DE20010183U1 - Divisible document checking device - Google Patents

Description

PATENT ATTORNEY·,.* ^# .·' DR.-ING. PETER RIEBLING

Dipl.-Ing. EUROPEAN PATENT & TRADEMARK ATTORNEY

PO Box 3160
D-88113 Lindau (Lake Constance) Telephone (08382) 78025
Telephone (08382) 9692-0
Fax (08382) 78027
Fax (08382) 9692-30
E-mail: Riebling@t-online.de

June 5, 2000 10 Attorney File: 13809.0-B1653N-58-na

? Applicant: Bundesdruckerei GmbH

I Oranienstr. 91

D-10958 Berlin

|| Divisible document inspection device

I The innovation concerns a document verification device with a separable housing according to

I 20 the generic term of claim 1. Such a document checking device is used to check the authenticity of documents. A known document checking device consists of a housing with a glass plate embedded in it and a lid covering the glass plate.

25 After opening the lid, the document to be examined is placed on the glass plate and illuminated by a light source located inside the device. The image reflected from the exposed document surface is recorded and evaluated by a camera. Such document checking devices have proven themselves, but have the disadvantage that they

30 have a relatively bulky and space-consuming structure. This hinders the use at document verification points, such as border controls for road vehicles, but also at airports, where there is little space for the user to

Home address: · «Bank accounts-· · · · · ··· ····» ·· Postal checking account

Rennerle 10 * Hypo-Vereinstjank ündau (fej No. &Idigr;257110*(ßLZ 60(?2*(?29(?) ^# * * Munich

D-88131 Undau Volksbank Lindau (B) No. 51222000 (bank code 65092010) 414848-808

VAT NO: DE 129020439 (BLZ 70010080)

such testing equipment is available. This problem is even more serious in mobile task forces.

Another disadvantage of the well-known document checking device is that the computer with all its security software is also located in the housing of the checking device. This makes the document checking device a security-sensitive device, because the users must always ensure that the device is locked as a whole and stored out of reach of third parties after the service has ended, in order to prevent the device from being stolen and the program codes contained in the program memory from being copied in order to detect and possibly bypass the security-relevant checks.

The disadvantage of the known document checking device is that a relatively bulky and heavy device must always be carefully stored after use.

Another disadvantage of the known document checking device is that, because it is inseparably connected to the computing unit, the processor contained therein becomes outdated relatively quickly due to the constant advances in computing technology. When purchasing new software, it is therefore necessary to replace the entire document checking device, which is very costly.

The innovation is therefore based on the task of further developing a document checking device of the type mentioned above in such a way that it is significantly smaller and lighter and that the device is overall easier to store.

To solve the problem posed, the innovation is characterized by the technical teaching of claim 1.
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The key feature of the innovation is that the housing of the document checking device is designed to be divisible.

The housing preferably consists of a scanner part and an evaluation unit (in particular a computing unit) detachably connected to the scanner part, i.e. of two housing parts that can be separated from one another. However, the innovation is not limited to this. In a further development of the innovation, it can also be provided to provide more than two housing parts and to combine these into a single housing for operational purposes. For example, a third housing part can be provided in which the power supply for the other two housing parts is arranged.

The main advantage of this is that the document checking device is now much easier to store because it is divided into several housing parts. After use, the computer and evaluation unit can simply be removed and stored separately, while the scanner part remains where it was installed.

This means that it is sufficient to store the security-relevant part of this document checking device, namely the computer and evaluation unit, while the scanner part remains at the location where it is installed.

The separation between the two parts of the device is achieved, for example, mechanically via corresponding mechanical coupling means, which coupling means can be designed, for example, as lockable guide rails, as locking hooks or as magnetic connecting means.

It is important that when the two parts of the device are mechanically coupled and locked, an electrical connection is also established between the two parts of the device at the same time, which is achieved by the corresponding plug and coupling parts engaging with each other.

The technical teachings given here have the advantage that the device can be made smaller overall because the computer part can always be adapted to the state of the art as it is a replaceable part.

It is known that with the advancement of digital technology, the corresponding components and assemblies can also be miniaturized, making it possible to attach an updated, smaller computer and evaluation part to the scanner part, which remains relatively constant in its size.

This has the advantage that the computer and evaluation part can always be adapted to the state of the art and thus miniaturized, which leads to reduced dimensions of the entire device.

A further advantage is that in certain applications the removable part of the device can now be dispensed with as a computing unit and a conventional portable computer (e.g. laptop) can be docked instead, which is also possible with a significant simplification. Such laptops can also be designed as security-relevant devices that are removed from the scanner part after appropriate use and stored separately.

This has the advantage that the removable evaluation unit can be completely eliminated and replaced by a familiar laptop that is connected to the scanner part via a corresponding docking station.

Of course, cable connections can also be provided between the scanner part and the laptop arranged separately.

The divisibility of the device after the innovation can therefore also be intended to be permanent.

In the first embodiment of the innovation, it is therefore intended that the scanner part is connected to the evaluation unit in order to operate the device and the two parts form a functional unit during operation. After use, the evaluation unit can then be removed and stored separately from the scanner part.

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In a second embodiment, it can be provided that the scanner part only remains as such at the location of its installation and that either a laptop is docked as an evaluation unit or a computing unit (for example in the form of a laptop) is connected to the scanner part via a cable connection, wherein after use the said laptop is removed and stored separately.

The present innovation therefore claims all possibilities of division, that is, a division after the end of the operation or a permanent division that remains throughout the entire period of operation and also after the end of the operation.

The term "divisibility" obviously says nothing about the volume units that form the relationship between the volume of the scanner part and the evaluation unit. All volume ratios are therefore claimed as essential to the innovation.

In a preferred embodiment, for example, the scanner part is three times as large as the removable evaluation unit. The innovation is of course not limited to this, but it is intended that the evaluation unit will be miniaturized as digital technology advances.

Also, the term "divisible housing" used here is not understood as division (into two halves) in the geometric sense, but means that at least two or more device parts can be operationally combined to form a housing.

The innovation is explained in more detail below using a drawing that merely shows one embodiment. The drawing and its description reveal further features and advantages of the innovation that are essential to the invention.

. i ..ii ii t'i and «-

The subject matter of the present innovation arises not only from the subject matter of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual claims with one another.

All information and features disclosed in the documents, including the abstract, in particular the spatial configuration shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention insofar as they are new compared to the prior art, individually or in combination.

Show it:

Figure 1: schematic side view of a document checking device according to the innovation in a first embodiment;

Figure 2: a modified embodiment compared to Figure 1;

Figure 3: schematic side view of the document checking device according to Figure 1;

Figure 4: Top view of the front side of the evaluation unit in the area of the division plane;

Figure 5: the side view of the evaluation unit according to Figure 4.

Figure 1 generally shows a scanner part 1 which is suitable for recognizing documents. The scanner part 1 has a cover 14 which can be lifted about the pivot axis 17, the cover having a hinge-like handle bar 15 in its front area, which in turn is designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis 18 in the cover 14.

The handle bar 15 is connected to a locking mechanism 19 arranged in the device, which is also connected to a proximity switch 21.

If the user grasps the lid 14 by the handle bar 15 in the direction of the arrow 16 with the aim of opening it about the pivot axis 17, then the handle bar 15 is first pivoted about the pivot axis 18 until the lock 19 is triggered and opens, whereby the lid 14 can then be lifted.
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A document to be checked can then be placed on the glass surface located underneath the lid, with the document surface then being illuminated from the interior of the device.

The cover 14 is then closed again, whereby the complete closure of the cover 14 is detected via the lock 19 and the proximity switch 21. Only then is the document checked in the scanner part 1.

The pivoting cover 14 offers the advantage of increasing the evaluation accuracy in image encryption processes and protecting the operator from the laser radiation. In another embodiment of the innovation, however, the cover 14 can be omitted entirely, which leads to cost savings.

An evaluation unit 2 is arranged which can be separated and removed from the scanner part 1 and in which essentially the computing unit, the associated power supply and further digital memories or the like are arranged.

In addition, a display 20 is arranged on the front of the scanner part 1, which shows the operating status of the scanner part 1. Diagnostic information and, if necessary, malfunctions in operation can be displayed.

Furthermore, a reading unit 28 is provided in the front panel, which serves to read identification magnetic cards or identification chip cards.

What is important in Figure 1 is that the evaluation unit 2 can be removed from the scanner part 1 in the direction of arrow 23.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment modified from Figure 1, in which the front plate of the scanner part 1 merges flush with the top of the evaluation unit 2.

This evaluation unit 2 can also be removed from the scanner part 1 in the direction of arrow 23 (facing backwards).

Figure 3 schematically shows that the divisibility of the two device parts 1, 2 takes place in the area of a separation plane 3, so that the devices can be separated from each other in the arrow directions 4, 5.

In the area of this separation plane 3, mechanical guides 7, 8 are provided, which interact with locking mechanisms not shown in detail in order to enable a mechanically stable connection between the two devices 1, 2.

Furthermore, a plug connection 6 is shown, which in a manner known per se consists of a socket and a plug engaging in the socket.

Of course, instead of one plug connection 6, several plug connections can be provided.

In this case, it can also be provided, for example, that the power supply for the entire device is available in the evaluation unit 2, so that the power supply of the scanner part 1 is also provided via the plug connection 6.

It is also shown that in the bottom part of the scanner part 1 there is a flap 24 which can be opened about the pivot axis 25 in the direction of the arrow 26 and which makes a UV lamp 27 built into the scanner part 1 accessible.

A further plug connection 29 can be arranged on the rear side of the evaluation unit 2, to which, for example, an external monitor, a keyboard or a network can be connected.

Figure 4 shows that the evaluation unit 2 essentially consists of a stepped component which has an upper part 9 which is geometrically separated from the lower part 10 by a projection 12.

On the sides, the evaluation unit 2 has steps 11 which run approximately vertically, are parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another and protrude above the recessed rear wall. In this way, the projecting steps 11 act as guides when joining the two housing parts 1, 2, as described below.

The vertical steps 11 projecting over the base area of the evaluation unit 2 interact with similarly associated steps in the area of the separation plane 3 on the scanner part 1, so that an almost positive connection is created between the two parts 1, 2 in the area of the separation plane 3. The previously mentioned mechanical guides 7, 8 then engage with one another and are locked together by locking means not shown in detail.

At the same time, when the two devices 1, 2 are brought together, the plug connection 6, which is arranged in the area of the lower part 10 of the evaluation unit 2, closes.

Figure 5 shows the side view of the evaluation unit, where it can be seen that the steps 11 protrude above the plane in which the plug connection 6 is arranged, so that it is ensured that there is initially a mechanical connection between the two devices before the electrical connection is established in the area of the plug connection 6.

Drawing legend

1 Scanner part 5 2 Evaluation unit 3 Separation plane 4 Arrow direction 5 Arrow direction 6 Plug connection 10 7 guide 8th guide G Top 10 Bottom part 11 Level 15 12 head Start 13 14 Lid 15 Handle bar

16 Arrow direction

17 Swivel axis

18 Swivel axis

19 Locking

20 Advertisement

21 Proximity switch 22

23 Arrow direction

24 flap

25 Swivel axis

26 Arrow direction 27 UV lamp

28 Reading Unit

29 Plug connection

Claims (10)

1. Document checking device with a housing and a glass plate arranged in a front wall of the housing as a support surface for the document to be checked, wherein at least one scanning device/scanner ( 1 ) and an evaluation unit/computing unit ( 2 ) with a processor for digital evaluation of the signals obtained from the scanning device are arranged in the interior of the housing, characterized in that the housing of the document checking device is designed to be divisible into at least two housing parts and one of the housing parts accommodates the entire evaluation unit ( 2 ) and another housing part accommodates the entire scanning unit ( 1 ), wherein at least the evaluation unit ( 2 ) is designed to be removable. 2. Document checking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the scanning unit ( 1 ) is stationary. 3. Document checking device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the evaluation unit ( 2 ) is designed as a portable computer (laptop). 4. Document checking device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the separation between the two device parts ( 1 , 2 ) takes place via corresponding magnetic and/or mechanical coupling means ( 7 , 8 ) and that during coupling an electrical connection ( 6 ) is simultaneously established between the two device parts ( 1 , 2 ). 5. Document checking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the electrical connection between the evaluation unit ( 2 ) and the scanning device ( 1 ) is formed by a wireless, signal-transmitting air interface or a cable connection ( 6 ). 6. Document checking device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the power supply for the entire document checking device is arranged in the housing part of the evaluation unit ( 2 ), or in a further housing part. 7. Document checking device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the dividing plane ( 3 ) of the separable device parts ( 1 , 2 ) runs approximately through the rear side facing away from the operator or approximately through one of the two side parts of the scanning device ( 1 ). 8. Document checking device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a reading unit ( 28 ) for reading identification cards is provided in the front wall of the scanning device ( 1 ). 9. Document checking device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the glass plate can be covered by a cover ( 14 ) which is pivotably mounted in an approximately horizontal pivot axis ( 17 ), the pivoting of which can be locked via a lockable handle bar ( 15 ). 10. Document checking device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an openable flap ( 24 ) is arranged in the bottom part of the scanning device ( 1 ), which makes a UV lamp ( 27 ) accessible for further checks of the document.