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US5308992A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Currency paper and banknote verification device

Assignee: AUTHENTICATION TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1991-12-31
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Granted: 1994-05-03
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Expires: 2011-12-31
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Abstract

Abstract A photodiode and a phototransistor are positioned on opposite sides of a document subjected to verification for authenticity under transmitted light. A logic circuit determines the presence or absence of the security feature and correspondingly provides visual or audible indication thereof. The photodiode, phototransistor and related circuitry are arranged within an enclosure that is attached to a currency receiving device such as a cash register. The visual or audible indicators are mounted on the cash register for immediate indication of the currency verification to the cashier. A simplified capacitive proximity sensor can be employed, per se, for inexpensive applications or for redundant verification in combination with an optical detector. The shape of the capacitive sensor is configured to that of the security thread to discriminate between the security thread and the currency paper. Additional optical circuits are employed to detect counterfeit markings on the currency surface.

Inventors

  • 👤 Timothy T. Crane
  • 👤 Robert J. Danek
  • 👤 Steven K. Harbaugh
  • 👤 Richard A. Menelly

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 15:21
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/02; G07D7/026; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/08; G06K7/081; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G07D7/003; G07D7/0034

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim 91 words
A device for verifying authenticity of currency paper and banknotes comprising: a currency receiver arranged for accepting at least one edge of a proferred currency paper; transmitter means proximate said currency receiver providing a pair of electronic signals of opposite phase; detector means intermediate said transmitter means adjustably balancing said electronic signals when a security thread comprising a metallized plastic strip is absent from said currency paper; and circuit means connected with said detector means determining an imbalance between said electronic signals when said security thread is within said currency paper.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 91 words
A device for verifying authenticity of currency paper and banknotes comprising: a currency receiver arranged for accepting at least one edge of a proferred currency paper; transmitter means proximate said currency receiver providing a pair of electronic signals of opposite phase; detector means intermediate said transmitter means adjustably balancing said electronic signals when a security thread comprising a metallized plastic strip is absent from said currency paper; and circuit means connected with said detector means determining an imbalance between said electronic signals when said security thread is within said currency paper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said transmitter means comprises a pair of spaced metal plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The device of claim 1 further including a pair of capacitive plates connected with said transmitter means, said detector means being arranged intermediate said plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said circuit means further includes an amplifier interconnected with said detector means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said transmitter means includes a radio frequency oscillator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said oscillator comprises a pair of interconnected OR-gates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said detector means comprises a metal wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 15 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said wire is dimensioned to said security thread configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 30 words
The device of claim 7 including an electrically-conductive sleeve arranged at least partially around said wire and connected with said circuit means reducing stray capacitances between said wire and ground.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said circuit means further includes an analogue switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said sleeve connects with said analogue switch through a variable resistor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 110 words
A verification device for determining authenticity of currency and banknotes comprising: a first optical source positioned on one side of a proferred currency proximate a corresponding first optical sensor, said first optical sensor arranged for detecting reflected light from any reflective counterfeit means on said one side; a second optical source on said one side proximate a corresponding second optical sensor, said second optical sensor arranged for detecting non-reflected light from any non-reflective counterfeit means on said one side; and logic means connected with said first and second sensors for determining whether said non-reflective or reflective counterfeit means is present or absent from said one side and providing indication thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 110 words
A verification device for determining authenticity of currency and banknotes comprising: a first optical source positioned on one side of a proferred currency proximate a corresponding first optical sensor, said first optical sensor arranged for detecting reflected light from any reflective counterfeit means on said one side; a second optical source on said one side proximate a corresponding second optical sensor, said second optical sensor arranged for detecting non-reflected light from any non-reflective counterfeit means on said one side; and logic means connected with said first and second sensors for determining whether said non-reflective or reflective counterfeit means is present or absent from said one side and providing indication thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 24 words
The verification device of claim 12 including capacitive sensing means arranged proximate said currency for detecting whether a security thread is within said currency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 15 words
The verification device of claim 12 wherein said logic means includes a pair of NOR-gates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 28 words
The verification device of claim 12 including a GREEN and a RED light-emitter connected with said logic means providing indication of whether said currency is genuine or counterfeit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 22 words
The verification device of claim 12 including an optical fiber intermediate said first light source and said one side of said currency.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 22 words
The verification device of claim 12 including an optical fiber intermediate said second light source and said one side of said currency.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 43 words
The verification device of claim 12 including a third optical source positioned on an opposite side of said currency proximate a corresponding third optical sensor, said third optical sensor arranged for detecting reflected light from any reflective counterfeit means on said opposite side.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 69 words
The security device of claim 18 including a fourth optical source on said opposite side proximate a fourth optical sensor, said fourth optical sensor arranged or detecting non-reflected light from any non-reflective counterfeit means on said opposite side, said logic means connected with said third and fourth sensors for determining whether said non-reflective or reflective counterfeit means is present or absent from said opposite side and providing indication thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 40 words
The verification device of claim 12 including an additional optical source on said one side and an additional optical sensor on said opposite side, said additional source and said additional sensor arranged for detecting a security thread within said currency.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 34 words
The verification device of claim 20 wherein said additional optical sensor is connected with said logic device for determining whether a security thread is present or absent from said currency and providing indication thereof.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3980990A Cited
US4524276A Cited
US4652015A Cited
US4761205A Cited
US4973851A Cited
US4980569A Cited
US5151607A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-05-02 1997-11-01 1998-05-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-05-02 2001-11-01 2002-05-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-05-02 2005-11-01 2006-05-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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