WO2001027866A1

WO2001027866A1 - Point of sale counterfeit detection apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001027866A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/028339
Authority: WO
Inventors: Win Erickson
Original assignee: Win Erickson
Priority date: 1999-10-14
Filing date: 2000-10-13
Publication date: 2001-04-19
Also published as: WO2001027866A9; AU1083001A

Abstract

A counterfeit detection apparatus for analyzing paper to detect counterfeits thereof is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a structure (12) and a foot (48) mounted below the structures. A first lens (22) is detachably mounted atop the structure while the paper is mounted in the bottom of the structure above the foot. An ultraviolet light (32) and at least one top light is mounted on the structure between the first lens and the paper while a back light is mounted in the foot below the paper. The apparatus includes a control circuit in electrical communication with the ultraviolet light, the at least one top light and the back light which sequentially activated the ultraviolet light, the at least one top light and the back light.

Description

POTNT OF SA E COUNTERFEIT DETECTION APPARATUS

Related Application

This application is a continuation of provisional application serial no. 60/159,475 filed October 14, 1999.

Tp.nbnir.al Fifild

This invention relates to an improved counterfeit detection apparatus, and, more particularly, to an improved apparatus which is used at a point of sale to identify counterfeit paper such as currency, checks, money orders, credit cards and the like by detection of security features incorporated in such paper.

Background of the Invention

The use of counterfeit paper by the criminal element to obtain goods and/or services from merchants is a serious problem. If such bogus paper is accepted by the merchant as payment for goods or services, it is usually impossible to later recover the loss from the criminal. The loss occurs once the bogus paper is accepted by the cashier who is unable to visually determine the genuineness of the paper presented for payment.

As used herein, the term "paper" refers to items such as currency, checks, money orders, credit cards and the like. To assist merchants and others to combat this problem, security features are often incorporated into paper. However, detection of such security features usually requires special lighting or magnification. Such special lighting or magnification is not generally available to the front line cashiers. In addition, different paper may have distinctly different security features. For example, the currency of the United States incorporates microprinting as a security feature which requires magnification to read while special water marks may be incorporated into checks which requires back lighting to illuminate.

To detect counterfeit paper, experts will employ a number of different methods. Ultraviolet or black lights are used to detect fluorescence or lack thereof, the use of bleached paper or erasures or deletions. Back lighting is useful to detect cuts or erasures and to illuminate translucent features and water marks. Top lighting is used for illumination for magnification. A low power (about 2X) magnification is useful to survey the entire paper while a higher magnification (about 8X) is useful to review microprinting.

However, cashiers and the like cannot be expected to run complex equipment or spend an inordinate amount of time inspecting every paper presented in payment for goods and services. Nor can the merchant expect to add expensive or bulky counterfeit detection equipment for each and every checkout station in a given store. Thus, there is a need for a small, inexpensive, easy to operate point of sale counterfeit detection apparatus for merchants.

There have been some earlier attempts to solve these problems. U. S. Patent No. 5,668,377 entitled "Point of Sale Counterfeit Detection Apparatus" which issued on September 16, 1997 to the present applicant provides a counterfeit detection apparatus comprises a structure and a foot mounted below the structure. A first lens is mounted atop the structure while the paper is mounted in the bottom of the structure above the foot. A ultraviolet light and at least one top light is mounted on the structure between the first lens and the paper while a back light is mounted in the foot below the paper. The apparatus includes a control circuit in electrical communication with the ultraviolet light, the at least one top light and the back light which sequentially activates the ultraviolet light, the at least one top light and the back light. U. S. Patent No. 2,059,197 which issued to Backer et al . discloses a counterfeit money detector having two lamps and two levels of magnification provided by two different lenses. Backer et al. do not disclose the use of a black light or sequencing circuitry.

U. S. Patent No. 2,161,594 which issued to Ruth provides a counterfeit money detector made small so it can be mounted on a cash register so as to be unnoticed by a customer.

U. S. Patent No. 3,774,046 which issued to Hoch et al . discloses a counterfeit currency detector having an ultraviolet light mounted within a box-like structure.

U. S. Patent No. 3,480,785 which issued to Aufderheide provides a document validating apparatus having a plurality of light sources, each light source emitting light in a discretely different band color spectra. In one example, one light is ultraviolet, one green and one pink. The lamps are sequentially energized. Aufderheide does not show back lighting or magnification.

U. S. Patent No. 4,296,326 which issued to Haslop et al . discloses a method of detecting sheets which do not have a genuine watermark by measurement of ultraviolet radiation. U. S. Patent No. 5,280,333 which issued to Wunderer discloses an apparatus and method for testing documents . One light guide is provided with fluorescent substance for directing at least two light fractions of different wavelengths onto a common area of a document. The light fractions are switched on and off by a time division multiplex method.

U. S. Patent No. 4,153,335 which issued to Buchan discloses a means for increasing the visibility ^■ of low contrast images by periodically varying the brightness of lights illuminating the subject.

U. S. Patent No. 4,146,792 which issued to Stenzel et al . provides an authenticity checking device utilizing lenses which direct light reflections onto photocells. None of the known prior art disclose the combination which comprises the apparatus set forth herein.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of this invention to provide a small, inexpensive, easy to operate point of sale counterfeit detection apparatus . It is a further object of this invention to provide a point of sale apparatus employing a variety of lighting and magnification devices to detect the presence or absence of security features incorporated into paper to facilitate the detection of counterfeit paper.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a left front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig 2 is a right front top perspective partial cut away view of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is cross sectional partial side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lower lens adjustment mechanism of the embodiment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the front panel removed; Fig. 6 is a close up view of the control panel of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the preferred operational sequence of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is control circuit functional block diagram; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic of the electrical control system.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, Figs. 1-6 disclose a point of sale counterfeit detection apparatus 10 (The Posse™) comprising a structure 12 having a front panel 14 divided by a rectangular cutout 15 into an upper portion 14a and a lower portion 14b, the upper portion 14a having a slot 17 extending horizontally across, a rear panel 16, and two side panels 18; a lensing platform 20 having a first lens 22 detachably mounted to a lens support frame 24, lensing platform 20 further having a control panel 30 preferably mounted proximate to rear panel 16; an ultraviolet light 32 and two top lights 34 mounted to the bottom of lens support frame 24; a second lens 35 mounted on a lens mount 37 between lensing platform 20 and a viewing platform 36, and a foot portion 48 positioned below viewing platform 36 having a back light 50 contained therein and a start button 33 mounted to the front thereof. Turning now to Fig. 1, in the illustrated embodiment, structure 12 presents a generally box shape which extend from lensing platform 20 to foot portion 48. Lensing platform 20 and viewing platform 36 are mounted parallel to each other with lensing platform 20 being mounted at the top of structure 12 and viewing platform 36 being mounted atop foot portion 48.

In the preferred embodiment, structure 12 is 7 3/4 inches deep and by 8 1/2 inches wide at a base 49 of foot portion 48 as is lensing platform 20. However, rear panel 16 is 9 inches tall while front panel 14 is 7 inches tall whereby lensing platform 20 and viewing platform 20 are sloped from front to back to thereby allow a user standing in front of front panel 14 easy viewing of to lensing platform 20. To provide an even steeper slope, rear panel 16 and front panel 14 are angled forwardly from base 49. In the presently preferred embodiment, that angle (alpha) is about 15 degrees from the vertical. Lighting platform 26 is positioned between lensing platform 20 and base 49, portion thereof abutting front panel 14 being 1 3/4 inches above base 49, about five (5) inches (13 centimeters) below lensing platform 20. The spacing between lensing platform 20 and viewing platform 36 is generally determined by the optical characteristics of first lens 22. The paper to be viewed is mounted in viewing platform 36 as described below and viewed by a user looking downwardly through first lens 22. Thus, the focal length of first lens 22 essentially determines the physical separation between lensing platform 20 and viewing platform 36.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, first lens 22 is mounted in lens support frame 24 by simply resting on lens support brackets 25 positioned on opposing sides of frame 24 atop structure 12. The simple resting arrangement allows a user to clean or replace first lens 22 easily, or to simply remove first lens 22 to view paper on viewing platform 36 without magnification as desired.

In the presently preferred embodiment, first lens 22 is a 2X biaspheric lens which is 6 7/8 inches by 4 1/2 inches with rounded corners. The use of biaspheric first lens 22 in combination with the tilted structure 12 discussed below allows the user to view the paper mounted on viewing platform 20 without needing to change position, thus saving the store owner time and, perhaps, medical expenses for back problems of employees . Turning now to Fig. 5, positioned underneath lensing platform 20 abutting rear panel 16 is ultraviolet or ultraviolet light 32, preferably a fluorescent tube mounted in fixture 33 which are in turn mounted to lensing platform 20. Mounted underneath lensing platform 20 abutting each side panel 18 are two top lights 34 which are preferably small conventional incandescent bulbs, preferably about 40 Watt bulbs. Top lights 34 and ultraviolet light 32 are mounted underneath the lensing platform 29 to prevent glare reaching the user's eyes, and, particularly in the case of ultraviolet light 32, for reasons of safety.

As best seen in Figs.2-4, extending between lens platform 20 and viewing platform 36 is lens mount 37 with second lens 35 mounted thereon. Second lens 35 is, preferably, an achromatic lens consisting of two optical components cemented together to form an achromatic doublet which is computer optimized to correct for on-axis spherical and achromatic aberration. Second lens 35 when viewed through first lens 22 preferably results in a total magnification of about 8X. Viewing of the paper through second lens 35 is for closer inspection if warranted. As best illustrated in Fig. 4, lens mount 37 further comprises an L-shaped lens handle 68 having a horizontal leg 70 extending rearwardly into structure 12 over viewing platform 36 from front panel 14. Second lens 35 is mounted on horizontal leg 70.

Lens handle 68 further comprises a vertical leg 72 extending upwardly from the side of horizontal leg 70 abutting front panel 14. An upper portion of vertical leg 72 engages a sliding block 74. Sliding block 74 presents a square profile on the side which engages leg 72 and includes four corner posts 76 extending inwardly therefrom. The physical separation between adjacent posts 76 is approximately equal to the width of vertical leg 72. A hole 78 extends through the upper portion of vertical leg 72 which matches a corresponding hole 80 in sliding block 74. A shaft 82 extends through holes 78 and 80, and is secured to vertical leg 72 by a dowel pin which extends through lateral hole 86 to engage a matching lateral hole 88 in shaft 82.

Sliding block 74 is received on two rails 90 as best seen in Fig. 4. Rails 90 are mounted to side panels 18 and extend across front panel 14, one above and one below slot 17. Rails 90 allow sliding block 74 and its attached lens mount 37 to move laterally from one side panel 18 to the other across the rear of front panel 14. Shaft 82 extends from vertical leg 72 through sliding block 74, through slot 17 where it engages adjustment knob 92. Knob 92 is mounted thereto preferably by a set screw 94. A compression spring 96 separates knob 92 from sliding block 74. A user moves sliding block 74 laterally by grasping and moving knob 92 left or right along slot 17. Thus, the user can view any portion of viewing platform 36 under higher magnification as needed.

In operation, a rearward force exerted on lens mount 37 allows vertical leg 72 to separate from sliding block 74 whereby vertical leg 72 is rotatable about shaft 82. As best seen in Fig. 4, vertical leg 72 is rotatable 90 degrees with respect to sliding block 74. Once the rearward force is removed, compression spring 96 forces vertical leg 72 into engagement with sliding block 74. Posts 76 prevent rotation of leg 72 unless a rearward force is applied. The aforementioned arrangement allows a user to use or not use second lens 35 as desired.

An alternate embodiment is seen in Fig. 2 wherein a lens mount 37a is also L-shaped where a horizontal leg 70a also mounts second lens 35a but extends outward through slot 17 to a vertical leg 72a which the user grasps to move lens mount 37a. A bracket 90a extends across front panel 14 below slot 17 on the interior of structure 17. Horizontal leg is slidably attached to said bracket 90a thereby allowing the user to slide lens mount 37a across the face of front panel 14 to any desired lateral position.

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 3, viewing platform 36 includes transparent stationary viewer 38 which is mounted to structure 12. As best seen in Fig. 5, back lights 50 are beneath viewer 38 in foot 48 thereby positioning back light 50 below viewing platform 36. When illuminated, light 50 back lights through viewer 38 any paper mounted on viewing platform 36. As previously discussed, control panel 30 is mounted on lens platform 20 as best seen in Fig. 1. Note that the actual circuit board controller 31 is preferably mounted to rear panel 16 below lens platform 20 as best seen in Fig. 5. As best seen in Fig. 6, control panel 30 includes, from left to right, a fuse 100, a power on/off switch 102, a power indicator light 104, an overtemperature warning light 106, a mode switch 108, a delay switch 110, a back light switch 112, a top light switch 114 and a both lights switch 116 which are in electrical communication with ultraviolet light 32, top lights 34, back light 50 and a power source (not shown) .

Power on/off switch 102 turns power on and off to the entire unit. The power on status is indicated by illumination of power indicator light 104. In the presently preferred embodiment, switch 102 activates ultraviolet light 32 which remains on at all times. Since ultraviolet light 32 is fluorescent it cannot be rapidly switched on and off as with incandescent bulbs used for back light 50 and top lights 3 . The control system monitors ambient temperature inside structure 12. If the temperature exceeds a preset limit, the overtemperature indicator light 106 illuminates and all operational functions are locked down for a cool down period, preferably about 15 minutes. The system rechecks the ambient temperature after that period and only allows reactivation in the event the temperature has fallen below the preset limit. Both overtemp indicator 106 and power indicator 104 are preferably LED lights.

Mode switch 108 allows the user to select either automatic or manual modes of operation. Delay switch 110 allows a user to select either a one second or a two second delay when in the automatic mode. Both light switch 116 allows a user to determine whether both back lights 50 and top lights 34 will illuminate simultaneously or separately during the automatic mode. Switches 110 and 116 have no function in the manual mode . Back light switch 112 and top light switch 114 determine whether or not back lights 50 and top light 34, respectively, illuminate during the automatic mode and turn on and off in the manual mode. In the preferred embodiment, switches 102, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 are alternate action pushbuttons in which a depression of the switch changes from one setting to the next sequentially. Of course, many other switching means are possible.

As best illustrated in Figs. 7-9, in the usual operation, the user turn on the power via switch 102 as shown in step 200 which activates the U.V. light 32 in step 202. The machine checks the over temperature sensor first in step 204. If an overtemp signal is received, the device shuts down for 15 minutes as in step 206 to cool down before rechecking the temperature 204. Otherwise, user inserts paper into the device 10 via cutout 15 onto viewer 38 as noted.

The controller checks to see which mode has been selected in step 208 If the device is in the manual mode, the user can then activate or deactivate, as desired, top lights 34 and back lights 50 via depressing and releasing switches 114 and 112, respectively as shown in steps 210 and 212. If the device is in the auto mode, the device shuts down the back and top lights 50 and 34 in step 214. The user activates the testing by depressing start button 33 in step 216. The system provides an initial delay time in step 218 which allows the user to view the paper solely under ultraviolet light 32 for usually about 15 seconds. In step 220, the system checks to see if the back lights switch 112 is active. If it is, back light 50 is turned on for the time preselected by switch 110, either one or two seconds in the preferred embodiment, and then deactivated as seen in steps 222, 224 and 226.

If the back light switch 112 is not active, or once step 226 is complete, the device next checks whether top light switch 114 is active in step 228. If switch 114 is active, top light 34 is turned on for the time preselected by switch 110 and then deactivated as seen in steps 230, 232 and 234. If top light switch 114 is not active, or once step 224 is complete, the system next checks to see if both lights switch 116 is activated in step 236. If switch 116 is active, both lights are turned on simultaneously for 15 seconds and then deactivated in steps 238, 240 and 242. If desired, start switch 33 can be pressed during this period as shown in step 244 and the system will immediately restart from step 220. This feature is useful if the user desires to reset some light settings (i.e. the both light feature) and wants an immediate retest .

Although only certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A point of sale counterfeit detection apparatus for analyzing paper to detect counterfeits thereof, the point of sale counterfeit detection apparatus comprising: a structure extending between a lensing platform and a foot portion with a viewing platform positioned therebetween, the lensing platform and the viewing platform being mounted parallel to each other, the lensing platform having a first lens detachably mounted to a lens support frame, the lensing platform further having a control panel mounted thereon; an ultraviolet light and at least one top light mounted to the between the lensing platform and the viewing platform; a second lens slidably mounted on a lens mount between the lensing platform and the viewing platform, and the foot portion positioned below the viewing platform having a back light contained therein.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the structure further comprises an upper portion having a front panel slot extending horizontally across thereby dividing the front panel into an upper portion and a lower portion, a rear panel, and two side panels .

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the rear panel is taller than the front panel whereby the structure is sloped to allow a user standing in front of said structure easy viewing of the lensing platform.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the spacing between the lensing platform and the viewing platform is the focal length of the first lens .

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first lens is detachably mounted to the lens support frame by resting the first lens upon lens support brackets mounted upon opposing sides of the lens support frame.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first lens is a biaspheric lens.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the ultraviolet light is a fluorescent tube mounted to a fixture which is mounted underneath the lensing platform.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one top light are conventional incandescent bulbs mounted to incandescent bulb fixtures mounted underneath the lensing platform.

9. The device of claim 8 comprising two incandescent bulbs .

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the incandescent bulbs are 40 watt bulbs.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the second lens is an achromatic lens comprising two optical components cemented together to form an achromatic doublet which is computer optimized to correct for on-axis spherical and achromatic aberration.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the second lens when viewed through the first lens results in a total magnification of about 8X.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the lens mount comprises an L-shaped lens handle having a horizontal leg extending rearwardly into the structure over the viewing platform from the front panel slot, the second lens being mounted on the horizontal leg, the lens handle further comprising a vertical leg extending upwardly from the side of horizontal leg abutting the front panel slot wherein the an upper portion of the vertical leg engages a sliding block, the sliding block being received on two rails, the two rails being mounted to the side panels and extending across the interior of the front panel, one rail mounted above and one rail mounted below the front panel slot thereby allowing the sliding block and the lens mount to slide laterally from one side panel to the other across the rear of the front panel.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising a shaft extending from the vertical leg through the sliding block and through the front panel slot to engage an adjustment knob, the adjustment knob being resiliently urged towards the sliding block thereby frictionally engaging the front panel, the user pulling the adjustment knob away from frictional engagement with the front panel to allow sliding movement of the sliding block along the rails.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the vertical leg is separable from the sliding block when a rearward force is exerted thereon, the vertical leg then being rotatable about the shaft thereby allowing the user to move the second lens out of use.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the viewing platform includes a transparent stationary viewer mounted thereto, the back lights being mounted below the transparent stationary viewer to illuminate paper mounted atop the viewing platform from below.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the control panel includes a fuse, a power on/off switch, a power indicator light, a mode switch, a delay switch, a back light switch, a top light switch and a both lights switch which are in electrical communication with the ultraviolet light, the at least one top light, the back light and a power source, the power on/off switch connecting and disconnecting the power source, the power indicating light indicating by illumination the status of the power on/off switch, the ultraviolet light being on when the power on/off switch is in the on position, the mode switch having an automatic mode or a manual mode, the delay switch having at least two time settings, the both light switch allowing the both the at least one top light and the back light to illuminate either simultaneously or separably in the automatic mode, the back light switch and the top light switch determine whether or not the back light or the at least one top light, respectively, illuminate during the automatic mode and turn on and off in the manual mode.

18. A point of sale counterfeit detection apparatus for analyzing paper to detect counterfeits thereof, the point of sale counterfeit detection apparatus comprising: a structure extending between a lensing platform and a foot portion with a viewing platform positioned therebetween, the lensing platform and the viewing platform being mounted parallel to each other, the structure further having an upper portion having a front panel slot extending horizontally across thereby dividing the front panel into an upper portion and a lower portion, a rear panel, and two side panels, the rear panel being taller than the front panel whereby the structure is sloped to allow a user standing in front of said structure easy viewing of the lensing platform, the lensing platform having a first biaspheric lens detachably mounted to a lens support frame, the first biaspheric lens being detachably mounted to the lens support frame by resting the first biaspheric lens upon lens support brackets mounted upon opposing sides of the lens support frame, the spacing between the lensing platform and the viewing platform being the focal length of the first biaspheric lens, a control panel mounted to the structure, the control panel including a fuse, a power on/off switch, a power indicator light, a mode switch, a delay switch, a back light switch, a top light switch and a both lights switch which are in electrical communication with the ultraviolet light, the at least one top light, the back light and a power source, the power on/off switch connecting and disconnecting the power source, the power indicating light indicating by illumination the status of the power on/off switch, the ultraviolet light being on when the power on/off switch is in the on position, the mode switch having an automatic mode or a manual mode, the delay switch having at least two time settings, the both light switch allowing the both the at least one top light and the back light to illuminate either simultaneously or separably in the automatic mode, the back light switch and the top light switch determine whether or not the back light or the at least one top light, respectively, illuminate during the automatic mode and turn on and off in the manual mode, an ultraviolet light and two incandescent top lights mounted to the bottom of the lensing platform, the ultraviolet light being a fluorescent tube mounted to a fixture, the two incandescent top lights being mounted to incandescent bulb fixtures; a second lens slidably mounted on a lens mount between the lensing platform and the viewing platform, the second lens being an achromatic lens comprising two optical components cemented together to form an achromatic doublet which is computer optimized to correct for on-axis spherical and achromatic aberration, and the foot portion positioned below the viewing platform having a back light contained therein, the viewing platform including a transparent stationary viewer mounted thereto, the back light being mounted below the transparent stationary viewer to illuminate paper mounted atop the viewing platform from below, the lens mount comprising an L-shaped lens handle having a horizontal leg extending rearwardly into the structure over the viewing platform from the front panel slot, the second lens being mounted on the horizontal leg, the lens handle further comprising a vertical leg extending upwardly from the side of horizontal leg abutting the front panel slot wherein the an upper portion of the vertical leg engages a sliding block, the sliding block being received on two rails, the two rails being mounted to the side panels and extending across the interior of the front panel, one rail mounted above and one rail mounted below the front panel slot thereby allowing the sliding block and the lens mount to slide laterally from one side panel to the other across the rear of the front panel, a shaft extending from the vertical leg through the sliding block and through the front panel slot to engage an adjustment knob, the adjustment knob being resiliently urged towards the sliding block thereby frictionally engaging the front panel, the user pulling the adjustment knob away from frictional engagement with the front panel to allow sliding movement of the sliding block along the rails.