JP2016099646A - Authenticity determination device, toner information acquisition device, program, and authenticity determination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine authenticity of a medium with higher accuracy.SOLUTION: An authenticity determination device 10 includes a separation part 14, analysis part 16b, and determination part. The authenticity determination device 10 determines an image formed with a mixed toner including a plurality of types of toner at a predetermined mixing ratio to be authentic. The separation part 14 separates at least a part of a toner constituting an image from a medium having the image formed with the toner. The analysis part 16b analyzes the toner separated by the separation part 14 to determine a value indicating a mixing ratio of a plurality of types of toner in the separated toner. The determination part determines whether or not the image is authentic or determine the possibility that the image is authentic on the basis of the degree of a difference between the value determined by the analysis part 16b and a predetermined reference value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an authenticity determination device, a toner information acquisition device, a program, and an authenticity determination method.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses authenticity determination based on sheet information attached to an anti-counterfeit sheet and magnetic information of each of the first magnetic body portion and the second magnetic body portion formed on the anti-counterfeit sheet. An authenticity determination system for performing is disclosed.

JP 2010-140449 A

  However, the authenticity determination system described in Patent Document 1 requires sheet information, a first magnetic body portion, and a second magnetic body portion. The system is complicated and it is difficult to reduce the cost. Further, it is not always possible to determine authenticity with high accuracy only by the information (sheet information and magnetic information).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to determine the authenticity of a medium with higher accuracy. Another object of the present invention is to more reliably determine the authenticity of an image based on information included in the image.

  In the authenticity determination apparatus according to the present invention, an image formed with a mixed toner containing a plurality of types of toner at a predetermined mixing ratio is regarded as true. The authenticity determination apparatus according to the present invention includes a separation unit, an analysis unit, and a determination unit. The separation unit separates at least a part of the toner constituting the image from the medium on which the image is formed with toner. The analysis unit analyzes the toner separated by the separation unit and obtains a value indicating a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toner in the separated toner. The determination unit determines whether or not the image is true based on the degree of difference between the value obtained by the analysis unit and a predetermined reference value, or the image may be true Ask for.

  The toner information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention is used for authenticity determination that an image formed by a mixed toner including a plurality of types of toners at a predetermined mixing ratio is true. The toner information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes a separation unit and an analysis unit. The separation unit separates at least a part of the toner constituting the image from the medium on which the image is formed with toner. The analysis unit analyzes the toner separated by the separation unit and obtains a value indicating a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toner in the separated toner.

  The program according to the present invention is a program for authenticity determination that makes an image formed by a mixed toner including a plurality of types of toners at a predetermined mixing ratio true. The program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute an analysis process and a determination process. In the analysis step, the toner constituting the image is analyzed by the analysis unit, and the mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toner in the toner is obtained. In the determination step, it is determined whether or not the image is true based on the degree of difference between the obtained toner mixing ratio and a predetermined reference value, or the image may be true Ask for.

  In the image forming method according to the present invention, an image formed by a mixed toner including a plurality of types of toners at a predetermined mixing ratio is regarded as true. The image forming method according to the present invention includes a separation step, an analysis step, and a determination step. In the separation step, at least a part of the toner constituting the image is separated from the medium on which the image is formed with toner. In the analysis step, the analysis unit analyzes the separated toner and obtains a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toners in the separated toner. In the determination step, the determination unit determines whether the image is true based on a degree of difference between the toner mixing ratio obtained by the analysis unit and a predetermined reference value, or Find the possibility that the image is true.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the authenticity of a medium with higher accuracy. Further, according to the present invention, it may be possible to more reliably determine the authenticity of an image based on information included in the image in addition to or instead of this effect.

It is a figure which shows the authenticity determination apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the isolation | separation part used with the authenticity determination apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the AMS measuring device used with the authenticity determination apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the image by which an authenticity determination is performed using the authenticity determination apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the image by which an authenticity determination is performed using the authenticity determination apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example (first method) of collecting toner in the authenticity determination method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example (second method) of collecting toner in the authenticity determination method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the authenticity determination method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the authenticity determination method which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
In the authenticity determination apparatus according to the present embodiment, an image (hereinafter, referred to as a true image) formed with a mixed toner containing a plurality of types of toner at a predetermined mixing ratio is regarded as true. In the case of forming a true image, for example, a mixed toner having a known mixing ratio is set in a toner container of an electrophotographic apparatus (image forming apparatus). In an electrophotographic apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is developed using a developer containing mixed toner. Specifically, the electrostatic latent image is developed by attaching charged mixed toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. Then, the adhering mixed toner (toner image) is transferred to a recording medium (for example, paper). Thereafter, the mixed toner is heated to fix the mixed toner on the recording medium. As a result, an image is formed on the recording medium.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the authenticity determination device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the authenticity determination device 10 includes a control unit 11, an interface 12, a storage unit 13, a separation unit 14, a reading unit 15, an AMS measuring device 16, an input unit 17, and a display unit. 18.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c. The ROM 11b is a PROM (Programmable ROM) such as a flash memory, for example. The ROM 11b stores programs such as a basic input / output system (BIOS), an operating system (OS), various drivers, and various applications. The RAM 11c is, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic RAM).

  The interface 12 enables data transmission / reception between the control unit 11 and an external device. The control unit 11 is communicably connected to the storage unit 13 via the interface 12. The storage unit 13 is composed of a nonvolatile memory (for example, a hard disk). The storage unit 13 stores, for example, programs related to various controls, data used in the programs, and the like.

  Each output signal of the reading unit 15, the AMS measuring device 16, and the input unit 17 is input to the control unit 11 via the interface 12. The control unit 11 also controls the reading unit 15, the AMS measuring device 16, the display unit 18, and the like via the interface 12. Further, a general-purpose computer (so-called personal computer) or the like may be connected to the control unit 11 via the interface 12.

  The reading unit 15 is a device for reading an image. The reading unit 15 is composed of, for example, an optical head or a magnetic head. The authenticity determination device 10 may include a plurality of types of reading units 15.

  The input unit 17 includes, for example, operation buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel. The display unit 18 includes a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an ELD (Electro Luminescence Display). In addition, when the input part 17 and the display part 18 are comprised from a touch panel, the input part 17 and the display part 18 will be integrated.

  For example, the result of authenticity determination is displayed on the display unit 18. The authenticity determination device 10 may include a notification device that notifies the user of the result of the authenticity determination by sound (mechanical sound or sound). The authenticity determination device 10 may include a vibration device, and may be configured to vibrate according to the result of the authenticity determination (for example, vibrate only when it is true).

  The separation unit 14 separates at least a part of the toner constituting the image from the medium on which the image is formed with toner. The separation unit 14 may physically or chemically separate the toner from the medium.

  The separation unit 14 is preferably a separation head having a rough surface (for example, a rough surface of sandpaper) or a separation head having a convex portion on the surface. For example, the user can physically separate the toner from the medium by pressing the separation head against the medium and rubbing the image formed on the medium with a rough surface or a convex portion. Specifically, the toner is peeled off from the medium. FIG. 2 shows an example of the separation unit 14. The separation unit 14 shown in FIG. 2 includes a plate-like convex portion 14a (separation blade) and a roller 14b. By rotating the roller 14b while pressing the medium against the convex portion 14a while the medium is placed on the roller 14b, the image formed on the medium is easily rubbed by the convex portion 14a. Note that it is preferable that the convex portion of the separation head be hard enough to separate the toner from the medium. The shape of the convex portion of the separation head may be a columnar shape or a prismatic shape, or may be a plate shape or a needle shape. The convex part of the separation head may be a sharp blade. When the toner is separated from the medium using the separation head, the toner may be separated from the medium by rubbing the image only once, or the toner is removed from the medium by rubbing the image a plurality of times (by reciprocating the separation head). It may be separated. After using the separation head, it is preferable to remove the toner adhering to the surface of the separation head using, for example, a cleaning brush.

  The separation unit 14 may be formed integrally with the reading unit 15. For example, when the reading unit 15 is composed of a magnetic head for MICR, the surface of the detection unit (for example, a glass plate that transmits the magnetism to be detected) of the magnetic head is made a rough surface having irregularities, The toner can be physically separated from the media by rubbing the image with a rough surface. The height difference of the rough surface (difference between the highest peak and the lowest valley bottom) is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less. When the level difference of the rough surface is 0.05 mm or more, the toner is easily separated from the medium. When the level difference of the rough surface is 0.1 mm or less, the head surface can be easily cleaned.

  The separation unit 14 may chemically separate the toner from the medium with a solvent (for example, tetrahydrofuran) that dissolves the toner without dissolving the medium. The toner can be extracted by using a solvent that selectively dissolves only the toner.

  A part of the configuration of the separation unit 14 (for example, the convex portion 14a or the roller 14b shown in FIG. 2) or a device for cleaning the separation unit 14 may be driven by, for example, an electric motor. For example, the separation head moving mechanism may be driven by an electric motor so that the convex portion of the separation head is pressed against the medium. In addition, the projection of the separation head can be reciprocated in a direction parallel to the surface on which the image is formed (horizontal movement), or reciprocating (up and down vibration) that repeats contact and separation with respect to the image. By rotating on the rotating surface, the toner can be easily separated from the medium. When the separation unit 14 has an electric mechanism, it is preferable to change the configuration of the authenticity determination device 10 so that the control unit 11 controls the separation unit 14 via the interface 12. If the control unit 11 can control the separation unit 14, the user can easily collect toner from the medium simply by operating a button (input unit 17) of the authenticity determination device 10, for example.

  The toner constituting the true image is a powder composed of a large number of toner particles. The toner particles may have an external additive. When the toner particles have an external additive, the toner particles have toner base particles and an external additive. The external additive adheres to the surface of the toner base particles. The toner base particles include a binder resin. The toner base particles may contain an internal additive (for example, a release agent, a colorant, a charge control agent, and / or a magnetic powder) in addition to the binder resin, if necessary. If not necessary, the external additive may be omitted. When omitting the external additive, the toner base particles correspond to the toner particles. The toner constituting the true image may be a capsule toner. By forming a shell layer on the surface of the toner base particles, a capsule toner can be produced. The shell layer may be formed of a resin containing a plant-derived component.

  As the mixed toner constituting a true image, for example, a toner containing a binder resin containing a petroleum-derived component in a ratio of more than 90% by mass (hereinafter referred to as a normal toner) and a ratio of 10% by mass or more A mixed toner containing a toner containing a binder resin containing a plant-derived component (hereinafter referred to as biomass toner) can be suitably used.

  Usually, the toner binder resin is obtained through a polymerization reaction using petroleum as a raw material. As the binder resin for normal toner, styrene-acrylic resin, polyester resin, or derivatives thereof can be suitably used.

  As the binder resin of the biomass toner, for example, a vegetable polyester resin containing a petroleum-derived carboxylic acid as a carboxylic acid component and a plant-derived alcohol as an alcohol component is preferable. Hereinafter, an example of a method for synthesizing plant-derived alcohol will be described. When the seed or endosperm of a plant (for example, soybean, corn, or rapeseed) is squeezed, crude glycerin is obtained as a residual component. By purifying the obtained crude glycerin, plant-derived alcohol (biomass monomer) can be synthesized from the purified glycerin. For example, plant-derived 1,2-propanediol can be obtained by reacting glycerin with hydrogen.

  The binder resin of the biomass toner may be a vegetable polyester resin containing a petroleum-derived alcohol as an alcohol component and a plant-derived carboxylic acid as a carboxylic acid component. Plant-derived carboxylic acids can be extracted from plant biomass (eg, corn) containing starch, for example. The binder resin of the biomass toner may be a vegetable polyester resin containing a plant-derived alcohol as an alcohol component and a plant-derived carboxylic acid as a carboxylic acid component.

The plant-derived component contains a radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C at a certain ratio. This is because existing plant-derived carbon takes in ¹⁴ C from the atmosphere on the earth. Petroleum-derived components contain almost no ¹⁴ C because they are synthesized from petroleum. ¹⁴ C half-life (of the n ¹⁴ C generated by cosmic rays, ¹⁴ C half (n / 2 pieces) is, number of years and β decay, changes to the nitrogen atom) is about 5730 years . Since oil is deposited over tens of thousands of years, it contains almost no ¹⁴ C. Table 1 shows for each sample the postmortem years different, concentrations of ¹⁴ C, disintegration rate of ¹⁴ C, and the atomic number of ¹⁴ C.

As shown in Table 1, there are about 60 billion ¹⁴ C in 1 g of modern carbon. About 42 million ¹⁴ C exist in 1 g of carbon of 60,000 years after death (the number of years since the death of the organism). By measuring the content of ¹⁴ C with high accuracy, it is possible to discriminate between a biomass toner and a normal toner, and to measure the amount of plant-derived components contained in the binder resin.

The AMS measuring device 16 analyzes the toner separated by the separation unit 14 and obtains a value indicating a mixing ratio of a plurality of types of toner in the toner. When a true image is formed by a mixed toner containing normal toner and biomass toner, the amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C contained in the toner is equal to the mixing ratio of the normal toner and biomass toner (the mixing ratio of the toner). Correspond. In the authenticity determination method according to the present embodiment, the AMS measuring device 16 performs accelerator mass spectrometry on the toner, and determines the amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C contained in the toner as a value indicating the mixing ratio of the toner.

  The AMS measuring device 16 includes a suction unit 16a and an analysis unit 16b. The suction unit 16a sucks toner separated by the separation unit 14 (for example, toner of 0.1 mg to 1.0 mg). If the image that is determined to be authentic is a solid image, it is considered that 0.1 mg or more of toner can be secured if the size of the solid image is 0.5 mm square or more. In order to efficiently suck the toner separated by the separation unit 14, the suction unit 16a of the AMS measuring device 16 is preferably installed in the vicinity of the separation unit 14, and the toner is separated and separated at the same time. More preferably, the separation unit 14 and the suction unit 16a are configured so that the toner is sucked.

The toner sucked by the suction unit 16 a of the AMS measuring device 16 is sent to the analysis unit 16 b of the AMS measuring device 16. The analysis unit 16b of the AMS measuring device 16 chemically analyzes the sucked toner (specifically, accelerator mass spectrometry), and detects the amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C (target nuclide) contained in the toner. . Accelerator mass spectrometry can measure the carbon isotope ratio in a sample (sucked toner). Specifically, the ratio of the amount of the target nuclide (for example, ¹⁴ C) to the amount of the stable isotope (for example, ¹² C) (for example, the amount of ¹⁴ C / the amount of ¹² C) can be measured by accelerator mass spectrometry.

In accelerator mass spectrometry, an ion beam is analyzed using an electrostatic filter for energy analysis and a magnetic field filter for momentum analysis. In accelerator mass spectrometry, substances contained in a sample are ionized, and the obtained ions are sent to the accelerator, and the accelerator is used to give energy of several MeV per nucleon to accelerate the ions. The accelerated ions are then passed through a thin gas and a thin film. As the accelerated ions pass through a thin gas and a thin film, molecular ions (mass isotopes of the target nuclide) having the same mass number as the target nuclide are decomposed into atomic ions (negative ions), and further negative ions The electrons are stripped and negative ions are converted into positive ions (charge conversion). The isobaric example ¹⁴ C, ¹³ CH ^- or ¹² CH ₂ ^- and the like. The generated atomic ions have a mass number different from the mass number of the target nuclide and can be easily separated by a filter. Since accelerator mass spectrometry can directly measure the number of nuclei that do not decay, it is easier to measure the amount of nuclides with a long half-life with higher accuracy than the radiation measurement method.

As the AMS measuring device 16, for example, the AMS system of the University of Tokyo Nuclear Research Center Tandem Accelerator Research Facility (MALT) can be used suitably. The MALT AMS system is used for ¹⁴ C dating. By using such an AMS system, even if the sample (eg, toner) is a small amount (eg, about 0.1 mg), the carbon contained in the sample (eg, toner) is carbon of 60,000 years after death. However, the amount of ¹⁴ C contained in the sample can be measured quickly with high accuracy. Hereinafter, a preferred example of the analysis unit 16b of the AMS measuring device 16 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the analysis unit 16b of the AMS measuring device 16 includes ion sources 31a and 31b, an electrostatic spherical analyzer 32 (angle 45 °), an incident electromagnet 33 (angle 90 °), and a Faraday cup. 34, Einzel lens 35, tandem accelerator 36 (Pelletron accelerator with a maximum acceleration voltage of 5 MV), XY steerer 37, analyzing electromagnet 38 (angle 90 °), movable Faraday cup 39, quadruple A polar electromagnet 40 (Q lens), a sorting electromagnet 41 (angle 20 °), an electrostatic analyzer 42 (angle 20 °), a quadrupole electromagnet 43 (Q lens), and a semiconductor detector 44 are provided.

  In the case of measuring the carbon isotope ratio in the sample (sucked toner), first, graphite for measurement (more specifically, a mixture of graphite and iron powder) is prepared. When preparing graphite for measurement, AAA (Acid Alkali Acid) treatment is performed on the sample (sucked toner) to remove impurities in the sample. Subsequently, the sample is heated with copper oxide to be oxidized, and the carbon contained in the sample is extracted as carbon dioxide (gas). Subsequently, carbon dioxide is purified. Subsequently, the purified carbon dioxide, the iron catalyst, and hydrogen (gas) are heated together to reduce the carbon dioxide to hydrogen and graphitize it. As a result, graphite for measurement (a mixture of graphite and iron powder) is obtained.

  Subsequently, the obtained graphite for measurement (graphite 1 mg) is filled into a hole having a diameter of 1 mm of an aluminum cathode (sample holder) by a press (for example, a hand press). Subsequently, a cathode filled with measurement graphite is attached to the ion source 31a or 31b. In addition, preparation and filling of the graphite for measurement may each be performed manually or may be automated.

Each of the ion sources 31a and 31b can change the target nuclide (for example, radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C) in the sample into a negative ion. As each of the ion sources 31a and 31b, for example, a cesium sputtering type solid ion source (MC-SNICS) is preferable. MC-SNICS can be loaded with 40 samples at a time. MC-SNICS ionizes a solid sample by irradiating the surface of a solid sample (eg, graphite) with a positive ion beam of cesium, thereby negative ions (eg, ¹² C ⁻ , ¹³ C ⁻ , and ¹⁴ C ⁻ ). Can be generated.

Negative ions generated by the ion source 31a or 31b are introduced into the tandem accelerator 36 via the electrostatic spherical analyzer 32, the incident electromagnet 33, the Faraday cup 34, and the Einzel lens 35. Ions having different mass numbers (for example, ¹² C ⁻ , ¹³ C ⁻ , and ¹⁴ C ⁻ ) are sent to the tandem accelerator 36 at predetermined time intervals by a sequential incidence method (jumping system).

  The tandem accelerator 36 includes a terminal portion 36a (a portion with the highest voltage) and an electrostatic Q lens 36b. The terminal unit 36a functions as a charge conversion device. A positive charge is supplied to the terminal portion 36a. Negative ions incident on the tandem accelerator 36 are attracted to the terminal portion 36a and accelerated. The terminal portion 36a includes a canal (Ar gas stripper) for flowing a thin gas and a carbon film. When negative ions pass through the canal, molecular ions are decomposed into atomic ions, and the negative ions are stripped of electrons and converted into positive ions (charge conversion). Thereafter, the positive ions repel the positive charges of the terminal portion 36a and are further accelerated. Thus, the tandem accelerator 36 can accelerate ions in two stages.

Six types (monovalent to hexavalent) carbon ions are formed by charge conversion. It is preferable to adjust the magnetic field of the analyzing electromagnet 38 so that carbon ions having the largest abundance ratio among the six types of carbon ions (for example, trivalent carbon ions) pass through the middle of the beam line. Further, the analyzing electromagnet 38 (deflecting unit), ¹⁴ C ions (e.g., ¹⁴ C ³⁺⁾ smaller mass than (lighter) carbon ions (e.g., ¹² C ³⁺ and ¹³ C ³⁺⁾ increase the path of Can be bent. For this reason, the movable Faraday cup 39 can measure current values corresponding to the amounts of ¹² C ³⁺ and ¹³ C ³⁺ .

In the Q lens (quadrupole electromagnet 40), ¹⁴ C ions are focused. The focused ¹⁴ C ions reach the semiconductor detector 44 through the sorting electromagnet 41, the electrostatic analyzer 42, and the quadrupole electromagnet 43. In the electrostatic analyzer 42, impurity ions and scattered ions are removed. The semiconductor detector 44, ¹⁴ C ions (e.g., ¹⁴ C ³⁺⁾ number of is measured.

A carbon isotope ratio (for example, ¹⁴ C / ¹² C) can be calculated based on the current value measured by the Faraday cup 39 and the number measured by the semiconductor detector 44. Further, by using a standard sample, a concentration of ¹⁴ C (for example, pMC: percent Modern Carbon) can be obtained from the calculated carbon isotope ratio.

  The image that is determined to be authentic using the authenticity determination device 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, an image (specifically, a barcode) as shown in FIG. For example, when the reading unit 15 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an optical head (barcode reader), the control unit 11 can recognize the barcode as a number or a character by reading the barcode with the reading unit 15. By changing the line width (or dot size) or interval of the barcode, barcodes corresponding to various numbers or characters can be created. Each barcode can be replaced with a number or character corresponding to the barcode, for example, based on a correspondence table. In addition, according to the authenticity determination device 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately determine the authenticity of a two-dimensional code.

  An image that is determined to be authentic using the authenticity determination device 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) character as shown in FIG. The MICR character can be formed using a toner containing a magnetic component (for example, iron oxide). MICR characters have a unique font. For example, when the reading unit 15 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a magnetic head, the control unit 11 can recognize the MICR character by reading the MICR character with the reading unit 15. Also, MICR characters can be read using a magnetic head even if another image is formed on the MICR characters.

  The authenticity determination device 10 determines whether the image formed on the medium is true based on the degree of difference (difference or ratio) between the value obtained by the analysis unit 16b of the AMS measuring device 16 and a predetermined reference value. Or a determination unit that determines whether or not the image formed on the medium is true. The authenticity determination device 10 includes, in addition to the determination unit described above, another determination unit that determines the authenticity of the medium on which the image is formed based on the pattern of the image (for example, barcode or MICR character). Also good. The control unit 11 itself may realize a determination unit (or another determination unit), or the control unit 11 cooperates with a program or a circuit provided outside the control unit 11 to determine the determination unit ( Alternatively, another determination unit) may be realized.

  An image that is authenticated using the authentication device 10 according to the present embodiment is formed on a medium such as a printing sheet. As the printing sheet, for example, plain paper, glossy paper, or an OHP film can be suitably used. However, the medium on which the image is formed is arbitrary, and may be a three-dimensional medium instead of a flat medium.

  When determining the authenticity of the medium on which the image is formed, at least a part of the toner constituting the image is collected from the medium. For example, the toner constituting the image can be easily collected by rubbing the image (for example, barcode or MICR character) with the separation unit 14 (for example, the above-described separation head). Further, as shown in FIG. 6 or 7, in order to collect a sample (toner) for authenticity determination on the medium 20 separately from the region R1 where a main image (for example, a barcode or MICR character) is formed. The region R2 may be provided. In the region R2, an image having an arbitrary shape is formed using the same toner as that constituting the image of the region R1. In order to easily collect (separate) the sample (toner), the toner layer on the region R2 may be thicker than the toner layer on the region R1.

  In the example of FIG. 6, a linear region R2 is provided in the vicinity of the region R1. By rubbing the medium 20 with the separation unit 14 (for example, the above-described separation head) along the line of the region R2, the toner constituting the image of the region R2 can be easily collected.

  In the example of FIG. 7, a circular region R <b> 2 is provided at the end of the medium 20. By using such a medium 20, for example, toner can be collected by the following method. First, the end portion of the medium 20 provided with the region R2 is cut out to obtain a paper piece 20a (the cut end portion). Subsequently, the obtained paper piece 20 a is put into the authenticity determination device 10. Subsequently, in the authenticity determination device 10, the toner constituting the image in the region R <b> 2 is separated from the medium 20 using a solvent (separator 14) that dissolves the toner without dissolving the medium 20. If the configuration of the authenticity determination device 10 is changed so that the separated toner is sent to the analysis unit 16b of the AMS measurement device 16, the suction unit 16a of the AMS measurement device 16 becomes unnecessary.

Hereinafter, an example of the authenticity determination method according to the present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8. In the example shown in FIG. 8, an image formed by a mixed toner (mixed toner composed of two types of toner) containing normal toner and biomass toner at a mixing ratio of 1: 1 by mass is assumed to be true. A normal toner constituting a true image is a toner containing a binder resin containing a petroleum-derived component at a ratio of 100% by mass. Further, the biomass toner constituting the true image is a toner containing a binder resin containing a plant-derived component at a ratio of 25% by mass. The process of FIG. 8 (steps S11 to S16) is started based on a user instruction, for example. For example, when the CPU 11a executes a program stored in the ROM 11b or the storage unit 13 or the like, the processing in FIG. 8 is executed. As a value indicating the mixing ratio of the toner, the amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C contained in the toner is employed.

  In step S11, the toner constituting the image is collected from the image formed on the medium. Specifically, for example, the user separates at least a part of the toner (for example, 0.1 mg of toner) constituting the image from the medium by using the separation unit 14 (for example, pressing the separation head against the medium). Subsequently, the control unit 11 controls the AMS measuring device 16, and the toner separated by the separation unit 14 is sucked by the suction unit 16a. The toner sucked by the suction unit 16a is sent to the analysis unit 16b.

In step S12, the control unit 11 controls the AMS measuring device 16, the toner sucked by the suction unit 16a is subjected to accelerator mass analysis by the analysis unit 16b, and the amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C contained in the toner is determined. Ask. Then, the control unit 11 stores the obtained amount of ¹⁴ C in, for example, the storage unit 13.

In step S13, the control unit 11 calculates a difference (= | reference value−measured value |) between the amount of ¹⁴ C obtained in step S12 and a predetermined reference value. Then, the control unit 11 stores the calculated difference in, for example, the storage unit 13. For example, 1.4 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ mass% is set as the reference value. The reference value is stored in the storage unit 13, for example.

In step S14, the control unit 11 reads the difference calculated in step S13 from the storage unit 13 and determines whether the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (difference ≦ threshold). As the threshold, for example, 0.1 × 10 ⁻¹⁰ mass% is set. The threshold value may be a fixed value or a variable value. The threshold value is stored in the storage unit 13, for example.

  When it is determined in step S14 that the difference is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (step S14: YES), the control unit 11 determines that the image formed on the medium is true. Then, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 18 to display that the image formed on the medium is true (for example, ◯). The user can know the result of the authenticity judgment by looking at the display. Thereafter, the series of processes in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S14 that the difference is not less than or equal to the threshold value (step S14: NO), the control unit 11 determines that the image formed on the medium is not true. Then, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 18 to display that the image formed on the medium is not true (for example, x). The user can know the result of the authenticity judgment by looking at the display. Thereafter, the series of processes in FIG.

  According to the authenticity determination device or the authenticity determination method according to the present embodiment described above, the following excellent effects are exhibited.

  In the authenticity determination device 10 of the present embodiment, an image formed with a mixed toner containing a plurality of types of toner at a predetermined mixing ratio is regarded as true. The authenticity determination device 10 includes a separation unit 14, an analysis unit 16b, and a determination unit (such as the control unit 11). The separation unit 14 separates at least a part of the toner constituting the image from the medium (for example, paper) on which the image is formed with the toner. The analysis unit 16b analyzes the toner separated by the separation unit 14, and obtains a value indicating a mixing ratio of a plurality of types of toner in the toner. The determination unit determines whether the image is true based on the degree of difference (for example, difference) between the value obtained by the analysis unit 16b and a predetermined reference value.

  By mixing a plurality of types of toners, a unique toner (original toner) can be produced. The mixing ratio of the toner in the true image can be arbitrarily set. Since the toner mixing ratio in the true image can be information that only the person who created the true image can know, it can be used for determining the authenticity of the image. In the authenticity determination device 10 of the present embodiment, information (specifically, the mixing ratio of toner) for determining the authenticity of an image is acquired directly from the image. Then, the authenticity of the image (and hence the authenticity of the medium) is determined based on the information contained in the image (mixing ratio of toner).

  For example, when the authenticity of a medium on which the image is formed is determined based on a pattern (a pattern having an identification function) of an image (for example, a barcode or an MICR character), and the medium is determined to be true Further, the authenticity determination device 10 of this embodiment determines the authenticity of the image (and hence the authenticity of the medium). By determining the authenticity of the image (and hence the authenticity of the medium) based on the mixing ratio of the toner, it is possible to determine the authenticity of the medium with higher accuracy. Further, by using information (toner mixing ratio) included in the image for authenticity determination, it is not necessary to provide a magnetic part other than the image on the medium. For this reason, it is possible to simplify the authentication system. Such an authenticity determination device can be easily reduced in cost. However, in order to determine the authenticity of the medium with higher accuracy, the medium may be provided with a magnetic part including information on the medium.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, the difference between the value obtained by the analysis unit 16b and the predetermined reference value is set to a predetermined threshold value using the difference between the value obtained by the analysis unit 16b and the predetermined reference value. Judging whether or not it exceeds. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and whether or not the degree of difference between the value obtained by the analysis unit 16b and the predetermined reference value exceeds a predetermined threshold using the ratio between the value obtained by the analysis unit 16b and the predetermined reference value. It may be judged.

In order to determine the authenticity of the image (and hence the authenticity of the medium) with high accuracy, the mixed toner constituting the true image contains petroleum-derived components at a ratio of more than 90% by mass (more preferably 100% by mass). A toner containing a binder resin (first toner) and a toner containing a binder resin containing a plant-derived component in a proportion of 10% by mass or more (more preferably 30% by mass to 60% by mass). 2 toner). In the authenticity determination apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the analysis unit 16b performs accelerator mass analysis on the toner separated by the separation unit 14, and determines the amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C contained in the toner as a value indicating the mixing ratio of the toner. Ask. In the authenticity determination apparatus 10 having such a configuration, even if a small amount of collected sample (mixed toner including the first toner and the second toner) is small, a value indicating the toner mixing ratio in the sample (included in the toner). The amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C) can be obtained quickly with high accuracy.

  In the authenticity determination method of the present embodiment, an image formed with a mixed toner containing a plurality of types of toner at a predetermined mixing ratio is regarded as true. The authenticity determination method of the present embodiment includes a separation step, an analysis step, and a determination step. In the separation step, for example, the user separates at least a part of the toner constituting the image from the medium on which the image is formed with the toner by using the separation unit 14 (for example, pressing the separation head against the medium). In the analysis step, the analysis unit 16b analyzes the separated toner and obtains a mixing ratio of a plurality of types of toner in the toner. In the determination step, the determination unit (such as the control unit 11) determines whether the image is true based on the degree of difference between the toner mixing ratio obtained by the analysis unit 16b and the predetermined reference value.

  For example, when the authenticity of the medium on which the image is formed is determined based on the pattern of the image (for example, barcode or MICR character) (pattern having an identification function), and the medium is determined to be true, Furthermore, the authenticity determination method of this embodiment determines the authenticity of the image (and hence the authenticity of the medium). By determining the authenticity of the image (and hence the authenticity of the medium) based on the mixing ratio of the toner, it is possible to determine the authenticity of the medium with higher accuracy. Further, by using information (toner mixing ratio) included in the image for authenticity determination, it is not necessary to provide a magnetic part other than the image on the medium. According to the authenticity determination method of the present embodiment, it becomes possible to prevent forgery of documents (for example, banknotes, securities, cash vouchers, or tickets).

  When the control unit 11 can control the separation unit 14, for example, the separation unit 14 controls the separation unit 14 based on a user instruction so that the separation unit 14 separates the toner from the medium. The process may be changed.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The same elements as those shown in FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description overlapping with that of the first embodiment is omitted or simplified.

The authenticity determination device and the image forming method according to the present embodiment each determine the possibility that the image is true instead of whether the image is true or not. It is different from the method. Hereinafter, an example of the authenticity determination apparatus and the image forming method according to the present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9. In the example shown in FIG. 9, an image formed by a mixed toner (mixed toner composed of two types of toners) containing normal toner and biomass toner at a mixing ratio of 1: 1 by mass is assumed to be true. A normal toner constituting a true image is a toner containing a binder resin containing a petroleum-derived component at a ratio of 100% by mass. Further, the biomass toner constituting the true image is a toner containing a binder resin containing a plant-derived component at a ratio of 25% by mass. The processing in FIG. 9 (steps S21 to S28) is started based on, for example, a user instruction. For example, when the CPU 11a executes a program stored in the ROM 11b or the storage unit 13, the process of FIG. 9 is executed. As a value indicating the mixing ratio of the toner, the amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C contained in the toner is employed.

In the process of FIG. 9, first, steps S21 to S23 similar to steps S11 to S13 of FIG. 8 are executed. Subsequently, in step S24, the control unit 11 reads the difference calculated in step S23 from the storage unit 13, and determines whether the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold (difference ≦ first threshold). To do. As the first threshold value, for example, 0.5 × 10 ⁻¹¹ mass% is set. The first threshold value may be a fixed value or a variable value. However, the first threshold value is smaller than the second threshold value. The first threshold value is stored in the storage unit 13, for example.

  When it is determined in step S24 that the difference is equal to or smaller than the first threshold (step S24: YES), the control unit 11 determines that there is a high possibility that the image formed on the medium is true. Then, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 18 to display that the possibility that the image formed on the medium is true (for example, ◯) is high. The user can know the result of the authenticity judgment by looking at the display. Thereafter, the series of processes in FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S24 that the difference is not equal to or smaller than the first threshold value (step S24: NO), the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the control unit 11 reads the difference calculated in step S23 from the storage unit 13 and determines whether the difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined second threshold (difference ≦ second threshold). For example, 1.5 × 10 ⁻¹¹ mass% is set as the second threshold. The second threshold value may be a fixed value or a variable value. The second threshold value is stored in the storage unit 13, for example.

  When it is determined in step S26 that the difference is equal to or smaller than the second threshold (step S26: YES), the control unit 11 determines that there is a possibility that the image formed on the medium is true. Then, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 18 to display that there is a possibility that the image formed on the medium is true (for example, Δ). The user can know the result of the authenticity judgment by looking at the display. Thereafter, the series of processes in FIG.

  When it is determined in step S26 that the difference is not equal to or smaller than the second threshold (step S26: NO), the control unit 11 determines that the possibility that the image formed on the medium is true is small. Then, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 18 to display that the possibility that the image formed on the medium is true is small (for example, x). The user can know the result of the authenticity judgment by looking at the display. Thereafter, the series of processes in FIG.

  According to the authenticity determination device or the authenticity determination method according to the present embodiment described above, the following excellent effects are exhibited.

  In the authenticity determination apparatus and the authenticity determination method of the present embodiment, the determination unit (control unit 11 or the like) is based on the degree of difference (for example, difference) between the value obtained by the analysis unit 16b and a predetermined reference value, respectively. Seeking the possibility that the image is true. In the authenticity determination device and the authenticity determination method of the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user of a detailed determination result (possibility that the image is true) rather than whether or not the image is true. In the authenticity determination device and the authenticity determination method of this embodiment, the possibility that an image is true is obtained in three stages (large, medium, and small). However, the determination is not limited to this, and the determination may be made in four or more stages. Moreover, you may display the possibility that an image is true by the numerical value (for example, 0%-100%) which shows a probability.

  With regard to the same configuration and processing as in the first embodiment, an effect similar to the effect of the first embodiment described above can also be obtained in this embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
You may exclude from a structure of the authenticity determination apparatus 10 the determination part (The part which performs authenticity determination based on the difference of the value calculated | required by the analysis part 16b, and a predetermined reference value). The device from which the determination unit is excluded (hereinafter referred to as a toner information acquisition device) includes a separation unit 14 and an analysis unit 16b. By preparing a device having a determination unit (hereinafter, referred to as a determination device) outside the toner information acquisition device, it is possible to determine the authenticity of an image in the same manner as the authenticity determination method according to each of the above embodiments. . Specifically, toner information (a value indicating a toner mixing ratio) is acquired by a toner information acquisition device. The acquired toner information is stored in, for example, the storage unit 13. Subsequently, the toner information stored in the storage unit 13 is transferred to the determination device. For example, the toner information can be transferred to the determination device by moving the entire storage unit 13 storing the toner information to the determination device or reading the toner information from the storage unit 13 and transmitting the toner information to the determination device. The determination device determines whether the image is true based on the degree of difference between the received toner information (a value indicating the toner mixing ratio) and a predetermined reference value, or the image is true Ask for a possibility.

  The toner information acquisition device preferably includes a portable small memory for storing toner information (a value indicating a mixing ratio of toner). As a portable small memory, for example, a USB memory, an SD memory card, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a MO (Magneto-Optical disk) is suitable. Can be used. The toner information acquisition device preferably includes a communication device (such as an interface) for transmitting data to the determination device through wireless communication or wired communication. A general-purpose computer (so-called personal computer) can be suitably used as the determination device.

  In the authenticity determination device, the toner information acquisition device, or the authenticity determination method according to each of the above embodiments, the normal toner and the biomass toner used may be magnetic toners or nonmagnetic toners, respectively. Each of the normal toner and the biomass toner may be a toner that is soluble in oil or a toner that is not soluble in oil. Further, a toner that is neither a normal toner nor a biomass toner may be used.

  The mixed toner constituting the true image may contain a magnetic toner and a non-magnetic toner. By analyzing the toner using a magnetic permeability sensor, a value indicating the mixing ratio of magnetic toner and non-magnetic toner (magnetic permeability) can be obtained with high accuracy. In order to determine the authenticity of the image (and hence the authenticity of the medium) with high accuracy, the mixed toner constituting the true image preferably includes a magnetic toner having a residual magnetization of 7 emu / g or more and 20 emu / g or less. .

  The mixed toner constituting the true image may include a toner that dissolves in oil and a toner that does not dissolve in oil. Toners that are not soluble in oil can be suitably used, for example, to create documents for use at gas stations.

  The mixed toner constituting the true image may contain three or more kinds of toners. In addition, a substance having a special property (hereinafter referred to as a specific substance) may be contained in a predetermined ratio in any of a plurality of types of toners included in the mixed toner constituting the true image. As the specific substance, for example, a magnetic substance or a radioactive substance can be used. The specific substance may be contained in the toner as a component of toner particles (for example, an internal additive), or may be contained in the toner as particles different from the toner particles (for example, magnetic powder containing neither a binder resin nor a colorant). It may be included. Special properties are easy to detect with high accuracy. For this reason, the amount of the specific substance contained in the toner is easy to detect with high accuracy. By including the specific substance in any of the plurality of types of toners included in the mixed toner constituting the true image, a value indicating the mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toner in the mixed toner can be easily obtained with high accuracy.

  In each of the above embodiments, the configuration (components, dimensions, material, shape, position, etc.) of the authenticity determination device or toner information acquisition device can be arbitrarily changed or omitted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. .

  The functions relating to the control of the authenticity determination device or the toner information acquisition device according to each of the above embodiments can be realized by hardware (electronic circuit or the like) or software (program). In the above embodiment, the program executed by the control unit 11 may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. The program may be held in a predetermined server on the communication network so that the client can execute or download the program. Further, when a predetermined function is realized by cooperation between an OS (Operating System) and an application, distribution or the like may be enabled only for a portion other than the OS.

  Each of the authenticity determination device and the toner information acquisition device may be a portable device that can be carried or a stationary device that is difficult to carry. Further, the authenticity determination device and the toner information acquisition device may each be incorporated in a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), or a small computer.

  The said embodiment and modification can be combined arbitrarily. For example, the authenticity determination method according to the first embodiment (method for determining whether an image is true) and the authenticity determination method according to the second embodiment (a method for obtaining a possibility that an image is true) are used depending on the situation. May be selected.

  The authenticity determination device, toner information acquisition device, program, and authenticity determination method according to the present invention can be suitably used for, for example, banknotes, securities, cash vouchers, or ticket authenticity determination.

10 authentication device 11 control unit 11a CPU
11b ROM
11c RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Interface 13 Memory | storage part 14 Separator 14a Convex part 14b Roller 15 Reading part 16 AMS measuring device 16a Suction part 16b Analysis part 17 Input part 18 Display part 20 Medium 20a Paper piece 31a Ion source 31b Ion source 32 Electrostatic type spherical analyzer 33 Incident electromagnet 34 Faraday cup 35 Einzel lens 36 Tandem accelerator 36a Terminal part 36b Electrostatic Q lens 37 XY steerer 38 Analyzing electromagnet 39 Faraday cup 40 Quadrupole electromagnet 41 Sorting electromagnet 42 Electrostatic analyzer 43 Quadrupole electromagnet 44 Semiconductor detector R1 region R2 region

Claims (8)

An authenticity determination device that makes an image formed by a mixed toner including a plurality of types of toners at a predetermined mixing ratio true,
A separation unit that separates at least a part of the toner constituting the image from a medium on which an image is formed with toner;
An analysis unit that analyzes the toner separated by the separation unit and obtains a value indicating a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toners in the separated toner;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the image is true based on a degree of difference between the value obtained by the analysis unit and a predetermined reference value; or a determination unit that obtains the possibility that the image is true; ,
An authenticity determination device comprising: The mixed toner includes a first toner containing a binder resin containing a petroleum-derived component in a proportion of more than 90% by mass, and a second toner containing a binder resin containing a plant-derived component in a proportion of 10% by mass or more. Including
The authenticity determination according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit performs accelerator mass spectrometry on the toner separated by the separation unit and obtains the amount of radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴ C contained in the toner as a value indicating the mixing ratio. apparatus.   The authenticity determination device according to claim 1, wherein the mixed toner includes a magnetic toner having a residual magnetization of 7 emu / g or more and 20 emu / g or less.   The authenticity determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separation unit physically separates at least a part of the toner constituting the image from the medium.   The authenticity determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a suction unit that sucks the separated toner. A toner information acquisition device used for authenticity determination that an image formed by a mixed toner including a plurality of types of toners at a predetermined mixing ratio is true,
A separation unit that separates at least a part of the toner constituting the image from a medium on which an image is formed with toner;
An analysis unit that analyzes the toner separated by the separation unit and obtains a value indicating a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toners in the separated toner;
A toner information acquisition device. A program for authenticity determination that makes an image formed by a mixed toner including a plurality of types of toners at a predetermined mixing ratio true,
On the computer,
Analyzing the toner constituting the image by an analysis unit to obtain a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toner in the toner;
Determining whether or not the image is true based on the degree of difference between the obtained toner mixing ratio and a predetermined reference value, or obtaining the possibility that the image is true;
A program for running An authenticity determination method that makes an image formed by a mixed toner containing a plurality of types of toners at a predetermined mixing ratio true,
Separating at least part of the toner constituting the image from the medium on which the image is formed with toner;
An analysis unit analyzing the separated toner and obtaining a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of toner in the separated toner;
The determination unit determines whether the image is true based on the degree of difference between the toner mixing ratio obtained by the analysis unit and a predetermined reference value, or the image is true Asking for possibilities,
A method for determining authenticity.

Images