GB2463662A - A security apparatus dispensing a machine detectable marking agent - Google Patents
A security apparatus dispensing a machine detectable marking agent Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2463662A GB2463662A GB0817140A GB0817140A GB2463662A GB 2463662 A GB2463662 A GB 2463662A GB 0817140 A GB0817140 A GB 0817140A GB 0817140 A GB0817140 A GB 0817140A GB 2463662 A GB2463662 A GB 2463662A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- marking agent
- item
- machine
- payment
- detector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05G—SAFES OR STRONG-ROOMS FOR VALUABLES; BANK PROTECTION DEVICES; SAFETY TRANSACTION PARTITIONS
- E05G1/00—Safes or strong-rooms for valuables
- E05G1/14—Safes or strong-rooms for valuables with means for masking or destroying the valuables, e.g. in case of theft
Landscapes
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Apparatus (10) for storing or transporting a valuable item, the apparatus (10) comprising a compartment (18) for receiving an item to be stored or transported, a detection system (28) which is operative to detect interference with the apparatus (10) and a dispensing mechanism (30) which is operative, on detection of interference with the apparatus (10), to cause a marking agent to be dispensed onto the item, characterised in that the marking agent comprises a machine-detectable marking agent. The marking agent may be a visible marking agent, or comprise an infrared, ultra violet or magnetic emitter. Also enclosed is an apparatus for reading marked items, the apparatus having an infrared, ultra violet or magnetic detector.
Description
I
A SECURITY APPARATUS
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus for transporting or storing valuable items such as bank notes, to a method of marking such items and to an apparatus for reading a payment item such as a bank note.
Background to the Invention
To deter would-be thieves of banknotes in transit, it has become commonplace for banknotes to be stored and transported in security containers which release an indelible dye or ink onto the banknotes within the security container in the event that the security container is stolen or otherwise interfered with, to stain the banknotes, thus rendering the banknotes worthless and unusable. It is almost impossible to clean bank notes which have been dyed in this way, and thus they cannot be used in normal transactions involving a human cashier. However, it is possible to use such stained bank notes in some automated payment machines, as these machines are unable to detect the staining dye or ink, or cannot distinguish between the staining dye or ink and the ink used to print the bank note. Thus, it is possible for a thief to use stolen bank notes even if they have been stained with a dye or ink in this way.
Summary of Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for storing or transporting a valuable item, the apparatus comprising a compartment for receiving an item to be stored or transported, a detection system which is operative to detect interference with the apparatus and a dispensing mechanism which is operative, on detection of interference with the apparatus, to cause a marking agent to be dispensed onto the item, characterised in that the marking agent comprises a machine detectable marking agent.
In this context, the term "machine detectable marking agent" refers to a marking agent which can be detected by a suitable detecting device or sensor but which is not necessarily visible to the naked human eye.
The apparatus of the first aspect of the invention is able to mark an item with a machine-detectable marking agent in the event that the apparatus is stolen or otherwise interfered with, thus providing a detectable indication that the item has been involved in an incident and should not be accepted. For example, if the apparatus is used to store or transport one or more bank notes, in the event of a theft or other incident, the bank notes will be marked with a machine detectable marking agent to indicate that they have been involved in an incident. This marking agent can be detected by automated payment machines and by cashiers equipped with suitable detecting devices, enabling the bank notes to be rejected.
Thus, the apparatus of the first aspect of the invention effectively renders bank notes unusable and valueless.
The machine detectable marking agent may comprise an infra red emitter.
Additionally or alternatively the machine detectable marking agent may comprise an ultra violet emitter.
Additionally or alternatively the machine detectable marking agent may comprise a magnetic emitter.
The marking agent may further comprise a marking agent which is visible to the naked human eye. Using such a visible marking agent provides a readily noticeable indication that the item has been involved in an incident and that it should be rejected.
The marking agent may be a fluid.
The apparatus may comprise a security container.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of marking an item contained within an apparatus, the method comprising detecting interference with the apparatus and dispensing a marking agent onto the item, characterised in that the marking agent comprises a machine detectable marking agent.
The machine detectable marking agent may comprise an infra red emitter.
Additionally or alternatively the machine detectable marking agent may comprise an ultra violet emitter.
Additionally or alternatively the machine detectable marking agent may comprise a magnetic emitter.
The marking agent may further comprise a marking agent which is visible to the naked human eye. Using such a visible marking agent provides a readily noticeable indication that the item has been involved in an incident and that it should be rejected.
The marking agent may be a fluid.
The apparatus may comprise a security container.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for reading a payment item, the apparatus comprising a detector arrangement for detecting a machine detectable marking agent on the payment item, wherein the apparatus is configured to prompt the rejection of the payment item if the machine detectable marking agent is detected.
The apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention is configured to prompt the rejection of a payment item if a machine detectable marking agent is detected on the payment item. Thus, in the event that an attempt is made to use a stolen item marked with a machine detectable marking agent, the apparatus will prompt the rejection of the item, thereby rendering the item unusable and valueless. Thus, would-be thieves are deterred from stealing valuable items, as it is known that they will not be able to use them.
The apparatus may be configured to reject the payment item if the amount of the machine detectable marking agent detected by the detector arrangement exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The detector arrangement may comprise an infra red detector.
Additionally or alternatively the detector arrangement may comprise an ultra violet detector.
Additionally or alternatively the detector arrangement may comprise a magnetic detector.
The payment item may comprise a bank note, payment card, voucher or the like.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an automated payment machine comprising apparatus according to the third aspect.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a hand held or desk mounted device comprising apparatus according to the third aspect.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation showing an example of an apparatus for storing or transporting a valuable item; Figure 2 is a schematic representation showing one side of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic representation showing an exemplary marking agent dispensing mechanism; and Figure 4 is a schematic representation showing an automated payment machine incorporating apparatus for reading a payment item.
Description of the Embodiments
Referring first to Figure 1, a security apparatus is shown generally at 10. In this example the security apparatus is a security container of the kind used to store and transport bank notes between a storage facility and a distribution facility such as a bank or an automated teller machine (ATM).
The security container 110 comprises a housing 12 which may be of metal or of a suitable plastics material such as polypropylene. As is shown in Figure 2, the security container 10 has a base portion 14 and a lid 16, which cooperate to define a compartment, shown in dashed outline at 18, for receiving an item or items to be transported or stored.
In this example the base portion 14 and the lid 16 are attached to each other by a hinge 20 positioned at one end of the security container 10, such that the security container 10 can be opened and closed.
A handle portion 22 is provided at an opposed end of the security container 10 to the hinge to facilitate handling and carrying of the security container 10. One or more locking mechanisms 24 are provided on or close to the handle portion 22 to secure the base portion 14 to the lid 16 to impede opening of the security container 10. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art, the locking mechanism 24 may take a variety of forms. For example, the locking mechanism may be a physical lock which is operated by a key, or may be an electronically controlled lock requiring an alphanumeric combination to be entered or an electronic key such as an electronic tag to be presented to a detector of the locking mechanism 24 to activate or deactivate the locking mechanism 24.
The security container 10 includes a security system, indicated generally at 26 in Figures 1 and 2, which is operative to cause a marking agent to be deployed in the event of the theft of the security container 10, or other unauthorised interference with the security container 10.
To this end, the security system 26 includes a theft or interference detection system, which is shown schematically at 28 in Figures 1 and 2. The theft or interference detection system 28 may be operative, for example, to detect particular movements of the security container and to activate a marking agent dispensing mechanism 30 of the security container 10 in the event that a theft or other interference is detected. Alternatively the theft or interference detection system 28 may be operative to activate the marking agent dispensing system 30 in the event that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the security container 10 was removed from a docking station. It will be appreciated that these are merely examples of suitable theft or interference detection systems, and a variety of other suitable systems are known to those skilled in the art, and that any suitable theft or interference detection system 28 could be used in the security container 10.
An exemplary marking agent dispensing mechanism 30 is illustrated schematically in Figure 3, and comprises a reservoir 32 for holding the marking agent, which in this example is a fluid. The reservoir is in fluid communication with a pressure valve 34, which in turn communicates with a conduit 36 which extends into the compartment 18 of the security container 10. The conduit 36 terminates in a spray head 38 (shown in Figures 1 and 2) which ensures that on activation of the marking agent distribution mechanism 30 the marking agent is dispensed over a large area within the compartment 18, thus ensuring that any item contained within the compartment 18 is marked by the marking agent.
The marking agent dispensing mechanism 30 further comprises a canister 40 containing pressurised gas such as carbon dioxide. The canister 40 has an outlet which is connected to an electrically operated actuator 42, which permits fluid communication between the canister 40 and the reservoir 32. The electrically operated actuator 42 is controlled by the theft or interference detection system 28.
In this example, the reservoir 32 contains a mixture of a fluid marking agent such as a visible indelible dye or ink and a machine detectable marking agent such as an infra red marking agent, an ultra violet marking agent or a magnetic marking agent. In the event that the theft or interference detection system 28 detects unauthorised interference with the security container 10 or with items received in the compartment 18, the electrically operated actuator 42 is activated, causing pressurised gas to flow from the canister 40 to the reservoir 32, thereby increasing the pressure within the reservoir 32. When the pressure within the reservoir 32 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the pressure valve 34 opens, causing the mixture of the visible dye or ink and the machine detectable marking agent to flow through the conduit 36 and into the compartment 18 via the spray head 38, thus * marking any item contained in the compartment 18 with both the visible marking agent and the machine detectable marking agent. In the exemplary case where the item contained within the compartment 18 is one or more bank notes, this marking renders the bank notes effectively unusable and valueless, as the visible marking agent prevents them from being used in conventional outlets with human cashiers, whilst the machine detectable marking agent can be detected by suitably equipped automated payment machines and the like.
It will be appreciated that the marking agent dispensing mechanism 30 shown in Figure 3 is only one example of a suitable mechanism, and that alternative mechanisms may also be used. For example, the reservoir 32 may be pressunsed, with the pressure valve 32 being replaced by an electrically operated actuator to control the flow of the mixture of fluid marking agent and machine detectable marking agent into the compartment 18. In this embodiment the canister 40 and the electrically operated actuator 42 are unnecessary.
Similarly, the machine detectable marking agent need not be provided with the visible marking agent in the reservoir 32. Instead, a secondary reservoir may be provided specifically for the machine detectable marking agent, with appropriate modifications being made to the mechanism 30 to ensure that on activation of the mechanism by the theft or interference detection system 28 the visible marking agent and the machine detectable marking agent are mixed prior to being dispensed into the compartment 18. These modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus will not be described in detail here.
As is mentioned above, the machine detectable marking agent may be an infra red marking agent, an ultra violet marking agent or a magnetic marking agent. Indeed, any marking agent that can be detected by a suitable sensor or detector, but which is not necessarily visible to the naked human eye, may be used. Additionally a combination of two or more machine detectable marking agents may be used, to increase the likelihood that an item marked with the machine detectable marking agents will be detected by a device with
suitable detectors.
In the case where the marking agent is an infra red marking agent or an ultra violet marking agent, a marking agent which absorbs energy from the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum but which emits energy in the infra red or ultra violet range respectively may be used, such that an appropriately configured sensor or detector, for example a photodiode which is sensitive to infra red or ultra violet wavelengths, is able to detect the emitted radiation. Similarly, a one or more magnetic particles such as magnetic micro beads may be used as the machine detectable marking agent, and these can be detected by a suitably configured magnetic detector.
Where an infra red marking agent is used, it is convenient to use a modified boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dye as the visible marking agent, as this reduces the problem of "quenching" of the infra red marking agent, whereby the visible marking agent obscures the infra red marking agent. Suitable visible marking agents for use with ultra violet marking agents will be familiar to those skilled in the art.
It is not necessary to use a mixture of a visible marking agent and a machine detectable marking agent in the security container 10, but a machine detectable marking agent (or a combination of machine detectable marking agents) may be used in isolation to mark an item in the event of unauthorised interference with the container 10 or the item.
Although the exemplary embodiment described above relates to a security container 10 which can be used to store or transport valuable items such as bank notes, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to other apparatus, such as safes, safe deposit boxes and the like, Similarly, the invention is not restricted to marking bank notes with a machine detectable marking agent, but is also suitable for marking other valuable items such as payment cards (for example credit or debit cards), payment vouchers, documents, jewellery and the like, such that stolen items can be readily detected by those equipped with a suitable detecting device.
Referring now to Figure 4, an automated payment machine incorporating an exemplary detection system for detecting a machine detectable marking agent is shown generally at 50. The automated payment machine 50 comprises a housing 52 with a slot 54 for receiving a payment item such as a bank note, payment card, voucher or the like. Disposed above the slot 54 is a detector arrangement 56, which may include, for example, an infra red or ultra violet detector such as a photodiode which is sensitive to the infra red or ultra violet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, or a magnetic detector such as an inductor coil. The detector arrangement 56 may comprise a plurality of different types of detector, such that it is able to detect different types of machine detectable marking agents which may be present on a payment item introduced into the slot 54. The detector arrangement 56 is connected to a detection system 58, which receives information from the detector arrangement 56, and is configured to reject the payment item introduced into the slot 54 in the event that a machine detectable marking agent is detected by the detector arrangement 56. The detection system 58 may be configured to prompt the automated payment machine to reject the payment item if any machine detectable marking agent is detected by the detector arrangement 56, or may be configured to prompt the automated payment machine to reject the payment item only if the amount of the machine detectable marking agent detected exceeds a predetermined threshold. The detection system 58 may comprise a suitably programmed computer or processor, or may comprise one or more electronic circuits. Suitable detection systems will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, and thus will not be described in detail here.
The detection system 58 and the detector arrangement 56 may be incorporated in a hand held or desk mounted device for use by cashiers in shops, banks and the like, so that bank notes, payment cards, vouchers and other payment items which have been marked with a machine detectable marking agent can be detected and rejected by the cashier. Such a device may include a visible or audible warning such as an LED or a buzzer which is activated by the detection system 58 in the event that a machine detectable marking agent has been detected by the detector arrangement 56, or that the amount of a machine detectable marking agent detected by the detector arrangement 56 exceeds a predetermined threshold, to prompt the cashier to reject the bank note, payment card or the like.
Claims (23)
- CLAIMSI. Apparatus for storing or transporting a valuable item, the apparatus comprising a compartment for receiving an item to be stored or transported, a detection system which is operative to detect interference with the apparatus and a dispensing mechanism which is operative, on detection of interference with the apparatus, to cause a marking agent to be dispensed onto the item, characterised in that the marking agent comprises a machine-detectable marking agent.
- 2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the machine detectable marking agent comprises an infra red emitter.
- 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the machine readable marking agent comprises an ultra violet emitter.
- 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the machine readable marking agent comprises a magnetic emitter.
- 5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the marking agent further comprises a visible marking agent.
- 6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the marking agent is a fluid.
- 7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus comprises a security container.
- 8. A method of marking an item contained within an apparatus, the method comprising detecting interference with the apparatus and dispensing a marking agent onto the item, charactensed in that the marking agent comprises a machine-detectable marking agent.
- 9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the machine detectable marking agent comprises an infra red emitter.
- 10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the machine readable marking agent comprises an ultra violet emitter.
- Ii. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the machine readable marking agent comprises a magnetic emitter.
- 12. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the marking agent further comprises a visible marking agent.
- 13. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the marking agent is a fluid.
- 14. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the apparatus comprises a security container.
- 15. Apparatus for reading a payment item, the apparatus comprising a detector arrangement for detecting a machine detectable marking agent on the payment item, wherein the apparatus is configured to prompt the rejection of the payment item if the machine detectable marking agent is detected.
- 16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the apparatus is configured to reject the payment item if the amount of the machine detectable marking agent detected by the detector arrangement exceeds a predetermined threshold.
- 17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the detector arrangement comprises an infra red detector.
- 18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the detector arrangement comprises an ultra violet detector.
- 19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the detector arrangement comprises a magnetic detector.
- 20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the payment item comprises a bank note, payment card, voucher or the like.
- 21. An automated payment machine comprising apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 20.
- 22. A hand held or desk mounted device comprising apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 20.
- 23. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0817140A GB2463662A (en) | 2008-09-18 | 2008-09-18 | A security apparatus dispensing a machine detectable marking agent |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0817140A GB2463662A (en) | 2008-09-18 | 2008-09-18 | A security apparatus dispensing a machine detectable marking agent |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0817140D0 GB0817140D0 (en) | 2008-10-29 |
| GB2463662A true GB2463662A (en) | 2010-03-24 |
Family
ID=39951836
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0817140A Withdrawn GB2463662A (en) | 2008-09-18 | 2008-09-18 | A security apparatus dispensing a machine detectable marking agent |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2463662A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2577619B1 (en) | 2010-05-26 | 2018-06-27 | Beb Industrie-Elektronik AG | Anti-theft ink for marking documents |
| WO2021064336A1 (en) * | 2019-10-04 | 2021-04-08 | Spinnaker International Limited | Detector, security container, and method for processing recovered items |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2702239A1 (en) * | 1993-03-04 | 1994-09-09 | Piscedda Jean Noel | Anti-theft device which spoils and marks |
-
2008
- 2008-09-18 GB GB0817140A patent/GB2463662A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2702239A1 (en) * | 1993-03-04 | 1994-09-09 | Piscedda Jean Noel | Anti-theft device which spoils and marks |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
| Title |
|---|
| Banknote Watch, BSIA Stained Note Detection Working Group Summary of Findings [online], 11 February 2008. * |
| British Security Industry Association, Infra-red dye to reduce circulation of stolen banknotes [online], 4 February 2003. * |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2577619B1 (en) | 2010-05-26 | 2018-06-27 | Beb Industrie-Elektronik AG | Anti-theft ink for marking documents |
| EP2577619B2 (en) † | 2010-05-26 | 2022-06-01 | CI Tech Sensors AG | Anti-theft ink for marking documents |
| WO2021064336A1 (en) * | 2019-10-04 | 2021-04-08 | Spinnaker International Limited | Detector, security container, and method for processing recovered items |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0817140D0 (en) | 2008-10-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |