Security reader for automatic detection of tampering and alteration
First Claim
1. An apparatus for reading information from a first light transmissive layer and a second layer of an object, said apparatus comprising, in combination:
- first light source means (26) for directing light (35, 36) at a first angle of incidence at the object at a first time;
second light source means (24) for directing light (33) at a second angle of incidence, different to said first angle of incidence, at the object at a second time;
a light receiving device (40) for receiving a reflection (37) of said first light (35, 36) from said first layer at said first time, and a reflection (34) of said second light (33) from said second layer at said second time and to produce at least one image signal; and
a processing device (41) for processing said image signal to provide information regarding said layers.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A document (10) is covered by a laminate (13) comprising a layer of microspheres (16) over an adhesive layer (14) covering a source image (12) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (11). Light impinging on the document (10) is split by the optical properties of the microspheres (16) and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres (16), through the adhesive layer (14) and strikes the substrate (11) or source image (12) on the document (10), and is reflected (18) and scattered (20). Alternatively, the laminate (13) can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer (14). Light impinging on the laminate (13) passes through the polyester and laminate (14) to strike the substrate (11) or source image (12) where it is reflected.and scattered. A first light source (24) directs light to the document (10). A second light source (26,27) directs light towards a beam splitting mirror (23) which reflects the light to the document (10). The light turning properties of the mirror (23) produce a light source which appears to an image receiver (40) as being returned from the surface of the document (10) at an angle of less than 1°. The image receiver (40) passes a signal via line (32) to a personal computer (41) which processes the received information. Such processing is to establish whether the document (10) includes a retroreflective laminate, a plain polyester laminate, or neither. Additionally, further processing can establish whether the document (10) has been tampered with, altered, or forged.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for reading information from a first light transmissive layer and a second layer of an object, said apparatus comprising, in combination:
-
first light source means (26) for directing light (35, 36) at a first angle of incidence at the object at a first time;
second light source means (24) for directing light (33) at a second angle of incidence, different to said first angle of incidence, at the object at a second time;
a light receiving device (40) for receiving a reflection (37) of said first light (35, 36) from said first layer at said first time, and a reflection (34) of said second light (33) from said second layer at said second time and to produce at least one image signal; and
a processing device (41) for processing said image signal to provide information regarding said layers. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
2. An apparatus for reading information from a first light transmissive layer and a second layer of an object, said apparatus comprising, in combination:
-
first light source means (26) for directing light of a first predetermined wavelength or polarity (35, 36) at a first angle of incidence at the object;
second light source means (24) for directing light of a second predetermined wavelength or polarity (33) at a second angle of incidence, different to said first angle of incidence, at the object;
a light receiving device (40) for receiving a reflection (37) of said first light (35, 36) from said first layer, and a reflection (34) of said second light (33) from said second layer and to produce at least one image signal; and
a processing device (41) for processing said image signal to provide information regarding said layers.
-
-
24. A method for examining an object having a source image (12) and overlying light transmissive layer, said method comprising the steps of:
-
directing light at a first time at a first angle of incidence at said layer to cause reflection of light from said layer;
directing light at a second time at a second angle of incidence at said source image (12) to cause reflection of light from said source image (12);
detecting said reflected light from said layer at said first time and at a first viewing location to provide a first detected image;
detecting said reflected light from said source image (12) at said second time and at a second viewing location to provide a second detected image; and
processing said first and/or second images to resolve information regarding said source image (12) and/or said layer.
-
-
25. A method for examining an object having a source image (12) and an overlying light transmissive layer, said method comprising the steps of:
-
directing light of a first predetermined wavelength or polarity at a first angle of incidence at said layer to cause reflection of light from said layer;
directing light of a second predetermined wavelength or polarity at a second angle of incidence at said source image (12) to cause reflection of light from said source image (12);
detecting said reflected light of said first predetermined wavelength or polarity from said layer and said reflected light of said second predetermined wavelength or polarity from said source image (12) to provide first and second detected images; and
processing said first and/or second images to resolve information regarding said source image (12) and/or said layer.
-
Specification