JP2007193386A - Security information visual determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a security information determination device easily and positively reading a security information medium having a plurality of fluorescence emission patterns. <P>SOLUTION: The security information visual determination device 1 is a determining device for the security information medium, and it is characterized by that each plurality of infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, and visible LEDs irradiating the security information medium 10 is arranged around a central axis being a vertical line with respect to an irradiation face of the security information medium to be read, in a light shielding casing 3 shielding outside light, each LED sequentially irradiates light by electric power supply from a power supply 6, and a fluorescent pattern or microscopic/high definition pattern generated from the security information medium is visually read through a convex lens 5. In the LEDs, a total of two types including the visible LED and another type of the three types can be selected and used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a security information visual judgment device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a security information medium determination apparatus formed by combining various authentication means such as an infrared excitation visible fluorescence emission material, an ultraviolet excitation visible fluorescence emission material, and a fine and high-definition pattern made of a material that is visible by irradiation with visible light. .
That is, with an apparatus having a light source in which an infrared light emitting LED, an ultraviolet light emitting LED, and a visible light emitting LED are arranged on the same substrate, the light emission of each LED is sequentially switched and irradiated, and the reflected light is visually observed to fluoresce. The present invention relates to a security information visual judgment device capable of judging a light emission pattern and surely judging the authenticity of this type of security information medium.
The specific use of this apparatus relates to authenticity determination such as identification card, credit card, bank card, check, passbook, passport, prepaid card, pass ticket, admission ticket, commuter pass.

Conventionally, various security information media such as ultraviolet-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting materials and holograms and micro characters whose visibility is improved by irradiation with visible light have been adopted. The UV-excited visible fluorescent material is, for example, one that has been used in the past, as German Patent No. 497037 describes the use of the light-emitting material in securities.
The use of holograms and optical diffraction grating patterns for information recording media is well known, without mentioning examples, and the use of micro characters is also disclosed in JP-A-8-324094 and JP-A-2002-274001. Etc. are described.
In recent years, in addition to the above technologies, infrared-excited visible fluorescent materials have been developed and put into practical use as information media, and thus the aspects of security information media are increasingly diversified.

  Infrared excited visible fluorescent light-emitting materials excite an inorganic material with infrared rays to emit visible light having a shorter wavelength. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an infrared-visible wavelength up-conversion phosphor material. As described above, dysprosium (Dy) bromide is described. Patent Document 2 uses 1.3 g of gadolinium bromide (Gd) as a base material and contains erbium (Er) ions as a light emitting source and dysprosium ions as an absorbing light source. Infrared excitation phosphors that emit light using infrared light in the region as excitation light are described. Patent Document 3 describes a material containing at least two elements of erbium (Er) and chlorine (Cl), or a compound thereof, as an infrared visible wavelength upward conversion material made of an inorganic material.

  On the other hand, ultraviolet-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting materials include inorganic fluorescent pigments and organic fluorescent pigments, which have been known and put to practical use as described above. In the inorganic system, a material in which a base material is activated with a rare earth metal is similarly used, and various types such as thulium-activated yttrium vanadate, thulium-activated calcium tungstate, europium-activated yttrium vanadate, and the like are known. In the organic system, coumarins, benzoxazine derivatives, europium complexes and the like are known.

  Under such visible light, information media that take advantage of the feature of being white or colorless and not visually observable and emitting light only when irradiated with infrared rays or ultraviolet rays are disclosed in Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5, and Patent Document 6. As described in the above, it has already been put into practical use. In addition, by irradiating visible light of a specific wavelength to a hologram, a micro character or the like, a hidden pattern or specific reflected light is generated to prove its authenticity.

On the other hand, in order to be widely used, it is necessary to develop a determination device that can be easily and safely discriminated. However, there are few devices that can be easily used such as black light used for ultraviolet phosphors. Conventionally, a laser light source has been used as an excitation light source for an infrared-excited visible fluorescent material in order to obtain sufficient light emission. As the laser light source, semiconductor lasers are often used from gas lasers due to market demands for downsizing of devices and long life.
Semiconductor lasers are characterized by small size and low price due to technological advances, long life, and direct modulation capability, and their fields of use are expanding. There are drawbacks in that it takes time and there is a high risk of harm to the human body (eyes).

Therefore, the applicant of the present application has proposed a phosphor reading device using an infrared light emitting diode as a reading device for an information medium made of an infrared excited visible fluorescent light emitting material.
However, a reader using only an infrared light emitting diode (LED) has a problem that it cannot be used in a wide range including a security information medium using an ultraviolet excitation fluorescent material or a visible light excitation fluorescent material together. Therefore, the applicant of the present application proposes an apparatus that can visually determine such various or complex security information media.

  For example, Patent Document 7 has been proposed as a recording information reading device for fluorescent ink, and this device uses only a single LED as a light source and reads it with a CCD sensor. Are different in purpose and structure. Patent Documents 4 and 5 only describe that an infrared ray or a semiconductor laser with a wavelength of 980 nm is used, but do not clarify the specific light source configuration.

JP-A-8-69025 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-259942 JP-A-6-102550 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-340954 JP 2003-288019 A Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 2-12196 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-209675 Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-007126

As described above, the security information medium is a combination of a pattern made of an infrared-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material, a pattern made of an ultraviolet-excited visible light-emitting material, or a fine / high-definition pattern made of a material that is visible by irradiation with visible light. In the case where it is configured, a determination device that can reliably determine with a simple device has not been provided.
Accordingly, the applicant of the present application has completed the present invention through earnest research in order to realize an apparatus that can be easily visually judged even if it is such a composite security information medium or the security content is not clear. Has been reached.

  The first of the gist of the present invention for solving the above problems is a security information medium determination device, wherein each of a plurality of infrared light emitting LEDs for irradiating the security information medium is provided in a light-shielding housing for shielding external light, An ultraviolet light emitting LED and a visible light emitting LED are arranged around the vertical line with respect to the irradiation surface of the security information medium to be read as a central axis, and each LED is sequentially irradiated with light to emit a fluorescent pattern or a fine / A security information visual judgment device characterized by visually reading a high-definition pattern.

  The second of the gist of the present invention that solves the above problems is a security information medium determination apparatus, wherein each of the plurality of infrared light emitting LEDs that irradiate the security information medium is provided in a light-shielding casing that blocks external light. Two kinds of ultraviolet light emitting LED and visible light emitting LED are arranged around the vertical line with respect to the irradiation surface of the security information medium to be read as a central axis, and each LED is sequentially emitted and emitted, resulting from the security information medium A security information visual judgment apparatus characterized by visually reading a fluorescent pattern or a fine / high-definition pattern.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention described above, when the LED can emit light in pulses, the light emission intensity can be increased and the determination can be made reliably and easily.
In addition, if a switch for switching the light emission order of LEDs and simultaneously emitting light is provided, predetermined fluorescent light emission can be observed with a desired light source.

In the first and second aspects of the present invention, the security information medium is made of a pattern made of an infrared-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material, a pattern made of an ultraviolet-excited visible light-emitting material, and a material that is visible by irradiation with visible light. It can be made up of any combination of fine and high definition patterns, in which case the fine and high definition patterns can be holograms, light diffraction gratings or micro letters .
Furthermore, if a convex lens for enlarging the fluorescence emission image is attached to the observation part, visual reading can be facilitated, and if the irradiation angle of the visible light emitting LED with respect to the security information medium is made variable, the diffraction angle of the hologram or light diffraction grating The angle of the light source can be adjusted according to the diffracted light, and the diffracted light can be clearly observed.

(1) Since the security information visual judgment device of the present invention uses a plurality of types of LEDs as the light source, it can emit different excitation light, and a plurality of different fluorescent materials are used in the security information medium. Also, authenticity can be determined by causing each fluorescent light emission. Further, even when the security content of the information medium is not clear, it is possible to detect the authenticity by detecting any fluorescence by switching the light source.
(2) Since the device is formed using an LED as a light source, it has a simple operability that can be used immediately as a determination device without requiring labor and preparation time for installing an observation unit and adjusting the posture of the light source. Moreover, it is lightweight and excellent in portability including the power supply device.
(3) Since an LED is used as the light source, the danger of laser light that structurally damages the human body (eyes) is avoided, and the apparatus is safe and excellent in operability.
(4) The light emission of each LED can be easily switched manually.
(5) Since the light source is housed in the light-shielding casing, an apparatus capable of reliably discriminating fluorescence emission is realized even when the determination device is placed under natural light. That is, an ambient environment such as a dark room is not required at the time of reading.

  The present invention mainly relates to security information composed of a combination of a pattern made of an infrared-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material, a pattern made of an ultraviolet-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material, and a fine and high-definition pattern made of a material that is visible by irradiation with visible light. This is a medium determination device. The main reason is that the combination may be a combination of any two types of patterns, and a single pattern that is not a combination can of course be read.

  The pattern made of the infrared excitation visible fluorescent light emitting material is a pattern using the infrared visible wavelength up-conversion (up-conversion) phosphor material as described above. The pattern made of ultraviolet-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material is a pattern using a phosphor material that emits fluorescence in the visible light region by ultraviolet light. For example, Example 4 etc. in JP-B-2-12196 (Patent Document 6) describes the use of ultraviolet-excited visible light-emitting phosphors as securities, and JP-A-6-297883 discloses UV-excitation. Describes information printed matter such as barcodes that emit fluorescence. Any of them is preferably white or colorless under visible light and cannot be visually confirmed. It is because it can be visually confirmed if it is colored, and the fluorescent color is also impure. Details of each phosphor material will be described later.

  The fine and high-definition pattern made of a material that can be visually recognized by irradiation with visible light means a hologram, a light diffraction grating pattern, a micro character, or the like. The hologram can be stereoscopically viewed by irradiation with visible light, and can produce a specific color. Also in the case of the optical diffraction grating pattern, diffracted light having a specific color is emitted in a specific direction by irradiation with visible light. In these cases, if a pattern other than a hologram or a light diffraction grating pattern is mixed, a stereoscopic view is possible by irradiation with visible light, or security information is not included by presenting a specific color. A counterfeit product can be distinguished.

  Micro characters are also frequently used in security information media. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-274001 describes an image recording body in which a micro character having a long side of 0.5 mm is provided on a scaly powder-containing layer that exhibits different colors depending on the reflection angle. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-76745 proposes a forgery-preventing printed matter in which information consisting of micro characters is formed on a first printing layer containing an inorganic phosphor. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-15939 describes forming a micro character by a fluorescent latent image. In the case of this publication, it is recommended that the micro characters have a size of 0.2 points, preferably 0.1 points. When 1 point = 0.3759 mm, 0.1 point is about 38 μm. The fine and high-definition pattern of the present application can be considered as the size of a micro character having a long side of about 0.5 mm at the maximum from the wavelength order of light that generates a hologram or a diffraction grating pattern.

The security information visual judgment device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a schematic external view of a security information visual judgment device, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a judgment device main body, FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views showing the arrangement of LEDs in a light source unit, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an LED changeover switch unit, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a power supply system for the LED, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a pulse waveform applied to the LED, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a security information medium.

The security information visual determination device 1 of the present invention has a configuration in which a power supply device 6 is connected to a determination device main body 2 by a connection cord 7 as shown in the external view of FIG. The determination apparatus main body 2 has three or two types of LEDs built in the light-shielding housing 3 as a light source.
In the case where three types of LEDs are built in, this corresponds to the first invention (invention 1), and includes an infrared light emitting LED, an ultraviolet light emitting LED, and a visible light emitting LED. Infrared light emitting LED emits infrared excited visible fluorescent light emitting material, ultraviolet light emitting LED emits ultraviolet excited visible fluorescent light emitting material, and visible light emitting LED emits fluorescent light emitting material that emits fluorescence by visible light For. A plurality of LEDs are used so that each has a predetermined fluorescence intensity.

  When two types of LEDs are built in, it corresponds to the second invention (invention 2) and includes any two types of LEDs selected from an infrared light emitting LED, an ultraviolet light emitting LED, and a visible light emitting LED. It will be. Any combination of these two types may be used. If all the LEDs are provided as in the first invention, it is suitable for determination of all security information media, but there is a problem in that the apparatus is increased in size and cost. Therefore, if only two types of LEDs are selected according to the contents of the security information medium, the apparatus can be simplified.

  The power supply device 6 supplies power to the LED, and the voltage is varied by a regulator. A pulse generator is used for intermittent light emission. In any LED, a DC voltage of about 20 to 110 mA is supplied. It is convenient to use the power switch 61 on the determination device body 2 side. Although not shown in FIG. 1, an LED changeover switch can be further provided.

The outer shape of the light-shielding housing 3 may be a two-stage cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 1, or may be a truncated conical or cubic shape. The inside surface is made non-reflective so that outside light does not enter.
The upper surface 3u and the lower surface 3d form parallel plane openings, and a fluorescent image is observed and read from the upper surface 3u side opening. A convex lens 5 is preferably mounted on the upper surface side so that the fluorescent image can be enlarged and visually observed. The lower surface 3d side is directly placed on the surface of the security information medium 10, and at least the irradiated portion is an opening surface so that the fluorescent image can be observed by irradiating the LED.

The tips of the plurality of types of LEDs are arranged so as to be in contact with or close to the security information medium 10 on the lower surface 3d. Although not shown, a condenser lens may be provided between the plurality of types of LEDs 4 and the security information medium 10.
The vertical dimension (cylinder length) L of the light-shielding housing 3 is adjusted by the focal length of the convex lens 5 or the like. The light-shielding housing 3 is preferably made of a plastic molding material, but can also be made of a metal material such as an iron plate or an aluminum plate.

  The lower surface 3d of the light-shielding housing 3 is normally in direct contact with the security information medium 10 to be observed. However, if it is within a range of several millimeters, it is positioned at a certain distance from the information medium. It may be. In that case, a leg portion for supporting the light-shielding housing 3 is provided. However, if the distance is too large, the amount of external light increases and it becomes difficult to visually recognize the fluorescent light emission image. The security information medium 10 is placed on the sample table 15 in a plane and read.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the determination apparatus main body, and shows the case of the first invention.
A plurality of LEDs 4 are arranged close to the lower surface 3d side of the light shielding housing 3. In the case of FIG. 2, two infrared light-emitting LEDs 4r, two ultraviolet light-emitting LEDs 4v, and two visible light-emitting LEDs 4g are shown. However, for convenience of illustration, a larger number of each LED 4 is actually required. .
In order to obtain sufficient illumination light, it has been confirmed that a number of about 6 to 12 is preferable. The LED 4 is arranged around the irradiation unit of the security information medium 10 to be illuminated around the vertical line of the irradiation surface as a central axis. Preferably, they are arranged in a substantially annular shape. When the LED 4 approaches the identification information 12 of the information medium, strong fluorescent light emission is obtained. However, the installation position of the LED 4 can be changed by the light emission intensity of the LED. Although it can be installed from the position where the lens-like top of the LED 4 is in contact with the security information medium 10 to a position that is at most about 150 mm away, generally about 10 to 30 mm is the optimum value.

The security information medium 10 receives the irradiation light from the plurality of LEDs 4 and emits fluorescence, but the emitted fluorescence image reaches the convex lens 5 above the light-shielding housing 3. An observer observes the fluorescent image to determine the authenticity of the information recording medium. Since the LED 4r emits infrared light and the LED 4v emits ultraviolet light, the light beam is invisible even when visually observed. However, the identification information 12 that emits fluorescence appears to shine green, for example. Since the LED 4g emits visible light, the LED 4g is selected according to the visible phosphor used in the security information medium 10. For example, green light emission, blue light emission, and red light emission may be combined (three wavelengths white). A white LED using a blue LED and a yellow phosphor (two-wavelength white) may be used. Green light emission, blue light emission, and red light emission are also commercially available with various emission wavelengths.
Since the LED is diffused light unlike the laser light having the same phase, there is little harm to the human body even if it enters the eyes of the observer directly.

  What is put into practical use as an infrared light emitting LED is classified into three types. The first is a GaAs: Si LED, the second is a GaAlAs LED, and the third is a GaInAsP LED. Since the Si system added to the GaAs crystal is a group 14 element in the periodic table, it exhibits amphotericity that can serve as both a donor and an acceptor. Which is determined depends on the growth conditions such as the crystal growth temperature, and this property is used for forming the pn junction.

  Ultraviolet light emitting LEDs emit light in a shorter wavelength range than blue LEDs, and are commercially available from Nichia Corporation, Nitride Semiconductor (Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture) and the like. The LED is considered to be made of a GaN-based material. Although it is said that a wavelength of 350 nm is realized, the output is as low as 0.1 mW. Commercially available products include those having a wavelength of 365 nm, an output of 1.4 mW, a wavelength of 375 nm, an output of 1.5 mW, a wavelength of 385 nm, an output of 3.5 mW, a wavelength of 395 nm, and an output of 3.0 mW.

  The fluorescence emission image can be observed with the naked eye, but by providing the convex lens 5 at the eyepiece, enlarged identification information can be seen and visual recognition becomes easy. The convex lens 5 may be a plastic lens or a glass lens. When the security information recording medium 10 is located 50 mm from the convex lens 5, a convex lens having a focal length of about 30 to 40 mm can obtain an enlargement ratio of about 1.3 to 4 times, which is considered preferable. The convex lens 5 has a circular shape or the like according to the shape of the opening on the upper surface side, and can be mounted on the light-shielding housing 3 while supporting the periphery thereof with a metal frame or the like.

  It is appropriate that the identification information 12 is collected in a circular area size having a diameter of about 10 mm on the surface of the security information medium 10. This is because if the identification information 12 is larger than about 10 mm, the amount of irradiation light per unit area is reduced, making it difficult to see the fluorescent image. Conversely, if the identification information 12 is smaller than about 10 mm, the security printing area on the information medium is too small. It is because it must be done.

  Although not shown, a condenser lens may be inserted between the LED 4 and the security information medium 10. Thereby, the illumination intensity with respect to the identification information 12 can be raised. When a large number of LEDs are used, it is preferable to provide a condensing lens in order to efficiently condense the light emitted from the LED group. The vertical dimension L (FIG. 1) of the light-shielding housing 3 is enlarged by inserting the condenser lens.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of LEDs in the light source section, which is the case of the first invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a wiring board 8 that fits on the inner surface of the light-shielding housing 3 is provided, and a circular opening 8 p is provided at the center thereof. This is because the fluorescent image emitted through the circular opening 8p reaches the convex lens 5. The LEDs 4r, 4v, 4g can be appropriately arranged around the opening 8p. It is preferable to circulate and arrange the light emitting LEDs so that they are not unevenly distributed. Since the wiring board etc. which attach LED4 are also marketed, it can pierce and use the circular opening 8p in the center of the said board | substrate.
In the case of FIG. 3, four LEDs 4r, 4g, and 4v are arranged, but the number of LEDs is adjusted according to the light emission luminance and the like. In practice, a larger number is preferred.
The number “1” in the circular opening 8p is identification information 12 and means, for example, a fluorescent light-emitting character that shines green by infrared excitation. The outer dimension of the wiring board 8 is adjusted to the inner dimension of the light-shielding housing 3. The diameter of the circular opening 8p is about 15 mm to 30 mm.

FIG. 4 is also a plan view showing the arrangement of LEDs in the light source section, but is the case of the second invention. In this example, eight infrared light emitting LEDs 4r and eight visible light emitting LEDs 4g are provided. The LED 4 is attached to the wiring board 8 or the like as in the case of FIG. The feature of this example is that the visible light emitting LED 4g is provided with a mechanism for variably adjusting the irradiation angle of the LED. Each visible light emitting LED 4g is supported by the wiring board 8 with its substantially central portion as a fulcrum, but members 20a and 20b for adjusting the irradiation angle at the terminal lead-out side portion of the LED 4g that is a few mm upward from the fulcrum. Are connected. By rotating the screws 21a and 21b on the members 20a and 20b on the outer side of the light-shielding housing 3 so that the members 20a and 20b enter and exit a minute distance as indicated by arrows y1 and y2, the irradiation angle can be varied. Since the visible light emitting LED 4g hinders the visual recognition of the fluorescent image, a reflection plate or the like is usually provided so as not to emit light toward the convex lens 5 side. Therefore, the members 20a and 20b may be coupled to the reflecting plate or the like.
The members 20a and 20b are preferably adjusted in angle by dividing the LED 4g on the right side and the LED 4g on the left side of the opening 8p, and screws 21a and 21b are also provided on both the left and right sides.

The reason for making the irradiation angle variable only for the visible light emitting LED 4g is that, in a fine and high-definition pattern such as a hologram or a light diffraction grating, a stereoscopic effect or diffracted light is usually generated by irradiation with visible light. Because. In particular, when the irradiation angle is changed, the diffracted light is remarkably changed, and a hidden hologram pattern may appear. LED is not a perfect directional light source, but a certain degree of directivity improvement effect can be obtained by adjusting the angle.
It is preferable to divide the right LED 4g and the left LED 4g to adjust the angle, because if one side is inclined uniformly in the same direction, one side will not irradiate the identification information 12 portion. Therefore, a circuit may be provided in which only the LED 4g on one side is turned on and the power is turned off so that the LED 4g on the other side is not lit so that only the LED 4g on one side can be used.
Such a mechanism for adjusting the irradiation angle of the LED 4g may be used in the determination device of the first invention.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the LED changeover switch unit. The LED changeover switch 62 is attached to the surface of the power supply device 6 or the side surface of the light-shielding housing 3. The LED can emit light when the power switch 61 is “ON” or “OFF”. Further, by pushing the LED changeover switch 62, an IR (infrared), UV (ultraviolet), and VIS (visible light) display lamp 63 is turned on. The light emission is not limited to a single LED, and two or three kinds of LEDs may emit light simultaneously. In the case of the second invention, it is natural that any two kinds of display lamps are obtained.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a power supply system for the LED, and is a case of the first invention. The power source for the LED connects each of the n infrared light emitting LEDs 4r, 4v, and 4g to the pulse generator 64 as shown in FIG. The number of each LED does not need to be the same number, and is adjusted according to the luminance or the like. Since the internal resistance of the LED 4 is small, it is preferable to connect resistors R (Rr, Rv, Rg) in series. In the case of 2nd invention, it becomes 2 types light sources of either LED4r and LED4v, and LED4g. As described above, the LED 4g may be divided into the right side and the left side.
As the power source, USB bus power or commercial power source (AC 100V) can be rectified to DC, but a dry battery or the like may be used. When the number of LEDs 4r, 4v, and 4g is large, the power is insufficient with the USB bus power.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a pulse waveform applied to the LED. A light emission output is generated by the pulse generator 64, and the LED is pulsed. In the case of FIG. 7, the pulse width tw = 100 μsec (period T = 10 msec) is shown, but the pulse width tw = variable in the range of 100 μsec to 150 μsec. When the pulse width is short and the period is short, it looks visually like continuous light emission. The light emission intensity can be increased by emitting pulses in this manner.

Next, the security information medium will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the security information medium 10. FIG. 8A shows an example in which fixed identification information 12 using visible fluorescent light-emitting ink is provided on the entire surface of the base material 11. In this case, the fixed identification information 12 may be a mixture of infrared excitation visible light emission, ultraviolet excitation visible light emission, and visible light emission phosphors.
FIG. 8B shows an example in which fixed identification information 12a, 12b, and 12c using different visible fluorescent inks are partially provided on the surface of the base material 11. The visible light fluorescent ink may consist of a fine and high-definition pattern including holograms and micro characters.
FIG. 8C is an example in which variable identification information 13a and 13b using different visible fluorescent inks and fixed information 14 that is not a fluorescent dye printed by offset printing or the like are provided on the surface of the base material 11.

As described above, a circular area size having a diameter of about 10 mm is appropriate for the area of the identification information 12 on the surface of the security information medium 10.
The fixed identification information refers to invariant information common to the security information medium 10 such as a mark, a trademark, and a product name. The variable identification information refers to each security information medium 10 such as a serial number, a manufacturing number, and an indefinite character display. Information that changes to Therefore, the information by visible fluorescent light-emitting ink may be fixed identification information or variable identification information. This is because it is sufficient if the feature can be recognized by fluorescence emission.

  The base material 11 of the information medium is not particularly limited, and may be a sheet of any material such as plain paper, fine paper, coated paper, tracing paper, various plastics, etc. good. In terms of shape, it may be a card, a passport, a gift certificate, a certificate, a ticket, a catalog, a camera, an electronic component, a computer device, a home appliance, or the like.

  In the present invention, visible fluorescent light-emitting ink includes firstly a printing ink in which rare-earth element-containing fine particles that are inorganic fluorescent dyes mainly absorbing infrared rays and emitting up-conversion fluorescent light are dispersed, and secondly inorganic or organic There is a printing ink in which a material that is a fluorescent dye and absorbs ultraviolet rays and emits visible light is dispersed. Thirdly, there is a printing ink in which a material that is an inorganic or organic fluorescent dye and absorbs visible light and emits visible light fluorescence is dispersed.

Infrared absorption, up-conversion emission rare earth element-containing fine particles, mainly composed of oxides such as Ca, Ba, Mg, Zn, Cd, sulfide, silicate, phosphate, tungstate, A pigment obtained by adding and firing a metal element such as Mn, Zn, Ag, Cu, Sb, Pb or a rare earth element such as lanthanoids as an activator can be used. Specifically, there are YF ₃ : Er, Yb, ZnGeO: Mn, YO: Eu, Y (P, V) O: Eu, NaLnF ₄ : Er, YOSi: Eu, YLiF ₄ : Er, and the like.

  Examples of the rare earth element that emits up-conversion light generally include rare earth elements that are trivalent ions. Among them, erbium (Er), holmium (Ho), praseodymium (Pr), thulium (Tm), neodymium. At least one or more rare earth elements selected from the group consisting of (Nd), gadolinium (Gd), europium (Eu), ytterbium (Yb), samarium (Sm) and cerium (Ce) are preferably used.

The excitation wavelength of the rare earth element that emits up-conversion light is, for example, a wavelength in the range of 700 nm to 2000 nm, and preferably a wavelength in the range of 800 nm to 1600 nm. Thus, the thing using the rare earth element in which up-conversion light emission is possible does not need to be excited by light with high energy, for example, ultraviolet light.
Since the emission wavelength is preferably visible light for ease of detection, in the case of up-conversion emission, infrared light having a longer wavelength is used as excitation light.
As described above, the rare earth element used in the preferred embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is excited by light having a wavelength within a predetermined range and can emit up-conversion light. In addition, rare earth elements may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the material that absorbs ultraviolet rays and emits visible light fluorescence include CaWO ₄ , Zn ₂ SiO ₄ : Mn, Y ₂ O ₃ : Eu, Mg ₆ As ₂ O ₁₁ : Mn, Y ₃ Al ₅ O ₁₂ : Ce, ZnS. : Ag, ZnO: Zn, Gd 2 O 2 S: Tb, Y 2 O 2 S: Eu, SrAl 2 O 4: Eu, inorganic fluorescent pigments and benzoxazine derivatives such as Dy, organic fluorescent dyes and organic, such as europium complex Metal complexes and the like can be used. In general, organic fluorescent dyes and organometallic complexes are said to have higher luminous efficiency than inorganic fluorescent pigments.

Visible fluorescent light-emitting ink is an ink in which the above materials are dispersed in a binder resin. The ink may be a silk screen printing ink, an offset printing ink, a letterpress printing ink, or a gravure printing ink, and may be in the form of a hot melt transfer ribbon, that is, an ink ribbon for thermal transfer printing.
As the binder resin, a binder resin excellent in abrasion resistance, transparency, hardness and the like can be appropriately used. Specific examples include a polyester resin, a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, a polystyrene resin, an acrylic resin, a polyurethane resin, an acrylic urethane resin, a fiber-based resin, and a chlorinated rubber-based resin. In addition, a resin that crosslinks and cures when irradiated with ionizing radiation, such as an acrylic monomer, can also be used.

The security information visual judgment device 1 was configured as shown in the external view of FIG. As the light-shielding housing 3, a two-stage cylindrical shape made of black phenol resin was used. The inner surface of the light-shielding housing 3 was attached with a black non-reflective foamed rubber sheet.
As shown in FIG. 2, the security information determination apparatus 1 has a vertical cross section provided near the bottom surface of the light-shielding housing 3 having a hollow structure, and a wiring board 8 provided in the center of the wiring board 8 with an opening 8p. Six infrared light emitting LEDs 4r, an ultraviolet light emitting LED 4v, and a visible light emitting LED 4g were arranged. In addition, infrared light emitting LED (“EL-1L7” manufactured by KOSEI ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.) 4r is made of GaAs (gallium arsenide) and has a peak light emission wavelength of 940 nm. ]) For 4v, a peak emission wavelength of 375 nm was used. A visible light emitting LED 4g having a peak emission wavelength of 525 nm (green) was used.

  The opening 8p has a diameter of about 20 mm (see FIG. 3), and the 18 LEDs 4 are circulated by type so as to form a substantially annular shape around the opening 8p, and the tip of the LED 4 is circular. It was attached at a slight angle so as to face the center of the ring (see FIG. 2). In addition, the lens top of the LED 4 is arranged at a position 25 mm from the surface of the security information medium 10. Thereby, each LED4 came to be arrange | positioned by making the perpendicular line with respect to the irradiation surface center of the identification information 12 of the security information medium 10 to read into a center axis | shaft around it.

  Each LED 4 is connected to a resistor R for voltage adjustment and wiring, and is placed on the inner surface of the light-shielding housing 3 so as not to interfere with reading. Accordingly, the fluorescence emitted from the security information medium 10 reaches the convex lens 5 through the opening 8p having a diameter of 20 mm.

As the security information medium 10, a high-quality paper is used as a base material 11, and a predetermined fixed identification is made by silk screen printing ink comprising phosphor fine particles of infrared excitation fluorescence and ultraviolet excitation fluorescence, and a transparent binder for holding them. Information 12 was screen-printed with a thickness of 5 to 8 μm within a diameter of 10 mm. Note that both infrared excitation and ultraviolet excitation fluorescent agents emit green fluorescence.
The phosphor content in the ink composition was 10 to 30% by mass. The binder may be a wax, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyester, polyurethane, or a mixture thereof. -Vinyl acetate copolymer resin is used.

  Place the light-shielding casing 3 of the security information visual judgment device 1 manufactured earlier on the security information medium 10, and adjust the fixed identification information 12 printing unit so that it is located in the condensing unit of 18 LEDs 4. Then, when the LED was intermittently irradiated under the condition of the pulse width tw = 100 μsec (period T = 10 msec), it was possible to observe that the identification information 12 emitted green fluorescence through the convex lens 5.

  Conventionally, this type of reading test had to be performed exclusively in a dark room where there was little influence of external light, but the security information visual judgment device of the present invention has a light-shielding housing, so it can be easily used in a bright indoor environment. It was possible to perform a reading test.

It is a schematic external view of a security information visual judgment device. It is a vertical direction sectional view of a judgment device main part. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of LED in a light source part. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of LED in a light source part. It is a figure which shows a LED switch part. It is a figure which shows the power supply system with respect to LED. It is a figure which shows the pulse waveform applied to LED. It is a figure which shows the example of a security information medium.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Security information visual determination apparatus 2 Judging apparatus main-body part 3 Light-shielding housing | casing 4 LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Convex lens 6 Power supply device 7 Connection code 8 Wiring board 10 Security information recording medium 11 Base material 12 Identification information 13 Variable information 14 Fixed information 15 Sample stand 20a, 20b Member 21a, 21b Screw 61 Power switch 62 Changeover switch 63 Display lamp 64 Pulse Generator

Claims (8)

A security information medium determination device that reads each of a plurality of infrared light emitting LEDs, ultraviolet light emitting LEDs, and visible light light emitting LEDs that irradiate the security information medium in a light shielding housing that blocks outside light. The security is characterized in that a vertical line with respect to the irradiation surface of the medium is arranged around the center axis, and each LED is sequentially emitted and irradiated to visually read a fluorescent pattern or a fine / high-definition pattern generated from the security information medium. Information visual judgment device. A security information medium determination device comprising: a plurality of infrared light emitting LEDs, ultraviolet light emitting LEDs, and visible light emitting LEDs each irradiating a security information medium in a light shielding housing that blocks external light. , The vertical line with respect to the irradiation surface of the security information medium to be read is arranged around it as the central axis, each LED is sequentially emitted and irradiated, and the fluorescent pattern or the fine / high definition pattern generated from the security information medium is visually read Security information visual judgment device characterized by. The security information visual judgment device according to claim 1, wherein the LED emits pulses. The security information visual judgment device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch that switches a light emission order of the LEDs or simultaneously emits light. The security information visual judgment device according to claim 1, wherein a convex lens for enlarging the fluorescent light emission image is attached to the observation unit. 3. The security information visual judgment device according to claim 1, wherein an irradiation angle of the visible light emitting LED with respect to the security information medium is variable. The security information medium is composed of any combination of a pattern made of infrared-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material, a pattern made of ultraviolet-excited visible light-emitting material, and a fine / high-definition pattern made of material that can be seen by visible light irradiation. The security information visual judgment device according to claim 1, wherein the security information visual judgment device is provided. 3. The security information visual judgment device according to claim 1, wherein the fine / high-definition pattern is a hologram, a light diffraction grating, or a micro character.

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