Document validator subassembly

• US 6,994,203 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2002
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations, Inc. (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Mars Incorporated
• Inventors: Zeiler, Markus, Huettner, Josef, Zoladz, Edward M. Jr., Wanninger, Mario, Steegmueller, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, Donald P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beauchaine, Mark J.
• Application Number:
  US10/211,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20030081197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 194/302, 194/205, 194/206, 194/207, 356/71, 382/135, 382/140, 362/551, 362/583, 362/558, 385/129, 385/130, 385/131, 250/548, 250/556, 250/559.01, 250/559.04, 250/559.19
• US Class Current: 194/302
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/121 Apparatus characterised by sensor details

Abstract

A subassembly for a document validator. In an implementation, the subassembly includes a housing, a light pipe core seated in the housing, a light control layer and at least one light source. The apparatus may also include a prism structure layer between a top diffusing surface and the light control structure. The housing may also include at least one input light port on at least one end of the light pipe core.

Claims

1. A subassembly for a document validator comprising:

a housing;

a light pipe core having a top diffusing surface, seated in the housing;

a light control layer associated with the top diffusing surface; and

a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) coupled to the housing, wherein at least one LED differs in wavelength from another LED.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light control layer is a light control film.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a prism structure layer between the top diffusing surface and the light control layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the prism structure layer is a brightness enhancing film.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diffusing surface comprises at least one of a random rough structure, a constant pitch pattern structure, and a variable pattern of protrusions.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes at least one input light port on at least one end of the light pipe core.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a reflective interior surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the interior surface is diffusely reflective.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 including at least one light housing for the light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the light housing is comprised of a reflective material.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the reflective material is diffusely reflective.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of light housing for the LEDs.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein two light housings for the LEDs are located at opposite ends of the light pipe core.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises first and second reflective shells configured to surround the light pipe core.

15. A document sensing arrangement comprising:

a light source subassembly for positioning on a first side of a document passageway, the subassembly including a housing, a light pipe core seated in the housing and having a top diffusing surface, a light control layer associated with the top diffusing surface, and at least one light source coupled to the housing; and

at least one light sensor for positioning on a second side of the document passageway across from the light source subassembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the light control layer is a light control film.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a prism structure layer between the top diffusing surface and the light control layer.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the prism structure layer is a brightness enhancing film.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the diffusing surface comprises at least one of a random rough structure, a constant pitch pattern structure, and a variable pattern of protrusions.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the housing includes at least one input light port on at least one end of the light pipe core.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the housing includes a reflective interior surface.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the interior surface is diffusely reflective.

23. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the light source comprises a light housing and at least one light-emitting diode (LED).

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the light source comprises at least one additional light housing and LED.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the light housing is comprised of a reflective material.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the reflective material is diffusely reflective.

27. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the housing comprises first and second reflective shells configured to surround the light pipe core.

28. A method for illuminating a document in a document passageway comprising:

providing a subassembly that includes a reflective housing, a light pipe core having a top diffusing surface, a light control layer and at least one light source; and

illuminating the document with a substantially rectangular beam of substantially homogenous light.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising utilizing a prism structure layer in the subassembly to increase the light intensity output.

30. The method of claim 28 further comprising generating signals indicative of document authenticity based on the light passing through a document.

31. The method of claim 28 further comprising generating signals indicative of document authenticity based on the light reflecting from a surface of a document.

32. A method of fabricating a light bar structure for a document validator subassembly comprising:

fabricating a light pipe core to provide a light output across a document passageway;

fabricating a diffusing structure onto an output side of the core; and

applying a light control film to the diffusing structure.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising connecting a reflective housing to the light pipe core.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising coupling at least one LED light source package to the housing.

35. The method of claim 32 further comprising applying at least one layer of brightness enhancing film between the diffusing structure and the light control film.

36. A method of fabricating a light bar structure comprising:

fabricating a light pipe core to provide a light output across a document passageway;

fabricating a diffusing structure layer; and

fabricating a louver structure layer onto an output side of the core.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising connecting a reflective housing to the light bar structure.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising coupling at least one LED light source package to the housing.

39. The method of claim 36 further comprising fabricating a prism structure layer below the louver structure layer.