Banknote Validator Illumination Window Fluorescence Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional banknote validators face issues such as incorrect banknote positioning during stacking, potential damage or jamming, and the need for additional calibration elements when using ultraviolet illumination, as well as the problem of banknote 'strimming' where a tape or string is used to extract the banknote.
Innovation Solution
A banknote validator design featuring a second housing section with an optical sensor and a transparent polypropylene illumination window that emits visible fluorescent light when irradiated by ultraviolet light, combined with a pivotable security gate and an auxiliary PCB with a drive motor, which accurately positions the banknote for stacking and prevents fraudulent extraction, and eliminates the need for additional calibration elements by using the illumination window for fluorescence calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional banknote validator uses ultraviolet illumination for detecting visible fluorescence, then banknote authentication is improved, but additional calibration elements are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination window and calibration target into a single integrated component. The illumination window is constructed from a transparent polypropylene material that incorporates a visible fluorescence substance, allowing it to serve both as the UV illumination transmission window and as the calibration target for camera sensor calibration, thereby eliminating the need for separate calibration elements
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination window performs multiple functions: it transmits ultraviolet light for fluorescence detection, emits visible fluorescent light when irradiated by UV, and serves as a calibration target for camera sensor calibration. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components required in the validator
2Productivity
If the banknote drive mechanism transports banknotes to the cashbox, then banknote storage is improved, but incorrect positioning may cause damage or jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning actions before the stacking operation. The optical sensor detects the banknote's position in advance, and the controller adjusts the stacking operation timing and positioning based on this detection, ensuring the banknote is correctly positioned before being urged into the cashbox to prevent damage or jamming
3Ease of operation
If the validator accepts banknotes with attached tape or string, then ease of insertion is improved, but fraudulent extraction becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable security gate arrangement is positioned to prevent fraudulent extraction attempts before they can occur. When a banknote with attached tape or string passes through, the security gate can pivot to block the extraction path, counteracting the fraudulent action before the banknote can be removed from the validator
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures accurate banknote positioning and minimizes damage during stacking, prevents fraudulent extraction, and simplifies the calibration process by using the illumination window for fluorescence calibration, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of the banknote validation process while reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination window is configured to emit visible fluorescent light when irradiated by ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
A banknote validator having a housing, a validation sensor; and a banknote drive mechanism. The banknote drive mechanism may be arranged to transport a banknote from an input aperture to a stacking device. The banknote drive mechanism may delimit a first banknote pathway proximal to an input aperture, and a second banknote pathway proximal to the stacking device. A pivotable security gate arrangement may be included that is resiliently biased to project into the second banknote pathway.