Foster + Freeman VSC 80 User Manual

1

i

(0280-H-04)

February 2018

VSC®80

Video Spectral Comparator

User Manual

(Hardware)

2

Head Office & UK Sales Office

Foster + Freeman Ltd Vale Park Evesham Worcestershire WR11 1TD UK



+ 44 (0) 1386 768050



+ 44 (0) 1386 765351



[email protected]



www.fosterfreeman.com

US Sales Office

Foster + Freeman USA Inc 46030 Manekin Plaza Sterling Virginia 20166 USA



+1 888 445 5048



+1 888 445 5049



[email protected]



www.fosterfreeman.com

Sales Support and Feedback



[email protected]

Foster + Freeman welcome feedback from Customers regarding this product. Please contact one of our offices if you would like to pass on your comments.

Foster + Freeman are pleased to offer advice, installation, training and on-site maintenance worldwide for all of their products.

Specification

Foster + Freeman reserve the right to alter the specification of this product, accessories and consumables without prior notice.

Copyright

This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the

PLEASE REFER TO THE WELCOME SECTION BEFORE USING THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME

CONTENTS (HARDWARE)

Page

Welcome.................................................................................................................................... 4

Main unit .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Imaging system ............................................................................................................................... 8

Light sources ................................................................................................................................. 11

Optical filters .................................................................................................................................. 15

Document locator (V6/TRANS/DC) ............................................................................................... 17

Optically variable ink viewer ..........................................................................................................18

Additional Functions ......................................................................................................................19

4

Important operating information

PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION BEFORE USING THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME

WELCOME

VSC®80/VSC®80i: Video Spectral Comparator

Welcome to the Foster + Freeman VSC®80/VSC®80i Video Spectral Comparator. This equipment allows conducting technical studies of documents in laboratory conditions, checking the

requested documents, using a variety of lighting and viewing conditions. This equipment allows you to examine questioned documents using a variety of illumination and viewing

conditions.

About this manual

Text

Text formats are used as follows:

Additional notes and advice

Good practice. Information on recommended procedures.

Bad practice. Information on procedures to avoid.

Control features

Illustrations

Illustrations are for explanatory purposes only. The appearance of the product, its components, accessories and consumables may differ from that shown.

Safety and Warning Markers

PROHIBITED

Red markers prohibit certain actions or procedures. Disregard of these warnings may pose

a health or safety risk to the user or cause damage to the equipment.

CAUTION

Yellow markers warn of a hazard. The user should be aware of the associated risk and

take appropriate precautions.

MANDATORY

Blue markers advise of mandatory health and safety procedures. Disregard of the advice

may increase an associated risk.

About this product

Compliance

When correctly employed by appropriately trained personnel, this equipment is fully compliant with the relevant standards laid down by the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Hazard protection

When correctly employed, this equipment provides the user with the necessary level of protection from

Before using the equipment for the first time, please read the safety information on the following pages.

Protection provided by the equipment may be impaired if the equipment is used in a manner not specified in the

operating instructions.

5

operating hazards.

PLEA

SE READ THIS INFORMATION BEFORE USING THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME

Certificate of conformity

This equipment is manufactured in conformity with the requirements of the relevant directives of the European Community through compliance with a number of harmonised standards.

Calibration and adjustment

This equipment is correctly calibrated and adjusted at the time of manufacture. Provided that the equipment is used in accordance with its operating instructions and is not maltreated, no

further calibration or adjustment is required.

A certificate of conformity for this product is available from Foster + Freeman Ltd

In the event of query, please contact Customer Support: [email protected]

6

VSC®80: Main unit (Illumination modes)

VSC®80: Main unit

Video camera

Light sources

Optical filters

▪▪▪▪▪▪

Translucent panel

USER GUIDE

The VSC®80 is a powerful PC-based imaging system for examining documents of all types. The document to be examined is placed on the platen under the canopy and a video image displayed on the monitor. The VSC®80 main unit is controlled by the PC system and VSC® software. Alternative configurations are available:

• PC system + VSC Software Suite:

• Embedded PC + Touchscreen monitor:

VSC®80: Main unit

VSC®80i: Touchscreen monitor



 



VSC®80: Main unit

PC system

VSC® software

CD-ROM

Desktop icon

VSC®80: MAIN UNIT

7

Electrical specification

The VSC®80 can be operated from a compatible power source specified by Foster + Freeman. See: Quick).

VSC®80: Main unit (DC power)

DC input 

12 V DC; 5 A

8

VSC®80: Main unit (On/Off control)

> 3 s

Environmental specification

VSC®80: Main unit (Environmental specification: BS EN 61010-1:2010)

Location

Indoor use only

Altitude

2000 m (Max)

Ambient temperature

5 – 40oC

Ambient humidity, RH% (5 – 31oC)

80%* (Max)

Mechanical specification

VSC®80: Main unit (Mechanical specificatio

Width: X (mm) 395 Depth: Y (mm) 375 Height: Z (mm) 365

12.5 kg

Electrical connections

See also: Quick Start Guide (Getting started) (p. 02-1).

◄

VSC®80: Main unit (Connection sockets)

1 DC input: 12 V DC; 5 A

2 4

2 PC system: SS-USB (3.0) 3 Touchscreen monitor: HDMI

4 Control connection: USB (2.0)

1

3

Equipment must be earthed

CAUTION: Possible optical radiation hazard. Do not stare at LEDs.

NOTICE: UV emitted from this product. Minimise exposure to eyes or skin.

Control switches

On/Off control (DC power)

Switch on

Switch off

* Decreases linearly to 50% within the temperature range 31 – 40oC

VSC®80: Removing the document platen

CAUTION

Heavy

CAUTION

Fragile

Lift correctly

9

USER GUIDE

VSC®80: Main unit (Illumination modes)

VSC®80: Main unit

Video camera

Light sources

Optical filters

▪▪▪▪▪▪

Translucent panel

VSC®80: Document platen

Y

X

Translucent panel

Document platen

Field of view (User defined)

pixels

VSC®80: Video camera (Spectral response)

Wavelength (nm)

Video camera

The VSC®80 is a powerful PC-based imaging system for examining documents of all types. The document to be examined is placed on the platen under the canopy and a video image displayed on the monitor:

Document platen

Video camera FULL HD

VSC is equipped with high-definition imaging cameras of type CMOS, which has an optical view of not x80 and Full HD video signal, autofocus. Adjustable dynamic focal range, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels

Spectral response

Video camera

▬▬

Red

▬▬

Green

▬▬

Blue



 



Document platen

Translucent panel

X (mm)

378

229

Y (mm)

320

135

Tilt angle

0

o

VSC®80: IMAGING SYSTEM

m m

VSC®80: Camera image

▲

1080

pixels X/Y XY Mpixels

X 1920

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀

▼

Y 1080

16/9

2.13

◄

1920

►

10

mm

VSC®80: Camera filters

Filter type

Longpass filter

Forensic application

Fluorescence examination;

Contrast enhancement.

Wavelength (nm)

Bandpass filter (VIS)

Normal viewing

(White light examination)

Wavelength (nm)

Monitor screen

The photo-receptors, like those in the retina of the eye, respond to light in the red, green and blue parts of the spectrum. The combined spectral response of the receptors also extends beyond the visible limits of the unaided eye into the infrared and ultraviolet.

Field of view (Optical zoom)

The camera is provided with an optical system consisting of a motorised zoom lens and a supplementary close-up lens.

Camera filters

Camera filters are provided as a range of mostly longpass filters with a variety of cut-off wavelengths. For normal viewing, a shortpass or bandpass filter is used in the camera viewing path to mimic the response of the unaided eye.

Filter setting

Cut-off wavelength

(nm) (50%)

13

1000

12

850

11

780

10

725 9 715

8

695 7 665

6

645 5 630

4

610

3

590

2

570

1

400 – 700

VSC®80: Field of view

▲

Y

X Y

Max (mm)

200

112

Min (mm) Max/Min X/Y

7.8

4.4

25

16/9

▼

◄ X ►



11

Monitor screen

Main image

Monitor screen

Main image (Magnification)

The dimensions of the main image are determined by:

• Image mode and the corresponding digital scaling factor, n, applied by the VSC® software;

• Density, p, of display pixels on the monitor screen.

VSC®80: Main image (Full resolution)

Field of view (mm)

Camera image

Main image (n = 1)

Optical magnification

Monitor screen

Maximum

Minimum

pixels

p: pixels/mm

mm

Minimum

Maximum

24”

200 x 112

7.8 x 4.4

1920 x 1080

3.7

517 x 323

2.6

80

27”

3.2

598 x 336

3.0

100

VSC®80: Monitor screen (Main image)

Y

X

m m

The main image occupies only part of the display area of the monitor screen.

Main image (mm) =

VSC®: Main image x Camera image (pixels)

12

USER GUIDE

White

x1

IR850

x1

VSC®80: Reflected light sources: White/IR

Flood lighting (Reflectance contrast)

Software control

Side lighting (Oblique lighting)

Software control

x2 IR980 x2 IR940 x2 IR850 x2 IR780 x2 White

VSC®80: Light sources

Light emitting diodes

Vapour discharge tubes

Ultraviolet (UV)

Visible

Infrared (IR)

▲ ▲ ▲

▲

200

400

700

1000

Wavelength (nm)

A variety of light sources are available to provide illumination in the UV, Visible and IR parts of the spectrum. Each of the main light sources is suitable for maximising the visual contrast of a specific type of feature in a document: Technical Notes (Document examination) (p. 41-1). The VSC®80 main unit is controlled by the PC system and VSC® software. Refer to the relevant User Manual for full details. See also: Quick Start Guide (Replacing the lamps) (p. 03-1).

Light emitting diodes (LED)

LED Colour Nominal wavelength (nm)

Bandwidth (10%)

Peak

IR980

880 – 1030

980

IR940

880 – 980

940

IR850

800 – 880

850

IR780

740 – 800

780

UV365

350 – 390

365

White

400 – 700

Light emitting diodes can be manufactured to produce narrow bandwidth light within an ever-expanding part of the UV, visible and IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The bandwidth of the radiation is generally much greater than that produced by vapour discharge tubes.

White light emitting diodes are normally manufactured by incorporating a phosphor into a blue LED. The resulting white light therefore has a generally bluer appearance than that from incandescent lamps

Illumination modes: Reflected light sources

x1

White

x1

IR850

VSC®80: LIGHT SOURCES

IR980 x2 IR940 x2 IR850 x2 IR780 x2 White x2

13

x2

UV365

VSC®80: Reflected light sources: White

Coaxial l

flection)

Diffracted lighting (21 LED array)

Software control

VSC®80: Reflected light sources: UV365

Ultraviolet lighting (365 nm)

Software control

Light emitting diodes (LED)

ighting (Retro-re

Software control

Illumination modes: Transmitted light sources

VSC®80: Transmitted light sources: White/IR850

Transmitted lighting (Transmittance contrast)

Transmitted spot lighting (Transmittance contrast)

Software control Software control

VSC®80: Transmitted light sources: UV365

Transmitted UV lighting

Software control

UV365

x2

White

x8

x6

IR850

White

x1

IR850

UV365

x4

UV365

x1

White

14

VSC®80: Light sources (Vapour discharge tubes)

Mercury (Hg)

Wavelength (nm)

Vapour discharge tubes

Illumination modes: Reflected light sources (Spot lighting)

High intensity spot lighting sources are intended for the fluorescence examination of documents. Differently coloured sources are available to suit the type of trace deposit sought. The sources may be activated in any combination. An appropriate longpass filter must be used to view the fluorescence.

VSC®80: Reflected light sources: Spot lighting

Colour

Nominal wavelength (nm)

Bandwidth (10%)

Peak

Software control

Violet

395 – 440

410

Blue

420 – 485

445

Blue-Green

450 – 520

475

Cyan

475 – 535

500

Green

490 – 535

525

Orange

540 – 615

590

Red

600 – 655

640

Deep red

625 – 680

660

Far red

680 – 750

740

White

420 – 670

Vapour discharge tubes

Mercury vapour lamps

Vapour discharge lamps emit light with a narrow line spectrum that is characteristic of the vapour used. Mercury vapour is suitable for producing emission at the wavelengths that are commonly used to excite UV fluorescence: 313 nm (UV-B); 254 nm (UV-C). UV-B and UV-C sources are mounted behind shortpass optical filters.

254

313

®

80: M

ercury vapour lamps

▼

UV

Visible

IR

UV-C

UV-B

UV-A

▲ ▲ ▲

▲

100

180

280

315

400

7

Wavelength (nm)

313 nm

x2

254 nm

x2

Shortpass filter (λ < 400 nm)

Wavelength (nm)

15

Vapour discharge tubes

Illumination modes: Reflected light sources

Exposure to radiation from these sources can be hazardous to both eyes and skin.

The canopy flaps are electrically interlocked to prevent the operation of potentially hazardous light sources unless they

are properly lowered.

VSC®80: Reflected light sources: UV

Ultraviolet lighting

Software control

313

x1 313 nm

Flash tube

VSC®80: Light sources (Flash tube)

Xenon (Xe)

x1

Longpass filter (λ > 850 nm)

Wavelength (nm)

Gas discharge lamps are designed to emit broadband radiation, the spectrum of which exhibits features characteristic of the noble gas used: e.g. Xenon. Flash tubes are used, with appropriate filtering, to provide intense IR light to excite Anti-Stokes fluorescence.

Illumination modes: Reflected light sources

VSC®80: Reflected light sources: IR

Flash lighting (840 – 1100 nm)

x1

840 – 1100 nm

16

VSC®80: Camera filters

Filter type

Longpass filter

Forensic application

Fluorescence examination;

Contrast enhancement.

Wavelength (nm)

Bandpass filter (VIS)

Normal viewing

(White light examination)

Wavelength (nm)

VSC®80: Fluorescence examination (Safe fluorescence viewing filters)

Wavelength (nm)



(0280-14-02) January 2018

The VSC®80 main unit is controlled by the PC system and VSC® software. See: Software Manual (Optical filters).

Filter types

VSC®80: Optical filters (Transmission spectrum)

Longpass filter

Bandpass filter

Wavelength (nm)

Shortpass filter

Wavelength (nm)

Camera filters

Camera filters are provided as a range of mostly longpass filters with a variety of cut-off wavelengths. For normal viewing, a shortpass or bandpass filter is used in the camera viewing path to mimic the response of the unaided eye. The optical filters are mounted on filter wheels controlled by the VSC® software.

For normal viewing, a shortpass or bandpass filter is used in the camera viewing path to mimic the response of the unaided eye.

Fluorescence examination (Recommended setting)

The safe viewing of fluorescence requires a longpass filter whose cut-off wavelength exceeds the long wavelength cut-off of the excitation light. For most wavebands of excitation light, there are several safe viewing filters with progressively longer cut-off wavelengths. The recommended safe viewing filter is generally the safe viewing filter with the shortest cut-off wavelength. Other safe viewing filters with cut-

Filter setting

Cut-off wavelength

(nm) (50%)

13

1000

12

850

11

780

10

725

9

715

8

695 7 665

6

645

5

630 4 610

3

590 2 570

1

400 – 700

VSC®80: OPTICAL FILTERS



USER GUIDE

17

Camera filters

off wavelengths that are longer than that of the recommended safe viewing filter may, in some circumstances, improve visual contrast.

VSC®80: Fluorescence examination (Recommended setting)

 

Colour

Nominal wavelength (nm)

LED (10%)

Camera filter (50%)

Violet

395 – 440

570

Blue

420 – 485

570

Blue-Green

450 – 520

570

Cyan

475 – 535

570

Green

490 – 535

590

Orange

540 – 615

630

Red

600 – 655

695

Deep red

625 – 680

715

Far red

680 – 750

850

White

420 – 670

715

18

(0020-15-13) December 2016

VSC®: Document Locator (V6/TRANS/DC)

The Document Locator is an accessory that can be used with any type of Video Spectral Comparator. When placed in the required position on the document platen, the Locator allows documents of the same type and shape to be precisely positioned within the field of view of the instrument.

The Locator comprises a right-angled edge stop into which the corner of the document is placed. The Locator is provided with a high friction coating on its underside so that when positioned or re-positioned on the document platen it is resistant to incidental movement.

Using the equipment

VSC®: Document Locator (V6/TRANS/DC)

Document + Document Locator

1.

Peel the protective covering from the underside of the Locator to expose the high friction coating.

2.

Using an example of the required type of document as a guide, position the Locator appropriately on the document platen.

3.

Remove and replace documents, as required, ensuring that the corner of each document is securely located during examination.

VSC®: DOCUMENT LOCATOR (V6/TRANS/DC)

USER GUIDE

19

(0020-17-18) November 2016

VSC®: Optically Variable Ink Viewer

Side view

Front view (Mirror)

The Optically Variable Ink Viewer is a mirrored accessory that can be used with any type of Video Spectral Comparator. It allows the detection and assessment of document features that have been printed using optically variable inks (OVI).

The OVI Viewer takes the form of an angled mirror which allows direct side-by-side comparison of the appearance of an OVI feature as viewed by the VSC® camera:

1.

Normally, at an angle of 90o to the document;

2.

By reflection, at an angle of about 50o.

Using the equipment

1.

Place the document on the VSC® platen and display an image of the OVI feature at an appropriate magnification.

2.

Place the Viewer on the document, with the mirrored face adjacent to the feature.

3.

Adjust the position and orientation of the Viewer so that the required direct and reflected images of the feature are obtained.

Viewer + OVI

VSC®: Video image

2

Reflected viewing

1

Direct viewing

▼ ▼

VSC®: OPTICALLY VARIABLE INK VIEWER

USER GUIDE

20

VSC®: Diffraction

VSC®: UV fluorescence

Excitation lig

(UV)

Excitation light

(UV)

Additional Functions

Angular contrast

Light may be reflected or diffracted by the topology or microstructure of a security feature only at particular angles.

Retro-reflection

Retro-reflective security features become visible when a semi-silvered mirror is used to illuminate the document coaxially with the viewing direction.

Variations in surface relief (e.g. embossing or indentations) can be revealed by the shadowing produced by oblique illumination.

Diffraction

Holograms and other diffractive optically variable devices (DOVD) may reveal different detail according to the particular angle of illumination.

Fluorescence

Fluorescence examination is a widely applied forensic inspection technique for generating visual contrast from a variety of trace materials when normal reflectance or transmittance variations are small. The effect was named by Sir George Stokes (1819 -

1903) after the mineral fluorspar (calcium fluoride, CaF2), in which the phenomenon was first observed. The process involves absorption by a feature of particular wavelengths from the illuminating excitation source and re-emission of fluorescence light of a different wavelength. Most commonly, the fluorescence light has undergone a Stokes shift to a longer wavelength (i.e. a colour shift away from the excitation light, towards the red end of the spectrum). In general, the spectrum of the excitation light must always be chosen to match suitable absorption bands in the feature.

UV fluorescence

UV Fluorescence can be stimulated from both trace materials and certain security features using a suitable UV source.

VSC®: Retro-reflection

▲

--M

---

▼

---

◄

N ►







→

21

Narrowband excitation light

Absorption spectrum

Transmission spectrum of safe longpass viewing filter

Fluorescence emission

VSC®: Visible fluorescence

Excitation light

(Visible)

Fluorescence reveals an alteration

Visible fluorescence



 



Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

The OCR feature reads the information within the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ). These are found within many documents

including passports, visas and identity cards. The function will work on Stored or Paused images of sufficient quality. Activating the OCR feature will perform the following functions automatically:

• Opens the OCR control / information panel.

• Selects the 780 nm camera filter.

• Adjusts the magnification to a pre-set setting.

• Positions a green box at the bottom of the live image.

• Place the document so the MRZ is within the green box at the bottom of the live image:

e- Passport Reader

: (If applicable).

Some documents contain an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip. Passports that have this chip have the e-passport logo on the front cover. The chip reader is an optional extra, and must be attached to the PC before opening the VSC software.

To read the chip, click on the e-passport icon then follow the on-screen instructions. You must place the document on the chip reader

before clicking ‘OK’. If the MRZ on the document matches its counterpart on the chip, the image will appear in blank image area. The

user can then choose to save or print the image and bio data, copy

the data to clipboard, copy the image to clipboard or send the image and information directly to the Working Folder (p. 68).

Note: Before attempting to read the e-passport chip, the MRZ data must be successfully read first, as

VSC®: Stimulating and viewing fluorescence (Ultraviolet light)

Wavelength (nm)

22

detailed above.

Barcode Reader

The barcode reader is a tool for reading both 1D and 2D barcodes found in many documents.

Before activating this feature, position the document in the VSC, magnifying the barcode and adjusting the focus if necessary. Click the barcode reader icon to activate, and any barcode(s) should be highlighted. The barcode reader can read up to nine barcodes simultaneously. Each barcode will be highlighted in a different colour.

The Barcode Reader toolbox will be displayed:

23

VSC®: Anti-Stokes fluorescence

Excitation lig

(IR)

VSC®: Stimulating and viewing fluorescence (Infrared light)

Wavelength (nm)

Visual contrast

Visible fluorescence is stimulated in certain trace materials using narrow-band visible light. Differently coloured sources are available to suit the type of trace deposit sought. The longer wavelength fluorescence must be viewed using a suitable longpass filter.

Anti-Stokes fluorescence

Anti-Stokes fluorescence or IR Fluorescence 840-1100nm occurs in certain types of security inks and pigments. The process differs from normal fluorescence in that the emission undergoes an anti-Stokes shift to a wavelength shorter than the excitation radiation (i.e. a colour shift away from the excitation light, towards the blue end of the spectrum).

Narrowband excitation light

Absorption spectrum

VSC®: Stimulating and viewing fluorescence

Transmission spectrum of safe longpass viewing filter

Fluorescence emission

Wavelength (nm)



Narrowband excitation light

Absorption

spectrum

Transmission spectrum of safe shortpass

viewing filter

Fluorescence emission

24

www.fosterfreeman.com

Head Office & UK Sales Office Foster + Freeman Ltd Vale Park, Evesham WR11 1TD United Kingdom

Tel: + 44 (0) 1386 768050 Fax: + 44 (0) 1386 765351

[email protected]