JP2023176347A - Authenticity determination device and authenticity determination method - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable determination of whether or not an application for added value is made correctly using a used printed matter.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an authenticity determination device for images produced using a printed matter. The printed matter consists of a medium printed in advance in a predesignated manner, where the medium is provided with unique identification information assigned to each printed matter and a two-dimensional code storing arbitrary character string information, and has a cutting line for cutting the medium to divide the two-dimensional code. An image is produced by placing first and second portions separated from the printed matter that has been cut along the cutting line on a predetermined placement body. The authenticity determination device comprises a determination unit for determining whether the image is authentic or not.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an authenticity determination device and an authenticity determination method for determining whether or not an application for added value such as digital value made using a used gift certificate, ticket, etc. has been made correctly.

In recent years, technology has been used to add added value (hereinafter also referred to as "digital value") to used, ie, invalidated, gift certificates and tickets.

This makes it possible to provide digital value to users. For example, if this technology is applied to concert tickets, ticket purchasers can be given bonus points, premium gifts, etc. after using the ticket.

In order to reliably award this type of bonus points to ticket purchasers, it is necessary to apply a technology that has an authenticity determination function that can reliably prove that the ticket is an invalidated ticket.

This is because if authenticity cannot be determined, a malicious person could falsely pretend that a ticket has been invalidated even though it has not been invalidated, fraudulently receive digital value, and even after the ticket has actually been invalidated. This is because it becomes possible to illegally receive multiple digital values.

There is cited document 1 as a prior art related to this type of proof of ticket invalidation.

In Cited Document 1, the barcode is printed separately on the main ticket part and the stub part, and the split barcode printed on the main ticket part and the split barcode printed on the stub part. A technique has been disclosed in which a barcode is completed when the two are physically connected, and the barcode information can be read.

According to this technology, it is not possible to physically connect the split barcode printed on the main ticket part and the split barcode printed on the stub part of an unused ticket, so the barcode information Once the ticket has been read correctly, it can be determined that the ticket has been used.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-31364

However, this conventional technology cannot prevent unauthorized reading.

For example, if you copy an unused ticket and use the copied ticket to physically connect both split barcodes, it is possible to read the barcode information even if the ticket remains unused. is created.

As described above, according to the conventional technology, since reliable proof of use cannot be made, there is a risk that the barcode may be read illegally by a forgery such as a photocopied ticket, and the digital value may be illegally acquired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an authenticity determination device and an authenticity determination method for determining whether or not an application for added value is correctly made using a used printed matter. be.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following measures.

A first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for determining authenticity of images created using printed matter. Here, the printed matter is made of a medium on which prespecified printing has been performed, and a two-dimensional code storing unique identification information given to each printed matter and arbitrary character string information is arranged on the medium, A cutting line for cutting the medium is provided to divide the two-dimensional code. The image is created by placing in a predetermined arrangement a first part and a second part separated from the printed material cut along the cutting line. The authenticity determination device includes a determination unit that determines whether the image is genuine.

A second aspect of the present invention is the authenticity determination device of the first aspect, in which the character string information is a combination of at least one of numbers, letters, and symbols at random.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the determination unit performs a first determination to determine whether prespecified printing is performed on the first portion and the second portion arranged on the arrangement body. , is the authenticity determination device of the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination unit performs a second determination to determine whether or not the first portion and the second portion are arranged at each designated location of the arrangement body. This is the authenticity determination device according to the third aspect.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, if both the first determination and the second determination are positive, the determining unit determines that the image is likely to be genuine, and determines whether the first determination or the second determination is positive. If at least one of the determinations is negative, the authenticity determination device of the fourth aspect determines that the image is not genuine.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the image may be genuine, the determination unit reads identification information and character string information from the image, and combines the read identification information and character string information with each other. If a combination of This is the authenticity determination device according to the embodiment No. 5.

A seventh aspect of the present invention further includes a registration unit that registers in a database a combination of identification information and character string information read from an image determined to be authentic by the determination unit, and the determination unit When making the determination in step 3, if the combination of read identification information and character string information is not registered in the database, the image is determined to be genuine; if it is registered in the database, the image is determined to be genuine. This is a sixth aspect of the authenticity determination device that determines that there is no such thing.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is the authenticity determination device of the fourth aspect, which includes a predetermined arrangement.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is that the predetermined arrangement body has a first arrangement location where the first portion is arranged and a second arrangement location where the second portion is arranged as specified locations. It is an authenticity determination device of the 8th aspect including.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is that the predetermined arrangement body is provided with an isolation area between the first arrangement location and the second arrangement location to isolate the first arrangement location and the second arrangement location. In addition, this is an authenticity determination device according to a ninth aspect.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the authenticity determination device according to the tenth aspect, in which the isolated area is colored with a color that is not used in the two-dimensional code.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the authenticity determining device according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein the isolation region has a rectangular shape.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the twelfth aspect, wherein the isolation distance separating the first placement location and the second placement location of the isolation area is determined according to the error correction level of the two-dimensional code. This is an authenticity determination device.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the authenticity determination device according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the error correction level is Q or more, and the separation distance is 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a first side and a second side of the isolation region, which are two sides extending in a direction orthogonal to the isolation direction that isolates the first placement location and the second placement location. The first part is placed at the first placement location so that the side cut along the cutting line overlaps the first side, and the side cut along the cutting line is placed on the second side. The authenticity determination device according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the second portion is placed at the second placement location so that the sides overlapped with each other.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the authenticity determination device according to the twelfth aspect, in which corner registration marks are arranged at each of the four corners of the isolation area.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is a first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a point granting unit that grants points corresponding to a specified added value to the owner of the printed matter when the determining unit determines that the printed matter is genuine. This is an authenticity determination device according to the present invention.

An eighteenth aspect of the present invention further includes a communication unit that communicates with a communication terminal having a built-in camera, an image is captured by the camera, data of the image is transmitted by the communication terminal to the communication unit, and the communication unit includes: This is a first aspect of the authenticity determining device that receives image data transmitted from a communication terminal and outputs it to a determining section.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a method for determining the authenticity of an image created using a printed matter, in which the printed matter is made of a medium on which prespecified printing is performed, and the medium has a uniqueness assigned to each printed matter. A two-dimensional code storing identification information and arbitrary character string information is arranged, and a cutting line for cutting the medium is provided to divide the two-dimensional code. , a step of separating the printed matter into a first part and a second part by cutting along the cutting line; and a step of separating the printed matter into a first part and a second part, and separating the first part and the second part. , preparing a placement body in which a first placement location for the first portion and a second placement location for the second portion are specified; and placing the first portion at the first placement location. and placing a second portion at a second placement location; taking an image of the arrangement body in which the first portion and the second portion are placed; and confirming that the taken image is genuine. This is an authenticity determination method including a step of determining whether or not it is.

A 20th aspect of the present invention is that, in the determining step, a first determination is made to determine whether or not a pre-designated print is made on the first portion and the second portion arranged on the arrangement body. This is the authenticity determination method according to the nineteenth aspect.

In the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the determining step further includes determining whether or not the first portion is placed at the first placement location and the second portion is placed at the second placement location. This is a 20th aspect of the authenticity determination method, in which the determination of No. 2 is performed.

A twenty-second aspect of the present invention is that in the determining step, if both the first determination and the second determination are positive, it is determined that the image is likely to be genuine; This is the authenticity determination method according to the twenty-first aspect, in which it is determined that the image is not genuine if at least one of the second determinations is negative.

In the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the determining step, if it is determined that the image is likely to be genuine, the identification information and character string information are read from the image, and the read identification information and character string information are read from the image. If the combination with the information has not been read in the past, the image is determined to be genuine, and if it has already been read in the past, a third determination is made to determine that the image is not genuine. , a twenty-second aspect of the authenticity determination method.

A twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention further comprises a step of registering in a database a combination of identification information and character string information read from the image determined to be genuine in the determining step, and in the determining step, When making the third determination, if the combination of the read identification information and character string information is not registered in the database, it is determined that the image is genuine; if it is registered in the database, the image is determined to be genuine. This is the authenticity determination method according to the twenty-third aspect, in which it is determined that the item is not.

According to the authenticity determination device and authenticity determination method of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether an application for added value is made correctly using a used printed matter.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a printed matter according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an authenticity determination device to which the authenticity determination method according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the electronic circuit configuration of the image recognition server. FIG. 5A is a flowchart (1/2) showing an example of the operation of the authenticity determination device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5B is a flowchart (2/2) showing an example of the operation of the authenticity determination device according to this embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the size ratio between parts, etc. are not necessarily the same as those in reality. Furthermore, even when the same part is shown, the dimensions and ratios may be shown differently depending on the drawing. In the specification of this application and each figure, the same elements as those described above with respect to the existing figures are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted as appropriate.

(Printed material)
First, a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a printed matter according to this embodiment.

The printed matter 10 according to the present embodiment is composed of a medium 11 on which a prespecified printing 12 has been performed. Although the printed matter 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of a ¥10,000 gift card, the printed matter 10 is not limited to a gift card, and can also be, for example, a ticket for a concert or event.

Printed on the printed material 10 are also printed advertisements for digital value such as bonus points after use of the printed material 10, and an explanation of how to apply for obtaining the digital value. Alternatively, the advertisement and explanation of the application method may be made by posting an announcement on a dedicated URL on the web instead of printing on the printed material 10.

The medium 11 is preferably paper, and may be, for example, high-quality paper, OCR paper, or coated paper. The paper may have a hologram or special material incorporated into it.

Note that the medium 11 is not limited to paper, and may also be made of plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or oriented polypropylene (OPP).

The print 12 may be a pattern formed by special ink or plate making, but it should be readable by a smartphone camera. Printing methods can be offset, gravure, flexo, silk screen, etc., and can be done using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser printers, etc. Printing 12 can cover all or part of media 11.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the printing 12 is printed on the front surface of the printed material 10, the printing 12 may be printed on the back surface of the printed material 10.

A two-dimensional code 13 is arranged on the medium 11. As the two-dimensional code 13, a QR code (registered trademark) is suitable. Therefore, in the following description, a case will be described in which a QR code is used as the two-dimensional code 13.

It is desirable that the QR code has a size of, for example, 10 mm x 10 mm or more, a version of 4 or more, and an error correction of Q or more. Furthermore, the QR code contains alphabets, numbers, etc. by randomly combining the unique identification information N given to each 10 printed materials and at least one of numbers, letters, and symbols. Arbitrary character string information R that is difficult to read is stored. The unique identification information N may be a ticket number or a management number. Further, a URL address can be added to the character string information R.

The medium 11 is further provided with a cutting line 14 for cutting the medium 11 so as to divide the two-dimensional code 13. The cutting line 14 can be formed by a perforation in which the ratio of the perforated part/non-perforated part is 3:1, for example, and the length of the perforated part/non-perforated part is 1.5 mm:0.5 mm.

The weight of the paper should be 70kg to 135kg for 46-size paper. This weight allows the user who is the digital value applicant (for example, the owner of the printed matter 10) to appropriately cut the two-dimensional code 13 along the cutting line 14 without damaging it.

The printed material 10 is cut from the cutting line 14 during use (for example, when entering the event venue if the printed material 10 is a ticket for an event). As a result, the printed matter 10 is separated into a book part (first part) 10A and a stub part (second part) 10B. Accordingly, the two-dimensional code 13 is also divided into two, a two-dimensional code piece 13A on the main ticket part 10A side and a two-dimensional code piece 13B on the half-ticket part 10B side. Printing 12 is done on both the main ticket section 10A and the stub section 10B.

(Arrangement body)
Next, an arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement according to this embodiment.

In the explanation of the digital value application method, which is done by printing on the printed material 10 or by announcing it on the web, the main ticket part 10A and the stub part 10B are arranged at predetermined locations on the arrangement body 20. You are instructed to capture an image and send the image data to a specified destination. In this way, since the arrangement body 20 is used to determine the authenticity of the used printed matter 10, it can also be considered as part of the authenticity determination device 30 shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later.

The arrangement body 20 can be a mount made of paper medium 21, but it does not necessarily have to be paper medium 21, and may be made of plastic. Further, for example, a flat surface such as a desk or a wall of a building can be used as the arrangement body 20. Further, it does not necessarily have to be tangible, and can also be realized by a screen displayed on a display of a PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

The arrangement body 20 includes an arrangement location 22A for arranging the main ticket part 10A, an arrangement location 22B for arranging the stub part 10B, and an arrangement location so as to separate the arrangement location 22A and the arrangement location 22B. An isolation area 23 is provided between the location 22A and the location 22B.

The isolation region 23 has a rectangular shape, and physically separates the placement location 22A from the placement location 22B by an isolation distance t, which is the length of the short side. Furthermore, corner registration marks 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d printed in black, for example, are arranged at each of the four corners of the isolation region 23.

The length of the separation distance t is determined according to the error correction level of the two-dimensional code 13. For example, if the version of the two-dimensional code 13 is 4 or higher and the error correction level is Q or higher, if the separation distance t is set to 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less, the two-dimensional code 13 is divided into two-dimensional code pieces 13A. , two-dimensional code piece 13B are separated by a separation distance t, the identification information N and character string information R stored in the two-dimensional code 13 can be corrected by the error correction ability with an error correction level of Q or more. It is possible to read.

The isolated area 23 is colored with a color that is not used in the two-dimensional code 13. For example, if the two-dimensional code 13 is implemented in a combination of black and white, the isolated area 23 can be colored red. The color of the area other than the isolation area 23 of the arrangement body 20 is a different color from the isolation area 23, and has a white background so as not to reduce the visibility of the corner registration marks 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d, which are preferably black. It is preferable that

In the digital value application method, which is done by printing on the printed material 10 or by announcing it on the web, the edge 24a-24c between the corner registration mark 24a and the corner registration mark 24c is placed along the cutting line 14 of the main note section 10A. Place the main ticket part 10A at the placement location 22A so that the cut sides overlap, and then insert the main ticket part 10A along the cutting line 14 of the stub part 10B on the side 24b-24d between the corner registration mark 24b and the corner registration mark 24d. The user is instructed to place the ticket stub 10B at the placement location 22B so that the cut sides overlap.

The arrangement body 20 allows the user to overlay the sides cut along the cutting line 14 of the main note section 10A on the sides 24a-24c by arranging the corner registration marks 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d and coloring the isolation area 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the main ticket part 10A is arranged at the arrangement place 22A, and the stub part 10B is placed at the arrangement place 22B so that the sides cut along the cutting line 14 of the stub part 10B overlap the sides 24b-24d. It is now possible to reliably implement the placement.

(Authenticity determination device and authenticity determination method)
Next, an authenticity determination device and an authenticity determination method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an authenticity determination device to which the authenticity determination method according to the present embodiment is applied.

The authenticity determination device 30 is a device for determining whether an application for digital value is correctly made using a printed matter 10 such as a used gift certificate or ticket, and includes an image recognition server 40 and an imaging unit 49. realized by Further, as described above, the arrangement body 20 may also be considered as a part of the authenticity determination device 30.

The imaging unit 49 can be realized by a camera built into a communication terminal 60 such as a smartphone or a tablet, as illustrated in FIG. 3 . As a result, the user can, for example, use his or her smartphone to capture an image of the real ticket section 10A and the ticket stub section 10B arranged on the arrangement body 20, and transfer the captured image data A to the communication function of the smartphone. can be used to send the image to the image recognition server 40, which is the destination specified in the digital value application method, via a communication network 70 such as the Internet.

In FIG. 3, the image recognition server 40 shows only a simplified configuration in which only a communication section 43, a determination section 51, a registration section 52, and a storage device 46 are shown.

The communication unit 43 can communicate with the communication terminal 60 via the communication network 70. Therefore, the communication unit 43 receives the image data A transmitted from the communication terminal 60 by the user. Further, individual user information can be acquired from the transmission source of the image data A.

The determination unit 51 performs image processing and the like on the image data A to determine whether or not this image data A is genuine.

The registration unit 52 registers the combination of identification information N and character string information R stored in the two-dimensional code 13 of the image data A determined to be authentic by the determination unit 51 in the database 46a of the storage device 46. do.

The details of the configuration of such an image recognition server 40 will be explained using FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the electronic circuit configuration of the image recognition server.

The image recognition server 40 includes a CPU 42, a communication section 43, a recording medium reading section 44, a storage device 46, a display screen 47, an input section 48, and a memory 50. These are connected to each other by a bus 41. Such an image recognition server 40 may be realized not only by a single server, but also by a plurality of servers with distributed functions, such as in a cloud, although the image recognition server 40 is not limited thereto.

The display screen 47 can be, for example, a known display such as a liquid crystal display, although it is not limited thereto.

Input unit 48 includes, but is not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, and a scanner, for example. It may also include a microphone for receiving audio input.

The memory 50 stores a determination program 51 and a registration program 52. The determination program 51 implements the determination section 51 described above, and the registration program 52 implements the registration section 52 described above.

These programs 51 to 52 may be stored in advance in the memory 50, or may be read from an external recording medium 45 such as a memory card through the recording medium reading unit 44 and stored in the memory 50. Good too. These programs 51 and 52 cannot be rewritten.

In addition to such a non-rewritable area, the memory 50 has a writable data area 59 reserved as an area for storing rewritable data.

The storage device 46 is composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores a database 46a.

The communication unit 43 receives image data A transmitted from the communication terminal 60. Further, individual user information can be acquired from the transmission source of the image data A. Then, the image data A and user individual information are output to the memory 50.

The CPU 42 is a computer and controls the operation of each part of the circuit according to each program 51 to 52 stored in the memory 50, and the software and hardware cooperate to operate as described below.

As described above, the determination program 51 implements the determination unit 51 shown in FIG. do.

Specifically, the determination program 51 first performs image recognition on the image data A to determine whether or not the pre-specified printing 12 has been performed on both the ticket section 10A and the stub section 10B ( 1st judgment).

For image recognition, pattern matching using AI can be used. In addition, in order to detect if a copy of the two-dimensional code piece 13A and/or the two-dimensional code piece 13B has been cut and pasted to create an unauthorized copy, image recognition uses The vertical and horizontal size ratios of the dimension code 13 are also measured.

In this way, the determination program 51 performs the first determination described above for both the book ticket section 10A and the stub section 10B. For reliability, it is preferable to perform the first determination twice or more for both the book ticket portion 10A and the stub portion 10B. If the determination results of both the main ticket section 10A and the ticket stub section 10B are positive, it is determined that there is a possibility that the image data A is genuine, and a second determination described later is performed. If the determination result of at least one of the real ticket part 10A and the stub part 10B is negative, it is determined that the application is fraudulent, the digital value application is rejected, and the determination is ended.

In the second determination, the determination program 51 determines from the image data A whether or not the book ticket part 10A and the ticket stub part 10B are placed at the specified location in the arrangement body 20, that is, the book ticket part 10A and the ticket stub part 10B are located at the designated location in the placement body 20. The ticket section 10A determines whether the ticket stub section 10B is correctly placed at the placement location 22B (second determination).

The second determination method is not particularly limited, but can be performed by image processing on the image data A. That is, if it is confirmed through image processing that the isolation region 23 with the width t (±predetermined error) exists between the two-dimensional code piece 13A and the two-dimensional code piece 13B, it is determined that the two-dimensional code piece 13A and the two-dimensional code piece 13B are correctly placed. If this is not the case, it can be determined that the arrangement is not correct. As described above, since the isolated area 23 is colored in a different color from the two-dimensional code 13, it is easy to recognize the isolated area 23 by image processing. Note that an appropriate value is used as the predetermined error in consideration of manufacturing errors of the arrangement body 20, errors in the placement of the book ticket part 10A and the stub part 10B on the arrangement body 20 by the user, and the like.

Furthermore, when the two-dimensional code 13 is square like a QR code, the area including the isolation area 23 and the two-dimensional code pieces 13A and 13B placed on both sides thereof does not have an aspect ratio of 1:1. . Therefore, for example, if the aspect ratio of the combined area of the isolation area 23 and the two-dimensional code pieces 13A and 13B placed on both sides thereof is 1:1, it may be determined that they are not placed correctly. can.

In this way, the determination program 51 performs the second determination described above, and if the determination result is positive, determines that there is a possibility that the image data A is genuine, and performs the third determination described later. While making a judgment, if the judgment result is negative, it is judged that the application is fraudulent, the digital value application is rejected, and the judgment ends.

Note that the first and second determinations are performed in the reverse order, that is, the second determination is performed first, and if the determination result is negative, the application is determined to be fraudulent. While rejecting the digital value application and ending the judgment, if the judgment result is positive, then perform the first judgment, and if the judgment result is negative, the application is judged to be fraudulent. Then, the digital value application is rejected and the determination is ended, while if the determination result is positive, a third determination described later may be performed.

In the third determination, the determination program 51 reads the identification information N and character string information R stored in the two-dimensional code 13 from the image data A. The two-dimensional code 13 is divided into two parts, a two-dimensional code piece 13A and a two-dimensional code piece 13B, and placed on the arrangement body 20 at a distance t. By setting the version of the code 13 to 4 or higher, the error correction level to Q or higher, and the separation distance t to 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less, the two-dimensional code pieces 13A and 2 are separated by the error correction ability of the two-dimensional code 13. The identification information N and character string information R stored in the two-dimensional code 13 can be read even from the dimensional code piece 13B.

The determination program 51 decodes the read identification information N and character string information R. When the determination program 51 succeeds in decoding, it accesses the database 46a of the storage device 46 and checks whether the combination of the decoded identification information N and character string information R is registered in the database 46a. .

In the database 46a, combinations of identification information N and character string information R read from image data A that was determined to be genuine by the determination program 51 in the past are registered.

Therefore, if the combination of identification information N and character string information R read in the third determination is not registered in the database 46a, this combination is being read for the first time, so the determination program 51 determines that image data A is genuine and accepts the digital value application.

The registration program 52 registers the combination of identification information N and character string information R read from the image data A determined to be genuine by the determination program 51 in the database 46 a of the storage device 46 .

On the other hand, if the combination of identification information N and character string information R read in the third determination has already been registered in the database 46a, an application for digital value is made again using the same image data A. It turns out. Since this is an unauthorized digital value application, the determination program 51 rejects this digital value application and ends the determination.

When the digital value application is accepted by the determination program 51, points corresponding to the digital value are given to the user who is the applicant. Points are awarded by a user management server (not shown) that manages user information, which is separate from the image recognition server. Alternatively, the image recognition server 40 may be used instead of a user management server separate from the image recognition server. When implemented by the image recognition server 40, the registration program 52 is provided with a point granting function, and when the registration program 52 registers the combination of identification information N and character string information R in the database 46a of the storage device 46, This can also be achieved by registering points in association with individual user information. Note that the user individual information is transmitted from the communication unit 43 to the memory 50, as described above.

Next, the flow of the authenticity determination method according to the present embodiment will be explained using a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the authenticity determination device 50.

5A and 5B are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the authenticity determination device according to this embodiment.

After using the gift card or ticket, the user can apply for digital value such as bonus points using the printed material 10 of the used gift card or ticket. For this application, the user cuts the printed material 10 of the used gift card or ticket along the cutting line 14 formed by the perforation. As a result, the printed matter 10 is separated into the main ticket part 10A and the stub part 10B, and the two-dimensional code 13 is also divided into two, the two-dimensional code piece 13A and the two-dimensional code piece 13B (S1 ).

In order to apply for digital value, the user attaches the book ticket section 10A and the ticket stub section 10B to the arrangement body 20 according to the application method printed on the printed matter 10 or announced on the dedicated URL on the web. It is necessary to place the device at a predetermined location, take an image of that state, and send it to a specified address.

In this application method, the side cut along the cutting line 14 of the main note section 10A is placed on the side 24a-24c between the corner registration mark 24a and the corner registration mark 24c of the placement body 20 at the placement location 22A. Place the main ticket part 10A at the placement location 22B so that the side cut along the cutting line 14 of the stub part 10B overlaps the side 24b-24d between the corner registration mark 24b and the corner registration mark 24d. It is instructed to place the ticket stub section 10B.

The isolated area 23 of the arrangement body 20 is colored with a color that is not used in the two-dimensional code 13, such as red, and the corner registration marks 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d are colored, for example, in black on the arrangement body 20. Since it is clearly printed, the user should place the book in the placement location 22A so that the sides 24a-24c overlap the sides cut along the cutting line 14 of the book 10A. The ticket portion 10A is placed, and the ticket stub portion 10B is placed at the placement location 22B so that the sides 24b-24d overlap the sides cut along the cutting line 14 of the ticket stub portion 10B. As a result, the main ticket section 10A and the stub section 10B are reliably arranged at predetermined locations on the arrangement body 20 (S2).

Next, the user saves an image (hereinafter referred to as an "application image") of the main ticket part 10A and the ticket stub part 10B arranged at a predetermined location of the arrangement body 20 on, for example, his or her smartphone. (S3), and sends the captured image data A to the communication network 70 using the communication function of the smartphone to the image recognition server 40, which is the destination specified by the digital value application method. (S4).

The image data A of the application image transmitted to the image recognition server 40 is received by the communication unit 43 of the image recognition server 40 . Further, the communication unit 43 acquires user individual information from the transmission source of the image data A. Image data A and user individual information are output from the communication unit 43 to the memory 50 (S5).

Based on the image data A output to the memory 50, the determination program 51 determines whether the printed matter 10 is genuine (S6).

Specifically, the determination program 51 performs image recognition on the image data A, and determines whether or not the pre-specified printing 12 has been performed on both the main ticket section 10A and the stub section 10B (the first (determination) is made (S7, S9).

Image recognition can be performed using, for example, pattern matching using AI. In addition, image recognition can also measure the vertical and horizontal size ratios of the two-dimensional code 13 on the ticket section 10A and the stub section 10B. Thereby, it is possible to detect an application image that has been fraudulently created by cutting and pasting copies of the two-dimensional code piece 13A and/or the two-dimensional code piece 13B.

In this way, the first determination is made by the determination program 51 for both the book ticket portion 10A and the ticket stub portion 10B (S7, S9), and both the book ticket portion 10A and the ticket stub portion 10B are determined. If the result is positive (S7: OK and S9: OK), it is determined that the image data A may be genuine, and the process proceeds to the second determination described later.

On the other hand, if the determination result of at least one of the ticket part 10A and the ticket stub part 10B is negative (S7: NG, or S9: NG), the application is based on image data A of the fraudulent application image. It is determined that (S8, S10), the digital value application is rejected (S23), and the determination ends.

This type of fraudulent application image includes, for example, a forged image using a color copy, or an image in which the genuine printed matter 10 is bent along the cutting line 14 and the forged ticket stub 10B is placed on the arrangement body 20. It is thought that this may be due to forgery.

In addition, although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the first determination (S7, S8) for the book ticket portion 10A is performed first, and then the first determination (S9, S10) for the stub portion 10B is performed, The order may be reversed, and the first determination for the stub portion 10B (S9, S10) may be performed first, and then the first determination for the real ticket portion 10A (S7, S8) may be performed.

Next, the determination program 51 performs a second determination. In the second determination, first, based on the image data A, it is determined whether or not the main ticket section 10A and the ticket stub section 10B are arranged at the designated location in the arrangement body 20, that is, the main ticket section 10A is located at the arrangement location 22A. However, it is determined whether the ticket stub portion 10B is correctly placed at the placement location 22B (S11).

The method for this determination is not particularly limited, but it can be performed by image processing on the image data A. That is, if it is confirmed through image processing that the isolation region 23 with the width t (±predetermined error) exists between the two-dimensional code piece 13A and the two-dimensional code piece 13B, it is determined that the two-dimensional code piece 13A and the two-dimensional code piece 13B are correctly placed. If not, it is determined that the arrangement is not correct (S12).

As described above, since the isolated area 23 is colored in a color different from the color used in the two-dimensional code 13, it is easy to recognize the isolated area 23 by image processing.

In this way, the second determination is made by the determination program 51, and if the determination result is positive (S12: OK), it is determined that the image data A may be genuine, and the third On the other hand, if the determination result is negative (S12: NG), it is determined that there is an irregularity on the application screen, such as placing the printed matter 10 on the placement body 20 without cutting it along the cutting line 14. The digital value application is rejected (S30), and the determination ends.

Note that the first determination and the second determination may be performed in the reverse order. In other words, if the second determination (S11, S12) is performed first and the determination result is negative (S12: NG), the application is determined to be fraudulent (S13) and the digital value application is rejected. However, if the determination result is positive (S12: OK), then the first determination (S7, S9) is performed, and if the determination result is negative (S7: NG or S9: NG), it is determined that the application is fraudulent (S8, S10), the digital value application is rejected, and the determination ends, while if the determination result is positive (S7: OK, S9: OK), the process may proceed to the third determination.

In the third determination, the determination program 51 reads the identification information N and character string information R stored in the two-dimensional code 13 from the image data A (S14). The two-dimensional code 13 is divided into two parts, a two-dimensional code piece 13A and a two-dimensional code piece 13B, and placed on the arrangement body 20 at a distance t. The version of the code is 4 or higher, the error correction level is Q or higher, and the separation distance t is set to be 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. Even from the dimensional code piece 13B, the identification information N and character string information R stored in the two-dimensional code 13 are read and decoded (S15).

When the decoding is successful (S15: OK), the determination program 51 determines whether the combination of the decoded identification information N and character string information R (hereinafter referred to as "code") is registered in the database 46a. (S17).

In the database 46a, a combination (ie, a "code") of identification information N and character string information R read from image data A that has been determined to be genuine by the determination program 51 in the past is registered. Therefore, if the code obtained by decoding is not registered in the database 46a, this code is being read for the first time, so the determination program 51 determines that the image data A is genuine ( S18: OK), the application for digital value is accepted (S20), and the data necessary for assigning digital value, such as user individual information, read code, and points to be assigned, is sent from the communication unit 43 of the image recognition server 40. , via the communication network 70 to the user management server 80 (shown in FIG. 5).

When the user management server 80 receives the data necessary for assigning these digital values, it generates a user record based on the user's individual information, and registers points corresponding to the digital value in this record. The grant is completed (S21). The awarded points are notified to the user by e-mail etc., and the user can access the user management server 80 and use the awarded points to receive prizes and other digital value if necessary. I can do it.

Note that it is also possible to realize the awarding of points not by the user management server 80 but by the image recognition server 40. In this case, the registration program 52 is provided with a point granting function, and when the registration program 52 registers the combination of identification information N and character string information R in the database 46a of the storage device 46, the points and user individual information are added to the registration program 52. This can also be achieved by registering in association with

Regardless of whether points are awarded by the user management server 80 or the image recognition server 40, after the digital value application is accepted in step S20, the registration program 52 determines that the digital value application is genuine. The code is registered in the database 46a (S21).

Further, in step S15, if decoding fails due to inability to distinguish the identification information N and character string information R (S15: NG, S16), the digital value application is rejected by the judgment program 51 (S30) and the judgment ends. do.

Furthermore, in step S18, if the code obtained by decoding is already registered in the database 46a (S18: NG), it is considered that a duplicate application for digital value has been made again using the same image data A. (S19). Since this is an unauthorized digital value application, the determination program 51 rejects this digital value application (S30) and ends the determination.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, due to the above-described effects, the printed matter 10 for which reliable proof of use can be made, the arrangement body 20 used for the proof of use, and the application for digital value, It is possible to realize the authenticity determination device 30 to which the authenticity determination method of determining whether or not the used printed matter 10 has been correctly made can be realized.

Specifically, the authenticity determination device 30 determines whether or not there is any fraud in the digital value application, and if there is no fraud, the digital value application is accepted. Specifically, as described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the determination is performed as a series of a plurality of determination processes.

As a result, the authenticity determination device 30 not only can detect fraudulent digital value applications with high reliability, but also, when a fraudulent application is detected, whether it is due to a simple application error or not, whether it is a counterfeit ticket or a counterfeit ticket. It is also possible to categorize the cause of the fraud, such as whether it is a malicious and intentional fraud using a color copy, or whether it is fraud due to double application by the printed matter 10 that has already been given a digital value.

Furthermore, performing a plurality of determination processes as a series of steps not only improves determination accuracy but also makes it difficult to imitate the determination method. In other words, the determination method adopted by the authenticity determination device 30 is extremely complicated, so it is extremely difficult to imitate it. Therefore, even if a malicious person discovers weaknesses in the authenticity determination method and reverse engineers the authenticity determination device 30 in order to plan a new fraudulent application, it is almost impossible to discover the weaknesses in the authenticity determination method. be.

With the realization of such an authenticity determination device 30, service providers who create gift certificates, tickets, etc. can use digital printed matter to increase the user's desire to purchase, even if paper printed matter 10 is used as before. The advantage is that businesses that add value can be developed with peace of mind.

In addition, in order to apply for digital value, the user places the main ticket part 10A and the ticket stub part 10B of the used printed matter 10 in a predetermined place on the arrangement body 20, and takes a picture of the state with a smartphone. , you can apply for digital value just by sending the image data A, so compared to the traditional application procedure by mail, for example, it is less time-consuming and the time it takes for digital value to be granted is shortened, allowing you to apply for digital value at an early stage. This has the advantage of making value available.

Furthermore, it is known that this type of digital value adding service has been conventionally implemented by performing scratch printing on the printed matter 10. Performing scratch printing on the printed matter 10 in this manner is burdensome on all of the printing side, the shipping side, the store side, and the user side.

However, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to develop a business that adds digital value without performing scratch printing on the printed matter 10, so operations are easy on the printing side, the shipping side, the store side, and the user side. There is also the advantage that

Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Those skilled in the art will be able to come up with various changes and modifications within the scope of the technical idea as claimed in the claims, and these changes and modifications will also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs to

For example, instead of the two-dimensional code 13 placed on the printed material 10, a one-dimensional barcode may be used.

Further, the functions of the image recognition server 40 may be realized by an application that can be executed from a smartphone.

10 Printed matter 10A Main ticket part (first part)
10B Ticket stub (second part)
11 Medium 12 Printing 13 Two-dimensional code 13A, 13B Two-dimensional code piece 14 Cutting line 20 Placement body 21 Paper medium 22A, 22B Placement location 23 Isolation area 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d Corner registration mark 30 Authenticity determination device 40 Image recognition server 41 Bus 42 CPU
43 Communication section 44 Recording medium reading section 45 External recording medium 46 Storage device 46a Database 47 Display screen 48 Input section 49 Imaging section 50 Memory 51 Judgment section, judgment program 52 Registration section, registration program 59 Writable data area 60 Communication terminal 70 Communication network 80 User management server A Image data N Identification information R Character string information t Separation distance

Claims (24)

An apparatus for determining authenticity of images created using printed matter,
The printed material is made of a medium on which prespecified printing is performed, and a two-dimensional code storing unique identification information given to each printed material and arbitrary character string information is arranged on the medium, A cutting line for cutting the medium is provided to divide the two-dimensional code,
The image is created by arranging a first part and a second part separated from the printed matter cut along the cutting line in a predetermined arrangement,
The authenticity determination device includes:
An authenticity determination device, comprising a determination unit that determines whether the image is genuine. The authenticity determination device according to claim 1, wherein the character string information is a combination of at least one of numbers, letters, and symbols at random. 1 . The determining unit performs a first determination to determine whether or not the pre-designated printing is performed on the first portion and the second portion arranged on the arrangement body. The authenticity determination device described in . The determining unit performs a second determination to determine whether or not the first part and the second part are arranged at each designated location of the arrangement body. Authenticity determination device. If both the first determination and the second determination are positive, the determination unit determines that the image is likely to be genuine, and the determination unit determines that the first determination or the second determination is positive. The authenticity determining device according to claim 4, wherein the image is determined to be unauthentic if at least one of them is negative. When the determination unit determines that the image may be genuine, the determination unit reads the identification information and the character string information from the image, and compares the read identification information and the character string information. If the combination has not been read in the past, determining that the image is authentic; if the combination has already been read in the past, making a third determination, determining that the image is not authentic; The authenticity determination device according to claim 5. further comprising a registration unit that registers in a database a combination of the identification information and the character string information read from the image determined to be authentic by the determination unit,
When performing the third determination, the determining unit determines that the image is genuine if the combination of the read identification information and the character string information is not registered in the database; 7. The authenticity determination device according to claim 6, which determines that the image is not authentic if it is registered in the database. The authenticity determination device according to claim 4, comprising the predetermined arrangement. The predetermined arrangement body includes, as the specified location, a first arrangement location where the first portion is arranged and a second arrangement location where the second portion is arranged. 8. The authenticity determination device according to 8. Claim: wherein the predetermined arrangement body is provided with an isolation area between the first arrangement location and the second arrangement location to isolate the first arrangement location and the second arrangement location. 9. The authenticity determination device according to 9. The authenticity determination device according to claim 10, wherein the isolated area is colored in a color not used in the two-dimensional code. The authenticity determination device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the isolation area has a rectangular shape. The authenticity determination device according to claim 12, wherein an isolation distance separating the first placement location and the second placement location in the isolation area is determined according to an error correction level of the two-dimensional code. . The authenticity determination device according to claim 13, wherein the error correction level is Q or more, and the separation distance is 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. A first side and a second side of the isolation area, which are two sides extending in a direction perpendicular to an isolation direction that isolates the first placement location and the second placement location,
the first portion is arranged at the first arrangement location so that the side cut along the cutting line overlaps the first side;
The authenticity determination device according to claim 12, wherein the second portion is arranged at the second arrangement location so that a side cut along the cutting line is overlapped with the second side. . The authenticity determination device according to claim 12, wherein corner registration marks are arranged at each of the four corners of the isolation area. The authenticity determining device according to claim 1, further comprising a point granting unit that grants points corresponding to a specified added value to the owner of the printed matter when the printed matter is determined to be genuine by the determining unit. It further includes a communication unit that communicates with a communication terminal that has a built-in camera.
The image is captured by the camera, data of the image is transmitted to the communication unit by the communication terminal,
The authenticity determination device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit receives data of the image transmitted from the communication terminal and outputs it to the determination unit. A method for determining the authenticity of images created using printed materials, the method comprising:
The printed material is made of a medium on which prespecified printing is performed, and a two-dimensional code storing unique identification information given to each printed material and arbitrary character string information is arranged on the medium, A cutting line for cutting the medium is provided to divide the two-dimensional code,
The authenticity determination method includes:
separating the printed material into a first portion and a second portion by cutting the printed material along the cutting line;
a first placement location for the first portion and a second placement location for the second portion such that the first portion and the second portion are arranged separately; a step of preparing an arranged body in which is specified;
arranging the first part at the first arrangement location and arranging the second part at the second arrangement location;
capturing an image of the arrangement body in which the first part and the second part are arranged;
and determining whether the captured image is genuine. Claim: In the determining step, a first determination is made to determine whether or not the pre-designated printing is performed on the first portion and the second portion arranged on the arrangement body. 19. Authenticity determination method according to 19. The determining step further includes a second determination of determining whether the first portion is placed at the first placement location and the second portion is placed at the second placement location. The authenticity determination method according to claim 20. In the determining step, if both the first determination and the second determination are positive, it is determined that the image is likely to be genuine, and the first determination or the second determination is performed. 22. The authenticity determining method according to claim 21, wherein the image is determined to be not authentic if at least one of the determinations is negative. In the determining step, if it is determined that there is a possibility that the image is genuine, the identification information and the character string information are read from the image, and the read identification information and the character string information are read. If the image has not been read in the past, the image is determined to be authentic; if the image has already been read in the past, the image is determined to be inauthentic. The authenticity determination method according to claim 22, wherein the method is performed. further comprising the step of registering in a database a combination of the identification information and the character string information read from the image determined to be authentic in the determining step,
In the determining step, when performing the third determination, if the combination of the read identification information and the character string information is not registered in the database, it is determined that the image is genuine. 24. The authenticity determining method according to claim 23, wherein if the image is registered in the database, it is determined that the image is not authentic.