Thread: Error scanning banknotes?!

My printer is bringing up a message when I try to scan a 2006 $5 star note I got in my change today. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem and what to do to get around it. it basically says that you're not allowed to image banknotes without proper authorization, and it won't scan my bill

Yeah, new scanners are programmed to not scan new money... it's a pain. One thing you might try is different scanning software. I use VueSscan, for example, with a brand new Epson scanner, with no problems. You may also have trouble with your image editing software, once you do get the note scanned.

Dave

There are a few things you can do. The easiest would be to take a photo of the note with a camera or smartphone, then upload it.

You can also try covering half the note with a piece of paper and scan that. Then cover the other half of the note and scan. Then use an graphic editor to combine them.

Originally Posted by funkee

...You can also try covering half the note with a piece of paper and scan that. Then cover the other half of the note and scan. Then use an graphic editor to combine them.

Yeah I already tried that and it detects even a very small part of the bill, even if it's only about 20% of the actual bill showing. This is beyond ridiculous if you ask me...

It's likely the scanner's software that causes this problem. What does the error say? And when does it occur - immediately after the scan, or when you try to save or import the file?

You can try a different set of drivers; either by downgrading to the oldest available proprietary drivers, or better yet, see if you can find open source drivers.

Once you have the image on your computer, don't use Photoshop to open it. You will be blocked. Instead open it using Image Ready and use the link on the bottom left of the toolbar to edit it in Photoshop.

Originally Posted by funkee

You can also try covering half the note with a piece of paper and scan that. Then cover the other half of the note and scan. Then use an graphic editor to combine them.

That will not work. Contemporary printers and some software recognize the Counterfeit Deterrence System (CDS) digital watermark and will not scan or load the image. The watermark is so good that you can cover most of the note and it still will not scan.

Use default Windows software for scanning, the "Scanner and Camera Wizard" one. Fancy image editors such as Photoshop won't let you scan notes unless you install a patch that disables this protection.

Originally Posted by Taxidermist

Use default Windows software for scanning, the "Scanner and Camera Wizard" one. Fancy image editors such as Photoshop won't let you scan notes unless you install a patch that disables this protection.

That will not help if the scanner itself recognizes the CDS digital watermark. I have a Canon LIDE 200 scanner which recognizes CDS and a Canon LIDE 30 scanner which does not recognize CDS. Using VueScan which does not recognize CDS, I can scan a contemporary note with the LIDE 30, but not the LIDE 200 — The scanner will physically not let the note be scanned.

Of course it won't help, there is not much you can do if its hardware level protection, in some built-in chip. Luckily, new scanners are really cheap, and the cheap ones usually don't have this limitation.

like clay had mentioned using Vuescan will work for scanning the note.

Originally Posted by Dave M

Yeah, new scanners are programmed to not scan new money... it's a pain. One thing you might try is different scanning software. I use VueSscan, for example, with a brand new Epson scanner, with no problems. You may also have trouble with your image editing software, once you do get the note scanned.

Dave

Sometimes I feel invisible....

Originally Posted by Dave M

Sometimes I feel invisible....

I see you just fine, Dave!

Whew, I was starting to wonder!

I use a HP Scanjet (model G3110) flatbed scanner and have never had a problem with any notes or sheets.

It is all those little yellow "05" numerals. The "O" numerals form a EURion Constellation which tells the software in the copier that it is a banknote and that it shouldn't copy it. This is one of the security features on our new bills. Older ones will scan fine.

bob