FF:3/05/A

VSC5000
the intelligent workstation for
questioned document examination

Security features on ID card

Holograms on a driving license

Calculation of irregular area

Infrared fluorescence reveals alterations to a passport

VSC5000
Firewire imaging system
Graphical User Interface
Programmable examination procedures
Automatic image enhancement
Improved casework management
New facilities for examining...
...anti-Stokes inks
...medium wave UV activated security features
...embedded personal information
...OCR for examining Machine Readable Zone

FF:3/05/A

VSC 5000 the comprehensive

workstation for questioned document

examination

The VSC5000 is the latest video spectral comparator from Foster & Freeman,
providing a comprehensive laboratory workstation for the examination of
questioned documents, identity cards and security printing.

with intelligent software

that makes the VSC5000 easier to operate and achieve the best
results...
...click on Best image, for example, and the instrument adjusts its lens parameters
and integration period, automatically, to ensure you see the sharpest image.
Or select Automatic contrast and the VSC5000 finds its best lighting and camera
filters to obtain the optimum contrast in a fluorescent image.
Or program Quick-check to create a sequence of examination tasks for checking
large numbers of similar documents. Just select the required examination task
from the pre-programmed menu and the instrument automatically adjusts
itself for the examination, selecting lens magnification, lighting, lighting
filter and camera filter according to the preset program. Quick-check is
ideal for verifying the authenticity of large numbers of identical
documents, banknotes or cheques, for example, and enables you to
delegate standardized examination procedures to a technician level
operative.
With a high-resolution firewire camera, new and improved facilities for
examining security printing, versatile casework management software
and added intelligence to the software, the VSC5000 more than ever
meets the needs of the forensic document examiner.

key hardware features

3-CCD firewire colour camera, with multiple imaging filters.
Zoom lens providing x2 to x85* magnification.
Short, medium and long wave UV to excite visible
fluorescent.
Visible light with multiple filters to excite infrared
fluorescence.
Infrared light to excite anti-Stokes emissions.
Oblique & transmitted lighting.
Co-axial lighting for examining retro-reflective features.
Spectrometer and colour co-ordinate measurement.
*Approximate magnification as displayed on a 21" monitor

VSC5000 decoding
system reveals and
enhances embedded
information.

key software features

Image measurements - distance, angles, circles, irregular shapes.
On screen image comparisons.
Image integration.
Image enhancement.
Quick-check, programming for repetitive examinations.
Best image, a new feature that optimizes image clarity.
Automatic contrast, selects best filters for fluorescence imaging.
Casework reporting facility with image filing.
Networking for remote access to files.
OCR for checking passports and ID cards.
Interactive tutorial, an integral step by step guide.

FF:3/05/A

VSC 5000 the latest features

Green fluorescent anti-Stokes ink on ID card.

NEW HARDWARE FEATURES

Firewire imaging system
VSC5000 features a high-resolution firewire CCD video camera with a direct digital output
that ensures a simpler and more efficient PC interface. High resolution is maintained with
1360 x 1024 output pixels per colour.
Medium wave UV
Medium wave ultraviolet lamps, peaking at 312nm, have been added to complement long
and short wave UV for examining security documents bearing UV sensitive inks.
High intensity transmitted light
The transmitted light facility, for examining masked or concealed information, has been
augmented with an additional, high intensity spot-light. The new 20W halogen lamp,
focused to a 25mm diameter spot, is capable of penetrating more opaque documents.
Anti-Stokes inks
Infrared illumination is provided for the examination of security features printed with
anti-Stokes inks; a new type of ink that emits visible light when illuminated with pure
infrared light.
Enhanced optical filter system
An enhanced optical filter system coupled to the high intensity incident visible light
source provides more controlled illumination. Two independent filter wheels mounted
with high and low pass filters provide the operator with a choice of 80 wavebands.

NEW SOFTWARE FEATURES

Graphical User Interface
A new, intuitive, on screen control system allows the
operator to navigate the VSC 5000s many document
examination facilities more easily. Light sources, filters,
image analysis and image processing functions are
selected from simple on screen icons using the PC
mouse.

The graphical user interface allows examiners to control

the VSC5000 more easily. Below and enlarged right shows
the filter and illumination control panel.

Casework management facilities

VSC5000 has an improved casework management system
that allows examiners to create casework files and
reports. The new system, which is compatible with both
Windows XP and Windows 2000, offers more flexibility
and allows the operator to customise file formats and to
store and recall images more quickly.
Embedded information
Personal information invisibly embedded in photographs has become a valuable
technique for protecting passports against forgery. The decoding system in the VSC5000
has been extended to cover most systems now currently in use and new coding systems
can be added by the operator as they arise. The operator selects a country to
automatically apply the appropriate decoding system and an enhancement facility is
provided to improve the clarity of the image.
OCR that authenticates passports
The OCR allows operators to check data in the Machine Readable Zone of passports and
ID cards. The operator selects the appropriate country from the menu and the system
deciphers, checks and displays the information for verification. Handles ICAO accredited
and similar format codes.
Interactive Tutorial
To help operators familiarize
themselves with the instruments
controls, a more sophisticated,
interactive, on-screen tutorial has
been created. The tutorial covers all
the instruments functions and the
operator is prompted to undertake
tasks and is guided to make the
appropriate adjustments to the
system.

FF:3/05/A

VSC 5000 standard features

A FULL RANGE OF LIGHT SOURCES
Incident visible/IR lamps for reflected light examination.
Transmitted visible/IR lamps for transmitted light
examination.
Filtered high intensity halogen lamp providing multiwaveband output for IR luminescence.
Incident long, medium and short wave UV for examining
visible fluorescent features.
Transmitted long wave UV for examining security features.
Coaxial lighting for examining retro-reflective security
features.
Dual beam oblique lighting for examining indentations and
embossing.
IMAGE COMPARISON AND PROCESSING
Side by side comparison of live and stored images on a
vertical or horizontal split screen.
Superimposition of live and stored images with adjustable
mix, 0% to 100%.
Variable speed image strobe between live and stored
images.
Image subtraction between live and stored images with
adjustable mix, 0% to 100%.
Left to right reversal (horizontal mirror reversal).
Top to bottom reversal (vertical mirror reversal).
Grey level reversal (positive to negative).
Image rotation through 90.
Contrast stretch.
De-speckle.
Background flatten.

IMAGE MEASUREMENT
A software module that enables examiners to make a variety
of measurements to provide quantitative data for comparing
documents. Features are identified using a moveable cross-wire
cursor and functions are selected from on-screen menus.
Measurements include distances, angles, areas, circle radii and
shape perimeters.
AUTOMATIC FILTER SELECTION
VSC5000 ensures compatible combinations of illumination and
imaging filters automatically. When the operator selects a filter
for the high intensity halogen lamp to generate fluorescence,
the system automatically selects the first compatible imaging
filter to prevent light leakage that would otherwise mask the
fluorescence. The operator may override the automatic
selection, if required.
IMAGE INTEGRATION
A variation in the infrared fluorescence emitted by two inks
provides a valuable means of detecting a fraudulent alteration
to a document. On chip integration from 1/60th to 22 seconds
allows the examiner to enhance weakly fluorescent images.
MICROSPECTROMETER
This provides absorption, reflectance, transmittance and
fluorescence spectra from 400 to 1000nm. Spectra may be
stored in casework files.
COLOUR CO-ORDINATE MEASUREMENT
Determines the colour of a selected area of an image which
may be expressed in a variety of standard colour coordinates.
These may be displayed on chromaticity charts for colour
comparisons.
NETWORKING
Networking software enables document examiners to access
VSC5000 casework image files from a personal PC. This allows
the examiner to complete casework reports while releasing the
instrument to other examiners, improving laboratory efficiency
and maximising the effectiveness of the VSC5000.

VSC 5000 accessories

Auxiliary video cameras
Two firewire CCD colour cameras are available to provide an
alternative image input to the VSC5000 via the firewire camera
port. They can be mounted on to a suitable microscope, for
example, to provide high magnification images which can be
processed under the VSC software, including image integration,
image feature measurements, comparative display and image
enhancement, such as contrast stretch, for example.
A microscope fitted with an auxiliary
firewire video camera can produce
images magnified to x500 when
coupled to the VSC 5000.

Models available:

V5/CAMFW
The 3-CCD model, offering 1360x1024 pixels per colour,
4.3 million pixels in total.
Integration range 1/125 to 22 seconds.

V5/CAMFW/SC
The single CCD model with 1360x1024 pixel output and
1.45 million pixels.
Integration range 1/125 to 4 seconds

FF:3/05/A

VSC 5000 specifications

IMAGING SYSTEM
Firewire digital 3 x CCD colour camera with RGB prism separator, 1360 x 1024 output pixels
per colour, 4.3 million effective pixels, spectral response 400 - 1000nm, automatic iris with
presets and automatic exposure, both with manual override. Automatic contrast.
IMAGING FILTERS
15 high pass filters in the visible and near infrared with thresholds at 530, 550, 570, 590,
609, 628, 648, 668, 690, 714, 725, 778, 823, 856 and 1000nm plus a broadband pass filter
390-610nm, tolerance of 2nm per filter.
A continuous interference band pass filter from 400 to 1000nm, operated in 3.5nm steps
and with an average band pass width of 40nm.
MAGNIFICATION
Fixed image viewing of x 0.5 and x1 and continuous magnification range of x 2 to x 85
(approx) on the standard 21 display monitor at the high resolution of 1360 x 1024 pixels.
Fields of view:
4.4 x 3.3mm to 177 x 133mm.
Coaxial lighting reveals retro-reflective patterns.

Electronic magnification provides a magnification range of x4 to x170 at a resolution

of 680 x 512pixels.
Fields of view:
2.2 x 1.65mm to 88.5 x 66.5mm.
(All magnifications and fields of view are approximate)
ILLUMINATION
Ultraviolet, incident flood light
Long wave
365nm peak wavelength, 2 x 15W 'blacklight-blue' fluorescent lamps.
Medium wave
312nm peak wavelength, 2 x 8W 'blacklight' fluorescent lamps.
Short wave
254nm peak wavelength, 2 x 8W germicidal lamps
(Medium and short wave lamps operated with interlocking safety shields)

Luminescent security features on an identity card seen

when viewed with transmitted UV.

Ultraviolet, transmitted flood light

Long wave
365nm peak wavelength, 2 x 8W 'blacklight-blue' fluorescent lamps.
Visible, incident high intensity spot light
250W tungsten halogen lamp with independent low pass and high pass filters providing 80
different wavebands and zoom lens, providing a broad beam to a focused spotlight:

Stored and live images overlaid in red/green mode.

Visible/infrared, incident flood light

2 x 50W halogen reflector lamps with intensity control.
Holograms on California Driving License.

Visible/infrared, incident coaxial light

20W halogen (illuminates retro-reflective security features).
Visible/infrared, oblique light
2 x 20W halogen, orthogonal, variable height (creates shadow cast images).
Visible/infrared, transmitted flood light
2 x 30W incandescent lamps with intensity control.
Visible/infrared, transmitted high intensity spot light
20W halogen lamp, gives 25mm spot.
Infrared, incident spot light
980nm laser illumination for anti-Stokes inks, operated with interlocking safety shields.

Twin lamps provide orthogonal lighting to enhance

shadow cast images.

FF:3/05/A

VSC 5000 specifications

Image integration
On-chip integration with integration periods of 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15 1/8,1/4, 1/2, 1, 1.4,
2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 seconds.

Controls
On/off switch, all other controls via an
on-screen Graphical User Interface.

Colour Measurement
Measures colour parameters: XYZ, xy, uv, Lab.
Displays data on 1931 and 1960 UCS chromaticity charts.

Power
120VAC, 60Hz and 230VAC, 50Hz versions
power requirement is 700W.

Microspectrometry
Measures absorption, reflectance, transmission and fluorescence spectra.
400 to 1000nm range operated in 3.5nm incremental steps (nominal), sample size down
to 16 microns2. Calibration permits normalisation of spectra.

Dimensions
Bench space requirements:
VSC5000 only:
660 x 700mm
VSC5000 + PC:
1150 x 700mm approx.

Image analysis
Measurements of distance, angles, areas, diameters and radii.

Weight:
VSC5000 only:

Image annotation
Comprehensive selection of facilities for adding text, underlining, circles, boxes and
freehand shapes to identify image features.

Document capacity
Documents up to 280mm wide, of
unrestricted length, and up to 280mm
long of unrestricted width can be
accommodated.

Image comparison and transformations

Side by side comparison of live and stored images on a vertical or horizontal split
screen, user adjustable screen split position.
Superimposition of live and stored image with adjustable mix, 0% to 100% (option of
red/green rendered images for extra clarity).
Variable speed image strobe between live and stored image
Subtraction of live and stored images with adjustable mix, 0% to 100%
Left to right reversal (horizontal mirror reversal).
Top to bottom reversal (vertical mirror reversal).
Pixel value reversal in B&W and colour, (positive to negative).
Image rotation through 90 in either clockwise or anticlockwise.
Contrast stretch.
De-speckle.
Background flatten.
Casework Management System
Compatible with Windows Explorer with facilities to organize and store casework
information including text, images, spectra and chromaticity charts. Images are stored
with full instrument settings (type of illumination, camera filter, integration time, camera
gain, contrast setting, etc) to enable the operator to recreate previous examination
conditions. Instrument is reset automatically to stored conditions on demand.

52kg.

Accessories - auxiliary video cameras

V5/CAMFW: Three CCD model with
1360 x 1024 pixels per colour, 4.3 million
pixels in total. Integration range 1/125
to 22 seconds.
V5/CAMFW/SC: Single CCD model with
1360 x 1024 pixel output and 1.45 million
pixels. Integration range 1/125 to 4
seconds
After sales support
Foster & Freeman are always pleased to
offer advice, installation, training and
on-site maintenance world wide.
Please contact our Sales Office for further
information.
VSC5000 software updates are supplied
free of charge for 2 years.

System also features pull-out image gallery of all recent work allowing comparison with
current or previously stored images. Images may be saved as Bitmap, Jpeg or Jpeg 2000
files.
Scrambled Indicia Decoder
IPI (Invisible Personal Information) module enables detection of scrambled indicia in
passports and ID cards, including pre-sets for different passports (and ability to save
future settings).

Foster & Freeman Ltd reserve the right to alter the specification
of the VSC 5000 or any accessories without prior notice.

Intelligent Software
Automatic filter search, seeks high intensity spot illumination filter and camera filter
combination to display highest contrast in IR fluorescent images.
"back" button to go back step by step through previously performed functions.
"quick check" automatic programmed examinations.
"best image" automatically adjusts lens and image integration for sharpest image..
Computer and peripherals
All VSC5000s are supplied with the latest computer systems and a 21 flat screen LCD
display. Please contact our Sales Office for a full system specification or to discuss your
requirements.
Remote connection
Instruments are shipped with an integral modem to facilitate remote software and
firmware updates.
Multiple users
The system supports multiple user profiles and password protection over casework files.
Languages
Most languages are available, please consult our Sales Department.

Head Office & UK Sales Office:

Foster & Freeman Limited
25 Swan Lane, Evesham, Worcestershire
WR11 4PE, U.K.
Tel: +44 (0) 1386 41061
Fax: +44 (0) 1386 765351
e-mail: sales@fosterfreeman.com
http://www.fosterfreeman.com
European Sales Office:
Tel: +49 (0) 7564 949 838
e-mail: europe@fosterfreeman.com
USA Sales Office:
Tel: 888 445 5048
e-mail: usoffice@fosterfreeman.com