Method and apparatus for checking the usage state of documents of value
AssigneeGiesecke & Devrient GmbH
InventorsBernd Wunderer, Shanchuan Su
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for checking the usage state of a document of value. The document of value is illuminated with illumination light and with the help of an image sensor there is detected the light intensity of the light reflected from the document of value in order to take an image of the document of value. Of the taken image there is chosen an image detail in which there is imaged an opaque, reflective section of the document of value. The chosen image detail is examined for signs of creases which are possibly present in the opaque, reflective section of the document of value. The results of the examination for creases are used to evaluate the usage state of the document of value.
Claims15
A method for checking the usage state of a document of value comprising the steps:
- illuminating the document of value with illumination light,
- taking an image of the document of value by detecting light intensities of the light reflected from the illuminated document of value,
- choosing an image detail of the taken image in which an opaque, reflective section of the document of value is imaged, the opaque, reflective section being at least a partial area of an opaque, reflective foil element of the document of value,
- examining the chosen image detail for signs of creases which may possibly be present in the opaque, reflective section of the document of value, and
- using a result of the examining for judging the usage state of the document of value.
An apparatus for checking the usage of a document of value, the apparatus comprising:
- a light source configured to illuminate the document of value with illumination light;
- an image sensor configured to take an image of the document of value by detecting light intensities of light reflected from the illuminated document of value;
- and
- an evaluation unit configured to choose an image detail of the taken image in which an opaque, reflective section of the document of value is imaged, the evaluation unit further being configured to perform an examination of the chosen image detail for signs of creases which may possibly be present in the opaque, reflective section of the document of value, the opaque, reflective section being at least a partial area of an opaque, reflective foil element of the document of value,
- wherein the evaluation unit is configured to determine the extent of creases in the opaque, reflective section, and
- wherein a result of the examination is used to judge the usage state of the document of value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.