Patent Publication Number: US-10325435-B2

Title: Currency validation

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Counterfeiting is a major issue in the retail industry. Most enterprises use ad hoc approaches such as using special pens to mark bills or holding the bills up to a light for inspection. Moreover, most enterprises only check bills of high denominations, such as $50, $100 or passports. 
     Counterfeiters are growing smarter to the techniques and procedures of stores and will pass a larger number of smaller bills that they know are not likely to be checked. The counterfeiters may also only frequent a store once or twice before moving on to pass bad bills at different locations sometimes far away from the initial store where bad bills were passed. 
     When a store attempts to deposit counterfeit bills with its bank, the counterfeits are discovered resulting in a loss of funds to the store. Counterfeit bills are theft to a store and very costly and such costs are generally passed on to the consumers in terms of higher item prices. 
     Furthermore, some store clerks may do a poor job of checking for counterfeits during high traffic times at the store. In fact, some times the clerk may not check at all. Diligent clerks that check excessively well may anger loyal customers that are waiting to checkout during high line queue waits. This can cause a store to lose a valuable customer with dissatisfaction. 
     Therefore, there is a need for more efficient currency validation at a retail checkout. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments, a method for currency validation, a system for currency validation, and a currency validation device are presented. 
     According to an embodiment, a method for currency validation is provided. Specifically, a currency validation device is directed to illuminate a currency bill placed in proximity to a camera using a selected light source. Next, the camera is instructed to take an image of the illuminated currency bill. Finally, the image is presented in a screen of a display for validation by an operator (e.g., clerk, etc.). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a diagram of a currency validation system using Ultraviolet Light (UV), according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  is a diagram of a currency validation system using Infrared Light (IR), according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 1C  is a diagram of a currency validation system using white light, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 1D  is a diagram of a currency validation system using both UV and IR lighting, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 1E  is a diagram of a currency validation device having a Light Emitting Diode (LED) board and a controller board, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a method for currency validation, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of a currency validation system, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a currency validation device, according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  is a diagram of a currency validation system using Ultraviolet Light (UV), according to an example embodiment. It is to be noted that the components system are shown in greatly simplified form, which just those components necessary for understanding the embodiments illustrated. Moreover, the layout of the components is presented for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to demonstrate how the components are physically laid out within a checkout station at a retail establishment or other devices, such a Personal Computer. That is, any layout of the components can be achieved without departing from the teachings presented herein. 
     It is also noted that  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D  depict the same currency validation system, which is just performing different operations or being controlled by a different device. So, the features of the single currency validation system depicted in the  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D  exists within the single currency validation system as different modes of operation. 
     The currency validation system of the  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D  include a Point-Of-Sale (POS) device (manned by a cashier), a display having a screen, a scanner with a camera (imager), a controller (currency validation device, discussed herein and below), an array of UV LEDs, and array of IR LEDs, and an array of white light LEDs. 
     The  FIG. 1A  depicts a situation for currency validation in which a $100 bill is placed in front of the imager (for the scanner) and the scanner (via the USB connection to the controller) instructs the controller to activate the array of UV LEDs to illuminate the front of the $100 bill with UV light. This illumination occurs at approximately 375 nanometers (nm) of UV light. The scanner then activates the imager (camera) of the scanner to capture an image of the UV illuminated $100. The scanner passes the UV illuminated image to the POS device where it is presented to a cashier in a screen of a display associated with the POS device. The UV illuminated image within the screen shows a vertical line to the right of the head of Benjamin Franklin, which was not present in the original image that was not illuminated with the UV light. This characteristic, the vertical bar and its location can be used as proof that the $100 bill is legitimate. 
     It is noted that different currencies or different denominations of a same country&#39;s currency can have different security features exposed based on different types of light illuminated on the currency. So, some currencies may present different features under IR illumination from that what is achieved with UV or white light illumination. 
     Moreover, it is noted that when a customer hands a bill (currency) to a checkout clerk and the checkout clerk places the bill in front of the imager (camera) to capture the image. 
       FIG. 1B  is a diagram of a currency validation system using Infrared Light (IR), according to an example embodiment.  FIG. 1B  differs from  FIG. 1A  in that the back of a $100 bill is imaged with IR lights based on the direction and control of the controller. This IR illuminated image when presented to the checkout clerk (may also be referred to as a “cashier” herein) within a screen associated with the POS device shows two thick whited out vertical lines, which may be another indication or characteristic that the $100 bill is not counterfeit. The activation of the IR LEDs is done by the controller as directed by the scanner via the USB connection. The $100 bill is illuminated by the IR LEDs at approximately 800 nm of IR light. 
       FIG. 1C  is a diagram of a currency validation system using white light, according to an example embodiment.  FIG. 1C  differs from  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in that controller illuminates the face of a $100 bill with white light by activating the white LEDs and the scanner to uses the camera (imager) to capture an image of the while light illuminated $100 bill. The image is presented on a screen of a display associated with the POS device for inspection of any known security features that could validate or invalidate the bill. 
       FIG. 1D  is a diagram of a currency validation system using both UV and IR lighting, according to an example embodiment. Moreover, the cashier via the POS device can instruct the controller to perform the illumination using both UV light and IR light. The resulting image presented on a screen of a display for the POS device includes a dark and whited out vertical line, which may be used by the cashier to validate the bill. So, the POS device can send instructions to the controller for selections of UV and/or IR illumination (and/or white illumination if desired). (In the  FIGS. 1A-1C  it was the scanner that instructed the controller to illuminate the IR, UV, or white lights for imaging of the currency.) The POS device controls the scanner and can activate the imager (camera) that is integrated into the scanner but shown separately in the  FIGS. 1A-1D  for purposes of comprehension and illustration. 
       FIG. 1E  is a diagram of a currency validation device having a Light Emitting Diode (LED) board and a controller board, according to an example embodiment. 
     In an embodiment, the currency validation device is the controller and the LED arrays depicted in the  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
     The LED board includes one or more (or an array of IR LEDs) and one or more (or an array of UV LEDs). Although not shown, the LED board may include one or more (or an array of white LEDs). 
     The LED board is electrically coupled to the controller board. The controller board includes an LED board interface for selectively activating the LEDS on the LED board to illuminate currency placed in front of a camera, the camera taking the image of the currency while illuminated. The controller board also includes a microcontroller or processor having memory and or non-volatile storage. Moreover, the controller includes a programming interface for programming the microcontroller and a device port, such as a USB port. 
     In an embodiment, the device port is a Bluetooth port. 
     In an embodiment, the device port is a WiFi port. 
     In an embodiment, the device port is a cable port. 
     In an embodiment, the device port is an Ethernet port. 
     In an embodiment, the device port is a firewire port. 
     In an embodiment, the controller includes a camera interface for directly interacting with a camera. 
     The controller can be integrated into any device, such as a Personal Computer, a wearable processing device, a scanner, and the like. The device capable of being interfaced to a camera to image the currency illuminated by the LEDS. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a method  200  for currency validation, according to an example embodiment. The method  200  is implemented as one or more software modules as executable instructions that are programmed within memory or non-transitory computer readable storage media and executed by a processing device. The software module(s) are referred to herein as a “currency validator.” The currency validator may or may not have access to a network, and any such network may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless. 
     In an embodiment, the currency validator is processed by POS device. 
     In an embodiment, the currency validator is processed by a scanner. 
     In an embodiment, the currency validator is processed by a laptop. 
     In an embodiment, the currency validator is processed by a tablet. 
     In an embodiment, the currency validator is processed by a desktop computer (PC). 
     In an embodiment, the currency validator is processed by a wearable processing device. 
     At  210 , the currency validator directs a currency validation device (such as the controller of the  FIGS. 1A-1D  and the device illustrated in the  FIG. 1E ) to illuminate a currency bill placed in proximity to a camera. The illumination occurring using one or more selected light sources, each light source a different type (wavelength) of light. In an embodiment the illumination occurs by the validation device at approximately a 45 degree angle directed up at the currency bill. 
     In an embodiment, at  211 , the currency validator obtains a selection for the light source (type of light to use for the illumination). 
     In an embodiment of  211  and at  212 , the currency validator identifies the light source as one of: UV light, IR light, and white light. 
     In another embodiment of  211  and at  213 , the currency validator identifies the light source as a combination of two or more light sources identified from: UV light, IR light, and white light. 
     In an embodiment, at  214 , the currency validator sends, by a scanner, an instruction to the currency validation device to illuminate the currency bill. 
     In an embodiment, at  215 , the currency validator sends, by a POS device, an instruction to the currency validation device to illuminate the currency bill. 
     In an embodiment, at  216 , the currency validator sends, by one of: a laptop, a PC, a tablet, and a wearable processing device, an instruction to the currency validation device to illuminate the currency bill. 
     At  220 , the currency validator instructs the camera to take an image of the illuminated currency bill with the selected light source and type of light. 
     At  230 , the currency validator presents the image in a screen of a display for validation, such as by a clerk operating a checkout station. 
     For example, at  231 , the currency validator present the image in the screen of the display, where the display is a checkout station and the clerk inspects the image for validation on the screen during a transaction with a customer. The customer presented the currency to the clerk for payment of the transaction. 
     According to an embodiment, at  240 , the currency validator sends the image to an image processor for validating the currency based on: the light source that illuminated the currency, a denomination for the currency, and a government associated with issuing the currency. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of a currency validation system  300 , according to an example embodiment. The currency validation system  300  includes one or more hardware devices and one or more components implemented as one or more software modules as executable instructions that are programmed within memory or non-transitory computer readable storage media and executed by a processing device. The currency validation system  300  may or may not have access to a network, and any such network may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless. 
     The currency validation system  300  includes a POS device  310 , a scanner  320 , and a currency validation device  330 . The POS device  310  may, optionally, include an image processor  311 . The scanner  320  includes an integrated camera  321 . Optionally, the currency validation system  300  includes a remote and networked image processor  340 . 
     The scanner  320  is interfaced to the POS device  310 . 
     The currency validation device  330  is adapted and configured to: selectively activate different types of light sources to illuminate currency situated in front of the camera or in proximity to a field of view of the camera. 
     The camera  321  is adapted and configured to image the illuminated currency. The POS device  310  is adapted and configured to present the image within a screen of a display associated with the POS device  310  for currency validation. 
     In an embodiment, the POS device  310  is adapted and configured to control operation of the currency validation device  330 . 
     In an embodiment, the scanner  320  is adapted and configured to control operation of the currency validation device  330 . 
     In an embodiment, the image processor ( 311  or  340 ) is configured and adapted to: recognize attributes in the image based on a type of light source that illuminated the currency when the image was taken, and compare the attributes against predefined attributes to automatically determine whether the currency is valid of counterfeit. 
     As mentioned above, the image processor  311  may in integrated into the POS device  310  or the image processor  340  may be remotely located over a network from the POS device  310  and interfaced to the POS device  310  over that network. 
     In an embodiment, the currency validation system  300  is the single currency validation system depicted in the  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of a currency validation device  400 , according to an example embodiment. The currency validation device  400  includes one or more hardware devices and one or more components implemented as one or more software modules as executable instructions that are programmed within memory or non-transitory computer readable storage media and executed by a processing device (microcontroller). The currency validation device  400  may or may not have access to a network, and any such network may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless. 
     In an embodiment, the currency validation device  400  is the controller and LEDs of the  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
     In an embodiment, the currency validation device  400  is the LED boards interfaced to or coupled to the controller board of the  FIG. 1E . 
     The currency validation device  400  includes at least one light board  410  and a controller board  420 . 
     In an embodiment, the currency validation device  400  includes a single LED board having arrays of LEDs for IR  411 , white light  412 , and UV  413 . 
     The light board  410  includes at least two different types of light, such as IR LEDs  411  and UV LEDs  413 . 
     In an embodiment, multiple light boards  410  exist with each light board  410  having a different type of light. 
     The controller board  420  includes a light board interface module  421  coupled to the light board  410  and a microcontroller  422  configured and adapted to selectively activate one or more of the at least two different types of light to illuminate the currency that is imaged by a camera. 
     According to an embodiment, the controller board  420  further includes a programming interface module  423  configured and adapted to interface to a second device to custom program the microcontroller  422 . 
     In an embodiment, the controller board  420  further includes a device connector port configured and adapted to connect to a second device that controls the selective activation of the at least two different types of light. 
     In an embodiment of the latter embodiment, the second device is one or more of: a camera, a scanner, a POS device, a tablet, a laptop, a wearable processing device, and a phone. 
     It should be appreciated that where software is described in a particular form (such as a component or module) this is merely to aid understanding and is not intended to limit how software that implements those functions may be architected or structured. For example, modules are illustrated as separate modules, but may be implemented as homogenous code, as individual components, some, but not all of these modules may be combined, or the functions may be implemented in software structured in any other convenient manner. 
     Furthermore, although the software modules are illustrated as executing on one piece of hardware, the software may be distributed over multiple processors or in any other convenient manner. 
     The above description is illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of embodiments should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Description of the Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate exemplary embodiment.