SECURITY CONTAINER FOR STORING OR TRANSPORTING VALUABLE DOCUMENTS, AND SYSTEM FOR SECURING THE STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF VALUABLE DOCUMENTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a security container for storing valuable documents, e.g., banknotes, having the respective valuable document identification numbers marked on them, and a corresponding security system that, after detecting an intrusion, neutralizes the valuable documents and issues in real time via a communication network an alert message containing at least the valuable document identification numbers to the authorities and / or ATMs or the carrier, and prevents any transaction based on said neutralized valuable documents through said ATMs.

Description

SECURITY CONTAINER FOR STORING OR TRANSPORTING VALUABLE DOCUMENTS, AND SYSTEM FOR SECURING THE STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF VALUABLE DOCUMENTS FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the technical field of the storage and anti-theft transport of valuable documents (e.g., banknotes). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the field of security, it is often necessary to transport large quantities of valuable documents, particularly banknotes, between different locations. For example, it is common to transport banknotes, e.g., in cash-in-transit (CIT) vans, from a bank vault to an ATM located in a supermarket or shopping center where they can be dispensed. Because such valuable documents are attractive targets for theft, protective storage devices have been developed to prevent unauthorized access by keeping them inside a portable, locked, secure, and tamper-proof container. With the aim of discouraging attempts to break into security containers and deterring attacks, security containers have been developed that, in the event of an attempted theft, breach, or unauthorized act, invalidate the valuable documents they contain. It has been proposed to associate these containers with neutralization units that release and disperse a neutralizing agent onto the valuable documents in the event of an attempted theft, rendering them unusable. The neutralization of valuable documents, particularly banknotes, is a security measure that occurs due to the activation of anti-theft devices installed in CIT vans, ATMs, security cases, safes, or security boxes. For example, banknotes stored or stacked in an enclosure, or banknotes transported in bundles, are placed in locked containers that also contain a neutralization unit.In the event of any unauthorized attempt or breach to open the container, a specific neutralizing agent such as a coloring ink (also known technically as indelible ink) will be expelled and delivered to the stored valuable documents. In the event of an unauthorized attempt or security breach, the neutralizing agent comes into contact with the valuable documents, allowing the ink (or glue) to migrate onto and between the stored or stacked documents within the enclosure. This neutralizes them, rendering them worthless and unusable after the security container is tampered with. Typically, neutralization with a dye ink permanently and irreversibly marks the valuable documents, producing a distinctive, clearly visible, or recognizable change. Neutralization with glue allows the documents to be fused into a solid brick. An important aspect of neutralization is clearly distinguishing a valuable document (e.g., a banknote) stained by a specific, secure neutralizing agent from a document stained or smeared with a standard agent, such as an ink that anyone can purchase commercially without restriction. In the case of banknotes, the security features act as anti-theft devices and are MA / a / ZUZZ / UI OI 04, known as Intelligent Banknote Neutralization Systems (IBNS), are activated when criminals open a protected cash container, such as an ATM or a safe in a cash-in-transit vehicle. These systems render stolen banknotes unusable, preventing them from circulating and giving them no value, thereby reducing the risk for retailers, banks, and other cash professionals of becoming victims of crime. However, it can be difficult to identify a stolen banknote if the altered note only has light or small stains that are not easily visible or recognizable by a human or machine. It can also be difficult to distinguish a stolen banknote from one that is simply dirty. Consequently, such altered banknotes may be accidentally put into circulation, or it may be difficult to prove a link between the criminals and the banknote theft. Tracking technologies have been developed for police investigations and law enforcement. For example, security systems that use forensic markers to link offenders to crimes have been employed to improve the chances of successfully identifying them. However, these systems rely on the offender being apprehended by law enforcement authorities, such as the police, and those authorities detecting the invisible marker on the offender's person. Police investigations require not only confirming that the banknote is stained with the neutralizing agent, but also establishing an indisputable link between the stolen banknotes, the attack, and a potential suspect. Tracking technologies are useful in leading law enforcement to the location where the criminals attempted to open the security container. In some cases, tracking systems in security containers have led police to a criminal's home, resulting in their arrest. Therefore, the need for security containers remains to facilitate the detection and identification of altered security documents at the point of withdrawal (ATMs, stores, counters, etc.) and to facilitate the identification of criminals involved in attacks on these security containers by enabling the collection of sufficient evidence for their conviction. Furthermore, the solution is required not only to help the average person detect and identify a stolen banknote, even if it does not have clearly visible stains, but also to facilitate law enforcement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a security container for storing valuable documents that has the respective identification numbers of the valuable documents marked on it, said security container comprising: - a storage unit configured to store valuable documents; - an intrusion sensor configured to detect an unauthorized intrusion into the security container and configured to send an intrusion signal upon detection of such unauthorized intrusion; - a neutralization unit configured to receive a neutralization agent that has a IVIA / S / ZUZZ / UI OI 04, the neutralization agent identification number, and configured to neutralize stored valuable documents with said neutralization agent after receiving the intrusion signal emitted by the intrusion sensor, further comprising the security container - an alarm unit connected to the intrusion sensor and configured to receive the intrusion signal, the alarm unit comprising a memory that stores the identification numbers of the valuable document and the identification number of the neutralizing agent, and a communication unit operable for sending data stored in the memory through a communication network after receiving the intrusion signal, - where, after receiving the intrusion signal from the intrusion sensor, the alarm unit transmits in real time through the communication unit an alert message to a database via the communication network, the alert message containing the identification numbers of the valuable document and the identification number of the neutralizing agent stored in memory. The security container may have its own container identification number, which can be stored in the alarm unit's memory, and the alert message may also contain the container identification number. Preferably, the valuables are banknotes marked with serial numbers, and the respective valuables identification numbers are the serial numbers of the corresponding banknotes. The security container may further comprise a geo-tracking unit capable of detecting the container's geographic location and transmitting the corresponding location data to the alarm unit upon receiving an intrusion signal. Upon receiving the intrusion signal, the alarm unit acquires real-time geographic location data from the geolocation unit and transmits this data via the communication unit to the database over the communication network. Preferably, the geolocation unit is a GPS sensor. According to the invention, the communication unit of the safety container may also include a processing unit configured to digitally sign the data that the communication unit will transmit through the communication network. Preferably, the neutralization unit of the security container is configured to receive a dye ink (e.g., stored under pressure in a tank). In this way, if an intrusion signal is triggered by the intrusion sensor, the neutralization unit releases the indelible ink into the storage unit, damaging and defacing valuable documents. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a system for securing the storage and transport of valuable documents that have respective valuable document identification numbers marked on them, the system comprising: - a security container according to the invention, as described above, in which valuable documents are stored; - a database that has a communication interface configured to receive data from the security vessel's communication unit via the communication network; and - a control module equipped with a memory module and a processing module and connected to the database and the communication interface, the control module being configured to extract alert data contained in an alert message received from the communication unit of the safety vessel via the communication interface and store the extracted alert data in the database, the memory module storing a list of electronic communication addresses accessible via the communication network, - wherein, after receiving the alert message through the communication interface, the control module is configured to issue a warning message to an electronic address from the list through the communication interface via the communication network, the warning message containing at least the identification numbers of valuable documents extracted from the alert message. The warning message may also contain the neutralizing agent identification number extracted from the alert message. Preferably, if the alert message contains the safety container identification number, the warning message should also contain this container identification number. In the event that the security container is equipped with a geo-tracking unit as described above, the system may have its control module configured to extract geo-location data received through the communication interface from the security container's communication unit and store the extracted geo-location data in the database in association with the alert data stored for the security container; and the warning message may also contain the geo-location data associated with the alert data stored for the security container. In the previous system: - the valuable documents may be banknotes that have serial numbers and the respective valuable document identification numbers are the serial numbers of the respective banknotes; - the list of electronic communication addresses may include an electronic communication address of an ATM communication module; - the ATM's communication module can be configured to receive, via the communication network, the security document identification numbers extracted from the alert message from the control module; and - After receiving the security document identification numbers through the communication module, the ATM can be configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the security document identification numbers received from the control module through the communication module. Preferably, in the system according to the invention: - The valuable documents are banknotes that have serial numbers and the respective valuable document identification numbers are the serial numbers of the respective banknotes; MA / a / ZUZZ / UI OI 04 - the list of electronic communication addresses includes electronic communication addresses of respective communication modules of a plurality of ATMs; - Each ATM communication module is configured to receive from the control module via the communication network the identification numbers of valuable documents extracted from the alert message; - After receiving the security document identification numbers through its communication module, each ATM is configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the security document identification numbers received from the control module through the communication module; - the memory module of the control module stores geographical location data corresponding to the respective ATMs; - the control module is further configured to determine, from the stored geographical location data of the ATMs and the geographical location data of the security container stored in the database, a respective location of the ATMs closest to the security container; and - The control modules are configured to send, through the communication interface via the communication network, to the communication modules of the ATMs closest to the security container, the identification numbers of valuable documents extracted from the alert message received from the security container. The present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate prominent aspects and features of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1A illustrates a safety container according to the invention. Figure 1B illustrates a view of the alarm unit of the safety container in Figure 1A. Figure 2A illustrates a system for ensuring the storage and transport of valuable documents according to the invention. Figure 2B illustrates a database control module of the system in Figure 2A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A security container 10, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown schematically in Figure 1A, can be used to store and transport valuable documents such as banknotes. As a storage device, it can be used in the same way as a conventional cassette (e.g., a cash box or an ATM cassette) with a storage unit 11 for stacking banknotes 12, an intrusion sensor 13 for detecting tampering, and a neutralization unit 14 configured to receive a neutralization agent 15. The security container is made of thick, rigid sheet steel and has a locking / opening unit 16 for closing or opening the container.This locking / unlocking unit 16 can be a simple cylinder lock (with a specific key) or a more sophisticated device comprising, for example, a keypad for entering a specific code to lock / unlock the container or a card reader for reading an authorized card to allow locking or unlocking the container. MA / a / ZUZZ / UI OI 04 intrusion sensor 13 can detect a break in the container or its opening / closing unit, or even an attempted intrusion (e.g., via a shock detection sensor). As a conventional cassette intrusion sensor, in the event of intrusion detection, the intrusion sensor 13 sends an intrusion signal to (or mechanically activates) the neutralization unit 14, which then neutralizes the stacked banknotes 12, for example, by releasing dye ink (or glue) contained under pressure in a tank and spraying it onto the banknotes (e.g., via a nozzle connected to the tank through a pipe with a valve controlled by the neutralization unit). Once the banknotes 12 are neutralized in the storage unit 11 with the neutralizing agent 15, e.g.Banknotes stained with ink can no longer be used for transactions because, when marked with a neutralizing agent, they are easily identified as stolen and rejected. However, some neutralized banknotes may not be soiled enough to be easily detected visually (e.g., at first glance). For example, some banknotes may be soiled with only a few very small drops of dye ink rather than large traces of ink and can therefore be recycled in retail stores or even at ATMs (which are generally not equipped with a dye ink sensor). Only a more thorough inspection can reveal the fraudulent origin of these banknotes. Furthermore, it is not easy to distinguish a small drop of dye ink from an accidental stain with paint or conventional ink (i.e., not a neutralizing agent such as IBNS ink) or coffee, etc.When the banknote is presented to a cashier, store employee, or any member of the public, the security ink is typically an IBNS dye ink—that is, an ink with highly identifiable chemical and / or physical characteristics (e.g., a specific chemical composition, possibly with markers that have unique properties such as luminescence under appropriate lighting or IR absorption properties). These IBNS inks are also known as security inks. Thus, a security ink cannot be mistaken for ordinary ink (commercially available free of charge) or for accidental dirt. The presence of such an IBNS security ink on a banknote (even in an infinitesimal amount) unequivocally establishes a fraudulent origin. A difficulty with the markers (e.g.,Inorganic markers (such as rare earth elements or nanoparticles) generally offer limited coding capabilities. Organic markers like DNA offer more possibilities but require more expensive testing. Each neutralizing agent has an assigned neutralizing agent identification number that allows for its unique identification, corresponding solely to its specific chemical / physical characteristics mentioned above. To overcome these security gaps, the security container 10 further comprises an alarm unit 17, shown in Figure 1B (battery-powered), connected to the intrusion sensor 13 and configured to receive the intrusion signal emitted by the sensor. This connection can be wired (to receive an electrical pulse corresponding to the intrusion signal) or even mechanical (the intrusion signal corresponds to a mechanical action of the intrusion sensor on a switch to activate the alarm unit). Preferably, the intrusion signal is transmitted via a wireless connection between the intrusion sensor 13 and the alarm unit 17: e.g., by IVIA / a / ZUZZ / UI OI 04 radio waves such as Bluetooth for a close connection, or Wi-Fi via a Wi-Fi communication network for a longer-distance signal transmission. The alarm unit 17 is preferably located inside the security container 10. However, in some variants, the alarm unit may be remote from the security container itself: for example, it may be inside an ATM containing the security container (but separate from the container), or inside a CIT van transporting the security container. The alarm unit 17 comprises a memory 18 and a communication unit 19 operable to send data stored in the memory 18 via a communication network 20 to an external database 21 (see Figure 2A), after receiving the intrusion signal from the intrusion sensor 13. The communication network 20 can be, for example, Wi-Fi or any mobile / smartphone communication network, and data transmission is carried out via an antenna capable of transmitting a radio signal to the outside of the security container. To enhance security, each security container is assigned an identification number that uniquely identifies it.Memory 18 of alarm unit 17 stores the container identification number, the identification numbers of the valuable documents stored in storage unit 11, and the identification number of the neutralizing agent 15 from neutralizing unit 14. One advantage of associating the identification number of the valuable document or container with the identification number of the neutralizing agent is that it overcomes the limited encoding capacity mentioned earlier of some dye inks (i.e., their ability to discriminate between different intrusion events based on quantifiable differences in their composition). The container identification number can be permanently stored in memory 18.The identification numbers of the negotiable instrument and the identification number of the neutralizing agent are entered into memory 18 when the security container 10 is loaded with the corresponding banknotes and the neutralizing agent, respectively. The entry of the identification numbers can be performed manually (e.g., via a numeric keypad connected to the alarm unit), or automatically via a card reader capable of reading a card (inserted by an operator), or via a memory card containing these numbers and connected to the alarm unit. Preferably, the serial numbers of the banknotes to be loaded into memory 18 are read by a dedicated device that performs Optical Character Recognition (OCR) (e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,883,707B2 or via the USF-50 banknote sorter, manufactured by Glory Ltd.).The agent, or company, responsible for storing the serial numbers in memory can also sign the transferred data (e.g., with a private key) to track the operation. Thus, once the security container is loaded with the banknotes and sealed, memory 18 contains all the data that uniquely identifies the security container, the serial numbers of the stored banknotes, and the number of the neutralization agent. After receiving the intrusion signal from intrusion sensor 13, the alarm unit 17 transmits in real time via the communication unit 19 an alert message to the database 21 through the communication network 20, this alert message containing at least the identification numbers MA / a / ZUZZ / UI OI 04 of the security document and the neutralization agent identification number are stored in memory. Preferably, the alert message also contains the security vessel identification number. The information stored in database 21 can be shared in real time (in whole or in part) by selected stakeholders such as, for example, the police, bank security services, IBNS manufacturers, CIT companies, etc. In the event of an attack on the security vessel, the real-time alert allows the authorities with access to database 21 to quickly implement appropriate countermeasures in their respective areas of responsibility. The serial numbers of stolen (or at least defaced) banknotes can thus be blacklisted as quickly as possible, preventing criminals from using the banknotes by returning them to the cash cycle (this is mainly done when attempting to insert the banknotes into an ATM). In fact, simply reading a serial number is enough to detect a defaced banknote by checking an up-to-date blacklist stored in the secure database 21. For example, a teller in a bank branch can make a decision regarding a suspicious banknote (i.e., defaced with IBNS or soiled with standard ink) simply by reading the serial number and checking the blacklist stored in the secure database 21. There is no need to perform tests with complex and expensive devices (e.g., DNA detection) at the bank branch.The same applies to the automatic banknote verification performed at ATMs with deposit functionality and access to the (updated) blacklist of serial numbers in database 21. Banknote processing machines capable of sorting blacklisted banknotes can now automatically inform law enforcement authorities, indicating the position of these banknotes in circulation. Central bank tellers can now easily distinguish a banknote stained with IBNS ink (which is non-refundable in some countries) from a banknote accidentally stained with, for example, paint, regular ink, or coffee, when presented with such a banknote.More globally, a teller in a commercial bank, a store employee, or any member of the general public in possession of a suspicious, stained banknote could benefit from an application on their smartphone that provides access (via the communication network) to serial numbers on the blacklist in database 21, which can confirm that this banknote has been stolen simply by scanning the note's serial number and checking if it is on the bottom of the list. Generally, existing databases like EUSISS (European Smock and Ink Staining System), which contain information on dye ink references and corresponding markers (neutralizing agents), allow authorities to conduct forensic analysis of suspected soiled banknotes. However, they do not provide any link between the serial numbers of banknotes in a compromised security container and the identification number of the labeler or the identification number of the neutralizing agent used to soil the banknotes stored in that container. To link a marker ID to a crime, authorities must compare the marker ID with potential crime scenes, often resulting in more than one match. Furthermore, they must manually collect all the data from label and ink suppliers.The invention eliminates such operations by linking, in real time, a crime (i.e., an attack on the security container) with the serial numbers of the stained banknotes and the identification number of the specific neutralizing agent used to stain them, and possibly the identification number of the security container. This allows for the detection, identification, and tracing of stolen banknotes back to the crime scene. This discourages thieves, as the stolen banknotes can be easily removed from circulation, and legal action and prosecution are facilitated.Thus, if a stained banknote is detected, simply verifying its serial number against those on the blacklist and performing a subsequent identification based on the material of the staining agent corresponding to the blacklist serial number allows law enforcement authorities to establish a link between the identified staining agent and a specific crime. This forensic identification can then be used in court to establish a connection between the identified staining agent and a specific crime. According to a preferred variant, the security container 10 further comprises a geolocation unit 22 (e.g., a GPS receiver) connected to the alarm unit 17 and capable of receiving an intrusion signal from the intrusion sensor 13 and, upon receiving the intrusion signal, detecting (in real time) the geolocation location of the security container. The geolocation unit 22 is configured to transmit the detected geolocation to the alarm unit 17, and the communication unit 19 of the alarm unit then sends the detected geolocation to the database 21 via the communication network 20 (alternatively, the geolocation data may be part of the alert message).Thus, in the event of an attack on security container 10, the database receives both the alert message and the geographic location of the attack in real time. A link can be quickly established between the location of the attack and at least the serial numbers of the neutralized banknotes in the attacked security container, as well as the specific neutralizing agent used to contaminate these banknotes. The police, who have access to database 21, can act more quickly and efficiently due to the real-time location of the attack. Since the serial numbers on the blacklist are provided to the relevant authorities in real time, and the corresponding (contaminated) banknotes are virtually impossible to circulate, a person in possession of a blacklisted banknote can be considered a suspect in the attack.Furthermore, a cash handling machine that reads a serial number on a banknote inserted by a depositor and detects that it is blacklisted (by having access to the blacklist in database 21), will refuse to credit the depositor's account while retaining the banknote for investigation along with the depositor's identity. To improve the security of data transmission between communication unit 19 and database 21, the communication unit may also include a processing unit configured to digitally sign the data that communication unit 19 will transmit over communication network 20 using a private key (e.g., a 256-bit number) from a symmetric or asymmetric cryptographic system. A corresponding decryption key must, of course, be used to read the encrypted data received by the database. In the case of an asymmetric encryption system, a public key is used to authenticate the data received by the database (i.e., to prove that this data was encrypted using an authorized private key). MA / a / ZUZZ / UI OI 04 corresponding and thus provide digital proof of data integrity). In addition, the data received by database 21 can be locked to prevent data falsification. Also, the public keys of the different stakeholders can be stored on a blockchain. Database 21 has a communication interface 23 configured to receive data from communication unit 19 of security container 10 via communication network 20. Database 21 also has a control module 24 equipped with a memory module 25 and a processing module 26. The control module 24 is configured to extract alert data contained in an alert message (i.e., at least the serial numbers of the banknotes and the identification number of the neutralizing agent, and possibly also the identification number of the security container) received from communication unit 19 of security container 10, and store the extracted alert data in database 21. The memory module 25 contains a list of electronic communication addresses of selected stakeholders that can be accessed via communication network 20.Control module 24, after receiving the alert message via communication interface 23, is further configured to send a warning message to a stored email address via communication interface 23 over communication network 20. This warning message contains (at least) the banknote serial numbers extracted from the alert message. The warning message may also contain the neutralization agent identification number extracted from the received alert message, and possibly the security container identification number (if it was included in the received alert message). The control module 24 (see Figure 2B) can also be configured to extract geolocation data, along with an alert message, received via communication interface 23 from a communication unit of a security container equipped with a geolocation unit. The control module 24 stores the extracted geolocation data in database 21 in conjunction with the stored alert data extracted from the received alert message. The control module 24 also sends the extracted geolocation data with the corresponding warning message to the stored email address. If the data received by communication interface 23 is signed (as explained above), the control module 24 of database 21 is configured to read the received signed data. If the received data is encrypted with an (authorized) encryption key, the processing module 26 is configured to decrypt the data with a corresponding decryption key stored in memory module 25. If asymmetric encryption is used, the memory module stores the corresponding public key, and the control module 24 is configured to verify, through its processing module 26, using the stored public key, that the received signed data has been signed with an authorized private key (thus ensuring that the received data does indeed originate from a secure repository). According to one embodiment of the invention, the above system for ensuring the storage and transport of valuable documents according to the invention, comprising the MA / a / ZUZZ / UI OI 04 security container 10 and database 21 can be more specifically adapted to the security of an ATM (e.g., a cash-handling machine, or an ATM with a cash deposit facility, or more generally, a cash handling machine). The ATM has a communication module that is configured to receive, in real time via communication network 20, from control module 24, the serial numbers of the banknotes extracted from the alert message received by database 21 from communication unit 19 of alarm unit 17 in security container 10. The ATM then updates a file (stored in the ATM's memory) containing a blacklisted list of serial numbers.In this case, the list of electronic communication addresses stored in memory module 25 of control module 24 includes an electronic communication address from the ATM's communication module. Upon receiving banknote serial numbers via its communication module, the ATM is configured to reject any transaction involving a banknote whose serial number matches one of the security document identification numbers received from the control module through the communication module. In this way, the invention prevents any attempt by criminals to recycle the cash stolen during an attack on the secure container, immediately after such an attack. In the event that container 10 is equipped with a geolocation unit 22, and the above system has an operable control module 24 to extract geolocation data from the received security container (along with an alert message) through the communication interface 23, and the list of electronic communication addresses stored in the memory module 25 includes electronic communication addresses of the respective communication modules of a plurality of ATMs, and the memory module 25 stores geolocation data of the respective ATMs from the list, then the processing module can find the respective geolocations of the ATMs that are closest to the geolocation received from the security container.In fact, each communication module of the plurality of ATMs is configured to receive from the control module via the communication network the serial numbers of the banknotes extracted from the alert message along with the associated geographical location data stored in database 21, which were received with the corresponding notification message delivered by the control module 24. Upon receiving the banknote serial numbers through its communication module, each ATM 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.The processing module 26 of the control module 24 can calculate the respective locations of the ATMs closest to the security container (based on a given distance threshold) by comparing the ATMs' geographic location data with the security container's geographic location data (stored in database 21). Once this calculation is complete, the control module 24 can send a warning message containing the banknote serial numbers to the communication modules of the ATMs closest to the security container via communication interface 23 through communication network 20. MA / a / ZUZZ / UI OI 04 extracted from the alert message received from the security container and thus prevent, in real time from the receipt of the alert message, any cash recycling operation even when it is carried out quickly after an attack through any nearby ATM. The system for securing the storage and transport of valuable documents according to the invention, comprising the security container and the database, allows for the detection, identification, and tracing of stolen banknotes back to the crime scene. This system provides a means to: i) allow the easy and rapid removal of stolen banknotes from circulation; i) allow the tracking of stolen / abused banknotes, and i) allow linking the stolen / abused banknotes to the crime (and thus allow a judicial investigation). If a stained banknote is detected by reading its serial number, further identification based on the material of the staining agent can be carried out to establish a link between the identified agent and a specific crime. This forensic identification can be used in court to establish a link between the identified corrupting agent and a specific crime. The subject matter disclosed above is to be considered for illustrative and non-restrictive purposes, and serves to provide a better understanding of the invention defined by the independent claims.

Claims

1. A security container for storing valuable documents having their respective valuable document identification numbers marked thereon, said security container comprising: a storage unit configured to store the valuable documents; an intrusion sensor configured to detect unauthorized intrusion into the security container and configured to emit an intrusion signal upon detection of said unauthorized intrusion; a neutralization unit configured to receive a neutralization agent having a neutralization agent identification number, and configured to neutralize the stored valuable documents with said neutralization agent upon receiving the intrusion signal emitted by the intrusion sensor, characterized in that it further comprises an alarm unit connected to the intrusion sensor and configured to receive the intrusion signal,The alarm unit comprises a memory that stores the identification numbers of valuable documents and the identification number of the neutralizing agent, and a communication unit operable for sending data stored in the memory through a communication network after receiving the intrusion signal, wherein the alarm unit is configured to transmit in real time through the communication unit an alert message to a database through the communication network after receiving the intrusion signal from the intrusion sensor, the alert message containing the identification numbers of valuable documents and the identification number of the neutralizing agent stored in the memory.

2. The safety container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the safety container has a container identification number and the memory stores the container identification number, and the alert message also contains the container identification number.

3. The security container according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the valuable documents are banknotes having serial numbers and the respective valuable document identification numbers are the serial numbers of the respective banknotes.

4. The security container according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a geo-tracking unit operable for detecting the geo-location of the security container and transmitting the corresponding geo-location data to the alarm unit upon receiving the intrusion signal; wherein the alarm unit is configured to acquire real-time geo-location data from the geo-tracking unit and transmit the acquired geo-location data via the communication unit to the database via the communication network upon receiving the intrusion signal.

5. The security container according to claim 4, further characterized in that the geographic location unit is a GPS sensor.

6. The security container according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the communication unit includes a processing unit configured to digitally sign the data that the communication unit will transmit over the communication network.

7. The safety container according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the neutralization unit is configured to receive a coloring ink.

8. A system for ensuring the storage and transport of valuable documents having their respective valuable document identification numbers marked thereon, the system being characterized by comprising: a security container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the valuable documents are stored; a database having a communication interface configured to receive data from the communication unit of the security container via the communication network;and a control module equipped with a memory module and a processing module and connected to the database and the communication interface, the control module being configured to extract alert data contained in an alert message received from the communication unit of the security container through the communication interface and store the extracted alert data in the database, the memory module storing a list of electronic communication addresses accessible through the communication network, wherein the control module is configured to issue a warning message to an electronic address from the list through the communication interface via the communication network after receiving the alert message from the communication interface, the warning message containing at least the identification numbers of valuable documents extracted from the alert message.

9. The system according to claim 8, further characterized in that the warning message additionally contains the identification number of the neutralizing agent extracted from the alert message.

10. The system in accordance with any one of claims 8 and 9, further characterized in that, the safety container being in accordance with claim 2, the warning message also contains the container identification number extracted from the alert message.

11. The system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further characterized in that the safety container being in accordance with claim 4, ML / a / ZUZZ / U 1 OI 04 the control module is configured to extract geographical location data received through the communication interface from the communication unit of the safety container and store the extracted geographical location data in the database in association with the alert data stored for the safety container; and the warning message further contains the geographical location data associated with the alert data stored for the safety container.

12. The system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further characterized in that the valuable documents are banknotes having serial numbers and the respective valuable document identification numbers are the serial numbers of the respective banknotes; the list of electronic communication addresses includes an electronic communication address of an ATM communication module; the ATM communication module is configured to receive from the control module via the communication network the valuable document identification numbers extracted from the alert message;and after receiving the security document identification numbers through the communication module, the ATM is configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the security document identification numbers received from the control module through the communication module.

13. The system according to claim 11, further characterized in that the valuable documents are banknotes having serial numbers and the respective valuable document identification numbers are the serial numbers of the respective banknotes; the list of electronic communication addresses includes electronic communication addresses of respective communication modules of a plurality of ATMs; each communication module of the ATMs is configured to receive from the control module via the communication network the valuable document identification numbers extracted from the alert message;After receiving the security document identification numbers through its communication module, each ATM is configured to reject any transaction operation with a banknote whose serial number corresponds to one of the security document identification numbers received from the control module through the communication module; the memory module of the control module stores geographical location data corresponding to the respective ATMs; the control module is further configured to determine, from the stored geographical location data of the ATMs and the geographical location data of the security container stored in the database, a respective location of the ATMs closest to the security container;and the control modules are configured to send, through the communication interface via the communication network, to the communication modules of the ATMs closest to the security container, the identification numbers of valuable documents extracted from the alert message received from the security container.

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