WO2002059840A2

WO2002059840A2 - Information device with accessory device and test method

Info

Publication number: WO2002059840A2
Application number: PCT/DE2002/000333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Heitsch; Gerd Priebe; Gunther Lippert
Original assignee: Wolfgang Heitsch; Gerd Priebe; Gunther Lippert
Priority date: 2001-01-26
Filing date: 2002-01-25
Publication date: 2002-08-01
Also published as: DE10204035A1; WO2002059840A3; AU2002238393A1; EP1402482A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile or stationary information device, for example a mobile radio device, a mobile phone, a palmtop, an organizer, a notebook, a notepad or a data bank that are the technical devices most frequently carried along by consumers, that is provided with an accessory device for testing security features that are arranged on and/or in objects to be tested. The device is provided with means for testing the electrical conductivity preferably by capacitative or inductive coupling and/or means for testing the magnetic flux or the magnetization preferably by inductive coupling or Hall effect and/or means for optically testing preferably the optical reference or geometry and/or diffractive structures. The means for optically testing are preferably photodiodes, photoelectric cells, laser diodes, CCD lines, lenses and interferometric sensors. The device and/or the information device detect the security features preferably by capacitative and/or inductive coupling and/or optical testing and/or holographic reconstruction.

Description

Information device with additional device and method for testing

The invention relates to a mobile and stationary information device with an additional device and method for testing in accordance with the preambles of claims 1 and 10.

In connection with the ever increasing quality and quantity of existing copy and computer technology, an increasing number of counterfeit products and imitations of security features can still be expected. In the following, security features include features related to security in and on goods and products, semi-finished goods and spare parts, packaging and outer packaging, tear threads, seals, securities, banknotes, banderoles, shares and postage stamps as well as credit cards, check cards, ID cards, tickets, tickets, Identity cards and other certificates, documents and value documents are brought or included.

For example, with the help of modern copying techniques, counterfeit banknotes can no longer easily be visually distinguished from real banknotes. Special measures must therefore be taken that cannot be overcome with the technologies that are available to counterfeiters today and in the future, or that are too complex to overcome, that is, too cost-intensive. In addition to special papers for such securities, banknotes in a wide variety of currencies, for example, have been equipped with a conductive security strip and pegs embedded in the paper for a long time. Security features that are not visually recognizable by human beings are also increasingly being used for the counterfeit security of securities and documents. The testing of such security features requires the use of test equipment.

For a better understanding of the invention, the terms occurring in the description of the invention are defined in more detail here and should not have any other meaning in the context of this notification for characterizing the invention. In the context of this invention, a mobile information device is understood to mean a mobile radio device, cell phone, palmtop, organizer, notebook, notepad or a database as the most frequently filled technical devices of consumers. In addition, this also includes mobile data acquisition devices, e.g. scanners for acquiring data in warehouses, sales facilities, trade fairs, etc., which store the recorded data internally in a buffer and transmit them as a data packet via an air interface to a base station / central computer, the data processing in Device or can also be carried out on this receiver.

A stationary information device is understood to be a permanently installed additional device for data acquisition, which stores the recorded data in a mobile or fixed data memory and communicates with a fixed or mobile data exchange device for data processing.

DE 42 19 303 AI describes a test device with a UV light source for checking the authenticity of the federal identity card as well as credit and check cards, check forms and banknotes. The test device should enable a test by means of illumination and / or fluoroscopy with a minimum UN light dose of the order of 6 watts quickly and safely. In DE 94 06 154 U1 it is proposed to couple a UV light source to a storage area, a storage device or clamping device, for example in the checkout area or the checkout itself, in order to make it easier for the cashier to check the authenticity of banknotes. However, testing only for the presence of fluorescent security features is not certain. Fluorescent materials are freely available and can easily be applied, for example, to falsified products produced using color copiers. DE 295 13 469 U1 proposes a hand-held device, preferably a pliers device, for checking counterfeit-proof documents using light in the infrared range and pigmentation reflecting in the infrared range. These are not security features that are already being used. Rather, e.g. Tickets, tickets, tickets and forms are produced or modified with regard to this special test technology.

DE 195 07 653 AI describes a method and a device for the quantitative determination of securities equipped with magnetizable areas, such as banknotes described a resonance circuit. By damping the resonance circuit, as described in DE 195 07 654 AI, securities equipped with a metallic security thread, such as banknotes, can be checked for authenticity, the change in the manipulated variable of the control circuit being evaluated as a measure of the conductivity. A disadvantage of this test device, however, is that the resonant circuit is damped even if the metallic security strip is interrupted one or more times or is not closed. The test device would not recognize falsified products in which a security strip that is not continuously visible is stuck on by the counterfeiter at the places visible on the surface or conductive paint is applied there. A bank note checking device designed as a hand-held device for checking the authenticity of bank notes with a conductive security strip, which uses the security strip as a capacitive coupling element above one or more coupling electrodes and one or more coupling electrodes, is described in DE 43 39 417 AI. A shielding electrode is arranged between the coupling-in and coupling-out electrodes in order to avoid undesired coupling effects. The authenticity of the banknote is recognized by a downstream evaluation circuit.

DE 195 10 303 AI describes a device consisting of a test device with holding clips and a test and evaluation unit for metal threads or strips incorporated in the test device as a characteristic feature for checking the authenticity of banknotes and / or documents using the capacitive coupling described when introduced into an arrangement of electrodes of an electromagnetic alternating field. In accordance with its basic concept, the device has a test device housing for receiving test and evaluation electronics for banknotes and / or securities in insertion devices or locks, holder feet or machine supports. The holder feet are arranged on the test device housing as stands, test object holders with inserts, connecting piece with holder, additional housing for accommodating test and / or evaluation electronics and / or power supply devices. The testing and evaluation devices and / or arrangements for checking the authenticity of documents, packaging, banderoles, seals and the like are incorporated in housing of various types in reading devices or identification apparatuses or marking devices or are connected to them. All test devices known from the prior art are either stationary or portable test devices. Stationary test devices are used, for example, at cash registers in retail chains or in banks. Portable test devices are intended for users who are changing the location of the test, for example for the weekly market trader or for the conductor to check their tickets.

The last changeover to the current DM banknotes showed that counterfeiters took advantage of this situation and launched counterfeit banknotes on the market. Many consumers were aware of the appearance of the new banknotes, but many falsifications were still in circulation. Currency changes always have great potential for spreading counterfeit money. If the false certificates are recognized as such, the consumer usually bears the damage.

With regard to the introduction of new currencies, in particular the introduction of euro banknotes in 2002, or the planned introduction of new US dollar banknotes by 2005 and the associated exchange of banknotes, there is an increased rejection of old falsifications and that Counterfeiting of new banknotes is expected on the money market. It is therefore desirable that the consumer can carry out the authenticity check at any time easily and without additional effort.

The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to propose a testing device which is not only handy, but is always and everywhere available and usable for the consumer, and a method for testing.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that an additional device according to the features of claims 1 and 10 is integrated in a mobile and / or stationary information device.

The mobile and / or stationary information device according to the invention - hereinafter referred to as information device - with an additional device, essentially comprising one or more keyboards, one or more displays and one or more interfaces for transmitting and / or receiving Information, wherein a device for checking security features arranged on, on and / or in objects to be checked are integrated in the information device or in connection with the information device.

The device includes means for testing for electrical conductivity, preferably via capacitive or inductive coupling, and or means for checking for magnetic flux or magnetization, preferably via inductive coupling or Hall effect, and / or means for optical testing, preferably for optical reference or geometry, and / or of diffractive structures. The means for optical testing are preferably photodiodes, photocells, laser diodes, CCD lines, lenses and interferrometric sensors. In the device and / or in the information device, means for evaluating measured values from the means for testing for electrical conductivity, the means for checking for magnetization, and the means for optical testing are optionally interchangeable and combinable.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, means for sending and / or receiving information are arranged in the device and / or in the information device. The method according to the invention for checking security elements using the information device described, essentially comprising one or more keyboards, one or more displays and one or more interface / s for transmitting and / or receiving information, is checked using the device described in Integrated information device or security features connected to the information device, which are arranged on and / or in objects to be checked.

Ohmic and / or capacitive and / or inductive resistances or changes in these and / or optical reference or geometry and / or diffractive structures are detected by means of the information device described. The device and / or the information device detect the security features preferably by means of capacitive and / or inductive coupling and / or optical testing and / or holographic reconstruction.

In an advantageous modification of the method according to the invention, the device and / or the information device detects the security features by means of several frequencies. The frequency-dispersive electrical change in the properties of a measurement signal is caused by the security feature, for example that of a complex capacitive resistor, as is the case, for example, in the capacitive coupling of transmit and receive signals. electrode arises, detected. Because of their frequency selectivity, external influences, such as those caused by moisture, kinks and pencil marks, are excluded. In a further advantageous modification of the method according to the invention, the device and / or the information device detects coded security features, decodes them and displays them on a display.

A particular advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the evaluation software can be updated. This update is necessary in the event that the security features and thus the measurement conditions change. If the consumer is on vacation or on a business trip, for example in Great Britain, the evaluation criteria have changed; the security thread in the British pound is designed differently than that in the DM banknote or the euro.

For example, it is also conceivable that security features can be easily imitated by the progressive technology development and therefore no longer meet the security criteria. In this case, so-called sleeping security features could be activated, which in turn changes the measurement or evaluation method. In such cases, the information device with an additional device can be updated via the corresponding interfaces. In the case of a cell phone / cell phone, the necessary changes can be transmitted, for example, as a text message via SMS (short message service) to all relevant users, or can be called up or requested from them.

In addition to the claims, the features of the invention also emerge from the description and the drawings, the individual features each representing protectable versions, individually or in groups in the form of sub-combinations, for which protection is claimed here. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below.

The drawings show:

Fig. 1: Mobile phone / cell phone with additional device and document of value with security elements

Fig. 2: Block diagram of the architecture of a GSM cell phone

Fig. 3: Block diagram of a mobile information device with additional device Fig. 4: Block diagram of a stationary information device with additional device Fig. 5: Mixed signal of different frequencies Fig. 6; Reconstruction of a hologram

Example 1 :

A specific exemplary embodiment of a mobile information device with an additional device is shown in FIG. 1 using a mobile telephone 1. It consists, among other things, of a keyboard 2, a display 3 and an interface 4 for the transmission and reception of information, here embodied as a transmitting and receiving antenna. The additional device contains a device 5 for checking security features 6 on or in objects to be checked 7. In this exemplary embodiment, the device 5 for checking security features 6 on or in objects 7 to be checked is arranged in a side face of the mobile telephone / cell phone 1. However, the device 5 can also be arranged at any location in, on or on any mobile and / or stationary information device. This should preferably be designed as a flat surface, or the device 5 itself is designed flat. In this embodiment variant, means for checking for electrical conductivity are arranged in the device 5. These means consist, among other things, of a transmitter 8 and two receiver electrodes 9, each of which is decoupled by a grounded electrode 10. The test for electrical conductivity by means of transmitter 8 and receiver electrodes 9 is referred to as the “capacitive coupling” method. The additional device uses the GSM system architecture 11 of the cell phone / cell phone 1, which is shown in FIG. 2. The complex system architecture 11 allows this the frequency mixing stages 12 work in different frequency ranges from kHZ to MHz to GHz In the case of capacitive coupling, it is advantageous to use the high-frequency range, since the capacitive resistance is inversely proportional to the frequency a metal thread can be avoided in the distance between the electrodes 8, 9 and the security feature 6. However, dielectric changes that can result from moisture or kinks in the security feature 6 are also negligible (robust measurement). Example 2:

In a modification of example 1, the device 5 consists of means for testing for magnetic flux or magnetization, for example magnetic particles. These means consist, among other things, of an oscillating circuit with a capacitor and a coil, but a Hall probe can also be used, for example. The test for magnetic particles by means of an oscillating circuit is referred to as the method of "inductive coupling". The inductive coupling also enables the test for electrical conductivity. The block diagram of a mobile information device with an additional device is shown in FIG. 3. The mobile information device with an additional device consists, among other things, of a keyboard 2, a display 3, an interface 4, the device 5, a switcher 14, a transmitting part 16 with microphone 15, a receiving part 17 with loudspeaker 18, a database 19 and a processor 20.

Example 3: The device 5 consists of means for testing for magnetic flux or magnetization, for example magnetic particles. These means consist, among other things, of an oscillating circuit with a capacitor and a coil, but a Hall probe can also be used, for example. The test for magnetic particles by means of a resonant circuit is referred to as the method of “inductive coupling”. The inductive coupling also enables the test for electrical conductivity. The block diagram of a stationary information device with an additional device is shown in FIG. 4. The stationary information device with additional device consists among other things of a keyboard 2, a display 3, an interface 4, the device 5, a switcher 14, a transmitting part 16, a receiving part 17, a database 19 and a processor 20.

Example 4:

In a modification of one of the preceding Examples 1 or 2, the device 5 consists of means for optical testing, with testing for optical reference or geometry. These means consist among other things of a photodiode and a photocell. Example 5:

In a modification of one or more of the preceding examples, the device 5 consists of means for optical testing, including one or more laser diode (s) 24 and a CCD line or camera. Via the digital signal processor DSP, for example, an optical 3D reflection image, caused by an optically effective security feature 6, such as, for example, a diffractive structure, in particular a holographic structure, is detected and, for example, compared with stored patterns.

Example 6: In a modification to one or more of the preceding examples, FIG. 6 shows the device 5, consisting of means for optical testing, including one or more laser diode / s 24, one or more lens / s 27 and one or more interferro - Metric sensor / s 28 shown. A hologram 23, designed as a refractive index relief or also as an amplitude mologram, is illuminated with coherent light 25, whereby a virtual 21 and a real 22 object image is generated. The virtual 21 image corresponds to the object, whereas the real 22 conjugate object image is evaluated via a Fourier transformation. Such computing algorithms are in principle implemented in the digital signal processor DSP and can be updated for the respective application. The advantage of this type of evaluation of the security feature 6 is that the interference pattern that has arisen can be reconstructed from every pixel, although the signal / noise ratio decreases as the evaluation area becomes smaller. Even with incomplete / volatile detection of the hologram 23, the object image can be evaluated well. Another advantage is the high accuracy of the measurement with a resolution of approx. 15 µm.

Example 7:

In a modification of one or more of the preceding examples, the device 5 in this embodiment variant comprises means for testing for electrical conductivity and magnetic flux or magnetization, for example magnetic particles, and means for optical testing, for example optical reference. Example 8:

In a modification of one or more of the preceding examples, in a further embodiment variant the device 5 is attached to the mobile and / or stationary information device. It is not necessary for this point to be a flat surface. In this example, it is designed in such a way that it has additionally been attached to the mobile and / or stationary information device, in particular here represents a bracket.

Example 9: As a modification to one or more of the preceding examples, the device 5 is not located on the surface of the information device, but rather inside. The information device has an opening or a slot. The test object is pushed or pulled by the information device by hand or by machine.

Example 10:

Method for testing using an arrangement as described in one or more of the preceding examples, the lower frequency range being used in this exemplary embodiment. Due to the high required frequency accuracy of the GSM itself, even more complex evaluation procedures can be implemented in the digital signal processor DSP in the lower frequency range, which, using relatively simple algorithms, can make even the slightest changes to the measurement object, e.g. of ohmic or capacitive resistance.

Example 11: Method for testing using an arrangement as described in one or more of the preceding examples, several frequency ranges being used in this exemplary embodiment. An exemplary mixed signal of different frequencies (*, **, ***) for safety-relevant measurement is shown in FIG. 5. The use of several frequencies makes it possible to safely evaluate the phase shift of a complex capacitive resistance of the security feature 6, as occurs, for example, in the capacitive coupling of transmitter 8 and receiver electrode 9, and any external influences (moisture, kinks, pencil lines) because of their frequency selectivity excluded or to recognize errors. In addition to the capacitive, the ohmic resistance can also be measured.

Example 12: Method for checking a security feature 6 using an arrangement as described in one or more of the preceding examples, wherein the security feature 6 detects, for example, on packaging or else a label on a product, for example a piece of clothing, is not visually visible to humans and is encoded. This coding is converted into a lettering in the digital signal processor DSP and shown on a display 3. The consumer now compares this with the printed lettering and recognizes the authenticity by matching the two.

In the present invention, a mobile and / or stationary information device with an additional device and method for testing was explained on the basis of specific exemplary embodiments. The devices described in all their variations enable the consumer to test security features at any time and anywhere, without having to re-run additional equipment.

It should be noted that the present invention is not restricted to the details of the description in the exemplary embodiments, since changes and modifications are claimed within the scope of the patent claims.

Claims

claims

1. Information device with an additional device, essentially comprising one or more keyboard (s) (2), one or more display / s (3) and one or more interface (s) (4) for transmitting and / or receiving information, wherein a device (5) for checking security features (6), which are arranged on and / or in objects to be checked (7), is integrated in the information device or is connected to the information device, the information device being stationary or mobile ,

2. Information device according to claim 1, wherein the device (5) contains means for testing for electrical conductivity, preferably via capacitive or inductive coupling.

3. Information device according to claim 1, wherein the device (5) contains means for testing for magnetization, preferably via inductive coupling or Hall effect.

4. Information device according to claim 1, wherein the device (5) means for optical testing, preferably via one or more photodiode / s and / or one or more photocell / s and / or one or more laser diode / s (24) and / or one or more

CCD line (s) and / or one or more lens (s) (27) and / or one or more interferometric sensor (s) (28).

5. Information device according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the device (5) means for testing for electrical conductivity, means for testing

Magnetization and means for optical testing are optionally interchangeable and combinable.

6. Information device with an additional device according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information device is a mobile device and means for sending and / or receiving information are arranged in the device (5) and / or in the information device.

7. Information device according to one or more of the preceding claims with an additional device, wherein the information device is a stationary device and means for transmitting and / or receiving information are arranged in the device (5) and / or in the information device.

8. Information device according to one or more of the preceding claims with a permanently installed additional device for data acquisition, which stores the recorded data in a mobile or fixed data memory and communicates with a fixed or mobile data exchange device for data processing, the information device being a stationary device.

9. Information device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in the device (5) and / or in the information device means for evaluating measured values from - the means for testing for electrical conductivity,

- the means of testing for magnetization,

- The means for optical testing are optionally interchangeable and combinable and a test result can be decoded, preferably shown on a display (3)

10. A method for testing security elements using a mobile information device, essentially comprising one or more keyboard (s) (2), one or more display (s) (3) and one or more interface (s) (4) for transmission and / or Receiving information, essentially as described in claims 1 to 7, wherein security features (6) integrated on and / or in objects to be checked (7) are integrated in the information device by means of the device (5) or in connection with the information device ) are arranged to be checked.

11. A method for testing security elements according to claim 10, wherein the device (5) and / or the information device ohmic and / or capacitive and / or inductive

Resistance or changes in their and / or optical reference and / or optical geometry and / or diffractive structures are detected.

12. The method for testing security elements according to claim 10, wherein the device (5) and / or the information device detects the security features (6) by means of capacitive coupling.

13. A method for testing security elements according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, wherein the device (5) and / or the information device detects the security features (6) by means of inductive coupling.

14. A method for testing security elements according to one or more of claims 10 to 13, wherein the device (5) and / or the information device detects the security features (6) by means of optical testing.

15. A method for testing security elements according to one or more of claims 10 to 14, wherein the device (5) and / or the information device detects the security features (6) by means of holographic reconstruction.

16. A method for testing security elements according to one or more of claims 10 to 15, wherein the device (5) and / or the information device, the security features (6) by means of several frequencies, the frequency-dispersive electrical property change of a measurement signal caused by the security feature (6), for example that of a complex capacitive resistance, such as that which arises, for example, in the capacitive coupling of the transmitting (8) and receiving electrodes (9), whereby external influences, for example caused by moisture, kinks and pencil marks, are excluded because of their frequency selectivity ,

17. A method for testing security elements according to one or more of claims 10 to 16, wherein the device (5) and / or the information device detects coded security features (6), decodes them and displays them on the display (3).