JP7323112B2 - LATENTIC PRINTED MATERIAL, PRODUCTION METHOD AND SOFTWARE FOR THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of security printed matter, such as banknotes, passports, negotiable securities, certificates, important documents, etc., in which the prevention of counterfeiting and alteration is required. and software for its creation.

For security printed matter such as banknotes, passports, negotiable securities, certificates, and important documents, it is important to prevent forgery and alteration. As one of these anti-counterfeiting measures, by adding means and effects to the printed pattern through the arrangement of halftone dots and lines, a multi-layer structure, special materials, etc., characters and figures are made into latent images so that they cannot be recognized by the naked eye. There is a printed matter (hereinafter referred to as “latent image printed matter”) that has been printed. A typical example is a latent-image printed material having a copy-preventing image line that develops a latent image on the copied material when the printed material is copied by a copier. Such printed matter has long been used for certificates and important documents, and consists of a latent image portion made up of halftone dots that can be easily reproduced on a copier, and a background portion made up of halftone dots that are difficult to reproduce on a copier. The latent image is concealed by making the density of the latent image portion and the background portion uniform (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Applicant also has filed a latent image print of anti-copy images having a continuous tone latent image. In this method, a plurality of first elements having a size that can be reproduced by a copier are arranged, and the latent image portion that forms a continuous tone depending on the size of the area ratio, and a second halftone density that cannot be reproduced by a copier. It is a latent image printed material configured so that the total area ratio of the first element and the second element per unit area is the same in all printed patterns by combining the background part formed by the elements (for example, See Patent Document 3).

All of the above-mentioned latent image printed materials for the purpose of preventing copying are characterized in that when they are copied by a copier, a latent image that cannot be visually recognized appears on the copied material. Therefore, the halftone dots and lines in the latent image portion are formed in a shape and size that can be reproduced by the copier, and the halftone dots and lines in the background portion cannot be reproduced by the copier, or are difficult to reproduce. formed by shape and size. That is, halftone dots and lines are different between the latent image portion and the background portion.

On the other hand, a phenomenon called dot gain occurs in printing. According to Non-Patent Document 1, dot gain is a phenomenon in which the diameter of halftone dots of ink printed on paper in printing is larger than the diameter of halftone dots formed on the original or printing plate. It is said that the ink that adheres to the halftone dot portion of the printing plate is crushed and spread by the pressure applied when it is transferred from the printing plate to the paper or blanket. In addition, since the film thickness of the ink has a constant thickness regardless of the size of the halftone dot, the width of the halftone dot will be the same if the printing pressure is the same. That is, there is a tendency that the smaller the halftone dot is, the higher the ratio of the diameter increase due to the dot gain.

For example, in latent image prints as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, dot gain is taken into consideration in order to make halftone dots of different sizes uniform in density on the printed material in order to conceal the latent image. Therefore, it is necessary to change the area ratio of each halftone dot in the original. For example, if the area ratio of the halftone dots (large) in the latent image portion and the halftone dots (small) in the background portion is unified to 20%, the area ratio of the halftone dots (large) on the original plate is 18%. A general method is to correct the original plate before printing in anticipation of the area ratio of the printing result, such as 15% of the area ratio of halftone dots (small) in the original plate.

In addition, dot gain is not a phenomenon limited to printing presses, but occurs also in the output of originals by printers, although the mechanism is different. Particularly in the case of a printer, a so-called calibration process is required to correct the design values of the original according to the printer's printing method, image quality, and other characteristics. As a method for this calibration, the applicant previously output a test chart image of the latent image with a printer for a latent image printed material having an image line configuration as described in Patent Document 3, and then the output result was obtained. We have applied for a method of generating a profile matching the characteristics of the printer and deriving appropriate design values for the original by feeding back the information, and a printing system using this method (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

On the other hand, for certificates and the like, in order to improve social convenience in recent years, for example, output services using multi-copiers installed in convenience stores nationwide have been developed. In the case of such a service, the method of creating a profile that matches the characteristics of the printer, as described above, requires all the multi-function copiers of more than 55,000 convenience stores nationwide (as of December 2009). It is not realistic to target them. Therefore, there has been a demand for a latent image printed material that does not require feedback of the output result in output by any printing machine or printer.

In addition, since the latent image printed matter for the purpose of copy restraint effect as described in Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3 expresses the latent image on the copy, it is necessary to judge the authenticity of the copy. It is easy to determine that it is not the original. However, in order to confirm the latent image as authenticity judgment for the original, it is necessary to copy the latent image printed matter with a copying machine and develop the latent image. This is a method that depends on the environment where the copier is installed, such as at a city hall window. There was the inconvenience of not being able to confirm

The applicant of the present application has filed an application for a printed matter reading and inspecting apparatus described in Patent Document 5 in order to eliminate the above inconvenience. This is a reading and inspection apparatus for visualizing the latent image and displaying it on a screen by capturing an image of the latent image printed matter and extracting the singular points of the latent image pattern from the image.

Furthermore, the applicant of the present application has applied for a latent image printed matter shown in Patent Document 6. This latent image printed matter includes a latent image portion in which a plurality of first units having first image lines are arranged, and a background portion in which a plurality of second units having second image lines are arranged. The streak and the second streak have the same color, the first streak and the second streak have the same shape and size, and the angle at which they are arranged is different within the range of 90 degrees. is. According to such a configuration, even when the printing conditions change, the amount of increase in the area ratio of halftone dots and image lines (dot gain amount) also changes accordingly. It is possible to prevent visualizing that is visually recognized.

However, the colors of the first image line and the second image line, which are different from the substrate constituting the latent image print, are limited to the same color, and as a result, the latent image pattern displayed on the screen of the reading and inspection device is , was limited to a single color (monochrome). For this reason, it has been difficult to express various beautiful images accompanied by full-color and gradation changes, such as face images and landscape paintings. In particular, when a full-color facial image is used as a latent image pattern on a passport or identification card, it is not possible to visualize the latent image pattern in color using a reading inspection device and perform advanced authenticity determination and personal authentication. I didn't.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-47708 Japanese Patent No. 5215654 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-031000 JP 2019-062453 A Japanese Patent No. 6860151 Japanese Patent No. 6976527

Printing Society Publishing Department "Handbook of Printing Terminology Basics" (2006)

As described above, in the conventional latent image printed matter, the latent image pattern displayed on the screen of the reading inspection device is limited to a single color pattern, and it is difficult to express various beautiful patterns such as facial patterns and landscape images. , there was a problem that advanced authenticity discrimination and personal authentication by facial patterns etc. of passports and identification cards could not be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a latent-image printed matter, a method for producing the printed matter, and software for producing the printed matter, which enable high-level authenticity determination and personal authentication by means of a face pattern of a certificate.

The latent image print of the present invention has a printing area for forming a latent image pattern on at least a part of a substrate, and the latent image pattern comprises at least a first color component pattern and a second color component pattern. a first latent image line formed corresponding to the first color component pattern and a second latent image line formed corresponding to the second color component pattern in the print area; A plurality of units each containing either one are arranged at predetermined intervals, and the first latent image line and the second latent image line have the same area ratio in the unit and are arranged at an angle and/or differ in shape from each other.

Further, in the latent image printed material of the present invention, the first latent image line image and the second latent image line image may be of the same color.

Further, in the latent image printed material of the present invention, a visible pattern is further formed in the printing area, and the visible pattern includes the first latent image line or the second latent image line formed in each unit. It may be formed in a visible pattern forming area provided in an area where no visible pattern is formed, and the density of the visible pattern forming area may correspond to the gradation density of the visible pattern.

A method for producing a latent image print of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring a base pattern of a latent image pattern, performing color separation of the base pattern into at least a first color component and a second color component, and separating the base pattern into at least a first color component and a second color component. generating pattern data and second color component pattern data; performing error diffusion dithering on the first color component pattern data and the second color component pattern data to convert the first color component into two gradations; generating grayscale pattern data and second color component grayscale pattern data; coloring the first color component grayscale pattern data with the first color component to generate the second color component grayscale pattern data; coloring with the second color component and synthesizing to generate pseudo-color pattern data; replacing the first color component with the first latent image line for the pseudo-color pattern data, replacing the component with a second latent image line to generate latent image pattern data, a plurality of latent image lines each comprising either one of the first latent image line and the second latent image line; are arranged at predetermined intervals, the first latent image line and the second latent image line have the same area ratio within the unit, and are arranged at different angles and/or shapes. Characterized by

Further, in the method of creating a latent image print of the present invention, the first latent image lines and the second latent image lines may be of the same color.

In the method of creating a latent image print of the present invention, the step of generating the first color component pattern data and the second color component pattern data further includes converting the base pattern of the latent image pattern into the first color component pattern data. , different from the second color component, color separation is performed into a third color component that is the same as the color of the background portion of the latent image pattern, third color component pattern data is generated, and the first color component gradation pattern is generated. In the step of generating the data and the second color component gradation pattern data, the third color component gradation pattern data is further subjected to error diffusion dithering to generate 2-gradation third color component gradation pattern data. In the step of generating the pseudo-color pattern data, the third color component gradation pattern data is further colored with the third color component to obtain the first color component gradation pattern data and the second color component gradation. In the step of synthesizing the pseudo-color pattern data with the pattern data to generate the latent image pattern data, the third color component is replaced with the third latent image line in the pseudo-color pattern data to generate the latent image. a plurality of units each including one of a first latent image line, a second latent image line, and a third latent image line are arranged at predetermined intervals; The latent image lines, the second latent image lines, and the third latent image lines may have the same area ratio in the unit, and may be arranged at different angles and/or shapes. .

Further, the method of producing a latent image print of the present invention further comprises the step of forming a visible pattern, wherein the step of forming the visible pattern comprises the step of obtaining a base pattern of the visible pattern, and the step of obtaining a base pattern of the visible pattern; and forming a visible pattern forming area having a density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern in a portion where the image lines or the second latent image lines are not formed.

A software for creating a latent image print of the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute any of the methods for creating a latent image print described above.

According to the latent image printed matter, the method for creating the same, and the software for creating the latent image printed matter of the present invention, concealment of the latent image pattern is ensured even when the printing conditions are changed, and a full-color pattern is realized, thereby producing a beautiful image. It is possible to express patterns, and as a result, it is possible to perform high-level authenticity determination and personal authentication using face patterns on passports and identification cards.

In addition, according to the latent image printed matter, the method for creating the same, and the software for creating the latent image printed matter of the present invention, by providing the visible pattern, the concealment of the latent image pattern can be further improved, and printing without discomfort in terms of design. Patterns can be formed.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the appearance of a latent image printed matter and a partial enlargement of the latent image line according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a latent image pattern formed on the latent image printed matter is visualized using a latent image reading device; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of first, second, and third units including latent image lines of the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of latent image lines included in the first unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the density of a visible pattern forming area forming a visible pattern having a gradation density provided in the first unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the density of a visible pattern forming area forming a visible pattern having a gradation density provided in the second unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the density of a visible pattern forming area forming a visible pattern having a gradation density provided in a third unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing that the density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is uniformly provided in the visible pattern forming area in the first unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing that the density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is uniformly provided in the visible pattern forming area in the second unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing that the density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is uniformly provided in the visible pattern forming area in the third unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing that the density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is uniformly provided in the visible pattern forming area in the first unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing that the density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is uniformly provided in the visible pattern forming area in the second unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing that the density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is uniformly provided in the visible pattern forming area in the third unit in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a density corresponding to the gradation density of a visible pattern is provided in a visible pattern formation area in a pixel unit in the first unit of the same latent image printed matter. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is provided in the visible pattern formation area in the second unit of the same latent image printed matter, displayed in units of pixels; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is provided in the visible pattern formation area in the third unit of the same latent image printed matter, displayed in units of pixels; FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing states observed with near vision when the dimensions of the latent image lines of the same latent image print are different. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of shapes of first, second, and third units in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which first, second, and third units are arranged in a matrix in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the first, second, and third units are arranged in a brick shape in the same latent image printed matter; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example in which the first, second, and third units are arranged in a brick shape in the same latent image printed matter; 4 is a flowchart showing a latent image pattern creation flow and a visible pattern creation flow in the latent image print creation method; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of color-separating base pattern data in step 1 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the latent image print creation method; In step 2 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the latent image print creation method, the orange component pattern data and black component pattern data contained in the color-separated base pattern data are extracted, the image resolution is converted to 60 dpi, and the error is FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of performing two-tone conversion by diffusion dither; FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a process of coloring orange component pattern data and black component pattern data in step 3 of the latent image pattern creating flow in the latent image print creating method, respectively; In step 3 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the method of creating the latent image print, the image resolution is converted to 600 dpi for the orange component pattern data and the black component pattern data, and synthesized to obtain pseudo color pattern data. Explanatory diagram. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit used in the processing in step 4 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the latent image print creation method; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the numbers of pixels of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit used in the processing in step 4 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the method of creating the latent image printed matter; The first unit, the second unit, and the third unit used in the processing in step 4 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the method of creating the latent image printed matter generate the latent image lines and the visible pattern that form the latent image pattern. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure which has a visible pattern formation area which comprises. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing pattern data obtained by applying the first unit to the white component of the pseudo-color pattern data in step 4 of the latent image pattern forming flow in the latent image print producing method and part of the pattern data in an enlarged manner; In the processing in step 4 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the latent image print creation method, pattern data obtained by applying the first unit to the white component of the pseudo-color pattern data and applying the second unit to the black component; Explanatory drawing which expands and shows a part. In the processing in step 4 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the latent image print creating method, the first unit is applied to the white component in the pseudo-color pattern data, the second unit is applied to the black component, and the orange component is applied. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing pattern data to which the third unit is applied and a part thereof in an enlarged manner; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a critical value array pattern having a portion forming a latent image pattern and a portion forming a visible pattern in step 5 of the latent image pattern forming flow in the latent image print forming method; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a critical value array pattern to which the gradation density of a visible pattern is applied in step 5 of the latent image pattern creation flow in the latent image print creation method; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing that the latent image printed matter can be printed by any of a printing machine for home use, office use, and production use. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing that the same latent image printed matter can form a latent image pattern excellent in concealability regardless of the color of the critical value array pattern.

Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Various other embodiments are included within the scope.

A latent image printed matter (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the latent image printed material (1) according to the present embodiment, when visually confirmed, a seemingly monotonous image line is uniformly visually recognized, or a visible pattern is visually recognized at first glance, but the latent image pattern is visually recognized. The latent image pattern (7) appears when the latent image print (1) is read by a latent image reader (21) such as a smartphone.

(latent image print)
FIG. 1 shows a latent image print (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. A latent image print (1) has a printed pattern (3) obtained by applying a latent image pattern (7) on a substrate (2). As the substrate (2), a paper, a film, a composite substrate obtained by coating paper with a film, or the like can be used as long as the printed pattern (3) can be formed thereon. The printed pattern (3) has a color different from that of the substrate (2) so that it can be visually recognized as a pattern.

Further, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1, the printed pattern (3) consists of a first unit (4), a second unit (5), and a third unit, which are the minimum units of the image line structure, which will be described later. A plurality of units (6) are arranged and formed. The present embodiment will be described with an example configured with three units, a first unit (4), a second unit (5) and a third unit (6), but there are three types of units. , and may be composed of two or four or more types of units.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the latent image printed matter (1) according to the present embodiment is observed using, for example, a latent image reader (21) in which an application for visualizing the latent image pattern (7) is installed on a smartphone. show. As shown in FIG. 2, the printed pattern (3) is visualized as a latent image pattern (7) by the camera function of the latent image reader (21) and an application, and displayed on the screen (22). . As the latent image pattern (7), any pattern can be used, including symbols, numbers, illustrations, landscapes, facial patterns, and the like, including the presence or absence of gradation.

FIG. 3 shows the image line configuration in the latent image printed matter (1) according to the present embodiment. The latent image print (1) has a printed pattern (3) with a latent image pattern (7) on at least a portion of a substrate (2), the printed pattern (3) comprising a plurality of units shown below. They are arranged regularly at predetermined intervals.

(latent image line)
The present invention may be configured to have only latent image lines in the unit. In the first unit (4) shown in FIG. 3(a), the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) as components of the latent image pattern are formed by oblique lines from upper left to lower right. , the second unit (5) shown in FIG. 3(b), the latent image line (32) is formed by diagonal lines from the upper right to the lower left, and the third unit (5) shown in FIG. 3(c). In the unit (6), the latent image line (33) is formed by a horizontal line from left center to right center.

All the latent image lines (31) arranged in each unit (4, 5, 6) have the same area ratio within the unit. In FIG. 3, in both FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), oblique latent image lines (31, 32) are arranged from one end of the unit (4, 5) to one end of the diagonal line. Since the lengths and the image line widths (V1, V2) are equal, the area ratios are equal. Also, the third latent image line (33) in FIG. 3(c) is arranged in the lateral (horizontal) direction of the third unit (6), so its length is the same as that of the first unit (4 ) and the second latent image line (32) of the second unit (5). However, the image line width (V3) is thicker than the image line width (V1) of the first latent image line (31) and the image line width (V2) of the second latent image line (32). The area ratio of the third latent image line (33) is the same as that of the first latent image line (31) and the second latent image line (32). Therefore, by adjusting the length and width of each latent image line, the area ratio of the latent image lines in all units can be formed equally.

As for the area ratio of the latent image lines, a method of equalizing the area ratio by adjusting the length and the image line width for straight lines was explained in FIG. However, as will be described later, the shapes may be different, for example, “◎”, “〇” and “×”, so it is possible to equalize the area ratio by changing the size and line width. is.

In FIG. 3, an example in which the area ratio is the same even if the length and width of the latent image lines are different has been described. By forming each latent image line (31, 32, 33), it is possible to make all the area ratios equal.

By equalizing the area ratio of the latent image lines in each unit in this way, the printed pattern (3) has a constant density. The latent image pattern (7) becomes a latent image print (1) visualized in the image reading device (21).

In this embodiment, as described above, the latent image pattern (7) is formed by the three units (4, 5, 6) and the three latent image lines (31, 32, 33) arranged in each unit. The latent image pattern (7) according to the present invention can be confirmed as a color pattern by a latent image reading device (21) described later, so that it has at least two color components. Since it is good, it suffices to have two latent image lines, each corresponding to a different color component.

The color component pattern formed by the latent image lines corresponding to this color component is read from the pattern data and the latent image printed matter (1) when forming the latent image pattern (7). Although it exists as pattern data in the actual latent image reading device (21), its existence cannot be recognized even if the latent image printed matter (1) itself is visually confirmed.

As described above, the latent image pattern (7) in the present invention has at least two color component patterns (first color component pattern and second color component pattern). Therefore, it consists of at least two latent image lines (a first latent image line and a second latent image line) corresponding to the color component pattern.

In the present invention, the "latent image line corresponding to the color component pattern" is, for example, the first color representing orange when the latent image pattern (7) to be formed is color-separated into orange and black. A latent image line for forming a component pattern is defined as a first latent image line, and a latent image line for forming a second color component pattern representing black is defined as a second latent image line. is.

Although two colors, which is the minimum number of colors for forming the latent image pattern (7) as a color pattern, has been described as an example, a color component pattern obtained by color-separating the latent image pattern to be formed is similarly applied to the case of three or more colors. The latent image pattern (7) is formed by the latent image lines corresponding to . When three or more colors are used, the latent image pattern (7) can be formed as a full-color pattern. This color component pattern will be described later in detail in the method of creating a latent image print.

The present invention may also have visible pattern forming areas (41, 42, 43) for forming visible patterns in addition to the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) in the unit. The first unit (4) shown in FIG. 3(d) further comprises a visible pattern forming area (41) below the latent image line (31) where the image line area for forming a visible pattern is widened. and a second unit (5) shown in FIG. A third unit (6), shown in FIG. 3(f), having an area (42) further extends the image area for forming the visible pattern below the latent image line (33). It has a visible patterned area (43). The visible pattern is formed by replacing not only the visible pattern forming areas (41, 42, 43) but also at least part of the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) with different colors. A pattern may be formed, and furthermore, in one latent image line (31, 32, 33), a part is replaced with a different color to form a visible pattern, or a combination thereof. You may Hereinafter, as an example, a configuration in which the visible pattern is formed in the visible pattern forming regions (41, 42, 43) will be described.

The first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6) have the same shape and size, and the vertical and horizontal dimensions (u) are 0.18 mm to 0.50 mm. within the range of If the vertical and horizontal dimensions (u) exceed 0.50 mm, the latent image pattern (7) is likely to be visually recognized, and the confidentiality of the latent image pattern (7) becomes low. However, the dimensions of this unit take into consideration the performance of the current printer, and it goes without saying that this range will change as the performance of the printer improves in the future. Although it may differ depending on the difference in conditions due to visual acuity and viewing angle, it is only an example and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

Further, the image line widths (V1, V2, V3) is preferably in the range of 1/5 to 1/10 of the dimension (u) of the unit. For example, when the dimension (u) of the unit is 0.423 mm, the image line widths (V1, V2, V3) of the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are 0.040 to 0.085 mm. When the image line widths (V1, V2, V3) of the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are thicker than 1/5 of the unit dimension (u), the latent image pattern (7) is easily visible. If the image line widths (V1, V2, V3) of the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are thinner than 1/10 of the unit dimension (u), the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are It becomes difficult to read and reproduce the latent image pattern (7).

In the example of the first unit (4) shown in FIG. 4(a), both end portions of the latent image line (31) are formed to the ends within the unit. In the example of the first unit (4) shown in FIG. 4(b), the latent image line (31) is arranged from the middle of one end in the unit to the middle of the other end, is not formed. Thus, the latent image line may or may not be formed to the end of the unit within the unit.

(Visible pattern forming area)
As described above, the latent image printed matter (1) in the present invention can form a visible pattern that can be visually recognized. In FIG. 5( a ), in the first unit ( 4 ), the visible pattern forming area ( 41 ) forming the visible pattern adjacent to the latent image line ( 31 ) is formed on any level of the visible pattern. It shows a state in which a density corresponding to the tonal density is formed.

For example, FIG. 5(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 0%. In this case, only the latent image lines (31) are formed, and the visible pattern forming area (41) for forming the visible pattern is not formed. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only the latent image line (31) corresponding to 10% is formed. When the density of the visible pattern forming area (31) is 0%, the numerical value of the density of 10% converted by the tone curve is just an example, and only the latent image line (31) can be formed on the unit. If so, it is not limited to this.

FIG. 5(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 50%. Specifically, the density is converted to 24% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (31) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 14% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (41). .

FIG. 5(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 100%. Specifically, the density is converted to 38% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (31) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 28% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (41). .

Note that the numerical value of the density of 24% converted by the tone curve when the density of the visible pattern forming area (31) in FIG. 5(c) is 50%, and the visible pattern forming area (31) in FIG. 5(d) The numerical value of 38% density converted by the tone curve when the density of 100% is only an example, and the desired density for the latent image line (31) and the visible pattern forming area (41) in the unit It is not limited to this as long as a pattern can be formed. The same applies to the subsequent description of the present invention.

As before, in FIG. 6(a), in the second unit (5), a visible pattern forming area (42) forming a visible pattern adjacent to the latent image line (32) forms a visible pattern forming area (42). It shows the state in which the density corresponding to the arbitrary gradation density of the pattern is formed.

FIG. 6(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 0%. In this case, only the latent image lines (32) are formed, and the visible pattern forming area (42) for forming the visible pattern is not formed. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only the latent image line (32) corresponding to 10% is formed.

FIG. 6(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 50%. Specifically, the density is converted to 24% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (32) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 14% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (42). .

Next, FIG. 6(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 100%. Specifically, the density is converted to 38% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (32) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 28% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (42). .

Further, in FIG. 7(a), in the third unit (6), any visible pattern to be formed in the visible pattern forming area (43) forming the visible pattern adjacent to the latent image line (33). 2 shows a state in which densities corresponding to the gradation densities of are formed.

FIG. 7(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 0%. In this case, only the latent image lines (33) are formed, and the visible pattern forming area (43) for forming the visible pattern is not formed. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only the latent image line 33 corresponding to 10% is formed.

FIG. 7(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 50%. Specifically, the density is converted to 24% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (33) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 14% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (43). .

Next, FIG. 7(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 100%. Specifically, the density is converted to 38% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (33) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 28% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (43). .

Thus, for example, in the first unit (4), as the gradation density of the visible pattern increases, the image area ratio of the visible pattern forming area (41) adjacent to the latent image line (31) increases. Increase to increase the area of visible elements. In the above example, the visible pattern forming area (41) is provided below the latent image line (31). However, it is not limited to the position of the visible pattern forming area (41). 41), at least some of the arranged latent image lines (31) may be replaced with different colors to form a visible pattern having the replaced colors. Within the latent image lines (31), portions may be replaced with different colors to form visible patterns, or combinations thereof.

In the examples described above with reference to FIGS. 5(a), 6(a), and 7(a), the visible pattern forming areas (41, 42, 43) start from the latent image lines (31, 32, 33). , and is formed with gradation such that the density gradually decreases as the distance from the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) increases. On the other hand, in the examples described later, the visible pattern forming regions (41, 42, 43) are divided into one region or both regions with the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) as boundaries, and the gradation density of the visible pattern is It is formed with a uniform image line area ratio according to the

The visible pattern forming areas (41, 42, 43) are formed in one of the two areas with the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) as boundaries, and a uniform image area corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern. An example formed by a rate is explained.

FIG. 8(a) shows the gradation density of the visible pattern formed in the visible pattern forming area (41) forming the visible pattern adjacent to the latent image line (31) in the first unit (4). to form a concentration corresponding to

FIG. 8(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 0%. In this case only the latent image lines (31) are formed and no visible elements are formed to form the visible pattern. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only latent image lines (31) with a uniform density of 10% are formed.

FIG. 8(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 50%. Specifically, in addition to the latent image lines (31) corresponding to 10%, which are converted to a density of 24% by the tone curve, visible elements with a uniform density of 14% are formed in the visible pattern forming area (41). be done.

Next, FIG. 8(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 100%. Specifically, in addition to the latent image line (31) corresponding to 10%, which is converted to a density of 38% by the tone curve, a uniform 28% density visible element is formed in the visible pattern forming area (41). be done.

FIG. 9(a) shows the gradation density of the visible pattern formed in the visible pattern forming area (42) forming the visible pattern adjacent to the latent image line (32) in the second unit (5). to form a concentration corresponding to

FIG. 9(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 0%. In this case only the latent image lines (32) are formed and no visible elements are formed to form the visible pattern. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only latent image lines (32) with a uniform density of 10% are formed.

FIG. 9(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 50%. Specifically, in addition to the latent image lines (32) that are converted to 24% density by the tone curve and correspond to 10%, a uniform 14% density visible element is formed in the visible pattern forming area (42). be done.

Next, FIG. 9(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 100%. Specifically, in addition to the latent image lines (32) that are converted to 38% density by the tone curve and correspond to 10%, a uniform 28% density visible element is formed in the visible pattern forming area (42). be done.

FIG. 10(a) shows the gradation density of the visible pattern formed in the visible pattern forming area (43) forming the visible pattern adjacent to the latent image line (33) in the third unit (6). to form a concentration corresponding to

FIG. 10(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 0%. In this case only the latent image lines (33) are formed and no visible elements are formed to form the visible pattern. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only latent image lines (33) with a uniform density of 10% are formed.

Further, FIG. 10(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 50%. Specifically, in addition to the latent image line (33) corresponding to 10%, which is converted to a density of 24% by the tone curve, a uniform 14% density visible element is formed in the visible pattern forming area (43). be done.

Next, FIG. 10(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 100%. Specifically, in addition to the latent image line (33) corresponding to 10%, which is converted to a density of 38% by the tone curve, a uniform 28% density visible element is formed in the visible pattern forming area (43). be done.

Next, the visible pattern forming regions (41, 42, 43) are formed in two regions bounded by the latent image lines (31, 32, 33), and uniform image lines are formed according to the gradation density of the visible pattern to be formed. An example formed with an area ratio will be described.

In FIG. 11(a), in the first unit (4), two visible pattern forming regions (41) with the latent image line (31) as a boundary correspond to the gradation density of the visible pattern to be formed. It shows to form a concentration.

FIG. 11(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 0%. In this case only the latent image lines (31) are formed and no visible elements are formed to form the visible pattern. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only latent image lines (31) with a uniform density of 10% are formed.

FIG. 11(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 50%. Specifically, in addition to the latent image line (31) which is converted to 24% density by the tone curve and corresponds to 10%, the uniform 14% density visible element is two visible pattern forming areas (41). formed in

Next, FIG. 11(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 100%. Specifically, in addition to the latent image line (31) which is converted to 38% density by the tone curve and corresponds to 10%, the uniform 28% density visible element is two visible pattern forming areas (41). formed in

Also, as shown in FIGS. 12(a) to (d), visible elements are formed in two visible pattern forming areas (42) with the latent image line (32) as a boundary in the second unit (5). 13(a) to 13(d), visible elements are formed in two visible pattern forming areas (43) with the latent image line (33) as a boundary in the third unit (6). The same is true when

(pixel)
Here, in FIG. 14(a), a visible pattern forming area ( 41) shows a state in which the density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern to be formed is formed.

FIG. 14(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 0%. In this case only the latent image lines (31) are formed and no visible elements are formed to form the visible pattern. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only the latent image line (31) corresponding to 10% is formed.

FIG. 14(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 50%. Specifically, the density is converted to 24% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (31) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 14% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (41). .

Next, FIG. 14(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (41) is 100%. Specifically, the density is converted to 38% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (31) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 28% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (41). .

In FIG. 15(a), in the visible pattern forming area (42) forming the visible pattern adjacent to the latent image line (32) in the second unit (5) composed of 10 pixels×10 pixels, , shows a state in which a density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is formed.

FIG. 15(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 0%. In this case only the latent image lines (32) are formed and no visible elements are formed to form the visible pattern. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only the latent image line (32) corresponding to 10% is formed.

FIG. 15(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 50%. Specifically, the density is converted to 24% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (32) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 14% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (42). .

Next, FIG. 15(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (42) is 100%. Specifically, the density is converted to 38% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (32) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 28% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (42). .

In FIG. 16(a), in the visible pattern forming area (43) forming the visible pattern adjacent to the latent image line (33) in the third unit (6) composed of 10 pixels×10 pixels, , shows a state in which a density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern to be formed is formed.

FIG. 16(b) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 0%. In this case only the latent image lines (33) are formed and no visible elements are formed to form the visible pattern. Specifically, the density is converted to 10% by the tone curve, and only the latent image line (33) corresponding to 10% is formed.

FIG. 16(c) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 50%. Specifically, the density is converted to 24% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (33) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 14% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (43). .

Next, FIG. 16(d) shows the state when the density of the visible pattern forming area (43) is 100%. Specifically, the density is converted to 38% by the tone curve, and in addition to the latent image line (33) corresponding to 10%, the visible element corresponding to 28% is formed in the visible pattern forming area (43). .

It should be noted that it is possible to configure a unit with three or more pixels in both the vertical and horizontal directions. However, when the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6) are output by a printer, as will be described later, taking into consideration the drawing performance of the printer, 5 pixels in both vertical and horizontal directions are required. It is desirable to configure as above. When these five pixels are converted, the dimension (u) is about 0.21 mm for a printer with an output resolution of 600 dpi, and the dimension (u) is about 0.18 mm for a printer with an output resolution of 720 dpi.

Further, the latent image printed matter (1) according to the embodiment is intended to form a latent image pattern (7) with high secrecy. Therefore, it is desirable that the latent image lines are not recognized as individual lines in human near vision. For example, as shown in FIG. 17(a), if each unit is small, the latent image line is not recognized in near vision and is observed as a uniform density, but as shown in FIG. 17(b). Moreover, if each unit is large, it will be observed as a streak. Although it depends on the observation conditions of the latent image printed matter (1), when the vertical and horizontal dimensions (u) of the unit exceed 0.50 mm, it tends to be recognized as an image line with near vision. Therefore, it is desirable that the dimension (u) is 0.50 mm or less.

(unit shape)
In the case of the latent image printed matter (1) according to the present embodiment, the case where the shape of the unit is a square will be described as an example. However, the shape of the unit in the present invention may be a rectangle with different vertical dimension (u) and horizontal dimension (w) as shown in FIGS. It may be hexagonal as shown in d) to (f). Note that the units shown in FIGS. 18A to 18F show the case where only the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are formed and no visible pattern forming area is formed. Further, the end of the latent image line in the unit may or may not be formed to the end of the unit as described above.

19, 20 and 21 each show an example of arrangement of each unit in the print pattern (3). As shown in FIG. 19A, a plurality of units may be arranged in a matrix without gaps. FIG. 19(b) shows a state in which latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are formed on units arranged in a matrix. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 20(a), a plurality of units may be horizontally arranged in a brick-like manner without gaps. In this case, the phases in the vertical direction are out of phase with respect to the arrangement in the horizontal direction. FIG. 20(b) shows a state in which the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are formed on the units arranged in a brick shape. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21(a), a plurality of units may be arranged vertically in a brick-like manner without gaps. In this case, the phases in the horizontal direction are out of phase with respect to the arrangement in the vertical direction. FIG. 21(b) shows a state in which the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are formed on the units arranged in a brick shape. Moreover, when the shape of the unit is hexagonal as shown in FIGS.

(Latent image pattern creation flow)
Next, a method for creating a latent image printed matter (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 22 shows a latent image pattern creation flow (steps 1 to 4) and a visible pattern creation flow (step 5) in the method of creating a latent image printed matter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the latent image pattern forming flow in the method for forming the latent image printed material (1) according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, in step 1, basic pattern data (51) of the latent image pattern (7) is prepared, and the basic pattern data (51) input to a device such as a computer (not shown) is subjected to color separation. do. The latent image pattern (7) was a full-color gradation pattern.

For example, as the base pattern data (51), 24-bit RGB pattern data (51) of a face pattern, which is a full-color gradation pattern stored in a storage device such as an IC memory, is prepared. In the present embodiment, facial pattern data are used as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, but not limited to facial patterns, and any patterns such as symbols, numbers, illustrations, landscapes, etc. can be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, as an example, the base pattern data (51) is separated into orange component pattern data (61) and black component pattern data (62) by special color separation. However, it is not limited to special color separation, and can be separated into arbitrary plural colors such as RGB color separation and CMY color separation.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, in step 2, the orange component pattern data (61) and the black component pattern data (62) obtained in step 1 are converted to an image resolution of 60 dpi, and further subjected to error diffusion dither to obtain 2 Gradated orange component gradation pattern data (71) and black component gradation pattern data (72) are generated. As a result, the orange component gradation pattern data (71) and the black component gradation pattern data (72) are each converted from 8 bits to 1 bit. The reason for converting the image resolution to 60 dpi will be described later in step 4. Also, the image resolution to be converted is not limited to 60 dpi as long as it can be converted to a relatively coarse resolution.

In the present embodiment, error diffusion dither is used to generate two-tone orange component gradation pattern data (71) and black component gradation pattern data (72). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, it is selected as a desirable means for forming a uniform print pattern (3) formed on the printed matter, and binarization for creating color component gradation pattern data If processing is possible, there is no limitation to this.

This binarization processing includes simple binarization and halftoning, and halftoning includes dot concentration halftoning and dot dispersion halftoning. Furthermore, dot concentration type halftoning includes AM screens and specially shaped screens, and dot dispersion type halftoning includes pattern dither, error diffusion dither used in the present invention, and the like. Due to recent technological advances, a method using a neural network (machine learning) is also possible in dot-concentrated halftoning and dot-dispersed halftoning. Which means to use may be appropriately selected depending on the use of the creator.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 25, in step 3, the orange component gradation pattern data (71) is colored orange, the black component gradation pattern data (72) is colored black, and the orange colored pattern data (71) is colored in black. 81) and black coloring pattern data (82) are generated. Also, the image resolution of the obtained orange colored pattern data (81) and black colored pattern data (82) is converted to 600 dpi. Also, the orange colored pattern data (81) and the black colored pattern data (82) obtained by converting to 600 dpi are synthesized to obtain pseudo-colored pattern data (91) shown in FIGS.

In step 3, the orange pattern data (81) and the black pattern data (82) are converted to 600 dpi and then combined, but the two data may be combined and then converted to 600 dpi. Further, conversion of the image resolution of the orange colored pattern data (81) and the black colored pattern data (82) is not limited to 600 dpi, and any resolution finer than the resolution in step 2 may be used.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the reason why the image resolution is once converted to 60 dpi in step 2 and converted to 2 gradation, and then converted again to 600 dpi in step 3 is that the latent image pattern (7) is shown in FIG. 23, and to obtain a so-called mosaic-like multi-gradation pattern with rough pixel density from the smooth gradation expression pattern like the photograph shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, it is referred to as pseudo-color pattern data (91) because it represents a pseudo-color pattern.

As step 4, the third unit (6) is applied to the white component pattern data in the pseudocolor pattern data (91). Here, the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6) are, as described above, the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) and the visible pattern forming area ( 41, 42, 43), which corresponds to one unit of the critical value array pattern. A critical value array pattern is a basic pattern for creating halftone dots for printing, and is one of the continuous gradation expression methods defined in the PostScript (registered trademark) reference manual of Adobe (registered trademark). .

Three types of first unit (4), second unit (5) and third unit (6) used in this embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 27 will be described.

In this embodiment, as an example, the sizes of the first unit (4), the second unit (5), and the third unit (6) are each 10 pixels long by 10 pixels wide. is not limited. However, as shown in unit (4A) in FIG. 28, it is desirable to have a size of 3 pixels long by 3 pixels wide in order to express the gradation of a visible pattern, which will be described later. It is more desirable to have 5 pixels in the vertical direction×5 pixels in the horizontal direction or more, as shown in FIG.

Also, in this embodiment, the shapes of the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6) are assumed to be square. However, the shape of the first unit (4), second unit (5) and third unit (6) may be rectangular, hexagonal or other polygonal. For example, in the case of a square, they may be arranged in a vertical and horizontal matrix without gaps, or may be arranged in a brick shape without gaps. Alternatively, when the shape of the units is hexagonal, they may be arranged in a honeycomb shape without gaps.

As shown in FIG. 27, in the third unit (6), the latent image line (33) as a component of the latent image pattern (7) is formed by diagonal lines from the upper left to the lower right. In the unit (5), the latent image line (32) is formed by a diagonal line from upper right to lower left, and in the first unit (4), the latent image line (31) is formed by a horizontal line from left center to right center. is formed by

Furthermore, the third unit (6) has an area where the image area spreads below the latent image line (33) as a visible pattern forming area (43) forming a visible pattern, and the second unit ( 5) has, as a visible pattern forming area (42), an area where the image area spreads below the latent image line (32), and the first unit (4) has a visible pattern forming area (41). It has an area where the image area spreads below the latent image line (31).

The configuration of the third unit (6) will be described with reference to FIG. The third unit (6) comprises the latent image lines (33) which are components of the latent image pattern (7) shown in unit (6a) and the components of the visible pattern shown in unit (6b). and a visible pattern forming area (43).

Then, as shown in unit (6b), the visible pattern forming area (43) has a gradation density such that the density gradually decreases downward from the latent image line (33) as a starting point. It is formed as a region having By configuring in this way, the latent image line (33) and the visible pattern forming area (43) can be formed in each unit.

Note that the order in which the density gradually decreases is determined in advance for each unit. At this point, there is a gradation density area where the density gradually decreases, but it is not colored. When coloring, the visible pattern forming area (43) is colored according to the degree of gradation of the visible pattern in order to express the gradation density of the visible pattern.

The purpose of configuring the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6) as described above is two-fold.

The first purpose is to make it possible to easily impart a visible pattern having gradation density. Details of the procedure will be described later, but as described above, for example, in the first unit (4), the density gradually decreases downward starting from the latent image line (31) as a component of the visible pattern. A visible pattern forming area (41) is formed. Thus, by coloring the visible pattern forming area (41) according to the gradation density of the visible pattern data to be expressed as the visible pattern of the latent image printed matter (1), the gradation of the visible pattern can be easily expressed. can.

The second purpose is to improve the reading efficiency by a latent image reading device (21) such as a smart phone. A latent image printed matter (1) prepared according to the present invention is read as an object to be read, and a latent image pattern is read on the screen (22) by reading the printed matter with a camera of a latent image reading device (21) for authenticity determination, personal authentication, etc. When visualizing, it is necessary to extract the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) easily and reliably. By configuring the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) to be easily read as described above, the reading efficiency of the latent image reading device (21) can be improved.

In addition, in this embodiment, the types of units are not limited to the three types of the first unit (4), the second unit (5), and the third unit (6). Also, as shown as the second unit (5) in FIG. 29, the visible pattern forming area (42) is formed with the latent image line (32) as the starting point so that the image line area spreads upward. Alternatively, the visible pattern forming area (41) may be formed so that the image line area expands upward from the latent image line (31) as a starting point.

Furthermore, like the first unit (4) and the third unit (6) of FIG. 29, the visible pattern forming areas (41, 43) are formed so as to be in contact with the latent image lines (31, 33). Alternatively, the visible pattern forming areas (43a, 43b) may be formed apart from the latent image lines (33) as in unit (6c) of FIG. Thus, the visible pattern forming areas (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) may be formed away from the latent image line (31). In other words, if the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) can be easily and reliably extracted by the latent image reading device (21), the latent image elements and visible pattern components are They may be connected and formed, or may be formed separated from each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) in the first unit (4), the second unit (5), and the third unit (6) are formed by oblique lines and horizontal lines. are doing. However, the shape of the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) is not limited. may be configured. Furthermore, the latent image lines (31, 32, 33) are not limited to lines, and may be formed using symbols such as "⊚", "o", and "x". In this case, the latent image reading device 21 detects the characteristics of each symbol, for example, "◎" has two closed figures, "o" has one closed figure, and "x" has an intersection. Can be read based on features.

The application of the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6) to the pseudocolor pattern data (91) will now be described. As shown in FIG. 30, the pseudo-color pattern data (92) is generated by applying the third unit (6) to the white pixel area among the three colors included in the pseudo-color pattern data (91). . Here, the pseudo-color pattern data (92) and its enlarged view shown in FIG. By replacing the third unit (6) with (43), the other black and orange pixel areas correspond to the original pseudocolor pattern data (91) as they were.

As shown in FIG. 31, the second unit (5) is applied to the black pixel area included in the pseudo-color pattern data (92) to generate pseudo-color pattern data (93). Here, the pseudo-color pattern data (93) shown in FIG. 31 and its enlarged view replace the black pixel area in the pseudo-color pattern data (92) shown in FIG. 30 with the second unit (5). equivalent to

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 32, the first unit (4) is applied to the orange pixel area included in the pseudo-color pattern data (93) to generate the threshold array pattern data (101). Here, the critical value array pattern data (101) shown in FIG. 32 and its enlarged view are obtained by dividing the orange pixel area in the pseudo-color pattern data (93) shown in FIG. 31 into the first unit (4). Equivalent to what it replaces.

Thus, for the pseudo-color pattern data (91) including white, black and orange pixel areas, the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and By replacing with the third unit (6), the critical value array pattern data (101) as shown in FIGS. 22 and 32 are generated.

The threshold value array pattern (91a) shown in step 4 in FIG. 22 is pattern data obtained by applying the third unit (6) to the white pixel area included in the pseudo-color pattern data (91). The critical value array pattern (91b) is pattern data obtained by applying the second unit (5) to the black pixel area included in the pseudo-color pattern data, and the critical value array pattern (91c) is pattern data obtained by applying the second unit (5) to the pseudo-color pattern data. This corresponds to pattern data obtained by applying the first unit (4) to the included orange pixel area. The units (4, 5, 6) and colors applied to the pseudo-color pattern data (91, 92, 93) have been described with reference to FIGS. You can apply it from any color. The examples were applied in order from white to black to orange.

That is, the first unit (4), the second unit (5), and the third unit (6) are patterns applied to each of the three colors included in the pseudo-color pattern data (91). Pattern data in which each color of the pattern data (91) is replaced with the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6), in other words, the first unit (4), the second unit The full-color pattern data obtained by synthesizing the unit (5) and the third unit (6) corresponds to the synthesized critical value array pattern data (101).

A full-color latent image pattern (7) having a facial pattern as a base pattern is embedded in the latent image print (1) printed with the generated composite critical value array pattern data (101). Even if 1) is visually recognized, the latent image pattern (7) is not visually recognized. However, a first unit (4) and a second unit (5) corresponding to constituent elements forming a latent image pattern (7) by photographing the latent image print (1) with the camera of the latent image reading device (21) ) and the third unit (6) are extracted and colored, the screen (22) of the latent image reader (21) or another terminal to which data is transmitted from this latent image reader (21) A full-color latent image pattern (7) can be visualized on the screen (22). As a result, it is possible to determine the authenticity of the latent image printed matter (1), authenticate the individual, and the like.

(Visible pattern formation flow)
A visible pattern creation flow in the method of creating a latent image print according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 33, in the visible pattern creation flow, a visible pattern as shown in visible pattern data (301) is added to synthetic critical value array pattern data (101) in which latent image pattern (7) is formed. It shows the procedure for The composite critical value array pattern data (101) consists of the first unit (4) having the latent image line (31) and the visible pattern forming area (41), the latent image line (32) and the visible pattern forming area (41), as described above. It comprises a second unit (5) with patterned areas (42) and a third unit (6) with latent image lines (33) and visible patterned areas (43).

As step 5 in FIG. 22, a visible pattern template forming a visible pattern as shown in FIG. 34 is prepared. For example, 8-bit RGB pattern data stored in a storage device such as an IC memory is prepared as basic pattern data of a visible pattern. In this embodiment, visible pattern data (301) of a phoenix having a gradation density as shown in FIG. 34 is used. However, the pattern data of the base pattern is not particularly limited, and various patterns such as characters, symbols, numbers, logo marks, graphics, illustrations, and landscapes can be used. Moreover, the format of pattern data is not limited to 8-bit RGB pattern data.

The composite critical value array pattern data (101) representing the latent image pattern (7) consists of a first unit (4), a second unit (5) and a third unit (6) as shown in FIG. It is composed of Then, as shown in FIG. 34, the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit are arranged according to the gradation density of the visible pattern template used for forming the visible pattern phoenix. The visible pattern forming areas (41-43) in (6) are colored.

As shown in FIG. 34, for example, when the visible pattern template is composed of five types of gradation densities of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, densities corresponding to the gradation densities The visible pattern forming areas (41-43) of the first unit (4), second unit (5) and third unit (6) are colored.

For example, as shown in FIG. 34, in the first unit (4), the second unit (5), and the third unit (6) positioned at the highest gradation density of 100% in the visible pattern template, the visible pattern Pixels or lines having a dot area ratio of 100% are formed in the forming regions (41, 42, 43).

In the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6) where the gradation density is located at a density of 50%, 50% in the visible pattern forming regions (41, 42, 43) A pixel or image line having a dot area ratio is formed.

In the first unit (4), the second unit (5), and the third unit (6) where the gradation density is located at a density of 0%, visible patterns are formed in the visible pattern forming regions (41, 42, 43). Components such as pixels or streaks are not formed.

In this way, the first unit (4) and the second unit (4), in which pixels or images having halftone dot area ratios corresponding to gradation densities are formed in the respective visible pattern forming regions (41, 42, 43), are formed. The unit (5) and the third unit (6) generate pattern data (201) in which latent image patterns and visible patterns as shown in FIG. 34 are formed. As can be seen from the enlarged view of the pattern data (201), a latent image pattern component and a visible pattern component are formed.

According to the above-described visible pattern formation flow, the first unit (4), the second unit (5), and the third unit (5) to which the constituent elements of the visible pattern are easily applied according to the gradation density of the visible pattern template. latent image pattern and visible pattern can be formed using the unit (6) of

In each of the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6), the gradation density of the visible pattern forming area with the latent image line (31, 32, 33) as the starting point By forming , it is possible to easily generate the first unit (4), the second unit (5) and the third unit (6) to which the visible pattern component is applied.

In the present embodiment, 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the gradation densities of the visible pattern template have been described as examples, but the numerical value of the gradation density and the number of stages are limited. can be set to a desired density value and number of steps.

In the latent image print (1) obtained by the above procedure, as shown in FIG. is not visible.

Then, the camera of the latent image reading device (21) photographs the latent image printed matter, extracts the constituent elements of the latent image pattern, and visualizes the latent image pattern (7) on the screen (22). 21), the latent image pattern (7) can be visualized on the screen (22) of another terminal, and the authenticity of the latent image printed matter (1) can be determined and personal authentication can be performed. can.

Further, by using the pattern data (201) thus obtained, it is possible to easily and reliably print a color pattern. As shown in FIG. 35, for example, a printout of the latent image print (501) on an inexpensive home printer (401), a printout of the latent image print (502) on an office printer (402), or The printout of the latent image printed matter (503) on the printing machine (403) for production is stable and easily possible.

Further, according to this embodiment, when printing using the pattern data (201), the same effect can be obtained regardless of the type of printing color. Each of the latent image prints (601, 602, 603) shown in FIG. 36 is printed using one color each of green, gray, and purple inks. According to the present embodiment, even if the color material used for printing is one color, and even if the one color is a general color material that can be printed by a general printer, it is invisible to the naked eye. However, it is possible to reproduce the latent image pattern in color by reading it with a simple latent image reading device (21) such as a smartphone. Furthermore, depending on the combination of color materials, it is possible to reproduce the latent image pattern in full color.

The method of the present invention as described above is embodied in computer-executable software and stored in a computer-readable form on a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.). can be saved. Such a process can be easily carried out by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, so further explanation is omitted.

The latent image printed material (1) of the present invention can provide an anti-counterfeiting effect depending on the composition of the image line, so it is excellent in cost performance, and the plate making and printing methods are not limited at all, so the printing method has a degree of freedom. It has the effect of being In particular, the print output of the latent image printed material (1) of the present invention can be handled only by printing using the inks of the colors that the printer normally has, and test printing including adjustment work such as calibration is unnecessary. Therefore, printer adjustment work is not required, and confidentiality of the latent image pattern is ensured even when printing conditions change.

The latent image printed matter (1) in the prior art visualizes the latent image pattern in a single color when read by the latent image reading device (21). It is possible to express various beauty such as facial patterns and landscapes. Further, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to easily and clearly express the latent image pattern (7) using a device such as a smart phone that anyone can obtain.

The latent image reading device (21) of the present invention can extract the peculiar points of the latent image pattern (7) formed on the printed matter, and easily and reliably make the latent image pattern (7) appear in color. .

Further, the latent image printed material (1) of the present invention can be used for facial patterns of passports and identification cards, etc., so that more advanced authenticity determination and personal authentication can be performed.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the technical scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, color separation is performed into three colors, an orange component, a black component, and a white component, but the number of color components to be separated is not limited, and two or more colors may be separated. Further, it is desirable that at least two or more critical value array patterns forming the latent image pattern have the same color from the viewpoint of secrecy of the latent image pattern, but the colors are not necessarily the same color.

1 latent image printed matter 2 substrate 3 printed pattern 4 first unit
5 second unit
6 Third unit
7 latent image pattern 21 latent image reader 22 screen 31, 32, 33 latent image lines 41, 41a, 41b, 42, 43, 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d visible pattern forming area 51 base pattern data 61 orange component pattern data 62 Black component pattern data 71 Orange component gradation pattern data 72 Black component gradation pattern data 81 Orange coloring pattern data 82 Black coloring pattern data 91, 92, 93 Pseudo color pattern data 101 Synthetic critical value array pattern data 201 Pattern data 301 Visible Pattern data 401 Home printer 402 Office printer 403 Printing machine

Claims (11)

At least a portion of the substrate has a printed pattern comprising a colored latent image pattern containing at least two color components ;
The latent image pattern has at least a first color component pattern and a second color component pattern of a color different from the first color component ,
The printed pattern includes a first latent image line formed corresponding to the first color component pattern and a second latent image line formed corresponding to the second color component pattern. A plurality of units each containing one of them are arranged at predetermined intervals,
The first latent image line and the second latent image line have the same area ratio within the unit and are arranged at different angles and/or shapes,
The latent image pattern is invisible when observed with near vision, and becomes visible through a reading device in which at least the first latent image line and the second latent image line are colored with different colors. A latent image print characterized by being printed . 2. A latent image print according to claim 1, wherein said first latent image lines and said second latent image lines are of the same color. A visible pattern is further formed on the printed pattern,
The visible pattern is formed in a region in which the first latent image lines or the second latent image lines are not formed in each of the units, and a visible pattern corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern is formed. 3. The latent image print according to claim 1, wherein the latent image print is formed by areas. A method for producing a latent image print, comprising:
obtaining a base pattern of the latent image pattern;
performing color separation of the base pattern into at least a first color component and a second color component to generate first color component pattern data and second color component pattern data;
Error diffusion dithering is performed on the first color component pattern data and the second color component pattern data to convert the first color component gradation pattern data and the second color component gradation pattern data into two gradations. a step of generating
The first color component gradation pattern data is colored with the first color component, the second color component gradation pattern data is colored with the second color component, and synthesized to generate pseudo-color pattern data. a step of generating;
latent image pattern data is generated by replacing the first color component with a first latent image line and replacing the second color component with a second latent image line for the pseudo color pattern data. a step;
with
a plurality of units each including one of the first latent image line and the second latent image line are arranged at predetermined intervals;
The latent image printed material, wherein the first latent image lines and the second latent image lines have the same area ratio in the unit, and are arranged at different angles and/or shapes. How to create. 5. A method of creating a latent image print according to claim 4, wherein said first latent image lines and said second latent image lines are of the same color. In the step of generating the first color component pattern data and the second color component pattern data, the base pattern of the latent image pattern may be different from the first color component and the second color component. performing color separation into a third color component that is the same as the color of the background portion of the latent image pattern to generate third color component pattern data;
In the step of generating the first color component gradation pattern data and the second color component gradation pattern data, error diffusion dithering is performed on the third color component gradation pattern data to convert it to two gradations. generating third color component gradation pattern data;
In the step of generating the pseudo-color pattern data, the third color component gradation pattern data is further colored with the third color component to obtain the first color component gradation pattern data and the second color component. synthesizing with the component gradation pattern data to generate the pseudo-color pattern data;
In the step of generating the latent image pattern data, the latent image pattern data is generated by replacing the third color component with a third latent image line in the pseudo color pattern data,
A plurality of units each including one of the first latent image line, the second latent image line, and the third latent image line are arranged at predetermined intervals,
The first latent image line, the second latent image line, and the third latent image line have the same area ratio within the unit, and are arranged at different angles or shapes. 5. The method of creating a latent image print according to claim 4 . 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first latent image line, the second latent image line and the third latent image line are of the same color. further comprising forming a visible pattern;
Forming the visible pattern includes:
obtaining a base pattern of the visible pattern;
forming a visible pattern forming area having a density corresponding to the gradation density of the visible pattern in a portion of the unit where the first latent image lines or the second latent image lines are not formed; a step;
8. The method of creating a latent image print according to claim 5 or 7, comprising: Software for creating latent image prints,
7. Software for creating a latent image print, characterized by causing a computer to execute the method for creating a latent image print according to claim 4 or 6. Software for creating latent image prints,
8. Software for creating a latent image print, characterized by causing a computer to execute the method for creating a latent image print according to claim 5 or 7. Software for creating latent image prints,
9. Software for creating a latent image print, characterized by causing a computer to execute the method for creating a latent image print according to claim 8.

Images