Patent ID: 7034324
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: G07D

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for sensing optical characteristics of a banknote, the apparatus comprising at least a first optical transmitter ( 4 ) located on one side of a path along which a banknote ( 2 ) can be moved in a scanning direction (S) in the plane (P 1 ) of the banknote for illuminating the banknote ( 2 ), and at least a first optical receiver ( 6 ; 7 ) for receiving light diffusely reflected from the banknote, the first transmitter ( 4 ) being arranged to transmit light in a direction which is inclined with respect to the normal (N) to the plane (P 1 ) of the banknote ( 2 ) and the first receiver ( 6 ; 7 ) being arranged to receive light which is traveling in substantially the same path but the opposite direction from the light emitted by the transmitter ( 4 ) from a frame of reference in which the apparatus is viewed in a plane (P 3 ) containing the scanning direction (S) and the normal (N) to the plane (P 1 ) of the banknote ( 2 ).