Non-Contact Magnetic Reader for Security Document Quality Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring magnetic security features on security documents require the ink to dry, leading to delays and potential invalidation of banknotes if faults are detected after production, as they necessitate physical contact and cannot measure magnetic properties in liquid form, resulting in premature discarding of products.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact measurement system using a support module and magnetic reader module that maintains a gap between the reader and the security feature, allowing for contactless measurement of magnetic properties, enabling early fault detection and reducing mechanical stress and wear on the reader.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contact measurement is used to measure magnetic security features, then measurement precision is improved, but the magnetic security feature is damaged due to physical contact and ink smudging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic property measurementVSAvoidink smudging and physical damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact measurement with non-contact magnetic field measurement. The magnetic reader module detects magnetic properties through electromagnetic induction without physically touching the magnetic security feature, thereby eliminating ink smudging and physical damage while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the measurement system and the magnetic security feature. The magnetic reader module senses magnetic flux changes through the magnetic field without direct contact, allowing accurate measurement while preventing harmful physical interaction with the wet ink or delicate security feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If measurement is performed after ink drying, then measurement accuracy is improved, but production time is increased due to waiting for drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic property measurementVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables measurement to be performed before the ink is fully dried by using non-contact magnetic field detection. This preliminary measurement capability allows quality control to occur during the production process rather than after drying, significantly reducing production time while maintaining measurement accuracy through magnetic flux detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the banknote is fed through the measurement system, then productivity is improved, but the risk of ink stains increases requiring the banknote to be dry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidink stains
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact during measurement with non-contact magnetic field sensing. This allows banknotes to be fed through the measurement system at high speed without the magnetic reader module touching the ink, eliminating the risk of ink stains while maintaining high productivity through continuous measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the measurement of magnetic properties before, during, and after production, preventing premature discarding of security documents, reducing mechanical load, and avoiding smudging of wet ink, thus allowing for early preventive measures and efficient quality control.

Implementation Method 1

the magnet sensor to measure the change in a magnetic property, such as the magnetic flux density

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux density measurement: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3189466B1Measuring magnetic security features on security document configurations
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 DAS NANO SL
  • EP3189466B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3189466B1 patent drawingFigure 1D
  • EP3189466B1 patent drawingFigure 1E

AI summary

Apparatuses and methods for measuring magnetic properties of magnetic security feature are disclosed. Magnetic reader modules are movably coupled to support modules configured to guide the magnetic reader modules along a first direction. The magnetic reader modules are configured to perform contactless measurements of magnetic property changes induced as the magnetic reader modules move above said magnetic security features and generate an electrical signal in response to said measurements.