Secure container for storing or transporting valuable documents, and system for securing the storage and transport of valuable documents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secure container for storing valuable documents, e.g., banknotes, marked with respective valuable document identification numbers, and a corresponding security system which, upon detection of an intrusion, invalidates the valuable documents and delivers an alarm message including at least the valuable document identification number to authorities and / or ATMs or carriers in real time via a communications network and prevents any transactions based on the invalidated valuable documents via said ATMs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of storage and transportation for preventing theft of valuable documents (for example, banknotes).

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] In the field of security, it is often necessary to transport large amounts of valuable documents, especially banknotes, between different locations. For example, it is common to transport banknotes, for example, by a CIT ("Cash-In-Transit") van, from a bank vault to an automated teller machine ("ATM") located in a supermarket or shopping center where they can be dispensed. Since the valuable documents attract theft, protective storage devices have been developed to prevent unauthorized access by storing them in a locked, secure, and non-tamperable mobile container.

[0003]

[0003] To prevent attempts to break into a secure container and to deter an attack, secure containers have been developed that invalidate the valuable documents contained therein in the event of an attempted theft, theft, break-in, or improper act. Therefore, it has been proposed to associate these containers with an invalidation unit for releasing and spreading an invalidating agent onto the valuable documents for the purpose of making the valuable documents unusable when attempting to access them. The invalidation of valuable documents, especially banknotes, is a security measure that occurs by the operation of anti-theft devices installed in CIT vans, automated teller machines (ATMs), security cases, safes, or safety deposit boxes. For example, banknotes stored or stacked in a housing, or banknotes transported in bundles, are stored in a sealed and locked container that also houses the invalidation unit. When there is any unauthorized attempt, an infringement to open the container, a specific invalidating agent such as a colored ink (also called indelible ink in the art) is ejected and delivered onto the stored valuable documents.

[0004]

[0004] In the event of an improper attempt or security breach, the invalidator contacts the valuable document, thereby enabling the movement of ink (or adhesive) above and between the documents stored, stacked, or piled up within the housing, thus invalidating them and rendering them worthless and unusable when the secure container is tampered with improperly. Typically, invalidation by colored ink enables the permanent and irreversible marking of valuable documents by obtaining a typical, visible, or recognizable change, and invalidation by adhesive enables the fusing of valuable documents into a solid brick-like mass. An important aspect of invalidation is to clearly distinguish valuable documents (e.g., banknotes) colored with a specific "safe" invalidator from documents colored or soiled with some standard agent, such as ink that can be commercially purchased without restriction by anyone.

[0005]

[0005] In the case of banknotes, the security container functions as an anti-theft device and is known as an "Intelligent Banknote Invalidation System" (IBNS), which activates when a criminal opens a protected cash container such as an ATM or the vault of a cash transport vehicle. These systems render stolen banknotes unusable and worthless for circulation, thus reducing the risk that retailers, banks, and other professional cash handlers will become victims of crime.

[0006]

[0006] However, it can happen that identifying stolen / tainted banknotes becomes difficult when the improperly tampered banknotes contain only minor or small colorings that are not easily visible or recognizable by humans or machines. Also, it may become difficult to distinguish between stolen / tainted banknotes and merely soiled banknotes. As a result, the improperly tampered banknotes may inadvertently enter circulation, i.e., it may be difficult to prove the link between the criminal and the theft of the banknotes.

[0007]

[0007] Tracking technology has been developed for police investigations and law enforcement agency authorities. For example, security systems using forensic markers have been used to associate a crime with a perpetrator and improve the chance of successfully identifying the perpetrator. However, such systems rely on perpetrators known to law enforcement agency authorities such as the police, and authorities that detect invisible markers on the perpetrators.

[0008]

[0008] Police investigations need to not only ensure that bills are colored with invalidating agents, but also create an obvious relevance between stolen bills, attacks, and those with potential suspicion. Tracking technology is useful for guiding law enforcement agency authorities to the scene where a perpetrator attempts to open a secure container. In some cases, the tracking system in the secure container led the police to the perpetrator's home and led to the arrest of the perpetrator.

[0009]

[0009] Therefore, there is still a need for a secure container that facilitates the detection and identification of security documents tampered with illegally at collection sites (such as ATMs, stores, counters, etc.) and enables the collection of sufficient evidence to convict the perpetrator, thereby facilitating the identification of the perpetrator involved in an attack on the security container. Furthermore, this solution is also needed to help people on the road detect and identify stolen / counterfeit banknotes, even if the banknotes do not contain obvious colored spots, and to facilitate law enforcement.

Summary of the Invention

[0010]

[0010] According to a first aspect, the present invention is a secure container for storing valuable documents marked with respective valuable document identification numbers, the secure container comprising - a storage unit configured to store valuable documents, and - an intrusion sensor configured to detect unauthorized entry into the secure container and configured to distribute an intrusion signal upon detection of the unauthorized entry - configured to receive an invalidating agent having an invalidating agent identification number and, upon receipt of an intrusion signal delivered by an intrusion sensor, configured to invalidate the stored valuable documents with the invalidating agent, an invalidating unit; comprising The secure container - further comprises an alarm unit connected to the intrusion sensor and configured to receive an intrusion signal, the alarm unit a memory storing a valuable document identification number and an invalidating agent identification number; a communication unit operable to transmit data stored in the memory through a communication network upon receipt of an intrusion signal; comprising - configured such that when the alarm unit receives an intrusion signal from the intrusion sensor, the alarm unit transmits an alarm message in real time through the communication network to a database via the communication unit, the alarm message including the valuable document identification number and the invalidating agent identification number stored in the memory, relating to the secure container.

[0011]

[0011] The secure container may have its own container identification number that can be stored in the memory of the alarm unit, and the alarm message may further include the container identification number. Preferably, the valuable document is a banknote marked with a serial number, and each valuable document identification number is a banknote serial number.

[0012]

[0012] The secure container may further comprise a geographical tracking unit operable to detect the geographical location of the secure container upon receipt of an intrusion signal and transmit corresponding geographical location data to the alarm unit, and the alarm unit, upon receipt of the intrusion signal, obtains the geographical location data from the geographical tracking unit in real time and transmits the obtained geographical location data through the communication network to the database via the communication unit. Preferably, the geographical tracking unit is a GPS sensor.

[0013]

[0013] According to the present invention, the communication unit of the secure container further includes a processing unit configured to digitally sign data transmitted by the communication unit through a communication network.

[0014]

[0014] Preferably, the invalidation unit of the secure container is configured to receive a coloring ink (e.g., stored under pressure in a tank). Thus, when an intrusion signal is issued from the intrusion sensor, indelible ink is discharged into the storage unit by the invalidation unit to invalidate and deface the valuable document.

[0015]

[0015] According to a second aspect, the present invention is a system for securing the storage and transportation of valuable documents marked with respective valuable document identification numbers, the system comprising - a secure container according to the present invention as described above in which the valuable document is stored, and - a database having a communication interface configured to receive data from the communication unit of the secure container via a communication network, and - a control module comprising a memory module and a processing module, connected to the database and the communication interface, the control module being configured to extract alarm data included in an alarm message received from the communication unit of the secure container via the communication interface and store the extracted alarm data in the database, the memory module storing a list of electronic communication addresses accessible via the communication network, comprising - the control module is configured to distribute an alarm message to an electronic address from the list via the communication interface through the communication network when the control module receives the alarm message by the communication interface, the alarm message including at least the valuable document identification number extracted from the alarm message, relating to the system.

[0016] The warning message may further include an invalidator identification number extracted from the alarm message. Preferably, if the warning message includes a secure container identification number, the warning message further includes this container identification number.

[0017]

[0017] If the secure container includes the above-described geographical tracking unit, the system may have a control module configured to extract geographical location data received via a communication interface from the communication unit of the secure container and store the extracted geographical location data in a database in association with the alarm data stored for the secure container, and the warning message may further include geographical location data associated with the alarm data stored for the secure container.

[0018]

[0018] In the above system, - The valuable document may be a banknote having a serial number, and each valuable document identification number is each banknote serial number, - The list of electronic communication addresses may include the electronic communication address of the communication module of the cash dispenser, - The communication module of the cash dispenser may be configured to receive, from the control module through a communication network, the security document identification number extracted from the warning message, - When the cash dispenser receives a valuable document identification number via the communication module, it may be configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the valuable document identification numbers received from the control module via the communication module.

[0019]

[0019] Preferably, in the system according to the present invention, - The valuable document is a banknote having a serial number, and each valuable document identification number is each banknote serial number, - The list of electronic communication addresses includes the electronic communication addresses of the respective communication modules of a plurality of cash dispensers, - Each communication module of the cash dispenser is configured to receive, from the control module through the communication network, the valuable document identification number extracted from the warning message. - Each cash dispenser is configured to reject any transaction operation with the banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the valuable document identification numbers received from the control module through the communication module when it receives the valuable document identification number via the communication module of each cash dispenser. - The memory module of the control module stores the geographical location data corresponding to each cash dispenser. - The control module is further configured to determine the respective positions of the cash dispensers closest to the secure container from the geographical location data of the stored cash dispensers and the geographical location data of the secure containers stored in the database. - The control module is configured to transmit, through the communication network via the communication interface, the valuable document identification number extracted from the warning message received from the secure container to the communication module of the cash dispenser closest to the secure container.

[0020]

[0020] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing the prominent aspects and features of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Fig. 1A

Fig. 1B

Fig. 2A

Fig. 2B

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] According to an example of an embodiment of the present invention schematically shown in FIG. 1A, a secure container 10 can be used, for example, to store and transport valuable documents such as banknotes. As a storage device, the secure container 10 can be used in the same way as a conventional cassette (for example, a cash box or an ATM cassette), and includes a storage unit 11 for stacking banknotes 12, an intrusion sensor 13 for detecting intrusion into the container, and an invalidation unit 14 configured to receive an invalidating agent 15. The secure container is made of thick rigid steel plate and has a lock / open unit 16 for opening and closing the container. This lock / open unit 16 can be a simple cylinder lock (with a specific key), or, for example, a more sophisticated device including a keyboard for entering a specific code to lock / unlock the container or a card reader for reading an authorized card to enable locking or unlocking the container. The intrusion sensor 13 can detect the destruction of the container or the lock / open unit of the container, or even an attempt at intrusion (for example, via a shock detection sensor). As an intrusion sensor for a conventional cassette, when an intrusion is detected, the intrusion sensor 13 sends (or mechanically activates) an intrusion signal to the invalidation unit 14, and then the invalidation unit 14 releases, for example, a colored ink (or adhesive) contained under pressure in a tank and sprays it onto the banknotes, so that the banknotes 12 in the storage unit 11 where the stacked banknotes 12 are invalidated by the invalidating agent 15, for example, colored with ink, are marked with the invalidating agent and can be easily identified as stolen and rejected, and thus cannot be used in transactions anymore. However, some of the invalidated banknotes may not be soiled enough to be easily detected visually (for example, at first glance). For example, some banknotes may be soiled with very small droplets of colored ink rather than large ink traces, and therefore can be reused even in retail or at an ATM (which generally does not have a colored ink sensor).Only more thorough inspections can reveal the illicit origin of these banknotes. Furthermore, when a banknote is presented to a cashier or a store clerk, or to anyone in the general public, it is not easy to distinguish small droplets of the coloring ink from accidental coloring by paint or conventional ink (i.e., not an invalidating agent such as IBNS ink) or coffee, etc. To improve security, the coloring ink is generally an IBNS coloring ink, i.e., an ink that can be very well distinguished by its chemical / physical properties (e.g., having a specific chemical composition and, in some cases, a tagant with inherent properties such as luminescence under suitable illumination or IR absorbency). These IBNS inks are also known as security inks. Thus, security inks cannot be confused with ordinary inks (which are freely commercially available) or accidental stains. The presence of such IBNS security ink on a banknote (even in a very small amount) clearly establishes the illicit origin of this banknote. The drawback of tags (e.g., inorganic substances or nanoparticles such as rare earth elements) is that they generally provide limited coding capabilities. Organic tags such as DNA present more possibilities but require even more costly tests. Each invalidating agent has an assigned invalidating agent identification number that enables it to be uniquely identified, and the invalidating agent identification number uniquely corresponds to the above-mentioned specific chemical / physical properties of each invalidating agent.

[0023]

[0022] To overcome these security breaches, the secure container 10 further comprises an alarm unit 17 (powered by a battery) shown in FIG. 1B, which is connected to the intrusion sensor 13 and configured to receive the intrusion signal distributed by the intrusion sensor. This connection can be a wired connection (for receiving an electrical impulse corresponding to the intrusion signal), or even a mechanical connection (the intrusion signal corresponding to a mechanical action of the intrusion sensor on a switch for activating the alarm unit). Preferably, the intrusion signal is transmitted via a wireless connection between the intrusion sensor 13 and the alarm unit 17, for example, by radio waves such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) for short-range connections, or by Wi-Fi via a Wi-Fi communication network for longer-range signal transmission. The alarm unit 17 is preferably disposed within the secure container 10. However, in some variations, the alarm unit may be remote from the secure container itself, for example, inside an ATM that houses the secure container (but separated from the container), or inside a CIT van that transports the secure container.

[0024]

[0023] The alarm unit 17 includes a memory 18 and a communication unit 19 that is operable to transmit data stored in the memory 18 to an external database 21 (see FIG. 2A) through a communication network 20 when an intrusion signal is received from the intrusion sensor 13. The communication network 20 can be, for example, a Wi-Fi type or any mobile / smartphone communication network, and the data transmission is performed via an antenna capable of transmitting a wireless signal outside the secure container. To improve security, each secure container is assigned an identification number that uniquely identifies the container. The memory 18 of the alarm unit 17 stores the container identification number, the valuable document identification number of the valuable document stored in the storage unit 11, and the invalidator identification number of the invalidator 15 of the invalidation unit 14. The advantage of associating the identification number of the valuable document or container with the identification number of the invalidator is to overcome the above-mentioned limited coding ability of some colored inks (i.e., their ability to distinguish different intrusion events based on the quantifiable differences in their compositions). The container identification number may be permanently stored in the memory 18. The valuable document identification number and the invalidator identification number are input into the memory 18 when the corresponding banknote and invalidator are loaded into the secure container 10, respectively. The operation of inputting the identification number can be performed manually (e.g., via a numeric keypad connected to the alarm unit), automatically via a card reader capable of reading a card (inserted by an operator), or via a memory stick containing these numbers and connected to the alarm unit. Preferably, the serial number of the banknote loaded into the memory 18 is read by a dedicated device that performs optical character recognition (OCR) (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,883,707 or via a USF-50 Banknote sorter manufactured by Glory Ltd.). The agent or company responsible for storing the serial number in the memory may further sign the transferred data (e.g., using a private key) to track the operation.Therefore, when the secure container is loaded with banknotes and closed, the memory 18 includes all data that uniquely identifies the secure container, the banknote serial numbers of the stored banknotes, and the invalidator numbers.

[0025]

[0024] When the alarm unit 17 receives an intrusion signal from the intrusion sensor 13, it transmits an alarm message in real time through the communication network 20 via the communication unit 19 to the database 21. This alarm message includes at least the valuable document identification number and the invalidator identification number stored in the memory. Preferably, the alarm message also includes the secure container identification number. The information stored in the database 21 can be shared (in whole or in part) in real time by selected stakeholders such as, for example, the police, the bank's security service, the IBNS manufacturer, the CIT enterprise, etc. In the case of an attack on the secure container, the real-time alarm enables the authorities with access to the database 21 to quickly implement appropriate countermeasures in their respective areas of responsibility.

[0026]

[0025] Therefore, the serial numbers of stolen (or at least colored) banknotes can be listed on the blacklist as quickly as possible to prevent criminals from returning the banknotes to the cash cycle for use (this is mainly done by attempting to supply the banknotes to an ATM). In practice, just by reading the serial number, it is possible to check the latest blacklist stored in the secure database 21 and detect colored banknotes. For example, a bank teller at a bank branch can make a determination regarding a suspicious banknote (i.e., whether it is colored by IBNS or soiled with standard ink) just by reading the serial number and checking the blacklist stored in the secure database 21. There is no need to perform tests using complex and expensive equipment (e.g., DNA detection) at the bank branch. The same applies to the automatic verification of banknotes performed at an ATM that has a deposit function and can access the (latest) blacklist of serial numbers within the database 21. A banknote handling machine that can sort out banknotes listed on the blacklist can immediately automatically notify the legal authorities by indicating the location where these banknotes appear in the market. The cashiers at the central bank can currently easily distinguish banknotes colored with IBNS ink (which may not be redeemed in some countries) from banknotes accidentally colored with, for example, paint, conventional ink, or coffee when such banknotes are presented. More globally, anyone, including a cashier at a commercial bank, a store employee, or an ordinary person in possession of a suspiciously colored banknote, can scan the serial number of this banknote and check whether it is blacklisted, and can benefit from an application on a smartphone that provides access (through a communication network) to the serial numbers listed on the blacklist in the database 21 to confirm that this banknote is stolen.

[0027]

[0026] Generally, existing databases such as EUSISS ("EUropean Smock and Ink Staining System") contain information on the criteria for colored inks and the corresponding taggants (inactivators), enabling the authorities to perform forensic analysis of suspect soiled banknotes. However, they do not provide a link between the banknote serial numbers of the attacked secure container and the taggant identification number or inactivator identification number used to stain the banknotes stored in this container. To associate the taggant ID with a crime, the authorities have to perform a comparison between the taggant ID and the possible crime scene, often resulting in one or more results. Additionally, all data has to be collected manually from taggant and ink suppliers. The present invention eliminates such operations by associating in real time a crime (i.e., an attack on a secure container) with the serial numbers of the colored banknotes and the identification numbers of the specific inactivators used to color these banknotes, and optionally the identification number of the secure container, enabling the detection, identification, and traceability up to the crime scene of stolen banknotes. Thereby, stolen banknotes can be easily removed from circulation and legal measures and enforcement are facilitated, removing the incentive for theft. Thus, when a colored banknote is detected, by simply checking the serial number against those listed in the blacklist and then performing a material-based identification of the colorant corresponding to the serial number listed in the blacklist, the legal authorities can establish a link between the identified colorant and a specific crime. This forensic identification can be used in court to establish a link between the identified inactivating agent and a specific crime.

[0028]

[0027] According to a preferred modification example, the secure container 10 is connected to the alarm unit 17 and can receive an intrusion signal from the intrusion sensor 13. Further, when receiving the intrusion signal, the secure container can detect (in real time) the geographical position of the secure container. The secure container further includes a geographical tracking unit 22 (for example, a GPS receiver of the "Global Positioning System"). The geographical tracking unit 22 is configured to transmit the detected geographical position to the alarm unit 17. Then, the communication unit 19 of the alarm unit transmits the detected geographical position to the database 21 via the communication network 20 (alternatively, the geographical position data may be part of the alarm message). Therefore, when there is an attack on the secure container 10, the database receives both the alarm message and the geographical position of the attack event in real time, and can quickly establish a correlation between the position of the attack, at least the serial numbers of the invalidated banknotes in the attacked secure container, and the specific invalidating agent used to stain these banknotes. The police who can access the database 21 can act more efficiently and quickly based on the real-time position of the attack. The serial numbers listed on the blacklist are provided to the relevant authorities in real time. Subsequently, since the corresponding (stained) banknotes can hardly circulate, a person holding a banknote listed on the blacklist can be considered to be suspected of the attack. Also, a cash handling machine that reads the serial number of the banknote deposited by the depositor and detects that it is listed on the blacklist (by accessing the blacklist in the database 21) will reject the deposit to the depositor's account while holding the banknote for investigation together with the identity of the depositor.

[0029] In order to improve the security of data transmission between the communication unit 19 and the database 21, the communication unit may further include a processing unit configured to digitally sign the data transmitted by the communication unit 19 through the communication network 20 via a secret key (e.g., 256-bit number) of a symmetric or asymmetric encryption system. Of course, in order to read the encrypted data received by the database, the corresponding decryption key must be used. In the case of an asymmetric encryption system, the public key is used to authenticate the data received by the database (i.e., to prove that this data is encrypted via the corresponding authorized secret key, thus providing a digital proof about the integrity of the data). Also, in order to prevent data tampering, the data received by the database 21 may be block-chained. Also, the public keys of different stakeholders may be stored in the block-chain.

[0030]

[0029] The database 21 has a communication interface 23 configured to receive data from the communication unit 19 of the secure container 10 via the communication network 20. The database 21 also has a control module 24 comprising a memory module 25 and a processing module 26. The control module 24 is configured to extract alarm data (i.e., at least the banknote serial number and the invalidator ID number, and optionally the secure container ID number) included in the alarm message received from the communication unit 19 of the secure container 10, and store the extracted alarm data in the database 21. The memory module 25 includes a list of electronic communication addresses of selected stakeholders accessible via the communication network 20. The control module 24 is further configured to distribute an alarm message via the communication interface 23 to the stored electronic addresses through the communication network 20 when an alarm message is received by the communication interface 23, the alarm message including (at least) the banknote serial number extracted from the alarm message. The alarm message may further include the invalidator identification number extracted from the received alarm message, and optionally the secure container identification number (if the received alarm message included the secure container identification number).

[0031]

[0030] The control module 24 (see FIG. 2B) may be further configured to extract geographical location data received by the communication interface 23 from the communication unit of a secure container equipped with a geographical tracking unit, in addition to the alarm message. The control module 24 stores the extracted geographical location data in the database 21 in association with the stored alarm data extracted from the received alarm message. The control module 24 also transmits the extracted geographical location data to the stored electronic addresses together with the corresponding alarm message.

[0032]

[0031] When the data received by the communication interface 23 is signed (as described above), the control module 24 of the database 21 is configured to read the received signed data. When the received data is encrypted with an (authorized) encryption key, the processing module 26 is configured to decrypt the data with the corresponding decryption key stored in the memory module 25. When asymmetric encryption is used, the memory module stores the corresponding public key, and the control module 24 is configured to confirm, with the stored public key, that the received signed data is signed with an authorized private key, via the processing module 26 of the control module 24 (thus ensuring that the received data indeed comes from a secure container).

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system for securing the storage and transportation of valuable documents according to the present invention, comprising the secure container 10 and the database 21, is more specifically adaptable to the security of an automated teller machine (e.g., an ATM, or an ATM having a cash deposit facility, or more generally a cash handling machine). The automated teller machine has a communication module configured to receive in real time from the control module 24 through the communication network 20 the banknote serial numbers extracted from the alarm messages received by the database 21 from the communication unit 19 of the alarm unit 17 of the secure container 10. And the automated teller machine updates a file (stored in the memory of the automated teller machine) containing a list of serial numbers listed in the blacklist. In this case, the list of electronic communication addresses stored in the memory module 25 of the control module 24 includes the electronic communication address of the communication module of the automated teller machine. The automated teller machine is configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the valuable document identification numbers received from the control module through the communication module when receiving the banknote serial number through the communication module of the automated teller machine. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to prevent any attempt to reuse the cash stolen by the offender in an attack on the secure container immediately after the said attack.

[0034]

[0033] The container 10 is provided with a geographical tracking unit 22, and the system has a control module 24 operable to extract geographical location data of a secure container received (along with an alarm message) via a communication interface 23. A list of electronic communication addresses stored in a memory module 25 includes the electronic communication addresses of the respective communication modules of a plurality of automated teller machines. When the memory module 25 stores geographical location identification data of each of the automated teller machines in the list, the processing module can find the respective geographical locations of the automated teller machines closest to the received geographical location of the secure container. In fact, each communication module of the plurality of automated teller machines is configured to receive, via a communication network, the relevant geographical location identification data stored in a database 21 and the banknote serial numbers extracted from the alarm message, along with the corresponding alarm message distributed by the control module 24. Each automated teller machine is also configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the banknote serial numbers received from the control module 24 when the banknote serial number is received via the communication module of each automated teller machine. The processing module 26 of the control module 24 can calculate the respective positions of the automated teller machines closest to the geographical location data of the secure container (according to a given distance threshold) by comparing the geographical location identification data of the automated teller machines with the geographical location data of the secure container (stored in the database 21). When this calculation is performed, the control module 24 can transmit, via the communication network 20 and through the communication interface 23, an alarm message including the banknote serial numbers extracted from the alarm message received from the secure container to the communication module of the automated teller machine closest to the secure container. Thus, any operation of reusing any cash after an attack can be prevented in real time from the receipt of the alarm message, even if it is performed quickly via any nearby automated teller machine.

[0035]

[0034] A system for securing the storage and transportation of valuable documents according to the present invention, comprising a secure container 10 and a database 21, enables the detection and identification of stolen / counterfeit banknotes and traceability to the crime scene. This system i) enables the easy and rapid removal of stolen / counterfeit banknotes from circulation, ii) enables the tracking of stolen / counterfeit banknotes, and iii) enables the association of stolen / counterfeit banknotes with a crime (thus enabling a legal investigation). When a colored banknote is detected by reading its serial number, subsequent identification of the material-based colorant can be performed to establish the relevance between the identified agent and a specific crime. This forensic identification can be used in court to establish the relevance between the identified invalidating agent and a specific crime.

[0036]

[0035] The subject matter disclosed above should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and serves to provide a better understanding of the invention as defined by the independent claims.

Claims

1. A secure container for storing valuable documents each marked with a respective valuable document identification number, the secure container comprising: A storage unit configured to store the valuable documents; An intrusion sensor configured to detect unauthorized entry into the secure container and to distribute an intrusion signal upon detection of the unauthorized entry; An invalidation unit configured to receive an invalidator having an invalidator identification number and to invalidate the stored valuable documents with the invalidator upon receipt of the intrusion signal distributed by the intrusion sensor; comprising; the secure container further comprising: An alarm unit connected to the intrusion sensor and configured to receive the intrusion signal; the alarm unit comprising: A memory for storing the valuable document identification number and the invalidator identification number; A communication unit operable to transmit data stored in the memory through a communication network upon receipt of the intrusion signal; comprising; the alarm unit being configured to transmit an alarm message in real time through the communication network to a database via the communication unit upon receipt of the intrusion signal from the intrusion sensor, the alarm message including the valuable document identification number and the invalidator identification number stored in the memory. Secure container.

2. The secure container according to claim 1, wherein the secure container has a container identification number, the memory stores the container identification number, and the alarm message further includes the container identification number.

3. The secure container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valuable document is a banknote having a serial number, and each of the valuable document identification numbers is a respective banknote serial number.

4. The secure container further comprising a geographical tracking unit operable to detect the geographical location of the secure container upon receipt of the intrusion signal and transmit corresponding geographical location data to the alarm unit. The secure container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the alarm unit is configured to obtain geographical location data in real time from the geographical tracking unit upon receipt of the intrusion signal and transmit the obtained geographical location data to the database through the communication network via the communication unit.

5. The secure container according to claim 4, wherein the geographical tracking unit is a GPS sensor.

6. The secure container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication unit includes a processing unit configured to digitally sign data transmitted by the communication unit through the communication network.

7. The secure container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the invalidation unit is configured to receive colored ink.

8. A system for securing the storage and transportation of valuable documents marked with respective valuable document identification numbers, the system comprising: The secure container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the valuable document is stored; and A database having a communication interface configured to receive data from the communication unit of the secure container via the communication network. A control module comprising a memory module and a processing module, connected to the database and the communication interface, wherein the control module extracts warning data included in a warning message received from the communication unit of the secure container via the communication interface, and stores the extracted warning data in the database, and the memory module stores a list of electronic communication addresses accessible via the communication network. comprising When the control module receives the warning message by the communication interface, it is configured to distribute a warning message to an electronic address from the list via the communication interface through the communication network, and the warning message is characterized by at least including the valuable document identification number extracted from the warning message. **Claim 9** The system according to claim 8, wherein the warning message further includes the invalidator identification number extracted from the warning message. **Claim 10** The secure container is as described in claim 2, The system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the warning message further includes the container identification number extracted from the warning message. **Claim 11** The secure container is as described in claim 4, The control module extracts geographical location data received from the communication unit of the secure container via the communication interface, and stores the extracted geographical location data in the database in association with the stored warning data for the secure container, The system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the warning message further includes the geographical location data associated with the stored warning data for the secure container.

12. The valuable document is a banknote having a serial number, and each of the valuable document identification numbers is the respective banknote serial number, The list of electronic communication addresses includes the electronic communication address of the communication module of the cash dispenser, The communication module of the cash dispenser is configured to receive, from the control module through the communication network, the valuable document identification number extracted from the warning message, The cash dispenser is configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the valuable document identification numbers received from the control module via the communication module when the cash dispenser receives the valuable document identification number via the communication module. The system according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

13. The valuable document is a banknote having a serial number, and each of the valuable document identification numbers is the respective banknote serial number, The list of electronic communication addresses includes the electronic communication addresses of the respective communication modules of a plurality of cash dispensers, Each communication module of the cash dispenser is configured to receive, from the control module through the communication network, the valuable document identification number extracted from the warning message, Each cash dispenser is configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the valuable document identification numbers received from the control module via the communication module when the cash dispenser receives the valuable document identification number via the communication module of each cash dispenser, The memory module of the control module stores geographical location data corresponding to each of the cash dispensers, The control module is further configured to determine the respective positions of the automated teller machines closest to the secure container from the stored geographical location data of the automated teller machine and the geographical location data of the secure container stored in the database, The system according to claim 11, wherein the control module is configured to transmit, via the communication interface and through the communication network, the valuable document identification number extracted from the alarm message received from the secure container to the communication module of the automated teller machine closest to the secure container.

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