Method and device for controlling paper documents of value

US6744050B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• GIESECKE & DEVRIENT GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Heinz Hornung · Gilching, DE
• Achim Philipp · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 2001
• Grant date: Jun 1, 2004
• Expiry date: Apr 27, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07D7/12
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for testing a paper of value, in particular for condition testing of a bank note, are proposed wherein the bank note is subjected both to dark-field measurement and to bright-field measurement. From comparison of the measuring results of dark-field measurement and bright-field measurement one can make a clear statement about whether a flaw, for example a hole, tear, etc., is present in the bank note in the tested area. The bright-field and dark-field measuring devices can be formed separately with one LED array and detector array in each case. However, preferred embodiments provide for either a common LED array with two detectors or two LED arrays with a common detector. If two LED arrays are used, the dark-field radiation source is preferably formed as an IR light source and the bright-field radiation source as a red-light radiation source in order to permit authenticity testing of the paper of value to be performed as well as condition testing thereof. (FIG. 1)