CA2179994A1 - Detection of counterfeits objects, for instance counterfeits banknotes - Google Patents
Detection of counterfeits objects, for instance counterfeits banknotesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2179994A1 CA2179994A1 CA002179994A CA2179994A CA2179994A1 CA 2179994 A1 CA2179994 A1 CA 2179994A1 CA 002179994 A CA002179994 A CA 002179994A CA 2179994 A CA2179994 A CA 2179994A CA 2179994 A1 CA2179994 A1 CA 2179994A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- banknote
- sheet
- light
- signal
- window
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 title claims description 13
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 35
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- 238000002310 reflectometry Methods 0.000 claims description 27
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims 5
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010200 validation analysis Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003595 spectral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012935 Averaging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005030 aluminium foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003112 inhibitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000691 measurement method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010606 normalization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012795 verification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
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
- G07D7/06—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 wave or particle radiation
- G07D7/12—Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
- G07D7/128—Viewing devices
-
- 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
- G07D7/06—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 wave or particle radiation
- G07D7/12—Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
Abstract
Detecting counterfeit banknotes is achieved by directing ultraviolet light at a sample from a source (104) and measuring the level of ultraviolet light reflected from the sample using a first photocell (105) and the amount of fluorescent light generated by the sample using a second photocell (106). The detected levels are compared with reference levels and only if both reflective and fluorescent criteria are satisfied is the note declared genuine. The sample, during test, is swiped over a glass window (102), preferably under an overlying shield.
Description
WO 95119019 P,~
DETECTION OF COUNTERFEIT OaJECTS, FOR INSTANCE COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTES
This invention relates to the detection of counterfeit objects. The invention will be described primarily in the context of the detection of counterfeit banknotes, but all 5 aspects of the invention are applicable also to other r'.oc~ ntc~ such as passports, cherues and trading stamps.
The pror'11rt i ~-n of counterfeit banknotes is c~7nt i n~ l y increasing as a result of c~7ntinll;n~ L~,vt7111t711Ls in printing technology, particularly colour printing. Counterfeit notes lO are now being made which appear, to the unaided eye, virtually indisting~-i ch~7hle from a genuine note.
It would be desirable to provide a device to assist a person conducting cash tr;7nc~rtirnc~ such as a shop assistant or bank teller, in verifying the ;711thPnt icity of a received lS banknote. Such devices exist, but they rely for their operation on the experience and judgement of the user, and in any event are not very reliable. There are banknote discriminators which make numerous precise mea~uL...._~Ls to determine both authenticity and .~Pn~ ;n-~tion of a banknote, 20 but although these can be reliable, they are expensive, bulk~
and not suitable for use in, e.g., a shop where a customer's banknotes would have to be fully inserted into the machine before verification. The present invention seeks to provide a device which solves these pro.~lems, preferably ~y providing 25 apparatus which can reliably be used to verify authenticity of ,~anknotes held '~y a user without reguiring accurate positioning and measuring technis~ues. However, the invention is applicable also to automatic discr1m;n;~tion devices, such as those in which the notes are fully inserted into a machine 30 to enable mea,,UL - c to be made.
Genuine monetary notes are now generally made to a specific formulation such as security or unbleached paper.
Counterfeit notes, on the other hand, are generally but not always made from bleached paper. It is known to differentiate 35 hlP;7rhpd from unbleached paper by viewing the paper under a source of ultraviolet r;~ i;7ti~n~ such as an ultraviolet (W) lamp which emits light having a wavelength which peaks in a W095~19019 21 79994 2 band o~ ~rom 300 to 400 nm.
Rl f~Achpd paper ; n~ PC chemical components which ~luoresce when exposed to ultraviolet rA~At;nn; that i8, the molecules in the composition of the paper are excited and emit 5 light at a longer wavelength which peaks in the band o from gO0 to 500 nm. Because wavelengths of 3D0 to 400 nm generally lie out3ide the spectral region o~ the human eye and because wavelengths of _rom 400 to SoO nm lie within the spectral region, the rhPnl A of ~luorescence allows some counterfeits 10 to ~e rlPtPCtF~fl with the human eye.
This process can be automated with the use of electronics by providing a 8ensor and a comparator which compares the ; ntPncity of the fluoregcent light sensed with a reference level 80 as to provide an indication as to whether the paper 15 is a likely counterfeit or not. Such an apparatus is disclosed in US Patent ~o. 4,558,224. However, some genuine money notes if washed acquire a deposit of ~hPmi~lc which f luoresce and some counter~eit notes are made with paper ~nnt~;n;n~ little or no fluorescent materials and so the 20 fl~nr~Sr;n~ rhl.nnm.~nnn is not always an infAll;hle way of deciding whether a note is counterfeit or not.
It is an obj ect o~ this invention to provide an improved method and ArpAr~t-7c of detecting counter~eit objects.
According to one aspect of the present invention there 25 is provided apparatus i~or detecting counterfeit objects comprising means for illllminA~ins the object with light within a ~irst wavelength band, a detector for detecting light from said object having a ~irst wavelength within said first wavelength band and a second waveleng~h within a second 30 wavelength band di~erent ~rom said ~irst wavelength band and said second wavelength band ;nclll-l;n~ wavelengths at which counterfeit objects may fluoresce when exposed to light in said first wavelength band, comparison means for comparing the output o~ the detector with at least one reference level and 35 ~l~n;q;nn means ~or ~ ;(lin~, based on said comparison whether said object is counterfeit or not and providing an appropriate ; n~ t inrl .
W0 95119019 2 1 7 9 9 9 ~ r~
According to another aspect o~ the present invention there is provided apparatus for detecting counterfeit objects comprising a detector for providing a first signal indicative of the reflectivity of an object within a first wavelength 5 band and a second indicative of the fluorescence of the object within a second wavelength band different from said first wavelength band and decision means for ~Pri~1in~, based on said first and second signals, whether said object is a genuine banknote and f or providing an appropriate indication .
Various further aspects of the invention are set out in the ~ ~nying claims.
It has been discovered that genuine and counterfeit banknotes often have different reflectivities particularly when exposed to ultraviolet ratli ~tion in the band of from 300 15 to 400 nm. It has also been discovered, somewhat surprisingly, that when the reflectivities of genuine and counterfeit notes are similar, the fluorescence exhibited by the notes is usually dissimilar, and vlce versa. Thus by applying two tests to sense both the fluorescent light and the 20 reflected light from a banknote exposed to ultraviole~
radiation, a banknote can be declared genuine or counterfeit with great certainty.
The use of these techniques provides a surprisingly quick and effective way o~ detecting counterfeits. It has been 25 found that no other measurements are needed, and consequently it is preferred that the ;n~ tinn of gPnll;n''nPC8 i9 given in response to measurements related only to reflectivity and ~luorescence. Preferably, ~l~th~ntication is carried out on the basis of a single ref lectivity value and a single 30 fluorescence value, which are related to the whole object or a large area thereof. This, and the fact that ~iRrrim;n~t;nn - between different ~Pnnm;n~tinnq is ~nn~cPcsAry in a device intended for manual use by the banknote recipient, avoids the need for precise positioning of the banknote. E~owever, the 35 inven~ion is applicable to other arranyl ~ also; for example the technique may be used to supplement further measurements made in an otherwise-conv~ntinn~l banknote wo gS/lgol9 2 1 7 9 9 9 4 1 ~ ,5'OOt validator .
Although r~f erence is made hereir, to reflectivity mea~L~ ts, it is believed that transmissivity could be measured instead or in addition thereto.
The techniques enable the construction of a simple counterfeit detector which is easy to use, e.g. beside a cash till. ~referred agpects of the invention are directed to f-nh~nr;n~ the usability of the apparatus. Although these will be described in the context of an apparatus which empioys the techniques r t;nnP~ above, they are considered independently inventive and could be applied to apparatus which does not employ 5uch techniques.
According to a further aspect of the invention, apparatus for detecting counterfeit banknotes comprises a housing having a ~irst part ~nnt~;n;~ a ~;at;nn source and provided with a window enabli~g a sheet to be ill~l~;n~tPd by the source, sensor means (preferably within said _irst part) responsive to r~ t;nn from the ;ll~lmin~tpd sheet for ~n~hlin~ a test to be pP--f~ l to determine whether the sheet is a genuine banknote, and a shield overlying the window for reducing thc~
amount of ambient light received by the sensor means.
The shield is preferably arranged 80 that a sheet can be held by the user of the apparatus, inserted between the shield and the window and then withdrawn thereirom without being released. If used by a shop assistant at the cash till, this would give grea~er rnnf;ri~nre to the customer as the note is always seen to be visible and held while the tes~i~g operation is carried out. The gap between the window and the shield i8 there_ore preferably open on at least two adjacent sides, and preferably on three adjacent sides so that the user can swipe the banknote into the gap via one side and out of the gap via the opposite side.
The gap between the shield and the window is preferably narrow (e.g. from 0.5 to 25 mm and pre~erably from 1 to 5 mm) to reduce the ef~ect of ambient light, and preferably wider.s at least along one side of the shield to ~acilitate insertion.
The widened opening may be _or example at least 10, or W0 95/19019 2 1 7 9 9 ~ 4 ~ ..,5 .~c ~
possibly at least 60 mm.
Preferably, the arrival of the note i8 automatically sensed so as to actuate the decision means . This ~ltnm~ti r sensing could be achieved using one or more of the sensor or S sensors used for the testing operation, or alternatively a separate arrival sensor could be provided.
Preferably, the machine is operable to give a first positive indication if the note is tested and found to be genuine, and a different positive indication if the note is tested and found to be counterfeit, 80 that the user knows when the test ig finished. There is preferably also a third indication state, which is given when the apparatus is ready to receive and test a further note.
Use of these techniques enables the construction of a counterfeit ~.~tert1nn apparatus which is simple, easy to use and relatively rapid in operation, Pn~hl inr quick insertion of successive banknotes after each testing operation, which is reliable and which can be used while m~int~;ninr customer cnn ~ n r e .
Counterfeit detection apparatus embodying the inventior will now be described, by way of example, with re~erence to the ar~ ying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view o~ a first ~mho~i t of the invention;
2S Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a section taken o~ line 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second ~ t;
Figure S is an end view of the Figure 4 r~mho~ t;
Figure 6 is a block diagram of circuitry which can be used in the apparatus of Firure 1 or that of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a third ~ t;
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the third ' ~; ;
Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of the third embodiment;
3S Figure 10 is a main flowchart illustrating the operation o~ the third F.mhnrii m~nt; and Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the ~l~th~nt; cation W0 9511901g r~
DETECTION OF COUNTERFEIT OaJECTS, FOR INSTANCE COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTES
This invention relates to the detection of counterfeit objects. The invention will be described primarily in the context of the detection of counterfeit banknotes, but all 5 aspects of the invention are applicable also to other r'.oc~ ntc~ such as passports, cherues and trading stamps.
The pror'11rt i ~-n of counterfeit banknotes is c~7nt i n~ l y increasing as a result of c~7ntinll;n~ L~,vt7111t711Ls in printing technology, particularly colour printing. Counterfeit notes lO are now being made which appear, to the unaided eye, virtually indisting~-i ch~7hle from a genuine note.
It would be desirable to provide a device to assist a person conducting cash tr;7nc~rtirnc~ such as a shop assistant or bank teller, in verifying the ;711thPnt icity of a received lS banknote. Such devices exist, but they rely for their operation on the experience and judgement of the user, and in any event are not very reliable. There are banknote discriminators which make numerous precise mea~uL...._~Ls to determine both authenticity and .~Pn~ ;n-~tion of a banknote, 20 but although these can be reliable, they are expensive, bulk~
and not suitable for use in, e.g., a shop where a customer's banknotes would have to be fully inserted into the machine before verification. The present invention seeks to provide a device which solves these pro.~lems, preferably ~y providing 25 apparatus which can reliably be used to verify authenticity of ,~anknotes held '~y a user without reguiring accurate positioning and measuring technis~ues. However, the invention is applicable also to automatic discr1m;n;~tion devices, such as those in which the notes are fully inserted into a machine 30 to enable mea,,UL - c to be made.
Genuine monetary notes are now generally made to a specific formulation such as security or unbleached paper.
Counterfeit notes, on the other hand, are generally but not always made from bleached paper. It is known to differentiate 35 hlP;7rhpd from unbleached paper by viewing the paper under a source of ultraviolet r;~ i;7ti~n~ such as an ultraviolet (W) lamp which emits light having a wavelength which peaks in a W095~19019 21 79994 2 band o~ ~rom 300 to 400 nm.
Rl f~Achpd paper ; n~ PC chemical components which ~luoresce when exposed to ultraviolet rA~At;nn; that i8, the molecules in the composition of the paper are excited and emit 5 light at a longer wavelength which peaks in the band o from gO0 to 500 nm. Because wavelengths of 3D0 to 400 nm generally lie out3ide the spectral region o~ the human eye and because wavelengths of _rom 400 to SoO nm lie within the spectral region, the rhPnl A of ~luorescence allows some counterfeits 10 to ~e rlPtPCtF~fl with the human eye.
This process can be automated with the use of electronics by providing a 8ensor and a comparator which compares the ; ntPncity of the fluoregcent light sensed with a reference level 80 as to provide an indication as to whether the paper 15 is a likely counterfeit or not. Such an apparatus is disclosed in US Patent ~o. 4,558,224. However, some genuine money notes if washed acquire a deposit of ~hPmi~lc which f luoresce and some counter~eit notes are made with paper ~nnt~;n;n~ little or no fluorescent materials and so the 20 fl~nr~Sr;n~ rhl.nnm.~nnn is not always an infAll;hle way of deciding whether a note is counterfeit or not.
It is an obj ect o~ this invention to provide an improved method and ArpAr~t-7c of detecting counter~eit objects.
According to one aspect of the present invention there 25 is provided apparatus i~or detecting counterfeit objects comprising means for illllminA~ins the object with light within a ~irst wavelength band, a detector for detecting light from said object having a ~irst wavelength within said first wavelength band and a second waveleng~h within a second 30 wavelength band di~erent ~rom said ~irst wavelength band and said second wavelength band ;nclll-l;n~ wavelengths at which counterfeit objects may fluoresce when exposed to light in said first wavelength band, comparison means for comparing the output o~ the detector with at least one reference level and 35 ~l~n;q;nn means ~or ~ ;(lin~, based on said comparison whether said object is counterfeit or not and providing an appropriate ; n~ t inrl .
W0 95119019 2 1 7 9 9 9 ~ r~
According to another aspect o~ the present invention there is provided apparatus for detecting counterfeit objects comprising a detector for providing a first signal indicative of the reflectivity of an object within a first wavelength 5 band and a second indicative of the fluorescence of the object within a second wavelength band different from said first wavelength band and decision means for ~Pri~1in~, based on said first and second signals, whether said object is a genuine banknote and f or providing an appropriate indication .
Various further aspects of the invention are set out in the ~ ~nying claims.
It has been discovered that genuine and counterfeit banknotes often have different reflectivities particularly when exposed to ultraviolet ratli ~tion in the band of from 300 15 to 400 nm. It has also been discovered, somewhat surprisingly, that when the reflectivities of genuine and counterfeit notes are similar, the fluorescence exhibited by the notes is usually dissimilar, and vlce versa. Thus by applying two tests to sense both the fluorescent light and the 20 reflected light from a banknote exposed to ultraviole~
radiation, a banknote can be declared genuine or counterfeit with great certainty.
The use of these techniques provides a surprisingly quick and effective way o~ detecting counterfeits. It has been 25 found that no other measurements are needed, and consequently it is preferred that the ;n~ tinn of gPnll;n''nPC8 i9 given in response to measurements related only to reflectivity and ~luorescence. Preferably, ~l~th~ntication is carried out on the basis of a single ref lectivity value and a single 30 fluorescence value, which are related to the whole object or a large area thereof. This, and the fact that ~iRrrim;n~t;nn - between different ~Pnnm;n~tinnq is ~nn~cPcsAry in a device intended for manual use by the banknote recipient, avoids the need for precise positioning of the banknote. E~owever, the 35 inven~ion is applicable to other arranyl ~ also; for example the technique may be used to supplement further measurements made in an otherwise-conv~ntinn~l banknote wo gS/lgol9 2 1 7 9 9 9 4 1 ~ ,5'OOt validator .
Although r~f erence is made hereir, to reflectivity mea~L~ ts, it is believed that transmissivity could be measured instead or in addition thereto.
The techniques enable the construction of a simple counterfeit detector which is easy to use, e.g. beside a cash till. ~referred agpects of the invention are directed to f-nh~nr;n~ the usability of the apparatus. Although these will be described in the context of an apparatus which empioys the techniques r t;nnP~ above, they are considered independently inventive and could be applied to apparatus which does not employ 5uch techniques.
According to a further aspect of the invention, apparatus for detecting counterfeit banknotes comprises a housing having a ~irst part ~nnt~;n;~ a ~;at;nn source and provided with a window enabli~g a sheet to be ill~l~;n~tPd by the source, sensor means (preferably within said _irst part) responsive to r~ t;nn from the ;ll~lmin~tpd sheet for ~n~hlin~ a test to be pP--f~ l to determine whether the sheet is a genuine banknote, and a shield overlying the window for reducing thc~
amount of ambient light received by the sensor means.
The shield is preferably arranged 80 that a sheet can be held by the user of the apparatus, inserted between the shield and the window and then withdrawn thereirom without being released. If used by a shop assistant at the cash till, this would give grea~er rnnf;ri~nre to the customer as the note is always seen to be visible and held while the tes~i~g operation is carried out. The gap between the window and the shield i8 there_ore preferably open on at least two adjacent sides, and preferably on three adjacent sides so that the user can swipe the banknote into the gap via one side and out of the gap via the opposite side.
The gap between the shield and the window is preferably narrow (e.g. from 0.5 to 25 mm and pre~erably from 1 to 5 mm) to reduce the ef~ect of ambient light, and preferably wider.s at least along one side of the shield to ~acilitate insertion.
The widened opening may be _or example at least 10, or W0 95/19019 2 1 7 9 9 ~ 4 ~ ..,5 .~c ~
possibly at least 60 mm.
Preferably, the arrival of the note i8 automatically sensed so as to actuate the decision means . This ~ltnm~ti r sensing could be achieved using one or more of the sensor or S sensors used for the testing operation, or alternatively a separate arrival sensor could be provided.
Preferably, the machine is operable to give a first positive indication if the note is tested and found to be genuine, and a different positive indication if the note is tested and found to be counterfeit, 80 that the user knows when the test ig finished. There is preferably also a third indication state, which is given when the apparatus is ready to receive and test a further note.
Use of these techniques enables the construction of a counterfeit ~.~tert1nn apparatus which is simple, easy to use and relatively rapid in operation, Pn~hl inr quick insertion of successive banknotes after each testing operation, which is reliable and which can be used while m~int~;ninr customer cnn ~ n r e .
Counterfeit detection apparatus embodying the inventior will now be described, by way of example, with re~erence to the ar~ ying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view o~ a first ~mho~i t of the invention;
2S Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a section taken o~ line 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second ~ t;
Figure S is an end view of the Figure 4 r~mho~ t;
Figure 6 is a block diagram of circuitry which can be used in the apparatus of Firure 1 or that of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a third ~ t;
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the third ' ~; ;
Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry of the third embodiment;
3S Figure 10 is a main flowchart illustrating the operation o~ the third F.mhnrii m~nt; and Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the ~l~th~nt; cation W0 9511901g r~
2 1 79q94 6 routine performed by the third embodiment.
Figure 1 shows apparatus for i~ tinr a banknote with light and then measuring the amount of fluorescent light and reflected light.
As shown the al?paratus includes a generally rectangular rrr~t~inPr 100 having a window 102 against which a banknote to be sensed can be placed. Within the rrnt~;nPr lO0 there is provided an elongate light source 104 or producing light in the 365 nm region and directing it through the window 102.
0 A180 within the rnnt~inPr are two photo-diodes 105 and 106 spaced apart from one another but angularly 1 nrl; nP~ so that their optical axes intersect generally at the outer surface of the window 102. Each photo-diode 105 and 106 is mounted on the floor of a respec~lve tubular opaque housing 108 and 110.
The inner walls of the housing are lined with reflective material to increase the sensitivity o~ the photo-diodes. A
365 nm band pass optical filter 112 covers the hou3ing 108 and a 450 nm band pass optical filter covers the housing 110. The bandwidth o~ the filters is such that they do not overlap.
The lamp 104 is surrounded on three sides by reflectivc~
material 116, for example aluminium foil, which reflects light generally in the direction of the window 102 to rrnr~ntrate the light at the window.
Pre~erably the reflective material is so positioned around the light source that the optical plane of the light directed at the window makes the same angle with the window as do the optical axes of the photo-detectors in a manner to ensure that the photo-detec~ors receive the maximum fluoresc2nt and maximum rPfl ~.rt~.~ light from any bankrlote placed on the windo~ 102. Although it is pre~erred that at least the photr,s~nqrr for the reflected light receive light ~rom the source which has been specularly re~lected, this is not e8sential.
The window 102 is provided by a glass plate which reflects some oi~ the light received fro~ the source 104 back to the photo-diode 105. The light is pr;nr;r~l ly reflected back i~:om the glas8-air boundary of the plate and typically ~ WO 9S/19019 2 l 7 9 9 9 4 F~l, ., -is around 8~ o_ the light directed at the glass plate.
When a genuine banknote is placed on the window theamount of reflected light at 365 nm is usually fairly small and so typically the amount o_ re_lected light will increase 5 ~rom 896 to a value in the range of from 12 to 18~. Thus it will be seen that the light r~f 1 .o~-t~d _rom the pla~e when no banknote is present can be used as a re_erence level to compare the degree of r~fl et-t; nn with when a banknote i9 present .
Thus any diminution in light output from the lamp due to ageing or any other defect is ~llt~-~t;cally compensated.
Other errors are also ~1 ;m;nAte~ because the light paths and ~ ^ntq used to determine the reference level are the same as the light paths and ,- ~ ^ntc used to e_fect a 15 measurement.
In the case of f luorescence the amount of f luorescent light emitted by a counterfeit banknote is generally several orders higher than the amount of light emitted by a genuine banknote and so any degradation o_ the light source 104 makes 20 little or no difference to the detection of _luorescent light.
Nevertheless, it has been found that improved operation may be obtained by using the ~.~t.~'-t~d ~luorescence when no banknote is present as a reference level.
An electronic processor (not shown but which will be 25 described in more detail hereinafter) monitors the light received by both photocells with the lamp 104 switched on.
In the absence of a banknote on a window the photocell 105 will provide a steady 8tate output. As soon as a banknote is placed on the window t~e output ~rom the photocell 105 will 30 rise and a trigger signal is then generated to activate two mea,,u, ~ circuits ~or measuring the outputs of the two photocells 105 and 106.
The measurement circuits provide readings which can be displayed by a display device 126, and a decision circuit 35 will, in response to the readings, activate one of two optical indicators 122 and 124 respectively indicating that the banknote is genuine or co~nt~rf~; t .
WO 95119019 r.~ r -2 1 799~4 A printer (not shown) may be provided to record the values digplayed by the display device 126.
It will thus be seen that the apparatus is ~t t;cally activated by the placement of a banknote on the window to 5 determine whether the banknote is genuine or counter~eit.
Figures 4 and 5 show another ~mho~ , wherein like refere~ce numbers lndicate like ~1 tc. It is to be noted that any features described with reference to the first t may be applied to this second :: ' -'; and vlc~
10 versa.
The l~mho~; - of Figures 4 and 5 has a shield 400 located over the window 102 ~ormed in the housing 100 which represents a base part of the structure. The shield 400 is spaced from the window 102 by a small distance d of, e .g. 0 . 5 15 to 5 mm . As can be seen f rom Figure 5, the lef t, right and front sides of the shield 400 are open so that a user gripping a banknote can 6wipe it through the space betwee~ the shield 4 o 0 and window lQ2 ~rom the lef t to the right side of the shield 400 without letting go. The leit edge 402 of the 20 shield 400 is curved upwardly to provide a widened ~ntrAnre to the gap to facilitate insertion. The entrance gap D is pre~erably at least several times greater than the gap d, and may for example be 10 to 6Q mm.
The housing~ 100 has a receptacle ~part 404 adjacent the 25 right side of the shield 400 for receiving banknotes after they have been swiped past the window 102. There is a third indicator 406 which is ;llllm;n~te~ when the appara~us is ready to receive and test a banknote . The i n~; r~t~rs 122, 124 and 406 thus form an inrl;c~t;on means having four indication 30 states, and the apparatus may be operated as follows. When a shop agsistant is handed a stack oi bills, she passes them one by one through the gap between the shield and the window, each time waiting for the in~i;r~tor 406 to be ;llllm;n~ted (indication state A~ . The inrl;r~trr 406 ceases to be 35 ;ll1lm;nAt,~ (state B) when the bill is rptprted. The indicator 122 is ;llllmin~te~ tstate C) after successful testing and the bill withdrawn and placed in the receptacle 2 1 79q94 ~ WO 95ll9019 P~
404. The next bill is then tested. If any bill is counterfeit, the inri;r~tnr 124 is instead illuminated (state D~ .
The block diagram of Figure 6 shows the processor in more detail. The photocells as represented by the blocks 105 and 106 preferably include built-in amplifiers. Each feeds a respective trigger circuit 130 and 132 for detecting a rapid change in signal for example as a result of a banknote being placed on the window. Either or both trigger circuits 130 and 132 feed a signal to a gate 134 which, via actuator 140, actuates two mea~u~ -t circuits 136 and 138 (for example by supplying power to them or deactivating inhibitors which inhibit their operation) and deactuates the ;nrlir~tnr 406 (if present) . A delay circuit in the actuator 140 deactuates the measurement circuits 136 and 138 after a short measurement period. A first comparator 142 compares the output of the photocell 105 with a reference value stored in a store 144 and an output dependent on the r~ tinnchi~ between the detected value and the ref erence value is generated and is ~ed simultaneously to logic circuits 146 and 148. The signal stored in the store 144 is derived from the photocell 105 during the r~UieSCent state of the apparatus. The output of the photocell 105 is amplified by an amplifier 150 by a factor of between 25~ and 50~ and stored in the store 144. As soon as the actua~or 140 is triggered, the ampli~ier 150 is inhibited 80 that the store 144 only stores the r~uiescent value of reflected light. (In practice a delay circuit or similar may be provided 80 the r~uiescent value in the store 144 is not inf luenced by the increased output which triggers actuator 140 . ) A comparator 152 compares the output of the measurement circuit 138 with a reference value 154 and generates an output signal ~l~pf~n~ nt on the relat;nnchi~
therebetween which is fed to the two logic circuits 146 and 148 .
The logic gates 146 and 148 are enabled by the actuator 140 (via a delay circuit 156 to allow time for the measurements to stabilise~ . The logic circuit }46 responds WO 95119019 F~ ~
2179'~4 lo ~
when a genuine note is detected to e~ergise the ;n~ tnr 122.
Similarly the logic circuit 148 responds to energise the indicator 124 when a counterfeit note is detected. Relative to the dynamic ranges of the sensor circuits, it is expected that a genuine banknote will produce relatively low r~ rr~n~
from both photospn~ors~ Accordingly, if the comparators 142 and 152 compare their inputs with a simple threshold, the logic gate 146 may be arranged to produce an output only if each input ;n~;~'AtF'A that the respective threshold has not been ~YnGell~d, and the logic gate 148 can produce an output in other circumstances.
Pre~erably, however, one or both of the comparators 142 and 152 is/are arranged to compare its input with upper and lower thresholds ~f;n;n~ a window around a reference level and to produce one output i_ the input i5 between the thresholds and a diiferent output otherwi3e. Thus, the apparatus may be arranged to determine a banknote to be genuine only i_ a (probably relatively low) level of fluorescence is detected and only i~ a (relatively low) reflectivity is detected.
The actual values at the outputs o~ the two measured circuits 136 and 1~8 are fed to the display 126 (if present) ~or display thereby.
If it is re~uired to make more precise measurement of the fluore6cence signal then it can be normalised to the re_erence level in the same way as the reflectance signal. The associated reference level may thus be ~Pp,-n~1~nt on the detected qn; ~ nt _luorescence or on the detected ~ n~nt W radiation.
A~ter the indicator 122 or 124 has been ill-~m;nAt.-~, and the trigger circuits sense that the note has been withdrawn, the actuator 140 causes the ; ntl; ~atnr 406 to be illuminated again .
It will be appreciated that the value o~ the reference signals stored in the stores 144 and 154 can be adjusted as required. This could be done at rnAn~1fActure during a calibration stage, or means may be E1rovided for user-~j WO 95119019 2 1 7 9 9 9 4 r~
adjustment. Switch mear.s may be provided for altering the reference values to correspond with pre-stored references suitable for currencies of respective countries. If desired, the apparatus could be made self-calibrating by automatically adjusting one or more of the reference values 80 that they at least appr~ t~ly track the actual measured values of notes determ. ined to be genuine .
To reduce further the ef fect o~ ambient light the light source can be modulated at a selected frequency and the ou~puts of the photo diodes rl~mA~ t~d at the same frequency to ~1 ;m;n~tc~ the effects of ambient light.
The circuit o~ Figure 6 can be used either with the first-described ~mho~i;me~nt~ in which case the in~;m~t~r 406 is not required, or the second described Pmh~;m~nt, in which case the display 126 is not required.
The size of the area of banknote from which r=rl;~tir~n is received by the sensors 105 and 106 (which corresponds subst~nt;~lly with the window size) is pre~erably large, e.g.
at least 6 cm~ and preferably at least 30 cm2. Preferably, the size corresponds to at least 10~ of the area of the note~
to be tested. Sensing a large area of the banknote makes the measurements less ~1.-pon-l~nt on positioning and alignment.
A third ~mhnr1imf~nt of the invention will now be described wi~h reerence to Figures 7 and 8, which show the structure of tke ~mho~ nt, Figure 9, which schematically illustrates a circuit of the embodiment, and Figures 10 and 11 which are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the ~mho~imont~ Any o~ the ~eatures o~ the structure, circuit or f lowchart can be implemented in either o~ the ~mhorl; q described above;
similarly, any of the features described above could be incorporated in the third ~mhorl;l Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the l~mhcl~l;m~nt has a housing 700 comprising a lower, base section 702 and an upper sec~lon 704. The upper section is supported at its rear (shown at the left in Figures 7 and 8~ on the base section 702 in such a way that there is a gap 706 between the two sections, except for the region at the rear. As in the second Wo 9~/l9019 r~ 't , mho~;mf.n~c, the gap is intended to permit a bank~ote to enter therein ~or r~rrk;nr1 its ~llthPn~;city. For this purpose, the base section 702 is provided at its top with a window (not shown) to allow measurements to be made on a banknote in the 5 slot 706. The filot has a small height, e.g. lmm, and the underside o~ the upper 3ection 704 i8 non-re_lective in the region o_ the window, so as to enhance the accuracy of the measurements. The window may for example be in the shape oi:
a square, each side measuring approximately 40 mm.
A hidden hinge permits the upper section 704 to be pivoted upwardly about an axis shown at 708 to facilitate rl~n; nr~ in the region of the slot.
On the upper surface oi the upper section 704 there are a main display 710, which in this case is a bi-colour LED
( i . e . it can be caused to display either a red or a green colour), holes 712 through which sounds ~rom a speaker 714 (Fir,ure 9~ with a built-in ~rnrl;fiPr can pass, a pushbutton 716, which acts as a volume control (successive operation3 switch between o~, low, medium and high volume modes), currency in~;r~tors comprising three LEDs 718, 720 and 72~
adjacent which are respective indicia 724, 726 and 728, and a currency-selector button 730. In the second and third embodiments, the internal structure o~ the lower base unit, including the dLLdn~ t of the light source, reflectors, window and sensors, may correspond to that of the housing 100.
As shown i Figure 9 (which illustrates only the relevant parts 4i the circuitry), these switches , ~EDs and speaker are coupled via an input/output bus 732 to a controller _ormed by a microprocessOr 734 which has ;nr~rn~l ROM and R~M memories.
The input/output bus is also connected to two control inputs of analog-to-digital converters 736 and 738 which are respectively arranged to receive outputs ~rom sensors 105 and 106, corresponding to those described with re~erence to the earlier ~ ;m, nt~ The digital outputs o the analog-to-digital converters 736 and 738 are coupled via a databus 740 to the rnicroprocessor 734.
Referring to Figure 10, when the apparatus is powered-up, WO 9~/l90l9 2 1 ~ q ~ ~ ~ r~
the proyram stored in the ROM of the mi.:Lu~Lucessor 734 starts at step 1000. After the apparatus is powered up, during step 1001, there i8 a delay period while the light source st~h; l; ~q and during which the I~ED 710 is steadily 5 illuminated to produce a red light. The light is switched off and the program then proceeds to step 1002. The apparatus then determines whether either o the pushbuttons 716 and 730 has been operated. If either switch is operated, ~Lu~Liate action is taken at step 1004. I the pushbutton 716 has been 10 operated, the current setting or the audio volume, as stored in a RAM location, is altered. Successive operations of the switch thus step through successive different volume modes.
The pushbutton 730 is a currency-spl~t;nn switch. This embodiment is capable o operating with any one o three 15 different currencies (e.g. English, Scottish and Irish~ .
Although the apparatus is not ;nt,on~Pd to discriminate between different ,~ n~tions of a currency, the paper, ink and printing processes used or different ~ n~t;r~n~ within a particular currency often have sufficiently similar 20 characteristics that the same apparatus can determire ;I1lthPnti~lty for a plurality of ~n~m;n~tionS, so long as they are associated with a single currency. In this lomhor1;m,~nt, the selectable currencies are ;n~ t~l by indicia 724, 726 and 728, and operation o the pushhutton 730 causes the 25 associated ~ED3 718, 720 and 722 to light in succession.
Accordingly, the operator merely presses the pushbutton 73 0 until the liED associated wlth his selected currency is illuminated .
The volume and currency settings may then be stored in 30 a non-volatile memory ~not shown) so that they are correct upon power-up.
At step 1006, the processor 734 causes the analog-to-digital converter 736 to read the output of the sensor 105.
This is ~omr~r~ with a previously-stored value representing 35 a measurement when no banknote is present. The amount by which the present mea~uL, t exceeds the previously-stored mea:~UL. t is calculated. (Instead of taking the difference WO 95/19019 r~
2 ~ 7999~ 14 between the present and the previously-s~ored measurement, th~
program may calculate a ratio. ) At step 1008, if this amount exceeds a predetPr~; nPd thresho~d, then it is assumed that a banknote is present, and the program proceeds to carry out an 5 ;~ thPnt; ~ati~ n operation indicated at step 1010 and shown in more detail in E~gure 11. Otherwise, the program proceeds to step 1012, where the previously-stored measurement is replaced by the current measurement. The program then loops back to step 1002.
The ~llt~Pntir~t;on operation is shown in more detail at Figure 11, and starts at step 1100. This step i8 reached as soon as a user inserts a banknote. This would be done by swiping the ~ote f rom lef t to right, as in the second embodiment, or by inserting the note toward the rear, to a 15 re~erence surface, and withdrawing it from the front.
First, at step 1102, the program waits for a pr-~PtP~m;n~ delay time. This may be for e ample around 20 mS, to allow time for the banknote to be fully inserted. A
counter N is then set to zero, and the program proceeds to 20 step 1104. Here, the program causes both the converter 735 and 73~ to operate to take measurements ~rom the respective sensors 105 and 106. The program tllen proceeds to step 1106, where the program waits for a brie~ delay period and then in~,, q the counter N. At step 1108, the program checks 25 to see whether the counter N has reached 15, and i~ not the program loops back to steps llQ4 and 1105. In this manner, 15 successive reflectivity measurement9 and 15 successive fluorescence meaYuL.. Ilts are made. (~he value 15 i8 preferably a variable which is alterable depending on, e.g.
30 the range of countries in which the apparatus is to be used.) At step 1110, the program checks the data a~sociated with the q,~1 PrtP~ currency. This data, which is stored in ROM, includes a measurement technir~ue value, and four threshold values to be described below. The measurement technique value 35 determines how the 15 measurements for each of re~lectivity and f luore8cence are to be proce8sed . Depending upon the mea~u,l -t technique value, the program will proceed either W095/190l9 21 79994 r.~
to step 1112, or to step 1114. At step 1112, the highest of the reflectivity values and the highest of the fluorescence values are taken, and the rest are discarded. At step 1114, the reflectivity values are averaged, and the fluorescence 5 values are averaged. It has been found that either of these two techniques might be the more reliable, ~op~ntiln~ upon the currency in cauestion. The program rrnt eerlq then to step 1116.
Xere, the program will have a single value repr~q,=ntin~
measured fluorescence 1 nt~n~ d to be representative of the 10 banknote as a whole, and a single value representing measured reflectivity. The program calculates the ratio of those values to the respective previously-stored values. These two ratios are used as the final reflectivity and fluorescence mea,~uL~ q.
The above technique, which involves taking a plurality of readings and then performing a process to derive a single measurement, is preferred, because it makes the apparatus even less sensitive to position of the banknote. It also slightly in,~,.~qc.q the effective area of the banknote over which 2 0 readings are taken .
At step 1113, the program compares the final reflectivity measurement with two of the threshold values mentioned above, associated with the selected currency. These are upper and lower thresholds, and the program proceeds to step 1120 only 25 if the reflectivity measurement lies between these thresholds.
Otherwise, the program proceeds to a step 1122, where the user is given an indication that the note has not been th~ntl ~-~t,~d. For example, the ~ED 710 is caused to flash red twice, and the speaker 714 is caused to emit a loud alarm 3 0 noise .
At step 1120, the program checks the fluorescence measurement against the other two thresholds associated with the selected currency, which represents upper and lower permissible fluorescence limits. I the 1uorescent 35 mea,.uL~ t lies between these limits, the program proceeds to step 1124, but otherwise the program proceeds to step 1122.
If the program reaches step 1124, this means that the banknote WO 95tl9019 r~ J.I~
~179994 16 has passed the Al~th~nt~ rity test, and the L~:D 710 is caused to ~lash green once, and a short and audibly-distinct rnnfirt"qtjnn noise i6 emitted by the speaker 714.
A~ter step 1122 or step 112~, the program proceeds to 5 step 1126, wherein the reflectivity level is repeatedly measured by op~rAtinr the analog-to-digital converter 736 until it ~rl ;n~e to the threshold level m~nrinr~Pd above.
There is then a short delay period to allow su'ficient time for the banknote to have been completely removed, following 10 which the Atlth~nt1r;ty routine ftn;~hPc at step 112~.
In this ,~ , the final fluorescence mea:,u~
is based on both the currently-detected level of 'luorescence, and a previously-stored reading which was taken when no banknote was present. To ensure that there is a sufficient 15 level to obtain a reliable readiny o~ fluorescence when no banknote is present, pre~erably the apparatus is provided with ~luorescent material (not shown) which is sufficient to cause a measurable signal to be generated in the absence of a banknote . This --t~r; Al can be positloned within the lower 20 section 702 of the housing, possibly on the underside of the window (in which case it needs to be small so as not to obscure a banknote inserted into the apparatus) or adjacent the window. A--re~erer~ce level g,~tl,~rAtP~ pr,o~nminAn~ly in response to re~lection from this fluorescent material is more z5 stable.
In an alternative ~mhl~; t, the currency data can cause either averaging, or peak detection, or botk, to be performed;
in the latter situation there are derived two values for re~lectivity (and/or fluorescence), each derived ~rom the same 30 readingg arLd each reprpc~nrAt;ve of the banknote as a whole.
The above ' ~;mPnt could also be -~;f;-d by arranging for the processor to examine the dif~erences between the measurements _or reflectivity (and~or the measurements for fluorescence) . The arrangement could be such that a banknote 35 is rejected unless reflectivity (and/or fluorescence) measurements exhibit deviations ~r~P~; n~ a particular threshold. This operation may also be per~ormed in ~rl-nnF-nr~
W0 9~ll90l9 on the data associated with the selected currency. This would avoid erroneously accepting counterfeits which exhibit overall the correct reflectivity and fluorescence characteristic3, but which did not show the spatial variations expected of a 5 genuine banknote.
In operation of the apparatus, the LED 710 has a number of states. A cnnt;nllnus red illllmin~tion indicates that the apparatus is warming up. No ;llllmin~tion indicates that the apparatus is ready to receive a banknote. A short green pulse 10 in~ir~tpq that the apparatus has completed its ~llthPnt;cation and found the bill to be valid, and two red pulses indicates that ~llthPnti r~tion has been completed and the bill has been found to be a counterfeit. The apparatus is ready for use subst~nti~lly instAnt~npnusly after the good/bad indication 15 is given, so no further indication state is needed.
To a near apprnl~ir-tion the following rPl~t;nnRh;r applies:
r,= (Ps/Pr) ~rg/ (l_rg) 2 where P9 is the reflected portion of the ;rrari;atinr 20 signal from the specimPn, Pr is similarly that portio~
returned from the glass plate to be used as a reference, and rr and rg are the copff;ripnt~ of re1ectance from the specimen and the glass plate. It will be noted that the effect o variation in rg is neglisible i small and 25 significant if rg is alIowed to become large. Also that the relationship is inherently non linear and has been simplified to a irst approximation. More precise normalisation could be carried out i~ required.
It has been observed that W rPflertinn from a banknote 3 0 varies with the degree o soiling . It may be possible to measure the degree of soiling (e.g. by using an infra-red source and measuring the amount of r~ tinn transmitted through the note) and to compensate by adjusti~g the reference values stored accordingly. Preferably at least most of the 35 infra-red light path is the same as that o the W r~ ti~-n so that the response is also sensitive to soiling in other areas, e . g . on the glass plate . There could be a manual - - -WO 95119019 I ~
switch which ib operated when the user sees that a note is soiled to alter one or both re_erence values.
Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus could be arranged to take a third measurement, of infra-red 5 re~lectivity (or t~ nl::mi cstvity), and use the results in a similar way to W reflectivity and fluorescence to determine ~llth,~nticity. To be deemed ~llth~nt;c, the banknote would have to then pass all three tests.
The signal indicating a counter_eit note could be applied 10 to a timer which produces a pulse o_, for example, appr~-ri r-t.-l y one second which ~tl~t~C an audible and/or a visual alarm. The output pulse from the timer may also or alternatively be applied to a line driver which is adapted to provide a suitabie signal for application to a management 15 system. This management system may be used to provide a war~ing to a remote control position, such as a manager' s or security office in a shop for example, that a counterfeit note has been i~ntifif~ Thus, as an alternative or in addition to the warnings at the point of sale (ie the till), management 20 or security is discreetly; nf- ~. The line driver may, in one example, provide TTL signals.
It may be use~ul to be able to monitor the output oi- the lamp directly bO that lamp degradation can be noted and thus the lamp replaced in good time. This rnay be achieved by 25 applying the output from the Eensor lQ5 (or another sensor receiving r~ t i ~n ~rom the source ~ 04 irrespective o_ the presence of a banknote) to an input oI a comparator. Another input of the cDmparator wDuld receive a suitable threshold value. Ii the signal ~rom the sensor becomes less than this 3Q threshold value then a signal is output rom comparator to a warning' means (e.g. audible and/or visual) to warn the operator to replace the lamp or oue o~ its c, ~ntc, Instead of making only one measurement o~ fluorescence it would be possible to make a plurality of measurements at 35 different wavelengths using, e.g. diC_eren~ optical filter3, and to base the determini~tion of gPnl~tn~nl~c5 on the relative distri hUt j ~-n~ .
WO 95ll9019 2 1 7 9 q 9 ~ r~
In the above ' -'i t,5 the mea~luL tF: 0~ re~lectiVity and fluorescence are separately processed to ~l~tP~min~ whether each is appropriate for a genuine banknote. Instead, the ;nea:,u. ~c could be combined (e.g. by multiplication or 5 division), preferably after pre-processiny at least one of them, and the result then tested to determine whether it is .u"uLiate for a genuine note. For example, the difference between each mea~u- ~ t and a mean obtained by measuring a plurality of genuine notes may be squared, and the squares lO summed to obtain an overall measurement of the note.
Although it is preferred that the measured ~luorescence be generated by the same W source as is used ior measuring reflectivity, a different source may alternatively be used.
It would be possible to modify the above-described --ir-ntc 50 that only one sensor is used, e.g. by making the measurements in succession and switching filters.
The apparatus of the present invention may be ~mhQ~i Pi in a banknote counting machine for automatically counting notes in a stack and providing an alarm indication i~ a 2 0 counterf eit note is detected . The apparatus may also b~
embodied in a safe box system provided with means ~or conveying notes to a sa~e, and testing each note be~ore deposit. Alternatively, the apparatus could be attached to the side of a cash till.
Figure 1 shows apparatus for i~ tinr a banknote with light and then measuring the amount of fluorescent light and reflected light.
As shown the al?paratus includes a generally rectangular rrr~t~inPr 100 having a window 102 against which a banknote to be sensed can be placed. Within the rrnt~;nPr lO0 there is provided an elongate light source 104 or producing light in the 365 nm region and directing it through the window 102.
0 A180 within the rnnt~inPr are two photo-diodes 105 and 106 spaced apart from one another but angularly 1 nrl; nP~ so that their optical axes intersect generally at the outer surface of the window 102. Each photo-diode 105 and 106 is mounted on the floor of a respec~lve tubular opaque housing 108 and 110.
The inner walls of the housing are lined with reflective material to increase the sensitivity o~ the photo-diodes. A
365 nm band pass optical filter 112 covers the hou3ing 108 and a 450 nm band pass optical filter covers the housing 110. The bandwidth o~ the filters is such that they do not overlap.
The lamp 104 is surrounded on three sides by reflectivc~
material 116, for example aluminium foil, which reflects light generally in the direction of the window 102 to rrnr~ntrate the light at the window.
Pre~erably the reflective material is so positioned around the light source that the optical plane of the light directed at the window makes the same angle with the window as do the optical axes of the photo-detectors in a manner to ensure that the photo-detec~ors receive the maximum fluoresc2nt and maximum rPfl ~.rt~.~ light from any bankrlote placed on the windo~ 102. Although it is pre~erred that at least the photr,s~nqrr for the reflected light receive light ~rom the source which has been specularly re~lected, this is not e8sential.
The window 102 is provided by a glass plate which reflects some oi~ the light received fro~ the source 104 back to the photo-diode 105. The light is pr;nr;r~l ly reflected back i~:om the glas8-air boundary of the plate and typically ~ WO 9S/19019 2 l 7 9 9 9 4 F~l, ., -is around 8~ o_ the light directed at the glass plate.
When a genuine banknote is placed on the window theamount of reflected light at 365 nm is usually fairly small and so typically the amount o_ re_lected light will increase 5 ~rom 896 to a value in the range of from 12 to 18~. Thus it will be seen that the light r~f 1 .o~-t~d _rom the pla~e when no banknote is present can be used as a re_erence level to compare the degree of r~fl et-t; nn with when a banknote i9 present .
Thus any diminution in light output from the lamp due to ageing or any other defect is ~llt~-~t;cally compensated.
Other errors are also ~1 ;m;nAte~ because the light paths and ~ ^ntq used to determine the reference level are the same as the light paths and ,- ~ ^ntc used to e_fect a 15 measurement.
In the case of f luorescence the amount of f luorescent light emitted by a counterfeit banknote is generally several orders higher than the amount of light emitted by a genuine banknote and so any degradation o_ the light source 104 makes 20 little or no difference to the detection of _luorescent light.
Nevertheless, it has been found that improved operation may be obtained by using the ~.~t.~'-t~d ~luorescence when no banknote is present as a reference level.
An electronic processor (not shown but which will be 25 described in more detail hereinafter) monitors the light received by both photocells with the lamp 104 switched on.
In the absence of a banknote on a window the photocell 105 will provide a steady 8tate output. As soon as a banknote is placed on the window t~e output ~rom the photocell 105 will 30 rise and a trigger signal is then generated to activate two mea,,u, ~ circuits ~or measuring the outputs of the two photocells 105 and 106.
The measurement circuits provide readings which can be displayed by a display device 126, and a decision circuit 35 will, in response to the readings, activate one of two optical indicators 122 and 124 respectively indicating that the banknote is genuine or co~nt~rf~; t .
WO 95119019 r.~ r -2 1 799~4 A printer (not shown) may be provided to record the values digplayed by the display device 126.
It will thus be seen that the apparatus is ~t t;cally activated by the placement of a banknote on the window to 5 determine whether the banknote is genuine or counter~eit.
Figures 4 and 5 show another ~mho~ , wherein like refere~ce numbers lndicate like ~1 tc. It is to be noted that any features described with reference to the first t may be applied to this second :: ' -'; and vlc~
10 versa.
The l~mho~; - of Figures 4 and 5 has a shield 400 located over the window 102 ~ormed in the housing 100 which represents a base part of the structure. The shield 400 is spaced from the window 102 by a small distance d of, e .g. 0 . 5 15 to 5 mm . As can be seen f rom Figure 5, the lef t, right and front sides of the shield 400 are open so that a user gripping a banknote can 6wipe it through the space betwee~ the shield 4 o 0 and window lQ2 ~rom the lef t to the right side of the shield 400 without letting go. The leit edge 402 of the 20 shield 400 is curved upwardly to provide a widened ~ntrAnre to the gap to facilitate insertion. The entrance gap D is pre~erably at least several times greater than the gap d, and may for example be 10 to 6Q mm.
The housing~ 100 has a receptacle ~part 404 adjacent the 25 right side of the shield 400 for receiving banknotes after they have been swiped past the window 102. There is a third indicator 406 which is ;llllm;n~te~ when the appara~us is ready to receive and test a banknote . The i n~; r~t~rs 122, 124 and 406 thus form an inrl;c~t;on means having four indication 30 states, and the apparatus may be operated as follows. When a shop agsistant is handed a stack oi bills, she passes them one by one through the gap between the shield and the window, each time waiting for the in~i;r~tor 406 to be ;llllm;n~ted (indication state A~ . The inrl;r~trr 406 ceases to be 35 ;ll1lm;nAt,~ (state B) when the bill is rptprted. The indicator 122 is ;llllmin~te~ tstate C) after successful testing and the bill withdrawn and placed in the receptacle 2 1 79q94 ~ WO 95ll9019 P~
404. The next bill is then tested. If any bill is counterfeit, the inri;r~tnr 124 is instead illuminated (state D~ .
The block diagram of Figure 6 shows the processor in more detail. The photocells as represented by the blocks 105 and 106 preferably include built-in amplifiers. Each feeds a respective trigger circuit 130 and 132 for detecting a rapid change in signal for example as a result of a banknote being placed on the window. Either or both trigger circuits 130 and 132 feed a signal to a gate 134 which, via actuator 140, actuates two mea~u~ -t circuits 136 and 138 (for example by supplying power to them or deactivating inhibitors which inhibit their operation) and deactuates the ;nrlir~tnr 406 (if present) . A delay circuit in the actuator 140 deactuates the measurement circuits 136 and 138 after a short measurement period. A first comparator 142 compares the output of the photocell 105 with a reference value stored in a store 144 and an output dependent on the r~ tinnchi~ between the detected value and the ref erence value is generated and is ~ed simultaneously to logic circuits 146 and 148. The signal stored in the store 144 is derived from the photocell 105 during the r~UieSCent state of the apparatus. The output of the photocell 105 is amplified by an amplifier 150 by a factor of between 25~ and 50~ and stored in the store 144. As soon as the actua~or 140 is triggered, the ampli~ier 150 is inhibited 80 that the store 144 only stores the r~uiescent value of reflected light. (In practice a delay circuit or similar may be provided 80 the r~uiescent value in the store 144 is not inf luenced by the increased output which triggers actuator 140 . ) A comparator 152 compares the output of the measurement circuit 138 with a reference value 154 and generates an output signal ~l~pf~n~ nt on the relat;nnchi~
therebetween which is fed to the two logic circuits 146 and 148 .
The logic gates 146 and 148 are enabled by the actuator 140 (via a delay circuit 156 to allow time for the measurements to stabilise~ . The logic circuit }46 responds WO 95119019 F~ ~
2179'~4 lo ~
when a genuine note is detected to e~ergise the ;n~ tnr 122.
Similarly the logic circuit 148 responds to energise the indicator 124 when a counterfeit note is detected. Relative to the dynamic ranges of the sensor circuits, it is expected that a genuine banknote will produce relatively low r~ rr~n~
from both photospn~ors~ Accordingly, if the comparators 142 and 152 compare their inputs with a simple threshold, the logic gate 146 may be arranged to produce an output only if each input ;n~;~'AtF'A that the respective threshold has not been ~YnGell~d, and the logic gate 148 can produce an output in other circumstances.
Pre~erably, however, one or both of the comparators 142 and 152 is/are arranged to compare its input with upper and lower thresholds ~f;n;n~ a window around a reference level and to produce one output i_ the input i5 between the thresholds and a diiferent output otherwi3e. Thus, the apparatus may be arranged to determine a banknote to be genuine only i_ a (probably relatively low) level of fluorescence is detected and only i~ a (relatively low) reflectivity is detected.
The actual values at the outputs o~ the two measured circuits 136 and 1~8 are fed to the display 126 (if present) ~or display thereby.
If it is re~uired to make more precise measurement of the fluore6cence signal then it can be normalised to the re_erence level in the same way as the reflectance signal. The associated reference level may thus be ~Pp,-n~1~nt on the detected qn; ~ nt _luorescence or on the detected ~ n~nt W radiation.
A~ter the indicator 122 or 124 has been ill-~m;nAt.-~, and the trigger circuits sense that the note has been withdrawn, the actuator 140 causes the ; ntl; ~atnr 406 to be illuminated again .
It will be appreciated that the value o~ the reference signals stored in the stores 144 and 154 can be adjusted as required. This could be done at rnAn~1fActure during a calibration stage, or means may be E1rovided for user-~j WO 95119019 2 1 7 9 9 9 4 r~
adjustment. Switch mear.s may be provided for altering the reference values to correspond with pre-stored references suitable for currencies of respective countries. If desired, the apparatus could be made self-calibrating by automatically adjusting one or more of the reference values 80 that they at least appr~ t~ly track the actual measured values of notes determ. ined to be genuine .
To reduce further the ef fect o~ ambient light the light source can be modulated at a selected frequency and the ou~puts of the photo diodes rl~mA~ t~d at the same frequency to ~1 ;m;n~tc~ the effects of ambient light.
The circuit o~ Figure 6 can be used either with the first-described ~mho~i;me~nt~ in which case the in~;m~t~r 406 is not required, or the second described Pmh~;m~nt, in which case the display 126 is not required.
The size of the area of banknote from which r=rl;~tir~n is received by the sensors 105 and 106 (which corresponds subst~nt;~lly with the window size) is pre~erably large, e.g.
at least 6 cm~ and preferably at least 30 cm2. Preferably, the size corresponds to at least 10~ of the area of the note~
to be tested. Sensing a large area of the banknote makes the measurements less ~1.-pon-l~nt on positioning and alignment.
A third ~mhnr1imf~nt of the invention will now be described wi~h reerence to Figures 7 and 8, which show the structure of tke ~mho~ nt, Figure 9, which schematically illustrates a circuit of the embodiment, and Figures 10 and 11 which are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the ~mho~imont~ Any o~ the ~eatures o~ the structure, circuit or f lowchart can be implemented in either o~ the ~mhorl; q described above;
similarly, any of the features described above could be incorporated in the third ~mhorl;l Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the l~mhcl~l;m~nt has a housing 700 comprising a lower, base section 702 and an upper sec~lon 704. The upper section is supported at its rear (shown at the left in Figures 7 and 8~ on the base section 702 in such a way that there is a gap 706 between the two sections, except for the region at the rear. As in the second Wo 9~/l9019 r~ 't , mho~;mf.n~c, the gap is intended to permit a bank~ote to enter therein ~or r~rrk;nr1 its ~llthPn~;city. For this purpose, the base section 702 is provided at its top with a window (not shown) to allow measurements to be made on a banknote in the 5 slot 706. The filot has a small height, e.g. lmm, and the underside o~ the upper 3ection 704 i8 non-re_lective in the region o_ the window, so as to enhance the accuracy of the measurements. The window may for example be in the shape oi:
a square, each side measuring approximately 40 mm.
A hidden hinge permits the upper section 704 to be pivoted upwardly about an axis shown at 708 to facilitate rl~n; nr~ in the region of the slot.
On the upper surface oi the upper section 704 there are a main display 710, which in this case is a bi-colour LED
( i . e . it can be caused to display either a red or a green colour), holes 712 through which sounds ~rom a speaker 714 (Fir,ure 9~ with a built-in ~rnrl;fiPr can pass, a pushbutton 716, which acts as a volume control (successive operation3 switch between o~, low, medium and high volume modes), currency in~;r~tors comprising three LEDs 718, 720 and 72~
adjacent which are respective indicia 724, 726 and 728, and a currency-selector button 730. In the second and third embodiments, the internal structure o~ the lower base unit, including the dLLdn~ t of the light source, reflectors, window and sensors, may correspond to that of the housing 100.
As shown i Figure 9 (which illustrates only the relevant parts 4i the circuitry), these switches , ~EDs and speaker are coupled via an input/output bus 732 to a controller _ormed by a microprocessOr 734 which has ;nr~rn~l ROM and R~M memories.
The input/output bus is also connected to two control inputs of analog-to-digital converters 736 and 738 which are respectively arranged to receive outputs ~rom sensors 105 and 106, corresponding to those described with re~erence to the earlier ~ ;m, nt~ The digital outputs o the analog-to-digital converters 736 and 738 are coupled via a databus 740 to the rnicroprocessor 734.
Referring to Figure 10, when the apparatus is powered-up, WO 9~/l90l9 2 1 ~ q ~ ~ ~ r~
the proyram stored in the ROM of the mi.:Lu~Lucessor 734 starts at step 1000. After the apparatus is powered up, during step 1001, there i8 a delay period while the light source st~h; l; ~q and during which the I~ED 710 is steadily 5 illuminated to produce a red light. The light is switched off and the program then proceeds to step 1002. The apparatus then determines whether either o the pushbuttons 716 and 730 has been operated. If either switch is operated, ~Lu~Liate action is taken at step 1004. I the pushbutton 716 has been 10 operated, the current setting or the audio volume, as stored in a RAM location, is altered. Successive operations of the switch thus step through successive different volume modes.
The pushbutton 730 is a currency-spl~t;nn switch. This embodiment is capable o operating with any one o three 15 different currencies (e.g. English, Scottish and Irish~ .
Although the apparatus is not ;nt,on~Pd to discriminate between different ,~ n~tions of a currency, the paper, ink and printing processes used or different ~ n~t;r~n~ within a particular currency often have sufficiently similar 20 characteristics that the same apparatus can determire ;I1lthPnti~lty for a plurality of ~n~m;n~tionS, so long as they are associated with a single currency. In this lomhor1;m,~nt, the selectable currencies are ;n~ t~l by indicia 724, 726 and 728, and operation o the pushhutton 730 causes the 25 associated ~ED3 718, 720 and 722 to light in succession.
Accordingly, the operator merely presses the pushbutton 73 0 until the liED associated wlth his selected currency is illuminated .
The volume and currency settings may then be stored in 30 a non-volatile memory ~not shown) so that they are correct upon power-up.
At step 1006, the processor 734 causes the analog-to-digital converter 736 to read the output of the sensor 105.
This is ~omr~r~ with a previously-stored value representing 35 a measurement when no banknote is present. The amount by which the present mea~uL, t exceeds the previously-stored mea:~UL. t is calculated. (Instead of taking the difference WO 95/19019 r~
2 ~ 7999~ 14 between the present and the previously-s~ored measurement, th~
program may calculate a ratio. ) At step 1008, if this amount exceeds a predetPr~; nPd thresho~d, then it is assumed that a banknote is present, and the program proceeds to carry out an 5 ;~ thPnt; ~ati~ n operation indicated at step 1010 and shown in more detail in E~gure 11. Otherwise, the program proceeds to step 1012, where the previously-stored measurement is replaced by the current measurement. The program then loops back to step 1002.
The ~llt~Pntir~t;on operation is shown in more detail at Figure 11, and starts at step 1100. This step i8 reached as soon as a user inserts a banknote. This would be done by swiping the ~ote f rom lef t to right, as in the second embodiment, or by inserting the note toward the rear, to a 15 re~erence surface, and withdrawing it from the front.
First, at step 1102, the program waits for a pr-~PtP~m;n~ delay time. This may be for e ample around 20 mS, to allow time for the banknote to be fully inserted. A
counter N is then set to zero, and the program proceeds to 20 step 1104. Here, the program causes both the converter 735 and 73~ to operate to take measurements ~rom the respective sensors 105 and 106. The program tllen proceeds to step 1106, where the program waits for a brie~ delay period and then in~,, q the counter N. At step 1108, the program checks 25 to see whether the counter N has reached 15, and i~ not the program loops back to steps llQ4 and 1105. In this manner, 15 successive reflectivity measurement9 and 15 successive fluorescence meaYuL.. Ilts are made. (~he value 15 i8 preferably a variable which is alterable depending on, e.g.
30 the range of countries in which the apparatus is to be used.) At step 1110, the program checks the data a~sociated with the q,~1 PrtP~ currency. This data, which is stored in ROM, includes a measurement technir~ue value, and four threshold values to be described below. The measurement technique value 35 determines how the 15 measurements for each of re~lectivity and f luore8cence are to be proce8sed . Depending upon the mea~u,l -t technique value, the program will proceed either W095/190l9 21 79994 r.~
to step 1112, or to step 1114. At step 1112, the highest of the reflectivity values and the highest of the fluorescence values are taken, and the rest are discarded. At step 1114, the reflectivity values are averaged, and the fluorescence 5 values are averaged. It has been found that either of these two techniques might be the more reliable, ~op~ntiln~ upon the currency in cauestion. The program rrnt eerlq then to step 1116.
Xere, the program will have a single value repr~q,=ntin~
measured fluorescence 1 nt~n~ d to be representative of the 10 banknote as a whole, and a single value representing measured reflectivity. The program calculates the ratio of those values to the respective previously-stored values. These two ratios are used as the final reflectivity and fluorescence mea,~uL~ q.
The above technique, which involves taking a plurality of readings and then performing a process to derive a single measurement, is preferred, because it makes the apparatus even less sensitive to position of the banknote. It also slightly in,~,.~qc.q the effective area of the banknote over which 2 0 readings are taken .
At step 1113, the program compares the final reflectivity measurement with two of the threshold values mentioned above, associated with the selected currency. These are upper and lower thresholds, and the program proceeds to step 1120 only 25 if the reflectivity measurement lies between these thresholds.
Otherwise, the program proceeds to a step 1122, where the user is given an indication that the note has not been th~ntl ~-~t,~d. For example, the ~ED 710 is caused to flash red twice, and the speaker 714 is caused to emit a loud alarm 3 0 noise .
At step 1120, the program checks the fluorescence measurement against the other two thresholds associated with the selected currency, which represents upper and lower permissible fluorescence limits. I the 1uorescent 35 mea,.uL~ t lies between these limits, the program proceeds to step 1124, but otherwise the program proceeds to step 1122.
If the program reaches step 1124, this means that the banknote WO 95tl9019 r~ J.I~
~179994 16 has passed the Al~th~nt~ rity test, and the L~:D 710 is caused to ~lash green once, and a short and audibly-distinct rnnfirt"qtjnn noise i6 emitted by the speaker 714.
A~ter step 1122 or step 112~, the program proceeds to 5 step 1126, wherein the reflectivity level is repeatedly measured by op~rAtinr the analog-to-digital converter 736 until it ~rl ;n~e to the threshold level m~nrinr~Pd above.
There is then a short delay period to allow su'ficient time for the banknote to have been completely removed, following 10 which the Atlth~nt1r;ty routine ftn;~hPc at step 112~.
In this ,~ , the final fluorescence mea:,u~
is based on both the currently-detected level of 'luorescence, and a previously-stored reading which was taken when no banknote was present. To ensure that there is a sufficient 15 level to obtain a reliable readiny o~ fluorescence when no banknote is present, pre~erably the apparatus is provided with ~luorescent material (not shown) which is sufficient to cause a measurable signal to be generated in the absence of a banknote . This --t~r; Al can be positloned within the lower 20 section 702 of the housing, possibly on the underside of the window (in which case it needs to be small so as not to obscure a banknote inserted into the apparatus) or adjacent the window. A--re~erer~ce level g,~tl,~rAtP~ pr,o~nminAn~ly in response to re~lection from this fluorescent material is more z5 stable.
In an alternative ~mhl~; t, the currency data can cause either averaging, or peak detection, or botk, to be performed;
in the latter situation there are derived two values for re~lectivity (and/or fluorescence), each derived ~rom the same 30 readingg arLd each reprpc~nrAt;ve of the banknote as a whole.
The above ' ~;mPnt could also be -~;f;-d by arranging for the processor to examine the dif~erences between the measurements _or reflectivity (and~or the measurements for fluorescence) . The arrangement could be such that a banknote 35 is rejected unless reflectivity (and/or fluorescence) measurements exhibit deviations ~r~P~; n~ a particular threshold. This operation may also be per~ormed in ~rl-nnF-nr~
W0 9~ll90l9 on the data associated with the selected currency. This would avoid erroneously accepting counterfeits which exhibit overall the correct reflectivity and fluorescence characteristic3, but which did not show the spatial variations expected of a 5 genuine banknote.
In operation of the apparatus, the LED 710 has a number of states. A cnnt;nllnus red illllmin~tion indicates that the apparatus is warming up. No ;llllmin~tion indicates that the apparatus is ready to receive a banknote. A short green pulse 10 in~ir~tpq that the apparatus has completed its ~llthPnt;cation and found the bill to be valid, and two red pulses indicates that ~llthPnti r~tion has been completed and the bill has been found to be a counterfeit. The apparatus is ready for use subst~nti~lly instAnt~npnusly after the good/bad indication 15 is given, so no further indication state is needed.
To a near apprnl~ir-tion the following rPl~t;nnRh;r applies:
r,= (Ps/Pr) ~rg/ (l_rg) 2 where P9 is the reflected portion of the ;rrari;atinr 20 signal from the specimPn, Pr is similarly that portio~
returned from the glass plate to be used as a reference, and rr and rg are the copff;ripnt~ of re1ectance from the specimen and the glass plate. It will be noted that the effect o variation in rg is neglisible i small and 25 significant if rg is alIowed to become large. Also that the relationship is inherently non linear and has been simplified to a irst approximation. More precise normalisation could be carried out i~ required.
It has been observed that W rPflertinn from a banknote 3 0 varies with the degree o soiling . It may be possible to measure the degree of soiling (e.g. by using an infra-red source and measuring the amount of r~ tinn transmitted through the note) and to compensate by adjusti~g the reference values stored accordingly. Preferably at least most of the 35 infra-red light path is the same as that o the W r~ ti~-n so that the response is also sensitive to soiling in other areas, e . g . on the glass plate . There could be a manual - - -WO 95119019 I ~
switch which ib operated when the user sees that a note is soiled to alter one or both re_erence values.
Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus could be arranged to take a third measurement, of infra-red 5 re~lectivity (or t~ nl::mi cstvity), and use the results in a similar way to W reflectivity and fluorescence to determine ~llth,~nticity. To be deemed ~llth~nt;c, the banknote would have to then pass all three tests.
The signal indicating a counter_eit note could be applied 10 to a timer which produces a pulse o_, for example, appr~-ri r-t.-l y one second which ~tl~t~C an audible and/or a visual alarm. The output pulse from the timer may also or alternatively be applied to a line driver which is adapted to provide a suitabie signal for application to a management 15 system. This management system may be used to provide a war~ing to a remote control position, such as a manager' s or security office in a shop for example, that a counterfeit note has been i~ntifif~ Thus, as an alternative or in addition to the warnings at the point of sale (ie the till), management 20 or security is discreetly; nf- ~. The line driver may, in one example, provide TTL signals.
It may be use~ul to be able to monitor the output oi- the lamp directly bO that lamp degradation can be noted and thus the lamp replaced in good time. This rnay be achieved by 25 applying the output from the Eensor lQ5 (or another sensor receiving r~ t i ~n ~rom the source ~ 04 irrespective o_ the presence of a banknote) to an input oI a comparator. Another input of the cDmparator wDuld receive a suitable threshold value. Ii the signal ~rom the sensor becomes less than this 3Q threshold value then a signal is output rom comparator to a warning' means (e.g. audible and/or visual) to warn the operator to replace the lamp or oue o~ its c, ~ntc, Instead of making only one measurement o~ fluorescence it would be possible to make a plurality of measurements at 35 different wavelengths using, e.g. diC_eren~ optical filter3, and to base the determini~tion of gPnl~tn~nl~c5 on the relative distri hUt j ~-n~ .
WO 95ll9019 2 1 7 9 q 9 ~ r~
In the above ' -'i t,5 the mea~luL tF: 0~ re~lectiVity and fluorescence are separately processed to ~l~tP~min~ whether each is appropriate for a genuine banknote. Instead, the ;nea:,u. ~c could be combined (e.g. by multiplication or 5 division), preferably after pre-processiny at least one of them, and the result then tested to determine whether it is .u"uLiate for a genuine note. For example, the difference between each mea~u- ~ t and a mean obtained by measuring a plurality of genuine notes may be squared, and the squares lO summed to obtain an overall measurement of the note.
Although it is preferred that the measured ~luorescence be generated by the same W source as is used ior measuring reflectivity, a different source may alternatively be used.
It would be possible to modify the above-described --ir-ntc 50 that only one sensor is used, e.g. by making the measurements in succession and switching filters.
The apparatus of the present invention may be ~mhQ~i Pi in a banknote counting machine for automatically counting notes in a stack and providing an alarm indication i~ a 2 0 counterf eit note is detected . The apparatus may also b~
embodied in a safe box system provided with means ~or conveying notes to a sa~e, and testing each note be~ore deposit. Alternatively, the apparatus could be attached to the side of a cash till.
Claims (52)
1. Apparatus for detecting counterfeit banknotes comprising a detector for providing a first signal indicative of the reflectivity of an object within a first wavelength band and a second signal indicative of the fluorescence of the object within a second wavelength band different from said first wavelength band, and decision means for deciding based on said first and second signals, whether said object is a genuine banknote and providing an appropriate indication.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said first wavelength band is the ultraviolet light wavelength band and said second wavelength band is within the range 400 to 500 nm.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 including a transparent plate for supporting a said object on one side thereof with the detector being located on the other side thereof and directed at the object through said plate.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said detector comprises first and second photocells each positioned to receive light from a said object and respectively arranged to be sensitive to light only in said first wavelength band and light only in said second wavelength band.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 as dependant upon Claim 3 including reference means for storing a first reference level which is a function of the light reflected by the plate in the absence of an object thereon and received by the first photocell, the decision means using the reference level in deciding whether the said object is a genuine banknote.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 as dependant upon Claim 3 including means for illuminating a said object, wherein the optical axes of the photocells and the illuminating means converge upon that surface of the plate which is arranged to support a said object.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including shielding means for shielding said detector from ambient light.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including control means for taking a plurality of readings of reflectivity of a banknote and a plurality of readings of fluorescence of the banknote, and for processing the readings to obtain a single reflectivity measurement and a single fluorescence measurement.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, including means for selecting between first and second processing modes, in which the plurality of reflectivity readings and/or the plurality of fluorescence readings are processed in different ways.
10 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including currency selecting means for switching said apparatus into different currency modes, whereby the criteria by which said first and second signals are treated as representing a counterfeit banknote are altered.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 9, including currency selecting means for switching said apparatus into different currency modes, whereby the criteria by which said first and second signals are treated as representing a counterfeit banknote are altered, said processing mode selection means selecting the processing mode on the basis of the selected currency .
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said decision means comprises indication means for providing a first indication when the object is a counterfeit banknote and a second indication when the object is a genuine banknote.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said indication means is operable to provide a third indication when the apparatus is ready to receive and test a said object.
14. Apparatus for detecting counterfeit banknotes, the apparatus comprising a housing having a base, a window in an upper surface of the base, a radiation source within the base for illuminating a sheet placed over the window and sensor means responsive to radiation received from the sheet so that a test can be carried out to determine whether the sheet is a genuine banknote, and a shield overlying the window in such a way as to allow the sheet to be inserted between the window and the shield, to reduce the amount of ambient light received by the sensor means.
15 . Apparatus for detecting counterfeit banknotes, the apparatus comprising a housing having a first part containing a radiation source and provided with a window for enabling a sheet to be illuminated by the source, sensor means responsive to radiation from the illuminated sheet for enabling a test to be performed to determine whether the sheet is a genuine banknote and a shield overlying the window for reducing the amount of ambient light received by the sensor means, the shield being separated from the window by a narrow gap sufficient to allow insertion of the sheet therebetween, the narrow gap having a relatively wide opening at at least one side of the shield to facilitate such insertion.
16. Apparatus claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein the gap between the shield and the window is open on at least two adjacent sides, so that the sheet can be inserted from one side and withdrawn from another.
17. Apparatus claimed in Claim 17, wherein the sap is open on two opposed sides of the shield so that a note can be held by user while it is drawn across the window from one of the opposed sides to the other opposed side.
18. Apparatus for detecting counterfeit banknotes, the apparatus comprising a housing having a first part containing a radiation source and provided with a window for enabling a sheet to be illuminated by the source, sensor means responsive to radiation from the illuminated sheet for enabling a test to be performed to determine whether the sheet is a genuine banknote and indication means having at least three states, a first state being adopted prior to the results of the test being indicated, a second state indicating that the sheet is a genuine banknote and a third state indicating that the sheet is a counterfeit banknote.
19. Apparatus for detecting counterfeit documents, the apparatus comprising a housing containing a radiation source and a radiation sensor means, the arrangement being such that a user holding a document can transport the document along a path in proximity to the housing so that the document is illuminated by the source and so that the sensor means receives radiation from the document, the sensor means being responsive to radiation from the illuminated document in at least two discrete wavebands for enabling a test to be performed to determine whether the document is genuine.
20. Apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein the sensor means is responsive to ultraviolet radiation and fluorescence generated in response to ultraviolet radiation.
21. Apparatus claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 20, wherein the sensor means is operable to detect radiation from an illuminated area of the sheet of at least 6 cm2 .
22. A method of detecting counterfeit banknotes, the method comprising manually transporting a sheet past a source of ultraviolet radiation, taking a plurality of readings of reflected ultraviolet radiation and a plurality of readings of fluorescence as the sheet passes the source, processing the readings so as to obtain a first signal representative of the ultraviolet reflectivity of the sheet and a second signal indicative of the fluorescence of the sheet, and providing a signal indicating that the sheet is a genuine banknote if the first and second signals meet predetermined criteria.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, including taking at least one infrared reading and providing the signal indicating that the sheet is a genuine banknote only if the first signal, the second signal and the infrared reading meet predetermined criteria.
24. Apparatus for detecting counterfeit banknotes, the apparatus comprising a housing having a window, means for illuminated a sheet which is moved past the window with ultraviolet radiation, first sensor means for detecting ultraviolet radiation reflected from the sheet, second sensor means for detecting fluorescence generated by the sheet, analog-to-digital converter means for converting the outputs of the first and second sensor means to digital values, processor means for deriving a first signal value representative of the ratio between the output of the first sensor means when a sheet is present and the output of the first sensor means when no sheet is present, and a second signal value representing the ratio between the output of the second sensor means when the sheet is present and the output of the second means when no sheet is present, means for comparing the first signal value with first predetermined upper and lower threshold limits, and for comparing the second signal value with second predetermined upper and lower threshold limits, and means for providing a signal indicating that the sheet is a genuine banknote if the first signal value lies between the first upper and lower threshold limits and the second signal value lies between the second upper and lower threshold limits.
25. A method for detecting counterfeit documents comprising:
illuminating a test item with an ultraviolet light source;
detecting light of a first wavelength with a detection means;
generating a first signal indicative of the reflectivity of the test item;
detecting light of a second wavelength with a detection means;
generating a second signal indicative of the fluorescence of the test item; and deciding whether the test item is genuine based on the first and second signals.
illuminating a test item with an ultraviolet light source;
detecting light of a first wavelength with a detection means;
generating a first signal indicative of the reflectivity of the test item;
detecting light of a second wavelength with a detection means;
generating a second signal indicative of the fluorescence of the test item; and deciding whether the test item is genuine based on the first and second signals.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
providing a visual indication if the test item is genuine.
providing a visual indication if the test item is genuine.
27. The method of claim 25 or 26, further comprising:
providing a visual indication if the test item is counterfeit.
providing a visual indication if the test item is counterfeit.
28. The method of claim 25, 26 or 27 further comprising:
providing an audio indication is the test item is genuine .
providing an audio indication is the test item is genuine .
29. The method of any one of claims 25 to 28, further comprising:
providing an audio indication if the test item is counterfeit .
providing an audio indication if the test item is counterfeit .
30. The method of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein each of said first and second signals represents characteristics of the document over a substantial area thereof .
31. The method of any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein the test item is illuminated through a transparent glass plate, further comprising: generating a reference level from the light reflected from the glass plate when no test item is present for comparison with the degree of reflection of a test item .
32. The method of any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein the step of deciding whether the test item is genuine comprises:
comparing the first signal to a first range of acceptable values;
comparing the second signal to a second range of acceptable values; and accepting the test item as genuine if the first and second signals fall within the first and second ranges.
comparing the first signal to a first range of acceptable values;
comparing the second signal to a second range of acceptable values; and accepting the test item as genuine if the first and second signals fall within the first and second ranges.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first range corresponds to relatively low levels of fluorescence .
34. The method of claim 32 or 33, wherein the second range corresponds to relatively low levels of reflectivity.
35. The method of any one of claims 32 to 34, further comprising:
adjusting the first and second ranges to approximately track the actual measured first and second signal values of test items determined to be genuine.
adjusting the first and second ranges to approximately track the actual measured first and second signal values of test items determined to be genuine.
36. The method of any one of claims 25 to 35, further comprising:
generating a light source signal corresponding to the intensity of the output of the light source;
comparing the light source signal to a threshold value;
and activating a warning means if the light source signal is below the threshold value.
generating a light source signal corresponding to the intensity of the output of the light source;
comparing the light source signal to a threshold value;
and activating a warning means if the light source signal is below the threshold value.
37. The method of any one of claims 25 to 36, further comprising: modulating the light source at a selected frequency; and demodulating the detection means at the same frequency to reduce the effects of ambient light.
38. The method of any one of claims 25 to 37, wherein a plurality of measurements of fluorescence are taken for each test item.
39. A method for determining the genuineness of a banknote using an apparatus that irradiates the banknote with light and that measures the amount of fluorescent light and reflected light, comprising observing an indicator for a signal that the apparatus is ready to receive banknotes;
swiping a banknote through a gap defined by a shield, which blocks ambient light, and a substantially transparent window, through which light from a light source passes;
observing an indicator for a signal that the banknote has been detected;
accepting the banknote if an acceptance indicator is triggered; and rejecting the banknote if a counterfeit indicator is triggered .
swiping a banknote through a gap defined by a shield, which blocks ambient light, and a substantially transparent window, through which light from a light source passes;
observing an indicator for a signal that the banknote has been detected;
accepting the banknote if an acceptance indicator is triggered; and rejecting the banknote if a counterfeit indicator is triggered .
40. A method for determining the genuineness of a banknote using an apparatus that irradiates the banknote with light and measures the amount of reflected light and fluorescent light, comprising:
observing an indicator for a signal that the apparatus is ready to validate banknotes;
transporting a banknote past a transparent window through which light from a source passes;
observing an indicator for an acceptance signal; and accepting the banknote if the acceptance signal is given.
observing an indicator for a signal that the apparatus is ready to validate banknotes;
transporting a banknote past a transparent window through which light from a source passes;
observing an indicator for an acceptance signal; and accepting the banknote if the acceptance signal is given.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of transporting a banknote past the window further comprises:
observing an indicator for a signal that the banknote was detected .
observing an indicator for a signal that the banknote was detected .
42. The method of claim 40 or 41, further comprising:
observing an indicator for a counterfeit signal; and rejecting the banknote if the counterfeit signal is given.
observing an indicator for a counterfeit signal; and rejecting the banknote if the counterfeit signal is given.
43. An apparatus for validating banknotes which contains no moving parts, comprising:
a housing;
a transparent window connected to one side of the housing for supporting a banknote;
a light source contained within the housing;
at least one light detection means in the housing for sensing reflected light from the banknote falling within a first wavelength band and producing a first signal, and for sensing the fluorescent light emanating from the banknote falling within a second wavelength band and producing a second signal;
decision means connected to the light detection means for deciding, based on the first and second signals, whether the banknote is genuine; and indicator means for indicating that the banknote is genuine.
a housing;
a transparent window connected to one side of the housing for supporting a banknote;
a light source contained within the housing;
at least one light detection means in the housing for sensing reflected light from the banknote falling within a first wavelength band and producing a first signal, and for sensing the fluorescent light emanating from the banknote falling within a second wavelength band and producing a second signal;
decision means connected to the light detection means for deciding, based on the first and second signals, whether the banknote is genuine; and indicator means for indicating that the banknote is genuine.
44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the indicator means is operable also for indicating that the banknote is counterfeit.
45. The apparatus of claim 43 or 44, wherein the indicator means is operable also for indicating that the apparatus is ready to validate another banknote.
46. The apparatus of any one of claims 43 to 45, further comprising:
a substantially rectangular shield connected to the housing which lies in a plane over the transparent window, wherein the shield blocks ambient light from falling on the window and forms a channel with the window through which banknotes pass.
a substantially rectangular shield connected to the housing which lies in a plane over the transparent window, wherein the shield blocks ambient light from falling on the window and forms a channel with the window through which banknotes pass.
47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein at least one edge of the shield is rounded to enlarge the opening leading to the channel.
48. The apparatus of claim 46 or 47, wherein the shield is connected to the housing on one side such that a user may grasp a banknote during the entire validation process.
49. The apparatus of any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the light source is modulated at a selected frequency and the output of the light detection means is demodulated at the same frequency to reduce the effects of ambient light.
50. The apparatus of any one of claims 43 to 49, further comprising:
a warning indicator for signalling that the light source has degraded.
a warning indicator for signalling that the light source has degraded.
51. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, further comprising switch means for switching the apparatus between different currency modes, said first upper and lower threshold limits and said second upper and lower threshold limits being dependent upon the selected currency mode, whereby the apparatus is rendered suitable for different currencies, each including a plurality of different denominations.
52. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 or claim 51, including fluorescent material which is arranged to generate fluorescence detected by said second sensor means, such that the output of said second sensor means when no sheet is present is predominantly dependent upon the fluorescence of said material.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOPCT/GB94/00006 | 1994-01-04 | ||
| PCT/GB1994/000006 WO1994016412A1 (en) | 1993-01-09 | 1994-01-04 | Detection of counterfeit objects |
| GB9414084A GB2291705A (en) | 1994-07-12 | 1994-07-12 | Detection of counterfeit bank notes |
| GB9414084.5 | 1994-07-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2179994A1 true CA2179994A1 (en) | 1995-07-13 |
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ID=26304114
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002179994A Abandoned CA2179994A1 (en) | 1994-01-04 | 1995-01-04 | Detection of counterfeits objects, for instance counterfeits banknotes |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5915518A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0738408B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3678748B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1073251C (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1324895A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2179994A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69528153T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2178664T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995019019A2 (en) |
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- 1995-01-04 DE DE69528153T patent/DE69528153T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-01-04 CN CN95191765A patent/CN1073251C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-01-04 JP JP51837395A patent/JP3678748B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-01-04 CA CA002179994A patent/CA2179994A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-01-04 AU AU13248/95A patent/AU1324895A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-01-04 ES ES95904656T patent/ES2178664T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-01-04 WO PCT/GB1995/000022 patent/WO1995019019A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-01-04 US US08/666,294 patent/US5915518A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-01-04 EP EP95904656A patent/EP0738408B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
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| DE69528153D1 (en) | 2002-10-17 |
| AU1324895A (en) | 1995-08-01 |
| ES2178664T3 (en) | 2003-01-01 |
| WO1995019019A2 (en) | 1995-07-13 |
| US5915518A (en) | 1999-06-29 |
| WO1995019019A3 (en) | 1995-10-19 |
| CN1073251C (en) | 2001-10-17 |
| EP0738408B1 (en) | 2002-09-11 |
| DE69528153T2 (en) | 2003-06-05 |
| CN1141682A (en) | 1997-01-29 |
| EP0738408A1 (en) | 1996-10-23 |
| JP3678748B2 (en) | 2005-08-03 |
| JPH09507326A (en) | 1997-07-22 |
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