Method and apparatus for checking a value document

A device for checking value documents at least of one specified type, the device comprising:

• an ultrasonic sensor that includes a transmitter configured to transmit ultrasonic waves such that at least one ultrasonic property of the value document of value can be determined, and the ultrasonic sensor is configured to determine in a spatially resolved manner said at least one ultrasonic property of the value document transported through a capture region of the ultrasonic sensor so as to form location-dependent measuring data;
• and
• an evaluation device which is configured to
• receive the measuring data of the ultrasonic sensor,
• check while employing the location-dependent measuring data whether two areal regions including a first areal region and a second areal region are present in a specified checking region of the value document, so that the at least one ultrasonic property has a specified first course at locations in the first areal region of the value document, and the at least one ultrasonic property in the first areal region and the at least one ultrasonic property in the second areal region of the value document deviate from each other according to a specified difference criterion, and
• form an authenticity signal which represents the result of the check.

An apparatus for processing value documents having

• a feeding device for value documents to be processed;
• an output device for value documents which has at least two output portions for receiving processed value documents;
• a transport device for transporting singled value documents from the feeding device along a transport path to the output device;
• a checking device for checking value documents at least of one specified type, the checking device including
• an ultrasonic sensor that includes a transmitter configured to transmit ultrasonic waves such that at least one ultrasonic property of the value document of value can be determined, and the ultrasonic sensor is configured to determine in a spatially resolved manner said at least one ultrasonic property of the value document transported through a capture region of the ultrasonic sensor so as to form location-dependent measuring data, and
• an evaluation device which is configured to
• receive the measuring data of the ultrasonic sensor,
• check while employing the location-dependent measuring data whether two areal regions including a first areal region and a second areal region are present in a specified checking region of the value document, so that the at least one ultrasonic property has a specified first course at locations in the first area region of the value document, and the at least one ultrasonic property in the first areal region and the at least one ultrasonic property in the second areal region of the value document deviate from each other according to a specified difference criterion, and
• form an authenticity signal which represents the result of the check;
• wherein the checking device is arranged such that the transport path extends through a capture region of the checking device;
• and
• the apparatus for processing value documents further comprising a control device which so actuates the transport device in dependence on an authenticity signal of the checking apparatus for a value document transported by the transport device that the value document is transported into an output portion of two output portions that corresponds to the authenticity signal.