HYBRID BANKNOTE WITH ELECTRONIC INDICIA

• US 20190077182A1
• Filed: 11/05/2018
• Published: 03/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
• Original Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
• Inventors: Cok, Ronald S., Rotzoll, Robert R., Bower, Christopher, Willner, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 10,675,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/29 Securities; Bank notes
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/30 Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/305 Associated digital information record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/485 by electronic processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/16 Handling of valuable papers within containers G07D11/13
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/24 Managing the stock of valuable papers
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/30 Tracking or tracing valuable papers or cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/01 Testing electronic circuits therein
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors

Abstract

A hybrid currency banknote includes a banknote having visible markings. One or more light-controlling elements and a controller are embedded in or on the banknote. The controller is electrically connected to the one or more light-controlling elements to control the one or more light-controlling elements. A power input connection is electrically connected to the controller, or one or more light-controlling elements, or both. A power source can be connected to the power input connection, for example a piezoelectric or photovoltaic power source. In response to applied power, the controller causes the one or more light-controlling elements to emit light. A value can be stored in a memory in the controller and displayed by the light-controlling elements. The value can be assigned or varied by a hybrid currency teller machine.

Claims

1. A hybrid currency banknote, comprising:

a banknote having visible markings;

one or more light-emitting elements embedded in or on the banknote;

a controller embedded in or on the banknote electrically connected to the one or more light-controlling elements for controlling the one or more light-controlling elements; and

a power input connection electrically connected to the controller, or one or more light-emitting elements, or both.

2. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the light-controlling elements are light-emitting elements, light-reflecting elements, inorganic light-emitting diodes, organic light-emitting diodes, micro-electromechanical reflective elements, reflective electrophoretic elements, or reflective electrochromic display elements.

3. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, comprising a power source connected to the power input connection.

4. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 3, wherein the power source is a piezoelectric power source or a photovoltaic power source.

5. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 3, wherein the power source is indicated by the visible markings, the power source forms a part of the visible markings, or the power source is obscured by the visible markings.

6. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 3, wherein the power source comprises a plurality of electrically connected individual power source components.

7. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, comprising a power convertor connected to the power input connection and the controller or one or more light-controlling elements.

8. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the banknote is a government-issued banknote indicated by the visible markings

9. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the banknote includes a flexible substrate that includes paper, plastic, or impregnated paper, and the one or more light-controlling elements and the controller are printed on the flexible substrate.

10. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the banknote includes a ribbon or thread woven into the banknote and the and the one or more light-controlling elements and the controller are printed on the ribbon or thread.

11. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 10, wherein the ribbon or thread or portions of the ribbon or thread are at least partially electrically conductive or include conductive wires.

12. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements, the controller, or both the one or more light-controlling elements and the controller include at least a portion of a tether.

13. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements are disposed in a location corresponding to a portion of the visible markings to highlight or otherwise indicate the portion of the visible markings.

14. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements are disposed to form a graphic indicator.

15. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 14, wherein the graphic indicator is any of one or more of a number, a letter, and a pictogram.

16. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 14, wherein the graphic indicator indicates a value, a date, or a person.

17. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, comprising one or more light pipes located in association with the one or more light-controlling elements.

18. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 17, wherein the light pipes include portions that leak light at desired locations.

19. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 17, wherein the one or more light pipes are disposed in a location or arranged in a pattern corresponding to a portion of the visible markings to highlight or otherwise indicate the portion of the visible markings.

20. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 17, wherein the one or more light pipes are disposed to form a graphic indicator.

21. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 20, wherein the graphic indicator is any of one or more of a number, a letter, and a pictogram.

22. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 20, wherein the graphic indicator indicates a value, a date, or a person.

23. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the one or more light-controlling elements to flash or flash sequentially.

24. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements include inorganic light-emitting diodes that emit different colors of light.

25. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 24, wherein the different colors of light include red, green, and blue.

26. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements forms a display or a two-dimensional array.

27. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the visible markings do not include a value.

28. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements are arranged to indicate a value.

29. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the controller includes protective layers disposed over at least one or more portions of the controller.

30. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a circuit having a memory that stores a value and the circuit causes the one or more light-controlling elements to indicate the value or the memory stores an electronic serial number.

31. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 30, wherein the memory is a read-only memory.

32. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 30, wherein the memory is a write-once memory that stores multiple values in memory locations that are ordered in a sequential order.

33. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 30, wherein the banknote is adapted to a teller machine that writes a value into the memory in a location sequentially after the previous written value.

34. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements or the controller has a width from 2 to 5 μ

m, 5 to 10 μ

m, 10 to 20 μ

m, or 20 to 50 μ

m, a length from 2 to 5 μ

m, 5 to 10 μ

m, 10 to 20 μ

m, or 20 to 50 μ

m, or a height from 2 to 5 μ

m, 4 to 10 μ

m, 10 to 20 μ

m, or 20 to 50 μ

m.

35. A hybrid currency teller machine, comprising an optional display and a reader adapted to accept the hybrid currency banknote of claim 33, read one or more of the values stored in the memory, and optionally display the read value on the display.

36. The hybrid currency teller machine of claim 35, comprising an input device for accepting an input value and a writer for writing a new stored value responsive to the input value in the memory.

42. A method of using a hybrid currency banknote according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving the banknote;

providing power to the power input connection; and

viewing light emitted by the one or more light-controlling elements.

43. The method of claim 42, comprising inserting the hybrid currency banknote into a teller machine according to claim 33.

44. The method of claim 43, comprising communicating an identification of the hybrid currency banknote to a remote database and receiving a communication from the database.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the communicated identity is recorded by the remote database.

46. The method of claim 42, comprising inserting the hybrid currency banknote into a hybrid currency teller machine according to claim 35, entering an input value with the input device, and retrieving the hybrid currency banknote from the hybrid currency teller machine, the hybrid currency banknote having a new stored value responsive to the input value.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the new stored value is the difference between a previously stored value and the input value.

48. The method of claim 46, comprising communicating an identification of the hybrid currency banknote to a remote database and receiving a communication from the remote database.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the received communication is an approval or disapproval and the hybrid currency banknote has a new stored value responsive to the input value only if an approval is received.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the input value represents a desired transaction and the remote database records the transaction.

51. The method of claim 42, wherein the hybrid currency banknote comprises a power source connected to the power input connection.

52. The method of claim 42, wherein the power source is a piezoelectric power source and comprising squeezing the piezoelectric power source.

53. The method of claim 42, wherein the power source is a photovoltaic power source and comprising exposing the photovoltaic power source to photons.

37. A method of making a hybrid currency banknote, comprising:

providing a banknote having visible markings;

providing a wafer having a plurality of micro-transfer printable light-controlling elements;

providing a wafer having a plurality of controllers;

embedding one or more of the light-controlling elements and at least one controller to the banknote; and

electrically connecting the controller to the one or more light-controlling elements and to a power input connection.

38. The method of claim 37, comprising micro-transfer printing the light-controlling elements and at least one controller to the banknote.

39. The method of claim 37, comprising providing ribbon or thread, micro-transfer printing the light-controlling elements and at least one controller to the ribbon or thread, and integrating the micro-transfer printed ribbon or thread in the banknote.

40. The method of claim 37, comprising providing a power source on the banknote and electrically connecting the power source to the power input connection.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the controller includes a memory and comprising providing the memory with a value.

54. A hybrid currency banknote, comprising:

a banknote having visible markings;

one or more energy output devices embedded in or on the banknote;

a controller embedded in or on the banknote electrically connected to the one or more energy output devices for controlling the one or more energy output devices; and

a power input connection electrically connected to the controller, or to the one or energy output devices, or both.

55. The hybrid currency banknote of claim 54, wherein the one or energy output devices is one or more of one or more light-emitting elements, a sound-emitting element, and a vibration element.

56. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the light-controlling elements are light-emitting elements, light-reflecting elements, inorganic light-emitting diodes, organic light-emitting diodes, micro-electromechanical reflective elements, reflective electrophoretic elements, or reflective electrochromic display elements.

57. The hybrid document of claim 55, comprising a power source connected to the power input connection.

58. The hybrid document of claim 57, wherein the power source is a piezoelectric power source or a photovoltaic power source.

59. The hybrid document of claim 57, wherein the power source is indicated by the visible markings, the power source forms a part of the visible markings, or the power source is obscured by the visible markings.

60. The hybrid document of claim 57, wherein the power source comprises a plurality of electrically connected individual power source components.

61. The hybrid document of claim 55, comprising a power convertor connected to the power input connection and the controller or one or more light-controlling elements.

62. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the banknote is a government-issued banknote indicated by the visible markings.

63. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the banknote includes a flexible substrate that includes paper, plastic, or impregnated paper, and the one or more light-controlling elements and the controller are printed on the flexible substrate.

64. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the banknote includes a ribbon or thread woven into the banknote and the and the one or more light-controlling elements and the controller are printed on the ribbon or thread.

65. The hybrid document of claim 64, wherein the ribbon or thread or portions of the ribbon or thread are at least partially electrically conductive or include conductive wires.

66. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements, the controller, or both the one or more light-controlling elements and the controller include at least a portion of a tether.

67. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements are disposed in a location corresponding to a portion of the visible markings to highlight or otherwise indicate the portion of the visible markings.

68. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements are disposed to form a graphic indicator.

69. The hybrid document of claim 68, wherein the graphic indicator is any of one or more of a number, a letter, and a pictogram.

70. The hybrid document of claim 68, wherein the graphic indicator indicates a value, a date, or a person.

71. The hybrid document of claim 55, comprising one or more light pipes located in association with the one or more light-controlling elements.

72. The hybrid document of claim 71, wherein the light pipes include portions that leak light at desired locations.

73. The hybrid document of claim 71, wherein the one or more light pipes are disposed in a location or arranged in a pattern corresponding to a portion of the visible markings to highlight or otherwise indicate the portion of the visible markings.

74. The hybrid document of claim 71, wherein the one or more light pipes are disposed to form a graphic indicator.

75. The hybrid document of claim 74, wherein the graphic indicator is any of one or more of a number, a letter, and a pictogram.

76. The hybrid document of claim 74, wherein the graphic indicator indicates a value, a date, or a person.

77. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the controller controls the one or more light-controlling elements to flash or flash sequentially.

78. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements include inorganic light-emitting diodes that emit different colors of light.

79. The hybrid document of claim 78, wherein the different colors of light include red, green, and blue.

80. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements forms a display or a two-dimensional array.

81. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the visible markings do not include a value.

82. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements are arranged to indicate a value.

83. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the controller includes protective layers disposed over at least one or more portions of the controller.

84. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the controller includes a circuit having a memory that stores a value and the circuit causes the one or more light-controlling elements to indicate the value or the memory stores an electronic serial number.

85. The hybrid document of claim 84, wherein the memory is a read-only memory.

86. The hybrid document of claim 84, wherein the memory is a write-once memory that stores multiple values in memory locations that are ordered in a sequential order.

87. The hybrid document of claim 84, wherein the banknote is adapted to a teller machine that writes a value into the memory in a location sequentially after the previous written value.

88. The hybrid document of claim 55, wherein the one or more light-controlling elements or the controller has a width from 2 to 5 μ

m, 5 to 10 μ

m, 10 to 20 μ

m, or 20 to 50 μ

m, a length from 2 to 5 μ

m, 5 to 10 μ

m, 10 to 20 μ

m, or 20 to 50 μ

m, or a height from 2 to 5 μ

m, 4 to 10 μ

m, 10 to 20 μ

m, or 20 to 50 μ

m.

94. A method of using a hybrid document according to claim 55, comprising:

receiving the document;

providing power to the power input connection; and

viewing light emitted by the one or more light-controlling elements.

95. The method of claim 94, comprising communicating an identification of the hybrid document to a remote database and receiving a communication from the database.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the communicated identity is recorded by the remote database.

55-1. A hybrid document, comprising:

a document having visible markings;

one or more light-emitting elements embedded in or on the document;

a controller embedded in or on the banknote electrically connected to the one or more light-controlling elements for controlling the one or more light-controlling elements; and

a power input connection electrically connected to the controller, or one or more light-emitting elements, or both.

89. A method of making a hybrid document, comprising:

providing a banknote having visible markings;

providing a wafer having a plurality of micro-transfer printable light-controlling elements;

providing a wafer having a plurality of controllers;

embedding one or more of the light-controlling elements and at least one controller to the document; and

electrically connecting the controller to the one or more light-controlling elements and to a power input connection.

90. The method of claim 89, comprising micro-transfer printing the light-controlling elements and at least one controller to the document.

91. The method of claim 89, comprising providing ribbon or thread, micro-transfer printing the light-controlling elements and at least one controller to the ribbon or thread, and integrating the micro-transfer printed ribbon or thread in the document.

92. The method of claim 89, comprising providing a power source on the document and electrically connecting the power source to the power input connection.

93. The method of claim 89, wherein the controller includes a memory and comprising providing the memory with a value.

97. A hybrid document, comprising:

a banknote having visible markings;

one or more energy output devices embedded in or on the banknote;

a controller embedded in or on the banknote electrically connected to the one or more energy output devices for controlling the one or more energy output devices; and

a power input connection electrically connected to the controller, or to the one or energy output devices, or both.

98. The hybrid document of claim 97, wherein the one or energy output devices is one or more of one or more light-emitting elements, a sound-emitting element, and a vibration element.