JP6574340B2 - Optical reading form and method for determining authenticity of optical reading form - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical reading form that can prevent duplication using light in the visible region or light in the infrared region, and a method for determining the authenticity of the optical reading form.

  In recent years, a card (optical reading form) on which personal information is recorded stores the information as an optically readable optical code so that it can be prevented from being counterfeited or altered by others. What is concealed so that it cannot be seen is known. For example, Patent Document 1 includes an optical reading code and a determination code that can be read by light in the infrared region, and further conceals the optical reading code and the determination code through which light in the infrared region is transmitted. A configuration in which each layer is covered has been proposed. Here, the optical reading code is an optical code in which necessary information such as personal information is stored, and the determination code is an optical code in which predetermined determination information is stored.

  In such a conventional configuration, the determination code can be read by the light in the infrared region, and the authenticity determination can be performed using the information indicated in the determination code. That is, it is determined whether or not the information of the read determination code is correct. When it is determined that the information is correct, necessary information is acquired from the optical read code read by the light in the infrared region. Further, in recent years, it has been advanced to automate such authentication and acquisition of necessary information by a reading device, and this automation can prevent operation mistakes and misperceptions due to human intervention, and high reliability can be obtained. The reading apparatus includes a reading unit that can read the optical reading code and the determination code, and a determination unit that determines whether the information of the determination code is correct.

  Further, in the above-described conventional configuration, the optical reading code and the determination code cannot be visually recognized by the concealing layer, and the presence of the optical reading code and the determination code can be hidden. Further, when this conventional configuration is copied by a copying machine (that is, a device that reads by light in the visible region), the concealing layer that covers the optical reading code and the concealing layer that covers the determination code are copied. Only the optical reading code and the determination code are not copied. Therefore, an object copied by a copying machine can be determined as a fake by the above-described reading device.

JP 2013-1077 A

  By the way, the above-described concealing layer conceals information below it, but the presence of the concealing layer may imply that concealed information exists. Furthermore, if a person who wants to duplicate (counterfeit) thinks to use light in the infrared region in order to obtain information hidden by the concealment layer, the information can be copied. That is, when the above-described conventional configuration is copied by a copying machine having a reading function using light in the infrared region, the optical reading code and the determination code are copied although the concealment layer cannot be copied. Here, when the infrared light absorbing ink is used for copying, there is a possibility that even the copied material without the concealing layer may be determined to be genuine by the reading device. This is because the reading device can read the optical reading code and the determination code with light in the infrared region. In particular, in recent years, with the aim of reducing labor costs and the like, automation by the reading device has progressed, and therefore a configuration that can be accurately determined by the reading device is required.

  The present invention proposes an optical reading form that can be accurately determined even when read by the above-described automatic reading apparatus, and a method for determining the authenticity of the optical reading form.

  In the present invention, an optically readable optical information code in which predetermined necessary information is stored is formed on the surface of a sheet-like substrate by printing with infrared light absorbing ink or infrared coloring of a thermal layer. In an optical reading form having an optical information section, an optically readable first optical determination code in which first determination information is stored in a region different from the optical information section on the surface of the sheet-like substrate is provided. The second optically readable image is printed with light-colored infrared light absorbing ink that is transparent or unreadable with light in the visible region, and second determination information is recorded on the first optical determination code. An optical reading form, comprising: an optical determination unit in which an optical determination code is printed with infrared non-absorbing ink that can be read with light in a visible region.

  According to such a configuration, whether the second determination information of the second optical determination code read by the light in the visible region and the first determination information of the first optical determination code read by the light in the infrared region are correct. It can be determined to be genuine when it is determined that both are correct. As described above, the authenticity determination of this configuration uses two correct / incorrect determinations of the first optical determination code (first determination information) and the second optical determination code (second determination information). Accuracy can be improved. The optical reading form can be determined with high accuracy by using the automatic reading apparatus for determining the authenticity of the optical reading form of the present invention.

  That is, the optical reading form according to the present invention can visually recognize the second optical determination code but cannot visually recognize the first optical determination code. Similarly, when the optical determination unit is read with light in the visible region, the second optical determination code can be read, but the first optical determination code cannot be read. Therefore, for example, when copying with a copier (using light in the visible region), the second optical determination code is copied, and the first optical determination code is not copied. When authenticity is determined by the automatic reading device, the copy by the copying machine cannot be read from the first optical code, so that it can be determined as a fake (a copied item). On the other hand, when the optical determination unit is read by light in the infrared region, the first optical determination code can be read without reading the second optical determination code. Therefore, for example, when copying with a copying machine using infrared light (hereinafter referred to as an infrared copying machine), the first optical determination code is copied and the second optical determination code is not copied. When authenticity is determined by the automatic reading device, the second optical determination code cannot be read and the copy by the infrared light copying machine can be determined to be fake (copied). As described above, even if the copy is made with the light in the visible region or the light in the infrared region, the copy can be accurately determined as a fake. Therefore, the optical reading form of the present invention can be determined with high accuracy by the automatic reading device.

  Further, since the optical determination unit can see the second optical determination code and cannot see the first optical determination code, the effect of concealing that these two types of optical codes are printed is extremely high. Furthermore, since the first optical determination code and the second optical determination code are optically readable optical codes, it is extremely difficult to accurately distinguish at a glance when only one of them is visually recognized. It can be said. Therefore, if only one of the second optical determination code and the first optical determination code is copied by copying with the above-described copying machine or infrared light copying machine, It is easy to assume that the copy of the department was successful. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine this copy as a fake by determining the authenticity by the automatic reading device.

  Here, in a general copying machine or infrared light copying machine, a black (or color color with high brightness) infrared light absorbing ink or infrared light non-absorbing ink which is relatively easily available is used. Therefore, when copied by an infrared light copying machine as described above, the copied optical determination unit makes the copied first optical determination code visible (readable with light in the visible region). Thus, it is easy for a person who makes a copy to assume that the optical determination unit has been successfully copied. The infrared light absorbing ink for printing the first optical determination code of this configuration is a special light-colored ink that cannot be read by light in the transparent or visible region, and is generally very difficult to obtain. Therefore, even if a person who tries to duplicate notices the existence of the first optical determination code, it is very unlikely that this special ink will be analyzed, obtained and used for copying. . Therefore, it can suppress as much as possible that the optical determination part of this structure is completely replicated, and the effect which suppresses forgery is also very high.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the accuracy of the authenticity determination using the automatic reading device can be dramatically improved, and both the first optical determination code and the second optical determination code can be completely copied. Is extremely difficult to prevent duplication (and forgery). Thereby, the reliability of the optical information code storing necessary information can be remarkably enhanced.

  In the optical reading form of the present invention described above, a configuration is proposed in which a concealing layer covering the optical information code is printed on the optical information portion with infrared non-absorbing ink that can be read with light in the visible region. The Here, the concealing layer printed with the infrared light non-absorbing ink transmits light in the infrared region and absorbs light in the visible region. Therefore, the optical information code cannot be visually recognized.

  According to such a configuration, the optical information code can be made invisible by the concealing layer, and the optical information code can be read by light in the infrared region. If the above-described infrared light copying machine is used to copy the optical information code, the optical information code can be copied, but only the first optical determination code is copied in the optical determination unit. Therefore, this copy is determined to be fake by the automatic reading device as described above.

  In addition, as the infrared light non-absorbing ink for the hiding layer, the infrared light absorbing ink of the optical information code or the ink of the same color as the infrared coloring of the thermal layer, or the infrared coloring of the infrared light absorbing ink or the thermal layer is used. It is preferable that the color ink is darker and can be read by light in the visible region. Such an infrared non-absorbing ink has a higher effect of hiding the optical information code.

  On the other hand, the present invention is an optical reading form authenticity determination method as described above, wherein a first reading step of reading a first optical determination code by an infrared light reading means using light in an infrared region, A first determination step for determining whether the first determination information stored in the first optical determination code read in the reading step is correct or not based on a predetermined first determination criterion; and a visible light reading unit using light in a visible region The second reading step for reading the second optical determination code and the second determination information stored in the second optical determination code read in the second reading step based on a predetermined second determination criterion The second determination step, the information reading step of reading the optical information code by the infrared light reading means, the first determination step determines that the first determination information is correct, and the second determination step An information acquisition step of acquiring the necessary information stored in the optical information code read in the information reading step as a genuine product when it is determined that the determination information is correct. This is an authenticity determination method.

  Here, either the first determination step or the second determination step may be executed first, or both may be executed simultaneously. Similarly, either the first reading step or the second reading step may be executed first. The information reading step may be executed simultaneously with the second reading step or may be executed separately.

  According to this method, it is possible to determine the authenticity of the above-described optical reading form of the present invention with high accuracy and to stably acquire correct necessary information. That is, both the first determination information stored in the first optical determination code read in the first reading step and the second determination information stored in the second optical determination code read in the second reading step. Only when it is determined to be correct, it is determined to be genuine, so this authenticity determination can be performed with high accuracy. According to the authenticity determination method of the present invention as described above, it is possible to reliably determine that this copy is a fake when copied by a copying machine or an infrared copying machine.

  Further, by using the automatic reading apparatus equipped with the authenticity determination method of the present invention, it is possible to automate the authenticity determination of the optical reading form and the acquisition of necessary information, and to execute the authenticity determination with high accuracy and to acquire the necessary information. Can be executed accurately and stably.

  According to the optical reading form of the present invention, as described above, even when copying with a copying machine or an infrared light copying machine, automatic reading is performed using light in the visible region and light in the infrared region. The apparatus can accurately determine the genuine and fake. Since the authenticity can be determined with high accuracy in this way, the effect of preventing copying by a copying machine or an infrared light copying machine is high.

  Further, according to the method for determining the authenticity of the optical reading form of the present invention, as described above, the optical reading form of the present invention can be determined with high accuracy, and correct necessary information can be stably acquired. According to the automatic reading apparatus provided with this authenticity determination method, it is possible to realize high-accuracy authenticity determination of the optical reading form.

It is a top view of the optical reading form 1 of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which abbreviate | omitted the concealing layer 12 and the 2nd optical determination code 16, and displayed the transparent 1st optical determination code 15 of the optical reading form 1 so that visual recognition was possible. It is an enlarged view which partially shows the LL cross section in FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an automatic reading device 31. FIG. It is a top view of the copy 41 of the optical reading form 1 copied by the copying machine, and (b) the copy 46 of the optical reading form 1 copied by the infrared light copying machine. 5 is a chart showing the result of authenticating a copy copied by a copying machine and an infrared light copying machine by an automatic reading device 31; Description of the optical reading form 51 of Example 1 in which (a) a plan view, (b) the concealing layer 12 and the second optical determination code 16 are omitted, and the transparent first optical determination code 55 is displayed so as to be visible. FIG. Description of the optical reading form 61 of Example 2 in which (a) a plan view, (b) the concealing layer 12 and the second optical determination code 16 are omitted, and a transparent first optical determination code 65 is displayed so as to be visible. FIG. In the optical reading form 71 of Example 3, (a) a plan view, (b) the concealing layer 12 and the second optical determination code 16 are omitted, and the transparent first optical determination code 15 and the character pattern 77 are visually recognized. It is explanatory drawing displayed as possible. (A) Plan view, (b) The concealing layer 12 and the second optical determination code 16 are omitted, and the transparent first optical determination code 85 is displayed on the display so as to be visible. FIG.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical reading form 1 of the present embodiment includes an optical information section 4 having an optical information code 11 and a concealing layer 12 printed on the surface of a sheet-like substrate 2, and a first optical determination. The optical determination unit 5 on which the code 15 and the second optical determination code 16 are printed is provided. Further, a protective layer 7 is provided so as to cover the optical information unit 4 and the optical determination unit 5. In this embodiment, the optical information code 11, the first optical determination code 15, and the second optical determination code 16 are composed of QR codes (registered trademark), and are dedicated reading means (devices). By reading, the information stored in the QR code can be acquired. In the present embodiment, the protective layer 7 is provided. However, the protective layer 7 may be omitted.

  The sheet-like substrate 2 is an opaque sheet composed of plain paper such as high-quality paper or medium-quality paper, a resin film, or synthetic paper. In this embodiment, white plain paper is used. Further, the protective layer 7 may be formed of a transparent resin film that transmits light in the infrared region (hereinafter referred to as infrared light) and light in the visible region (hereinafter referred to as visible light). A resin film is attached so as to cover the entire surface of the sheet-like substrate 2.

  In the optical information section 4, the optical information code 11 is printed on the surface of the sheet-like substrate 2, and the concealing layer 12 is printed so as to cover the optical information code 11. Thereby, since the optical information code 11 is concealed by the concealment layer 12, the optical information code 11 cannot be visually recognized. Here, the optical information code 11 is a QR code in which necessary information such as personal information is stored, and is printed with infrared light absorbing ink. This infrared light absorbing ink is an ink having a characteristic of absorbing irradiated infrared light, and contains a pigment that absorbs infrared light. In the present embodiment, the infrared light absorbing ink for printing the optical information code 11 is used in which the colored pigment such as black or blue is contained. On the other hand, the masking layer 12 is printed so as to cover the entire optical information code 11 with infrared non-absorbing ink. This infrared light non-absorbing ink is an ink that has the characteristics of being capable of transmitting infrared light and impervious to visible light, and is a colored ink that is darker than the infrared light absorbing ink of the optical information code 11 It is said. The optical information code 11 can be concealed because the optical information code 11 becomes invisible due to the concealment layer 12 printed with such infrared non-absorbing ink.

  In the optical determination unit 5, the first optical determination code 15 is printed on the surface of the sheet-like substrate 2, and the second optical determination code 16 is printed so as to overlap the first optical determination code 15. Has been. Here, the first optical determination code 15 is a QR code in which first determination information is stored, and the second optical determination code 16 is a QR code in which second determination information is stored. Since the first determination information and the second determination information are different from each other, the first optical determination code 15 and the second optical determination code 16 have different QR code forms. Therefore, in the optical determination unit 5, the first optical determination code 15 and the second optical determination code 16 are not completely overlapped but are partially overlapped. In the present embodiment, the first determination information and the second determination information include contents set in advance, and for example, contents in which a plurality of characters and numbers are arranged can be applied.

  The first optical determination code 15 is printed with an infrared light absorbing ink having a characteristic of absorbing infrared light. In this embodiment, the infrared light absorbing ink is an ink that is transparent under visible light. . Therefore, the first optical determination code 15 printed on the surface of the sheet-like substrate 2 is not visible. As such a transparent infrared light absorbing ink, for example, an ink containing a triphenylmethane-based lake pigment, tin-doped indium oxide powder, or the like can be applied. That is, in this embodiment, the infrared light absorbing ink of the first optical determination code 15 is a different type of ink from the infrared light absorbing ink of the optical information code 11 described above. On the other hand, the second optical determination code 16 is printed with colored infrared light non-absorbing ink such as black or blue. This infrared light non-absorbing ink is an ink having the characteristics that it can transmit infrared light and cannot transmit visible light, similar to the ink of the concealing layer 12 described above.

  Such an optical determination unit 5 cannot visually recognize the first optical determination code 15 but can visually recognize only the second optical determination code 16.

Next, an authenticity determination method for determining the authenticity of the above-described optical reading form 1 and acquiring necessary information of the optical information code 11, and an automatic reading device 31 equipped with the authenticity determination method will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the automatic reading device 31 of this embodiment includes a reader device 32 that reads the optical reading form 1 and a personal computer 33 to which the reader device 32 is connected. The reader device 32 reads the first optical determination code 15, the second optical determination code 16, and the optical information code 11 of the optical reading form 1 inserted from the card insertion slot, and transmits the code data to the personal computer 33. To do. When the personal computer 33 receives the code data from the reader device 32, the personal computer 33 performs the above-described authentication and acquisition of necessary information.

  The reader device 32 includes an infrared light sensor, includes an infrared light reading unit 34 that reads a QR code (optical code) by the infrared light sensor, and a visible light sensor, and visible light that reads the QR code by the visible light sensor. A reading unit 35 and a transmission / reception unit 36 for transmitting / receiving data and command signals to / from the personal computer 33 are provided. The infrared light sensor includes an infrared light emitting unit that emits infrared light and an infrared light receiving unit that has a function of detecting absorption of the irradiated infrared light, and the visible light sensor is a visible light that emits visible light. A light emitting unit, and a visible light receiving unit having a function of detecting absorption of irradiated visible light. In addition, the infrared light reading unit 34 uses an infrared light sensor to code data indicated by the first optical determination code 15 (hereinafter referred to as first determination code data) and code data indicated by the optical information code 11. (Hereinafter referred to as information code data). The visible light reading means 35 reads code data (hereinafter referred to as second determination code data) indicated by the second optical determination code 16 by a visible light sensor. In addition to the above-described configuration, the reader device may be configured to include infrared light / visible light reading means including a single sensor that receives light from infrared light to visible light.

  The personal computer 33 includes transmission / reception means 39 for transmitting / receiving data and command signals to / from the reader device 32, determination means 37 for determining authenticity by determining whether the first determination code data and the second determination code data are correct, and the authentication determination. And information acquisition means 38 for acquiring necessary information from the information code data. The determination unit 37 analyzes the first determination code data, acquires first determination information, and determines whether or not the first determination information is correct; and a second determination Analyzing the code data to obtain the second determination information and determining whether the second determination information is correct is correct in both the first determination process and the second determination process. And authenticity determination processing that determines genuineness only when it is determined. Further, when the second determination information is positively determined in the second determination process, the determination unit 37 sends a command signal for instructing reading of the first optical determination code 15 and the optical information code 11 to the transmission / reception unit. Command transmission processing to be transmitted via the network. Here, the determination means 37 is correct first data for determining whether the first determination information is correct in the first determination process, and correct second data for determining whether the second determination information is correct in the second determination process. Is provided. Then, in the first determination process, it is checked whether or not the first determination information and the first data match, and a positive determination is made if they match, and a negative determination is made if they do not match. Similarly, in the second determination process, a match or mismatch between the second determination information and the second data is checked, and a positive determination is made when they match, and a negative determination is made when they do not match. In this embodiment, the personal computer 33 includes notifying means (not shown) for displaying on the monitor the result of the authenticity determination by the determining means and the necessary information acquired by the information acquiring means.

  In such an automatic reading device 31, when the optical reading form 1 is inserted from the card insertion port of the reader device 32, in the reader device 32, the visible light reading means 35 reads the second optical determination code 16 by the visible light sensor. . Here, the optical determination unit 5 of the optical reading form 1 can read the second optical determination code 16 by visible light, but cannot read the first optical determination code 15. Further, the optical information unit 4 cannot read the optical information code 11 because visible light cannot pass through the masking layer 12. Then, the second determination code data of the second optical determination code 16 is transmitted to the personal computer 33 by the transmission / reception means 36 of the reader device 32.

  When receiving the second determination code data from the reader device 32, the personal computer 33 executes the second determination process of the determination unit 39. In the second determination process, the received second determination code data is analyzed to obtain second determination information, and whether the second determination information matches the second data is determined as correct. When the second determination information is determined to be correct, a command signal instructing reading of the first optical determination code 15 and the optical information code 11 is transmitted to the reader device 32 by command transmission processing.

  In the reader device 32, when the command signal is received from the personal computer 33, the infrared light reading unit 34 uses the infrared light sensor to print the first optical determination code 15 and the optical information code 11 printed on the optical reading form 1. And read. Here, when infrared light is irradiated by the infrared light sensor, the optical determination unit 5 transmits the infrared light through the second optical determination code 16 and is absorbed by the first optical determination code 15. Thus, the first optical determination code 15 can be read by the infrared light sensor. Similarly, in the optical information unit 4, infrared light passes through the concealing layer 12 and is absorbed by the optical information code 11, so that the optical information code 11 can be read by the infrared light sensor. Then, the first determination code data of the first optical determination code 15 and the information code data of the optical information code are transmitted to the personal computer 33 by the transmission / reception means 36 of the reader device 32.

  When receiving the first determination code data and the information code data from the reader device 32, the personal computer 33 executes the first determination process of the determination unit 37. In the first determination process, the received first determination code data is analyzed to obtain first determination information, and whether the first determination information matches the first data is determined as correct. When the first determination information is determined to be correct, the optical reading form 1 inserted into the reader device 32 is determined to be genuine by the authentication determination process (see FIG. 6). When it is determined to be genuine in this way, the information acquisition unit 38 analyzes the information code data and acquires necessary information. Further, the information and the acquired necessary information are displayed on the monitor by the notification means.

  If the second determination process of the determination unit 37 determines that the second determination information is negative, the authenticity determination process determines that the optical reading form 1 is a fake (copy). In this case, since the command signal is not transmitted, reading of the first optical determination code 15 and the optical information code 11 is not executed. Similarly, in the first determination determination process described above, if the first determination information is determined to be negative, the authentication determination process determines that the optical reading form 1 is a fake (copy). Thus, when it determines with a fake in an authenticity determination process, required information is not acquired by an information acquisition means. And it displays on a monitor that it is a fake.

  As described above, according to the automatic reading device 31, it is possible to automatically determine the authenticity of the optical reading form 1 and acquire necessary information. In the present embodiment, reading the second optical determination code 16 by the visible light reading means 35 of the reader device 32 is a second reading step according to the present invention, and the second of the determination means 37 of the personal computer 33. It is a second determination step according to the present invention to determine whether the second determination information is correct or not by the determination process. And the 2nd data used for the right / wrong determination of a 2nd determination process is corresponded to the 2nd determination criterion concerning this invention. Further, reading the first optical determination code 15 and the optical information code by the infrared light reading means 35 of the reader device 32 is the first reading step and the information reading step according to the present invention, and the determination means 37 of the personal computer 33. The first determination step according to the present invention is to determine whether the first determination information is correct or not by the first determination process. And the 1st data used for the right / wrong judgment of the 1st judgment processing is equivalent to the 1st judgment standard concerning the present invention. Furthermore, the information acquisition step according to the present invention is to acquire necessary information by the information acquisition unit 38 when it is determined to be authentic by the authenticity determination process of the determination unit.

Next, a case where the above-described optical reading form 1 of the present invention is illegally copied will be described.
The following four patterns were assumed as illegal copying.
(1) Copy A: When copying with infrared non-absorbing ink using a copying machine (copying with visible light) (2) Copy B: Copying with infrared light absorbing ink using a copying machine (3) Copy C: When copied with infrared light non-absorbing ink using an infrared copying machine (copying with infrared light) (4) Copy D: Infrared copying machine In addition, in any pattern, infrared non-absorbing ink and infrared light-absorbing ink are generally colored inks such as black and blue. To do.

  The copy A in (1) above becomes the copy 41 in FIG. That is, a copy concealment layer 44 obtained by copying the concealment layer 12 is printed on a portion corresponding to the optical information portion 4 (hereinafter referred to as a copy information portion) 42, and a portion corresponding to the optical determination portion 5 (hereinafter referred to as a copy determination portion). ) 43 is printed with a copy second code 45 obtained by copying the second optical determination code 16. Although this copy A has a copy information section 42 that is the same as the real optical information section 4 and a copy determination section 43 that is the same as the real optical determination section 5, the copy A has the optical information code 11 and the first optical determination code. 15 is not copied. When the copy A is read by the automatic reading device 31, the copy second code 45 is read by the visible light reading means 35, and second determination information is acquired by the second determination process of the determination means 37. Although the correct determination can be made, the first optical determination code 15 cannot be read by the infrared light reading means 34. Therefore, an error (no determination) occurs in the first determination process, and the authenticity determination process is determined to be fake (see FIG. 6).

  Further, the copy B of (2) is the copy 41 of FIG. 5A, similar to the copy A of (1). That is, the copy concealment layer 44 is printed on the copy information section 42, and the copy second code 45 is printed on the copy determination section 43. The copy concealment layer 45 and the copy second code 45 are copied with infrared light absorbing ink. When the copy B is read by the automatic reading device 31, the visible light reading means 35 can read the copy second code 45 printed with infrared light absorbing ink such as black. In the second determination process, the second determination information is acquired to make a positive determination. However, since the copy second code 45 is also read by the infrared light reading means 34, the first determination process of the determination means 37 obtains the second determination information from the copy second code 45, and the second determination information is obtained. Judgment is made because the data does not match. Thereby, the authenticity determination process determines that it is a fake (see FIG. 6).

  The copy C in (3) above becomes the copy 46 in FIG. That is, a copy information code 47 obtained by copying the optical information code 11 is printed on the copy information section 42, and a first copy code 48 obtained by copying the first optical determination code 15 is printed on the copy determination section 43. In this copy C, although the concealment layer 12 is not copied in the copy information section 42, the copy first code 48 is copied in the copy determination section 42. The copy first code 48 and the second optical determination code 16 cannot be distinguished at a glance. Therefore, it is easy for a person who has made a copy to assume that the optical information unit 4 can be accurately copied to the copy information unit 42 and the optical determination unit 5 can be accurately copied to the copy determination unit 43. When the copy C is read by the automatic reading device 31, the visible light reading means 35 reads the first copy code 48 printed with infrared non-absorbing ink. In the second determination process, the first determination information is acquired from the first copy code 48, and it is determined whether or not the second data does not match. Thereby, the authenticity determination process determines that it is a fake (see FIG. 6).

  Further, the copy D of (4) is the copy 46 of FIG. 5B, as is the copy C of (3). That is, the copy information code 47 is printed on the copy information section 42, and the copy first code 48 is printed on the copy determination section 43. The copy information code 48 and the first copy code 47 are copied with infrared light absorbing ink. Even in this copy D, like the copy C described above, it is easy for the person who makes the copy to assume that the copy was made correctly. When the copy D is read by the automatic reading device 31, the visible light reading means 35 reads the first copy code 47 printed with infrared light absorbing ink such as black. In the second determination process, the first determination information is acquired from the first copy code 48, and it is determined not to match the second data. Thereby, the authenticity determination process determines that it is a fake (see FIG. 6).

As described above, according to the optical reading form 1 of the present embodiment, the automatic reading device 31 can determine the authenticity with high accuracy and can stably acquire correct necessary information. And if it is illegally copied, the automatic reading device 31 can reliably determine that it is a fake, so that counterfeiting by copying can be prevented as much as possible.
Here, the optical reading form 1 is obtained by printing the optical determination unit 5 with the visually observable second optical determination code 16 and the invisible first optical determination code 15 overlapped. When copied by an external light copying machine, only one of the second optical determination code 16 and the first optical determination code 15 is copied. Highly effective. Therefore, by reading such a copy with the automatic reading device 31, it can be determined as a fake as described above.
Furthermore, since the transparent infrared light absorbing ink for printing the first optical determination code 15 is a special ink that is generally difficult to obtain, the possibility of using it is extremely low. Therefore, it can suppress as much as possible that the optical determination part 5 will be completely replicated, and the above-mentioned forgery prevention effect further improves.

  In addition, the optical reading form of the above-described embodiment is the first optical determination code printed on the optical determination unit printed with a transparent infrared light absorbing ink. It is good also as what was printed with the light-colored infrared light absorption ink which cannot be read. Even with this configuration, since the first optical determination code cannot be visually recognized, the same operational effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the automatic reading apparatus of the present embodiment described above, when the second optical determination code is read by the visible light reading means and the second determination information is positively determined, the infrared light reading means then determines the first optical determination code. The optical information code is read to determine authenticity, but the execution order of these reading step and determination step can be changed as appropriate. For example, the optical information code, the first optical determination code, and the second optical determination code are read by the infrared light reading unit and the visible light reading unit, and then the correctness determination of the first optical determination code and the second optical determination code is performed. And authenticity determination may be executed.

  On the other hand, optical reading forms 51, 61, 71, 81 of the following other examples 1 to 4 are proposed as another example of the above-described embodiment. In addition, since any other example is the same structure as this Example except the optical determination part 5, the same code | symbol is described to the same component and the description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, in each of the different examples, the first optical determination code is printed with the same infrared light absorbing ink as in the above embodiment, and the second optical determination code is printed with the same infrared non-absorbing ink as in the above embodiment. Printed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an optical reading form 51 according to another example 1 is obtained by printing a first optical determination code 55 having a size different from that of the second optical determination code 16 on the optical determination unit 5. Even in the configuration of such another example 1, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to accurately and stably determine the authenticity by the automatic reading device 31, and to acquire necessary information. Furthermore, when copied by an infrared copying machine (in the case of the above-mentioned copies C and D), in addition to being able to be determined as a fake by the automatic reader 31, this copy is a copy of the first optical determination code 55. Since the size of the code is different from that of the second optical determination code 16, it can be easily determined as a fake even when visual determination is performed. Also, a person who makes a copy can easily know that the copy is different from the real copy. As a result, the effect of discouraging the copy from the copy person is also produced, and the copy can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the optical reading form 61 of another example 2 is obtained by printing the first optical determination code 65 on the optical determination unit 5 at an angle different from that of the second optical determination code 16. Even if it is in the structure of this another example 2, there exists an effect similar to the another example 1 mentioned above.

As shown in FIG. 9, the optical reading form 71 of another example 3 has a predetermined optically transparent infrared light absorbing ink that is the same as the first optical determination code 15 in the optical determination unit 5. A character pattern 77 is printed. Even in the configuration of the third example, as in the above-described embodiment, the automatic reading device 31 can accurately and stably determine the authenticity, and necessary information can be acquired. Further, when copied by an infrared light copying machine (in the case of the above-mentioned illegal copies C and D), the copy is visually copied since the character design 77 is copied to the copy determination section. Even when the determination is made, it can be easily determined as a fake. Also, a person who makes a copy can easily know that the character is different from the original because the character pattern 77 that cannot be visually recognized is copied on the copied. For this reason, the effect of suppressing copying can be obtained as in the first and second examples. In this alternative example 3, a predetermined picture design may be printed instead of the character design, or both the character design and the picture design may be printed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the optical reading form 81 of another example 4 includes a second optical determination code 16 composed of a QR code similar to the embodiment, a first optical determination code 85 composed of a barcode, and the like. It is equipped with. That is, in another example 4, the first optical determination code 85 and the second optical determination code 16 are different types of optical codes. Even in the configuration of the other example 4, as in the above-described embodiment, the automatic reading device 31 can accurately and stably determine the authenticity and acquire necessary information. Further, when copied by an infrared copying machine (in the case of the above-mentioned illegal copies C and D), the first optical determination code 85 of the barcode is copied to the copy determination portion of this copy. Therefore, even when visual determination is performed, it can be easily determined as a fake. Also, a person who makes a copy can easily know that the copy is different from the real copy. For this reason, the effect of suppressing copying can be achieved in the same manner as in the other examples 1 to 3.

In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other examples 1 to 4, and configurations other than the above-described embodiments can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the present invention. . For example, in the examples and other examples 1 to 3, the optical information code, the first optical determination code, and the second optical determination code may be barcodes.
Further, in the example and other examples 1 to 4, the optical information code may be formed by infrared coloring of the thermal layer. In this configuration, thermal paper having a thermal layer on the surface is used for the sheet-like substrate. Then, an optical information code is formed in the optical information part by infrared color development of the thermal layer, and the other concealing layer, the first optical determination code, and the second optical determination code are the same as in the example and other examples 1 to 4. To form. Even in such a configuration, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment and other examples 1 to 4 can be obtained.

1, 51, 61, 71, 81 Optical reading form 2 Sheet-like base material 4 Optical information part 5 Optical determination part 11 Optical information code 12 Hiding layer 15, 55, 65, 85 First optical determination code 16 Second optical determination code

Claims (2)

An optical information section in which an optically readable optical information code storing predetermined necessary information is formed on the surface of a sheet-like substrate by printing with infrared light absorbing ink or infrared color development of a thermal layer is provided. In the optical reading form provided,
The optical information code of the optical information part is covered with a concealing layer printed with an infrared non-absorbing ink that can be read with light in the visible region,
The optically readable first optical determination code in which the first determination information is stored in a region different from the optical information portion on the surface of the sheet-like substrate is not readable with light in a transparent or visible region. Printed with light-colored infrared light absorbing ink,
Further, an optically readable second optical determination code on which the second determination information is recorded is printed on the first optical determination code with an infrared non-absorbing ink that can be read with light in the visible region. An optical reading form comprising an optical determination unit. A method for determining the authenticity of an optically read form according to claim 1 ,
A first reading step for reading the first optical determination code by an infrared light reading means using light in the infrared region;
A first determination step for determining whether the first determination information stored in the first optical determination code read in the first reading step is correct based on a predetermined first determination criterion;
A second reading step of reading the second optical determination code by visible light reading means using light in the visible region;
A second determination step for determining whether the second determination information stored in the second optical determination code read in the second reading step is correct or not based on a predetermined second determination criterion;
An information reading step of reading an optical information code by the infrared light reading means;
When the first determination information is determined to be correct in the first determination step and the second determination information is determined to be correct in the second determination step, it is stored in the optical information code read in the information reading step. An information reading step for acquiring necessary information as authentic information, and a method for determining the authenticity of an optically read form.

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