JP2006178532A - Apparatus and method for verification - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce time for verification processing in the verification of data for representing solid characteristics having random properties. <P>SOLUTION: For reading identification information printed with yellow on recording sheets, light of purple wavelength region irradiates an irradiation part (130), and an image reading apparatus reads image data (132, 134). When the read image data is input as identification information image data (136), the light of yellow wavelength region irradiates the irradiation part, and the identification information does not interfere with reading a state on the surface of recording sheets (138). Then, the image reading apparatus reads an area where the bitmap data of the identification information is formed (140, 142). When the read image data is input as verification image data (144), the identification information is recognized on the basis of the identification information image data and the identification information is generated (146). The reference image data corresponding to the identification information identical to the identification information (148), and the reference image data is verified with the input verification image data (150). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a collation device and a collation method, and more particularly, to a collation device and a collation method for collating a solid feature having randomness with reference data.

  In recent years, counterfeiting and misuse of copy materials have been deterred against the backdrop of increasing use cases of copies of bills and securities copied with copy machines and printers as performance of copiers and printers has improved. To determine the authenticity of various paper documents (in addition to the banknotes and securities mentioned above, for example, passports, various rights documents, resident's cards, birth certificates, insurance certificates, guarantees, confidential documents, etc.) It has been demanded.

  As a method of determining the authenticity of this paper document, there is a method of collating a collation image representing a random characteristic of the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper with a registered image, but a large number of registered images are registered. If this is the case, there is a problem that the verification process takes time.

As a collation device that shortens the time for collation processing, finger numbers and pattern types are automatically acquired from registered images representing fingerprints, and the acquired information is stored in correspondence with the registered images as identification information. There is known a fingerprint collation image device that omits collation processing of collation images when the identification information of registered images does not match (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-029003

  However, in the fingerprint collation image device described in Patent Document 1 above, the identification information is automatically acquired based on the tendency of the fingerprint represented by the registered image. Therefore, an image representing a solid feature having randomness is obtained. When collation is performed, there is a problem that identification information cannot be acquired and the collation processing time cannot be shortened.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a collation apparatus and a collation method that can shorten the time for collation processing in collation of solid features having randomness. And

  In order to achieve the above object, the collation device according to the first invention is characterized in that reference data representing the unique feature of a solid in which readable unique features having randomness are distributed on the surface, and the solid Storage means storing the identification information for forming correspondingly, the light in the first wavelength band for reading the identification information, and the identification information do not prevent reading of the unique feature of the solid to be determined In the state where the light of the first wavelength region is irradiated to the solid to be determined by the irradiation unit that switches and irradiates any one of the light of the second wavelength region for the purpose, The identification information formed on the determination target solid is read, and the unique feature of the determination target solid is obtained in a state where the light of the second wavelength range is irradiated on the determination target solid by the irradiation unit. Read Means is configured to include a verification means for collating said reference data and said unique feature that is read corresponding to the read identification information.

  According to the first invention, the identification information formed on the determination target solid by the reading unit in a state where the light of the first wavelength range for reading the identification information by the irradiation unit is irradiated on the determination target solid. In the state where the light of the second wavelength range is applied to the determination target solid so that the identification information does not interfere with the reading of the unique characteristic of the determination target solid by the irradiation means. The unique characteristic of the solid to be judged is read. Then, the collation means collates the reference data corresponding to the read identification information with the read unique feature.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the identification information formed on the solid is read in the state where the light in the first wavelength range is irradiated and collated with reference data corresponding to the identification information. In the feature matching, the matching time can be shortened. In addition, since the unique feature of the solid is read in the state where the light in the second wavelength region is irradiated, the unique feature of the solid having randomness can be read without being obstructed by the identification information.

  The light in the second wavelength band according to the first invention can be light in the wavelength band of the same color as the color of the identification information formed in the solid.

  In addition, the identification information according to the first invention can be read by either infrared light or ultraviolet light, and the light in the first wavelength range is either the infrared light or ultraviolet light wavelength range. Of light.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collation apparatus comprising: reference data representing the unique feature of a solid in which readable unique features having randomness are distributed on a surface; and identification information for forming the solid Storage means stored correspondingly, irradiation means for irradiating light in a wavelength region including a wavelength region of the same color as the color of the identification information formed on the solid for reading the identification information, and formed on the solid In addition, a filter that transmits only light in the wavelength region of the same color as the color of the identification information, and the identification information formed on the determination target solid in a state where the light is irradiated on the determination target solid by the irradiation unit And reading the unique feature of the solid to be judged through the filter, reference data corresponding to the read identification information, and the read unique feature. It is configured to include a verification means for.

  According to the second invention, in the state where the light for reading the identification information is irradiated to the determination target solid by the irradiation unit, the reading unit reads the identification information formed on the determination target solid, The unique feature of the solid to be judged is read through Then, the collation means collates the reference data corresponding to the read identification information with the read unique feature.

  In the second invention, in the state where the light for reading the identification information is irradiated, the identification information formed on the solid is read and collated with reference data corresponding to the identification information, so that the solid having randomness is obtained. In the feature matching, the matching time can be shortened. In addition, since the unique information of the solid is read through a filter that transmits only light in the wavelength range of the same color as the color formed on the solid, the identification information is not obstructed by the identification information and has a random property. Unique features can be read.

  The storage means according to the first and second inventions associates the reference data with the identification information for forming the area including the solid surface area where the unique features represented by the reference data are distributed. Can be stored. Even if the identification information is formed in the area including the solid surface area where the unique features represented by the reference data are distributed, according to the collation device according to the first invention and the second invention, the identification information The inherent characteristics of the solid with randomness can be read unimpeded.

  The identification information according to the first and second inventions may be formed in a solid so as to specify a region on the surface of the solid on which the identification information is formed. According to this, since the area | region of the surface of the solid in which identification information was formed can be specified irrespective of the content of identification information, identification information can be read reliably.

  Further, the solid according to the first and second inventions is paper, and the characteristic feature of the solid can be irregularities on the surface of the paper.

  The collation device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention includes an input means for inputting reference data, and identification information for forming a solid when the reference data is input, An identification information forming unit that is formed into a solid by a printer, and a storage control unit that stores the reference data and the identification information in the storage unit in association with each other can be configured.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collation method comprising: reference data representing the unique feature of a solid in which readable unique features having randomness are distributed on a surface; and identification information for forming the solid. Corresponding storage, irradiating with light in the first wavelength range for reading the identification information,
The identification information formed on the determination target solid is read in a state where the light of the first wavelength range is irradiated on the determination target solid, and the identification information is used to read the unique feature of the determination target solid. In the state where the light of the second wavelength region is irradiated so as not to disturb the light, and the light of the second wavelength region is irradiated to the solid to be judged, the unique characteristic of the solid to be judged And the reference data corresponding to the read identification information is collated with the read unique feature.

  As described above, according to the collation device and the collation method of the present invention, the identification information formed in the solid is read in the state where the light in the wavelength region for reading the identification information is irradiated, and the identification information is supported. By collating with reference data to be collated, the collation time can be shortened in collation of solid features having randomness. Moreover, the light of a predetermined wavelength range is irradiated so as not to prevent the identification information from reading the unique characteristics of the solid, or only the light of the same wavelength as the color of the identification information formed on the solid is transmitted. Since the unique feature of the solid is read through the filter, an effect that the unique feature of the solid having randomness can be read without being obstructed by the identification information formed on the solid is obtained.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image collation system 10 according to the first embodiment reads a part of paper image data and prints identification information related to the image data, and part of the paper image. It comprises an image collation device 12 that reads data and identification information printed on paper and collates image data.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the color printer 11 includes a photosensitive drum 13 as an image carrier, and the photosensitive drum 13 is charged by a charger 14. Above the photosensitive drum 13, a light beam scanning device that emits a light beam that is modulated in accordance with the image to be formed and deflected along the main scanning direction (direction parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 13). 16 is arranged, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 13 by the light beam emitted from the light beam scanning device 16.

  Further, a multicolor developing unit 18 is disposed on the right side of the photosensitive drum 13 in FIG. The multicolor developing device 18 includes developing devices 18A to 18D loaded with toners of any one of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). The electrostatic latent image formed in (1) is developed into one of C, M, Y, and K colors. In the formation of a full-color image in the color printer 11, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the same area on the photosensitive drum 13 and developed in different colors, and each color is formed on the area. Are formed by sequentially superimposing the toner images.

  An endless transfer belt 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the photosensitive drum 13, and a sheet tray 24 for storing the recording sheet 22 is disposed below the position where the transfer belt 20 is disposed. The peripheral surface of the transfer belt 20 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 13 on the downstream side of the developing position by the multicolor developing unit 18 along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 13, and is formed on the photosensitive drum 13. The toner image thus transferred is temporarily transferred to the transfer belt 20, and is then transferred again to the recording paper 22 that is pulled out from the paper tray 24 and conveyed to the position where the transfer belt 20 is disposed. A fixing device 26 is arranged in the middle of the conveyance path of the recording paper 22 toward the outside of the machine to the color printer 11, and the toner image is fixed on the recording paper 22 to which the toner image is transferred by the fixing device 26. Later, it is discharged out of the machine to the color printer 11.

  In addition, a reading unit 28 is provided in the middle of a conveyance path (shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2) of the recording paper 22 from the paper tray 24 to the arrangement position of the transfer belt 20. The reading unit 28 includes a light emitter 28A configured by a fluorescent lamp that irradiates light onto the recording paper 22, and a light receiver 28B configured by a CCD line sensor that receives light emitted from the light emitter 28A and reflected from the recording paper 22. And a signal processing circuit that converts the signal output from the light receiver 28B into digital data and outputs it (not shown), and the randomness of the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the recording paper 22 Thus, random changes in the light reflectance distributed along the surface of the recording paper 22 can be read with a predetermined resolution (for example, 400 dpi) and a predetermined gradation (for example, an 8-bit gray scale). Note that the reading unit 28 may include a CCD area sensor and illumination that irradiates light to the field of view of the CCD area sensor. Note that the reading unit 28 may be provided in the paper tray 24.

  A printer controller 30 is connected to the light beam scanning device 16. An operation unit (not shown) including a keyboard and a display and a reading unit 28 are connected to the printer controller 30, and a client PC (not shown) for inputting data to be printed on the recording paper 22. And a PC 32 described later are connected directly or via a network such as a LAN. The printer controller 30 includes a microcomputer, and controls the operation of each unit of the color printer 11 including the light beam scanning device 16.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image collation apparatus 12 includes a personal computer (PC) 32 and an image reading apparatus 34 that perform collation processing. The PC 32 includes a CPU 36 that executes a program, a ROM 38, a RAM 40 that is used as a work memory when the program is executed, a display 42, a mouse 43, a keyboard 44, a hard disk drive (HDD) 46, and input / output interfaces 48 and 50. They are connected to each other via 52. The HDD 46 stores an OS and various application software programs, and also stores an identification information print processing routine and an image collation processing routine described later. The input / output interface 48 is connected to the image reading device 34 via a wiring 54, and the input / output interface 50 is connected to the color printer 11 via a wiring 40.

  The image reading device 34 includes an image reading unit 60 including a CCD area sensor, a signal processing unit 62 that performs predetermined signal processing such as noise removal on the image signal input from the image reading unit 60, and a signal An image signal that is analog data input from the processing unit 62 is converted into a bit string represented by 0 and 1, and an image data that is digital data is generated. Input / output interface connected to the input / output interface 48 of the PC 32 via the CPU 68, RAM 70, ROM 72, and wiring 54 for controlling the operations of the respective units of the image reading device 34. 74, which are connected to each other via a bus 76. The irradiation unit 66A includes, for example, a purple filter and irradiates light in a wavelength range corresponding to purple light, and the irradiation unit 66B includes, for example, a yellow filter and irradiates light in a wavelength range corresponding to yellow light. Note that the irradiation unit 66A may irradiate infrared light or ultraviolet light, and in that case, the irradiation unit 66B irradiates visible light.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the image reading device 34 includes a magnifying lens 80, a translucent reflection mirror 82, and a condensing lens 84, and the user can visually observe the unique characteristics of the recording paper 22. The reading position is confirmed by the magnifying lens 80, and the light from the irradiation section 66 </ b> A or 66 </ b> B reflected at the reading position of the recording paper 22 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 82 and is imaged through the condenser lens 84. The light enters the reading unit 60.

  Next, as an operation of the first embodiment, first, processing for printing identification information on the recording paper 22 will be described. The color printer 11 according to this embodiment performs printing as an original when the document to be printed on the recording paper 22 is an original (prints identification information for use in document collation on the recording paper 22). When printing using the color printer 11, the user transmits print data representing a document to be printed on the recording paper 22 from the client PC to the color printer 11 and also prints a document to be printed. The color printer 11 is instructed to print as an original. In the color printer 11, the recording paper 22 for printing the original document is taken out from the paper tray 24 and conveyed to the arrangement position (reading position) of the reading unit 28, and the reading unit 28 has a predetermined resolution (400 dpi) and A predetermined reference area (an area having a size of 32 × 32 dots (about 2 mm × about 2 mm)) on the recording paper 22 is read at a predetermined gradation (8-bit gray scale). As a result, from the reading unit 28, the recording paper is a random change in the transparency of the paper in the reference region of the recording paper 22 due to the randomness of the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the recording paper 22 to be read. The reference image data representing the 22 unique features is output. In this embodiment, since the reading resolution is 400 dpi, the reading gradation is 8-bit gray scale, and the reference area to be read is 32 × 32 dots, the size of the reference image data is 1024 bytes, and each pixel (dot) The tone value (brightness value) is an integer value in the range of 0-255. FIG. 4 shows an example of an image obtained by visualizing the image represented by the reference image data (contrast correction for easy viewing) based on the reference image data obtained by the above reading.

  In the case where the reference area to be read is fixed at the position of the reference area on the recording paper 22, and toner (or ink) is attached to the reference area on the recording paper 22 by printing after the reference area is read, it will be described later. As shown in FIG. 5, the position of the reference area is a position on the recording paper 22 where there is no possibility of toner adhesion (for example, the color printer 11). The position corresponding to outside the printable range).

  Next, the identification information printing process routine shown in FIG. 6 is executed by the PC 32. First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the reference image data is input from the color printer 11. When the reference image data is input, Proceeding from step 100 to step 102, identification information for identifying the reference image data is generated. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the identification information is obtained by coding 0 and 1 by encoding the date and time when the printer model symbol, device number, and reference image data were input. The identification information may include an error correction code or may be encrypted. In step 104, bitmap data representing the identification information generated in step 102 is generated. Based on each bit of the identification information code, the bitmap data is generated so that the pixel at the position corresponding to the bit being 0 is blank and the pixel at the position corresponding to the bit being 1 is represented by a dot. Is done. Further, in order to specify the bitmap data area, as shown in FIG. 8A, the pixels at the four corners are always represented by dots. The pixels for forming dots may be 4 × 4 pixels instead of one pixel. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, based on each bit of the code of the identification information, the bitmap data is represented by a symbol “/” for the pixel at the position corresponding to the bit that is 0. The symbol “\” may be represented by the pixel at the position corresponding to the bit, and in this case, the dot or symbol for specifying the bitmap data area is not represented in the pixels at the four corners. In addition, symbols representing identification information are represented in all pixels.

  The dot or symbol color of this bitmap data should be inconspicuous from the standpoint of the appearance and security of the document to be printed, and if it is dark, it will be difficult to read the features on the surface of the paper. For example, yellow. In addition, the area on which the bitmap data is printed is larger than the reference area on the surface of the recording paper 22 read as the reference image data in consideration of the positional deviation at the time of reading. For example, in the case of 400 dpi, it is 64 × 64 dots. The position where the bitmap data is printed is set to an area including the reference area on the surface of the recording paper 22 read as the reference image data. When the irradiation unit 66A irradiates infrared light, the dots and symbols of the bitmap data are printed with ink that absorbs infrared light, and when the irradiation unit 66A irradiates ultraviolet light. The bitmap data dots and symbols are printed with ink that absorbs ultraviolet light.

  In step 106, the bitmap data is output to the color printer 11. In step 108, the reference image data input in step 100 is associated with the identification information generated in step 102 and stored in the HDD 46. Then, the identification information print processing routine is completed. The color printer 11 prints the bitmap data representing the input identification information and the print data input from the client PC on the recording paper 22.

  When the irradiation unit 66A irradiates infrared light or ultraviolet light, either of the developing devices 18A to 18D of the color printer 11 is filled with ink that absorbs infrared light or ultraviolet light, or A mechanism for printing infrared light or ink that absorbs ultraviolet light is provided, and bitmap data representing identification information is printed on the recording paper 22.

  Next, an image matching processing routine executed by the PC 32 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 130, a lighting instruction for the irradiation unit 66A is output to the image reading device 34, and the irradiation unit 66A is irradiated with light in a purple wavelength region in order to read the identification information printed in yellow on the recording paper 22. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the user confirms the identification information printed on the recording paper 22 while visually confirming that the region where the bitmap data of the identification information is printed is included in the collation region frame. In step 132, it is determined whether or not there is a reading instruction. When the user instructs reading on the PC 32, the process proceeds from step 132 to step 134, and the reading instruction is output to the image reading device 34. In the image reading device 34, the image data is read by the image reading unit 60. In step 136, it is determined whether or not the identification information image data has been input, and the image data read from the image reading device 34 is the identification information image. When the data is input, the process proceeds from step 136 to step 138, the lighting instruction of the irradiation unit 66 B is output to the image reading device 34, and the irradiation unit 66 B is irradiated with light in the yellow wavelength region, thereby The identification information printed on the recording paper 22 is not disturbed when reading the state. In step 140, it is determined whether or not a reading instruction has been issued. When the user instructs reading on the PC 32, the process proceeds from step 140 to step 142, and the reading instruction is output to the image reading device 34. Then, in the image reading device 34, the surface state of an area where bitmap data of identification information is formed by the image reading unit 60 (in the case of 400 dpi, about 4 mm × about 4 mm at 64 × 64 dots) is changed to a predetermined resolution ( 400 dpi) and a predetermined gradation (8-bit gray scale), and in step 144, it is determined whether or not collation image data has been input, and the image data read from the image reader 34 is collation image data. Is entered from step 144 to step 146, the identification information is recognized based on the identification information image data, and identification information consisting of 0 and 1 is generated. In step 148, it is determined whether or not the reference image data corresponding to the same identification information as the identification information generated in step 146 is stored in the HDD 46, and the reference image data corresponding to the same identification information is searched. Then, in step 150, the reference image data is collated with the collation image data input in step 144. For example, extracting the partial area data of the same size as the reference image data from the collation image data, and calculating the correlation value with the reference image data by the normalized correlation method, the position of the partial area in the collation image data By repeating the shift and comparing the maximum correlation value and the normalized score of the maximum value with the threshold values, the verification image data and the reference image data are compared, and the maximum correlation value and the maximum If the normalized score is greater than or equal to the threshold value, it is determined that the verification is successful, and otherwise, it is determined that the verification is failed. In step 152, the collation result is output to the display 42, and the image collation processing routine ends.

  If the reference image data corresponding to the same identification information is not retrieved in step 148, a collation result indicating collation failure is output to the display 42 in step 152, and the image collation processing routine ends.

  As described above, according to the collation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the identification information formed on the recording sheet is irradiated with the light in the wavelength region for reading the identification information. By collating with the reference image data corresponding to the read and identification information, it is possible to shorten the collation time in collating the characteristics of the recording paper having randomness. In addition, since the unique information of the recording paper is read by irradiating light of a predetermined wavelength range so that the identification information does not interfere with reading the unique characteristics of the recording paper, the identification formed on the recording paper It is possible to read the unique characteristics of the recording paper having randomness without being obstructed by information. In addition, even if identification information is formed in an area including a reference area where unique characteristics represented by the reference image data are distributed, the unique characteristics of the recording paper having randomness can be read without being obstructed by the identification information. Can do.

  Further, since the identification information is formed on the recording paper so as to specify the area of the recording paper on which the identification information is formed, the area of the recording paper on which the identification information is formed can be specified regardless of the content of the identification information. Therefore, the identification information can be read reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where two irradiation units are separately provided has been described as an example. However, only one irradiation unit is provided and 2 for irradiating light in two predetermined wavelength ranges. One filter and a device for switching these filters may be provided. In this case, in the image matching processing routine executed by the PC, a filter switching instruction may be output to the device that switches the filters so that the light in the two wavelength ranges to be irradiated is switched.

  Further, although the case where the collation device according to the present invention is realized by an image collation system including a color printer, a PC, and an image reading device has been described as an example, the color printer and the image reading device are configured by one composite device. The verification device according to the present invention may be realized by a combination device and a PC.

  Further, the case where the user moves the image reading apparatus while checking the area where the bitmap data is printed has been described as an example, but a reading apparatus with a fixed reading position such as a flatbed scanner may be used. In this case, an area where bitmap data is automatically printed is specified from image data read in a state where light of a predetermined wavelength range for reading identification information is irradiated, and image collation processing is performed. Also good.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a filter is provided on the image reading unit side so that the identification information does not prevent reading of the unique characteristics of the recording paper. Note that the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the image collation system 200 according to the second embodiment includes a color printer 11 and an image collation device 202. The image collation device 202 includes an image reading device 204, a PC 32, and the like. It is composed of

  The image reading device 204 is input to the image reading unit 60, the signal processing unit 62, the A / D conversion unit 64, the irradiation unit 206 that irradiates the visual field of the image reading unit 60 with light of a predetermined wavelength range, and the image reading unit 60. A filter switching unit 208 that switches a filter 210 that filters light to be filtered, a CPU 68, a RAM 70, a ROM 72, and an input / output interface 74 are connected to each other via a bus 76. The irradiation unit 206 irradiates light in a wavelength region including the wavelength region of the same color as the bitmap data color of the identification information printed on the recording paper 22 (for example, light in the same wavelength region as the fluorescent lamp), and switches the filter. The unit 208 includes a filter 210 that transmits only light in the wavelength region of the same color as the color of the bitmap data of the identification information printed on the recording paper 22 (for example, a filter that transmits only light in the yellow wavelength region) 210. The filter 210 is switched in and out.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the image reading device 204 includes a magnifying lens 80, a translucent reflection mirror 82, and a condensing lens 84. Is reflected by the reflecting mirror 82 and is incident on the image reading unit 60 via the condenser lens 84 and the filter 210.

  Next, as an operation of the second embodiment, in the process of printing the identification information on the recording paper 22, first, the PC 32 executes the identification information printing processing routine shown in FIG. Bitmap data representing is printed in yellow. Then, in the PC 32, an image matching process routine shown in FIG. 13 is executed. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  First, in step 250, the filter switching unit 208 of the image reading device 204 is instructed to put the filter 210 in the filter switching unit 208, and the irradiation unit 206 is instructed to be lit, which is the same as the fluorescent lamp. The recording paper 22 is irradiated with light having a wavelength region of. In step 132, it is determined whether or not a reading instruction is issued. When the user instructs reading in the PC 32, in step 134, the reading instruction is output to the image reading device 204. In step 136, the identification information image data is output. When the image data read from the image reading device 204 is input as identification information image data, the filter 210 is read into the filter switching unit 208 of the image reading device 204 in step 252. Identification information printed on the recording paper 22 when instructing the light to enter the optical path of the light input to the unit 60, filtering the light incident on the image reading unit 60, and reading the surface state of the recording paper 22 Make sure that does not get in the way. In step 140, it is determined whether or not a reading instruction has been issued. When the user instructs reading in the PC 32, the reading instruction is output to the image reading apparatus 204 in step 142. When the collation image data is input, in step 146, identification information consisting of 0 and 1 is generated based on the identification information image data, and in step 148, the identification information corresponding to the identification information generated in step 146 is handled. It is determined whether or not the reference image data to be stored is stored in the HDD 46, and when the reference image data corresponding to the same identification information is searched, in step 150, the reference image data and the collation image input in step 144 are searched. Match data. In step 152, the collation result is output to the display 42, and the image collation processing routine ends.

  If the reference image data corresponding to the same identification information is not retrieved in step 148, a collation result indicating collation failure is output to the display 42 in step 152, and the image collation processing routine ends.

  As described above, according to the image collation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the recording paper is irradiated with light in the same wavelength region as that of the fluorescent lamp for reading the identification information. By reading the formed identification information and collating it with reference image data corresponding to the identification information, the collation time can be shortened in collating image data representing the characteristics of the recording paper having randomness. Also, in order not to prevent the identification information from reading the unique characteristics of the recording paper, the unique characteristics of the recording paper are passed through a filter that transmits only light in the same wavelength range as the color of the identification information being formed. Therefore, the unique characteristics of the recording paper having randomness can be read without being obstructed by the identification information formed on the recording paper. In addition, even if identification information is formed in an area including a reference area where unique characteristics represented by the reference image data are distributed, the unique characteristics of the recording paper having randomness can be read without being obstructed by the identification information. Can do.

  Further, since the identification information is formed on the recording paper so as to specify the area of the recording paper on which the identification information is formed, the area of the recording paper on which the identification information is formed can be specified regardless of the content of the identification information. Therefore, the identification information can be read reliably.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the image collation system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a color printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a top view illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an image diagram of reference image data representing unique characteristics of a recording sheet. It is an image figure showing the position of the reference area in recording paper. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the identification information printing processing routine of PC concerning embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the production | generation method of identification information. (A) It is an image figure of the bitmap data which represents identification information with a dot, (B) It is an image figure of bitmap data which represents identification information with "/" and "\". It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the image collation processing routine of PC concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure when a user specifies the area | region where the bitmap data of identification information was formed. It is the schematic showing the structure of the image collation system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic showing the structure of the image reading apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the image collation processing routine of PC concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,200 Image collation system 11 Color printer 12, 202 Image collation apparatus 22 Recording paper 28 Reading part 34, 204 Image reading apparatus 60 Image reading part 66A, 66B, 206 Irradiation part 208 Filter switching part 210 Filter

Claims (9)

Storage means for storing the reference data representing the unique feature of the solid in which the readable unique feature having randomness is distributed on the surface and the identification information for forming the solid in association with each other;
Either one of the light in the first wavelength range for reading the identification information and the light in the second wavelength range for preventing the identification information from reading the unique feature of the solid to be determined. Irradiation means for switching and irradiating;
In a state where the light of the first wavelength range is irradiated on the determination target solid by the irradiation unit, the identification information formed on the determination target solid is read, and the irradiation unit of the second wavelength range is read. Reading means for reading the unique feature of the determination target solid in a state where light is irradiated on the determination target solid;
Collation means for collating the reference data corresponding to the read identification information with the read unique feature;
Matching device including   The collation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light in the second wavelength band is light in a wavelength band of the same color as the color of the identification information formed on the solid. The identification information formed on the solid can be read by either infrared light or ultraviolet light,
The collation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light in the first wavelength range is light in one wavelength range of infrared light and ultraviolet light. Storage means for storing the reference data representing the unique feature of the solid in which the readable unique feature having randomness is distributed on the surface and the identification information for forming the solid in association with each other;
Irradiation means for irradiating light in a wavelength region including a wavelength region of the same color as the color of the identification information formed on the solid for reading the identification information;
A filter that transmits only light in the wavelength region of the same color as the color of the identification information formed in the solid;
The identification information formed on the determination target solid is read in a state where the light is irradiated on the determination target solid by the irradiation unit, and the unique characteristic of the determination target solid is read via the filter. Reading means;
Collating means for collating reference data corresponding to the read identification information and the read unique characteristic;
Matching device including   The storage means stores the reference data in association with identification information for forming in a region including a region of the surface of the solid in which the unique feature represented by the reference data is distributed. The collation apparatus of any one of Claim 4.   The collation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the identification information is formed on the solid so as to specify a region of the surface of the solid on which the identification information is formed. The solid is paper;
The collation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the characteristic feature of the solid is unevenness on the surface of the paper. Input means for inputting the reference data;
Identification information forming means for generating the identification information to be formed on the solid when the reference data is input, and forming the identification information on the solid by a printer;
Storage control means for storing the reference data and the identification information in association with each other in the storage means;
The collation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: Reference data representing the unique characteristics of a solid having readable unique characteristics having randomness distributed on the surface and identification information for forming the solid are stored in association with each other.
Irradiating light in a first wavelength range for reading the identification information,
In a state where the light of the first wavelength region is irradiated on the determination target solid, the identification information formed on the determination target solid is read,
Irradiating with light in a second wavelength range so that the identification information does not interfere with reading of the unique feature of the solid to be determined;
In the state where the light of the second wavelength range is irradiated on the determination target solid, the unique feature of the determination target solid is read,
A collation method comprising collating the reference data corresponding to the read identification information with the read unique characteristic.

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