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CI Tech intros retrofit sensor that detects banknote serial numbers

August 19, 2013

CI Tech Components AG, a manufacturer of sensors and modules for detecting, evaluating and processing banknotes, is offering its new serial number reader as a solution for rapid and reliable detection of serial numbers on banknotes, the company said in a news release. CI Tech is a joint venture between Giesecke & Devrient and Wincor Nixdorf AG.

The CI Tech Serial Number Reader can be integrated into new products or retrofitted into systems already installed, regardless of the manufacturer. However, it must be possible to mechanically integrate the sensor technology into the existing transport path of the banknote processing, and to connect it electrically.

The reader includes two contact image-sensor modules and a signal processing unit. 

Typical applications include ATMs, cash recycling systems, money-sorting and money-counting machines, back office systems, cash deposit and cash dispensing machines, currency converters and check processing systems.  

CI Tech offered an example of serial number reader operation in cash dispensers: The device captures images of the serial numbers on banknotes dispensed; employs optical character recognition to evaluate those images on an external PC; and then saves the results for future research and tracing.

"Our serial number reader solution supports the cash cycle and cash management," said Norbert Hennen, director of product management at CI Tech Components. "[It] opens up new possibilities for combating counterfeiting and enables central banks to trace banknotes nationwide throughout their entire lifecycle. The new solution is currently undergoing qualification testing at a several major, globally active integrators and will be ready to go into full-scale production [in] September."

The serial number reader currently processes banknotes long-edge-first. The sensor module reads six to ten banknotes per second at a transport speed of 0.7 to 2.0 m/s. A USB 2.0 port enables data transmission.

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