DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[1] The present invention relates to bundle counting systems adapted for counting and evaluating identity or genuineness of security documents / currency, which are bundled / wrapped through different means that include but not limited to strips or stapler pins.

BACKGROUD OF THE INVENTION:
[2] Bundle note counting systems are designed to replace the time-consuming manual tasks of counting various means that include but not limited to bundled documents / currency. Accuracy is, of course, a primary requirement of operation of such currency counters. For such a bundled currency, each note deposited in the bundle note counter must be specifically counted and discharged or otherwise accounted for. The failure to count even a single note could be costly, especially when currencies of the higher denominations are being counted.
[3] Counterfeit currency detection devices also known as rupee checkers are developed to identify the counterfeit currency. The production by criminals of counterfeit currency, banknotes, bonds, stocks and the like are continually increasing throughout the world as a result of continuing improvements in printing technology, particularly in colour printing equipment and the ability to obtain special currency by the counterfeit criminals involved. Counterfeit currency/banknotes are now being made which cannot be detected by the unaided eye and are virtually indistinguishable from genuine banknotes and currency. The ability to detect the presence of a counterfeit currency or suspect currency requires a high degree of expertise and is typically checked at banks or other similar institutions.
[4] It is a well-known practice that as per Government or any Federal Monetary Authority regulations, banks must sort soiled currency from other currencies and specifically evaluate for any counterfeit currency. Conventional systems perform such tests either in a manner which requires a very significant amount of manual activity as part of the test or through the use of equipment, which is extremely slow and which, in any case, is incapable of incorporating the above-mentioned tests in high-speed counting apparatus. So, every time one has to do the note counting then sorting for counterfeit/soil note detection and followed by counting again. This is time consuming and involves apparatus cost implications.
[5] After sorting and evaluating, such currency of same denomination is wrap bundled through different means that include but not limited to strips or stapler pins or rubber bands. A specific note is placed for each bundle, indicating bank code and place, making them accountable for the denomination value of such evaluated bundled currency. Such accounted wrapped bundles of currency are transferred to a common federal reserve. Further, it is well-known practice that banks are allowed to hold a threshold limit value of currency in the bank and any excess value must be deposited or transferred to the common federal reserve or in cases of any excess requirement of currency, banks may request the federal reserve to issue new currency to meet the demand. Such federal reserve, while accepting the accounted soiled currency and other bundled currency or while issuing new currency must also evaluate for any counterfeit currency.
[6] Counterfeit detection of such bundled currency using conventional known counterfeit detection systems require breaking or opening/unwrapping of strip or stapler pins or rubber bands after which is hard to make one party accountable for. Counterfeit currency detected often gets unaccounted for and anyone of the parties may have to bear losses and consequences irrespective of not being at fault. As no party is ready to be accounted for, this often consumes time, human efforts and lead to delays in depositing/ issuing the currency.
[7] Therefore, there is a need to overcome one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[8] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention discloses authenticating device comprising a turning means configured to turn over only one security document at a time from among bundled security documents; a focusing collimator for directing light rays emitted through a light emitting means towards at least a portion on each said security document to be evaluated; a light receiving means for receiving light rays reflected therefrom each said security document; a reflected light intensity measuring sensor for generating a measured signal based on said reflected light rays; and a controller configured to authenticate each security document of said bundle without breaking or unwrapping the bundle, said controller generates a predetermined output signal to trigger ON a blue LED, indicating determination of each said security document to be an authentic security document, only relative to sensing a predetermined item with said measured signal above a predetermined threshold signal value, and said controller generates predetermined output signal to trigger ON a stopper, on a specific security document from among the bundled security documents, indicating determination of said specific security document to be a counterfeit security document, either relative to said predetermined item not being sensed or relative to sensing said predetermined item with said measured signal below said predetermined threshold signal value.
[9] According to an embodiment of the present invention, said bundle of security documents includes currency notes and said predetermined item on each said document is a taggant.
[10] According to the embodiment, said light emitting means is a laser diode and said light receiving means is a photodiode with an attached lens.
[11] According to another aspect, the present invention discloses a bundle counter comprising a turning means configured to turn over only one security document at a time from among a bundled security documents placed in a bundle holder; a focusing collimator for directing light rays emitted through a light emitting means towards at least a portion on each said security document to be evaluated; a light receiving means for receiving light rays reflected therefrom each said security document; a reflected light intensity measuring sensor for generating a measured signal based on said reflected light rays; and a controller configured to simultaneously count and evaluate each security document of said bundle without breaking or unwrapping the bundle, said controller generates predetermined output signal to trigger ON a blue LED, indicating determination of each said security document to be an authentic security document, only relative to sensing a predetermined item with said measured signal above a predetermined threshold signal value, and said controller generates said predetermined output signal to trigger ON a stopper, that stops counting on a specific security document from among the bundled security documents, indicating determination of said specific security document to be a counterfeit security document, either relative to said predetermined item not being sensed or relative to sensing said predetermined item with said measured signal below said predetermined threshold signal value.
[12] According to still another aspect, the present invention discloses a method for evaluating a bundle of security documents placed in a bundle comprising the steps of:
a) generating light rays and directing them towards at least a portion on each said security document to be evaluated;
b) receiving light rays reflected therefrom each said security document and generating a measured signal based on reflected light rays;
c) generating a predetermined output signal to trigger ON a blue LED, indicating determination of each said security document to be an authentic security document, only relative to sensing a predetermined item with said measured signal above a predetermined threshold signal value; and
d) generating said predetermined output signal to trigger ON a stopper, that stops counting on a specific security document from among the bundled security documents, indicating determination of said specific security document to be a counterfeit security document, either relative to said predetermined item not being sensed or relative to sensing said predetermined item with said measured signal below said predetermined threshold signal value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The various aspects, features, and advantages of the embodiment of the present invention, hereinafter more particularly described, will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system of bundle counter for evaluating a bundle of security documents according to the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a sequence of method steps performed for evaluating a bundle of security documents according to the present invention.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION:
[13] In general, the present invention claims a bundle counter, comprising a light emitting means, a light receiving means and a sensor for generating a measured signal; and a controller configured to simultaneously count and evaluate each security document of said bundle without breaking or unwrapping the bundle, said controller generates a zero-voltage output signal to trigger ON a blue LED, indicating determination of each said security document to be an authentic security document, only relative to sensing a predetermined item with said measured signal above a predetermined threshold signal value, and said controller generates a +5V output signal to trigger ON a stopper, that stops counting on a specific security document from among the bundled security documents, indicating determination of said specific security document to be a counterfeit security document, either relative to said predetermined item not being sensed or relative to sensing said predetermined item with said measured signal below said predetermined threshold signal value.
Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Figures discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged environment. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit the scope of the invention.
[14] According to an aspect of the invention, currency counterfeit detection system / authenticating device (100) is a taggant sensing device. In its interface the optical part of the sensor is attached to the lid of the counter through the mounting bracket. The device emits light rays from 810 nm laser source through a focusing collimator resulting in a red dot on the currency. The photodiode and the laser source focal points can both be in tuned by rotating the respective lens assemblies. The sensor takes a measurement at a rate of one sample currency per milli second. The device measures the intensity of the light emitted by the taggant from the sample currency through a photodiode with an attached lens. The sample’s measured signal is then compared to a set threshold. If the measurement result is above the threshold, controller is configured to trigger ON a blue LED indication, and pin 10 of connector X2 has a zero-voltage output on authenticating each said security document. If the measurement result is below the threshold, and pin 10 of connector X2 in the controller generates a +5V output which intern activate the stopper and the machine stops indicating that the last note is counterfeit note, thereby determining said counterfeit document.
[15] Referring Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system (100) of bundle counter (not shown) for evaluating a bundle of security documents according to another aspect of the present invention. The present invention relates to a bundle note counter integrated with a counterfeit detection apparatus / authenticating device (100) which includes conventional bundle note counter and electronic circuit with laser technology for counterfeit detection. The counterfeit detection system / authenticating device (100) comprises of an optics board (101) and a main board (102). Optics board consists of a light emitting means (103) having a diode, a focusing collimator, and a light receiving means (104) having a photodiode attached with lens and main board (102) consists of a controller (105) having a processor in communication with said optics board (101). The light emitting means (103) and light receiving means (104) are adapted to the optics board (101) housed in a mounting case.
[16] According to an embodiment of the present invention, bundle counter comprising a turning means configured to turn over only one security document at a time from among bundled security documents.
[17] According to the embodiment, a controller (105) configured to simultaneously count bundle of security documents placed near the spindle of the counter after receipt of counting positive pulse and evaluate each security document of said bundle without breaking or unwrapping the bundle, said controller (105) generates a predetermined output signal to trigger ON a blue LED, indicating determination of each said security document to be an authentic security document, only relative to sensing a predetermined item with said measured signal above a predetermined threshold signal value, and said controller (105) generates said predetermined output signal to trigger ON a stopper, that stops counting on a specific security document from among the bundled security documents, indicating determination of said specific security document to be a counterfeit security document, either relative to said predetermined item not being sensed or relative to sensing said predetermined item with said measured signal below said predetermined threshold signal value.
[18] According to the embodiment, said predetermined output signal can be a zero-voltage signal for authentic document or a +5V signal for counterfeit document.
[19] According to the embodiment, the bundle of security documents includes currency notes and said predetermined item on each said document is a taggant.
[20] Referring Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a sequence of method steps performed by the bundle counter (200) for evaluating a bundle of security documents placed therein, according to still another aspect of the present invention. In the step 1 (201), a light emitting means (103) emits light rays, which passes through the focusing lens directing toward at a portion of item having a taggant of the currency to be authenticated /evaluated. In step 2 (202), the photodiode (104) with the attached lens collects the light rays emitted by the taggant from the currency. The light emitting means with laser source (103) and the light receiving means with photodiode (104) are configured such that the light emitted / reflected by the taggant therefrom each said security document is collected by the photodiode. In the further step 3 (203), the intensity of the reflected light rays is measured by a reflected light intensity measuring sensor and a signal is generated based on said reflected light rays. In step 4 (204), the measured signal is compared with the threshold signal to determine counterfeit currency, if the value of the measured signal is greater than (>) the set threshold, the currency is approved authentic and the currency is allowed to count in the next step 5 (205). If the value of the measured signal is less than (<) the threshold, the currency is considered as the counterfeit note and the counting stops (206).
[21] The steps are repeated till all the currency notes in a pack are approved authentic or till identifying a counterfeit note to resume counting.
[22] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the bundle counter both the threshold and the consecutive positive values are configurable.
[23] According to the embodiment, counting signal positive pulse of individual currency activates/switches on the laser unit and negative pulse of that currency deactivates/switches off the laser unit, thereby study of individual currency is possible at speed.
[24] According to the embodiment, the present invention further discloses an on/off switch that enables/disables integration of counterfeit detection circuitry. When, the switch is off counterfeit detection circuitry is disabled thereby, the system act as normal bundle note counting machine also specially for counting lower denominations for example any denomination that does not have the specified taggant.
[25] According to the embodiment, the present invention discloses a rapid automatic robust system which is capable of integrating the examination process into or as part of another routine activity so as to greatly facilitate the handling of such currency at high speed, the ideal technique being the ability to perform initial tests on currency, recognizing the counterfeit currency at the speed of the bundle note counter and completes counting and authentication in minimum time with lower cost implications.
[26] According to the present invention, the authenticating device can be adapted to any conventional bundle note counter and can be configured every easily.
[27] The present invention has been described in the context of a bundle counter integrated with an evaluating device. The invention discloses specific types of arrangements which are housed and integrated using a processor. However, there can be different arrangements and one or more processors. Further, the invention discloses bundled documents that include but not limited to currencies or any other documents that need to be counted and authenticated. Furthermore, the number, type of light emitting means, light receiving means, sensors, predetermined output signal, taggant are not limited to those particularly described herein and may include more than one emitting, receiving means. Suitable modifications may be done when using other arrangements, which are generally known to the persons in the art. The turning means and other devices which are generally known in the art are not described in detailed.
[28] In the foregoing detailed description of aspects embodiments of the invention, 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 an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require 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 detailed description of aspects, embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
[29] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention 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 appended claims, the terms “including” is used as the plain-English equivalent of the respective term “comprising” respectively.

,CLAIMS:
1. An authenticating device comprising:
a turning means configured to turn over only one security document at a time from among bundled security documents;
a focusing collimator for directing light rays emitted through a light emitting means towards at least a portion on each said security document to be evaluated;
a light receiving means for receiving light rays reflected therefrom each said security document;
a reflected light intensity measuring sensor for generating a measured signal based on said reflected light rays; and
a controller configured to authenticate each security document of said bundle without breaking or unwrapping the bundle, said controller generates a predetermined output signal to trigger ON a blue LED, indicating determination of each said security document to be an authentic security document, only relative to sensing a predetermined item with said measured signal above a predetermined threshold signal value, and said controller generates said predetermined output signal to trigger ON a stopper, on a specific security document from among the bundled security documents, indicating determination of said specific security document to be a counterfeit security document, either relative to said predetermined item not being sensed or relative to sensing said predetermined item with said measured signal below said predetermined threshold signal value.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bundle of security documents includes currency notes and said predetermined item on each said document is a taggant.

3. The device as claimed in claims 1-2, wherein said light emitting means is a laser diode and said light receiving means is a photodiode with an attached lens.

4. A bundle counter comprising:
a turning means configured to turn over only one security document at a time from among a bundled security documents placed in a bundle holder;
a focusing collimator for directing light rays emitted through a light emitting means towards at least a portion on each said security document to be evaluated;
a light receiving means for receiving light rays reflected therefrom each said security document;
a reflected light intensity measuring sensor for generating a measured signal based on said reflected light rays; and
a controller configured to simultaneously count and evaluate each security document of said bundle without breaking or unwrapping the bundle, said controller generates a predetermined output signal to trigger ON a blue LED, indicating determination of each said security document to be an authentic security document, only relative to sensing a predetermined item with said measured signal above a predetermined threshold signal value, and said controller said generates predetermined output signal to trigger ON a stopper, that stops counting on a specific security document from among the bundled security documents, indicating determination of said specific security document to be a counterfeit security document, either relative to said predetermined item not being sensed or relative to sensing said predetermined item with said measured signal below said predetermined threshold signal value.

5. The bundle counter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said bundle of security documents includes currency notes and said predetermined item on each said document is a taggant.

6. The bundle counter as claimed in claims 4-5 wherein said light emitting means is a laser diode and said light receiving means is a photodiode with an attached lens.

7. A method for evaluating a bundle of security documents placed in a bundle comprising the steps of:
a) generating light rays and directing them towards at least a portion on each said security document to be evaluated;
b) receiving light rays reflected therefrom each said security document and generating a measured signal based on reflected light rays;
c) generating a predetermined output signal to trigger ON a blue LED, indicating determination of each said security document to be an authentic security document, only relative to sensing a predetermined item with said measured signal above a predetermined threshold signal value; and
d) generating said predetermined output signal to trigger ON a stopper, that stops counting on a specific security document from among the bundled security documents, indicating determination of said specific security document to be a counterfeit security document, either relative to said predetermined item not being sensed or relative to sensing said predetermined item with said measured signal below said predetermined threshold signal value.