the filled waveguide, is formed in such a way is that the test specimen (70) can be passed through.

7. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a lens system (83) between a prism system (82) and the test piece (70) is formed such that the information of the test piece (70) via the prism system (82) is transmitted to detectors in the axial or orthogonal direction.

8. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one and / or two truncated cone-shaped electro-acoustic transmitter and / or receiver (60) form a transmission path in which the test piece (70) is guided.

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a hologram path with an emitter (80), a prism system (82) and a detector (92) is provided.

10. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that line cameras (40) are provided on the test track, which show the start, the width, its course and / or the length of the test piece and, if appropriate, the dimension and / or position of one Measure the print on the test piece.

11. The method for the arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the test piece is guided past one and / or several of the sensors.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that an automatic or semi-automatic or manual transport of the test pieces takes place.