Apparatus and method for secure identification of security features in value items
First Claim
1. An apparatus for obtaining a security signature of a value item having a substrate, the substrate having at least one security feature associated therewith, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a scanner comprising a track dimensioned for receiving the value item, a plurality of LEDs for respectively illuminating a plurality of areas of the substrate along a scan path of the substrate when the value item is being received along said track, said plurality of LEDs respectively illuminating said plurality of areas with electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in a plurality of different wavelength ranges selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible light and infrared, and a plurality of radiation sensors for respectively detecting a plurality of responses of electromagnetic radiation reflected from said plurality of areas and having wavelengths in one or more sensor wavelength ranges selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible light and infrared wherein each of said plurality of responses is selected from a group such that said each response is not selected as a magnetic response; and
b) a processor for calculating from said plurality of responses a representation of said at least one security feature, said at least one security feature comprising a plurality of-fibers of the substrate, said representation of said at least one security feature comprising data representing an embedded depth in the substrate of one or more fibers of said plurality of fibers, a location of said one or more fibers, and a size of said one or more fibers,wherein the apparatus is operable to transmit said representation to a database.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A document authentication apparatus and system is provided comprising a scanner, PC, a central database and a network. The scanner emits a stimulus which illuminates security features such as ink, fibers or planchettes in or on a substrate of a value item such as a check, bank note, credit card or identification document. A sensor(s) detect the illuminated security features and values are generated relating to the color, coordinates on and depth of the security features in the substrate. The values are digitized and recorded for comparison when a value item is presented for authentication. Matching digitized values indicates a match of the substrates thereby identifying the value item.
39 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus for obtaining a security signature of a value item having a substrate, the substrate having at least one security feature associated therewith, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a scanner comprising a track dimensioned for receiving the value item, a plurality of LEDs for respectively illuminating a plurality of areas of the substrate along a scan path of the substrate when the value item is being received along said track, said plurality of LEDs respectively illuminating said plurality of areas with electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in a plurality of different wavelength ranges selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible light and infrared, and a plurality of radiation sensors for respectively detecting a plurality of responses of electromagnetic radiation reflected from said plurality of areas and having wavelengths in one or more sensor wavelength ranges selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible light and infrared wherein each of said plurality of responses is selected from a group such that said each response is not selected as a magnetic response; and b) a processor for calculating from said plurality of responses a representation of said at least one security feature, said at least one security feature comprising a plurality of-fibers of the substrate, said representation of said at least one security feature comprising data representing an embedded depth in the substrate of one or more fibers of said plurality of fibers, a location of said one or more fibers, and a size of said one or more fibers, wherein the apparatus is operable to transmit said representation to a database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of obtaining a security signature of a value item having a substrate, the substrate having at least one security feature associated therewith, the method comprising:
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a) receiving the value item along a track of a scanner, said track being dimensioned for receiving the value item; b) when the substrate is being received along said track, respectively illuminating a plurality of areas of the substrate along a scan path of the substrate by a plurality of LEDs with electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in a plurality of different wavelength ranges selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible light and infrared; c) respectively detecting by a plurality of radiation sensors of said scanner a plurality of responses of electromagnetic radiation reflected from said plurality of areas and having wavelengths in one or more sensor wavelength ranges selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible light and infrared wherein each of said plurality of responses is selected from a group such that said each response is not selected as a magnetic response; d) calculating by a processor from said plurality of responses a representation of said at least one security feature, said at least one security feature comprising a plurality of-fibers of the substrate, by producing data representing an embedded depth in the substrate of one or more fibers of said plurality of fibers, a location of said one or more fibers, and a size of said one or more fibers; and e) transmitting said representation to a database. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for obtaining a security signature of a value item having a substrate, the substrate having at least one security feature associated therewith, the apparatus comprising:
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a) scanning means for scanning the value item, said scanning means comprising a track dimensioned for receiving the value item, illuminating means for illuminating a plurality of areas of the substrate along a scan path of the substrate when the value item is being received along said track, said illuminating means comprising a plurality of LEDs respectively illuminating said plurality of areas with electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in a plurality of different wavelength ranges selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible light and infrared, and sensor means for respectively detecting a plurality of responses of electromagnetic radiation reflected from said plurality of areas, said sensor means comprising a plurality of radiation sensors, said plurality of responses of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in one or more sensor wavelength ranges selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet, visible light and infrared wherein each of said plurality of responses is selected from a group such that said each response is not selected as a magnetic response; b) processing means for processing said plurality of responses to produce a representation of said at least one security feature, said at least one security feature comprising a plurality of fibers of the substrate, said representation of said at least one security feature comprising data representing an embedded depth in the substrate of one or more fibers of said plurality of fibers, a location of said one or more fibers, and a size of said one or more fibers; and c) transmission means for transmitting said representation to a database. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification