EP1111552A2 - Authentication of banknotes - Google Patents
Authentication of banknotes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1111552A2 EP1111552A2 EP00311408A EP00311408A EP1111552A2 EP 1111552 A2 EP1111552 A2 EP 1111552A2 EP 00311408 A EP00311408 A EP 00311408A EP 00311408 A EP00311408 A EP 00311408A EP 1111552 A2 EP1111552 A2 EP 1111552A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- light
- properties
- analysed
- received
- areas
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002596 correlated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
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
-
- 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
- G07D7/1205—Testing spectral properties
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
- Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to authentication of design material applied to surfaces, particularly bank notes.
- Machines which accept bank notes, such as automatic vending machines, change machines and the like, require authentication apparatus which is capable of distinguishing between genuine notes and counterfeit copies.
- One example of authentication apparatus is described in GB 2122743B. This apparatus receives light at different wavelengths from the entire surface of the bank note. The received light is analysed in an integrated manner throughout the surface so that reliable authentication can be achieved irrespective of the orientation or positioning of the bank note.
- Whilst this known technique is advantageous and effective, problems can arise due to the colour accuracy of modern photocopiers and other readily available relatively low cost copying equipment such as personal computers with scanners and colour printers.
- The rapid development which has taken place in relation to equipment of this nature has led to an increase in bank note forgery. The quality of the counterfeit bank notes is not usually good enough to deceive the human eye and fingers, but the position is different with conventional electronic bank note readers. Present day bank notes incorporate security features, such as magnetic printing, intaglio printing, holograms, internal threads, fluorescence, micro-printing, etc., which are mostly intended for the human eye. However, conventional bank note readers tend to use techniques based on low-resolution pattern and colour recognition using broad band light emitting diodes and standard photo diodes. Conventional electronic bank note readers can be deceived by counterfeit notes produced with laser or inkjet colour printers, and many of the above mentioned security features can be readily counterfeited to the extent necessary to deceive the reader.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an improved authentication technique, and apparatus using the technique, which is capable of distinguishing effectively between original design material, such as is applied to the surface of a bank note, and counterfeit copies of such material, in particular by relying on a characteristic of the genuine material which is difficult or expensive to counterfeit yet which is fast, easy and cheap to verify with an automatic reader.
- According to one aspect of the invention therefore there is provided a method of authenticating design material applied to a surface wherein light received from an examined such surface is analysed and properties thereof are compared with reference properties pertaining to a genuine such surface, characterised in that the properties are compared with reference to transitions at edges of the design material whereby such material is established as authenticated when the sharpness of such transitions exceeds a predetermined level.
- With this arrangement, reliable and effective authentication can be readily achieved in so far as the technique is utilised to detect counterfeit surfaces which bear design material of a lower level of sharpness than the genuine surface. This is the case in relation to machine copies, such as photocopies or scanned computer printed copies, of high quality printed surfaces such as banknotes. Banknotes are printed such that the edges of design material are very sharp, whereas photocopies or computer printed copies are of much lower resolution and give edges which are imprecise or blurred.
- In particular, one characteristic that separates a genuine bank note from a counterfeit note printed with a computer colour printer is the sharp edges of the ink that the offset and intaglio presses produce. Computer colour printers create colours by mixing a limited number of base colours. This technique creates blurred edges when viewed in high resolution. The intaglio and offset presses are very expensive and therefore not readily accessible to the ordinary counterfeiter. Thus, it can be difficult to deceive the technique of the invention without incurring high expense. On the other hand in so far as the invention can be performed with readily available relatively inexpensive high resolution scanners and fast micro-controllers, the invention can be put into practice conveniently and inexpensively.
- The invention can therefore meet two principal criteria of bank note authentication, namely, reliance on a characteristic which is expensive to reproduce exactly in its genuine form, and use of an authentication method which can be convenient and inexpensive to put into practice.
- The method of the invention may be utilised alone or in combination with any other authentication technique e.g. the technique of GB 2122743B.
- Most preferably, the method of the invention involves analysis of changes in properties between adjacent discrete areas of the surface.
- The discrete areas may comprise small quadrants or pixels which may have an area no larger than 0.02mm2 and preferably which are much smaller, say down to 0.002mm2. The invention is however not necessarily restricted to this range of 0.002mm2-0.02mm2 and areas outside this range may be used. The use of very small areas gives high accuracy of contrast, but requires very high speed measuring equipment which may be more costly.
- The areas may be analysed by measuring received light intensity (signal amplitude) and this may be effected sequentially from area to adjacent area. The analysed changes in properties may constitute rate of change of amplitude from area to adjacent area.
- The analysis may be performed over part or all of the surface, preferably over the entire surface. The rate of change of signal amplitude may be measured from area to area over part of the surface or the entire surface and a mean or averaged value may be derived and used for comparison purposes to establish authentication.
- The analysis may be effected by sequentially receiving light from the different areas using any suitable static or moving examination or scanning technique. Alternatively, the analysis may be effected by receiving light from the surface and properties derived therefrom for the respective areas.
- The received light may be of any suitable nature and may be monochromatic, or multi-colour, or white light, including light within and/or close to the visual spectrum. Monochromatic light may be suitable for determination of sharpness. Multi-colour or white light may be advantageous if other properties of the surface are additionally examined for authentication.
- The light may be received after transmission through or reflection from the surface.
- There may be one source of light and one kind of light receiver, this being suitable for use in the case of monochromatic light.
- Alternatively there may be any suitable combination of one or more sources and one or more receivers and/or one or more filters or the like.
- Thus, in the case of multi-colour or white light, there may be multiple different monochromatic sources with respective multiple different monochromatic receivers, or there may be a single, e.g. white light, source with multiple different monochromatic receivers. Other arrangements are also possible.
- Most preferably the surface is provided by a bank note and the method may be applied to one or both surfaces.
- The invention also provides apparatus for use in performing the above method comprising means for receiving a surface having thereon design material to be authenticated relative to predetermined genuine such material, at least one light source for illuminating the surface, at least one receiver for receiving light from the surface, and an analyser for analysing data representing received light from the surface, said analyser including a comparator to compare this data with corresponding data pertaining to the genuine material, characterised in that the comparator is arranged to compare the data with reference to transitions at edges of the design material so as to produce an indication of authentication when the sharpness of such transitions is greater than a predetermined level.
- The light source may comprise one or more LED's or photo diodes or any other suitable devices.
- The light receiver may comprise a scanner of any suitable construction.
- The analyser may be provided by a micro-computer system.
- The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic representation of one form of authentication apparatus according to the invention.
- Bank note authentication apparatus, as shown in the drawing, has an inlet slot 1 with driven
rollers 2 in communication with an illumination chamber 3. - Within the chamber 3 there is a bank note support bed 4, monochromatic light sources 5 arranged to illuminate the support bed (e.g. at c.570nm wavelength), and a scanner 6 arranged to scan the region of the support bed.
- The scanner 6 is connected to electronic control equipment 7 including a
microprocessor control unit 8, ananalyser 9 including a comparator 10 and a reference data store 11, and input andoutput devices - The chamber 3 has an
outlet slot 14 which is selectively in communication with a banknote receiving device 15, and a banknote return slot 16. - In use a bank note 17 is inserted through the slot 1 and is advanced into the chamber 3 by means of the driven
rollers 2. - Within the chamber 3 the top surface of the bank note 17 on the support bed 4 is illuminated by the light sources 5.
- The scanner 6 operates to scan the illuminated top surface of the bank note 17 and receive an analogue signal of varying amplitude representing reflected light intensity correlated with the scanned position on the surface of the note 17.
- This continuous analogue output is converted to discrete signals corresponding to the light intensity (signal amplitude) at each successive pixel area of the surface having a defined area in the range 0.002-0.02mm2 An 8-bit digital output of signal strength say 1.55 to 3.62 VDC is derived.
- The analyser 9 computes a rate of change of amplitude between successive adjacent areas i.e. between successive derived digital signals.
- This rate of change is averaged over the entire top surface of the bank note and a final average rate of change is derived.
- The note is identified e.g. using the technique of GB 2122743B, or otherwise, and the derived average rate of change is compared with a predetermined reference value in the data store 11 for that bank note.
- If the derived average rate of change is the same as the reference value, or falls below the reference value by no more than a predetermined margin, the note is accepted and is advanced to the
note receiver 15 of the apparatus. - If the derived rate of change falls below the limit of acceptable margin the note is rejected and may be returned through the
reject slot 16. - In effect the apparatus measures the sharpness of transitions at edges of design material on the top surface of the note.
- In the case of a genuine bank note, design material is typically printed with edges of great sharpness and the rate of change of intensity of reflected light is high. In the case of counterfeit copies using photocopiers or computer printers the edges are much less sharp and appear blurred at high resolution whereby the rate of change of intensity of reflected light is low.
- With this arrangement, counterfeit copies can be readily detected in a particularly effective and reliable manner.
- A characteristic of the bank note, namely the sharpness of the printing edges, which is very expensive to copy accurately is used for authentication purposes, and the technique of authentication can be performed using convenient and inexpensive apparatus. The arrangement described above therefore meets principal criteria of bank note authentication and is particularly advantageous.
- It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.
Claims (19)
- A method of authenticating design material applied to a surface wherein light received from an examined such surface is analysed and properties thereof are compared with reference properties pertaining to a genuine such surface, characterised in that the properties are compared with reference to transitions at edges of the design material whereby such material is established as authenticated when the sharpness of such transitions exceeds a predetermined level. A method of authenticating design material applied to a surface wherein light received from an examined such surface is analysed and properties thereof are compared with reference properties pertaining to a genuine such surface, characterised in that the properties are compared with reference to transitions at edges of the design material whereby such material is established as authenticated when the sharpness of such transitions exceeds a predetermined level.
- A method according to claim 1 characterised in that adjacent discrete areas of the surface are analysed for changes in properties.
- A method according to claim 2 characterised in that the discrete areas may comprise small quadrants or pixels which have an area no larger than 0.02 mm2.
- A method according to claim 3 characterised in that small quadrants or pixels have an area in the range 0.002 mm2 to 0.02 mm2.
- A method according to any one of claims 2-4 characterised in that areas may be analysed by measuring received light intensity.
- A method according to claim 5 characterised in that the areas are analysed sequentially from area to adjacent area.
- A method according to claim 6 characterised in that the analysed changes in properties constitute rate of change of amplitude from area to adjacent area.
- A method according to claim 6 or 7 characterised in that the areas are analysed over the entire surface.
- A method according to claim 7 characterised in that a mean or averaged value of signal amplitude is derived for the analysed areas.
- A method according to any one of claims 2 to 9 characterised in that the light is received sequentially from the different areas.
- A method according to any one of claims 2-9 characterised in that the light is received from the surface and properties derived therefrom are subdivided logically for the respective areas.
- A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterised in that the received light is from a monochromatic source.
- A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 characterised in that the light is received after reflection from the surface.
- A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the surface is the surface of a bank note.
- A method according to claim 14 applied to both surfaces of the bank note.
- Apparatus for use in performing the method according to claim 1 comprising means for receiving a surface having thereon design material to be authenticated relative to predetermined genuine such material, at least one light source (5) for illuminating the surface, at least one receiver (6) for receiving light from the surface, and an analyser (9) for analysing data representing received light from the surface, said analyser (9) including a comparator (10) to compare this data with corresponding data pertaining to the genuine material, characterised in that the comparator (10) is arranged to compare the data with reference to transitions at edges of the design material so as to produce an indication of authentication when the sharpness of such transitions is greater than a predetermined level.
- Apparatus according to claim 16 characterised in that the light source may comprise one or more LED's.
- Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17 characterised in that the light receiver comprises a scanner (6).
- Apparatus according to any one of claim 16 to 18 characterised in that the analyser (9) be provided by a micro-computer system (7).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9930028.7A GB9930028D0 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 1999-12-21 | Authentication of designed surfaces |
GB9930028 | 1999-12-21 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1111552A2 true EP1111552A2 (en) | 2001-06-27 |
EP1111552A3 EP1111552A3 (en) | 2003-12-10 |
Family
ID=10866633
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00311408A Withdrawn EP1111552A3 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2000-12-19 | Authentication of banknotes |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1111552A3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9930028D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004047032A1 (en) * | 2002-11-19 | 2004-06-03 | Guardian Sure Scan Limited | Method and apparatus for verifying the authenticity of bank notes |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2122743B (en) | 1982-06-29 | 1986-01-08 | Bergstroem Arne | Apparatus for authenticating bank notes |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4349111A (en) * | 1980-04-04 | 1982-09-14 | Umc Industries, Inc. | Paper currency device |
US4464786A (en) * | 1981-06-17 | 1984-08-07 | Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | System for identifying currency note |
FR2675428B1 (en) * | 1991-04-18 | 1993-08-27 | Banque De France | FIDUCIARY OR SECURITY DOCUMENT HAVING PRINTED GRAPHISLE AND SECURITY SIGNS. |
DE4227613A1 (en) * | 1992-08-20 | 1994-02-24 | Gao Ges Automation Org | Method and device for recognizing printed images on documents |
US5358088A (en) * | 1992-11-25 | 1994-10-25 | Mars Incorporated | Horizontal magnetoresistive head apparatus and method for detecting magnetic data |
-
1999
- 1999-12-21 GB GBGB9930028.7A patent/GB9930028D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2000
- 2000-12-19 EP EP00311408A patent/EP1111552A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2122743B (en) | 1982-06-29 | 1986-01-08 | Bergstroem Arne | Apparatus for authenticating bank notes |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004047032A1 (en) * | 2002-11-19 | 2004-06-03 | Guardian Sure Scan Limited | Method and apparatus for verifying the authenticity of bank notes |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1111552A3 (en) | 2003-12-10 |
GB9930028D0 (en) | 2000-02-09 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5530772A (en) | Apparatus and method for testing bank notes for genuineness using Fourier transform analysis | |
US6291829B1 (en) | Identification of recording medium in a printer | |
EP1490828B1 (en) | Currency verification | |
US5719948A (en) | Apparatus and methods for fluorescent imaging and optical character reading | |
US8781176B2 (en) | Determining document fitness using illumination | |
EP1250682B2 (en) | Document monitoring method | |
US7256874B2 (en) | Multi-wavelength currency authentication system and method | |
US8780206B2 (en) | Sequenced illumination | |
US7584890B2 (en) | Validator linear array | |
US7936914B2 (en) | Authenticity determination method, apparatus, and program | |
CA2298494A1 (en) | Security element structure for documents, devices for checking documents with such security elements, method for the use thereof | |
US20060244948A1 (en) | Systems and methods for validating a security feature of an object | |
EP0910837B1 (en) | Bank note validator | |
WO2004036508A2 (en) | Multi-wavelength currency authentication system and method | |
CN100501763C (en) | Method for characterizing texture of areas within an image corresponding to monetary banknotes | |
EP0718808A2 (en) | Document authentication system | |
JP2004151833A (en) | Document verification method and device | |
EP0917112B1 (en) | Sheet discriminating apparatus | |
EP0660277B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for the characterization and discrimination of legal tender bank notes and documents | |
EP1111552A2 (en) | Authentication of banknotes | |
JP2008224557A (en) | Inspection method and inspection device of infrared absorption print area printed in infrared absorption ink | |
JP3736028B2 (en) | Bill discrimination device | |
JP4378509B2 (en) | Anti-counterfeit sheet, authenticity determination method thereof, and authenticity determination device thereof | |
JP4288998B2 (en) | Paper authentication method | |
WO2006097712A1 (en) | Authentication method employing colour signature |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: 7G 07D 7/20 B Ipc: 7G 07D 7/12 A |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20030103 |