Classifications

• • 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
  • G07D7/003—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 security elements
  • G07D7/0032—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 security elements using holograms
• • 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
  • G07D7/02—Testing electrical properties of the materials thereof
  • G07D7/026—Testing electrical properties of the materials thereof using capacitive sensors

Definitions

• the invention relates to the construction of security elements for documents and devices for checking documents with such security elements as well as methods for using these security elements and devices according to patent application DE 197 34 855.6.
• DE 27 47 156 describes a method and a test device for checking the authenticity of holographically secured identity cards.
• the OVD is reproduced and then subjected to a visual inspection. This procedure is not suitable for quick, efficient, person-independent testing.
• EP 0 042 946 describes a device for generating scanning patterns which are checked using a laser, mirror and lens system and a photodetector. The economic effort is very high in this case too. It would increase even further if the test material was to be checked unsorted. To avoid pre-sorting, would be a multiple arrangement of the authenticity check system or a multiple check necessary.
• EP 0 092 691 AI describes a device for detecting security strips in
• the material-specific absorption bands of a plastic security strip are measured with the help of two transmitted light measuring channels in the infrared range at wavelengths of about 5 mm.
• the arrangement described in DE-OS provides for the transmitted light hologram test to arrange the transmitter and receiver directly opposite one another in order to be able to analyze the hologram information.
• This opposite arrangement of transmitter and receiver has an oversteering disadvantageous in terms of measurement technology and possibly even damage to the recording elements due to direct incidence of light in the spaces between the successive banknotes.
• Test objects are required and all devices are not suitable for high-speed ones
• the device as described in DE 196 04 856 AI, is characterized by a transport device known per se for moving the securities in the area of the electronic camera, an infrared radiation source on the side of the security to be checked facing away from the camera, and that the optical axis of the camera encloses an angle deviating from 180 ° with the optical axis of the lighting device and the transport device is preferably formed by transport belts which are spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction.
• This device or method also has the disadvantage that, in particular, used banknotes with creases or banknotes which have a damaged or contaminated kinegram film on their surface are not recognized as real banknotes.
• the described method and the associated device are automated, but are not suitable for the high-speed banknote machines in circulation with a throughput of 1,200 pieces per minute.
• Diffraction-optically effective security features or OVD's on securities such as the German 100 and 200 DM banknotes are currently being checked manually or visually for damage, register accuracy, exact margins, etc. The check is carried out visually both in the production of banknotes and in the sorting out of banknotes flowing back from the circulation, if necessary. This procedure is time consuming and costly.
• the test is inaccurate because, for example, in the case of security elements having an optical diffraction effect, the demetallized zones have been produced, for example by means of chemical etching processes, according to customary practice to date. As is known, these processes do not allow an exact course of desired structures. As a rule, "frayed" edge runs arise.
• test is carried out optically by comparison via image recognition with a reader and is therefore for
• test zones and structures to be tested as well as the test methods and devices for the authenticity test of objects, securities, in particular banknotes have the main disadvantage, which lies in their popularity.
• test zones and structures in a familiarity that enables the counterfeiter to draw conclusions from the knowledge of the test methods and devices and their functioning regarding the characteristics to be tested, the test zones and structures.
• the object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to complete the structure of security elements for documents with further security elements and to propose devices for testing such security elements and a new method of using security elements and devices which are essential to the counterfeiter complicate, if not make impossible, of the functioning of test methods and devices towards them close security elements in order to produce false certificates which are so similar to the originals that they cannot be detected by inspection devices. It is also an object of the invention to propose safety elements and features or OVDs which have an optical diffraction effect and which can be checked quickly, independently of the person and with little effort and precisely.
• the associated devices for testing security features are to be used both in high-speed document processing machines and in manual testing devices.
• This design - hereinafter referred to as a functional design - is the combination of electrically conductive and insulating structures of the same or different sizes, in the same or different levels to one another, with the same or different conductivities, and is produced from metallized structures and / or
• design can be a diffractive optical security element or consist of electrically conductive paints or inks. If it is designed as a diffractive optically effective security element, it can match the optically, ie visually perceptible design and even support it in its optical design.
• a security feature consists of at least one security element, preferably an accumulation of security elements of the same or different arrangement, size, color and / or conductivity.
• diffraction-optically effective security elements are produced according to the invention from metallized structures instead of previous demetallization of individual structures.
• metallized security elements are produced with a very close approximation to the desired metallized structure and steep edges to neighboring insulating structures. The steepness of these edges means that microstructures can be produced and checked.
• demetallized zones are, for example, in the case of safety elements which have an optical diffraction effect according to customary practice to date
• the device for testing described security elements according to the invention has a capacitive scanner.
• This scanner consists of a plurality of transmitting electrodes lying next to one another in one or more rows and a receiving electrode lying parallel to this series.
• This scanner with small electrode areas has the advantage over sensors with large-area electrodes that there is less capacitive coupling between the individual electrodes.
• the scanner is arranged in a document processing machine in such a way that the optical or mechanical sensors present in conventional document processing mechanisms activate the test device according to the invention.
• a sensor carrier is preferably used, which receives all sensors for testing. The distances between the sensors are minimized.
• the device according to the invention has a pressure device which represents a very low resistance for the document.
• This pressure device guides the document parallel to the transmitting and receiving electrodes or presses the document to be checked preferably onto the scanner. Furthermore, the axes of the transport rollers are connected to earth by means of sliding contacts. These additional shields and the pressure device guarantee repeatable test requirements with an even document spacing or contact and the functionality of the sensor is significantly improved.
• the control of the individual transmitter electrodes with electrical energy is carried out with a time delay by means of control electronics with a switching frequency in the kHz range and beyond.
• the main components of the control electronics in addition to the power supply are a multiplexer, an oscillator for providing the energy for the transmitting electrodes and an oscillator for controlling the multiplexer.
• the energy of the respective controlled transmission electrode is capacitively coupled between this transmission and the reception electrode.
• the signal curve at the receiving electrode is converted into a corresponding signal image.
• the signal pattern depends on the metallized structure of the diffractive optical security element.
• An evaluation electronics following the receiving electrode compares the signal image of the test document with corresponding reference signals.
• the evaluation electronics essentially consist of a power supply, an amplifier, a demodulator, a comparator, a microprocessor with memory and filters to suppress external and interference signals.
• reference signal images are stored in the memory and, depending on the security elements to be tested, are compared with the scanned signal image of the test document. Since the scanner extends across the entire width of the document, each electrically conductive security element is detected using the device according to the invention.
• the comparison with the reference signal images provides a classifying signal for further processing. Accordingly, for example, a document recognized as a false certificate could be sorted out by stopping the checking device or redirecting the document transport route.
• the sensor carrier is compactly connected to a circuit board that carries the control and evaluation electronics.
• an elongated transmitting electrode parallel to a row of a plurality of adjacent receiving electrodes.
• the received signals are processed using a multiplexer.
• the other evaluation electronics correspond to those already described.
• a further embodiment of the transmit and receive electrodes is characterized in that a plurality of transmit and receive electrodes side by side and / or in series are arranged. Both the control and the reception of the signals are processed using the multiplex or demultiplex method.
• these For use in handheld devices, these contain corresponding devices for transporting the document or the scanner, the function of which is similar to that of the transport devices in copiers, optical image feed scanners or fax machines.
• a device is provided which defines the position of the capacitive scanner of the inventive test device in relation to the document by means of stop elements.
• the device For the targeted testing of a defined number of security elements of a document, the device has a different number of transmitting or receiving electrodes lying next to one another. The greater the resolution achieved in this way, the more security elements and encodings with an increased level of difficulty in counterfeiting can be checked.
• This allows simple handheld devices, e.g. simple, easy to handle and inexpensive to manufacture for everyday use, where the presence of security features, e.g. a simple security thread can be checked.
• Devices with a higher resolution allow the testing of additional security elements, but without being able to recognize all the security elements. This is implemented using simple microprocessor software that is only sensitive to certain security features and is not public. A higher resolution with appropriately designed software for the microcontroller allows all security features to be checked. This high test effort is e.g. used by the manufacturers of such security features and by users with a very high security standard in order to obtain the best possible test results. This also allows different
• the invention also includes carrying out image recognition and status checking of the documents.
• Image detection by means of the coding is possible by means of the electrically conductive security elements, namely an independent coding or as a supporting aid for sorting purposes, a coding for value level determination and a coding for authenticity determination.
• an independent coding no further security element is present and the electrically conductive security element must be clearly identifiable, e.g. For example, the position on the document to minimize the incorrect rejection rate.
• the coding serves as a reference means in the event that an incorrect rejection has been detected.
• a condition check is carried out with the aid of the test device according to the invention in the form that the conductivity of a security element allows conclusions to be drawn about the condition of the document, because experience has shown that a heavily used document also leads to wear on the electrically conductive structures and thus changes in the electrical conductivity.
• the individual degrees of wear are classified using software. In this way, defined documents with a certain degree of wear can be sorted out. This degree of wear is expressed, for. B. by a partially damaged OVD, a torn document and a damaged security element or an excessively wrinkled document, which has resulted in a break within a security element. This results in a wide range of possible combinations between authenticity testing, image recognition and status control.
• the security elements according to the invention are provided with codes which are shown in a mathematical relationship to one another - for example, as a sum formation - result in a main code, which in turn determines the authenticity, the condition or the type of a specific document with a signal or code from the synchronous authenticity check of a metallic security thread and / or an equally synchronous check of an OVD.
• Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a document with emme Sförrnigem metallized security feature
• Fig. 2 3 schematic representation of documents with strip 'RMIG metallized security elements
• FIG. 4 schematic representation of a document with gitterf ⁇ rmig metallised security feature
• Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a document with several security features
• FIG. 10 schematic representation of the scanner and a document to be checked in a side view
• 11 shows a schematic section through metallized security elements
• FIG. 12 shows a voltage-time diagram of the evaluation signal for FIG. 11
• FIGS. 13-15 show schematic representations of scanners and a structured security feature.
• FIGS. 1 to 5 each show documents with security elements according to the invention, the capacitive scanner of the device according to the invention also being shown schematically.
• 1 shows the schematic structure of a security feature 1 with metallized layers 2.
• the metallized layers 2 are separated by an insulating zone 3.
• the top view of the insulating zone 3 is shaped like a meander.
• the width of the insulating zone 3 in the form of a meander is larger than the smallest distance between two electrodes.
• the capacitive scanner 4 consists of a plurality of transmitter electrodes 5 lying next to one another and a reception electrode 6 lying parallel to this series.
• Fig. 2 shows the schematic structure of a security feature 1, wherein the alternately RMIG metallized zones 7 and insulating strip-shaped zones 8 strip 'parallel to one another.
• the zones 7, 8 which are strip-shaped in plan view run parallel or perpendicular to the document transport direction. The latter case is shown in Fig. 3.
• the distance between two zones of the same electrical conductivity is between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm.
• the widths of the zones with the same electrical conductivity vary. Different conductive zones with different widths are also possible.
• FIG. 4 Parallel to the document transport direction, striped metallized zones 7 and insulating striped zones 8 are alternately arranged.
• the metallized zones 7 are interrupted by a strip-shaped insulating zone 9 running perpendicularly thereto.
• 5 shows a document with several security features. The targeted combination results in further coding. This increases test security.
• 6 to 9 illustrate the block diagram and various configurations of the capacitive scanner 4.
• FIG. 6 shows the block diagram of the test device according to the invention, consisting of control electronics, a capacitive scanner 4 and evaluation electronics.
• the control electronics essentially contain a demultiplexer 10, an oscillator 11 for providing the energy for the transmitting electrodes and an oscillator 12 for controlling the demultiplexer.
• the evaluation electronics mainly consist of a power supply, an amplifier 13, a demodulator 14, a comparator 15, a microprocessor 16 with memory and filters for suppressing external and interference signals.
• the transmitter and receiver electrodes are cast in a sensor carrier. These form a capacitive scanner 4 over the entire width of the document feeder.
• the strip-shaped receiving electrode runs transversely to the direction of the document feeder.
• the transmitting electrodes are arranged parallel to the receiving electrode. The distance between a transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode is determined by the electrically conductive security elements typical of the document. By lining up a plurality of transmitting electrodes, it is possible to simultaneously detect several electrically conductive features in the longitudinal axis of the capacitive scanner 4.
• FIG. 7 shows the schematic representation of the scanner 4 with a multiplicity of transmitting electrodes 5 and a receiving electrode 6. The control and evaluation is carried out according to the block diagram shown in FIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 shows the schematic representation of an embodiment of the capacitive scanner with a transmitting electrode 17 and a plurality of receiving electrodes 18.
• the transmitting electrode 17 is controlled by means of an oscillator.
• the signals of the receiving electrodes 18 are processed by means of multiplexers.
• the further evaluation electronics consisting of a power supply, an amplifier, a demodulator, a comparator, a microprocessor with memory and filters for suppressing external and interference signals, is similar to the block diagram according to FIG. 6.
• FIG. 9 shows the schematic representation of a further embodiment of the capacitive scanner with a plurality of transmitting electrodes 19 and a plurality of receiving electrodes 20. These are alternately arranged in a row. Accordingly, both the drive signals of the transmission electrodes 19 and Processing signals of the receiving electrodes 20 processed by means of multiplex or demultiplexing.
• the security feature 1 includes metallized lines 21 and an electrically insulating carrier film 22.
• FIG. 11 shows a schematic section through a security feature with a carrier layer 23 and a partially metallized layer 24.
• the partially metallized layer 24 contains a plurality of insulating segments 25.
• the partially metallized layer 26 has a different electrical conductivity than the partially metallized layer 24.
• Fig. 12 shows the associated evaluation signal in a voltage-time diagram.
• FIG. 13 to 15 show schematic representations of scanners 33, 34, 35 and a structured security feature 36.
• the structure of the security feature 36 consists of an annularly metallized security element 37, a strip-like metallized security element 38 and two rectangularly metallized security elements 39, 40 Test security is achieved through the noticeably high edge steepness of the metallizations, as this greatly increases the amount of forgery.
• Simple hand-held devices include a scanner 33 according to FIG. 13. The resolution is so low that only the strip-shaped security element 38 can be detected. Handheld devices of this type are suitable for everyday use because they are simple, easy to handle and inexpensive to produce.
• the rectangular security elements 39, 40 are not checked. This is implemented using simple microprocessor software that only works with certain security elements is sensitized.
• the rectangular security elements 39, 40 are not present in the memory as reference signal images.
• microstructures become security elements through targeted metallization
• test system is to be explained on the basis of groups A, B, C.
• the software is modified in such a way that when the banknote is pulled through optical sensors, the scanner is activated and the throughput length is then measured.
• the electrical conductivity of a security element must be present in a fixed value.
• the end of the banknote is determined by means of optical sensors and the scanner sensor is deactivated. The position of an electrically conductive security element on the test object can thus be determined.
• the data are compared with the stored data and evaluated using a controller.
• Group B has machines for processing banknotes. These machines are equipped with special sensors to detect different features. These machines are currently equipped with sensors for the optical range and / or the detection of magnetic properties and / or testing by means of a capacitive sensor for measuring the length of passage. With these capacitive sensors, the presence of electrically conductive features larger than 6 mm can be detected. They do not permit the detection of several electrically conductive security elements in a pass width. In addition, the detection of different electrical conductivity in the
• Security features not possible. Structures within a security feature can also not be detected. However, these tests are possible by means of the scanner sensor described, so that group B can carry out a higher-quality test.
• the software for group B is designed such that the scanner sensor is activated by means of optical sensors and then the ring-shaped metalized security feature 37 and the striped metalized security feature 38 are recognized. The value of the conductivity is fixed. Deviations above or below 30% are rejected.
• the software is designed in such a way that all security elements are recognized.
• the scanner sensor is activated.
• the passage length and the passage width of the security feature 36, the ring-shaped metallized security element 37, the strip-shaped security element 38 and the rectangular security elements 39, 40 are recognized.
• the electrical conductivity is specified and deviations greater and less than 30% are rejected.
• the entire test system can be varied, particularly for use in groups B and C, and its tasks can be changed nationally, particularly when testing the euro. Since the security feature to be checked is the same for all countries, for example in the case of the euro, both the test procedure and the test devices can be modified nationally depending on the focal points and changed one after the other.
• the application of the security elements and test devices, as described above, is used as follows: Using the coded, targeted metallizations, an image can be detected. This image recognition can be used for different purposes, in particular sorting purposes, determination of the value level or authenticity. Another advantage of the test method is the condition control.
• the electrical conductivity measurement leaves Conclusions about the condition of the banknote paper. Very badly worn paper will greatly reduce electrical conductivity

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)
• Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
• Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
• Image Input (AREA)
• Facsimile Transmission Control (AREA)
• Printing Methods (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
• Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
• Facsimile Scanning Arrangements (AREA)
• Storage Device Security (AREA)

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Citations (18)

• 1998
  • 1998-03-16 DE DE19812811A patent/DE19812811A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-04-24 SK SK193-2000A patent/SK1932000A3/sk unknown
  • 1998-04-24 AT AT98932024T patent/ATE213353T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-04-24 JP JP2000510117A patent/JP3741954B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-04-24 EP EP98932024A patent/EP1002300B1/de not_active Revoked
  • 1998-04-24 WO PCT/DE1998/001180 patent/WO1999009528A1/de not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-04-24 DE DE59803078T patent/DE59803078D1/de not_active Revoked
  • 1998-04-24 KR KR1020007001379A patent/KR20010022779A/ko not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-04-24 CA CA002306924A patent/CA2306924A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-04-24 CN CN98807888A patent/CN1267383A/zh active Pending
  • 1998-04-24 ES ES98932024T patent/ES2172900T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-04-24 PL PL98340874A patent/PL187653B1/pl not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-04-24 CZ CZ2000395A patent/CZ289274B6/cs not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-04-24 UA UA2000020753A patent/UA59405C2/uk unknown
  • 1998-04-24 TR TR2000/00652T patent/TR200000652T2/xx unknown
  • 1998-04-24 AU AU82083/98A patent/AU8208398A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-04-24 HU HU0003759A patent/HUP0003759A3/hu unknown
  • 1998-04-24 PT PT98932024T patent/PT1002300E/pt unknown
  • 1998-04-24 DK DK98932024T patent/DK1002300T3/da active
  • 1998-04-24 BR BR9811149-3A patent/BR9811149A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2000
  • 2000-02-08 NO NO20000616A patent/NO20000616L/no not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2000-02-08 BG BG104142A patent/BG104142A/xx unknown

Patent Citations (18)

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