JP2006244097A - Manufacturing method of and authentication method for authentication medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of an authentication medium and an authentication method for an authentication medium that enable authenticity verification and personal authentication by the integrity of authentication information and personal authentication codes read from a plurality of images developed in the environments of ultraviolet, visible and infrared regions respectively. <P>SOLUTION: Authentication information is encoded by a preset method, the encoded pattern of the authentication information is divided into at least two patterns to produce divided patterns, and an authentication medium is manufactured with ink compositions different in each divided pattern. The ink compositions are made by combining ink compositions including substances that absorb, emit and reflect light in the wavelength regions of ultraviolet, visible and infrared regions under the radiation of at least one of ultraviolet, visible and infrared lights. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention reads out unique information, confidential information, and a personal authentication code from a plurality of images that respectively appear in the environment of the ultraviolet region, the visible region, and the infrared region, and determines whether it is correct or not and authenticates the personal verification based on the consistency of the information. The present invention relates to an authentication medium manufacturing method and an authentication medium authentication method.

  Precious printed matter such as banknotes, securities, and pass tickets, and certificates that authenticate individuals such as driver's licenses, passports, and insurance cards must always include new anti-counterfeiting technology so that they cannot be counterfeited or altered by a third party. In addition, there is a need for a true / false discrimination method capable of discriminating whether or not the product is genuine. Further, with respect to a certificate, there is a need to authenticate whether the certificate carrier is a legitimate person or not forged or stolen.

  As an effective example of technology capable of preventing forgery and determining authenticity, there is a method of determining authenticity based on the presence or absence of light emission by irradiating ultraviolet light to a forged printed matter in which a part of a printed image is printed with ultraviolet light emitting ink. . As described above, many techniques have been proposed in which printing is performed with ink that reacts with a specific wavelength, and authenticity is determined by irradiating the printed material with the specific wavelength.

  As a conventional printed matter that determines authenticity using a specific wavelength, the reflection state when irradiated with light in the visible wavelength range, the reflection state when irradiated with light in the ultraviolet wavelength range, and the specific wavelength in the infrared wavelength range There is a precious printed matter that can detect the light emission state at the time of irradiation, and use the characteristics in the three regions of the visible light wavelength region, the ultraviolet wavelength region, and the infrared wavelength region, and determine the authenticity based on the detected state.

  In addition, as an image display capable of preventing forgery and discrimination of authenticity, an information pattern containing an infrared light emitting fluorescent agent is formed on a substrate, and then an image is formed thereon. An image display body in which an ultraviolet light emitting fluorescent material is formed between any one of the protective layers has been proposed. In this method, the formed image display body is observed with visible light by simultaneously irradiating infrared rays and ultraviolet rays, and authenticity is determined based on the observed image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a photo image based on the photograph of the person to be photographed is printed in a predetermined area on the print medium as an ID photo that can be personally authenticated, and is generated by coding this photo image, which cannot be recognized visually. And an ID photo having a coded image that can be restored to a photographic image has been proposed. This coded image is transparent in visible light, and uses toner or ink that can be recognized by irradiation with infrared light or ultraviolet light, and can authenticate an identification photograph (for example, see Patent Document 2). .

JP-A-10-129107 JP 2002-281275 A

  However, although many methods for authenticating using only one specific wavelength have been proposed, there is a high possibility that the technology will be easily deciphered if the environment of the reading method is single, and it is counterfeited. Easy situation.

  In addition, precious printed materials that have been read in multiple environments rather than in a single environment have also been proposed, but visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared light are sequentially irradiated by individual irradiation devices while moving the printed material. Then, the authenticity determination is performed by comparing the three signals obtained under these conditions with the signals (waveform shapes) in the case of genuine products. Therefore, the principle is basically the same as that of the conventional method for determining authenticity using only a specific wavelength. Moreover, since there are only three combinations of irradiation wavelength and detection wavelength: infrared light irradiation-infrared detection, visible light irradiation-visible light detection, ultraviolet light irradiation-ultraviolet detection, for the counterfeit side, It was easy to specify the ink or printing method, and it was not always sufficient in terms of security.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-129107, in which an image display body for performing authenticity determination by simultaneously irradiating infrared rays and ultraviolet rays is used, performs authenticity determination only with an obtained image, Visible light region, that is, visual only. In recent years, with the spread of functional ink and the advancement of replication technology, it has become possible to produce counterfeit products that emit light that is close to the authentic product, so it is possible to differentiate genuine products from counterfeit products by visual judgment alone. Is becoming difficult. Further, it is conceivable that the true / false discrimination by visual observation is never small depending on the subjectivity of the observer, and the judgment (authentication discrimination) results are not the same even if the observer is different for the same printed matter. Therefore, there is a need for a method of determining authenticity by machine reading, not just by visual observation with visible light, and a printed material suitable for it.

  JP 2002-281275 A, in which a personal authentication medium in which a two-dimensional code that cannot be visually recognized is printed with invisible ink has been proposed, uses a coded two-dimensional code. It is difficult to determine authenticity only by visual judgment. However, it is a medium that can determine authenticity by irradiating either infrared or ultraviolet wavelength, and the environment as a reading method is a single one, and it cannot be said that security is high.

  The present invention aims to solve the above-described problems. Specifically, the encoding process is performed by a preset method, and at least two patterns of authentication information and identity verification code obtained by the encoding process are included. A divided pattern is produced by dividing into the above patterns. Among the inks containing substances that absorb, emit, and reflect in the respective wavelength regions in the ultraviolet region, visible region, and infrared region when the prepared divided pattern is irradiated with at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, or infrared light. An object of the present invention is to provide an authentication medium production method and an authentication method for an authentication medium formed by using different inks for each divided pattern.

  The method of manufacturing an authentication medium to which authentication information is given according to the present invention encodes the authentication information by a preset processing method, and divides the encoding pattern of the authentication information obtained by the encoding process into at least two or more The pattern is divided into patterns, and the divided patterns are printed with different ink compositions among ink compositions that have sensitivity to reflection, transmission, or absorption in a predetermined wavelength region and are invisible under visible light. To do.

  Further, in the method for producing an authentication medium provided with authentication information of the present invention, the ink composition has an ultraviolet wavelength and a visible wavelength region, or an ultraviolet wavelength and an infrared wavelength region, or a visible wavelength with respect to ultraviolet light irradiation. And infrared wavelength region, or an ink composition having sensitivity to reflection, transmission, or absorption in the ultraviolet wavelength, visible wavelength, and infrared wavelength regions, or visible wavelength and infrared wavelength for infrared light irradiation. Ink composition having sensitivity to reflection, transmission or absorption in the region, or in the infrared wavelength region, or the ultraviolet and visible wavelength region, or the visible and infrared wavelength for ultraviolet and infrared light irradiation Ink compositions having sensitivity to reflection, transmission or absorption in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelength regions, or visible and infrared waves for visible and infrared light irradiation Ink composition having sensitivity to reflection, transmission or absorption in the region of, or ultraviolet and visible wavelength region, or visible and infrared wavelength region for irradiation of ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light, Or it is the ink composition which has the reflection, permeation | transmission, or absorption characteristic in the area | region of an ultraviolet wavelength, a visible wavelength, and an infrared wavelength.

  Further, the authentication method of the authentication medium of the present invention encodes authentication information by a preset processing method, and divides the encoding pattern of the authentication information obtained by the encoding process into at least two divided patterns. And an authentication medium that is sensitive to reflection, transmission, or absorption in a predetermined wavelength region and is printed with a different ink composition among ink compositions that are invisible under visible light. Is set to at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light, or infrared light, and the detection wavelength for the irradiation light corresponding to the authentication medium is selected from the ultraviolet wavelength, visible wavelength, or infrared wavelength. Set by replacing the filter to cut the wavelength other than the detection wavelength, at least two or more split patterns The authentication medium having at least one or more of the set irradiation lights is irradiated, and by irradiation of the irradiation light, two or more divided patterns detected at the detection wavelength are reflected, transmitted or reflected by reflection patterns, and transmitted A composite pattern obtained by capturing a pattern or absorption pattern into the imaging device and synthesizing the pattern captured in the imaging device is decoded by a preset processing method, information obtained by the decoding processing, and authentication stored in advance It is characterized by authenticating by collating information.

  Further, in the authentication method of the authentication medium of the present invention, the combination of the irradiation light and the detection wavelength is an ultraviolet wavelength and a visible wavelength, or an ultraviolet wavelength and an infrared wavelength, or a visible wavelength and an infrared wavelength, Or detection in the region of the ultraviolet wavelength, visible wavelength and infrared wavelength, or infrared irradiation, detection in the region of visible wavelength and infrared wavelength, or infrared for ultraviolet light and infrared light irradiation. Visible wavelengths and infrared wavelengths for detection in the wavelength, or ultraviolet and visible wavelengths, or visible and infrared wavelengths, or detection in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared wavelength region, or irradiation with visible and infrared light Or detection in the region of the ultraviolet wavelength and visible wavelength, or the visible wavelength and infrared wavelength, or the ultraviolet wavelength, visible wavelength and infrared wavelength with respect to the irradiation of ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light. It is characterized by .

  According to the present invention, the light source and the detection wavelength are not single, but an image is detected in a complex environment, and authenticity determination is performed together with authentication by a predetermined process.

  In addition, since image capture in a complex environment is performed by a single sensor (camera), the relative positional relationship between the camera and the authentication medium (authenticated medium) is kept constant, thereby stabilizing the position. Accurate and easy to superimpose images. Therefore, in the present invention, the precision and instability of the work considered in the prior art in which discrimination is performed by detecting a plurality of sensors at different positions are eliminated in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention is not a true / false discrimination only in the visible light region seen in the prior art, but is a detection in a complex environment from the ultraviolet region to the infrared region, and encodes information. It is possible to eliminate counterfeit tickets deceiving only visual inspection, and security is enhanced.

  In addition to authenticity determination, the present invention can perform personal authentication of certificates such as licenses and insurance cards. Therefore, not only the counterfeit ticket of the authentication medium is excluded, but also the suitability and inappropriateness of the person who exercises the authentication medium can be determined, and the illegal act of the authentication medium holder can be easily verified.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the authentication medium, the authentication method, and the authentication device (1) that can be authenticated according to the present invention will be generally described.

  3A and 3B show an authentication medium production procedure in the authentication medium production system according to the present invention. First, the input unit inputs authentication information to be embedded (ST01), and the encoding unit encodes the input authentication information by a predetermined encoding method to form an encoding pattern (ST02). ) And the obtained encoded pattern is stored in the storage unit.

  The encoded pattern stored in the storage unit is divided into two or more patterns by a predetermined algorithm in the image processing unit (ST03), and a plate is produced for each pattern. For each pattern, in the printing unit, each printing is performed using an ink that exhibits a light emission state under a desired condition set in advance and the prepared printing plate, and an authentication medium suitable for this authentication is manufactured (ST04).

  As an encoding method at this time, a method using a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, a data code, PDF417 or the like is suitable, but an existing method such as a barcode or a method using a unique algorithm may be used.

  FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a printing state (a cross-sectional view and a plan view) of an authentication medium for authentication. An authentication medium designed to develop a pattern under a desired irradiation light and a desired wavelength region. Here, a pattern is developed in the ultraviolet region by ultraviolet light irradiation, and ultraviolet light irradiation is performed. The authentication medium produced so that a pattern may express in visible region by is shown. The authentication information is encoded by a predetermined method, the obtained encoded pattern is divided into two types of patterns, and two types of printing plates are produced based on the patterns. The two types of prepared printing plates are printed with an ink (15) that exhibits an absorption reaction in the ultraviolet region when irradiated with ultraviolet light and an ink (16) that exhibits a light-emitting reaction in the visible region when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

  FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an authentication principle in a complex environment for the authentication medium produced in FIG. When this authentication medium is irradiated with ultraviolet light, a pattern as shown in FIG. 1B appears in the ultraviolet region and the visible region. The authentication medium is authenticated by the combination of the two developed patterns.

  FIG. 12 shows an authentication environment in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, in this authentication method, the combination of irradiation light and detection wavelength is performed by combining not only a single wavelength but also a plurality of wavelengths in light ranging from infrared to ultraviolet. Until now, you can select and set from various combinations. Therefore, unlike the prior art in which the ink and the printing method are easily identified because the combination of the irradiation light and the detection wavelength is a single light or a combination thereof, and the ink and the printing method are easily identified, the present invention mimics the above features. On the side, it makes it difficult to decipher the authentication method including ink and printing method. Therefore, the confidentiality and security are improved as compared with the conventional technique, and an authentication medium produced without imitation or a predetermined process under a single environment can be excluded as a forged authentication medium.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the authentication device (1) that performs authentication of the authentication medium described above. The authentication device (1) in FIG. 2 includes an image capturing unit (2), an authentication unit (3), an operation setting unit (4), and a result output unit (5).

  The image capturing unit (2) is a unit that captures an image of the authenticated medium (11) or the authentic medium. The image capturing unit (2) includes an imaging device (8), an irradiation device (9), and a filter (10). The irradiation device (9) includes an infrared light illumination (12) that can be irradiated with infrared light, a visible light illumination (13) that can be irradiated with visible light, and an ultraviolet light illumination that can be irradiated with ultraviolet light ( 14), and the light having an appropriate wavelength is irradiated to the authentication medium according to the input conditions. For the selection of the irradiation light wavelength, a method using a filter for cutting wavelengths other than the irradiation wavelength, infrared light illumination (12), visible light illumination (13), and ultraviolet light illumination (14) can be used. You may take the method of selecting from three types of irradiation apparatuses (9). The imaging device (8), which is an image input device, uses a camera having sensitivity from an ultraviolet wavelength to an infrared wavelength, for example, XCD-SX910UV (detection wavelength range: 200 to 1000 nm) manufactured by Sony Corporation. It is done. The filter (10), which is a detection wavelength selection device, includes at least three types of filters (10) of infrared transmission, visible light transmission, and ultraviolet transmission, and is selected and set according to input conditions. When capturing an image in the entire wavelength region, it is not necessary to cut the wavelength, and these filters (10) are not used.

  The authentication unit (3) is a part that controls each part of the apparatus together with the capture authentication, and includes a control unit (6) and a storage unit (7). The storage unit (7) is a part for storing an authentication algorithm for authentication, a captured image captured by the image capturing unit (2), an authentication code, and the like. The control unit (6) performs predetermined arithmetic processing such as image processing and authentication processing on the image captured by the image capturing unit (2) according to a predetermined authentication algorithm. This authentication process is a predetermined method set in advance, and is a decoding (reading) process corresponding to the encoding method used when producing the authentication medium. The operation setting unit (4) is a means for setting image capturing conditions for irradiation and detection wavelengths, inputting an authentication code, and operating the apparatus. The result output unit (5) is a means for outputting an authentication result by the authentication unit (3).

  Next, specific embodiments will be described. FIG. 4 shows an authentication medium according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 to 9 show a flow of authentication processing by different authentication methods concerning the authentication medium.

  This embodiment is an example applied to a license, and the secret information (19) cannot be recognized in a normal state (visible light irradiation-visible light observation), and in a special environment (ultraviolet irradiation-ultraviolet, visible light detection). This is a case where the confidential information (19) is sometimes read for the first time. Here, an example is shown in which encoding using a QR code is performed in authentication for an image detected in the ultraviolet and visible regions under ultraviolet irradiation.

  FIG. 4 shows a method for producing this authentication medium. First, information to be embedded in an invisible state as authentication information is encoded to produce an encoded pattern (FIG. 4A). This authentication information includes unique information (18) that is information that can be disclosed in a normal state and is described in the authentication medium, and secret information (19) that is recorded in an invisible state on the authentication medium. . Here, the specific information (18) includes a name, a license registration number, etc., and the confidential information (19) includes a personal address, a telephone number, etc., which are information that is generally avoided. There is information set uniquely.

  In this embodiment, the encode pattern is divided into two divided patterns by the encode pattern dividing process (FIG. 4 (b1)). This division processing is a method depending on a predetermined authentication method including an image capturing condition and a calculation method which is a decoding processing described later, and is executed according to a principle defined in advance. Moreover, it is preferable that each divided pattern does not have meaningful information.

  The case where the division | segmentation pattern 1 and the division | segmentation pattern 2 do not hold | maintain meaningful information is demonstrated using Fig.5 (a) (b). The black area in FIG. 5B is a printing area, the white area indicates a non-printing area, the divided pattern 1 is a detection pattern in the ultraviolet area at the time of ultraviolet irradiation, and the divided pattern 2 is visible. This corresponds to a detection pattern in the light region.

  First, a method for producing the divided pattern 1 will be described. After producing the encode pattern (ST05), the black area of the encode pattern is made to be the black area of the divided pattern 1, and the white area of the encode pattern is made to be the black or white area of the divided pattern 1. The division pattern 1 is formed by the above procedure (ST06).

  Next, a method for producing the divided pattern 2 will be described. First, the black area of the encode pattern is set to a black area, and the white area of the encode pattern is formed to be a black or white area. Regarding the determination of black or white at this time, if the same position of the divided pattern 1 is a black area, it is formed to be a white area, and the divided pattern 2a is produced (ST07).

  The black and white (print-non-print) area of the divided pattern 2a obtained by the above processing is inverted to form the divided pattern 2 (ST08).

  For the unique information (18), which is information printed and displayed in a recognizable state under a normal environment, a print pattern is produced by a desired design (FIG. 4 (b2)). In this embodiment, the design is expressed by one color.

  Printing plate surfaces (20, 21, 22) are respectively produced for the three divided patterns produced by the above procedure (FIG. 4 (c)), and printing is performed on the substrate (17) (FIG. 4 ( d)). As for the ink to be used, the invisible ultraviolet absorbing ink (ink 1) and the ultraviolet excited visible light emitting ink (ink 2) are printed on the two divided pattern printing plates embedded with the authentication information, and the unique information (18) is printed. A general black ink (ink 3) is used for the printing plate.

  In consideration of reading accuracy, offset printing is preferable as a printing method, and white is precious as a base material for an authentication medium. However, it is limited to these as long as a desired effect can be obtained. Instead of this, a printing method using a page printer such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer may be used.

  With the above procedure, an authentication medium in which authentication information is embedded is completed.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are examples of an authentication method using the authentication apparatus of FIG. 2 relating to the authentication medium of FIG. Before inputting an image to be authenticated, the wavelength of irradiation light and the detection wavelength at the time of capture are set as the image capture conditions (ST09). This setting is a condition set when producing an authentication medium according to the authentication method, and depends on the printing pattern and ink used. Therefore, as long as the print pattern and the ink used are kept secret, this setting condition is not disclosed and security is maintained.

  After the image capture conditions are set and input, the irradiation light of the irradiation device (9) and the filter (10) are set according to the input conditions, and the image capture standby state is set.

  The filter set according to the input conditions is an absorption wavelength that absorbs the wavelength region, an emission wavelength that emits light, or a reflected wavelength that reflects light, or a transmission filter that transmits ultraviolet light, visible light, or infrared light. It is selected according to a detection wavelength for detecting a composite pattern in which at least one of an absorption pattern, a light emission pattern, and a reflection pattern according to a wavelength detected from at least one is combined.

  Thereafter, the wavelength of the selected irradiation light is irradiated onto the authentication medium (ST10), and a composite pattern obtained by combining a plurality of at least one of an absorption pattern, a light emission pattern, and a reflection pattern is captured at an appropriate timing (ST11).

  The composite pattern is synthesized by quantifying the feature amount of the absorption pattern, light emission pattern, or reflection pattern. Digitization refers to density information and position information of the pattern.

  After the pattern is captured, a predetermined authentication process is performed on the captured pattern (ST12). The predetermined authentication processing here is a method corresponding to the information embedding (encoding) method performed at the time of manufacturing the authentication medium described above.

  As an encoding method at this time, a method using a two-dimensional code such as a QR code, a data code, PDF417 or the like is suitable, but an existing method such as a barcode or a method using an original algorithm may be used.

  By this authentication processing, it is determined whether or not the reading has been performed normally (ST13). If the reading has been performed normally, the information embedded when the authentication medium is produced is displayed and output to the result output unit ( ST14). If the reading cannot be performed, “reading error” is displayed on the result output unit (ST15), and the information is not read and the authentication medium is not authentic.

  By such an authentication method, it becomes possible to read the embedded information if the authentication medium is authentic, as well as authenticating the authentication medium.

  FIG. 7 shows the authentication method of FIG. 6 with a specific example. This embodiment is an example applied to a license, and secret information (19) cannot be recognized in a normal state (visible light irradiation-visible light detection), and under a special environment (ultraviolet light irradiation-ultraviolet and visible light detection). This is a case where the confidential information (19) is read for the first time. Here, an example is shown in which encoding using a QR code is performed in authentication for an image detected in the ultraviolet and visible light regions under ultraviolet light irradiation.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, this authentication medium displays only information that can be disclosed in a normal state. The confidential information (19) is embedded by printing that appears only when ultraviolet light irradiation is performed. Here, the information displayed in the normal state includes a name, a license registration number, etc., and the confidential information (19) includes other information such as a personal address, a telephone number, etc. There is information set by the license issuing office.

  When authenticating, the authentication medium is irradiated with ultraviolet light, and images in the ultraviolet and visible light regions are detected. At this time, by simultaneously detecting the image observed in the ultraviolet region shown in FIG. 7B and the image observed in the visible light region shown in FIG. 7C, as a result, FIG. The image shown in is detected. Thereafter, QR code decoding is performed on the area surrounded by the dotted line, which is a predetermined position, and the confidential information (19) is read out.

  Next, an authentication method with an enhanced personal authentication function will be described. In this method, it is determined whether or not the person who uses the authentication medium is a valid person, and authentication and reading can be performed only when the person is a valid person.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B show a method for authenticating the authenticity of the authentication medium owner and the flow of the processing. Before inputting the image to be authenticated, the image capturing conditions of the wavelength of the irradiation light and the detection wavelength at the time of capturing are set (ST16). This setting is a condition set when producing an authentication medium according to the authentication method, and depends on the printing pattern and the ink used. Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment, as long as the print pattern and the ink used are kept secret, this setting condition is not disclosed and security is maintained.

  Next, an identity verification code is inquired to the executor of the medium to be authenticated (11) and entered (ST17). This personal verification code is information that only the individual can know, such as an e-mail address, a telephone number, a keyword, or an authentication number.

  After inputting the personal verification code, the irradiation light and the filter (10) of the irradiation device (9) are set according to the input conditions set previously, and the image capturing standby state is set.

  Thereafter, the wavelength of the selected irradiation light is irradiated onto the authentication medium (ST18), and after image capture is performed at an appropriate timing (ST19), a predetermined authentication process is performed on the captured image (ST20). ). The predetermined authentication processing here is a method corresponding to the information embedding (encoding) method performed at the time of manufacturing the authentication medium described above.

  It is determined whether or not the reading is normally performed by this authentication process (ST21). If the reading is not successful, “reading error” is displayed on the result output unit (ST25), and the information cannot be read. Informing that the authentication medium is not authentic.

  Here, if the reading is performed normally, the personal identification information inquired at the time of authentication is compared with the personal verification code registered at the time of issuance to determine whether or not the executor is a legitimate person ( ST22).

  At this time, if it is determined that the exerciser is a legitimate person, the result output unit displays that the person is legitimate (ST23) and discloses the embedded confidential information (ST24).

  If they do not match, it is determined that the person is not a legitimate person, the person's unfairness is displayed (ST26), and the exerciser is informed that the person should not be originally owned, and the exerciser is notified. Restrict disclosure of confidential information.

  Next, an authentication method in which an arithmetic process is added to the authentication process of the first embodiment to improve security will be described. This is a method in which authentication can be performed only by binarizing the captured image and performing logical operation processing on the binarized image. FIG. 7 shows a method of binarizing and authenticating an image detected by the imaging device (8) and the flow of the processing.

  The processes in FIGS. 9A and 9B are examples in which two images are captured by the imaging device (8) and the authentication process is performed. These two images are images that are captured under different image capturing conditions. Here, the first captured image is referred to as a first image, and the second captured image is referred to as a second image.

  First, before inputting the first image and the second image, the wavelength of the irradiation light and the detection wavelength at the time of capturing each image are set as the image capturing conditions (ST27). This setting is a condition set when producing an authentication medium according to the authentication method, and depends on the printing pattern and the ink used. Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment, as long as the printing pattern and the ink used are kept secret, this setting condition is not disclosed and security is maintained.

  After the first image and second image capturing conditions are set and input, first, the irradiation light and the filter (10) of the irradiation device (9) are set according to the first image capturing conditions, and the first image capturing standby state is set. Become. Thereafter, the wavelength of the first irradiation light is irradiated (ST28), and the first image is captured at an appropriate timing (ST29). Next, the irradiation light and the filter (10) of the irradiation device (9) are set according to the second image capturing condition, and the second image capturing standby state is set. Thereafter, the wavelength of the second irradiation light is irradiated (ST30), and the second image is captured at an appropriate timing (ST31).

  The two images captured by the above method are each converted into a binary image. These binary images are subjected to predetermined arithmetic processing and image synthesis to form a decoding image (ST32).

  A predetermined authentication process is performed on the formed image (ST33). The predetermined authentication process here is a method corresponding to the information embedding (encoding) method performed when the authentication medium is manufactured.

  By this authentication processing, it is determined whether or not the reading has been performed normally (ST34). If the reading has been performed normally, the information embedded at the time of producing the authentication medium is displayed and output on the result output unit (ST35). ). If the data cannot be read, a “reading error” is displayed on the result output unit (ST36), and the information is not read and the authentication medium is not authentic.

  FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show the authentication method of FIG. 9 by showing a specific example. In this embodiment, the first image is an image obtained under the conditions of infrared excitation infrared detection, and the second image is an image obtained under the conditions of ultraviolet excitation visible light detection. A case where image composition is performed will be described. Here, as an encoding method, an example in which processing using a QR code is performed is shown.

  The two images at the top of FIG. 10 are a captured binary image (24) after the first image and the second image are converted into binary images, respectively. Next, in these two binary images, black is set to “1”, white is set to “0”, and a logical product is executed for each pixel to form a composite image (25) as shown in the lower part of FIG. . Thereafter, this image is decoded and authenticated.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which arithmetic processing is performed a plurality of times. Of the captured binary image (24) at the top of FIG. 11, only the binary image of the second image is inverted (0⇔1). Image combination by logical sum is performed between the inverted second image and the binary image of the first image, a composite image (25) is formed, and authentication is performed. By increasing the arithmetic processing in this way, it is possible to make the decryption at the time of authentication difficult and improve the security as compared with FIG.

  As described above, if the two-dimensional code pattern is generated in consideration of the combination, the image before the combination, that is, the pattern of the first image or the second image is an incomplete pattern. It doesn't matter.

  In addition, if the information to be concealed is embedded with a pattern that can be read for the first time by the above combining method, the single pattern of the first image or the second image may have other information.

  Here, an arithmetic method using logical product or logical sum is used for two images. However, the method is not limited to this method as long as it corresponds to the processing performed at the time of embedding information at the time of authentication medium production. For example, an exclusive logical product and an exclusive logical sum, or an original method may be used.

  Further, for the purpose of further security improvement, three or more images may be taken and these images may be combined to perform authentication.

  According to this authentication method, since the image is divided into a plurality of images and specific processing is performed on the images, the combination of the irradiation and the detection wavelength and the calculation method including the calculation algorithm are read as long as they are kept secret. Therefore, confidentiality and security can be improved as compared with the first embodiment.

  Also in the present embodiment, it is possible to add a function for confirming the authenticity of the authentication medium executor by registering and embedding a personal authentication code as in the second embodiment.

  Here, when this device is not used, considering the case where authentication is performed using a plurality of sensors corresponding to each wavelength, it is necessary to move at least the sensor or the authentication medium. The occurrence of pattern misalignment can be considered. Therefore, since it is impossible to superimpose images with high accuracy, a two-dimensional code pattern for authentication is not formed, and it cannot be denied that normal reading cannot be performed.

  However, since this apparatus can be implemented with a single sensor (camera), as long as the relative positional relationship between the imaging device (8) and the authentication medium is constant, the positional deviation of the captured images for different capture conditions. Therefore, since the images can be combined with high accuracy, the authentication can be performed.

(A) is a figure which shows the printing state (sectional drawing and top view) of the authentication medium for authentication, (b) is a figure which shows the authentication principle in the composite environment of an authentication medium. It is a figure which shows the authentication apparatus which authenticates an authentication medium. (A) shows the production process flow of an authenticable authentication medium according to the present invention, and (b) shows the production procedure in the authentication medium production system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method for producing an authentication medium relating to Example 1 of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows a division | segmentation pattern preparation process flow, (b) is a figure which shows a division | segmentation pattern. (A) is a figure which shows the processing flow regarding Example 1 of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the signal flow regarding Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the authentication state in the ultraviolet light irradiation-ultraviolet region and visible region regarding Example 1 of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the processing flow regarding Example 2 of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the signal flow regarding Example 2. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the processing flow regarding Example 3 of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the signal flow regarding Example 3. It is a figure which shows the case where the arithmetic processing for forming the image for a decoding is performed once regarding Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the case where the arithmetic processing for forming the image for a decoding is performed in multiple times regarding Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the authentication environment in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Authentication apparatus 2 Image acquisition part 3 Authentication part 4 Operation setting part 5 Result output part 6 Control part 7 Storage part 8 Imaging device (camera)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Irradiation apparatus 10 Filter 11 Authentication target medium 12 Infrared light illumination 13 Visible light illumination 14 Ultraviolet light illumination 15 Ink 16 which shows absorption reaction in ultraviolet region by ultraviolet light irradiation Indicating light emission reaction in visible region by ultraviolet light irradiation Ink 17 Base material 18 Unique information 19 Confidential information 20 Plate surface 1 (Division pattern 1)
21 Plate 2 (Division pattern 2)
22 Plate 3 (Division pattern 3)
23 Invisible information 24 Captured binary image 25 Composite image

Claims (4)

A method of manufacturing an authentication medium with authentication information,
The authentication information is encoded by a preset processing method,
Dividing the authentication information encoding pattern obtained by the encoding process into at least two or more division patterns;
An authentication medium characterized in that the division pattern is printed with a different ink composition among ink compositions that have sensitivity to reflection, transmission, or absorption in a predetermined wavelength region and are invisible under visible light. Production method. The ink composition is
For ultraviolet light irradiation, ultraviolet wavelength and visible wavelength, or ultraviolet wavelength and infrared wavelength, or visible wavelength and infrared wavelength, or ultraviolet wavelength, visible wavelength and infrared wavelength,
Or, for infrared light irradiation, visible wavelength and infrared wavelength,
Or, for irradiation with ultraviolet light and infrared light, infrared wavelength, or ultraviolet wavelength and visible wavelength, or visible wavelength and infrared wavelength, or ultraviolet wavelength and visible wavelength and infrared wavelength,
Or, for visible light and infrared light irradiation, visible wavelength and infrared wavelength,
Or, it can reflect, transmit or absorb in the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths, or visible and infrared wavelengths, or ultraviolet, visible and infrared wavelengths in response to irradiation with ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light. The method for producing an authentication medium according to claim 1, wherein the ink composition has an ink composition. An authentication method for an authentication medium provided with authentication information produced by the manufacturing method according to claim 1,
The irradiation light corresponding to the authentication medium is selected from at least one of ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared light,
In order to select a detection wavelength corresponding to the authentication medium, a filter that cuts wavelengths other than the detection wavelength out of the ultraviolet wavelength, visible wavelength, or infrared wavelength is installed,
Irradiating at least one selected irradiation light with respect to an authentication medium having at least two or more division patterns;
Reflecting a reflection pattern, transmission pattern or absorption pattern by reflection, transmission or absorption of the two or more divided patterns detected at the detection wavelength by the irradiation of the irradiation light, and taking in the imaging device through the filter
A synthesized pattern obtained by synthesizing the pattern captured in the imaging device is decoded by a preset processing method,
An authentication method for an authentication medium provided with authentication information, wherein authentication is performed by comparing information obtained by the decoding process with authentication information stored in advance. The combination of the irradiation light and the detection wavelength is
For ultraviolet light irradiation, ultraviolet wavelength and visible wavelength, or ultraviolet wavelength and infrared wavelength, or visible wavelength and infrared wavelength, or ultraviolet wavelength, visible wavelength and infrared wavelength,
Or, for infrared light irradiation, visible wavelength and infrared wavelength,
Or, for irradiation with ultraviolet light and infrared light, infrared wavelength, or ultraviolet wavelength and visible wavelength, or visible wavelength and infrared wavelength, or ultraviolet wavelength and visible wavelength and infrared wavelength,
Or, for visible light and infrared light irradiation, visible wavelength and infrared wavelength,
Or an ultraviolet wavelength and a visible wavelength, or a visible wavelength and an infrared wavelength, or an ultraviolet wavelength, a visible wavelength and an infrared wavelength with respect to the irradiation of the ultraviolet light, the visible light and the infrared light. Authentication medium authentication method.

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