Check-actuated control mechanisms – Control mechanism actuated by check – other than coin – which... – By pliant currency
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-04
2001-07-10
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3652)
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Control mechanism actuated by check, other than coin , which...
By pliant currency
C194S206000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257389
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a device for examining securities, especially bank notes, including a transport facility for conveying the securities along a transport path and a recognition facility arranged on the transport path.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The automatic recognition of bank notes and other securities is an important concern in the bank area as well as, for example, at the point of sale. The construction of hardware is not unimportant for a trouble-free transport of bank notes and the quality of the reading process. It should make possible a high processing speed. The precision and performance capacity of the hardware frequently leads to high equipment costs owing to which market opportunities can be perceptibly reduced.
A device for examining the authenticity of individual bank notes at the point of sale is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,040. It is outfitted with two optical scanners lying directly opposite each other in order to scan the front and reverse side of the bank note. Rollers for transporting the bank notes are provided in front of and behind the scanners. The rod-like optical scanners are constructed for digitalization and detection of the numbers printed on the notes. The notes are transported and processed longitudinally.
Rod-like optical scanners are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,992 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,273, for example, and are obtainable on the market.
A note recognition device is known from DE 39 17 419 A1 wherein the bank note is illuminated with a light source for testing value and authenticity which covers at least two different wavelength ranges. The reflected light is detected with two different sensors (green light and red light sensor) and recorded line by line. A difference signal is determined and compared with a specified pattern for recognition.
The known devices are unsatisfactory in mechanical and electronic respects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to indicate a device of the abovementioned type which has effective and nonetheless relatively economical hardware. In particular, a high degree of certainty of recognition at a high transportation speed should be made possible.
In accordance with the invention, the recognition facility includes two integrated optical modules arranged alongside each other for scanning the securities in two different wavelength ranges.
Each module is a mechanically closed unit, and generates and processes the prescribed wavelength in any given case independently. As a consequence, the optical components can be optimally adjusted to the respective spectral range. Manufacture of the device of the invention can take place with prefabricated components which have a prescribed (geometrical-mechanical) precision in themselves. When assembling, it is sufficient to ensure that the module is exactly positioned.
In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the modules are assembled with parallel long axes but with front panels slightly tipped in relation to each other. The modules thus both scan the same side of the security whereby the scanning housing areas are slightly tipped toward each other, as mentioned. It should be noted that this aspect of the invention is independent of whether the modules process different wavelength ranges or not.
The scanning housing surfaces are, for example, tipped toward each other at an angle larger than 0°. If the angle is too small, the place of the line of contact between bank note and rear front panel is not specified sufficiently accurately. If on the contrary, the angle is too large, then the front panel mentioned acts as an obstacle instead of as a deflection.
Front panels impinge upon each other at the edges (or the adjacent side walls) and thereby enables reliable guidance of the security without the aid of additional mechanical guide elements. The rear module in the direction of conveyance can easily be set back in relation to the front one (for example, by 1 mm).
Due to the tipped arrangement of the front panel of the second module, the front edge of the bank notes is pushed on to the front panel of the second module after leaving the front panel of the rear module at a certain angle. The inclination of the second front panel forces a small change in direction. As a consequence of this, the leaf-like object is bent. Due to a certain internal stability, the bending leads to the bank note standing in contact with the front panel in the area of the scanning axis of the second module.
Setting the second module back in relation to the first can, in addition, be used to fix the place on which the bank note strikes the front panel.
The integrated optical modules are advantageously asymmetrical when regarded in cross section toward the long axis. The optical scanning axes of the adjacent module can be brought closer to each other in this way. The modules are basically constructed identically (even if operating with different wavelengths), and laid almost laterally inverted alongside each other.
The wavelength ranges of the first module can lie in the visible range and that of the other outside the visible spectrum. For example, the first module can operate with green light and the other with infrared or ultraviolet light. But more than two wavelengths and a corresponding number of modules can be provided. Basically each module operates monochromatically. It is conceivable, however, that, for example, one of the modules may process several wavelengths.
An optical module suitable for recognition extends over the entire breadth of the transport path of the securities. For example, several light sources (e.g, light-emitting diodes) are integrated—arranged at regular intervals—for illuminating the surface of the security to be examined. Instead of individual punctiform light sources, a fluorescent tube or the like can also be provided. The optical scanning axis is imaged by a larger number of imaging elements (for example, rod lenses) on optical detector points. The number of detector points as a rule corresponds to a multiple (for example, tenfold) of the imaging elements. The entire arrangement is located in a tightly closed, prismatic (for example, square in cross section) housing with a transparent cover.
Over against the optical model, a transport roller is advantageously provided. The bank notes are pressed by this onto the transparent front sides of the module. The roller mentioned can be arranged approximately in the middle between the modules (that is, at the transition of the front sides adjacent to one another). For example, it makes contact in the area of the rear edge of the front panel in the direction of transport. The object is to assure, with a single roller or drum, that the security is in contact with the modules (namely in the area of the scanning axis) so that an unchanging optical imaging quality exists.
The entire device (feeding apparatus, transport track, storage, etc.) is preferably constructed such that the bank notes (or securities) can be transported and processed crosswise. At the specified transport speed, more bank notes can consequently be processed per unit of time. Furthermore, a deviation from the correct position is less critical.
Further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention emerge from the subsequent detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims.
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patent: WO 97/31340 (1997-08-01), None
Meier Oskar
Paping Martin
Ascom Autelca AG
Lillis Eileen D.
Tran Thuy V.
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