PAPER DOCUMENT VALIDATION APPARATUS

• US 3,583,237 A
• Filed: 04/14/1969
• Issued: 06/08/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jack E. Bayha
• Original Assignee: Jack E. Bayha
• Inventors: Bayha, Jack E.
• Application Number:
  US04/815,926
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• US Class Current: 73/865.9
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/181 Testing mechanical properties or condition, e.g. wear or tear G07D7/16 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting authenticity of paper currency or documents being printed with intaglio type printing so that the printing raises bumps or contours on the surface of the document. Authentication is made by detecting a predetermined section of the document which has uniformly spaced bumps or contours from the surface thereof commonly formed by parallel uniformly spaced lines by some type of mechanical transducer, normally in the configuration of a vertically sensitive phonograph needle. Relative movement is provided between the needle and the document at a uniform speed so that an audio frequency is detected by the needle moving over the bumps or contours. If the audio frequency is within a proper band, it actuates an audio sensitive reed. The vibration of the reed closes a circuit that indicates authentication and payout, or any other output signal is then generated.

Claims

1. Apparatus to detect authenticity of paper documents having at least one section of uniformly spaced surface bumps or contours, which apparatus comprises a frame defining a testing area, electromechanical transducer means positioned within the testing area adapted to engage the surface of a document entering therein and produce a signal indication thereof, means to carry a document and effect relative uniform movement between the document and the transducer means in the testing area, means to generate an audio frequency signal from the signal indication of thE transducer means, and an electromechanical filter including an audio frequency sensitive switch actuated by a proper frequency signal from the last said means to indicate an authentication.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 where the means to carry the document and effect relative uniform movement comprises a document-carrying frame, a screw threadably received by the frame, motor means to rotatably drive the screw to effect translational uniform movement of the frame relative to the screw, and means to effect reversible control and stopping action of the motor occasioned by the movement of the frame.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 where the electromechanical transducer means is a piezoelectric needle pickup which includes an amplifier to effect amplification of the electrical signal from the piezoelectric needle pickup.

4. Apparatus to detect authenticity of paper documents having at least one section of uniformly spaced surface bumps or contours, which apparatus comprises a frame defining a testing area, electromechanical transducer means positioned within the testing area adapted to engage the surface of a document entering therein and produce a signal indication thereof, means to carry a document and effect relative uniform movement between the document and the transducer means in the testing area, means to generate a frequency signal from the signal indication of the transducer means, and a frequency sensitive switch actuated by a proper frequency signal from the last said means to indicate an authentication, the frequency-sensitive switch being a reed which has a mechanical resonant period so as to be readily excited into resonance by a proper frequency signal.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 where the reed is made of spring steel, and its natural predetermined period of resonance is determined by the rate of relative movement between the document and the piezoelectric pickup needle, and the spacing of the lines in the portrait background section of the type document which is to be engaged by the pickup needle.

6. Apparatus to detect authenticity of a test article having at least one section of uniformly spaced bumps or contours on the surface thereof which are at least slightly raised with respect to the surface thereof which comprises a frame to carry a test article, an electromechanical transducer means having a pickup needle adapted to engage the surface of the test article, means to effect relative uniform movement between the frame and the transducer means to have the pickup needle pass over the uniformly spaced bumps or contours on the surface of the test article to generate an electrical frequency signal indication of the lines, means to amplify the frequency signal, and a filter actuated only by a proper frequency signal from the signal amplification generation means operatively connected thereto to indicate an authentication.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 and where said filter includes a coil means receiving said amplified signal, and a frequency selective switch operatively connected to said coil means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 where the filter includes a metal reed which has a mechanical resonant period so as to be readily excited into resonance by a proper frequency signal.