Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optically testing containers, in which a container (10) is conveyed by means of a transport device (30), whereby an image of a side wall surface of the container (10) is generated by means of an inspection unit (40) comprising a camera unit (20) and an illumination unit (34). An inspection volume (24) is spanned by several correspondingly arranged inspection units (40), in which an image of the entire side wall surface (26) of the container (10) is generated in a transmitted light method, an incident light method and/or a dark-field method.

Abstract: A method of determining the authenticity of a document of value provided with a watermark pattern, the method comprising determining whether the watermark pattern exhibits a discontinuity.

Abstract: A method is provided of detecting a region of raised material on a document surface. A surface of the document is illuminated with at least one angled radiation beam such that any raised material on the document surface reflects the radiation. The surface containing the raised material is imaged using at least one radiation detector. The image is then processed to detect the existence on the document surface of the raised material. The illuminating step causes a reflection and/or shadow to be generated from at least one edge of the raised material. The processing step detects the location of the material using the said reflection and/or shadow from the at least one edge.

Abstract: A method of determining the authenticity of a document of value provided with a watermark pattern, the method comprising determining whether the watermark pattern exhibits a discontinuity.

Abstract: A method is provided of detecting a region of raised material on a document surface. A surface of the document is illuminated with at least one angled radiation beam such that any raised material on the document surface reflects the radiation. The surface containing the raised material is imaged using at least one radiation detector. The image is then processed to detect the existence on the document surface of the raised material. The illuminating step causes a reflection and/or shadow to be generated from at least one edge of the raised material. The processing step detects the location of the material using the said reflection and/or shadow from the at least one edge.

Abstract: In an apparatus for processing banknotes or other sheet-like objects, the banknotes are conveyed along a transport path, thereby passing sensor means. A transmission and a reflection image of the banknote are captured by illuminating the banknotes and measuring the transmittive and reflective light intensity of light with a high resolution. Based on these images, a validation of the banknotes is carried out. After the validation, a double feed detection is performed by evaluating the transmission and the reflection intensities for a predefined set of test spots with a two-dimensional evaluation. If it is decided on double feed, the banknotes are rejected. Otherwise the banknotes are accepted and further processed. Because of the additional dimension in the evaluation compared with known double detection methods, the invention enables a more robust double note detection also in cases with different degrees of soiling of the banknotes.

Abstract: An optical detection device for validating bank notes has several input apertures, an imagine device (12), a diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) associated with each input aperture (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) and a detection array (17). The diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) is rotated at angle of e.g. 45 degrees relative to the orientation of the linear detection array (17). This arrangement enables the spectra of multiple points to be measured simultaneously. The angle of rotation, the pitch of the apertures (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) and a pitch of the diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) are selected in such a way that the spectra of said multiple points are contiguously mapped onto the detection array (17) having a single linear array of color sensitive detection pixels. The axis of the linear array is offset with respect to an optical axis (7) of the optical detection device.

Abstract: In an apparatus for processing banknotes or other sheet-like objects, the banknotes are conveyed along a transport path, thereby passing sensor means. A transmission and a reflection image of the banknote are captured by illuminating the banknotes and measuring the transmittive and reflective light intensity of light with a high resolution. Based on these images, a validation of the banknotes is carried out. After the validation, a double feed detection is performed by evaluating the transmission and the reflection intensities for a predefined set of test spots with a two-dimensional evaluation. If it is decided on double feed, the banknotes are rejected. Otherwise the banknotes are accepted and further processed. Because of the additional dimension in the evaluation compared with known double detection methods, the invention enables a more robust double note detection also in cases with different degrees of soiling of the banknotes.

Abstract: An optical detection device for validating bank rates has several input apertures, an imaging device (12), a diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) associated with each input aperture (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) and a detection array (17). The diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) is rotated at angle of e.g. 45 degrees relative to the orientation of the linear detection array (17). This arrangement enables the spectra of multiple points to be measured simultaneously. The angle of rotation, the pitch of the apertures (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) and a pitch of the diffraction grating (15.1, 15.2, 15,3) are selected in such a way that the spectra of sad multiple points are contiguously mapped onto the detection array (17) has a single linear array of color sensitive detection pixels. The acxis of the linear array is offset with respect to an optical axis (7) of the optical detection device.