JP4968436B2 - Security information medium reader - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a security information medium reader. More specifically, the present invention relates to a security information medium reading device formed by combining various authentication means such as an infrared excited visible fluorescent light emitting material, an ultraviolet excited visible fluorescent light emitting material, and a fine and high-definition pattern made of a material visible by irradiation with visible light. .
That is, an infrared light emitting LED, an ultraviolet light emitting LED, and a visible light emitting LED are arranged in a light-shielding casing, and a fluorescent pattern generated from a security information medium is incorporated into an imaging device such as a built-in CCD camera (hereinafter simply referred to as “CCD camera”). )), And displays the information on the display. When the information medium having the forgery prevention pattern is placed on the tray and the tray is inserted, the forgery prevention pattern of the security information medium becomes the imaging range of the CCD camera. The present invention relates to a security information medium reading apparatus that can surely and easily determine the authenticity of a security information medium by always entering.
The specific use of this apparatus relates to authenticity determination such as identification card, credit card, bank card, check, passbook, passport, prepaid card, pass ticket, admission ticket, commuter pass.

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

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

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

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

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

Therefore, the applicant of the present application proposes a phosphor reading device using an infrared light emitting diode as a reading device for an information medium made of an infrared excited visible fluorescent light emitting material.
However, a reader using only an infrared light emitting diode (LED) has a problem that it cannot be used in a wide range including a security information medium using an ultraviolet excitation fluorescent material or a visible light excitation fluorescent material together. Therefore, the applicant of the present application has proposed an apparatus for reading such various or combined security information media in Patent Document 8 and Patent Document 9.

JP-A-8-69025 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-259942 JP-A-6-102550 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-340954 JP 2003-288019 A Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 2-12196 Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-007126 Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-008134 Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-008135

  As described above, the security information medium is a combination of a pattern made of an infrared-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material, a pattern made of an ultraviolet-excited visible light-emitting material, or a fine / high-definition pattern made of a material that is visible by irradiation with visible light. In the case where it is configured from the above, a reading device that can be reliably discriminated with a simple device has not been provided.

In addition, the security information medium reading devices already proposed in Patent Document 8 and Patent Document 9 propose that an infrared light emitting LED, an ultraviolet light emitting LED, and a visible light emitting LED are arranged in a light-shielding housing containing a CCD camera. However, there is a problem that is not sufficiently convenient for observing the security information medium in a fixed position. That is, when the security information medium is read, there is a problem that the identification information position must be aligned with the LED irradiation center by lifting the apparatus itself every time the information medium is replaced. In particular, when the identification information pattern is a light color or the print area is small, the alignment is particularly difficult. The camera-type reading device that looks from above is easier to align than the CCD camera-type, but there is also a problem that the emission brightness of the identification information decreases due to external light and the light-emitting pattern becomes difficult to see. . There was also a problem in terms of safety that the LED irradiation window was mistakenly viewed with the eyes.
Therefore, the present invention proposes a reading apparatus with even greater convenience.

The gist of the present invention that solves the above problems is that each of infrared light emitting LED, ultraviolet light emitting LED, and visible light light emitting LED having a peak light emission wavelength of 940 nm for irradiating a security information medium in a light-shielding housing that shields external light. 12 from 6, the top portion of the LED is from the security information medium, so as to become the position of 10 to 30 mm, in its periphery around axis vertical line with respect to the irradiation surface of the security information medium reading, so as not to unevenly distributed In the security information medium reading device, the fluorescent light emitted from the security information medium is received and read by the built-in imaging device, and the light shielding housing is provided with the security information medium to be read. Security information in a state where the tray is inserted into the light-shielding housing. The security information medium reader is characterized in that the identification information of the medium is readable on the LED irradiation surface.

  In the above, if a switch for switching the light emission order of the infrared light emitting LED, the ultraviolet light emitting LED, and the visible light emitting LED and combining them is provided, a predetermined fluorescent light emission can be observed with a desired light source. Further, the security information medium reading device is in an operating state with the tray inserted, and the security information medium reading device is in a standby state with the tray pulled out. The operation of the device is automated and simplified.

Further, if the tray has a transparent plate in which an identification information portion for suppressing the security information medium is cut out and the security information medium is sandwiched between the transparent plate and the bottom plate of the tray, the information medium can be stably Can be read quickly.

The gist 2 of the present invention that solves the above problems is that each of infrared light emitting LED, ultraviolet light emitting LED, and visible light light emitting LED having a peak light emission wavelength of 940 nm for irradiating a security information medium in a light shielding housing that shields external light. 12 from 6, the top portion of the LED is from the security information medium, so as to become the position of 10 to 30 mm, in its periphery around axis vertical line with respect to the irradiation surface of the security information medium reading, so as not to unevenly distributed In a security information medium reading device that is circularly arranged in an annular shape and receives and reads a fluorescent light emitted from the security information medium by an image pickup device, the image pickup pattern by the image pickup device is binarized by the intensity of light emission luminance, and a threshold value is set. Security information medium reading characterized in that the quality is determined by the number of pixels having the above luminance In the device.

In 1 or 2 of the above summary, the security information medium is visually recognized by irradiation with visible light and a pattern made of an infrared excited visible fluorescent light emitting material and a pattern made of an ultraviolet excited visible fluorescent light emitting material. It can be made up of any combination of fine and high-definition patterns made of possible materials, and the imaging device can be a CCD camera.

(1) Since the security information medium reader of the present invention uses three types of LEDs as the light source, it can emit different excitation light, and a plurality of different fluorescent materials are used for the security information medium. In addition, it is possible to identify authenticity by generating each fluorescence emission. Further, even when the security content of the information medium is not clear, by switching the light source, it is possible to detect and authenticate any fluorescence.
(2) Since the security information medium reader of the present invention (Claim 1) has a removable tray on which the security information medium is placed and stored on the lower surface side of the main body of the reader, the security information medium is positioned. Then, the identification information of the security information medium is located on the LED irradiation surface in a state where the tray is placed in the tray, and the tray is inserted and mounted in the light-shielding casing, so that it can be reliably identified.

(3) When the security information medium reader is in an operating state with the tray inserted, and the security information medium reader is in a standby state with the tray pulled out (Claim 3), a switch switching operation Can be reduced and work can be done efficiently.
(4) When the tray has a transparent plate that suppresses the security information medium (Claim 4), the security information medium can be sandwiched between the transparent plate and the bottom plate of the tray for stable reading. In addition, positioning of the identification information becomes easy.
(5) In the case where the image pickup pattern by the image pickup device is binarized by the intensity of light emission luminance and the quality is determined by the number of pixels having a luminance equal to or higher than the threshold (Claim 5), the judgment person's subjectivity does not enter. Objective judgment can be made.

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

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

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

The security information medium reader of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a schematic external view of a security information medium reading device, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a main body of the reading device, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of LEDs in a light source unit, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the tray is extracted from the reader main body, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a power supply system for the LEDs, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a security information medium. .

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of the security information medium reader of the present application. The security information medium reader 1 includes a reader body 2 and an image processing PC (personal computer) 20. The reading device main unit 2 and the image processing PC 20 are connected by a USB cable 7. The reading device main body 2 includes a power supply device (not shown) and is connected to the main body AC adapter 31. The image processing PC 20 is connected to a PC AC adapter 32.
The reading device main body 2 has a tray 9 that can be inserted and pulled out (detachable) on the lower surface side portion thereof, the security information medium 10 is fixed in the tray, and the information medium 10 is inserted with the tray 9 inserted. It is positioned on the irradiation surface of the LED and is readable.
Therefore, the lower surface side of the light-shielding housing 3 is completely shielded, and the inside is shielded from external light with the tray 9 inserted.

  The reading device main body 2 includes three types of LEDs and a CCD camera for imaging as a light source in a light-shielding housing 3. Although the CCD camera and each LED can be connected to the bus power of the image processing PC 20, it is preferable to connect to the AC adapter 31 for the main body because the power is likely to be insufficient only with the bus power. The three types of LEDs are an infrared light emitting LED, an ultraviolet light emitting LED, and a visible light emitting LED. The infrared light emitting LED emits the infrared excitation visible fluorescent light emitting material of the security information medium 10, and the ultraviolet light emitting LED is The UV-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material emits light, and the visible light-emitting LED emits a fluorescent light-emitting material that emits fluorescence by visible light. A plurality of LEDs are used so that predetermined fluorescence emission can be obtained.

  As described above, the power supply device that supplies power to the LED is also housed in the light-shielding housing 3, but the voltage is varied by a regulator, and a pulse generator is used for intermittent light emission. In any LED, a DC voltage of about 20 to 110 mA is supplied. As will be described later, an LED changeover switch can be provided.

The image processing PC 20 requires a display (monitor) 21 and an image processing function, and an image storage (storage) and reproduction function. Although it may be a general-purpose machine or a dedicated machine, the display area of the monitor can be used if a circular area with a diameter of about 10 mm can be displayed.
When supplying bus power, it is necessary to have a USB connector and be able to supply bus power according to USB 2.0 specifications. The image signal from the CCD camera is transmitted to the PC 20 via the signal line (D +, D−) of the USB cable 7.
AC100V ± 10V (50 / 60Hz) is used as the power source of the personal computer.

The reading device main body 2 includes an IC circuit incorporating a determination logic and a contact type switch that operates the IC circuit. When the tray 9 is inserted, the tray 9 pushes the contact type switch, and the IC circuit operates. Then, a determination start signal is transmitted to the PC side, reading of the security information medium 10 is automatically started, and OK / NG (good or bad) determination is performed. Further, when the tray 9 is pulled out, the tray 9 is separated from the contact type switch, the IC circuit is activated, and a determination completion signal is transmitted to the PC side so as to automatically enter a standby state.
As the contact type switch, a pin push button type, a hinge / lever type or the like can be adopted.

The outer shape of the light-shielding housing 3 may be a cubic shape as shown in FIG. 1 or may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The inside surface is made non-reflective so that outside light does not enter.
The tips of the plurality of types of LEDs are arranged so as to be in contact with or close to the security information medium 10 in the tray 9. The light-shielding housing 3 is preferably made of a metal material such as an iron plate or an aluminum plate, but is preferably composed of a light-shielding plastic molding.

  On the image processing PC 20 side of the security information medium reader 1, an authenticity determination button 23, an image storage button 24, and an end button 25 are provided, and a determination result display 26 is displayed. It is also preferable that the determination target mark type 27 and the save file name 28 are registered. For example, the saved file name 28 can be displayed as “June 18, 2006 11:39:05, OK”.

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

  The security information medium 10 is attached to the inside of the tray 9 and receives the irradiation light from the plurality of LEDs 4 to emit fluorescent light. To reach. The sensor 5S of the CCD camera 5 receives this fluorescent image and determines the authenticity of the information medium. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a transparent plate is placed on the surface of the security information medium 10 so as to align with the light source or prevent displacement.

  Since the LED 4r emits infrared light and the LED 4v emits ultraviolet light, the light beam is invisible even when visually observed. However, the identification information 12 that emits fluorescence appears to shine green, for example. Since the LED 4g emits visible light, the LED 4g is selected according to the visible phosphor used in the security information medium 10. For example, green light emission, blue light emission, and red light emission may be combined (three wavelengths white). A white LED using a blue LED and a yellow phosphor (two-wavelength white) may be used. Green light emission, blue light emission, and red light emission are also commercially available with various emission wavelengths. Since the LED is diffused light unlike the laser light having the same phase, there is little harm to the human body even if it enters the eyes of the observer directly.

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

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

The fluorescence emission image can be observed with the naked eye, but in the present invention, it is received using the CCD camera 5. The fluorescent light emitted from the security information medium is condensed by the lens unit 5L and input to the CCD sensor 5S of the CCD camera 5 having sensitivity in the visible light range. The CCD camera 5 uses a USB compatible model and can be driven by USB 2.0 bus power. The lens unit 5L preferably has a zoom function, but digital image processing may be performed on the PC side.
As a 2 million pixel color USB 2.0 compatible CCD sensor, Artray Co. , Ltd. “ARTCAM200SH”, and there is also “ARTCAM500P” having 5,700,000 pixels.

  It is appropriate that the identification information 12 is collected in a circular area size having a diameter of about 10 mm on the surface of the security information medium 10. This is because if the identification information 12 is larger than about 10 mm, the amount of irradiation light per unit area is reduced, making it difficult to see the fluorescent image. Conversely, if the identification information 12 is smaller than about 10 mm, the security printing area on the information medium is too small. It is because it must be done. Therefore, a sensor having a lower number of pixels may be used as long as it has such an area. The camera resolution can be used if a resolution of about 640 dots in the horizontal direction and 480 lines in the vertical direction can be realized.

A lens unit 5L having an appropriate focal length is attached to the CCD sensor 5S and used as the CCD camera 5. When observing only predetermined fluorescence, optical glass or gelatin filter that shields other color light is used. The filter is attached so as to be switchable to an optical path such as the front surface of the camera lens unit 5L. The necessary optical filter is selected according to the color light to be observed and the color light to be cut. A filter that allows the desired image to be viewed with high contrast is preferred.
For example, it can be selected from the Eastman Kodak Latten filter series. B (blue), G (green), and R (red) filters for color separation may be used.

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

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of LEDs in the light source section. As shown in FIG. 3, a wiring board 8 that fits on the inner surface of the light-shielding housing 3 is provided, and a circular opening 8 p is provided at the center thereof. This is because the fluorescent image emitted through the circular opening 8p reaches the CCD camera 5.
The LEDs 4r, 4v, 4g can be appropriately arranged around the opening 8p. It is preferable to circulate and arrange the light emitting LEDs so that they are not unevenly distributed. Since the wiring board 8 to which the LED 4 is attached is also commercially available, it can be used with a circular opening 8p in the center of the board.
In the case of FIG. 3, four LEDs 4r, 4g, and 4v are arranged, but the number of LEDs is adjusted according to the light emission luminance and the like. In practice, a larger number is preferred.
The number “1” in the circular opening 8p is the identification information 12 of the information medium 10, and means, for example, a fluorescent light-emitting character that shines green by infrared excitation. The outer dimension of the wiring board 8 is adjusted to the inner dimension of the light-shielding housing 3. The diameter of the circular opening 8p is about 15 mm to 30 mm.

The image data read by the CCD camera 5 is transmitted to the image processing PC 20 via the USB cable 7. The PC can be observed by enlarging or reducing the image by using built-in image software. Each read image is stored and saved in a memory so that it can be read (reproduced) as needed.
The imaging pattern of the identification information 12 of the security information medium 10 is displayed on the display 21 of the image processing PC 20, and the captured imaging pattern of the CCD camera 5 is binarized by the intensity of light emission for each pixel using the judgment logic inside the PC. Thus, OK / NG (good or bad) can be determined based on the size of the effective area having the luminance equal to or higher than the threshold (the number of pixels on the monitor display 21 surface). For example, when the light emission luminance is represented by 8 bits, the maximum value and the minimum value are converted to 255 and 0, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an LED changeover switch unit. The LED changeover switch 62 and the like are attached to the side surface of the light shielding housing 3 and the like. Although the LED can emit light by “ON” and “OFF” of the power switch 61, it is preferable that the reading itself is performed with the attachment and detachment of the tray 9 as described above. Further, by pushing the LED changeover switch 62, an IR (infrared), UV (ultraviolet), and VIS (visible light) display lamp 63 is turned on.
The light emission is not limited to a single LED, and two or three kinds of LEDs may emit light simultaneously. However, when reading a single type of information medium continuously, the type of phosphor is limited, so the frequency of switching the light source is reduced.
Part of the above embodiment is the contents described in Patent Document 9 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-008135). Hereinafter, the features of the present application will be further described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the tray is extracted from the main body of the reading device. Inside the tray 9, a security information medium 10 is stored, and when the tray 9 is inserted into the reading device main body 2, the identification information 12 portion is positioned directly below the LED light source. At this time, the tray 9 comes into contact with the contact-type switch as described above, and the reading operation is started.

In order to facilitate positioning of the identification information 12 of the security information medium 10 and to suppress the security information medium 10 to the bottom plate side of the tray 9 with the security information medium 10 interposed therebetween, a transparent plate 15 is provided on the tray 9 so as to be openable and closable. The transparent plate 15 does not need to have an area covering the entire security information medium 10, but is large enough that the security information medium 10 does not move or warp due to the attachment and detachment of the tray 9. Is needed.
The transparent plate 15 is preferably provided with a reference line 16 indicating a portion immediately below the LED light source. Thereby, the positioning of the identification information 12 portion of the security information medium 10 with respect to the tray 9 can be facilitated.

Visible light is not normally blocked if it is transparent, but the transparent plate 15 preferably has a property of not blocking ultraviolet rays or infrared rays. For this reason, it is preferable to use a plastic plate such as an ultraviolet transmissive glass or an ultraviolet transmissive acrylic plate for the transparent plate 15. Infrared light is generally not blocked unless specifically treated. However, if the identification information 12 portion of the transparent plate 15 is cut out into a circular shape or the like (with a diameter of about 10 to 15 mm), there is no need to take into account absorption problems such as ultraviolet rays. The thickness is preferably about 1.0 mm or less.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a power supply system for LEDs. The power source for the LED connects each of the n infrared light emitting LEDs 4r, 4v, and 4g to the pulse generator 64 as shown in FIG. The number of each LED does not need to be the same number, and is adjusted according to the luminance or the like. Since the internal resistance of the LED 4 is small, it is preferable to connect resistors R (Rr, Rv, Rg) in series.
As the power source, USB bus power or commercial power source (AC 100V) can be rectified to DC, but a dry battery or the like may be used. When the number of LEDs 4r, 4v, and 4g is large, the power is insufficient with the USB bus power.

Next, the security information medium will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the security information medium 10. FIG. 7A is an example in which fixed identification information 12 by visible fluorescent light-emitting ink is provided on the entire surface of the base material 11. In this case, the fixed identification information 12 may be a mixture of infrared excitation visible light emission, ultraviolet excitation visible light emission, and visible light emission phosphors.
FIG. 7B shows an example in which fixed identification information 12a, 12b, and 12c using different visible fluorescent inks are partially provided on the surface of the base material 11. The visible fluorescent light-emitting ink may be composed of a fine and high-definition pattern including holograms and micro characters.
FIG. 7C is an example in which variable identification information 13a and 13b using different visible fluorescent inks and fixed information 14 that is not a fluorescent dye printed by offset printing or the like are provided on the surface of the substrate 11.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The security information medium reader 1 is configured as shown in the external view of FIG. The light-shielding casing 3 was formed in a cubic shape with an aluminum plate, and a black non-reflective foamed rubber sheet was attached to the inner surface.
As shown in FIG. 2, the security information reader 1 has a vertical cross-section in which a wiring board 8 is provided in the middle stage of the light-shielding housing 3 having a hollow structure, an opening is formed in the center of the wiring board 8, Six infrared light emitting LEDs 4r, an ultraviolet light emitting LED 4v, and a visible light emitting LED 4g were arranged.
In addition, infrared light emitting LED (“EL-1L7” manufactured by KOSEI ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.) 4r is made of GaAs (gallium arsenide) and has a peak light emission wavelength of 940 nm, and an ultraviolet light emitting LED (Nichia “NSHU590A”). ] For 4v, a peak emission wavelength of 375 nm was used, and for the visible light emission LED 4g, a peak emission wavelength of 525 nm (green) was used.

The opening 8p has a diameter of about 20 mm (see FIG. 3), and the 18 LEDs 4 are circulated by type so as to form a substantially annular shape around the opening 8p, and the tip of the LED 4 is circular. It was attached at a slight angle so as to face the center of the ring (see FIG. 2). Further, the LED 4 is arranged such that the top of the lens head is 20 mm from the surface of the security information medium 10. Thereby, each LED4 came to be arrange | positioned by making the perpendicular line with respect to the irradiation surface center of the identification information 12 of the security information medium 10 to read into a center axis | shaft around it.
Each LED 4 is connected to a resistor R for voltage adjustment and wiring, and is placed on the inner surface of the light-shielding housing 3 so as not to interfere with reading. Accordingly, the fluorescence emitted from the security information medium 10 reaches the lens unit 5L of the CCD camera 5 through the opening 8p having a diameter of 20 mm.

An insertion port for a tray 9 having a width of 18 mm is provided on the lower surface side of the light-shielding housing 3 so that the aluminum plate tray 9 can be attached to and detached from the light-shielding housing 3 (can be inserted and pulled out).
The tray 9 was sized to accommodate a gift certificate of about A5 size, and the surface was affixed with a non-reflective foamed rubber sheet. A transparent plate 15 made of a transparent acrylic plate having a thickness of 1.0 mm covers about half the area of the gift certificate including the identification information 12 portion with the gift certificate 10 (security information medium) 10 placed on the tray 9. In this way, one side (both ends on the back side) is fixed with hinges so that it can be opened and closed. A circular opening having a diameter of 15 mm was provided in a portion corresponding to the identification information 12 of the transparent plate 15. A reference line 16 indicating that the identification information 12 portion is the center position of the LED irradiation surface in the opening is written in the position portion of the transparent plate 15 with vertical and horizontal red lines.

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

  The security information medium 10 is placed in the tray 9 of the reader main body 2 of the security information medium reader 1 manufactured previously, and the transparent plate 15 has the identification information 12 in the center of the LED irradiation surface. When the LED 4 is intermittently irradiated with the pulse width tw = 100 μsec (period T = 10 msec) after adjustment within the aperture, the reflected light is received by the CCD camera 5 through the lens portion 5L, and the predetermined identification information 12 turns green. It was possible to display the fluorescence emission on the monitor of the image processing PC 20. The monitor image could be stored and saved in the PC memory and re-displayed (reproduced) at a later date.

  Also, using the determination logic inside the image processing PC, the captured image of the CCD camera 5 is binarized by the intensity of the light emission luminance, and the luminance above the predetermined threshold (for example, 128 or more at 8 bits) is displayed on the monitor display 21 surface. OK / NG (good or bad) could be determined based on the number of displayed pixels (256 or more pixels). The number of pixels can be counted by a program inside the PC.

Conventionally, this type of reading test had to be performed exclusively in a dark room where the influence of external light is small. However, the security information medium reading device of the present invention has a light-shielding housing, so that it can be easily used in a bright indoor environment. It was possible to perform a reading test.
In addition, since it is possible to repeatedly and repeatedly observe on the monitor surface of the PC, there is an advantage that whether or not the determination is correct can be confirmed again at a later date even when a problem occurs in the authenticity determination.

It is a schematic external view of a security information medium reading device. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a reading device main body. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of LED in a light source part. It is a figure which shows a LED switch part. It is a figure which shows the state which extracted the tray from the reader main-body part. It is a figure which shows the power supply system with respect to LED. It is a figure which shows the example of a security information medium.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Security information medium reader 2 Reader main part 3 Light-shielding housing 4 LED
5 CCD Camera 7 USB Cable 8 Wiring Board 9 Tray 10 Security Information Medium 11 Base Material 12 Identification Information 13 Variable Identification Information 14 Fixed Information 15 Transparent Plate 16 Reference Line 20 Image Processing PC (Personal Computer)
21 Display 31 AC Adapter for Main Unit 32 AC Adapter for PC 61 Power Switch 62 Changeover Switch 63 Display Lamp 64 Pulse Generator

Claims (7)

6 to 12 infrared light emitting LEDs, ultraviolet light emitting LEDs, and visible light emitting LEDs each having a peak light emission wavelength of 940 nm for illuminating a security information medium in a light-shielding housing that shields external light, and the top of the LED is security An information medium is circularly arranged around the vertical axis with respect to the irradiation surface of the security information medium to be read so as to be located at a position of 10 to 30 mm so as not to be unevenly distributed. In a security information medium reading device that reads and reads emitted fluorescent light by a built-in imaging device, the light-shielding housing has a detachable tray on which the security information medium to be read is placed and stored. The identification information of the security information medium is located on the LED irradiation surface with the A security information medium reading device characterized in that it is readable. 2. The security information medium reader according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for switching the light emission order of the infrared light emitting LED, the ultraviolet light emitting LED, and the visible light emitting LED and performing combined light emission. 2. The security information medium reader is in an operating state with the tray inserted, and the security information medium reader is in a standby state with the tray pulled out. 3. The security information medium reading device according to 2. 2. The tray has a transparent plate in which an identification information portion for suppressing a security information medium is cut out, and the security information medium is sandwiched between the transparent plate and the bottom plate of the tray. Security information medium reader. 6 to 12 infrared light emitting LEDs, ultraviolet light emitting LEDs, and visible light emitting LEDs each having a peak light emission wavelength of 940 nm for illuminating a security information medium in a light-shielding housing that shields external light, and the top of the LED is security An information medium is circularly arranged around the vertical axis with respect to the irradiation surface of the security information medium to be read so as to be located at a position of 10 to 30 mm so as not to be unevenly distributed. In a security information medium reading device that receives and reads an emitted fluorescent light emission by an image pickup device, the image pickup pattern by the image pickup device is binarized by the intensity of light emission luminance, and the quality is determined by the number of pixels having a luminance equal to or higher than a threshold value. A security information medium reader. The security information medium is a pattern consisting of an infrared-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material and a pattern consisting of an ultraviolet- excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material , or a pattern consisting of an infrared-excited visible fluorescent light-emitting material and a material that is visible by irradiation with visible light. 6. The security information medium reading device according to claim 1, wherein the security information medium reading device is composed of any combination of fine patterns. 7. The security information medium reading device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is a CCD camera.

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