JP2005171429A - Watermarked paper - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide watermarked paper to be applied for bank notes, passports, securities, cards, postage stamps, commodity tags, art paper, etc. <P>SOLUTION: The watermarked paper is such that fine patterns of watermark are formed and a pattern is formed by a plurality groups of the fine patterns. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a watermarked paper applied to banknotes, passports, securities, cards, stamps, product tags or art paper.

Currently, various anti-counterfeiting techniques are used for valuable printed matter such as banknotes, passports, and securities. For example, a minute character is mentioned as a forgery prevention technique applied by a printing technique. Fine characters are effective as one of the copy prevention measures for copying machines and the like, and are technologies for printing fine characters, symbols and the like of 1000 μm or less, which are difficult to see with the naked eye, by offset printing or intaglio printing. This method of determining the authenticity of minute characters can be done with a loupe or the like in printed matter, but if copied with a copy, etc., the minute characters cannot be accurately reproduced and cannot be interpreted, making it possible to differentiate whether they are genuine or not. Easy to plan.

In addition, examples of techniques applied to the paper itself include mixed paper and watermarked paper. The watermarked paper includes a white watermark, a black watermark, and a black and white watermark, and is excellent in design due to the beauty of the watermark, and further has an effect of preventing forgery. Usually, the watermark pattern of the watermarked paper is determined by transmitted light. A typical example is the portrait of a banknote.

A set of thin regions based on a fiber composition and having at least one multi-tone effect watermark pattern, when viewed with transmitted light, the watermark pattern arranged in the form of a screened image There is disclosed a paper including a multi-tone effect watermark pattern and a wire for producing the paper (Patent Document 1).

Refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-303486 (first page, FIG. 1).

However, with the recent development of computer-related technologies, minute characters applied by printing as described above can be reproduced with a printer or the like. In addition, the watermark applied to the paper itself must be formed in a complicated manner because it is not forged. However, since the watermark is formed on paper, it is impossible to form fine characters, symbols, and the like.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems. Conventionally, a watermark pattern is a means for preventing forgery that the watermark itself is included, and the content of the watermark is mainly a pattern, etc. Even if it is inserted, it is roughly a rough character, and even if a minute pattern or character is formed on the paper material itself, it is difficult to distinguish it and it is difficult to give it, etc. There was nothing outside the common sense of those skilled in the art.

In the present invention, the conventional common sense that minute characters such as minute characters and minute symbols cannot be distinguished on paper material is reversed, and minute characters and minute symbols are used. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to realize a paper that improves the effect of preventing forgery (not aware of watermarking, non-replicating, etc.) by producing an image line, a striated pattern, a pattern, and the like.

The present invention is a watermarked paper characterized in that a fine pattern is formed on the paper by squeezing.

According to the present invention, there is provided a watermarked paper in which the type of the fine pattern is formed by a white watermark, a black watermark, or a monochrome watermark.

Further, the present invention is a watermarked paper in which a plurality of the micropatterns are formed and the patterns are formed by the plurality of micropattern groups formed.

In the present invention, the micro-pattern group includes a difference in size of each micro-pattern, a difference in typeface of each micro-pattern, a difference in thickness of a line forming each micro-pattern, and an unevenness amount forming each micro-pattern. The watermarked paper is characterized in that a light and dark tone is formed by the difference in the number of patterns, the difference in the number of minute patterns per unit area, or a combination thereof.

In the present invention, since a watermark such as a minute character and a minute symbol can be applied by a paper machine and a hand-wiping method, a watermark can be applied to a minute area, and the character is minute. Are not visually recognized as characters formed. Furthermore, it is possible not to copy on a computer or a copying machine by creating a line, a striated pattern, or a pattern by using a minute character group, minute symbol group, etc. made of a watermark. It is possible to obtain a watermarked paper having a high anti-counterfeit effect.

A watermarked sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the best mode for carrying out the invention described below, and includes various other embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the scope of claims.

The “watermark” described in the present invention is different from the “digital watermark” given to the data on the computer, and forms a pattern or the like by adding irregularities to the paper by sweeping. In the reflected light, it is difficult to confirm a pattern or the like formed by the unevenness, but the pattern or the like formed by the unevenness is visually recognized when observed by the transmitted light. A typical example is the portrait of a banknote.

  FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a fine pattern with a watermark having a size of 300 μm produced by a paper machine and a hand plow method. As shown in FIG. 1, the micropattern (2a) of the paper (1) is formed with a white watermark (3a), the micropattern (2b) is formed with a black watermark (3b), and the micropattern (2c) is a black and white watermark ( 3c). The minute pattern (2a) forms a character, the minute pattern (2b) forms a symbol, and the minute pattern (2c) forms a number. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Symbols and specially shaped micropatterns can be formed.

FIG. 2 shows a micropattern group with a watermark having a size of 300 μm and produced by a paper machine and a hand plow method. In FIG. 2, the image lines (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are produced by a group of minute patterns. In the straight line (4a), a fine pattern (2) is formed in the watermark image line (5). For this reason, it is difficult to visually recognize the straight line (4a) with reflected light, but when observed with transmitted light, the micropattern (2) itself is not visually recognized, but the micropattern (2) is connected to the straight line (4a). It is visually recognized as a single line. The straight line (4b) is formed by a group of minute patterns (2). Similarly, it is difficult to visually recognize the straight line (4b) with the reflected light, but when observed with transmitted light, the micropattern (2) itself is not visually recognized, and the micropattern (2) is connected to the straight line (4b). It is visually recognized as a single line. The curved line (4c) has a fine pattern (2) formed in the watermark image line (5). Similarly, the curve (4c) is difficult to visually recognize with reflected light, but when observed with transmitted light, the micropattern (2) itself is not visually recognized, and the curve (4c) is connected to the micropattern (2). It is visually recognized as a single line. The curve (4d) is formed by a group of minute patterns (2). Similarly, the curve (4d) is difficult to visually recognize with reflected light, but when observed with transmitted light, the micropattern (2) itself is not visually recognized, and the curve (4d) is connected to the micropattern (2). It is visually recognized as a single line. The micropatterns (2) forming these image lines (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are recognized by the naked eye depending on the size when observed with the transmitted light, but the size is about 300 μm or less. Now, it is necessary to determine authenticity by observing with a magnifying glass (loupe).

In FIG. 3, a scented pattern (6) is produced by a group of minute patterns (2). For this reason, it is difficult to visually recognize the chromatic pattern (6) with reflected light, but when observed with transmitted light, the tiny pattern (2) itself is not visually recognized, and the chromatic pattern (6) has a very small pattern (2). ) Is visible as a connected line. Depending on the size, the micropattern (2) that forms the chromatic pattern (6) is recognized with the naked eye when observed by gaze with transmitted light, but with a size of about 300 μm or less, a magnifier (loupe) is used. It is necessary to determine whether it is true or false by observing it.

In FIG. 4, a face image (7) is produced with a group of minute patterns (2). For this reason, it is difficult to visually recognize the face image (7) with reflected light, but when observed with transmitted light, only the face image (7) is visible without the minute pattern (2) itself being visually recognized. The micropattern (2) that forms the face image (7) is recognized by the naked eye when it is observed by staring with transmitted light depending on the size, but with a size of about 300 μm or less, a magnifier (loupe), etc. It is necessary to distinguish between authenticity and observation.

The face image (7) in the minute pattern group shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail. The high density area (8a) of the face image (7) is formed by the minute pattern group of the white watermark (3a), and the low density area ( 8b) is formed with a black pattern group of black watermarks (3b), an intermediate density region (8c) is formed with a micro pattern group of black and white watermarks (3c), and the face image (7) is expressed in light and shade, that is, gradation. doing. In this case, the high-density area (8a) of the face image (7) is formed by the fine pattern group of the white watermark (3a), and the low-density area (8b) is formed by the fine pattern group of the black watermark (3b). The density area (8c) is formed by a group of minute patterns of black and white watermark (3c). When observed with transmitted light using different types of watermarks (white watermark (3a), black watermark (3b), and black and white watermark (3c)), the amount of transmitted light is different and the face image (7) has light and dark tones. And is visually recognized. The watermarked paper produced in this way is difficult to visually recognize with reflected light like a normal watermark, but a gradation image or the like is visually recognized with transmitted light. Although the face image is formed in the drawing, the present invention is not limited to the face image and can express general symbols and the like.

Furthermore, the face image (7) has a small pattern size (character size: number of points), a micro pattern font (font), a thickness of a line forming the micro pattern, a micro pattern Since the amount of transmitted light also varies depending on the difference in the amount of unevenness forming the surface, the difference in the number of minute patterns per unit area, or a combination thereof, the face image can also be subjected to light and dark. An enlarged view of them is shown in FIG. Fig. 5 (a) shows the light and dark tones according to the difference in the size of the fine patterns, Fig. 5 (b) shows the light and dark tones according to the difference in the typeface, and the light and dark tones according to the difference in the number of fine patterns per unit area. FIG. 5 (c) shows the light and dark tones according to the difference in the thickness of the line forming the fine pattern, and FIG. 5 (d) shows the light and dark tones according to the difference in the unevenness forming the fine pattern. ).

In the case of forming light and dark tones according to the difference in the size of the minute pattern (character size: number of points) shown in FIG. 5A, the size of the minute pattern is high in the high density region, the low density region, and the intermediate density region. Depending on the amount of transmitted light, [the size of the fine pattern forming the high density area <the size of the micro pattern forming the intermediate density area <the size of the micro pattern forming the low density area] or [high density The size of the fine pattern that forms the region> the size of the micro pattern that forms the intermediate density region> the size of the micro pattern that forms the low density region] may be used.

In the case of forming light and dark tones according to the difference between the fine pattern typefaces (fonts) shown in FIG. 5B, the fine pattern typeface in the high density region, the low density region, and the intermediate density region has a line area ratio in the typeface. However, depending on the amount of transmitted light, [the area ratio of the lines of the fine pattern forming the high density area <the area ratio of the lines of the fine pattern forming the intermediate density area <the area of the micro pattern forming the low density area Line area ratio of typeface] or [area ratio of fine pattern typeface forming high density area> area ratio of fine pattern typeface forming intermediate density area> micro quantity forming low density area The area ratio of the pattern line may be formed.

In the case of forming light and dark tones according to the difference in density of micropatterns (density for forming micropatterns per unit area) shown in FIG. 5C, the density of micropatterns is high in the high density region, the low density region, and the intermediate density region. The density of micropatterns per unit area depends on the amount of transmitted light, [density per unit area of micropatterns that form a high density area <density per unit area of micropatterns that form an intermediate density area <Density per unit area of micropatterns that form a low density area> or [Density per unit area of micropatterns that form a high density area> Density per unit area of micropatterns that form an intermediate density area> The density per unit area of the fine pattern forming the low density region may be formed.

In the case of forming a light and dark tone with a difference in the thickness of the line (micro blurring degree) forming the fine pattern shown in FIG. 5D, the fine pattern is formed in the high density region, the low density region, and the intermediate density region. The thickness of the line depends on the amount of transmitted light, [thickness of the fine pattern forming the high density area <thickness of the fine pattern forming the intermediate density area <small pattern forming the low density area Line thickness], or [thickness of fine pattern line forming high density area> thickness of fine pattern line forming intermediate density area> thickness of fine pattern line forming low density area ].

In the case of forming a light and dark tone with the difference in the amount of unevenness forming the micropattern shown in FIG. 5E, the amount of unevenness forming the micropattern in the high density region, the low density region and the intermediate density region depends on the amount of transmitted light. [The amount of unevenness of the micro pattern forming the high density region <The amount of unevenness of the micro pattern forming the intermediate concentration region <The amount of unevenness of the micro pattern forming the low concentration region] or [The amount of unevenness of the micro pattern forming the low concentration region] The amount of unevenness of the pattern> the amount of unevenness of the micropattern that forms the intermediate density region> the amount of unevenness of the micropattern that forms the low concentration region. The amount of irregularities referred to here includes those produced by differences in fiber density.

The high density area, the low density area, and the intermediate density area described above are, for example, when the base image is a black and white digital image having 256 gradations, the pixel value of the high density area is 170 to 255, and the intermediate density area. The pixel values of 61 to 169 and the pixel value of the low density region are divided into 0 to 60, or the intermediate density region is divided into pixel values of 121 to 169 of the first intermediate density region, and the second intermediate density The pixel values of the areas may be divided into a plurality of areas as 61 to 120.

In order to produce such a watermarked paper, it is necessary to produce a watermark mold, which requires labor and skill. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent or counterfeit against producing and imitating the watermark mold itself. It leads to prevention. Moreover, it is preferable to include a well-known typeface generally used in the typeface and an original typeface not generally used. In this way, the use of a unique typeface makes it even more difficult to produce the watermark type itself.

In addition, the size of the fine pattern of the present invention needs to be 100 μm to 3000 μm, and considering the prevention of counterfeiting, the range of 100 μm to 1000 μm, which is difficult to duplicate, is preferable. (The size of the minute pattern is the height and / or width of the pattern.)

In addition, the micropattern of the present invention can produce letters, symbols, numbers, logo marks, special symbols, or the like.

In addition, it is possible to produce straight lines, curves, concentric circles, striated patterns, etc., which are image lines, and to produce facial images, patterns, patterns, logo marks, etc., which are patterns, with the micropattern group of the present invention. It is possible.

  The paper with a micro-pattern watermark according to the present invention is difficult to see with reflected light as in the case of a normal watermark, but the above-mentioned image lines, gradation images, etc. are visible with transmitted light.

(Example 1)
Paper with a micro-pattern watermark having a micro-pattern size of 100 μm, 300 μm, 500 μm, 700 μm, and 900 μm was produced on a paper machine. The micropatterns at 50 μm were unreadable, but the other micropatterns at 100 μm, 300 μm, 500 μm, 700 μm and 900 μm were unreadable.

(Example 2)
A face image having light and dark tones with different micro-pattern sizes was formed. The micropattern size forming the high density region is 300 μm, the micropattern size forming the intermediate density region is 500 μm, and the micropattern size forming the low density region is 700 μm. The paper on which the produced gradation image was formed with a minute pattern group of watermarks was difficult to visually recognize with reflected light as in the case of normal watermarks, but the gradation image was visually recognized with transmitted light.

It is an enlarged view showing a minute pattern by a watermark having a size of 300 μm produced by a paper machine and a hand method. It is the figure which produced the drawing line (4a, 4b) by the micro pattern group. It is the figure which produced the scented pattern (6) in the group of micro patterns (2). It is the figure which produced the face image (7) by the micro pattern group. It is an enlarged view expressing light and dark tones by a difference in size of fine patterns, a difference in typeface, a difference in density, or a combination thereof.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper 2a, 2b, 2c Micro pattern 3a White watermark 3b Black watermark 3c Black and white watermark 4a, 4b Straight line 4c, 4d Curve 5 Watermark line 6 Colored pattern 7 Face image 8a High density area 8b Low density area 8c Middle density area 9 fiber

Claims (4)

A watermarked paper characterized in that a minute pattern is formed on the paper by squeezing. 2. The watermarked paper according to claim 1, wherein the minute pattern type is formed by a white watermark, a black watermark, or a black and white watermark. 3. The watermarked paper according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the micropatterns are formed, and the pattern is formed by the plurality of micropattern groups formed. The group of micro-patterns is different in size of each micro-pattern, difference in typeface of each micro-pattern, difference in thickness of lines forming each micro-pattern, difference in amount of unevenness forming each micro-pattern, per unit area 4. The watermarked paper according to claim 3, wherein a light and dark tone is formed by a difference in the number of micro-patterns or a combination thereof.

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