JP2008181447A - Excitation coloring color code and its decoding method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an excitation coloring color code whose information content cannot be identified because of being substantially colorless under a visible light of ordinary use environment. <P>SOLUTION: With respect to the color code which is substantially colorless under the visible light and contains designated information, at least a plurality of data cells and parity cells colored by excitation by irradiation of ultraviolet ray and/or infrared are provided, and the area colored by irradiation with the ultraviolet ray and/or the infrared ray is a code image part, and each of the data cells emits light and displays specific color responding to the information content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an excitation-colored color code that is substantially colorless under visible light under normal use conditions and cannot identify its information content, and to a method for accurately decoding the color code.

  A point-of-sale information management system (POS) that uses one-dimensional barcodes continuously checks the sales trends of merchandise at retail outlets in the distribution industry and integrates inventory management, merchandising, logistics systems, etc. Is a system to manage automatically. The POS consists of a series of hardware and software. Black and white vertical bar codes are printed on price tags and tags, and information such as manufacturer (supplier), product number, and error check is incorporated. Bar codes are being standardized nationwide, and source marking, in which the work with a price tag for reading a POS terminal is performed in the process of a manufacturer or wholesaler, has become widespread. The barcode data is read from the price tag at a POS terminal that serves both as a reader and a cash register, and is summed up through a series of flows from the in-store minicomputer to the host computer connected to the headquarters online.

  Traditional one-dimensional barcodes require extremely high printing accuracy, and must be read by close-up using an OCR (optical character reader) or scanner, and cannot be read by a mobile phone with a camera or a web camera. Impossible. This one-dimensional barcode has a considerably high cost per original plate and high running cost. Information is written and read only in one direction, ie, the horizontal direction, and the amount of information that can be handled is not so large. In contrast, two-dimensional barcodes such as QR code (trade name) and Carla code (trade name) are written and read in terms of surface, and can have a large amount of information of 2000 bytes or more. Japanese can also be handled. In addition, a considerably powerful error correction function can be incorporated, and the barcode printing surface can be read even if there are some errors or stains. In particular, QR code is a mobile phone that has a QR code reader since around the summer of 2004 to solve the biggest and simple problem of “It is very troublesome to enter URLs and blank emails on mobile phones”. Has begun to be installed. At present, QR codes have been found in magazines / newspaper advertisements, insert leaflets, product packages, etc., and it is predicted that many mobile phones to be released in the future will be compatible with QR codes.

On the other hand, the color code (trade name owned by Color Zip Media Co., Ltd.) proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-319200 is a two-dimensional color code that encodes a color pattern substantially corresponding to a three-dimensional barcode. The size range can be displayed from 3mm to infinity, and it is far superior to one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes in that the combination of design and style is flexible. This two-dimensional color code does not have to be close-up from the front as in the prior art, but can be read from an oblique angle with a maximum viewing angle of 150 degrees at a distant place, far more than a two-dimensional barcode. High flexibility. For this reason, color codes can be displayed in a wide variety of applications such as TV screens, posters, signboards, and fabrics. Low-resolution mobile phones with cameras, webcams, and PDAs (personal digital assistants) are also used as data reading devices. can do. Considering these advantages, color codes that are two-dimensional colored are predicted to be used more widely than one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes in the future, and have the potential to play a leading role in the information society. ing.
JP 2001-319200 A JP-A-7-92911 JP-A-8-325886

  The two-dimensional color code is colored in many colors and has a high design, and it can produce codes that imitate landscapes, animals and plants, buildings, geometric patterns, etc. It needs to be formed inside, and there are certain restrictions on the number of colors and where they are colored. This type of bar code is designed to create a sense of incongruity in the place where it is formed if it is printed directly on a textile product or device body with high designability in order to obtain the required data easily or for a long period of time. There are cases where it cannot be avoided. In such a case, even if the color code is directly printed on a textile product or an apparatus main body, if the color code is not visible to the human eye under normal conditions, there is a possibility that the application can be further expanded.

  In addition, when a two-dimensional color code is printed on a label, a price tag, a tag or the like and attached to a textile product, it is naturally applicable to the POS. In recent years, with respect to textile products, popularity has been concentrated on products of well-known brands, and similar products that illegally use the brands and barcodes are on the market in large quantities. As a result, not only does sales of brand products interfere, but there is a frequent occurrence of losing confidence in the quality of brand products. Such similar products are very similar to brand products with the advancement of dyeing and sewing techniques for clothing, and it is often difficult for specialized traders to distinguish them from brand products. Various detection methods have been proposed for these fiber products in order to detect unfairly similar products at an early stage. As an example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-92911 manufactures a woven label in which a luminescent yarn mixed with an inorganic or organic phosphor is woven together with a normal yarn. By sewing this woven label on clothing, when the label is irradiated with ultraviolet rays when necessary, it can be identified whether or not it is a counterfeit by the presence or absence of the luminescent yarn. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-92911 sometimes weaves red, blue, and green phosphors singly or in combination, and sometimes weaves not only on the woven label but also on the entire fabric. An ultraviolet phosphor that emits light is used.

  This anti-counterfeit label is already recognized in the textile industry and has the effect of authenticity determination until it is publicly known that a specific ultraviolet fluorescent yarn has been woven. In this anti-counterfeit label, even if information such as manufacturer name and product number can be incorporated into the luminescent color and the weaving position, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-92911, a combination of red, blue and green phosphors is woven. It is impossible to incorporate the same amount of information as a one-dimensional barcode, and complicated information such as price cannot be put in. For this reason, even if this anti-counterfeit label is used in combination with red, blue, and green UV fluorescent yarns, the amount of information that can be incorporated is relatively small, leading to an increase in import / export products and the desire to use the label. Even if the number increases, it is impossible to meet the demands of all manufacturers, and the label usage destination is limited.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to improve the above-described color code and further expand its application, and an object thereof is to provide an excitation-colored color code that cannot be identified under a normal use environment. Another object of the present invention is to provide an excitation-colored color code that incorporates a large amount of information and has a function of preventing forgery. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for decoding an excitation-colored color code that can be accurately read even on a blurred code surface having irregularities such as a weave pattern.

  The excitation-colored color code according to the present invention is substantially colorless under visible light and contains predetermined information. The color code of the present invention has at least a plurality of data cells and parity cells that are excited and colored by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays, and an area emitted by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays is a code image portion. Data cells are displayed in a specific color according to the information content.

  In the color code of the present invention, each cell including each data cell and parity cell is excited and colored in red, blue, green or brown by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays. Further, it is preferable that the code image area is composed of red, blue, green and black by converting a cell input in brown into black by a program.

  The textile product according to the present invention is woven using fluorescent yarns that emit light by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays as warp yarns or weft yarns. The textile product of the present invention has at least a plurality of data cells and parity cells that are excited and colored by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays, and a region that emits light by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays is a code image portion. A color code for excitation coloration in which the data cell emits light in a specific color according to the information content is incorporated.

  In the textile product of the present invention, it is preferable to weave fluorescent yarns as weft yarns and weave a predetermined color code with a plurality of types of fluorescent yarns. The textile product of the present invention is, for example, a woven label, a uniform, sportswear or brand clothing.

  The sheet product according to the present invention is printed using fluorescent ink that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays. The sheet product of the present invention has at least a plurality of data cells and parity cells that are excited and colored by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays, and a region that emits light by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays is a code image portion. A color code for excitation coloration in which the data cell emits light in a specific color according to the information content is printed on the support.

  The sheet product of the present invention is, for example, a print label, a paper label, a sticker, a tag, a price tag, a tag, a transfer label, or a transfer seal.

  The color code decoding method according to the present invention includes a step of obtaining an original image including a code image portion emitted by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays, detecting a background image included in the original image, and obtaining a background image. Extracting the code image area by excluding the process, optimizing the code image from the code image area, identifying the cells included in the code image area, and obtaining the color displayed in each cell And a step of inputting to the decoder for analysis and converting the color in each cell to a corresponding character, number or symbol to generate code information.

  The color code decoding method according to the present invention includes a step of acquiring an original image including a code image portion emitted by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays, and a step of removing noise from the original image and creating a histogram. And determining the material type from the histogram, performing a filtering process according to the material type, extracting the code image area by excluding the background image included in the original image, and including in the code image area Determining the displayed cells, obtaining the color displayed in each cell, and inputting to the decoder for analysis, converting the color in each cell into a corresponding character, number, or symbol to obtain code information. It is also possible to include the process of producing | generating.

  In the color code decoding method of the present invention, the original image includes a code image portion composed of a plurality of cells that emit light of at least one of red, blue, green, and brown when irradiated with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays. . In the decoding method of the present invention, the code image area is composed of red, blue, green and black by extracting the code image area and obtaining a predetermined color and then converting the cell input in brown to black. It is preferable.

  Regarding the color code decoding method of the present invention, in the forgery-preventing color code, a black cell is converted to brown for a genuine code image, and the brown in each cell is replaced with one of the other three colors. One of the colors is replaced with brown. Accordingly, the code analysis by the decoder is impossible unless the color code for preventing forgery is replaced by a color. In the decoding method of the present invention, a code image area is extracted from a color code for preventing forgery, a cell input in brown is converted to black, and black is returned to one of the other three colors. By returning the color to black, the code analysis by the decoder becomes possible.

  The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The color code 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an ultraviolet ray that is invisible light by an image reading device 2 (FIG. 6) such as a high-intensity ultraviolet light emitting / receiving device or a known black light. And / or a rectangular code image portion 3 that is excited and colored when irradiated with infrared rays. The code image portion 3 is composed of a plurality of cells 7 including at least the data cell 5 (FIG. 4) and the parity cell 6 (FIG. 4), and the number may be appropriately selected according to the application. The plane size of the code image portion 3 is identifiable by the reader 2 and corresponds to the size of the light receiving element 14, and is usually preferably a rectangle having a side of 5 to 12 mm (see FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, when the color code 1 is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays or infrared rays, the code image portion 3 becomes a substantially colorless portion 3a (FIG. 2) without each cell 7 being colored. It is difficult to visually recognize the presence of the colorless portion 3a in a normal state.

  The code image portion 3 in the color code 1 may contain a fluorescent material that not only excites with ultraviolet rays but also emits and develops colors with infrared rays. All cells 7 or some of the cells are excited with both ultraviolet rays and infrared rays. You may comprise so that it may color. The outer frame of the code image portion 3 and the boundary between the cells 7 can be clarified at the time of excitation coloring and can be divided. The planar shape of the entire code image portion 3 and each cell 7 is generally rectangular, but it is also possible to form a chamfered rectangle, a lattice arrangement, a colored alphabet assembly, a logo character assembly, or the like.

  Each cell 7 including the data cell 5 and the parity cell 6 requires a plurality of excitation colors, and preferably has four or more colors including red, blue and green. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an ultraviolet ray and / or infrared ray is irradiated with red, blue, green, or brown, and an excitation color of yellow or pink is added, or these colors are changed to other colors. You may exchange and use. The color code 1 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of, for example, red, blue, green, and black. However, since there is no fluorescent material that excites and develops black by ultraviolet rays or infrared rays, brown is converted to black in the decoding process. Analysis.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a code image portion 3 in which predetermined information is finally formed by an image that can be decoded by the analysis computer 8 (FIG. 6). The portion includes at least a plurality of data cells 5 and parity cells 6. Have The data cell 5 is encoded and displayed so that the excitation color varies depending on the content of information, while the parity cell 6 is formed to check the recognition error of the data cell 5. Further, although not shown, the code image portion 3 may include a reference cell and a control cell. In this case, the reference cell may provide a reference color for determining the excitation color of the data cell, and the control cell may display a command or service provided using information displayed in the data cell.

  Each of the data cells 5 may be configured to indicate information such as one character, or may be configured to indicate one or more information in multiple data cell sets. For example, it is possible to display the letter “A” in one excited red cell or two cells in excited red and green. The information contained in the data cell 5 is formed of letters, numbers, and symbols, and includes a user name, address, telephone number, FAX number, network host address, Internet domain name or IP address, URL, protocol, or document name. Various combinations are possible depending on the needs of the user.

  As an example of this, in FIG. 3, four excitation colors (however, brown is converted to black) correspond to 2 bits. If each cell 7 has any of four hues, 2 bits of data can be represented by one cell 7 and 8 bits if defined so that one cell 7 can display one character. And 256 characters can be expressed. On the other hand, for example, if a code image is generated using excitation color of 8 colors, code values from “000” to “111” are used for 8 colors, using two consecutive cells to indicate one character or a number. And each character may be encoded in two colors. At this time, if the code value “000011” is assigned to the number “3”, the color assigned to the code value “000” (eg, black) and the color assigned to the code value “011” (eg, cyan). Encoding is performed, and an image is formed by two continuous cells in black and cyan. After the characters and numbers included in the target information are converted into code values in the code conversion table displaying these, the color corresponding to the code values can be expressed in the form of a rectangular matrix that is a combination of square cells.

  On the other hand, the parity cell 6 is used to determine whether or not the excitation color is expressed in conformity with the data cell in accordance with the contents of the target information. With respect to the parity cell 6, parity data is obtained by a code value defined corresponding to the color displayed in the data cell, and a parity cell is formed by excitation coloring corresponding to the parity data. An example in which the parity cell 6 is located in the code image portion 3 which is a code image is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example in which the parity cell 6 is located in the code image in the case of a square matrix code image, and the code image can be similarly applied to other planar shapes such as a circle.

  In FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, cells Dmn other than those indicated by the parity cell Pmn are usually data cells, and may be reference cells or control cells depending on circumstances. In FIG. 4, parity cells having parity information for cells in the same column are displayed in the rightmost and lowermost columns. For example, the parity cell for the D11, D12, D13, and D14 cells is P1r, the parity cell for the D11, D21, D31, and D41 cells in the same row is Pc1, and the intersection parity cell Pcr is a position cell for position recognition. It is. The parity area shown in FIG. 4 can be applied to, for example, the color code 1 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, parity cells having parity information for cells in the same column are displayed in a diagonal direction. Similarly, a parity cell having parity information for cells in the same column is displayed only on the right or left side, or a parity cell having parity information for cells in the same row is displayed only on the bottom or top row. It is also possible to select another display means.

  An example of means for selecting the excitation color displayed in the parity cell 6 will be described. One parity cell is an exclusive OR (XOR) operation of code values of data cells arranged in the same column or the same row. It has the code value obtained in the result. When the even parity method is used, the operation result value immediately becomes a code value, and a parity cell is formed by excitation color development corresponding to the code value. When the odd parity method is used, a complementary value of each bit of the operation result value is obtained, and a parity cell is formed by excitation coloring corresponding to the value. For example, if the excitation color displayed in the parity cell is obtained using the code conversion table shown in FIG. 3, the excitation colors of the data cells D11, D12, D13, and D14 are black (brown), red, green, and green. In this case, the code value becomes 11:00, 10, 10.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of an image reading apparatus 2 that can receive the code image portion 3 of excitation color development from the color code 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, and transmits information recognized by the apparatus to the analysis computer 8, and the flowchart of FIG. Based on the above, program processing is performed by the computer. The image reading device 2 includes an L-shaped or linear cylinder 10, and a cylindrical cover 12 is attached to the front of the cylinder. The cover 12 has a lower end inner dimension that is larger than the planar dimension of the color code 1. Inside the cover 12, the light receiving element 14 is fixed horizontally to the front end surface of the cylindrical body 10, and the filter sheet 16 is attached below the light receiving element. The filter sheet 16 is provided with a hole 18 corresponding to the planar shape of the light receiving element 14.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 20 are attached at equal intervals in the inner peripheral direction of the cover 12 on the lower side of the filter sheet 16. In FIG. 7, the number of LEDs 20 is six. Each LED 20 emits ultraviolet rays or infrared rays having a specific wavelength. If desired, a lens may be arranged for the LED 20 or a diffuser plate may be attached. The image reading device 2 can usually be connected to the analysis computer 8 via the code 21 by a USB interface.

  The image reading device 2 excites the code image portion 3 by irradiating the color code 1 displayed on the physical medium with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays from the LEDs 20 and interprets the code image portion 3 with the light receiving element 14. To obtain a physically represented color image containing a “code image”. In other words, the image reading device 2 reads a physically expressed image and converts it into an image data form that can be electronically processed by the analysis computer 8. This code image represents code information to be finally extracted in an image form. At this time, the output signal of the image reading device 2 is an “original image” including a code image portion, and this original image is configured in an image file form that can be processed by the analysis computer 8. Along with noise and shadow.

  The program processing in the analysis computer 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In step S1, the image reading device 2 reads the code image portion 3 by excitation color development, and transmits and inputs the acquired original image to the analysis computer 8. In step S2, if the original image is clear, the process proceeds directly to step S6, and a background image included in the original image is detected from the original image based on parameters such as environment variables and / or color mode. The code image area is extracted by excluding the background image.

  If the code image portion 3 of excitation color development is not clearer than the predetermined value in step S2, the code image region is not directly extracted from the original image, and in steps S3 to S5, the code image is inserted with appropriate filter processing. Correct the part. The case where the code image portion 3 is unclear means that, for example, the color code 1 is expressed on a textured fabric with partially woven fluorescent yarn or the like, or the fluorescent substance itself contained in the fluorescent yarn or fluorescent ink is excited. For example, when the color is weak. In these cases, in step S3, noise that is not related to light emission is first removed from the code image portion 3 from the original image to create a histogram, and the material type is determined based on the characteristics of the histogram. This material type means the type of fabric in which the color code 1 is formed or the type of fluorescent material contained in the fluorescent yarn or fluorescent ink. Furthermore, the code image region can be accurately extracted from the unclear code image portion 3 by performing the filtering process according to the material type on the original image.

  The control unit of the analysis computer 8 selects the type of material type based on the characteristics of the created histogram when the code image portion 3 is unclear from a predetermined value, and reads a specific environment variable that matches the material type ( Step S4). Specific environment variables for each material type are stored in advance in memory. Next, the read specific environment variable is transmitted to the filter unit.

  In the filter unit of the computer 8, the unclear code image portion recognized from the original image is corrected by the specific environment variable, the color of the code image portion is converted into the standard color, and the code image portion displayed in the standard color is generated. (Step S5). Here, the standard color refers to a color set corresponding to a character, number, or symbol when the code image is generated. Therefore, it is possible to extract code information to which the code conversion table is applied by converting the actually recognized color to the standard color.

  In the extraction of the code image area in step S6, for example, the following processing is preferably performed. First, in a situation where an original image is input, the original image is converted into a black and white image with reference to a monochrome environment variable set based on the luminance. Set the background image portion of the black and white image to a specific background color other than the color used to display the code information. Next, the portion of the original image corresponding to the background color portion in the black and white image is set to the background color, and the code image region is extracted from the original image by dividing the code image portion 3 and the background portion. By using the black and white image, it is possible to reduce the calculation process required to extract the code image area.

  In step S7, information related to the code image is generated from the original image, and the form, position, or type of the code image is determined. Next, in step S8, the number, form, and position of the cells included in the code image are determined, and based on this, the cells included in the code image area are determined and then displayed in each cell in step S9. Detected color. If necessary, set the environment variables in consideration of the surrounding environment at the time of acquiring the original image, and optimize the color recognized from the original image with the environment variables to obtain the original color accurately. Can do.

  The environment variables are set to accurately read the color of each pixel in the image. For example, environment variables can be set in RGB mode R, G, B or HSV mode H, S, V, or a combination thereof, taking into account the excitation color environment from which the original image was read, and from the original image. Defined to normalize recognized color values. In other words, the value of the color environment variable is added to or subtracted from the color value of each pixel of the original image. Examples of color values include R (red), G (green), B (blue) in RGB color mode, H, S, V (brightness) in HSV color mode, C (cyan), M (in CMYK color mode). Examples include values for magenta), Y (yellow), and B (black). In consideration of various work environments, the color displayed in the original image is adjusted according to the excitation color development environment from which the image is read out, and the original color is acquired.

  The database of the analysis computer 8 stores data related to the relationship between the general environment and environment variables to be set according to the environment, and the environment is set by reading out data set in advance for the actual work environment. Variables can be used. By analyzing the optical characteristics of the image reader 2 and the surrounding situation, environment variables are set so that the color read by the image reader 2 is corrected to the original color and the code image can be distinguished from the background. It is set experimentally, thereby eliminating the influence of the equipment used and the work environment, and allowing the original color to be recognized without error.

  After obtaining the color in each cell, a color corresponding to black that does not generate excitation color is selected in each cell, and this color is converted to black. For example, when the excitation color is red, blue, green, and brown, the code image region is composed of red, blue, green, and black by converting brown to black.

  If the extracted code image area has a function of preventing forgery, the color code cannot be analyzed by the decoder unless a specific color replacement is performed. In the color code for preventing forgery, two kinds of colors acquired in each cell are mutually replaced with a genuine code image. For example, when the excitation color is red, blue, green, or brown, the brown cell is converted to black, and the brown in each cell is replaced with one of the other three colors. Replace the color with brown. For this reason, the code image area is extracted from the color code for preventing counterfeiting, the cell input in brown is converted to black, black is returned to one of the other three colors, and one of the colors is black. This makes it possible for the decoder to analyze the code for the first time.

  In step S10, color data is input to the decoder of the computer 8 and analyzed, and the color in each cell is converted into a corresponding character, number or symbol. In the analysis computer 8, for example, the code setting unit defines characters, numbers, or symbols for displaying individual information, and stores the relationship with the corresponding color. The decoder which is a code conversion unit of the analysis computer 8 extracts code information by extracting characters, numbers or symbols corresponding to the color represented in each cell of the code image based on the relationship provided from the code setting unit. Is generated.

  The code decipherer can receive various services from the generated code information in the data area. For example, if a color code 1 of excited color is formed on a woven label and the article number, manufacturer, and trade name of the clothing to which the label is sewn are recorded as a code image, the code image is decoded by an analysis computer. After that, the business program of the server computer connected to the computer by the line can be executed to acquire detailed information on the clothing or to transmit the complaint information. Also, if the Internet homepage address is recorded in the excitation color code 1 on the business card of the company employee, the code image is decoded by a computer, and then the web browser of the server computer connected to the computer is executed. , Can be programmed to connect to the homepage. If the Internet e-mail address is recorded in the color code 1, after the code image is decoded by the computer, the mailing software of the computer can be executed to send the e-mail to the e-mail address.

  The excitation-colored color code according to the present invention is substantially colorless under visible light under normal use conditions, and therefore cannot be identified. In some cases, the existence itself is unknown. At the time of decoding the color code, it is possible to identify the color code portion by exciting and developing the color code by irradiating ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays with a high-luminance black light or an image reading device. Since the color code of the present invention cannot be identified in a normal use environment, even if it is directly printed on a textile product or device main body having high designability, the formation place is not visible to the public, which may cause a sense of incongruity in design. In addition, the application of the color code can be further expanded by the present invention.

  Since the color code of the present invention cannot be identified and existed under normal use environment, when woven into a woven label or printed on a price tag or tag, a high-intensity ultraviolet radiator is used. Since excitation color development is required, authenticity can be determined from the use of a specific ultraviolet radiator, the presence / absence of a color code, and a color pattern, and the color code has a function of preventing forgery. In textile industry, bag industry, decorative goods industry, etc., where counterfeit products are often generated, forgery products can be easily detected by attaching woven labels, price tags, tags, etc. having the color code of the present invention to famous brand products. Can do. Moreover, the color code of the present invention is a substantially three-dimensional barcode that encodes a color pattern. By performing writing and reading in three dimensions including a color pattern, a large amount of information of several hundred million bytes can be obtained. The color code may have information on the serial number of the product.

  Next, the present invention will be described based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show a woven label 24 in which a color code 22 for excitation color development and appropriate designs and characters 23 are woven. In FIG. 9, the color code 22 is substantially colorless under visible light, and cannot be visually recognized under visible light such as sunlight or fluorescent light. On the other hand, in FIG. 10, when the ultraviolet light is irradiated by the known black light 25 or the image reading device 2 (FIG. 6), the color code 22 is excited and colored to be identified.

  The woven label 24 is manufactured by cutting the woven tape 26 (FIG. 11) one by one in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the woven tape 26 is obtained by weaving four kinds of ultraviolet fluorescent yarns or normal yarns as wefts 30 with respect to a large number of warp yarns 29 using a high-speed wide loom 28 such as a rapier loom. The wide woven fabric 32 is heat-cut into a strip shape with a hot knife 34 along the dotted line in FIG. If desired, the woven tape 26 can be woven one by one using a narrow loom such as a needle loom, and in this case, a belt-like heat cut is unnecessary. In the weft 30, four kinds of ultraviolet fluorescent yarns are woven to display a predetermined color code 22, and colored yarns that are normal yarns are woven to display predetermined symbols and characters 23.

  In the woven tape 26, the fluorescent yarn of the weft 30 is substantially colorless when it is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and this may be white or light that does not hinder discrimination of light emission under visible light. The warp yarn 29 of the woven tape 26 is desirably achromatic, and when performing an exposure process, it needs to be non-fluorescent.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, four kinds of ultraviolet fluorescent yarns having different colors are woven into the woven label 24 obtained by cutting the woven tape 26, and a color code 22 of excited color is woven. For example, the ultraviolet fluorescent yarn 30 kneads an inorganic phosphor having a particle size of about 4 to 7 μm in a resin to spin a filament. The ultraviolet fluorescent yarn 30 is preferably added in an amount of about 3 to 10% by weight with respect to the spinning dope. If it is less than 3% by weight, the light emission is weak and difficult to detect, and if it exceeds 10% by weight, it is uneconomical. It is easy to adversely affect.

  Many filaments are twisted to the same thickness as normal yarn. The resin into which this phosphor is kneaded may be polyester, polyamide, acrylic, acetate, polyolefin, cellulose acetate, etc., as in the case of normal yarn, and it is generally preferable to use polyester fiber from the viewpoint of durability and cost. The normal yarns of the warp yarn 29 and the weft yarn are non-bleached or non-fluorescent-exposed yarns so that identification work by ultraviolet irradiation is possible.

As the four types of phosphors kneaded into the ultraviolet fluorescent yarn 30, the red-colored phosphor has a chemical composition of Y ₂ O ₂ S: Eu (emission peak wavelength 626 nm), Y ₂ O ₃ : Eu (emission peak wavelength 611 nm). YVO: Eu (emission peak wavelength 619 nm). The blue-colored phosphor has a chemical composition of Sr ₄ Al ₁₄ O ₂₅ : Eu, Dy (emission peak wavelength 490 nm), Sr ₅ (PO ₄ ) ₃ Cl: Eu (emission peak wavelength 445 nm), ZnS: Ag (emission peak) Wavelength 450 nm), CaWO ₄ (emission peak wavelength 425 nm), and the like. The green-colored phosphor has a chemical composition of SrAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Dy (emission peak wavelength 520 nm), Zn ₂ GeO ₄ : Mn (emission peak wavelength 534 nm), ZnS: Cu, Al (emission peak wavelength 530 nm), Zn ₂ SiO ₄ : Mn (emission peak wavelength 525 nm) or the like. The brown-colored phosphor is obtained by mixing a plurality of the above-mentioned red, blue, and green-colored phosphors, or a purple-colored phosphor having a chemical composition of CaAl ₂ O ₄ : Eu, Nd (emission peak wavelength: 440 nm). be able to.

  Further, ultraviolet phosphors such as yellow, pink and orange colors can be obtained by mixing a plurality of the red, blue, green and violet color phosphors. When these phosphors are irradiated with, for example, a black light 25 or an image reading device 2 that emits ultraviolet light having an excitation wavelength of 300 to 400 nm, the phosphors emit light in a predetermined fluorescent color, have little afterglow, and emit normal visible light. Does not emit light upon irradiation.

  Four kinds of ultraviolet fluorescent yarns having different colors are woven in a predetermined order as wefts 30 in the woven tape 26, and a 5 × 5 rectangular color code 22 composed of a plurality of cells 38 is woven for each woven label 24. In general, the planar dimension of the color code 22 is preferably a rectangle having a side of 5 to 12 mm. The color code 22 is composed of, for example, 16 data cells and 9 parity cells, and 32 bits, which are the values for each cell 38, are index-coded, and about 17.1 billion data combinations are possible.

  FIG. 12 schematically shows the entire side of the wide loom 28. The warp beam 40 around which the warped warp is wound is, for example, rotatably installed behind the loom 28. In the loom 28, the warp yarn 29 is connected from the warp beam 40 through a back roller 42, a plurality of healds 44, a rapier 46 or a shuttle that allows the weft 30 to pass through to the front 48 of the weave. The warp yarns 29 are divided into upper and lower portions by the twill rods 50 arranged in the orthogonal direction, and then pass through the holes of the heald 44 for each warp yarn 29. Each heald 44 moves up and down to open a group of warp yarns up and down, and a rapier 46 allows the weft yarn 30 containing ultraviolet fluorescent yarn to pass through. These wefts 30 are struck to the pre-weaving 48 by a sley (not shown), and are made orthogonal to the warp 29 to obtain a wide woven fabric 32 (FIG. 11).

  The woven wide woven fabric 32 reaches the clothing roll 52 from the pre-weaving 48 via the guide roller 51 and passes through the pair of press rolls 54 and 54. In the loom 28, a large number of hot knives 34 are obliquely attached in front of or behind the press rolls 54, 54, and the wide woven fabric 32 passing through is heated and cut to a predetermined width of the tape 26. The obtained multiple woven tapes 26 are wound around a cross beam 58 through an ironing roll 56 in order to stabilize the shape thereof. In addition, the wide fabric 32 can be heat-cut into a large number of woven tapes 26 by another heat cutting machine after being wound around the cross beam 58.

  A code decipherer such as a wholesaler or a retailer can identify data when the color code 22 is excited and colored by irradiating a predetermined ultraviolet ray with the image reading device 2 (FIG. 6). Since the color code 22 is a substantially three-dimensional bar code that encodes a color pattern, the product number, manufacturer, and trade name of the garment to which the woven label 24 is sewn are analyzed by the computer 8 (see FIG. 6). Further, the code decryptor can execute a business program of a server computer connected to the analysis computer 8 to obtain detailed information about the clothing, and can also transmit complaint information.

  For the fluorescent yarn of Example 1, an infrared fluorescent yarn may be further added, or the infrared fluorescent yarn may be used in place of one or more of the ultraviolet fluorescent yarns. The inorganic phosphor kneaded into the infrared fluorescent yarn usually emits visible light such as green, red, yellow, blue, purple, etc., which can be easily discriminated by being temporarily excited by irradiating with infrared light having an excitation wavelength of 780 nm to 1 mm. It emits light, does not emit light without visible light or a light source, has little afterglow, and retains light emission over a long period of time. When the infrared phosphor is a crystal, bright light emission may occur when a specific impurity is added, and it is preferable to add an inorganic activator or sensitizer as such an impurity. This phosphor may be surface-treated with an oxide or salt such as chromium or manganese in order to improve stability when added to the resin stock solution.

Examples of phosphors kneaded into the infrared fluorescent yarn include europium compounds, samarium compounds, zinc sulfide compounds, zinc oxide compounds, zinc silicate compounds, and the like. LiAlO ₂ : Fe, (Zn · Cd) S: Cu, YVO ₄ : Nd, etc. may be mixed. To this phosphor, attach a liquid organic compound that emits visible light when irradiated with infrared rays, mix a resin powder containing the organic compound, or add inorganic powder that absorbs infrared rays of a specific wavelength. Is also possible. The infrared phosphor has an average particle size of 2 to 3 μm and 95% of a particle size of 7 μm or less, and is preferably added in an amount of about 3 to 10% by weight with respect to the spinning dope. At this time, if it is less than 3% by weight, the light emission is weak and difficult to detect, and if it exceeds 10% by weight, it is uneconomical and tends to adversely affect the spinning operation.

  FIG. 13 shows a printed label 62 having a washing designation mark 60, and the label is sewn on the back side of clothing 63 and accessories. In addition to the washing display mark 60, the print label 62 may be printed with a quality display mark, a usage warning mark, a trademark, characters, figures, and the like, and a color code 64 may be formed at the time of printing. The display marks 60 and the like are printed with colored ink containing a normal pigment, while the color code 64 is printed with four types of excitation-color fluorescent inks and can be visually recognized when irradiated with a known black light 65 or the like.

  The tape 66 (FIG. 14) for the print label 62 is generally woven by a narrow loom, but may be produced by cutting a wide fabric into a band shape, and the warp and weft of the tape may be fluorescent whitening dye or fluorescent. If it is processed with a brightening agent, the excitation color development of the color code 64 cannot be confirmed, so it is not used. On a plain tape, a mark 60 and a color code 64 including patterns and characters are continuously printed by a letterpress printing machine or a screen printing machine, and a label 62 is manufactured by cutting the obtained printing tape 66 one by one in the horizontal direction. .

  The tape 66 is made of, for example, polyester fiber. As shown in FIG. 13, the surface of the tape 66 is formed with a washing display mark 60 with a colored ink containing a normal pigment, and a color code with a fluorescent ink containing an inorganic phosphor. 64 is formed. In general, it is preferable that the fluorescent ink is transparent without adding a pigment having a high hiding power and carbon black or titanium oxide as a color developing material.

  As in Example 1, the inorganic phosphor added to the fluorescent ink is a phosphor pigment mainly composed of sulfide or oxide. When this phosphor is irradiated with specific excitation light (for example, 254 nm, 365 nm) by, for example, the black light 65 or the image reading device 2 (FIG. 6), it becomes red, blue, green or brown for each cell 68 of the color code 64. It has the property that it develops color and does not develop color when exposed to ordinary sunlight or fluorescent light. In general, the addition amount of the phosphor is preferably about 10 to 20% by weight of the total amount of the ink. Although the color code 64 has a color forming effect even when the thickness of the color code 64 is 3 to 5 μm, the color development degree can be increased as the thickness is increased.

  The print label 62 is produced by heat-cutting the printing tape 66 in the horizontal direction for each label. The label 62 is normally center-held or end-held by a press in the bending process. The printed label 62 is, for example, sewn on the back side of a garment 63 such as a blouson or a garment, and after sewing, it is exactly the same as a general label in a normal state, and a washing display mark 60 displayed on the surface thereof is displayed. It can be easily identified.

  In the print label 62, the special inorganic phosphor contained in the color code 64 is colored only by ultraviolet rays and does not emit light by ordinary sunlight or fluorescent lamps. When the print label 62 is irradiated with the black light 65 or the image reading device 2, the color code 64 is clearly colored with a specific color pattern. Therefore, it is easy for the clothes 63 and the accessories with the print label 62 to be authentic products. Can be confirmed. Since the printed label 62 cannot be identified from the fact that the color code 64 is present only by visual observation, it is difficult for a counterfeiter to produce the same label.

  A code decipherer such as a wholesaler or a retailer can identify data by irradiating a predetermined ultraviolet ray with the image reader 2 (FIG. 6) to excite the color code 64. Since the color code 64 is a substantially three-dimensional bar code that encodes a color pattern, the product number, manufacturer, and trade name of the garment 63 to which the print label 62 is sewn are analyzed by the computer 8 (see FIG. 6). Further, the code decryptor can execute a business program of a server computer connected to the analysis computer 8 to obtain detailed information about the clothing, and can also transmit complaint information.

  A main information 68 such as a trademark, a product name, a product number, and suitability for washing and a color code 70 are printed on the paper label 66 illustrated in FIG. The paper label 66 is the same paper material 71 as a conventional label or tag, and its appearance is exactly the same as that of a normal paper material. The color code 70 is substantially colorless or white because it hardly absorbs visible light such as sunlight, and includes an organic phosphor that emits visible light fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. When this phosphor is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a specific wavelength, each cell 72 is colored red, blue, green or brown and has little persistence.

  The color code 70 in the paper label 66 is a resin layer in which a phosphor is dissolved or dispersed in a vehicle. The color code 70 is substantially colorless when irradiated with visible light and emits visible fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light. It contains a phosphor that emits light and a binder resin. The phosphor is not particularly limited as long as it is an organic phosphor that is substantially colorless, and a commercially available phosphor can be used. Since the organic phosphor is compatible with a binder resin and a solvent to make the ink transparent, it is excellent in invisibility under visible light, and when printing is performed with an ink containing the organic phosphor, the paper label 66 It is difficult to find the color code 70 for preventing counterfeiting under normal use conditions.

  Regarding the fluorescent ink used for the color code 70, as a commercial product using an organic phosphor, a trade name: R-50 (manufactured by Sinloihi) as a red color ink and a trade name: R-70 (manufactured by Sinloihi) as a green color ink. Examples of the blue color ink include trade name: MR-30 (manufactured by Sinloihi). Moreover, as a commercially available organic phosphor for preparing the fluorescent ink, a trade name: LC-0001 (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) as a red phosphor, and a trade name: EG-502 (made by Mitsui Chemicals) as a green phosphor. Examples of the blue phosphor include trade name: Ubitex OB (manufactured by Ciba Geigy). Fluorescent inks such as red, blue, and green can be arbitrarily selected from phosphors such as red, blue, and green, and when these are appropriately dissolved or dispersed in a vehicle, fluorescent colors such as brown or yellow can be printed.

  The binder resin that forms the vehicle is preferably as transparent as possible so as not to impair the excitation color development. In particular, the binder resin that is the main component of the vehicle is preferably substantially colorless and transparent under visible light. The binder resin includes polyester resin, polystyrene resin, acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, acrylic urethane resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymer resin, polyamide resin, and these resins. A silicone-modified resin or a mixture of resins can be used.

  Regarding the blending ratio of the organic phosphor and binder resin in the fluorescent ink, the emission intensity of the fluorescent color due to ultraviolet irradiation depends on the abundance of the organic phosphor. On the other hand, organic phosphors are generally expensive, so adding more than necessary is uneconomical. If the compatibility between the organic phosphor and the binder resin is not high, the proportion of the organic phosphor is increased. If it is too high, there will be a negative effect such as the precipitation of the organic phosphor in the fluorescent ink. Taking these into consideration, the blending ratio of the organic phosphor in the fluorescent ink is 0.01 to 50% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight of the whole fluorescent ink.

  When blending a plurality of organic phosphors, there is no particular limitation, and two or more organic phosphors can be blended at an arbitrary ratio in order to obtain a desired color tone. For example, if it is desired to obtain brown or yellow fluorescence, red and green organic phosphors may be blended at a ratio at which desired emission intensity can be obtained. The purple excitation color can be expressed by a combination of red and blue, and the cyan excitation color can be expressed by a combination of green and blue. In order to obtain white fluorescence, red, green, and blue organic phosphors may be blended at a ratio at which equivalent emission intensity can be obtained.

  The thickness of the fluorescent ink layer is usually 0.2-5 μm, preferably 0.4-3 μm. When the thickness of the melt heat transfer type fluorescent ink layer is less than 0.2 μm, the uniformity of the layer thickness is poor and color unevenness is promoted. On the other hand, when the thickness of the melt heat transfer type fluorescent ink layer exceeds 5 μm, the foil breakage at the time of transfer deteriorates, and there is a risk that the melt heat transfer type fluorescent ink layer is transferred to a region other than the desired region.

  When the main information 68 and the color code 70 are printed on the paper label 66, the main information 68 may be printed in the same manner as before. To print the color code 70, a colorless organic phosphor, a binder resin, and other components as required are dissolved in a single solvent or a mixed solvent such as toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, isopropanol, etc. Get. This coating solution can be formed by coating and drying on the paper label 66 by a known method such as gravure coating, gravure reverse coating, or roll coating.

  For example, the paper label 66 may be attached to the front side of various clothes (not shown) with a thread or a pin. The attached paper label 66 is the same as a conventional paper label in which only main information 68 is displayed under sunlight or fluorescent light, and a known black light 74 or image reading device 2 is used for authenticity confirmation. When an ultraviolet ray having a specific wavelength is irradiated, for example, it is possible to easily determine whether the color code 70 is genuine or not by the excitation color of the color code 70.

It is a schematic plan view which expands and shows the state in which this color code excitedly developed about an example of the color code which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the color code of FIG. 1 is not excited and colored. It is a graph which shows an example of the code conversion table for converting predetermined information into an image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example in which a parity area | region is located in the code image part of a rectangular matrix. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example in which a parity area | region is located in the code image part of a rectangular matrix. It is a schematic side view which shows a lower part by a cross section about the example of the image reading apparatus used by this invention. It is an enlarged plan view which shows the irradiation end surface of the image reading apparatus of FIG. 6 from the lower side. It is a flowchart explaining the processing process by an image reader and an analysis computer. It is a top view which shows the woven label under visible light like sunlight and fluorescent lamp light, and the color code which cannot be visually recognized under visible light is drawn with the dashed-dotted line. It is a top view which shows the state which irradiated the woven label of FIG. 9 with black light. It is a fragmentary top view which illustrates the wide fabric before heat-cutting into many woven tapes. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the wide loom which heat-cuts into many tapes immediately after weaving a wide fabric. It is a top view which shows the print label of the state irradiated with the black light. It is a top view which shows the tape before cutting into the print label of FIG. It is a top view which shows the paper label of the state irradiated with the black light.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color code 2 Image reader 3 Code image part 5 Data cell 6 Parity cell 7 Cell 8 Analysis computer 24 Woven label 26 Woven tape 29 Warp yarn 30 Weft

Claims (14)

  A color code that is substantially colorless under visible light and contains predetermined information, and has at least a plurality of data cells and parity cells that are excited and colored by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays. Or the area | region light-emitted by infrared irradiation is a code image part, and the color code | cord | chord of excitation coloring which each data cell light-emits and displays in a specific color according to information content.   The color code according to claim 1, wherein each cell including each data cell and parity cell is excited and colored in red, blue, green, or brown by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays.   3. The color code according to claim 1, wherein the code image area is composed of red, blue, green, and black by converting a cell input in brown into black by a program.   A textile product woven by using a fluorescent yarn that emits light by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays as warp yarns or weft yarns, and has at least a plurality of data cells and parity cells that are excited and colored by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays. A textile product in which an area emitted by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays is a code image portion, and each data cell is woven with an excitation-colored color code that emits light in a specific color according to information contents.   The textile product according to claim 4, wherein the fluorescent yarn is woven as a weft and a predetermined color code is woven out by a plurality of types of fluorescent yarns.   6. The textile product according to claim 4, wherein the textile product is a woven label, uniform, sportswear or brand clothing.   A sheet product printed using a fluorescent ink that emits light by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays, and having at least a plurality of data cells and parity cells that are excited and colored by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays. Alternatively, a sheet product in which an area emitted by infrared irradiation is a code image portion, and an excitation color code that emits light in a specific color according to information content is printed on a support.   The sheet product according to claim 7, wherein the sheet product is a print label, a paper label, a sticker, a tag, a price tag, a tag, a transfer label, or a transfer seal.   Acquiring an original image including a code image portion emitted by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays, detecting a background image included in the original image, and extracting a code image region by excluding the background image; A step of optimizing a code image from the code image region; a step of determining a cell included in the code image region; a step of obtaining a color displayed in each cell; and input to a decoder for analysis. Converting the color in each cell into a corresponding character, number or symbol and generating code information.   A step of acquiring an original image including a code image portion emitted by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays, a step of removing noise from the original image and creating a histogram, and determining a material type from the histogram, A filtering process according to the method, a step of extracting a code image area excluding a background image included in the original image, a step of determining a cell included in the code image area, and A method of decoding a color code, comprising: obtaining a displayed color; and inputting the code into a decoder for analysis, and converting the color in each cell into a corresponding character, number, or symbol to generate code information.   The decoding method according to claim 10, wherein the original image includes a code image portion including a plurality of cells that emit light of at least one of red, blue, green, and brown when irradiated with ultraviolet rays and / or infrared rays.   The code image area is configured of red, blue, green, and black by converting a cell input in brown into black after extracting the code image area and obtaining a predetermined color. Decryption method.   In the anti-counterfeiting color code, the black cell is converted to brown in the authentic code image, and the brown in each cell is replaced with one of the other three colors, and one of the colors is replaced with brown. Therefore, a color code decoding method in which the code analysis by the decoder is impossible unless the color code for forgery prevention is replaced with a color.   Extract the code image area from the forgery-preventing color code, convert the cell entered in brown to black, return black to one of the other three colors, and return one of the colors to black 14. The decoding method according to claim 13, wherein code analysis by a decoder becomes possible.

Images