An apparatus and method for checking value documents, in particular bank notes, and a value-document processing system having at least one sensor for capturing an electromagnetic radiation. Transmitted by a value document and generating corresponding first sensor signals and for capturing an electromagnetic radiation remitted by the value document and generating corresponding second sensor signals, and an evaluation device for checking whether the value document has a foreign object. In particular adhesive tape, taking into account the first and second sensor signals which correspond to the electromagnetic radiation respectively transmitted or remitted in the region of the edge of the value document. The apparatus and method prevent a deformation in the region of the edge of a value document from being identified as a foreign object.

An apparatus and method for checking value documents, in particular bank notes, and a value-document processing system having at least one sensor for capturing an electromagnetic radiation. Transmitted by a value document and generating corresponding first sensor signals and for capturing an electromagnetic radiation remitted by the value document and generating corresponding second sensor signals, and an evaluation device for checking whether the value document has a foreign object. In particular adhesive tape, taking into account the first and second sensor signals which correspond to the electromagnetic radiation respectively transmitted or remitted in the region of the edge of the value document. The apparatus and method prevent a deformation in the region of the edge of a value document from being identified as a foreign object.

A method of authenticating an article, the method comprising: reading a label associated with the article, the label comprising article fingerprint information; retrieving, in dependence on the article fingerprint information, an article fingerprint, the fingerprint describing the resonance response of the article to an excitation signal; applying an excitation signal to the article; receiving the resonance response of the article to the excitation signal; comparing the resonance response to the fingerprint; and determining in dependence on the comparison whether the article is authentic.

An apparatus detects a transient thermal gradient in a substrate. The apparatus is comprised of an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit source electromagnetic radiation; a fast shutter configured to block the source electromagnetic radiation when closed, and open in response to a command to pulse the source electromagnetic radiation; a substrate support that supports a substrate disposed to emit a pulsed radiation from a back side of the substrate when the source electromagnetic radiation is pulsed through the substrate; and a detector configured to face the back side of the substrate. The detector is used to detect a transient thermal gradient in the pulsed radiation.

An apparatus, a corresponding method, and value-document processing system for checking value documents that has at least two radiation sources for giving off electromagnetic radiation with which a value document is irradiated, at least one sensor for capturing the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the value document, and generating corresponding sensor signals. The apparatus has an evaluation device configured to derive from the sensor signals corrected sensor signals taking into account at least one spectral property of the electromagnetic radiation of the at least two radiation sources. The sensor signals corrected in this way reproduce the actual reflection or transmission behavior of the value document substantially more precisely than the uncorrected sensor signals. Disturbing remission or transmission artifacts may be attributed to so-called auxiliary emissions of the radiation sources are eliminated or at least reduced.

An apparatus, a corresponding method, and value-document processing system for checking value documents that has at least two radiation sources for giving off electromagnetic radiation with which a value document is irradiated, at least one sensor for capturing the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the value document, and generating corresponding sensor signals. The apparatus has an evaluation device configured to derive from the sensor signals corrected sensor signals taking into account at least one spectral property of the electromagnetic radiation of the at least two radiation sources. The sensor signals corrected in this way reproduce the actual reflection or transmission behavior of the value document substantially more precisely than the uncorrected sensor signals. Disturbing remission or transmission artifacts may be attributed to so-called auxiliary emissions of the radiation sources are eliminated or at least reduced.

A bill discrimination apparatus and method using a radio frequency (RF) signal that includes a transmission antenna radiating the radio frequency (RF) signal; a reception antenna receiving the RF signal from the transmission antenna; and a control unit providing the RF signal to the transmission antenna, and detecting a thickness of a bill, a state of the bill, or a presence of a foreign object on the bill based on a voltage of the RF signal transmitted through the bill and received by the reception antenna when the bill is between the transmission antenna and the reception antenna. The RF signal has a preset, specific frequency.

A bill discrimination apparatus and method using a radio frequency (RF) signal that includes a transmission antenna radiating the radio frequency (RF) signal; a reception antenna receiving the RF signal from the transmission antenna; and a control unit providing the RF signal to the transmission antenna, and detecting a thickness of a bill, a state of the bill, or a presence of a foreign object on the bill based on a voltage of the RF signal transmitted through the bill and received by the reception antenna when the bill is between the transmission antenna and the reception antenna. The RF signal has a preset, specific frequency.

The invention relates to a security and/or value document having a security feature, to an ink for making the security feature, to a method for making such a security and/or value document, and to a method for verifying such a security and/or value document.

The invention relates to a security and/or value document having a security feature, to an ink for making the security feature, to a method for making such a security and/or value document, and to a method for verifying such a security and/or value document.