Abstract: An optical sensor for examining value documents, such that at a point in time before the check of the value documents, a self-test of the optical sensor is carried out, during which the light sources thereof are switched on, and, with the aid of monitor elements, the respective light intensity of the light source assigned to the respective monitor element is detected which impinges on the respective monitor element at the time of the self-test. During the check of a value document following the self-test, the light sources illuminate the value document, and measured values are recorded. The recorded measured values are then corrected with the aid of the light intensities detected by the monitor elements at the time of the self-test to take into account a change in the light intensity emitted by the light sources that occurs in the course of the service life of the light sources.

Abstract: A method for examining a value document includes emitting ultrasonic pulses onto several locations on the value document. An echo pulse arises by reflection of at least a portion of a respective ultrasonic pulse at the value document. The echo pulses are received while forming echo values, and from the echo values at least a characteristic value is established as to the wrinkledness of the value document. As apparatus is provided for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for examining a value document includes emitting ultrasonic pulses onto several locations on the value document. An echo pulse arises by reflection of at least a portion of a respective ultrasonic pulse at the value document. The echo pulses are received while forming echo values, and from the echo values at least a characteristic value is established as to the wrinkledness of the value document. As apparatus is provided for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped document of value (BN) has luminescent feature substances (20, 21). Preferably, one luminescent feature substance is present over the entire sheet-shaped document and has a low concentration, whereas a second luminescent feature substance is present at certain partial areas and has a higher concentration.

Abstract: In a method for assessing a condition of at least one value document with regard to limpness, there is determined from transmission values representing the ultrasound transmission at different places on the value document a condition value which depends on a variation of the transmission values and characterizes the condition of the value document with regard to limpness. A condition of the value document is determined for the condition value using a preset criterion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically checking sheet-shaped documents of value. According to the present invention a simply constructed measuring apparatus can be obtained, by the measuring apparatus evaluating measuring values e.g. at least two measuring frequencies and the position of one or a plurality of discrete measuring tracks being determined in such a way that at least the presence of two different not visible spectral properties of a predetermined type of authentic documents of value can be checked.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the authenticity of bank notes in unprotected areas, has a sensor assembly containing a light source which produces light of a first wavelength with which the bank notes to be checked are illuminated; whereupon one or more feature substances present in and/or on the bank notes produces light of a second wavelength which is detected by the sensor assembly. A control device evaluates data from the sensor assembly about the light of the second wavelength and compares them with reference data to determine the authenticity of the bank notes. The structure and operation of the sensor assembly and/or the control device permit conclusions to be drawn only with difficulty on the feature substance or substances contained in the bank notes.

Abstract: In a method for assessing a condition of at least one value document with regard to limpness, there is determined from transmission values representing the ultrasound transmission at different places on the value document a condition value which depends on a variation of the transmission values and characterizes the condition of the value document with regard to limpness. A condition of the value document is determined for the condition value using a preset criterion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically checking sheet-shaped documents of value. According to the present invention a simply constructed measuring apparatus can be obtained, by the measuring apparatus evaluating measuring values e.g. at least two measuring frequencies and the position of one or a plurality of discrete measuring tracks being determined in such a way that at least the presence of two different not visible spectral properties of a predetermined type of authentic documents of value can be checked.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking bank notes which scans the bank notes to be checked by means of a semiconductor array, including two linear semiconductor arrays formed of at least three layers which are sensitive to light of different wave-lengths, a first linear semiconductor array scanning the bank notes in a defined range of spectral sensitivity of the semiconductor (e.g. in the visible range), and a second linear semiconductor array scanning the bank notes in a range different therefrom (e.g. of invisible infrared light). From the signals of the two arrays a color image of the bank note and at least one image in the range of invisible light are obtained by suitable combination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet-shaped document of value with luminescent feature substance and the manufacturing and checking of such a document of value. The invention starts out from the idea to provide a sheet-shaped document of value (BN) with a luminescent feature substance (20, 21), which is present all over with low concentration as well as at certain partial areas with higher concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for checking the authenticity of bank notes in unprotected areas. The invention starts out from an apparatus for checking the authenticity of bank notes in unprotected areas, having a sensor assembly containing a light source which produces light of a first wavelength with which the bank notes to be checked are illuminated, whereupon one or more feature substances present in and/or on the bank notes produce light of a second wavelength which is detected by the sensor assembly, and a control device which evaluates data from the sensor assembly about the light of the second wavelength and compares them with reference data to determine the authenticity of the bank notes, wherein structure and operation of sensor assembly and/or control device permit conclusions to be drawn only with difficulty on the feature substance or substances contained in the bank notes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring magnetic properties of a document (5) and to a measuring head (12) suitable therefor for measuring magnetic field changes. The apparatus comprises a device (2, 3) for generating an electromagnetic alternating field, a measuring element (6) and a lock-in amplifier (7). The measuring element (6) is so adapted that it converts an electrical input signal of the measuring element (6) into an electrical output signal in dependence on changes of the magnetic field when the document (5) with magnetic properties is brought into the magnetic field. The measuring element (6) used is preferably as a GMR or SDT element which changes its electrical resistance comparatively strongly upon even small changes of the electromagnetic alternating field. The measuring head (12) for use in the apparatus comprises a printed circuit board (13) with coils (14) disposed thereon and a GMR or SDT element (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for checking bank notes which scans the bank notes to be checked by means of a semiconductor array. The inventive apparatus for checking bank notes has two linear semiconductor arrays formed of at least three layers which are sensitive to light of different wavelengths, a first linear semiconductor array scanning the bank notes in a defined range of spectral sensitivity of the semiconductor (e.g. in the visible range), and a second linear semiconductor array scanning the bank notes in a range different therefrom (e.g. of invisible infrared light). From the signals of the two arrays a color image of the bank note and at least one image in the range of invisible light are obtained by suitable combination. The inventive apparatus has the advantage that it can be realized simply and economically, and provides good check results since it avoids artifacts which can be caused for example by parallactic errors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for testing the authenticity of objects printed with security link are provided which measure light emanating from, in particular reflected or transmitted by, an object to be checked. To guarantee especially reliable authenticity testing, it is provided that light emanating from the object to be checked is detected indifferent spectral regions outside the visible spectral region. To obtain easily operated and safe authenticity testing, it is provided that light emanating from the object is detected at a plurality of places on the object in at least two selected spectral regions. A test series is produced for each spectral region wherein two test series adapted to each other, and authenticity testing is then performed by comparing the adapted two test series.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the authenticity of bank notes are proposed. The apparatus includes a light source for emitting light suitable for exciting fluorescent light in a bank note to be checked, and a fluorescence detector for detecting the fluorescent light emitted by the bank note to be checked. According to the invention it is provided that the light source is a light-emitting diode and the light-emitting diode is formed to emit light containing ultraviolet light at least in a partial spectral region. This makes it possible in particular to obtain a compact structure of the apparatus. The method involves exciting and detecting fluorescent light in the bank note to be checked and comparing the detected fluorescent light with a predefined threshold value. According to the invention it is provided that the detected fluorescent light is reduced by the ambient light detected with the light source switched off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing foreign material (2), in particular adhesive objects, glue or joints, on or in bank notes (1), including detecting the thermal radiation (5) emanating from at least a partial area of the bank note (1): and recognizing foreign material (2) located on the bank note (1) on the basis of the detected thermal radiation (5). The invention is especially suitable for recognizing adhesive objects, in particular adhesive tape and joints, on bank notes since areas of a bank note with adhesive tape or joints differ very distinctly in their thermal properties from other areas of the bank note without adhesive tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus for recognizing foreign material (2), in particular adhesive objects, glue or joints, on or in bank notes (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for testing the authenticity of objects printed with security ink, for example bank notes, security documents, identification documents or documents of value, by measuring light emanating from, in particular reflected or transmitted by, an object to be checked.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the authenticity of bank notes are proposed.