Miniaturized counterfeit detector
AssigneeMesa West, LLC
InventorRobert Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A miniaturized counterfeit detector provides multiple tests to ascertain the authenticity of currency in a rapid fashion. The miniaturized counterfeit detector comprises one or more sensors for magnetic ink testing. One or more backlights, illuminators or both may be provided for visual inspection of watermarks, florescent or other anti-counterfeiting features. The miniaturized counterfeit detector may be fastened to a surface and does not obstruct manipulation of currency to improve testing speed, especially when a number of currency items, such as banknotes or bills, are being tested.
Claims21
A miniaturized counterfeit detector for detecting currency or bill counterfeits, the detector comprising:
- a housing having a top side, and a bottom side for resting on a resting surface;
- at least one lighting element for providing examination light from the top side of the housing for illuminating currency or a bill being examined;
- at least one illuminator for providing a special light configured to illuminate an anti-counterfeit feature embedded in the currency of bill;
- one or more controls coupled to the housing configured to activate the at least one backlight and the at least one illuminator;
- a magnetic ink sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect magnetic ink when the currency or bill is wiped against or placed in contact with the magnetic ink sensor by an operator;
- and
- at least one output device that generates an output when the magnetic sensor detects magnetic ink, and
- wherein the at least one lighting element comprises a plurality of white light LEDs located at the top side of the housing.
A miniaturized counterfeit detector for detecting currency or bill counterfeits, the detector comprising:
- a housing having a top side, and a bottom side for resting on a resting surface;
- at least one lighting element for providing examination light from the top side of the housing for illuminating currency or a bill being examined;
- at least one illuminator for providing a special light configured to illuminate an anti-counterfeit feature embedded in the currency of bill;
- one or more controls coupled to the housing configured to activate the at least one backlight and the at least one illuminator;
- a magnetic ink sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect magnetic ink when the currency or bill is wiped against or placed in contact with the magnetic ink sensor by an operator;
- at least one output device that generates an output when the magnetic sensor detects magnetic ink;
- and
- a translucent, light diffusing cover extending over the at least one lighting element, the examining light being white light, and the cover is configured to enable the operator to place the currency over it and to visually examine the currency with the white light.
A method for detecting counterfeit currency or bills, the method comprising:
- providing a counterfeit detection device including:
- a housing having a top side, and a bottom side for resting on a resting surface;
- at least one lighting element for providing examination light from the top side of the housing for illuminating currency or a bill being examined;
- at least one illuminator for providing a special light configured to illuminate an anti-counterfeit feature embedded in the currency of bill;
- one or more controls coupled to the housing configured to activate the at least one backlight and the at least one illuminator;
- a magnetic ink sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect magnetic ink when the currency or bill is wiped against or placed in contact with the magnetic ink sensor by an operator;
- and at least one output device that generates an output when the magnetic sensor detects magnetic ink;
- testing the currency by placing the currency on the top side of the detector and examining the currency for the presence of a water mark using white light cast on the currency by the at least one lighting element;
- rubbing the currency against the magnetic ink sensor and observing whether the output device has generated the output indicating the presence of magnet ink on the currency;
- and
- testing the currency by placing it adjacent to the detector housing and observing the currency to determine whether it includes the anti-counterfeit feature which is rendered visible by the special light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.