US 6,405,929 B1 · Material detection systems for security documents

Abstract

In a first embodiment of a material detection system according to the invention, a security document is disposed in an optical path between an infrared light source and image sensor so that the imaging system comprising the infrared light source, image sensor and associated controller determines characteristics of material compositions of a document based on transmissivity characteristics of a document. In a second embodiment, a radiation wavelength sensitive additive which emits energy in a second band of wavelengths when radiated in a first band of wavelengths is incorporated in a security document and detected for by an imaging system which detects for emitted radiant energy in the second band of wavelengths. In a third embodiment of a material detection system, the manufacturing of documents of various styles is controlled so that the various styles of documents exhibit similar reflectance characteristics under illumination by a predetermined narrow band source despite exhibiting dissimilar reflectance characteristics under white light.

Claims41

Dependent claims

An apparatus for detecting scratch-off material on a game ticket of the type comprising at least one play area having scratch-off material comprised of light blocking material formed thereon when said game ticket is manufactured, said apparatus comprising:

a light source selected so that light rays emanating from said source transmit substantially through all material present in said document except for said light blocking material;
an image sensor assembly positioned to generate image signals corresponding to said at least one play area, said image sensor assembly including an image sensor and imaging optic means for imaging said play area onto said image sensor, and a controller in communication with said imaging assembly adapted to capture an image representation of said at least one play area which indicates contrast between areas of said at least one play area covered by said scratch-off material and areas of said play area not covered by said scratch-off material;
and
means for positioning said ticket in an optical path between said light source and said image sensor.

1 more element

A system for processing a lottery game ticket of the type comprising a topside and bottomside surface, at least one identification code symbol formed on one of said surfaces, at least one play area defined on one of said surfaces, and scratch-off material formed on said play area, said system including an apparatus adapted to receive said lottery game ticket, said system comprising:

a ticket adapted for use in said system, wherein said at least one play area of said ticket includes an outer surface and an indicia icon surface exposed when said scratch-off material is removed, and wherein said ticket is adapted so that said outer surface and said indicia icon surface reflect light according to predetermined reflectance characteristics when illuminated at a predetermined narrow band of wavelengths;
a controller in communication with a memory space, operating under the control of a main program stored in said memory space;
and
an imaging subsystem including at least one imaging assembly having imaging optic means and an illumination source selected to emit light at about said predetermined narrow wavelength band configured in said apparatus to generate image signals corresponding to a surface of said document which includes said at least one play area, said controller being adapted to capture an image representation corresponding to said play area which indicates contrast between areas of said at least one play area covered by said scratch-off material and areas of said play area not covered by said scratch-off material.

1 more element

A system for detecting scratch-off material of a lottery game ticket of the type comprising a play area having an outer surface and an indicia icon surface, said outer surface including a pattern and a background, said indicia icon surface including a pattern and a background, said system comprising:

a game ticket adapted for use in said system so that said outer surface of said game ticket exhibits a plurality of colors under white light, said outer surface exhibits at least one first predetermined reflectance characteristic under illumination at a predetermined narrow band of wavelengths and said indicia icon surface exhibits at least one second predetermined reflectance characteristic when illuminated at a predetermined narrow wavelength band;
and
an imaging subsystem for imaging said play area, wherein said imaging subsystem illuminates said game ticket at said predetermined narrow wavelength band.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Material detection systems for security documents

Life of this patent

Material detection systems for security documents

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims41