Bank Note Handling Machine UV Source for Manual Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Bank note handling machines often fail to operate efficiently due to slow processing and erroneous decisions regarding authentic bank notes, especially when dealing with dirty or worn notes, leading to repeated manual input and delays in handling large quantities.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a UV source that emits ultraviolet radiation externally, allowing users to manually authenticate bank notes, which reduces the need for repeated inputs and speeds up the handling process by enabling direct inspection of non-accepted notes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a note validation unit is used to automatically determine authenticity, then the handling speed is improved, but erroneous decisions occur on dirty or worn notes causing repeated manual input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling speedVSAvoidauthenticity determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a UV light source as an intermediary tool that enables users to independently verify authenticity of notes rejected by the automatic validation unit. This intermediary mechanism allows users to distinguish between genuinely counterfeit notes and authentic notes that were incorrectly rejected due to dirt or wear, thereby reducing repeated manual input while maintaining handling speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent empowers users to perform their own authenticity verification using the integrated UV light source, eliminating the need for repeated automatic validation attempts. Users can independently inspect rejected notes and make informed decisions about whether to re-insert them, reducing the burden on the automatic validation system and improving overall handling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If multiple detectors with different determining principles are used, then the authenticity determination accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity determination accuracyVSAvoidnumber of detectors
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding more complex detectors to the automatic validation unit, the patent introduces a UV light source as a simple intermediary tool that users can operate manually. This approach achieves enhanced authenticity verification capability without increasing the complexity of the automatic detection system, as the UV light source works independently alongside the existing detectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The UV light source enables users to perform their own authenticity verification without relying on complex automatic detection systems. This self-service approach simplifies the overall device architecture by transferring some verification functionality from the complex automatic system to the user, who uses the simple UV light source for manual inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a single output position is used for all notes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the handling time increases when notes must be manually removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput position configurationVSAvoidoperation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UV light source acts as an intermediary tool that enables rapid verification of rejected notes at the single output position. Users can quickly inspect notes using the UV light source before deciding whether to re-insert them, minimizing the time delay caused by the single output position configuration without requiring additional output positions or complex routing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enhances the speed and accuracy of bank note handling by allowing users to quickly verify authenticity, reducing manual intervention and increasing the efficiency of sorting and counting operations, especially when dealing with large quantities of dirty or worn notes.

Implementation Method 1

a counterfeit determination unit comprising a UV source, said counterfeit determination unit being arranged in the housing such that the UV source emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation externally to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Light

Implementation Method 2

bank notes are checked by using ultraviolet light to illuminate fluorescent colours used in authentic bank notes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3291186B1A bank note handling machine
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 SCAN COIN
  • EP3291186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3291186B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bank note handling machine (100) comprises: a housing (102); a note input unit (104); a note output unit (108); a transport device (112) for transporting the bank note (105) from an input position (106) to an output position (110); a note validation unit (114) arranged internally within the housing (102), said note validation unit (114) being configured to sense a bank note characteristic when the bank note (105) is in the input position (106), the output position (110) or a position in-between, wherein the sensed characteristic is used for determination whether to accept the bank note (105). The machine (100) further comprises a counterfeit determination unit (116) comprising a UV source (118), said counterfeit determination unit (116) being arranged in the housing (102) such that the UV source (118) emits ultraviolet radiation externally to the housing (102), allowing a bank note (105) to be manually authenticated.