Wide Band X-ray Fluorescence for Document Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods, such as multi-energy X-ray transmission (MEXRT), are not suitable for identifying valuable documents due to low absorption efficiency caused by the thinness of documents and low dopant content, resulting in unreliable identification and low throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method using a wide band X-ray beam to irradiate valuable documents, detecting electric signal pulses, and evaluating them against reference pulses to determine genuineness, utilizing X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and other techniques to identify characteristic peaks and spectra for authentication and sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-energy X-ray transmission (MEXRT) imaging is used to inspect valuable documents, then security inspection capability is provided, but absorption efficiency is too low due to the thinness of documents and low dopant content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the X-ray beam parameter from multi-energy transmission mode to wide band fluorescence excitation mode. By using a wide band X-ray beam to excite dopants in the document and detecting the characteristic fluorescence photons emitted, the system achieves sufficient interaction signal despite the thin document structure, thereby resolving the low absorption efficiency problem while maintaining identification reliability.
2Reliability
If elaborate evaluation methods are performed at specialized institutions to ensure high reliability, then identification accuracy is improved, but throughput rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual evaluation process performed at specialized institutions with an automated X-ray fluorescence detection system. The system uses electronic detection and computer-based evaluation of characteristic photon spectra, enabling high-speed automated authentication that maintains reliability while dramatically increasing throughput rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automated authentication by equipping sorting machines with integrated X-ray sources and detectors. The machine independently performs identification without requiring manual intervention or external specialized institution processing, thereby achieving both high reliability and high throughput.
3Reliability
If MEXRT is used for document inspection, then security checking is provided, but the method is not suitable for high throughput rates due to low absorption efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the inspection parameter from transmission-based to fluorescence-based detection. By exciting dopants with wide band X-rays and detecting emitted characteristic photons, the system achieves sufficient signal strength for reliable identification at high speeds, enabling both high reliability and high throughput rates simultaneously.
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 reliable and high-throughput identification of valuable documents by accurately distinguishing genuine from counterfeit documents through real-time evaluation of X-ray signal pulses and spectra, improving the reliability and efficiency of document authentication.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating at least a portion of the valuable document under test with a wide band X-ray beam... detecting one or more electric signal pulses corresponding to photons emitted by the valuable document under test in response to the irradiation
Implementation Method 2
detecting one or more electric signal pulses corresponding to photons emitted by the valuable document under test
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for identifying at least one valuable document under test, a device, and a sorting machine. The method comprises or consists of the steps irradiating at least a portion of the valuable document under test with a wide band X-ray beam, detecting at least one or more electric signal pulses corresponding to photons emitted by the valuable document under test in response to the irradiation using the wide band X-ray beam, and evaluating the detected electric signal pulses in order to identify the valuable document under test as being genuine or not and/or as being of a particular sort or not.