A media transaction device comprising: a device housing having a front panel; a media processor provided at an interior of the device housing; a media accommodating unit provided at an interior of the media processor; and a foreign matter sensor detecting absence/presence of a foreign object at the media accommodating unit. The front panel includes a first port for inserting and dispensing the media, and a first shutter opening and closing the first port. The media processor includes a second port disposed to face the first port, and a second shutter for opening and closing the second port. The media are inserted into and dispensed from the second port such that the media are inserted into and dispensed from the first port, and opening and closing of the first shutter and the second shutter are controlled based on detection results by the foreign matter sensor.

A device for determining authenticity including processing circuitry which generates a reference image data of a counterfeit prevention medium at an observation angle for comparison with captured image data obtained based on a pattern of light observed from the counterfeit prevention medium at the observation angle between an imaging direction of the captured image data and a reference line of a surface of the counterfeit prevention medium, calculates similarity between the captured image data and the reference image data, and determines authenticity of the counterfeit prevention medium based on whether the similarity exceeds a threshold.

A method of authenticating and/or identifying a security article including a first image includes superimposing at least partially the first image of the article with a second image. The second image may be produced by an electronic imager. The method further includes performing a relative movement between the first and second images so as to make it possible to observe an item of information relating to authentication and/or identification of the security article during the relative movement between the first and second images.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.

Ultrathin plasmene nanosheets are demonstrated as a new class of flexible surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate capable of conformal attachment and sensitive and reproducible detection of chemicals on topologically complex surfaces. Engineering building block morphologies allows for fine-tuning of the SERS performance. In a preferred application the plasmene nanosheets are demonstrated as the next generation plasmonic and/or SERS coded labels, such as for example, anti-counterfeit security label for banknotes. Engineering the morphologies of plasmene-constituent nanoparticles and varying of SERS molecular labels offer virtually unlimited coding capacities.

A banknote having one or more security features and at least one flexible printed electronic (FPE) element embedded in the banknote. At least one of the security features and at least one FPE element have an interrelationship with each other.

In a structural coloration substrate, a method for manufacturing the structural coloration substrate, and a security verification system using the structural coloration substrate manufactured by the method, the method includes forming a first pattern displaying a first color on a base substrate, using a quantum dot, and stacking at least one structural coloration layer on the base substrate on which the first pattern is formed. The first color of the first pattern is changed and displayed, as the at least one structural coloration layer is stacked.

A system evaluates currency in an area using image processing. In some examples, the system receives an image of an area from an image sensor, processes the image to identify at least one item of currency in the area, determine a value of the currency irrespective of validity, and counts the currency. In various examples, the system receives an image of an area from an image sensor; processes the image to identify at least one item of currency in the area; determines whether the currency has an error condition; and when the currency is determined to have the error condition, provides output on the error condition. In a number of examples, the system receives an image of an area from an image sensor; processes the image to identify at least one item of currency in the area; determines whether the currency is valid; and when the currency is determined to be suspect, provides output on the currency.

A device comprising: an optical emitter for emitting light having an emitted optical spectrum; an optical sensor for receiving light reflected from a tag attached to an object; and a processor configured to: determine a reflected optical colour spectrum of the light reflected from the tag based on an output of the optical sensor; retrieve an optical signature associated with said object from memory; and determine the authenticity of said object based on comparing the optical signature and the reflected optical colour spectrum.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.