JP2003223607A - Reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reading device capable of surely preventing an illegal reading act and capable of easily reading in a rightful reading act in a method for utilizing a phantom applied to a certificate for a personal identification. <P>SOLUTION: This reading device 1 comprises a reading part 2 for arranging an inspected object 11 thereon, an infrared radiating part 3 for radiating infrared ray 1 of a specified wavelength, and an imaging part 4. The phantom 12 is provided to the inspected object. The phantom becomes a clear image 12' only when the infrared ray of the specified wavelength is radiated thereto with a specified output and, it becomes invisible when the inspected object is positioned under visible light. The imaging part images the elicited image. The radiating face 3a of the infrared radiating part is installed toward the reading part, and a diffusion sheet 5 is installed between the radiating face and the reading part. In addition, a band pass filter 6 is installed between the reading part and the imaging part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading device for reading and confirming the contents of identification information given to an identification card, passport, credit card or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to verify whether the owner of a certificate such as an ID card, passport, driver's license, or credit card, is the owner of the certificate, a facial photograph attached to the certificate or card is used. The method of doing is generally adopted. Also, with many credit cards,
A method of utilizing identification data for personal authentication recorded by magnetism (so-called magnetic card) is also widely adopted.

However, an identification card with a facial photograph is
There was a problem that it was easily forged by replacing the facial photograph. In addition, in recent years when information processing technology has become widespread, even data recorded by magnetism can be easily read by a third party. Then, the accuracy of personal identification is reduced, and crimes caused by counterfeit credit cards have become a big social problem.

Therefore, in order to improve the accuracy of personal authentication when using a certificate or a card, a method has been developed for recording identification data for personal authentication in a form that is difficult to forge or imitate. As such a method, for example, a method using an encrypted two-dimensional code is adopted, and a reading device for reading and confirming the information of the two-dimensional code is also put into practical use.

However, even in the method using the above-mentioned two-dimensional code, there is a problem that it is inevitable that counterfeiting and imitation will be easily performed as the technology spreads.

Therefore, in recent years, in order to prevent the reading action itself, the identification data is proved as a visible image only when a special process is performed and invisible under visible light (hereinafter referred to as "phantom image"). Techniques for writing books and cards have been developed.

[0007]

However, even when the above-mentioned phantom image applied to a certificate or the like is used for personal authentication, if the processing required for reading is excessively complicated, a legitimate reading action itself However, if the processing is simple, it is impossible to prevent unauthorized reading by a third party. Furthermore, there is a problem that the above-mentioned phantom image cannot be read and confirmed by a conventional reading device. It was

[0008] Therefore, the present invention surely prevents an unauthorized reading action in a method of utilizing a phantom image provided on a certificate or the like for personal authentication, and makes it possible to easily read in a legitimate reading action. An object is to provide a reading device.

[0009]

A reading device according to the present invention arranges an object to be visualized only when an infrared ray having a predetermined wavelength is irradiated at a predetermined output and which has a phantom image invisible under visible light. A reading unit, an infrared irradiation unit that emits infrared rays of the predetermined wavelength, and an imaging unit that captures a visible image,
The irradiation surface of the infrared irradiation unit is installed toward the reading unit, a diffusion sheet is installed between the irradiation surface and the reading unit, and a bandpass filter is installed between the reading unit and the imaging unit. It is characterized by being.

According to this reading device, the object to be inspected arranged in the reading unit is irradiated with infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength, and the phantom image visualized in the reading unit is picked up by the image pickup unit. Then, the phantom image is read as data by converting the captured image into data by a normal processing technique. Therefore, the phantom image can be easily read only by disposing the test object in the reading unit. In addition, there are many combinations of wavelength and output that are the irradiation conditions of infrared rays, but the phantom image is visible only when infrared rays of a predetermined wavelength are irradiated at a predetermined output, and the phantom image is visible under visible light. Since it is impossible to determine where and how it is printed, it is extremely difficult for a third party who does not have any information about the phantom image to visualize the phantom image, and it is possible to prevent an unauthorized reading action.

Further, in the reading device, the infrared rays emitted by the infrared irradiation section are diffused by a diffusion sheet installed between the irradiation surface of the infrared irradiation section and the reading section, and the irradiation area has a local intensity difference. It is evenly scaled without occurring. Therefore, even when the irradiation unit having the irradiation area smaller than the area of the phantom image is used, it is possible to uniformly irradiate the test object, improve the imaging state, and perform accurate reading. As a method of irradiating the entire phantom image using an irradiation unit having an irradiation area smaller than the area of the phantom image, for example, a method of arranging a plurality of irradiation units side by side and irradiating the entire phantom image with a plurality of infrared rays, a polygon mirror, etc. It is also conceivable to use it to scan infrared rays. However, the method using a plurality of infrared rays has a problem that if infrared rays overlap with each other or a difference in irradiation intensity of the infrared rays occurs, light and shade appear in a visible image and accurate reading cannot be performed. On the other hand, the method of scanning with infrared rays has a problem that it is difficult to obtain a sufficient irradiation intensity, and thus neither method is preferable.

Furthermore, the infrared rays reflected by the object to be inspected are absorbed by a bandpass filter installed between the reading section and the image pickup section. Therefore, infrared rays are prevented from entering the image pickup unit, and even when a CCD is used for the image pickup unit, a visible image can be taken without being affected by the infrared rays.

The phantom image may be a two-dimensional code.
In this case, the conventional two-dimensional code technology can be used together to further improve the accuracy of personal authentication.

The infrared irradiator may irradiate infrared rays with an infrared laser diode or an infrared LED incorporated therein. In this case, the infrared irradiation unit can be downsized,
The cost can be reduced by using a generally popular technique.

The diffusion sheet may be tracing paper. In this case, the irradiation area can be efficiently expanded without reducing the irradiation intensity of infrared rays. Moreover, the cost can be reduced by using the products that are generally widely used.

The predetermined wavelength may be in the range of 920 nm to 980 nm with the central peak at 950 nm. In this case, a phantom image formed by a generally popular technique can be visualized by using a generally popular infrared irradiating device (infrared laser diode, infrared LED, etc.), thereby reducing the cost. Can be planned. However, the predetermined wavelength is not limited, and an appropriate one may be selected according to the performance of the infrared irradiation device to be used, the property of the phantom image, and the like.

The predetermined output is not particularly limited, but may be about several watts, for example. However, if the predetermined output becomes higher, the infrared irradiation unit becomes larger and the cost becomes higher. On the other hand, if the predetermined output is too low, the brightness of the visible image becomes weak and it becomes difficult to take an image. Therefore,
This predetermined output is preferably set to an appropriate value according to the performance of the infrared irradiating device used and the nature of the phantom image.

[0018]

1 and 2 show a specific example of a reading device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing components of a main part of the reading device. FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part of the reading device.

The reading device 1 comprises a reading section 2 on which an object 11 to be inspected is arranged, an infrared irradiation section 3 for emitting infrared rays I having a predetermined wavelength, and an imaging section 4. Phantom image 1 on the object 11
2 has been given. The phantom image 12 becomes a visible image 12 ′ only when the infrared ray I having the predetermined wavelength is irradiated at a predetermined output, and becomes invisible when the test object 11 is under visible light. The image pickup section 4 picks up a visible image 12 ', and has a CCD and a lens unit built therein. The irradiation surface 3a of the infrared irradiation unit 3 is installed toward the reading unit 2, and the diffusion sheet 5 is installed between the irradiation surface 3a and the reading unit 2. A bandpass filter 6 is installed between the reading unit 2 and the imaging unit 4. In FIG. 1, 7 is a casing of the reading device 1.

According to this reading apparatus 1, the object to be inspected 11 arranged in the reading section 2 is irradiated with infrared rays I having a predetermined wavelength, and the visible image 12 'is picked up by the image pickup section 4 in this reading section 2. . Then, the phantom image 12 is read as data by converting the captured image into data by a normal processing technique. Therefore, the phantom image 12 can be easily read only by disposing the test object 11 in the reading unit 2. Further, there are extremely many combinations of the wavelength and the output which are the irradiation conditions of the infrared ray I, but the phantom image 12 becomes the visible image 12 ′ only when the infrared ray of the predetermined wavelength is radiated at the predetermined output, and moreover, the phantom image 12 Since it is impossible to determine where and how it is printed under visible light, it is extremely difficult for a third party who does not have any information about the phantom image 12 to visualize the phantom image 12 and it becomes illegal to read it. The action can be prevented. Note that a commercially available scanner in which an imaging unit and a data processing unit are integrated may be used when converting the captured image into data. As such a scanner, for example, a multi-code scanner TL-30 (product Name, manufactured by Keyence Corporation) can be used.

The infrared ray I emitted from the infrared ray irradiating section 3 is diffused by the diffusion sheet 5 installed between the irradiating surface 3a of the infrared ray irradiating section 3 and the reading section 2, and the irradiating area has a local intensity difference. Is evenly expanded without causing. Therefore, even when the irradiation unit having an irradiation area smaller than the area of the phantom image 12 is used, the test object 11 is uniformly irradiated,
It is possible to improve the imaging state and perform accurate reading. In FIG. 2, I1 is the infrared rays diffused by the diffusion sheet 5, and I2 is the diffusion sheet 5 described for comparison to clearly show that the infrared rays I1 are diffused. Infrared when there was not.

The infrared ray I reflected by the object 11 is
It is absorbed by the bandpass filter 6 installed between the reading unit 2 and the imaging unit 4. Therefore, the infrared rays I are prevented from entering the image pickup unit 4, and the image pickup unit 4 using the CCD can pick up a visible image without being affected by the infrared rays I. The bandpass filter may be one that absorbs infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength, and for example, a heat ray absorption filter HA-50 (product name, manufactured by Sakai Glass Engineering Co., Ltd.) can be used. The thicker the bandpass filter is, the more preferable it is.
When using A-50, infrared rays can be sufficiently absorbed if it has a thickness of about 6 mm.

The infrared irradiating section 3 irradiates infrared rays by an infrared laser diode or an infrared LED incorporated therein. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the infrared irradiating unit 3 and reduce the cost by using a generally popular technique. As the infrared laser diode, for example, SLI-CW-9MM-C1-
980-1M-R (product name, manufactured by SLI) can be used. However, in order to prevent an unauthorized reading action by a third party during actual use, it is necessary to keep the information regarding infrared rays used for the visible image secret.

The diffusion sheet is made of tracing paper. By doing so, the irradiation area can be efficiently expanded without reducing the irradiation intensity of the infrared rays I. Moreover, the cost can be reduced by using the products that are generally widely used. It is preferable to use as thin a tracing paper as possible, but the thinnest product commercially available is 40 g.
/ M ² tracing paper can be used. Even if the diffusion sheet is made of a vinyl chloride sheet (PVC) or an acrylic plate (PMMA), a sufficient irradiation intensity cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is preferable to use tracing paper as the diffusion sheet.

FIG. 3 shows another specific example of the test object used in the reading device according to the present invention. The object 13 to be inspected is used as an identification card, and is provided with a phantom image 14 and a photograph 15 of the person himself / herself. Further, it has a magnetic band 16 and magnetic data for authenticating the person is recorded therein.

The phantom image 14 is a two-dimensional code.
In this way, using the conventional two-dimensional code technology together,
The accuracy of personal authentication can be further improved. In addition,
QR code is adopted as a two-dimensional code,
There are no restrictions on the type of code, CP code, DataMa
Other codes such as trix and Vericode may be used.

The two-dimensional code is printed on the test object 13 using invisible ink. The invisible ink is not limited as long as it emits light only when it is irradiated with infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength. For example, UV EDA IRA-GII4 / Green (product name, manufactured by Nemoto Special Chemical Co., Ltd.) can be used. . However, in order to prevent unauthorized reading by a third party during actual use, it is necessary to keep the information regarding the ink used for printing secret.

According to the test object 13, the data recorded on the phantom image 14 is collated with the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic strip 16, and the visual verification using the photograph 15 is added, whereby the person The accuracy of authentication can be improved. The magnetic data may be read using a known reading device.

The above-mentioned invisible ink (UV EDA
IRA-GII4 / Green) emits light by irradiating infrared rays having a wavelength of 950 nm, but a general infrared ray irradiating device does not output only infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength and has a specific central peak. It outputs infrared rays of various wavelengths included in the wavelength range. Therefore, the phantom image 1 printed using this invisible ink
4 is visualized, it is preferable to use an infrared irradiator having a central peak of 950 nm in the wavelength region of infrared rays to be output.

However, the central peak of the infrared irradiating device and the emission wavelength of the invisible ink do not have to be completely coincident with each other, as long as the infrared light emitted from the infrared irradiating device includes one that causes the invisible ink to emit light. For example, the infrared laser diode (SLI-CW-9)
MM-C1-980-1M-R) has a central peak of 98
It outputs infrared rays having a wavelength of 780 nm to 1060 nm, which is 0 nm, and 950 nm is included therein.
Since it also contains infrared rays, it can be used to visualize the phantom image 14 printed using the invisible ink.

In the reading device 1, the predetermined wavelength is 920 nm to 9 with the central peak at 950 nm.
The range of 80 nm includes both the wavelength of light emitted by the invisible ink that is widely used and the peak wavelength value of the infrared irradiation device that is commonly used. That is, a phantom image formed by a generally popular technique can be visualized by using a generally popular infrared irradiating device (infrared laser diode, infrared LED, etc.), which reduces the cost. Can be achieved. However, the predetermined wavelength is not limited, and an appropriate one may be selected according to the performance of the infrared irradiation device to be used, the property of the phantom image, and the like.

When the phantom image 14 printed by using the invisible ink is visualized by the reading device 1, the predetermined output is not particularly limited, but may be about several watts. However, if the predetermined output becomes higher, the infrared irradiation unit becomes larger and the cost becomes higher. On the other hand, if the predetermined output is too low, the brightness of the visible image becomes weak and it becomes difficult to take an image. In particular, when the phantom image 14 is printed using this invisible ink, the print density must be increased in order to obtain a visible image with sufficient brightness at low output, but if the density is too high, it will be There is a problem that it becomes visible. Therefore, this predetermined output is preferably set to an appropriate value according to the performance of the infrared irradiating device to be used, the nature of the phantom image, and the like.

[0033]

According to the reading device of the present invention,
The phantom image can be easily read by simply placing the test object in the reading unit. In addition, there are many combinations of wavelength and output that are the irradiation conditions of infrared rays, but the phantom image is visible only when infrared rays of a predetermined wavelength are irradiated at a predetermined output, and the phantom image is visible under visible light. Since it is impossible to determine where and how it is printed, it is extremely difficult for a third party who does not have any information about the phantom image to visualize the phantom image, and it is possible to prevent an unauthorized reading action.

Further, even when the irradiation unit having the irradiation area smaller than the area of the phantom image is used, the object to be inspected can be uniformly irradiated, the imaging condition can be improved, and accurate reading can be performed.

Furthermore, even when a CCD is used as the image pickup section, a visible image can be picked up without being affected by infrared rays.

According to the second aspect, the conventional two-dimensional code technique can be used together to further improve the accuracy of the personal authentication.

According to the third aspect, it is possible to reduce the size of the infrared irradiating section, and it is possible to reduce the cost by using a generally popular technique.

According to the fourth aspect, the irradiation area can be efficiently expanded without reducing the irradiation intensity of infrared rays. Moreover, the cost can be reduced by using the products that are generally widely used.

According to the fifth aspect, the phantom image formed by the generally popular technique can be visualized by using the generally popular infrared irradiating device, and the cost can be reduced. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing components of a main part of a reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part of the reading device.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing another specific example of the test object used in the reading device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 reader 2 Reader 3 Infrared irradiation part 3a Irradiated surface 4 Imaging unit 5 diffusion sheet 6 band pass filter 7 casing 11, 13 test object 12, 14 Phantom image 12 'image 15 photos 16 magnetic bands

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Setsuo Nakamura             3 Kanda Midoshiro-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Limited             Company Nakamura Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5B047 AA23 AB02 BB01 BC07 BC11                       BC14                 5B072 AA09 CC02 CC21 DD02 LL13                       LL18

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An object (11) having a phantom image (12) which is visible only under irradiation of infrared rays (I) of a predetermined wavelength with a predetermined output and which is invisible under visible light is arranged. Reading unit
(2) and an infrared irradiator that emits infrared rays (I) of the predetermined wavelength
(3) and an image pickup unit (4) for picking up a visible image (12 '), and the irradiation surface (3a) of the infrared irradiation unit (3) is installed toward the reading unit (2), A diffusion sheet (5) is installed between the irradiation surface (3a) and the reading unit (2), and the reading unit (2) and the imaging unit
A reading device characterized in that a bandpass filter (6) is installed between (4). 2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the phantom image (12) is a two-dimensional code. 3. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the infrared irradiating section (3) irradiates infrared rays with an infrared laser diode or an infrared LED incorporated therein. 4. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion sheet (5) is tracing paper. 5. The center wavelength of the predetermined wavelength is 950 nm.
The range is 920 nm to 980 nm.
4. The reading device according to any one of 4 above.