JP3803192B2 - Object to be checked for authenticity and processing device for checking the authenticity of the object to be detected - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention includes credit cards, ID cards, CD cards and other cards, passports, important documents and securities, cash vouchers such as banknotes and checks, traveler's checks, or art works such as paintings, public competition votes such as boat racing and horse racing. The present invention relates to an object to be detected, such as a ticket, which needs to be prevented from forgery and whose authenticity is checked, and a processing apparatus for the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As means for checking the authenticity of various cards and documents, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-6999, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-179296, or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-32777, There is known one in which collation data is registered in a scanning region of a detection object. In this type of detection object, when the authenticity is checked, the scanning region is scanned by a sensor, and the obtained detection signal is collated with the collation data.
[0003]
In the known example, the processing device for scanning the scanning area of the object to be detected digitally codes the obtained detection signal on condition that the scanning area existing at a predetermined position is read by the sensor. In addition, it is checked whether or not the detected object is authentic by comparing with pre-registered data for verification.
[0004]
For example, the conventional detection object 1 shown in FIG. 9 has magnetic elements 2 randomly distributed over the entire object, and a scanning region 3 set at a specific position of the detection object 1 is represented by a sensor 4 having an element width ω. By means of magnetic detection. Then, the detection signal obtained from the scanning region 3 is processed by an arithmetic processing unit or the like of the processing device and collated with an encryption code registered in the data recording unit of the detected object 1. For this reason, the processing apparatus always maintains a predetermined range of the scanning region 3 in a state where the distance P1 from the reference surface 1a of the detected object 1 to the center of the sensor 4 (that is, the center C of the scanning region 3) is accurately regulated by the guide mechanism. Was faithfully scanned over the detection length L.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the detection system for scanning the object 1 such as the dimensional tolerance of the object 1 to be detected, the behavior of the object 1 at the time of scanning, the component dimensions of the processing apparatus, and the assembly error, includes the scanning region 3 and the sensor 4. There are a number of factors that cause relative positional deviation.
[0006]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the traveling direction (scanning direction) of the detected object 1 is X and the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction (the width direction of the detected object 1) is Y, the scanning region 3 is in the X direction. Even if it is shifted to the desired value, a desired detection signal can be obtained by correcting the positional shift by the detection system algorithm. However, since the relative position between the detected object 1 and the sensor 4 is physically determined in the Y direction, the detection signal is greatly different if the scanning region 3 is shifted in the Y direction. For this reason, the processing apparatus must incorporate a positioning mechanism that always scans a certain position in the Y direction of the detection object 1.
[0007]
As a positioning mechanism therefor, in general, a guide member that is biased by a biasing member such as a spring is used, and a width-shifting mechanism that presses the object to be detected against the reference guide surface of the processing apparatus, or a tapered roller. A mechanism such as a method of moving the object to be detected toward the reference guide surface is employed. There has also been proposed a processing apparatus in which the sensor is moved in accordance with the degree of positional deviation of the detected object during scanning.
[0008]
As described above, conventionally, a width adjusting mechanism for accurately positioning the object to be detected and the sensor in the Y direction is required, which complicates the apparatus and increases the number of parts, thereby increasing the size and cost of the processing apparatus. There are problems such as causes. In addition, because of the complexity of the structure, there are concerns about reliability, and maintenance is troublesome.
[0009]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to detect an object that can always obtain a constant detection signal only by scanning a rough position in the width direction without using a high-precision width adjusting mechanism as described above, and a processing apparatus for the same. Is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An object to be detected of the present invention for achieving the above object is a detected object body made of a non-magnetic material such as paper or synthetic resin, and a magnetoelectric conversion element provided on a part of the detected object body. A scanning area scanned by a sensor; and a registered data recording section in which collation data according to a detection signal obtained when the scanning area is scanned by the sensor is coded and recorded. Is characterized by comprising a strip-like magnetic fiber mixed member in which a large number of magnetic fibers are randomly mixed in the base material and has a width narrower than the element width of the sensor and has a predetermined length in the scanning direction. .
[0011]
The processing apparatus of the present invention includes an MR element having an element width wider than the detection width of the scan area, and scans the scan area for a predetermined length by the MR element, thereby allowing a large number of magnetic elements included in the scan area. A sensor that obtains a detection signal according to the state of fiber mixing, and the detection signal captured by the sensor are collated with the data registered in the registration data recording unit of the detected object. And an arithmetic processing unit that determines that it is authentic.
[0012]
In the present invention, the scanning region composed of the belt-like magnetic fiber mixed member is provided in a part of the object to be detected. The width of the magnetic fiber mixed member, that is, the detection width of the scanning region is smaller than the element width of the sensor. In a sensor using an MR element, a bias magnetic field is affected by a magnetic fiber present in a portion where the element shape is projected onto an object to be detected, and the resistance value changes.
[0013]
Therefore, as long as the magnetic fiber mixed member is not removed outside the element width of the MR element, there is no change in the detection signal in the scanning region, and a stable detection signal is always obtained. That is, when the center line of the magnetic fiber mixed member and the center line of the MR element coincide with each other, the position in the Y direction corresponding to one half of the difference between the sensor element width and the detection width of the scanning region Deviation is allowed on both sides of the scanning area. For this reason, when the object to be detected of the present invention is scanned by the processing device, it is only necessary to perform rough positioning so that the scanning area does not deviate from the element width of the sensor.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the detected object 10 in the form of a card or a document (paper sheet) is a card-shaped detected object mainly composed of a non-magnetic material such as paper or a synthetic resin (for example, vinyl chloride resin). An object body 11 is provided. The detected object 10 further includes a scanning area 12 representing the characteristics of the detected object 10, a registration data recording unit 13 for recording an encryption code corresponding to the scanning area 12, and the like.
[0015]
The scanning region 12 includes a strip-shaped magnetic fiber mixed member 22 in which a large number of fine magnetic fibers 21 are randomly mixed in a base material made of a nonmagnetic material such as paper. The width W1 of the magnetic fiber mixed member 22 is smaller than the element width W2 of MR elements 40 and 41 described later. The length of the magnetic fiber mixed member 22 extends over the entire length of the detected object main body 11 along the scanning direction (arrow X direction) of the MR elements 40 and 41. A part of the entire length of the magnetic fiber mixed member 22 (detection length L1) is used as the scanning region 12.
[0016]
An example of the form of the magnetic fiber 21 is a fibrous element body made of a polymer material mixed with magnetic metal powder (so-called magnetic polymer element), and each magnetic fiber 21 has an unspecified number of directions. For example, it is squeezed together with, for example, a paper pulp fiber as a base material. An example of the polymer material used for the element body of the magnetic fiber 21 is polyethylene, polyester, urethane, or the like, but in short, a well-known synthetic resin having appropriate flexibility can be applied.
[0017]
As the magnetic metal used for the magnetic fiber 21, a magnetically soft high permeability magnetic material such as permalloy, sendust, Co-based amorphous, soft ferrite, and the like is suitable. For example, ferrite, Sm—Co alloy, A magnetically hard high coercive force material such as an Nd alloy may be used.
[0018]
In the registered data recording unit 13, unique information obtained by scanning the scanning region 12, that is, unique information characterized by the distribution state of the magnetic fibers 21 (collation data) is processed as follows. The data is encrypted and written by the device 30. In addition to the verification data, various types of information (for example, face value and remaining balance in the case of a prepaid card) may be recorded in the registration data recording unit 13 by a magnetic or optical means or a recording medium such as an IC chip. . The recorded contents of the registered data recording unit 13 may be recorded in a storage area (for example, a memory of a host computer) of an electronic device different from the detected object 10.
[0019]
When the processing apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 3 checks the detected object 10, the detected object 10 is moved in the scanning direction indicated by the arrow X along the movement path 30a. As a means for moving the detected object 10 in the X direction along the movement path 30a, for example, a transport mechanism using a motor and a transport roller may be employed, but the configuration of the processing apparatus 30 is simplified. Therefore, the detected object 10 may be manually conveyed.
[0020]
A sensor 31 is provided in the middle of the movement path 30a of the detected object 10. An example of the sensor 31 includes a pair of MR elements (magnetoresistance effect elements) 40 and 41 as an example of a magnetoelectric conversion element whose output magnitude does not depend on the scanning speed. A magnet 42 is disposed behind the MR elements 40 and 41. The element used for the sensor 31 may be a magnetoelectric conversion element whose electric resistance value changes in accordance with a change in magnetic flux. For example, a magnetoelectric conversion element such as a magnetic diode, a magnetic transistor, or a Hall element may be used.
[0021]
The MR elements 40 and 41 have a characteristic that the electric resistance value changes according to the strength of the magnetic flux passing through these elements. These MR elements 40 and 41 are electrically connected to each other, and a magnetic field having the same strength by the magnet 42 is applied to each MR element 40 and 41. One MR element 40 is connected to a DC power source 43, and the other MR element 41 is connected to an arithmetic processing unit 45 using a microcomputer or the like.
[0022]
When scanning the scanning region 12, if the magnetic fiber 21 passes in the vicinity of the MR elements 40 and 41, the magnetic flux passing through the MR elements 40 and 41 changes with time according to the position of the magnetic fiber 21, and the MR element 40. , 41 has a difference in resistance value, so that the output voltage of the MR elements 40, 41 changes. Since this output voltage changes slightly according to the distribution density of the magnetic fibers 21 mixed in the scanning region 12, the size of the magnetic fibers 21, and the like, a waveform of the output voltage unique to the detected object 10 is obtained. .
[0023]
In the case of this embodiment, the processing device 30 includes a detection system that specifies the relative position between the sensor 31 and the detected object 10 in order to specify the detected position of the detected object 10 in the X direction. For example, by making a hole in a part of the detected object 10 and detecting the hole with a transmitted light sensor, the position of the detected object 10 in the X direction is specified, or the detected object 10 moves in the X direction. The position of the scanning region 12 in the X direction is detected by using a synchronous clock signal generator that responds.
[0024]
The processing device 30 includes a code reading unit 55 for reading data recorded in the registered data recording unit 13. The code reading unit 55 is connected to a reading circuit 56. The arithmetic processing unit 45 includes an A / D converter 60, a comparator 61, an encryption code converter 62, and the like for processing the detected signal. A display 63 indicating a check result or the like is connected to the arithmetic processing unit 45.
[0025]
Next, an issue process of the detected object 10 and a check process for determining authenticity will be described.
When the detected object 10 is manufactured, a band-shaped magnetic fiber mixed member 22 is provided in the detected object main body 11. The detected object 10 is provided with a strip-shaped registration data recording unit 13 made of a magnetic layer having a high coercive force, for example.
[0026]
In the issuance process of the detected object 10, the scanning region 12 is scanned by a sensor using the same MR element pair as the sensor 31, and the waveform of the output voltage is encrypted by a specific algorithm and stored in the registered data recording unit 13. Record. Although the registration data recording unit 13 of this embodiment is a magnetic band, an optically readable mark (for example, a bar code, a two-dimensional bar code, or an OCR character) is recorded on the registration data recording unit 13 by a print head. Alternatively, magnetic ink may be used, and the hologram on which the code is recorded may be stamped in order according to the encryption code.
[0027]
The processing device 30 checks whether the detected object 10 is authentic. The detected object 10 is inserted into the processing device 30, and the detected object 10 is moved in the scanning direction X along the movement path 30 a, and the scanning region 12 is scanned by the sensor 31.
[0028]
When the scanning region 12 is scanned by the sensor 31, the magnetic fibers 21 included in the scanning region 12 sequentially pass through the vicinity of the MR elements 40 and 41. At this time, since the magnetic flux passing through the MR elements 40 and 41 changes with time in accordance with the position and distribution state of the magnetic fiber 21, a unique voltage waveform is output to the scanning region 12. For example, this waveform is digitized by ranking the output voltage in a plurality of stages for each time-divided minute portion, and a detection signal is obtained. This detection signal is decrypted by the encryption code converter 62 according to a specific algorithm.
[0029]
The verification data recorded in the registered data recording unit 13 is read by the code reading unit 55. The comparison data is compared with the detection signal of the decoded scanning region 12 by the comparator 61, and when both are matched, it is determined that the detected object 10 is genuine, and the comparison result is displayed on the display 63. Is displayed.
[0030]
The scanning region 12 of this embodiment is configured by a belt-shaped magnetic fiber mixed member 22, and a part of the total length of the magnetic fiber mixed member 22, that is, the length L <b> 1 is a detection length. The width W 1 of the magnetic fiber mixed member 22, that is, the detection width of the scanning region 12 is sufficiently smaller than the element width W 2 of the sensor 31.
[0031]
The MR elements 40 and 41 are affected by the bias magnetic field due to the magnetic fiber 21 existing in the range where the element shape is projected onto the object 10 to be detected, and the resistance values of the MR elements 40 and 41 change. Therefore, in the case where the detection width W1 of the scanning region 12 is narrower than the element width W2 of the MR elements 40 and 41 as in this embodiment, the scanning region 12 is used as long as the magnetic fiber mixed member 22 does not protrude outside the detection width W1. There is no change in the detection signal, and a constant and stable detection signal is always obtained.
[0032]
That is, when the center lines C1 of the magnetic fiber mixed member 22 and the MR elements 40 and 41 coincide with each other, the difference between the element width W2 of the MR elements 40 and 41 on both sides of the detection width W1 of the scanning region 12 A positional deviation of ± ΔY corresponding to one half is allowed. For this reason, a rough positioning accuracy enough to roughly match the MR elements 40, 41 and the center line C1 of the scanning region 12 is sufficient.
[0033]
Therefore, when designing the mechanism of the processing device 30, there are mounting errors of the MR elements 40, 41, dimensional tolerance (variation) in the width direction (Y direction) of the detected object 10, gaps in the Y direction in the movement path 30a, and the like. In consideration of the existence, a value of ΔY that can sufficiently cover the amount of deviation in the Y direction is set, and then the width W1 of the magnetic fiber mixed member 22, the element width W2 of the sensor 31, and the like are determined. It is not necessary to provide a Y-direction positioning mechanism such as the tenth width adjusting mechanism or the follow-up mechanism of the sensor 31, and it is possible to provide a more reliable and reliable processing apparatus 30 at a low cost.
[0034]
4, the strip-like magnetic fiber mixed member 22 is shorter than the entire length of the body 11 to be detected (same length as the detection length L1 of the scanning region 12). The scanning area 12 may be configured. The magnetic fiber mixed member 22 is a member in which a large number of magnetic fibers 21 are randomly mixed in the base material in the same manner as the magnetic fiber mixed member 22 of the embodiment (shown in FIG. 1).
[0035]
As described above, when the strip-shaped magnetic fiber mixed member 22 having the same length as the detection length L1 of the scanning region 12 is used, the position in the X direction as described in the first embodiment is specified. Synchronous clock signal generation means and sensors are not required, and software position correction by a detection program is not required, so that the reliability is further increased and the cost can be reduced.
[0036]
The magnetic fiber mixed member 22 of this embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5) is, as shown in FIG. 6, a magnetic fiber mixed member 22 at a predetermined position of the core plate 70 constituting the detected object body 11 made of a nonmagnetic material. The cover plates 71 and 72 are overlapped from both the front and back sides, and the plates 70, 71 and 72 are laminated by adhering them by appropriate fixing means such as heat welding or adhesive. In addition, you may provide the 2nd core plate 73 between the core plate 70 and the cover plate 71 as needed.
[0037]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a long hole 80 having dimensions corresponding to the detection width W1 and the detection length L1 of the scanning region 12 is formed in the core plate 70 made of a nonmagnetic material, and the detection width W1 is formed in the long hole 80. And the strip-like magnetic fiber mixed member 22 having a size corresponding to the detection length L1, and the cover plates 71 and 72 are overlapped from both the front and back sides, and each plate 70, by appropriate fixing means such as heat welding or adhesive. Alternatively, the layers 71 and 72 may be laminated. Also in this case, a second core plate 73 may be provided between the core plate 70 and the cover plate 71 as necessary. The long hole 80 may be a through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction of the core plate 70 or a bottomed recess that does not penetrate in the thickness direction of the core plate 70.
[0038]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, two slits extending in the scanning direction are formed in a magnetic fiber mixed plate 90 (an area in which the magnetic fibers 21 are randomly mixed in the base material) having the same area as the detected object main body 11. 91 and 92 may be formed in parallel to each other over a predetermined length, and the space between these slits 91 and 92 may be used as the scanning region 12. Since the basic configuration and operation of the object to be detected in these embodiments are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. . Moreover, although the to-be-detected object 10 of each said embodiment was abbreviate | omitted and drawn, the surface or the back surface of the to-be-detected object 10 is good to be covered with the overcoat layer made from a synthetic resin.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
According to the detected object described in claim 1, it is possible to always output a constant detection signal with high accuracy only by performing rough positioning in the width direction, and width adjustment for positioning the detected object with high accuracy. A mechanism or the like is not required, and the processing apparatus can be simplified and reduced in cost.
[0040]
The object to be detected according to claim 2 and claim 3 is only required to use a magnetic fiber mixed member equivalent to the detection length of the scanning region, so that the amount of the magnetic fiber mixed member used is small, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Can do. In addition, since the position detection means for specifying the detection position in the scanning direction is not necessary, the processing apparatus can be further simplified.
[0041]
According to the object to be detected described in claim 4, it is possible to easily create a scanning region having a predetermined detection width and detection length only by forming a slit in a magnetic fiber mixed plate having a larger area than the scanning region.
[0042]
The processing apparatus according to claim 5 can always obtain a constant detection signal from the scanning region even without a high-precision positioning mechanism, and has a simple structure but high reliability and high-precision checking. It can be performed. In addition, the number of parts of the processing apparatus can be reduced, and the processing apparatus can be reduced in size and cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an object to be detected and a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a plan view of a part of the object to be detected and a sensor shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, partly in cross section.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an object to be detected and a sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the detected part and sensor shown in FIG. 4;
6 is an exploded perspective view of the object to be detected shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of the object to be detected.
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing still another modified example of the detected object.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional object to be detected and a sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Detected object 11 ... Detected object main body 12 ... Scanning region 13 ... Registration data recording part 21 ... Magnetic fiber 22 ... Magnetic fiber mixed member 30 ... Processing apparatus 31 ... Sensor (magnetoelectric conversion element)
40, 41 ... MR element 90 ... magnetic fiber mixed plate

Claims (5)

A body to be detected made of a non-magnetic material;
A scanning region provided in a part of the body to be detected and scanned by a sensor using a magnetoelectric conversion element;
A registration data recording unit in which data for verification according to a detection signal obtained when the scanning area is scanned by the sensor is encoded and recorded;
The scanning area is
Authenticity characterized by comprising a strip-like magnetic fiber mixed member in which a large number of magnetic fibers are randomly mixed in a base material and have a width narrower than the element width of the sensor and a predetermined length in the scanning direction. The object to be detected is checked. The object to be detected according to claim 1, wherein the scanning region has the magnetic fiber mixed member having a length equal to the detection length arranged in a body of the object to be detected. The object to be detected according to claim 2, wherein the scanning region accommodates the strip-shaped magnetic fiber mixed member having a predetermined length and width in a long hole formed in the body of the object to be detected and extending in the scanning direction. . In the scanning region, two parallel slits extending in the scanning direction are formed over a predetermined length in a part of the magnetic fiber mixed plate having a larger area than the scanning region, and the space between the slits is used as the scanning region. The detected object according to claim 1, wherein the object is detected. A processing device for checking the authenticity of an object to be detected having a scanning region,
The MR element having an element width wider than the detection width of the scanning area, and scanning the scanning area by a predetermined length by the MR element, enables detection according to the mixing state of a large number of magnetic fibers contained in the scanning area. A sensor for obtaining a signal;
An arithmetic processing unit that compares the detection signal captured by the sensor with data registered in the registration data recording unit of the detected object, and determines that the detected object is authentic when both correspond,
A processing apparatus for checking the authenticity of an object to be detected.

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