Currency paper and banknote verification device

• US 5,308,992 A
• Filed: 12/31/1991
• Issued: 05/03/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digital Authentication Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Digital Authentication Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Harbaugh, Steven K., Crane, Timothy T., Menelly, Richard A., Danek, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, STEPHONE B
• Application Number:
  US07/814,824
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 250/556, 382/7, 356/71, 283/85, 283/91, 209/534
• US Class Current: 250/556
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/081 electrostatic, e.g. by detecting the charge of capacitance between electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/026 using capacitive sensors

Abstract

A photodiode and a phototransistor are positioned on opposite sides of a document subjected to verification for authenticity under transmitted light. A logic circuit determines the presence or absence of the security feature and correspondingly provides visual or audible indication thereof. The photodiode, phototransistor and related circuitry are arranged within an enclosure that is attached to a currency receiving device such as a cash register. The visual or audible indicators are mounted on the cash register for immediate indication of the currency verification to the cashier. A simplified capacitive proximity sensor can be employed, per se, for inexpensive applications or for redundant verification in combination with an optical detector. The shape of the capacitive sensor is configured to that of the security thread to discriminate between the security thread and the currency paper. Additional optical circuits are employed to detect counterfeit markings on the currency surface.

Claims

1. A device for verifying authenticity of currency paper and banknotes comprising:

a currency receiver arranged for accepting at least one edge of a proferred currency paper;

transmitter means proximate said currency receiver providing a pair of electronic signals of opposite phase;

detector means intermediate said transmitter means adjustably balancing said electronic signals when a security thread comprising a metallized plastic strip is absent from said currency paper; and

circuit means connected with said detector means determining an imbalance between said electronic signals when said security thread is within said currency paper.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said transmitter means comprises a pair of spaced metal plates.

3. The device of claim 1 further including a pair of capacitive plates connected with said transmitter means, said detector means being arranged intermediate said plates.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said circuit means further includes an amplifier interconnected with said detector means.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said transmitter means includes a radio frequency oscillator.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said oscillator comprises a pair of interconnected OR-gates.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said detector means comprises a metal wire.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said wire is dimensioned to said security thread configuration.

9. The device of claim 7 including an electrically-conductive sleeve arranged at least partially around said wire and connected with said circuit means reducing stray capacitances between said wire and ground.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said circuit means further includes an analogue switch.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said sleeve connects with said analogue switch through a variable resistor.

12. A verification device for determining authenticity of currency and banknotes comprising:

a first optical source positioned on one side of a proferred currency proximate a corresponding first optical sensor, said first optical sensor arranged for detecting reflected light from any reflective counterfeit means on said one side;

a second optical source on said one side proximate a corresponding second optical sensor, said second optical sensor arranged for detecting non-reflected light from any non-reflective counterfeit means on said one side; and

logic means connected with said first and second sensors for determining whether said non-reflective or reflective counterfeit means is present or absent from said one side and providing indication thereof.

13. The verification device of claim 12 including capacitive sensing means arranged proximate said currency for detecting whether a security thread is within said currency.

14. The verification device of claim 12 wherein said logic means includes a pair of NOR-gates.

15. The verification device of claim 12 including a GREEN and a RED light-emitter connected with said logic means providing indication of whether said currency is genuine or counterfeit.

16. The verification device of claim 12 including an optical fiber intermediate said first light source and said one side of said currency.

17. The verification device of claim 12 including an optical fiber intermediate said second light source and said one side of said currency.

18. The verification device of claim 12 including a third optical source positioned on an opposite side of said currency proximate a corresponding third optical sensor, said third optical sensor arranged for detecting reflected light from any reflective counterfeit means on said opposite side.

19. The security device of claim 18 including a fourth optical source on said opposite side proximate a fourth optical sensor, said fourth optical sensor arranged or detecting non-reflected light from any non-reflective counterfeit means on said opposite side, said logic means connected with said third and fourth sensors for determining whether said non-reflective or reflective counterfeit means is present or absent from said opposite side and providing indication thereof.

20. The verification device of claim 12 including an additional optical source on said one side and an additional optical sensor on said opposite side, said additional source and said additional sensor arranged for detecting a security thread within said currency.

21. The verification device of claim 20 wherein said additional optical sensor is connected with said logic device for determining whether a security thread is present or absent from said currency and providing indication thereof.