EP1018710A2

EP1018710A2 - A device for checking the validity of banknotes and electronic card for use in this device

Info

Publication number: EP1018710A2
Application number: EP99830660A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vincenzo Carannante
Original assignee: Mediatel International Service Sas di Maria Pugliese
Current assignee: Carannante Vincenzo
Priority date: 1998-10-21
Filing date: 1999-10-20
Publication date: 2000-07-12
Also published as: EP1018710A3; ITRM980254U1; IT245737Y1

Abstract

This invention relates to a device (1) for checking the authenticity of banknotes comprising a body (2) having a reading plane (4) and a cover (3), separated from each other by a gap (7) adapted to allow a banknotes to pass through it and having an inlet slot (8) and an outlet slot (9), said device also including an outwardly accessible socket for insertion of a data storage electronic card or chip-card (5), means (10, 10', 11, 11', 12, 12', 13, 13', 14, 14') for detecting and reading or scanning banknotes, mechanical means (16,22) for driving the banknotes inserted into the inlet slot (8), an electronic circuit for controlling said mechanical means (22) and for comparing the signals received from said detecting and reading means (12,12',13,13',14,14',15) to the data as stored in said electronic card (5) and means (19) to indicate the outcome of said comparison.

Description

This invention relates to a device for checking the authenticity of banknotes as well as to an electronic card for use in said device.
More particularly, this invention relates to a device of the above kind so designed as to be simply and inexpensively up-dated.
It is known that banknotes are subject to counterfeit all over the world, particularly in most industrialised countries.
For hindering said unlawful activities, some measures have been adopted in order to make the banknotes more and more difficult to be counterfeited. Examples of such countermeasures include the use of watermarked paper, the insertion of a thin metal wire in the thickness of the banknotes, the inscription of alphanumeric codes of microscopic dimensions and, in more recent times, the utilisation of special magnetised inks.
Obviously, suitable test instruments to check the authenticity of banknotes have to be furnished not only to officers for public safety entrusted with the fight against counterfeits and to banks and monetary institutes, but also to all those people who in view of their commercial activities, such as traders, receive banknotes as a payment for the products and/or the services they offer to sale.
The instruments as presently in use are generally Electromechanical devices of small dimensions, adapted to scan a banknote in order to evaluate its qualitative characteristics, in terms of materials and pattern correctness, in order to ascertain their authenticity.
Such devices, however, have some drawbacks.
In fact, the electronic components included therein substantially carry out a comparison between the data as read out from the banknote to be analysed and the data as expected, which are stored in a suitable memory medium and installed within the device during its manufacturing stage.
This means that the devices designed to check the authenticity of banknotes of a specific type cannot be easily up-dated so as to enable a check to be successfully carried out of newly issued banknotes or, anyway, banknotes of a different type as the ones expected during the manufacturing stages. In view of the above, the final users should necessarily substitute new devices for the old ones.
This drawback is also noticeable from the manufacturer's view point, because the need that different be manufactured as a function of the state where the devices are intended to be used entails an increase in the manufacturing costs and times.
In particular, such drawback is specially noticeable in all European Union nations where new EURO banknotes are going to be used, due to the fact that such banknotes even those having the same monetary value will have different patterns depending on the issuing country.
It is a broad object of this invention, therefore, to provide in simple, inexpensive and reliable way an instrument for checking the authenticity of banknotes adapted to be easily up-dated.
It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a device for checking the authenticity of banknotes comprising a body having a reading plane and a cover, separated from each other by a gap adapted to allow a banknotes to pass through it and having an inlet slot and an outlet slot, the above device also including an outwardly accessible socket for insertion of a data storage electronic card or chip-card, means for detecting and reading or scanning banknotes, mechanical means for driving the banknotes inserted into the inlet slot, an electronic circuit for controlling said mechanical means and for comparing the signals received from said detecting and reading means to the data as stored in said electronic card and means to indicate the outcome of said comparison.
Further according to this invention, said banknote detecting and reading means can also include at least one detection electro-optical circuit (preferably five) comprising a light sensor and a photoemitter, said photoemitter exclusively illuminates the corresponding light sensor.
Further according to this invention, said banknote detecting and reading means can include at least a magnetic head.
Preferably according to this invention, said cover is hingedly coupled to said body and means are provided for temporarily coupling said cover with said body.
Further according to this invention, said means for indicating the outcome of said comparison action can include at least an alphanumeric visual display and/or a voice synthesiser.
According to this invention, the concerned device can also be provided with a keypad.
Preferably according to this invention said mechanical means for driving the banknotes comprise an electric motor.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an electronic card or chip card for use in a device for checking the authenticity of banknotes of the above described kind, adapted to be inserted into said outwardly accessible socket of the device including means for storing data therein.
This invention will be now described by way of illustration but not by way of limitation with reference to enclosed drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to this invention, with a portion thereof removed, the electronic card inserted therein and the upper cover in raised-up position;
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation view of the device of Figure 1, also showing the internal sensors;
Figure 3 is a schematic upper plan view of the reading plane of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a block diagram of the electro-optical device of Figure 1.
By referring now to Figure 1, it can be observed that the concerned device 1 comprises a body portion 2 and an upper cover 3 hingedly coupled to body 2, said cover 3 can be rotatably raised to an open position so as to facilitate any inspection and maintenance operations. Suitable means for temporarily coupling the upper cover 3 to the body 2 in closed condition are not shown.
Said body portion 2 is provided with an upper reading plane 4 and also preferably with a side slot for insertion of an electronic card or chip-card 5 into an internal socket, not shown.
By also referring to Figure 2, when the upper cover 3 is closed upon body 2, the lower surface 6 of cover 3 and the above mentioned reading plane 4 of said body portion 2 are separated from each other by a gap 7, adapted to allow the banknotes to pass through it and having an inlet slot 8 and an outlet slot 9.
By referring again to Figures 1 and 2, it can be observed that said upper cover 3 has a first sensor 10 arranged on its lower surface 6 and longitudinally mounted in adjacent position to its inlet slot 8 (under the term "longitudinal", a longitudinal direction is to be meant extending between the inlet slot 8 and the outlet slot 9) and a second sensor 11, longitudinally mounted in adjacent position to its outlet slot 9, a third sensor 12 and a fourth sensor 13, longitudinally arranged in intermediate position between said first and second sensors 10 and 11, respectively, and a fifth sensor 14, longitudinally arranged in intermediate position between said second sensor 11 and said outlet slot, as well as a magnetic head 15, preferably arranged in central position on said lower surface 6. Said sensors 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are light sensors, preferably consisting of phototransistors. Said cover portion 3 is also provided on its upper surface with an alphanumeric display, not shown, preferably a display of the type consisting of eight characters, as well as with a keypad, preferably consisting of four push-buttons.
Furthermore, said body portion 2 is also provided, on its reading plane 4, with five photoemitters 10', 11', 12', 13' and 14', respectively, arranged in corresponding positions to the sensors of said cover portion 3 and so oriented that each of them exclusively illuminates the corresponding sensor (10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, respectively). The preferred arrangement of said photoemitters 10', 11', 12', 13' and 14' on said reading plane 4 (and consequently the preferred arrangement of sensors 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 on said lower surface 6) is shown in Figure 3. Furthermore a free wheel 16 is arranged on said reading plane 4 in corresponding position to the magnetic head 15 of said cover 3 and oriented in longitudinal direction.
The concerned device 1 is also provided with mechanical means, not shown, comprising an electric motor, for driving and aligning the banknotes inserted into said inlet slot 8.
By referring now to Figure 4, it can be observed that the electro-optical circuit of device 1 comprises a central unit 17 including a microprocessor and/or a digital signal processor, directly connected to said first and second phototransistors 10 and 11 and, through an analogue-digital converter 18, to said third, fourth and fifth phototransistors 12, 13 and 14, respectively, as well as to said magnetic head 15. Preferably, said central unit 17 is adapted to adjust the amplification level as performed by said converter 18 on said signals furnished by said third, fourth and fifth phototransistors (12, 13 and 14) as well as by said magnetic head 15.
The above mentioned central unit 17 is also connected, through bi-directional connections, to said alphanumeric display 19, to said keypad 20, to a driver circuit 21 for said electric motor 22, to a socket 23 for connection of the external electronic card 5, to a program non-volatile memory 24 as well as to a volatile memory 25.
The electric power supply needed by the whole circuit is furnished by a suitable standard power supply and/or by a battery, not shown.
For a better comprehension of the teachings of this invention, the operation modes of the preferred embodiment of device 1 are hereinbelow described and it should be understood that similar operation modes are contemplated for other embodiments thereof.
Assuming that the cover portion 3 is in closed position coupled to body portion 2, a banknote can be manually inserted to said inlet slot 8. The electro-optical detection circuit consisting of photoemitter 10' and of sensor 10 is activated by the banknote passing therebetween and it signals this event to said central unit 17 that sends to said driver circuit 21 a corresponding signal to start said electric motor 22 which, in turn, consequently entrains the banknote within said device 1. As soon as the banknote alters the operation condition of the electro-optical circuit comprised of photoemitter 11' an' of sensor 11, said central unit 17 sends to the driver circuit 21 a signal to stop the electric motor 22 which blocks the concerned banknote on said reading plane 4.
During the entraining movement, the three photoemitter-sensor pairs 12'-12, 13'-13 and 14'-14, respectively, scan three different longitudinal areas of the banknote inserted therebetween and send corresponding signals to the central unit 17. In similar way, the magnetic heard 15, by slightly pressing the concerned banknote against the free wheel 16, detects the distribution of magnetic inks along its central region and sends corresponding signals to the central unit 17.
The above mentioned central unit 17 stores the signal coming from said three photoemitter-sensor pairs and from said magnetic head 15. When said electric motor 22 is stopped, the central unit 17 carries out a comparison operation of the data as detected from the banknote to be analysed and stored therein to those expected and stored in the electronic card 5, suitably inserted into socket 23, thereby determining, therefore, the outcome of the check. In particular, the detection signals enable the quality and the distribution of the inks as well as the quality of the watermarked paper to be analysed. The results of the analysis is shown on display 19. Other embodiments of this invention can be provided with voice signal enunciators, such as, for instance, voice synthesisers.
At the end of the operation, the concerned central unit 17 sends to said driver circuit 21 a signal for re-starting said electric motor 22 which consequently ejects the analysed banknote from the outlet slot 9. A suitable external box can be provided for receiving the banknote ejected from said outlet slot 9.
The program algorithm can provide for the user to enter, by means of said keypad 20, a code corresponding to the type of the banknote to be analysed or for an automatic search to be effected among all possible banknote types, the expected signals of which are stored in the electronic card 5. In this respect, display 19 can show a suitable acknowledgement message for the electronic card 5 when it is inserted into socket 23; for instance, it can show the nationality and the type of the banknotes amenable to be analysed.
The distribution of said photoemitters 10', 11', 12', 13' and 14' on the reading plane 4 and the corresponding distribution of said sensors 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 on the upper surface 6 of said cover 3) can be different with respect to the one shown in Figure 3. In particular, the longitudinal positions of photoemitter 11' and of the corresponding sensor 11 can be varied as a function of the detection response speed as well as of the motor drive speed.
Other embodiments of this invention can provide for the stop signal of said electric motor 22 to be generated by means of a timer triggered by the same starting signal supplied to said electric motor 22, generated by the pair comprised of said photoemitter 10' and of sensor 10 and synchronised with the rotation speed of said electric motor 22, rather than by means of the pair comprised of said photoemitter 11' and of said sensor 11.
It is immediately possible to appreciate the advantage that can be achieved by use of a device 1 according to this invention, thanks to the possibility to check any type of banknote as assured in simple and inexpensive manner by use of said electronic card 5 as a medium for storing the expected data to which the data detected on the banknotes by means of said sensors and by said magnetic head 15 can be compared
This invention has been described by way of illustration but not by way of limitation according to its preferred embodiment, but it should be understood that those skilled in the art can made variations and changes therein without departing from the scope of this invention, as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

A device (1) for checking the authenticity of banknotes comprising a body (2) having a reading plane (4) and a cover (3), separated from each other by a gap (7) adapted to allow a banknotes to pass through it and having an inlet slot (8) and an outlet slot (9), said device also including an outwardly accessible socket for insertion of a data storage electronic card or chip-card (5), means (10, 10', 11, 11', 12, 12', 13, 13', 14, 14') for detecting and reading or scanning banknotes, mechanical means (16,22) for driving the banknotes inserted into the inlet slot (8), an electronic circuit for controlling said mechanical means (22) and for comparing the signals received from said detecting and reading means (12,12',13,13',14,14',15) to the data as stored in said electronic card (5) and means (19) to indicate the outcome of said comparison.
A device (1 ) according to claim 1, characterised in that said banknote detecting and reading means also include at least one detection electro-optical circuit comprising a light sensor (10,11,12,13,14) and a photoemitter (10',11',12',13',14'), said photoemitter exclusively illuminating the corresponding light sensor.
A device (1 ) according to claim 2, characterised in that said banknote detecting and reading means can include five detection electro-optical circuits, each of which includes a light sensor (10,11,12,13,14) positioned on the reading plane (4) as well as a photoemitter (10', 11',12',13'14') positioned on the lower surface (6) of said cover (3).
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said banknote detecting and reading means include at least a magnetic head (15).
A device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said cover (3) is hingedly coupled to said body (2) and means are provided for temporarily coupling said cover (3) with said body (2).
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means for indicating the outcome of said comparison action include at least an alphanumeric visual display (19).
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means for indicating the outcome of said comparison action include a voice synthesiser.
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device is also be provided with a keypad (20).
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said mechanical means for driving the banknotes comprise an electric motor (22).
A device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said electronic circuit comprises a central unit (17) including a microprocessor and/or a digital signal processor, directly connected to said banknote detection and reading means (10,10',11,11',12,12',13,13',14,14',15), said central unit (17) is also connected to said indicating means (20), to a driver circuit (21), to said mechanical means (22) for moving the banknotes, to a socket (23) for connection of the external electronic card (5), to a program non-volatile memory (24) as well as to a volatile memory (25).
A device according to claims 8 and 10, characterised in that said central unit (17) is also connected to said keypad (20).
A device according to claim 10, characterised in that the connection between said central unit (17) and said banknote detection and reading means (10,10',11,11',12,12',13,13',14,14',15) includes an analogue-digital converter (18).
An electronic or chip card (5) for use in a device (1) for checking the authenticity of banknotes adapted to be inserted into said outwardly accessible socket of the device (1) including means for storing data therein.
A device (1) for checking the authenticity of banknotes and electronic card or chip card (5) according to preceding claims 1-12 and 13, respectively, substantially as shown and described.