REGULA 4197 User manual
MAGNETO-OPTICAL VISUALIZER
User’s Guide
Regula 4197
2018
Certied Quality
Management System
CONTENTS
1 FUNCTION ......................................4
2 AREAS OF APPLICATION ............................4
3 DEVICE DESIGN..................................5
4 DELIVERY SET ...................................6
5 DESCRIPTION OF DEVICE OPERATION ..................6
6 OPERATION ORDER ...............................7
6.1 Preparing for operation .........................7
6.2 Operation execution ...........................9
6.3 Background and frame input options ............... 12
6.4 Processing the results ......................... 14
6.5 Test objects ................................ 34
6.6 Operation completion ......................... 36
6.7 Maintenance ................................ 36
7 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ....................... 38
8 TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE .................... 38
9 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF STORAGE
AND TRANSPORTATION............................ 38
10 ACCEPTANCE CERTIFICATE ........................ 39
11 SALE CERTIFICATE .............................. 39
4
WARNING!
THE DEVICE CONTAINS STRONG MAGNETS. THESE
MAGNETS CAN ATTRACT METALLIC FERROMAGNETIC
OBJECTS ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE
ATTRACTED OBJECT MAY HIT THE DEVICE AND CAUSE
DEVICE DAMAGE. DO NOT BRING OBJECTS MADE OF
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS CLOSE TO THE DEVICE
(E.G. TWEEZERS, SCREWDRIVERS, SCISSORS, KEYS,
COINS, DRAWING PINS AND CLIPS, ETC.)
FUNCTION
Magneto-optical visualizer (hereinafter referred to as
the «visualizer») Regula 4197 is intended for expert examination of
document magnetic protection.
The device visualizes images executed with magnetic inks, tapes,
bers and other magnetic materials. The visualized images are
displayed on a PC monitor and can be stored as les of normal raster
graphic formats.
The visualizer allows assessing values of certain magnetic
parameters of document magnetic protection elements. The results
are presented in graphical and numerical form, and can be saved for
later playback and analysis.
The visualizer delivery set includes specialized software that allows
an expert to carry out digital postprocessing of scanned images for
the purpose of their analysis, comparison, assessment of geometric
parameters and sizes, improvement of legibility and clearness.
AREAS OF APPLICATION
Regula 4197 visualizer can be used in:
Forensics: authenticity verication of securities, banknotes;
classication of document and banknote forgery methods;
examination of damaged documents (reading of stained
texts printed in magnetic ink);
Production of securities, banknotes, forms: quality
control of magnetic protection elements; investigation of
magnetic printing techniques and materials;
Banking: authenticity verication of securities, banknotes;
Authenticity verication of banknotes at customs.
1
2
5
DEVICE DESIGN
Visualizer Regula 4197 consists of the following components
(Figure 1): an optical electronic block 1 and a magnetic excitation
system 2. The right 3 and left 4 functional buttons and a LED
indicator 5 are located on the top of the optical electronic block.
The sensitive element (magneto-optical crystal) 6 (Figure 2) is located
on the bottom surface of the optical electronic block. The magnetic
excitation system is removable. There are grooves 7(Figure 3)
intended for positioning the magnetic excitation system on the optical
electronic block. The visualizer is connected to a PC via a USB cable
located on the back of the device. There can be two versions of
the visualizer with one (A) or two (B) USB plugs. In case (B) both
plugs should be connected to the computer sockets.
3
Figure 1
Figure 2
6
Figure 3
DELIVERY SET
The delivery set includes:
Magneto-optical visualizer Regula 4197
Visualizer pad
Special software
User’s guide
Test object
DESCRIPTION OF DEVICE OPERATION
The magneto-optical visualizer Regula 4197 is a USB device.
Its power supply, control, output and processing of examination
results are carried out with the help of a PC. The visualizer is to be
connected to one of PC USB-ports.
The visualizer sensitive element (magneto-optical crystal) senses
the magnetic eld of a magnetic protection element in a questioned
document. The sensitive element state is converted into a digital image
with the help of the optical system and the digital camera, which are
4
5
7
located inside the device. After special preliminary processing, the
image is output to the CADR application window.
Near the sensitive element there is an inductor. In certain visualizer
operation modes, it generates series of magnetic impulses affecting
the sensitive element. The inductor is intended to increase sensitivity
of the visualizer, improve image quality and to generate magnetic
displacement elds used in the mode assessing magnetic parameters
of document security features.
The magnetic excitation system of the device is a source of external
magnetic eld for magnetization of magnetically hard materials and
for magnetic excitation of magnetically soft materials used to produce
magnetic protection elements.
There are two types of materials used to produce document
security features with magnetic properties: magnetically hard and
magnetically soft.
Magnetically hard materials obtain their own magnetic eld
after they are magnetized by an external magnetic eld. The sensitive
element responds to the magnetic eld obtained by magnetically
hard materials.
Magnetically soft materials do not retain their own magnetic
eld after the source of external magnetic eld is removed. But if
they are kept in the magnetic eld created by an external source,
these materials cause distortions of the eld. Such distortions are
detected by the device sensitive element.
The magnetic excitation system enables to distinguish security
features made of different types of magnetic materials: the images
made of magnetically soft materials are visible only if the magnetic
excitation system is installed. The images made of magnetically
hard materials, once magnetized, are visible both with the installed
magnetic excitation system and without it. Some insignicant
differences in the image brightness and contrast are possible.
The CADR software is intended for continuous displaying of the
visualized magnetic image on a PC monitor and for storing separate
image frames at the operator’s choice. In addition, the CADR
application provides a wide range of tools for digital image processing.
The software is included in the visualizer delivery set.
OPERATION ORDER
Preparing for operation
Before the device is switched on for the rst time:
– Make sure the device does not have any visible defects or
damages.
6
6.1
8
If you notice any defects or damages, contact your supplier.
– Place the visualizer pad on a at surface. Observe the requirements
for the surface and for the surroundings of the workplace in which the
visualizer will be used.
1) Objects made of ferromagnetic materials (materials which
attract magnets) must not be placed closer than 0.2 m from the work
area. Such objects are: metallic surface of the laboratory bench, steel
furniture fasteners, tools (tweezers, screwdrivers, scissors, etc.),
stationery (drawing pins, clips), coins, etc.
2) Sources of strong magnetic eld (permanent magnets,
electromagnets, inductance coils) must not be located closer than
0.5 m from the work area.
ATTENTION!
PROXIMITY OF FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS AND
SOURCES OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD TO THE VISUALIZER
CAN DISTORT THE IMAGE FORMED BY IT.
ATTENTION!
IF OBJECTS MADE OF FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
GET INTO THE MAGNETIC FIELD OF THE MAGNETIC
EXCITATION SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM CAN ATTRACT THEM
ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ATTRACTED OBJECT
MAY HIT THE DEVICE AND CAUSE DEVICE DAMAGE.
Put the visualizer on the pad with the sensitive element facing
downwards. Connect the device to the PC via the USB cable. The LED
on the visualizer body lights up if the connection between the device
and the PC is successful. (When activating the device for the rst
time, PC operating system requires installation of the visualizer
driver. For more details see paragraph 6.2).
Visualizer software installation
The software supplied with Regula 4197 visualizer includes:
1) CADR application,
2) visualizer driver.
The procedure of software installation is the following:
Insert the installation medium with the visualizer software into the
disk drive or USB port of the PC. Create a working folder and copy
the software into it.
Connect the device USB cable to the corresponding port of the PC.
If the USB connection between the visualizer and the PC is successful,
the LED indicator on the visualizer body will light up.
9
The operating system will detect a new USB device and
automatically launch the Device Driver Installation Wizard. Set the
path to the device driver directory manually.
When installation is complete, open the Device Manager window
to check that a new device «Magneto-optical Visualizer 4197» has
appeared in the «Forensic Devices» section. Make sure that the
device is installed correctly (without «?» or «!» marks in the Device
Manager panel).
After the driver has been installed, the CADR application is ready
to be started. You can launch the application by running the le CADR.
EXE in the working folder or by using the application shortcut located
in any suitable place.
Operation execution
Put an examined document and the visualizer (with the sensitive
element facing downwards) on the visualizer pad.
To start the CADR application, double click on the application
shortcut or on the icon of the le CADR.EXE in the folder where the
application is installed.
In the appeared window of the CADR application, click the button
of background image input A(Figure 4).
6.2
Figure 4
An information window with instructions will appear. Follow the
instructions given: lift Regula 4197 5–10 cm above the examined
document and press any of the two functional buttons (3or 4
(Figure 1)) on the visualizer body. After background image input is
performed successfully, the information window will disappear.
The process of background image input can be repeated if necessary.
This need may arise when the resulting image does not satisfy the user
who assumes that the background image was poorly scanned.
10
Put the visualizer on the examined document with the sensitive
element facing downwards.
Not all documents are printed using magnetic ink. So if there is
no document with magnetic security features at the initial startup of
the device, use the test object from the visualizer delivery set to check
device operation.
See paragraph 6.5 for more information about the purpose and use
of the test object.
To activate the mode of continuous image input, press the right
functional button of the visualizer (Figure 1, pos. 3). This mode can
also be activated by clicking on the button of continuous input B
(Figure 4). The continuous input window displaying the visualization
result of the magnetic image on the examined document (Figure 5)
will appear in the CADR main window. When shifting the visualizer
along the document surface, the image in the continuous input window
changes accordingly.
Move the visualizer along the document surface to nd images
printed using magnetic inks.
In the continuous input window, the user can take a single frame
of the examined image for further processing. For this purpose, place
the visualizer so that the questioned image fragment takes the desired
position in the continuous input window. Press the left functional
button of the visualizer (Figure 1, pos. 4). The image fragment will
be copied as a permanent frame into a separate window next to the
continuous input window. Assess the result and, if necessary, repeat
the copying procedure.
It is possible to capture several frames which will be displayed in
separate windows. Afterwards, the images from these frames can be
processed using the tools of the CADR software (for more information
about the tools see the le CADR_ENG.DOC from the visualizer software
set and paragraph 6.4 «Processing the Results»). The obtained results
can be saved to the PC hard disk in one of the standard graphic
formats. To do so, select the menu items [File]->[Save] of the CADR
application.
In the process of device operation, background image input can be
repeated (if necessary) by clicking on image input button and following
the instructions described above.
The visualizer supports two image formats — 512×640 pixels and
1024×1280 pixels. We recommend using the 512×640 format
(Figure 5).
11
Figure 5
12
To switch the format, select the menu item [File] -> [Videodriver] ->
[Video format] (Figure 6).
Figure 6
Background and frame input options
The visualizer can operate in several modes that allow obtaining
images of different quality. But the modes in which high-quality
images are captured require more time to form a frame.
The user should select an appropriate mode in accordance with his
particular tasks.
To select an appropriate mode, right-click on the button of
background image input A or on the button of single frame input C
(Figure 7). The window «Mode of frames and background input» will
appear.
A background image (background) is used in the visualizer to
improve the quality of the obtained resulting images that the user
examines in CADR windows. The background is input at the beginning
of the device operation, as well as in the process of operation if
necessary.
The background should be input when the magneto-optical
crystal is not in contact with any magnetic images or other sources
of magnetic eld. A frame (a single frame or series of frames in the
mode of continuous input) is input when the sensitive element is in
6.3
13
contact with the magnetic image of the examined document. Then
the program subtracts the background from the frame. As a
result, in the obtained image, the user can see only the document
magnetic image against a solid gray background.
Such technology allows ltering possible noises, artifacts and
brightness irregularities which the initial (background) image formed
by the magneto-optical crystal may contain.
In the window «Mode of frames and background input», the user
can select one of three standard modes of background and single
frame input — «View», «Discovery» and «Research».
Figure 7
View — the visualizer is taken away from the examined document
(and other possible sources of magnetic eld) and a single background
frame is input. Then the frame of the examined document is input
A
C
14
once. Afterwards, the background is subtracted from this frame.
This operation mode is the most simple and quick.
Discovery — a background image is input twice. Then the
arithmetic mean of those two images is used as the background. It
means that two brightness values of each pixel are summed up and
divided by two. It helps to reduce the inuence of random noises (pixel
brightness uctuation) in the magneto-optical channel of the device.
The frame of the examined document is input twice and averaged.
Then the average background image is subtracted from the average
frame image. This mode is slower but it provides resulting images
that are more sharp and noiseless.
Research — a background image is input eight times and then
averaged. A frame with magnetic image of the questioned document
is also input eight times. In addition, the mode of magnetic
displacement is activated. It means that the device inductor
generates an additional magnetic eld suppressing random single
pixels irrelevant to the informative image. When the magnetic image
is input eight times, the inductor generates N-S polarized magnetic
eld four times and four times the opposite — S-N polarized magnetic
eld. The frames obtained by this technique are averaged (eight
brightness values for each pixel are summed up and divided by eight).
Then the averaged background is subtracted from the averaged
frame. This mode takes the longest time and produces the resulting
image of the highest quality. But it can also suppress minor useful
details and pixels of the examined image.
Parameters of the selected mode are displayed in the «Mode
of background input» and «Mode of single frames input» sections.
The user can customize these parameters if necessary.
To restore the default settings, click on the corresponding
«Default» button.
Processing the results
The CADR software provides the user with a wide range of tools
for processing visualized magnetic images. More information about
the application tools is given in the User’s Guide to the software.
Below we give the description of several functions of the CADR
software: «Deviation from middle» and «Magnetization» that are
most commonly used for processing magnetic images in security
documents.
«Deviation from middle» function
To activate the «Deviation from middle» function, scan a document
which contains a magnetic image or open one of the previously
saved images from the menu [File] - > [Read]. Then right-click
6.4
15
on the F button (Figure 8) located in the lower row of the toolbar.
The «Deviation from middle» window will open.
If the mentioned button does not appear on the toolbar when
starting the CADR application for the rst time, double click on
the free space of the toolbar lower row with the left mouse button
while holding the <Ctrl> key. In the appeared «Customize Toolbar»
window, it is possible to add the required button to the toolbar.
The «Deviation from middle» function calculates the average value
of pixel brightness values in the processed monochrome bitmap.
«Plus» or «minus» deviation from this value by some quantity is
considered to be a dead zone. The pixel brightness values lying within
the dead zone range are replaced by the average value. Brightness
values exceeding the upper limit value of the dead zone are increased.
Brightness values being less than the lower limit value are lowered.
Figure 8
F
16
Here is the list of image processing parameters and their purpose:
Width of the dead zone — species the range of the pixel
brightness deviation from the average value. Within this range,
brightness values are adjusted to the average value.
Shift of the dead zone — allows shifting the dead zone by some
positive or negative value relative to the brightness average value.
Multiplier — determines the degree of brightness change for the
pixels with brightness values beyond the limits of the dead zone.
Smooth (remove noise) — reduces the contrast of pixels with
random brightness deviation against the image general background.
Adding deviation to the image — if this option is not checked,
the average brightness value is subtracted from all values of the
image pixel brightness. The following options are available in this
mode:
Negative — converts a processed image to a negative.
Binding to a middle level of the image — adjustment
of the image pixel brightness relative to the average
brightness value.
Binding to an image envelope — correction of the image
pixel brightness for uneven illumination distribution over
the input frame.
Envelope smoothing — the parameter of correction for
uneven illumination distribution over the input frame.
View — if this checkbox is checked, all changes in image processing
parameters will immediately cause corresponding image changes.
OK — exit from the «Deviation from middle» window saving
the specied parameters of image processing. In this case, the image
changes are not saved. The image preserves the parameters set
before opening the «Deviation from middle» window.
Cancel — exit from the «Deviation from middle» function without
saving the specied parameters of image processing. The image
preserves the parameters set before opening the «Deviation from
middle» window.
Apply — exit from the «Deviation from middle» function saving
the specied image processing parameters. In this case, the image
changes are applied.
The «Deviation from middle» function can also be activated by
double clicking the left mouse button on the button C(Figure 8).
In this case, the function is executed without displaying the image
processing parameters which correspond to the latest saved.
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Assessment of magnetic parameters
The «Magnetic measurements» function of the CADR software is
intended for assessing magnetic parameters of the materials used
to produce document security features and for comparing these
parameters in examined documents and in templates (certainly
authentic documents) for a further conclusion about a probable
forgery.
The results of the «Magnetic measurements» function execution
are the following: the histogram of the normal component of
the magnetic induction vector Bn (mT) for a single image frame,
the value of the modulus of the magnetic ux Фn (nWb) through
the frame area, the distance d between histograms of the examined
document and the template. Comparison of the measured parameters
(Bn, Фn, d) allows carrying out document authenticity verication and
assessing wear or damage rate of the magnetic image.
The normal component of the magnetic induction vector Bn is a
component of the vector of the magnetic induction generated by the
material of the magnetic image located in the visualizer frame area.
This component is perpendicular to the frame surface.
Magnetic induction Bn is assessed for each pixel of the examined
image according to the compensation scheme. This technology is
used in the inductor that is a graduated source of the magnetic eld.
The inductor generates 32 different levels of the magnetic
displacement eld that partially equalizes the residual magnetization
eld of the examined image. The CADR software captures 32 frames
and counts the number of changed image pixels corresponding to
each level of the compensating magnetic eld.
This is the way brightness distribution in 32 image frames is formed.
On the one hand, it is connected with the strength of the residual
magnetization eld generated by the magnetic material of the ink.
On the other hand, it is connected with the level of the compensating
magnetic eld of the inductor.
The histogram of the normal component of the magnetic induction
is built based on the brightness distribution in the coordinates lg(n)-Bn
(Figure 9d). Here n is the number of pixels in the image, Bn — magnetic
induction.
The induction of the magnetic stray eld is assessed in the range from
the sensitivity threshold of the magneto-optical crystal (≈ 0.1-0.2 mT)
to the maximum compensation eld of the inductor (≈ 2.8 mT).
The magnetic ux Фn is calculated according to the histogram Bn
and the known area of the visualized zone.
18
The distance d between the two histograms is calculated as
follows: each histogram column is compared with the corresponding
column of the other histogram, and the modulus of their difference is
calculated. Then all moduli are summed up for all columns. This sum
is the d parameter of the two compared histograms. It is a similarity
parameter. The smaller d is, the more similar the histograms are and
the higher is the probability that the two compared documents are
printed with the same ink using the same technology.
For different types of documents and banknotes the value of
the distance d, which distinguishes an original document from a
forged document, may differ. An expert is to determine these values
experimentally by accumulating experience and experimental data.
* The distinctive physical feature of the magnetic measurement process
is a signicant dependence of its results on the temperature at which
the measurement is taken. In particular, the magnetic properties of the examined
materials exhibit different degrees of dependence on the temperature.
In this connection, it is necessary to take measurements in the same
narrow temperature range in order to improve the accuracy when comparing
the obtained results.
Therefore, when executing the «Magnetic measurements» function,
the ambient temperature should meet the requirements for the mode of
magnetic parameter measurements (see section 7 «Technical Specications»).
To call the «Magnetic measurements» function, left-click on
the E button (Figure 9a) or left-click in the menu [Modules] ->
[«MagMouse / Regula 4197»] -> [Magnetic measurements] (Figure 9b).
Before running the «Magnetic measurements» function, input a
background image as described in paragraph 6.3 (Button A, Figure 7).
During further work with this function, repeat the background image
input for approximately every fth function execution.
To access the options of the «Magnetic Measurements» function,
right-click on the E button.
A window with the following options will appear (Figure 9c):
«Threshold of histogram distance (d)», «Decreasing compensating eld
(recommended)», «Increasing compensating eld» and «Improved
precision of graph scales».
It is recommended to set the initial value of d in the range
d = 15-20 and set the decreasing compensating eld.
The option «Improved precision of graph scales» changes the
number of digits in scale numbers of the magnetic induction histogram
which is formed as a result of the magnetic measurements. If this
option is enabled, the number of digits after the decimal point on
the lg(n) scale is 2, on the Bn scale is 3. If the option is not selected,
the number of digits after the decimal point is 1 and 2, respectively.
19
Figure 9a
Figure 9b
20
To begin the procedure of magnetic parameter assessment,
activate the mode of continuous image input (by pressing the right
button 3 of the visualizer (Figure 1) or by left-clicking the B button
in the CADR application window (Figure 4)) and select the required
fragment of the examined document by moving the visualizer.
Stop moving the visualizer. The device should stand still for about
30 s while the measurements are taken.
Then left-click on the E button (Figure 9a) or in the menu
[Modules] ->[«MagMouse / Regula 4197»] -> [Magnetic measurements]
to call the «Magnetic Measurements» function (Figure 9b).
As the «Magnetic Measurements» function starts, two windows
open. The rst window is intended for summation of 32 image frames
with different levels of magnetic displacement. The second window
shows a graph — the histogram Bn. The green LED blinking on
the visualizer and a specic sound indicate that the device operates
in the mode of taking magnetic measurements.
It is possible to input up to 3 graphs (Figure 9d) into the same
histogram Bn window.
Figure 9d shows the histograms Bn for two authentic banknotes
and a forged one. The distance between the histograms Bn for the pair
of authentic banknotes is d=4. It is d = 89-91 for the pair «authentic-
forged» (excess of the determined threshold d=15 is marked with a
rectangular frame).
Figure 9c
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