JP2017227838A - Information medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information medium which reduces the risk of being tampered and enables easy and reliable authenticity determination.SOLUTION: An information medium 100 comprises a substrate (e.g., peelable/degradable layer 10) having an optically readable information code 20 thereon, and a retroreflective layer 30 disposed on the substrate over an area corresponding to the information code 20 and configured to exhibit retroreflection under retroreflective conditions. The information code 20 can be optically read through the retroreflective layer 30 under non-retroreflective conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an information medium and a program including authentication determination performed using the information medium.

  For the purpose of production management, distribution management, etc. of various products, stickers (or stickers) having information codes such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes may be affixed to the products, their parts, packaging of the products, etc. Widely done. Information codes, particularly two-dimensional codes, have a large amount of information that can be recorded per unit area, and are extremely useful as management information media.

  However, since such information codes can be easily duplicated by a photocopier or the like, for example, a fake information code is produced, or a genuine information code is illegally duplicated and attached to a counterfeit product. Is possible.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses that in a laminated material that is an anti-counterfeiting material, a transparent resin layer is formed in a partial region on the transparent microsphere to reduce the retroreflectance of the region, and the non-counterfeiting region and A laminated material in which an information code is recorded based on a difference in retroreflectance from the formation region is described. The patent document describes that this laminated material is an information medium having improved security without impairing design.

JP 2007-192883 A Japanese Patent No. 5791826

  Even with the technique of Patent Document 1, for example, the risk of falsification of a part or the whole of the transparent resin layer on the transparent microsphere is not eliminated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information medium in which the risk of falsification is further reduced and the authenticity can be easily and reliably determined, and a program including an authenticity determination using the information medium.

  The present invention is summarized as follows.

[1] A substrate having an optically readable information code, and a retroreflective layer positioned on the region of the substrate on which the information code is arranged and exhibiting retroreflection under retroreflection conditions ,
The information code is optically readable through the retroreflective layer in non-retroreflective conditions.
Information medium.

  [2] The retroreflective layer has a transparent spherical body layer containing a plurality of transparent spherical bodies having an average particle diameter of 10 μm to 100 μm, and a transparent reflector layer. Retroreflection is shown by reflection at the interface between the spherical body and the transparent reflector layer, and the non-retroreflective condition makes the information code optically readable through the transparent sphere layer and the transparent reflector layer. The information medium according to [1].

  [3] The information medium according to [1] or [2], wherein the information code is a two-dimensional code.

  [4] The two-dimensional code separates a position detection pattern, a plurality of data blocks recorded by dividing an area other than the position detection pattern, and adjacent data blocks of the plurality of data blocks. The information medium according to [3], comprising a separation space.

  [5] The information medium according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the substrate has a peel-disintegrating layer.

[6] including a step of preparing a substrate having an information code, and a step of laminating a retroreflective layer on the region of the substrate on which the information code is disposed.
[1] A method for manufacturing an information medium according to any one of [4].

[7] Based on the image of the information code portion of the information medium to be verified photographed under the retroreflective condition, it is determined whether the information code portion exhibits retroreflection, and the subject photographed under the non-retroreflective condition. Detecting the information code based on an image of the information code portion of the verification information recording medium;
A program that causes a computer to execute.

  [8] Based on both the image photographed under the retroreflective condition and the image photographed under the non-retroreflective condition, the computer is caused to determine whether or not the information code portion shows retroreflective. The program according to [6].

  [9] When the information code portion indicates retroreflection and the information code is recognized, the computer is caused to determine that the information code is a genuine information code, [7] or [ 8].

[10] When it is determined that the information code is a genuine information code,
The program according to [9], which causes a computer to display on the display means that the information code is a genuine information code.

[11] When the information code portion does not show retroreflection and the information code is recognized,
The program according to any one of [7] to [10], which causes a computer to determine that the information code is an illegal information code.

[12] When it is determined that the information code is an illegal information code,
Causing the computer to execute at least one of displaying on the display means that the information code is an illegal information code and recording on the recording means that the information code is an illegal information code; [11] The program described in.

[13] light source,
A system comprising: a camera; and a computer that executes the program according to any one of [7] to [9].

  [14] The system according to [13], which is a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a dedicated machine.

  In the information medium of the present invention, for example, a part of or all of the transparent resin layer on the retroreflective layer is scraped off, and the risk of tampering is eliminated, and authenticity determination is easy and reliable. The program of the present invention using the information medium described above makes it easy and reliable to determine the authenticity of the information code, and makes it possible to easily obtain highly secure and safe information.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged photograph showing the appearance of the retroreflective layer before (a) and after (b), when a QR code (registered trademark) having a size of 8 mm × 8 mm is used as the information code. FIG. 2 is an enlarged photograph showing the appearance of the retroreflective layer before (a) and after (b), when DATAMATRIX having a size of 8 mm × 8 mm is used as the information code. FIG. 3 is an enlarged photograph showing the appearance of the retroreflective layer before (a) and after (b), when the FS code (registered trademark) of size 8 mm × 8 mm is used as the information code. FIG. 4 is an enlarged photograph showing the appearance of the retroreflective layer before (a) and after (b), when a QR code having a size of 6 mm × 6 mm is used as the information code. FIG. 5 is an enlarged photograph showing an appearance of the retroreflective layer before (a) and after (b), when DATAMATRIX having a size of 6 mm × 6 mm is used as the information code. FIG. 6 is an enlarged photograph showing the appearance of the retroreflective layer before (a) and after (b), when a FS code having a size of 6 mm × 6 mm is used as the information code. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an example of an embodiment of the information medium of the present invention.

<Information media>
The information medium of the present invention is
A substrate having an optically readable information code;
A retroreflective layer that is located on the region of the substrate on which the information code is arranged and exhibits retroreflection under retroreflective conditions.

[Substrate] The substrate in the information medium of the present invention has a function of imparting necessary strength to the information medium and holding an information code. Accordingly, the substrate can be used without particular limitation as long as it is a material capable of printing an information code by printing. The substrate may be a single layer or a laminate composed of multiple layers.

  Examples of the substrate in the present invention include a sheet material and a peel-disintegrating layer, and one or more selected from these can be used.

(Sheet material)
Examples of the sheet material include paper and film.

As specific examples of these sheet materials,
Examples of the paper include high-quality paper, coated paper, art paper, foil paper, and recycled paper;
Examples of the film include a polyester film, a polyolefin film, a polystyrene film, a polyvinyl chloride film, and a polyimide film;
Each can be mentioned.

  The thickness of the sheet material is optional as long as it satisfies the requirements of having a strength that can withstand the load applied in the manufacturing process of the information medium of the present invention and that it does not become excessively thick when affixed to a product. is there. For example, the range of 10 micrometers-5 mm can be illustrated.

(Peeling disintegrating layer)
The substrate in the information medium of the present invention may have a peel-disintegrating layer in place of the above sheet material or together with the above sheet material. When the substrate is a laminate of a sheet material and this peel-disintegrating layer, the peel-disintegrating layer is preferably arranged on the side where the substrate is applied.

  A commercially available layer can be used as the peel-disintegrating layer. Once the peel-disintegrating layer is applied and then peeled off, characters such as “VOID” and “opened” or a pattern having the same kind of meaning appear on the peel-disintegrating layer and the application destination, and the release history This is a laminate for facilitating the discovery of unauthorized opening and preventing tampering by leaving traces of the above.

  The peel-disintegrating layer has at least a surface base material, a patterned release layer, a thin film metal layer or a transparent resin layer, and an adhesive layer, for example. A coating layer may be further provided on the surface substrate, and release paper may be provided under the adhesive layer. Examples of such a peel-disintegrating layer include “TE Poppy 50 VOID PAT-1 8LK” manufactured by Lintec Corporation.

  When the peel-disintegrating layer (the information medium of the present invention having the peel-off layer) is once peeled off, the thin film metal layer or the transparent resin layer and the adhesive layer are peeled off together with the surface base material in the region where the pattern-like release layer does not exist. In the region where the patterned release layer is present, the thin metal layer or the transparent resin layer is peeled off from the surface substrate and remains on the sticking destination together with the adhesive layer, so that characters or patterns corresponding to the pattern of the patterned release layer are raised. It becomes.

Examples of the surface substrate in the peel-disintegrating layer include a polyester film;
As the release layer, for example, a silicone resin or the like;
As a thin film metal layer, for example, a metal vapor deposition layer such as an aluminum vapor deposition layer or a silver vapor deposition layer, or a printing layer made of aluminum paste or the like;
Each can be used.

  Once the peel-disintegrating layer is pasted, if it is to be peeled off, the security of the peel-disintegrating layer is further improved by leaving a trace of the peeling history on the peel-disintegrating layer and the sticking destination.

(Aspect of substrate)
As the substrate in the information medium of the present invention, typically, a sheet material or a peel-disintegrating layer as described above can be used, or a laminate of a peel-disintegrating layer and a sheet material can be used. . A product (eg, card, ticket, passport, gift certificate, various securities, etc.) or product packaging (eg, box, bag, tube, bottle, bottle, etc.) itself, as long as it meets the above-mentioned base requirements May be used as a substrate in the information medium of the present invention.

[Information code]
The substrate in the present invention has an information code. This information code needs to be optically readable on the resulting information medium. Therefore, the position of this information code is typically on the surface side of the substrate (the side on which a retroreflective layer described later is laminated), but when the substrate has visible light transmittance, the back surface of the substrate There may be an information code on the side (the side opposite to the side where a retroreflective layer described later is laminated).

  When the substrate is a multilayer laminate, the information code may be arranged in any layer in the laminate as long as it is optically readable in the obtained information medium. For example, when using a laminate of a transparent sheet material and a peel-disintegrating layer as a substrate and arranging a retroreflective layer on the transparent sheet material side, the information code is arranged between the transparent sheet material and the peel-disintegrating layer. Aspect is allowed because the information code can be optically read.

  The optically readable information code refers to, for example, a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, or the like.

  Examples of the one-dimensional code include bar codes such as JAN code, ITF code, NW-7, CODE39, and UPC.

  Examples of the two-dimensional code include QR code (registered trademark), DATAMATRIX, FS code (registered trademark), and the like.

  QR codes are well known, registered in ISO / IEC 18004, and are already widely used. The name of “QR code” is registered as a trademark.

  DATAMATRIX is a known two-dimensional code registered as the ISMI IS standard and ISO / IEC standard. This code forms an alignment pattern in which the two adjacent sides of the rectangle form a solid “L” shape, and the remaining two sides form a dotted clock pattern, and the data symbols are within the rectangle defined by these patterns. To be recorded. If the size of the data symbol exceeds 24 cells × 24 cells, the symbol is divided, and the size of one block in the data symbol is limited to 24 cells × 24 cells or less. This is a two-dimensional code with improved readability.

The FS code is a technique described in Japanese Patent No. 579826.
A position detection pattern;
A plurality of data blocks recorded by dividing an area other than the position detection pattern;
A separation space for separating adjacent data blocks of the plurality of data blocks;
Is a two-dimensional code.

  The FS code is characterized by having a very high readability when a data symbol is distorted or when a part of the data symbol is lost by appropriately having a position detection pattern and a separation space.

  The outline of the FS code is described below.

[1] A two-dimensional code in which data represented by a binary code is converted into cells and arranged as a pattern in a two-dimensional matrix,
A position detection pattern;
A plurality of data blocks obtained by dividing an area other than the position detection pattern of the two-dimensional matrix;
A separation space provided between the plurality of adjacent data blocks, and
The plurality of data blocks are two-dimensional codes that are divided according to error correction units.

  [2] The two-dimensional code according to [1], wherein the plurality of data blocks include a format information block indicating which of the plurality of different representations of the data block.

  [3] The two-dimensional code according to [1] or [2], wherein the position detection pattern has a larger area than the data block.

  [4] The two-dimensional code according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the separation space is all bright or all dark.

  [5] One of the plurality of expressions is a 7-bit expression in which eight cells other than the central cell are fixed to include four bright cells and four dark cells, and represent 140 patterns. The two-dimensional code according to [2].

  [6] One of the plurality of expressions is that eight cells other than the central cell are fixed to include four bright cells and four dark cells, and the central cell is light or dark. The two-dimensional code according to [2], which is a 6-bit expression that is fixed and represents 70 patterns.

  [7] The two-dimensional code according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein each of the plurality of data blocks is divided so as to have a constant data amount.

[8] Each of the data blocks has 3 × 3 cells,
The separation space has a width of 1 cell or more;
The two-dimensional code according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the position detection pattern has a horizontal width of 4 cells or more and a vertical width of 4 cells or more.

  As the information code applied to the present invention, a two-dimensional code is preferable because there is a large amount of information per unit area and there is a high possibility that information to be security managed is described.

  The size of the information code, particularly the two-dimensional code, can be 4 mm × 4 mm or more, and there is no particular technical limitation on the upper limit. When the information medium of the present invention is used as a security seal, it is appropriate that it is smaller than the size of the seal itself. As the size and shape of the security seal, there are many circles or ellipses with a diameter or major axis of about 10 mm to 20 mm, and a rectangle with a side length of about 10 mm to 20 mm. Therefore, for example, the size of the information code is 5 mm × 5 mm to 15 mm × A rectangle of about 15 mm can be exemplified.

  The color of the information code is preferably a dark color, and more preferably black, in order to enhance optical recognition performed through the retroreflective laminate.

[Retroreflective layer]
The retroreflective layer is disposed at least on the area where the information code exists on the substrate.

Retroreflective layer
It is preferable that the retroreflective condition indicates retroreflective and the non-retroreflective condition allows the information code to be optically read through the retroreflective layer.

  The retroreflective layer preferably has at least a transparent spherical body layer and a transparent reflector layer.

  The retroreflective layer may further include a surface coat layer on the side of the transparent spherical layer layer opposite to the transparent reflector layer (the outer surface side of the information medium). Moreover, you may further have a fixed resin layer, a base material layer, an adhesion layer etc. on the opposite side (inner side of an information medium) of a transparent reflective material layer. As such a retroreflective layer, a commercially available retroreflective film can be used, and examples thereof include an open-type retroreflective film “LIGHT FORCETM LFU-1400” manufactured by Maruhito Corporation.

  The transparent spherical body layer contains a plurality of transparent spherical bodies. Examples of the transparent spherical body include glass beads and resin beads. As the transparent spherical body, for example, those having an average particle diameter of 10 μm to 100 μm and a refractive index of about 1.9 to 2.2 can be used.

  The transparent reflecting material layer is provided on the surface of the transparent spherical layer on the substrate side (inside of the information medium) directly or indirectly through another layer, and reflects light incident on the transparent spherical layer. It has a function. As a transparent reflector layer, the layer containing a pearl pigment, a vapor deposition metal thin film, etc. can be illustrated, for example.

  The fixed resin layer is a layer for arranging and fixing a large number of transparent spherical bodies, and for example, a layer containing an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, a silicone resin, or the like can be used. In order to increase the strength of the fixed resin layer, a crosslinking agent may be added to the resin.

The retroreflective layer has the transparent spherical body layer and the transparent reflector layer as described above,
In retroreflective conditions, it shows retroreflection by reflection at the interface between the transparent spherical body and the transparent reflector layer, and in non-retroreflective conditions, the information code passes through the transparent spherical layer and the transparent reflector layer. Can be read optically.

  The base material layer optionally included in the retroreflective layer has a function of supporting the transparent spherical body layer and the transparent reflector layer. As this base material layer, it can be a transparent film which consists of resin, such as polyester, polyolefin, a cellulose, an acrylic resin, for example. In addition, when a retroreflection layer has a base material layer, this base material layer may have a function as a base | substrate in an information medium together. That is, when the retroreflective layer has a base material layer, the information medium having the retroreflective layer may not have a separate base, and in addition to the base material layer of the retroreflective layer, in the information medium A layer functioning as a substrate (for example, a peel-disintegrating layer) may be separately provided.

  In the case where the retroreflective layer has an adhesive layer, a material known as a sealing member can be used as a constituent material of these layers.

[Example of information medium mode]
FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a preferred embodiment of the information medium of the present invention. In the information medium 100 of FIG. 7, an information code 20 is disposed on a base made of a peelable collapsible layer 10, and a retroreflective layer 30 is provided thereon. In FIG. 7, the information code 20 is drawn so as to be a thick film layer constituting an exceptional layer, but this is a convenient expression for exaggerating the existence of the information code. In reality, it should be understood that the information code is formed in a thin film form that can be optically identified by a known printing means or the like, and it is not necessary to form a special layer due to the presence of the information code.

  The peel-disintegrating layer 10 in the information medium 100 of FIG. 7 is a laminate having a surface base material 11, a patterned release layer 12, a thin film metal layer or transparent resin layer 13, and an adhesive layer 14 in this order. is there.

  The retroreflective layer 30 in the information medium 100 of FIG. 7 is a laminate having a transparent spherical body layer 31, a transparent reflective layer 32, a fixed resin layer 33, a base material layer 34, and an adhesive layer 35 in this order. is there.

  In the information medium 100 of FIG. 7, the retroreflective layer 30 includes a base material layer 34, and the base material layer 34 has a function as the base material layer 34 of the retroreflective layer 30, and a sheet as an example of a substrate. The function of the material can be exhibited together. Therefore, the base in the information medium 100 in FIG. 7 is composed only of the peel-disintegrating layer 10 and does not have a sheet material. However, in the information medium 100 of FIG. 7, an embodiment in which the base further includes a sheet material together with the peelable collapsible layer 10 is also a preferable example of the information medium of the present invention.

<Method of manufacturing information medium>
The information medium of the present invention may be manufactured by any method as long as it has the above configuration.

As an example, the following steps:
A step of preparing a base body having an information code (base body preparation step), and a step of stacking a retroreflective layer on the region of the base body on which the information code is arranged (retroreflective layer stacking step);
The manufacturing method containing can be illustrated.

[Substrate preparation process]
When the desired substrate is a single layer, the substrate preparation step can be performed by applying an information code on the desired substrate; when the desired substrate is a multilayered structure, The layers can be stacked and information codes can be assigned in any order. In the latter case, the information code may be applied after the laminated body is formed; the laminated body may be formed after the information code is applied to any layer constituting the laminated body; A layered body of some of the layers may be formed, an information code may be applied to the layered body, and another layer may be further stacked.

  Formation of the laminate as a substrate can be performed according to a known method. For example, there are a method in which two layers are pressure-bonded via an adhesive layer, a method in which a new layer is formed on a formed layer by a melt extrusion method, and then laminated.

  The method of assigning the information code is printing performed using, for example, a printing device.

  Examples of the printing apparatus that can be used for providing the information code include a laser printer, an ink jet printer, a thermal printer, a dot impact printer, and other printing machines. Other printing machines are preferably offset printing machines, flexographic printing machines, gravure printing machines, silk printing machines, intaglio printing machines, letterpress printing machines, and the like.

  The resolution of the printing device to be used is preferably 300 dpi or more, more preferably 400 dpi or more, and it is recommended to use a device of about 600 dpi. Although the practical benefits of using an excessively high resolution printing device are scarce, its use is not prohibited. For example, a printing device of about 9,600 dpi may be used.

[Retroreflective layer lamination process]
In the retroreflective layer laminating step, the retroreflective layer is laminated on the region where the information code exists on the substrate. In a typical embodiment, since the retroreflective layer is supplied as a seal member, lamination in this step can be performed by applying the seal member.

<Program>
The present invention further provides a program for verifying the authenticity determination of the information medium as described above. Hereinafter, an information medium to be verified such as authentication is referred to by the term “verified information medium”.

The program of the present invention
The processing is performed based on the image of the information code portion of the information medium to be verified photographed under the retroreflective condition and the image of the information code portion of the information recording medium to be verified photographed under the non-retroreflective condition.

Here, the retroreflection condition is a case where the light incident direction from the light source with respect to the information medium to be verified is substantially the same as the photographing direction;
The non-retroreflective condition is a case where the light incident direction from the light source with respect to the information medium to be verified is different from the photographing direction.

The program of the present invention
Determining whether or not the information code portion exhibits retroreflection based on an image (first image) of the information code portion of the information medium to be verified, which is imaged under the retroreflection condition (first determination); Detecting the information code based on an image (second image) of the information code portion of the information recording medium to be verified photographed under non-retroreflective conditions (second determination);
Causing the computer to execute.

  Either the first determination or the second determination may be performed first.

  The first determination can be performed by checking whether at least one of the colors and pattern shapes appearing in the first image is within the predetermined allowable range. The above-mentioned color means, for example, one or more of hue, lightness, saturation, etc. appearing in the image; the pattern shape means a form pattern of the retroreflective portion appearing in the image.

  As another method of the first determination, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of retroreflection by comparing these based on both the first image and the second image. In this case, it is possible to determine that there is retroreflection when at least one of the colors and pattern shapes of the two images is significantly different, except for the difference that the two images naturally appear due to the difference in the light source position such as a shadow. If substantially the same, it can be determined that there is no retroreflection.

  The second determination can be performed by checking whether or not the information code in the second image can be decoded. Whether or not this decoding is possible can be checked according to a predetermined method set for each type of information code.

For example, when the information code is a QR code, for example, Iconit, etc .;
In the case of DATAMTRIX, for example NeoReader etc .;
It is possible to use a generally distributed program.

When the information code is an FS code, for example, in the pattern in the second image,
Identify the position detection pattern,
Calculate the position of the format information block based on the identified position detection pattern,
The format information block at the position is analyzed to determine whether the data block is one of a plurality of predetermined expressions, and the data block is analyzed according to the determined expression to perform decoding. Can be tried.

  When it is determined that the information code portion shows retroreflection in the first determination and the information code can be recognized in the second determination, the information code is a genuine information code. Let them be judged.

  When it is determined in the first determination that the information code portion does not show retroreflection, and the information code can be recognized in the second determination, the computer determines that the information code is an invalid information code. Let them judge.

  In the second determination, when the information code cannot be recognized, whether the information code part is determined to show retroreflection or not to be shown in the first determination, The authenticity of the information code may be determined to be unknown, or it may be determined to be an illegal information code.

  Then, when it is determined that the information code of the information medium to be verified is a genuine information code, the processing may be terminated as it is; the processing may be shifted to the scheduled processing using the information code; After displaying on the display means that the information code is a genuine information code, the process may be terminated, or the process may be shifted to a scheduled process using the information code.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the information code of the information medium to be verified is an illegal information code, the processing may be terminated as it is; the information means displays on the display means that the information code is an illegal information code. Further, the processing may be terminated after causing the computer to execute at least one of recording information that the information code is an illegal information code.

  When the information code of the information medium to be verified is uncertain, it may conform to the case where it is determined that the information is illegal.

<System>
The present invention further relates to a system for executing the above program.

The system of the present invention
light source,
A camera and a computer for executing the program.

  The light source and the camera are for taking the first image and the second image. The system of the present invention preferably includes a light source (first light source) that exists at a position where the subject can be irradiated with light from substantially the same direction as the camera in order to capture the first image.

  In order to capture the second image, light from a direction different from the camera is required for the subject. As the second light source for that purpose, for example, environmental light may be used, the system of the present invention may further include a second light source at a position different from the camera, or the first light source described above. The light source or the camera may be a system that moves when taking the second image.

  The system of the present invention preferably further comprises display means or storage means, or both. The display means has a function of displaying that the acquired information code is a genuine information code or an illegal information code. The storage means has a function of recording that the acquired information code is a genuine information code or an illegal information code.

  The system of the present invention can be, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a dedicated machine.

When the system of the present invention is a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet computer, the built-in camera and the flash are usually relatively close to each other. So in these cases,
A built-in flash can be used as the first light source;
As the second light source, ambient light can be used;
A built-in camera can be used as the camera.

Furthermore, a built-in CPU and display can be used as the computer and display means for executing the program, respectively;
As the recording means, a built-in or additional memory can be used.

In the following test examples, various two-dimensional codes were printed on the surface base material of the peel-disintegrating layer, and an information medium produced by laminating a retroreflective layer on the surface base material was read and verified. The manufacturing conditions of the information medium were as follows.
Peel-disintegrating layer: manufactured by Lintec Co., Ltd., product name “TE Poppy 50 VOID PAT-1 8LK”
Two-dimensional code size: Tested for three types of 8 mm x 8 mm, 7 mm x 7 mm, and 6 mm x 6 mm as the size of the code outer shape Two-dimensional code printing printer: 600 dpi inkjet printer, black ink used Retroreflective layer: Maru Co., Ltd. Open type retroreflective film “LIGHT FORCETM LFU-1400”, glass bead diameter (D50) = 45 μm

  The verification test was performed using a QR code, DATAMATRIX, and FS code as a two-dimensional code. The number of cells of each code was set to around 35, and a verification test was performed under the condition that the size per cell was approximately the same size between code types.

  As a reference example, reading was also performed in the case of only a peel-disintegrating layer on which a two-dimensional code was printed without laminating a retroreflective layer.

  Verification of reading of the information medium was performed using a two-dimensional code reader application of a smartphone (iPhone (registered trademark) 6S).

  Table 1 shows the number of cells of each two-dimensional code and the types of two-dimensional code reader applications used.

  The results of reading verification are shown in Table 2. 1 to 6 show enlarged photographs when the retroreflective layer is not laminated and when it is laminated for each of the two-dimensional codes of size 8 mm × 8 mm and 6 mm × 6 mm. In either case, (a) is a case where a retroreflective layer is not laminated, and (b) is a case where a retroreflective layer is laminated.

  As verified by the above test example, when the retroreflective layer is laminated on the two-dimensional code, the cell contour is distorted due to light scattering, refraction, and reflection by the glass beads. However, as long as this degree of distortion does not become excessive, reading with a normal code reader is possible. The code size at which distortion that makes reading impossible occurs differs depending on the type of the two-dimensional code, and reading is possible up to the smallest size of the FS code. Since the FS code has a separation space between data blocks, even if the cell contour is distorted by the glass beads, the influence on the contrast is small, so that it is possible to read a small size.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Peel-disintegrating layer 11 Surface base material 12 Patterned peeling layer 13 Thin film metal layer or transparent resin layer 14 Adhesive layer 20 Information code 30 Retroreflective layer 31 Transparent spherical body layer 32 Transparent reflective layer 33 Fixed resin layer 34 Base material layer 35 Adhesive layer 100 Information media

Claims (14)

A substrate having an optically readable information code, and a retroreflective layer positioned on the region of the substrate on which the information code is disposed and exhibiting retroreflection under retroreflection conditions,
The information code is optically readable through the retroreflective layer in non-retroreflective conditions.
Information medium.   The retroreflective layer has a transparent spheroid layer containing a plurality of transparent spheroids having an average particle size of 10 μm to 100 μm, and a transparent reflector layer. The retroreflective is shown by reflection at the interface with the transparent reflector layer, and the information code can be optically read through the transparent spherical body layer and the transparent reflector layer under non-retroreflective conditions. Item 4. The information medium according to Item 1.   The information medium according to claim 1, wherein the information code is a two-dimensional code.   The two-dimensional code includes a position detection pattern, a plurality of data blocks recorded by dividing an area other than the position detection pattern, and a separation space that separates adjacent data blocks of the plurality of data blocks. The information medium according to claim 3, further comprising:   The information medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the substrate has a peel-disintegrating layer. Providing a substrate having an information code, and laminating a retroreflective layer on the region of the substrate on which the information code is disposed,
The manufacturing method of the information medium as described in any one of Claims 1-4. Determining whether or not the information code portion exhibits retroreflection based on an image of the information code portion of the information medium to be verified imaged under the retroreflective condition, and recording the information to be verified imaged under the nonretroreflective condition Detecting an information code based on an image of an information code portion of the medium;
A program that causes a computer to execute.   The computer is configured to determine whether or not the information code portion indicates retroreflection based on both an image photographed under the retroreflection condition and an image photographed under the non-retroreflection condition. The program described in.   9. The computer according to claim 7, wherein when the information code portion indicates retroreflection and the information code is recognized, the computer is caused to determine that the information code is a genuine information code. program. When it is determined that the information code is a genuine information code,
The program according to claim 9, which causes a computer to display on the display means that the information code is a genuine information code. When the information code portion does not show retroreflection and the information code is recognized,
The program according to any one of claims 7 to 10, which causes a computer to determine that the information code is an illegal information code. When it is determined that the information code is an invalid information code,
The computer executes at least one of displaying on the display means that the information code is an illegal information code and recording on the recording means that the information code is an illegal information code. The program described in. light source,
A system comprising a camera and a computer that executes the program according to claim 7.   The system according to claim 13, wherein the system is a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a dedicated machine.