Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
  • G07D7/06—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using wave or particle radiation
  • G07D7/12—Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
  • G07D7/128—Viewing devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
  • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
  • G06K7/12—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
  • G07D7/004—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
  • G07D7/0043—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip using barcodes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
  • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
  • G06K2019/06215—Aspects not covered by other subgroups
  • G06K2019/06225—Aspects not covered by other subgroups using wavelength selection, e.g. colour code

Definitions

• the present invention relates in particular to a system for reading at least one barcode.
• the bar code is read using a UV reader with an illuminant
• US Pat. No. 6,824,061 discloses a bar code reader having an illuminant having a wavelength of 405 nm and a detector responsive to visible light.
• This reader makes it possible to read a bar code made with a phosphorescent ink, invisible to the naked eye in daylight, and capable of returning visible light detectable by the detector when the barcode is illuminated by the illuminant.
• bank note comprising a bar code made with a luminescent ink.
• DE 3839772 discloses a bar code reading device comprising a first illuminant in the visible and a second illuminant in the infrared.
• the object of the invention is, according to one of its aspects, a method for reading at least two bar codes using a reading system comprising: first and second illuminants capable of emitting respectively first and second light radiations having different spectral characteristics, an optical detector, the system being arranged to permit reading by means of the detector, a first bar code when illuminated by the first illuminant and a second bar code when illuminated by the second illuminant, in which process the first and second bar codes are arranged on two different substrates and in which the first bar code is read with the first illuminant and the second bar code with the second illuminant.
• the two substrates can be physically independent, for example being carried by two different objects.
• the first barcode can be readable when the substrate carrying it is illuminated by the first light radiation and the second barcode can be readable when the substrate carrying it is illuminated by the second light radiation.
• the first barcode can be carried by an article and the second bar code can be carried by a means of payment of this article, including a banknote, a check, a coupon, a voucher, a credit card or a payment card from a store.
• the two bar codes can be read by simultaneously illuminating both barcodes with both illuminants.
• the first barcode can be undetectable to the naked eye in daylight.
• the article may include the first barcode and a third barcode, one of the first and third barcodes being readable by the reading system by being illuminated by the first illuminant and the other of the first and third bar codes readable by the reading system being illuminated by the second illuminant.
• the presence of two barcodes on the article can be used to encode different types of information.
• the first and third barcodes may overlap at least partially.
• One of the first and third barcodes may be visible to the naked eye in daylight and the other of the first and third barcodes may have UV or IR fluorescence properties.
• the first and third barcodes can be read by illuminating them with only one of the illuminants.
• the object of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, a system for reading at least one barcode, this system comprising: first and second illuminants capable of emitting respectively first and second light radiations having characteristics different spectrums, an optical detector, the system being arranged to allow the reading, using the detector, of a first bar code when illuminated by one of the illuminants and a second bar code when illuminated by the other illuminants.
• the reading system according to the invention makes it possible to read with a single detector bar codes having different optical properties, one being for example visible to the naked eye and the other invisible to the eye. naked eye.
• At least one of the two illuminants is a UV illuminant or
• IR allowing the reading of bar codes made in particular with an ink having UV or IR fluorescence.
• at least one of the bar codes can be invisible to the naked eye in daylight, its reading taking place under UV or IR illuminant.
• the detector is sensitive to at least one of the first and second light radiation.
• at least one of the two illuminants is arranged to emit visible radiation, especially of red color, and the detector may be sensitive to this visible radiation.
• the reading system can be made to read on the one hand barcodes printed with ink visible in daylight, and on the other hand, barcodes made with UV fluorescent ink. or IR, chosen so as to fluoresce a radiation in the visible, for example of blue or red, detectable by the detector of the reading system.
• Blue fluorescence may provide better contrast compared to red visible radiation and thus, where appropriate, more reliable reading of the bar code with the aid of the optical detector.
• the system is arranged to allow simultaneous emission of both illuminants.
• the visible light emitted by the other illuminants that do not affect the reading of this barcode.
• This visible light radiation even if it is not used directly for reading the bar code, can nevertheless be used as a light indicator to allow the operator to spot the UV or IR-scanned area with the naked eye. , which can facilitate the reading operation of the bar code.
• the latter is advantageously made so as to have sufficient contrast under at least one of the illuminants to allow a reliable reading using the detector.
• At least one of the illuminants is arranged to emit a directional light beam, this beam forming for example a relatively thin light beam.
• Both illuminants can emit with substantially the same divergence and orientation of the light beam, if any.
• the UV or IR beam directed on a barcode made with a UV or IR fluorescent ink for reading can in an embodiment of the invention make apparent only a relatively thin portion of this bar code , which does not reveal too obviously the presence of the barcode. The operation of reading the barcode can thus pass more easily unnoticed in the eyes of a person other than the operator, located nearby.
• One of the illuminants emitting visible light radiation may advantageously be used to reduce the visibility of the portion of the bar code made visible by the UV or IR beam.
• the reading system is arranged to allow a start, optionally, of only one of the first and second illuminants.
• the system may comprise, for this purpose, two switches each associated with one of the illuminants.
• the system comprises a portable reading device, in particular arranged to be manipulated by the user with one hand, the illuminants and the detector being housed in this reading member.
• the first and second illuminants can emit respectively mainly at first and second wavelengths, for example being substantially monochromatic.
• the detector may include a filter arranged to suppress one of the first and second wavelengths. Such a filter may allow, especially in case of simultaneous emission of the two illuminants, to prevent the light radiation emitted by at least one of the illuminants from reaching the detector, which can prevent its saturation by this light radiation.
• the filter may only be passed at the wavelength of the fluorescence of the bar code, for example.
• the invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an assembly comprising: a reading system as defined above, at least one article comprising at least one barcode, for example undetectable to the naked eye in daylight, the barcode being made for example based on at least one fluorescent ink under UV or IR.
• the article comprises at least two barcodes, one of which can be read by the reading system by being illuminated by the first illuminant, and the other of the barcodes. can be read by the reading system by being illuminated by the second illuminant.
• These two bar codes are for example read successively by sending successively the two illuminants.
• the two barcodes can overlap at least partially.
• the bar code is produced by printing on a substrate of the article, in particular by offset printing, screen printing, intaglio, letterpress, gravure or fxxography, this list not being limiting.
• the article may comprise a substrate, for example fibrous, carrying at least one strip security element, the barcode being made on this strip element.
• the strip element may in particular be a wide security thread, for example having a width of between 2 and 10 mm. This element is preferably at least partially embedded in the mass of the substrate.
• the article may comprise a foil present on one side of the substrate and the bar code may be carried by this foil. This may have been transferred onto the substrate for example by heat and / or pressure.
• the foil may extend from two opposite edges of the substrate or, alternatively, be in the form of a patch of predetermined dimensions.
• the latter may receive, for example by screen printing, a primer which may comprise a fluorescent pigment that allows an authentication under UV illuminant.
• a pattern can be created on a primer strip that is applied to the substrate, possibly with areas that extend from one side to the other.
• a fringe pattern may advantageously be created, the fringes being of different widths and separated by a variable pitch so as to define the barcode.
• the article comprises at least one iridescent coating strip, the bar code being made by at least one overprint on the coating strip and the formation of a pattern using the sleeping belt.
• the item may be one of the following: a security and / or value document, including a means of payment, for example a bank note, a check, a coupon, a voucher or a debit card. payment, an identity document, an entrance ticket to an event (sport, show, etc.) or a transport ticket, a packaging, for example a packaging box.
• a security and / or value document including a means of payment, for example a bank note, a check, a coupon, a voucher or a debit card. payment, an identity document, an entrance ticket to an event (sport, show, etc.) or a transport ticket, a packaging, for example a packaging box.
• the article may alternatively be a label.
• the invention also relates, in another of its aspects, to an article comprising at least two barcodes, one having fluorescence properties under UV or IR and the other being visible to the naked eye, in day light.
• Another object of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, a method for reading at least one barcode using a reading system as defined above, the method comprising the step consisting of: reading the bar code by illuminating it with at least one of the illuminants.
• the reading of the bar code can be performed by illuminating it simultaneously with both illuminants.
• the reading of the barcode can be carried out by illuminating it with only one of the illuminants.
• the method may further comprise the step of: reading two different bar codes, one of the bar codes being detectable when illuminated by the first light radiation and the second of the bar codes when illuminated by the other radiation luminous.
• Another aspect of the invention is, according to one of its aspects, a method for authenticating an article, in particular a banknote, comprising a barcode, the method comprising the following step: - authenticating the barcode of the article using a reading system as defined above, in particular by illuminating the barcode with one of the illuminants of the reading system.
• the invention further relates, according to another of its aspects, to a method for reading the barcode of an object and authenticating a means of payment, including a bank note, a check, a coupon, a coupon purchase, a bank card or a payment card of a store, the method comprising the following steps: reading the barcode of the object using a reading system as defined above, authenticating the means of payment using the same reading system.
• the reading of the barcode of the object can be performed using one of the illuminants of the reading system and the authentication of the object using the other illuminants of the reading system.
• FIG. 1 represents, schematically and partially, a system for reading a bar code according to the invention and a document comprising a bar code
• FIG. 2 represents, schematically and partially, a reading device of the system of FIG.
• FIG. 1 to 3 illustrate, schematically and partially, various examples of barcodes
• FIGS. 7 and 8 show, schematically and partially, two examples of security elements comprising a barcode
• FIG. 9 schematically and partially shows an article according to an exemplary implementation of the invention. .
• FIG. 1 a reading system 1 for reading at least one bar code.
• This system 1 comprises a reading element 2 connected, for example by a wire link 3, to a processing unit 4, for example a computer.
• the reading member 2 may comprise a handle 5 allowing a user to manipulate it in the manner of a gun.
• the reading element 2 comprises a housing 9 defining a head 6 and the handle 5, this head 6 having a reading window 8, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
• the reading element 2 comprises, behind the reading window 8, first 10 and second 11 illuminants arranged to emit respectively UV radiation, for example of wavelength of approximately 365 nm or 254 nm, and radiation in the visible spectrum, for example color red, in particular with a wavelength of approximately 630 nm.
• the UV illuminant can be replaced by an IR illuminant, if necessary.
• the illuminants 10 and 11 for example comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LED) or laser, and may be arranged to emit directional light radiation in the form of a relatively thin light brush.
• LED light-emitting diodes
• laser laser
• the latter may for example form on the surface on which it is projected a substantially rectangular light trace.
• the system 1 is arranged to allow the simultaneous operation of the two illuminants 10 and 11.
• the reading member 2 may include a trigger 7 or any other control system to trigger the reading of a bar code.
• the reading element 2 further comprises, behind the read window 8, an optical detector 12, for example of the linear CCD type, arranged to allow the reception of the light reflected by a bar code illuminated by at least one illuminants 10 and 11.
• an optical detector 12 for example of the linear CCD type, arranged to allow the reception of the light reflected by a bar code illuminated by at least one illuminants 10 and 11.
• the detector 12 can be arranged to read ID or 2D bar codes.
• the detector 12 may be arranged to be sensitive to the visible light radiation emitted by the second illuminant 11 and reflected by the article thus illuminated, and may comprise, if desired, a filter arranged to suppress, for example by reflection, the radiation emitted by the first illuminant 10.
• the reading system 1 makes it possible to read a barcode present on the article, in particular a security and / or value document 21, for example a banknote, a check, an identity document, a ticket of entry to an event or transport ticket.
• a security and / or value document 21 for example a banknote, a check, an identity document, a ticket of entry to an event or transport ticket.
• the article may be a label or a package, for example a packaging box.
• Article 21 comprises a substrate 22, made for example of paper, and the barcode 20 may be affixed to this substrate by printing, in particular by offset printing, screen printing, intaglio or typography.
• the bar code 20 is for example a barcode of the type EAN8, EAN1 3,
• the bar code may be a 2D type bar code, for example of the type PDF 417 (see Figure 4), DAT AMATPJX (see Figure 6), MAXICODE (see Figure 3) or QR CODE (see Figure 5 ).
• the barcode 20 has UV fluorescence properties, for example using UV fluorescent ink. This barcode is invisible to the naked eye, in daylight.
• the fluorescent ink may comprise, for example, organic or inorganic pigments.
• the nature of these pigments and / or their concentration are chosen so that the level of contrast between the light and dark areas of the bar code 20 is sufficient to allow a reliable reading of this bar code 20 by the reading system.
• the bar code 20 may be printed on a strip security element 30, as shown in FIG. 7.
• the strip element 30 is for example embedded at least partially in the mass of the substrate 22.
• the barcode 20 is printed on a fixed foil 3, for example glued, onto a face of the substrate 22 of article 21.
• the bar code 20 may be printed, such as a primer, under the foil 31.
• the latter may receive an attachment primer comprising a fluorescent pigment for authentication under UV illuminant.
• a pattern may be created for example by screen printing on a primer strip which is applied to the substrate, with areas that extend on either side of the print.
• a fringe pattern may advantageously be created, the fringes being in particular of different widths and separated by a variable pitch so as to define the bar code.
• the bar code 20 may be made by overprinting on the coating strip.
• the bar code 20 can also be achieved by incorporating pigments into an iridescent coating strip and forming a pattern on the coating strip, corresponding to a bar code, as described for example in the patent application. WO 2004/106078.
• the UV fluorescence may be replaced by IR fluorescence, if desired.
• the barcode 20 may contain information relating for example to the face value of the banknote and / or associated with other information stored on a separate data medium, this information for example, a bank note number, a geographical location, or the name of a paper manufacturer, for example.
• the reading system 1 can be used for example at a point of sale, for example in a store, to verify the authenticity of the banknotes during a payment.
• the bar code 20 can be read using the reading member 2 while being illuminated by the illuminants 10 and 11.
• the bar code illuminated by the illuminant 10 fluoresces a light detectable by the detector 12.
• the reading system 1 also makes it possible to read a bar code produced with a visible ink, for example of black color, to which case the light radiation emitted by the illuminant 11 is used to read the bar code 20.
• the light radiation emitted by the illuminants 10 and 11 are substantially superimposed.
• the UV or IR beam directed at a bar code having fluorescence properties for reading may make at least a relatively thin portion of this bar code visible, so as not to reveal too showy his presence.
• the illuminant 11 by simultaneously or almost simultaneously emitting visible light, can decrease the visibility of the portion of the bar code 20 made visible by the UV or IR beam.
• the reading operation of the barcode can thus be relatively discrete.
• FIG. 9 shows an article 32 comprising two bar codes 33 and 34, one having fluorescence properties and the other being visible to the naked eye, in daylight, these codes being superimposed.
• the reading system 1 can allow the successive reading of these bar codes 33 and 34, in which case the system can be arranged to allow successive activation of the illuminants 10 and 11.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
• Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
• Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
• Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=37600786

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (21)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 2006
  • 2006-04-27 FR FR0651497A patent/FR2900481B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-04-26 WO PCT/FR2007/051182 patent/WO2007125258A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2007-04-26 BR BRPI0710886-9A patent/BRPI0710886A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2007-04-26 US US12/298,259 patent/US20100012728A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-04-26 CA CA002650394A patent/CA2650394A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-04-26 EP EP07731955A patent/EP2011056A1/fr not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (2)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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