JP6966742B2 - Variable information printed matter and its printing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an anti-counterfeit printed matter and a production method in which unique information that can be identified is printed on each sheet.

Different serial numbers are printed on each Bank of Japan note, lottery ticket, New Year's postcard with New Year's present, etc. In printing such serial numbers, in order to prevent falsification of the printed information, it is a general method to print a tint block pattern and then print different serial numbers on each sheet. In this case, the preceding tint block pattern is printed using an offset printing machine. After that, the serial number is printed using a number printing machine. That is, it is characterized by printing separately by two types of printing devices.

Since the latter number printing machine uses a convex plate, it is classified into a printing method called letterpress printing. One of the characteristics of this letterpress printing is a phenomenon called a marginal zone, in which ink accumulates along the contour of an image line to partially increase the printing density. Since the presence or absence of this marginal zone is a material for determining whether or not it is letterpress printing, it may be an appraisal factor for finding a difference from a counterfeit product using another printing method.

On the other hand, in the on-demand printing method using an inkjet printer or a digital printing machine, if the tint block pattern and the serial number are printed at the same time, the equipment and man-hours for overprinting can be reduced, which is expected to improve the cost. However, in this case, the functional aspect of observing the presence or absence of the marginal zone and determining whether or not it is a counterfeit product is lost. Therefore, as a means for complementing the appraisal element of the counterfeit product, the invisible serial number is used as a counterfeit prevention measure.

Patent Document 1 previously filed by the present applicant proposes a halftone dot printed matter by a halftone processing technique for evenly arranging two different images as halftone dot images on the same plane. Similarly, Patent Document 1 proposes that an image is "variable information (variable data)" by an on-demand printing method.

1 and 2 are examples of diagrams showing a halftone dot configuration of a halftone dot printed matter (hereinafter referred to as “ImageSwitch”) of Patent Document 1, wherein the first region (1) and the second region (2) are , Multiple sets are arranged without overlapping each other. The first halftone dot portion (1a) is formed by using an ink containing no infrared absorbing dye (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow), and is formed by a plurality of first halftone dot portions (1a) in a visible image. A certain first image (3) is expressed. Further, the second halftone dot portion (2a) is formed by using an ink containing an infrared absorbing dye (for example, carbon black containing carbon), and the second background portion (2b) is formed by using an infrared absorbing dye. A second image (4), which is a latent image that can be observed in an infrared environment, is represented by a plurality of second halftone dots (2a) formed by using ink that does not contain the ink.

When the Image Switch thus created is observed in visible light, the first image (3), which is a visible image, is visually recognized. Further, when observed in an infrared environment, the first image (3), which is a visible image, cannot be seen, and only the second image (4), which is a latent image, is visually recognized. That is, the second image (4), which is a latent image, is invisible information, and by using a serial number which is variable information here, serial number printing having an anti-counterfeiting function can be realized.

Patent No. 3544536 Patent No. 5721101

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of creating an Image Switch in Patent Document 2. First, it is about the first image. The first image data (5a) is created from the first original image (5) to be recognized as a visible image in the printed matter. Next, the first mask data (5b) that defines the area for halftone processing is created. Next, halftone processing (5c) of the first region is performed using the first image data (5a) and the first mask data (5b). The halftone processing is a conversion processing performed on an image having shading information, and is performed by using, for example, a method according to Halftone Type 16 which is one of the PostScript halftone dot generation methods.

Next, it is about the second image. The second image data (6a) is created from the second original image (6) to be visually recognized as a latent image in the printed matter. Next, the second mask data (6b) that defines the area for halftone processing is created. Next, halftone processing (6c) of the second region is performed using the second image data (6a) and the second mask data (6b). Next, the inversion process (6d) of the second region is performed using the data after the halftone process and the second mask data (6b).

Next, the data created by the halftone processing (5c) in the first region, the data created by the halftone processing (6c) in the second region, and the inversion processing (6d) in the second region By assigning color information to the created data, the halftone dot printed matter data (7) is created.

The halftone dot printed matter data (7) created through the above steps is based on the first image (3) created based on the first original image (5) and the second original image (6). Contains the two image information of the second image (4) created in. A printed matter (8) is created based on this image data. When the printed matter of ImageSwitch produced by this method is observed under predetermined observation conditions, the first image (3) is visually recognized in visible light, and the second image (4) is visually recognized in an infrared environment.

However, it takes a lot of time to perform this halftone processing for each variable information such as a serial number. Inkjet printers and digital printing machines in recent years have been speeded up for mass production, and some models have the ability to print 30 or more sheets per minute on A4 standard paper. For example, in the case of official postcards, four sheets can be placed on A4 standard paper. In other words, when converted to official postcards, it is possible to print 120 or more sheets per minute.

When printing 120 sheets or more per minute, it is desirable to generate ImageSwitch data for each variable information at a speed of 120 records or more per minute. That is, the ideal time required for one record to generate an Image Switch is 0.5 seconds or less, and conversely, if 0.5 seconds or more is required, it causes a decrease in manufacturing efficiency. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to shorten the time required for this halftone processing to be shorter than the printing time per record (one printed matter).

In the present invention, in order to shorten the time required for halftone processing of ImageSwitch, instead of halftone processing for each variable information, pattern data that has been halftone processed in advance are combined to create ImageSwitch data of variable information. It is characterized by doing.

Further, the visible image in the halftone dot printed matter of the present invention is characterized by being pattern data subjected to halftone processing according to the period of the halftone dot configuration of ImageSwitch. Note that this pattern data may hold color information.

Further, the latent image image in the halftone dot printed matter of the present invention is characterized by being pattern data in which alphanumeric characters used for serial number printing are halftone-processed according to the cycle of the halftone dot configuration of ImageSwitch. Note that this pattern data may hold color information.

Further, the pattern data of the present invention may be binary data stored in the memory of the computer in order to shorten the time required for the execution process of the software.

Further, the synthesis of the pattern data of the present invention is characterized in that they are arranged according to the period of the halftone dot configuration of ImageSwitch. This is to maintain the halftone dot configuration cycle of ImageSwitch by applying an integral multiple of the halftone dot configuration cycle to the coordinate values for arranging the pattern data.

It should be noted that the fact that the latent image image is variable information means that the size of the halftone dots of the latent image image changes according to the variable information. In order to create pattern data in advance and synthesize the pattern data with each other, it is effective to use the positional relationship of the second region (2) that is periodically repeated. That is, by constantly matching the coordinate value of the second halftone dot portion (2a), which is a latent image, with the coordinate value of the second region (2), the image switch network can be used regardless of the size of the halftone dots. It is possible to synthesize while maintaining the point composition.

Since the halftone dot printed matter of the present invention uses pattern data that has been halftone-processed in advance, it is possible to create ImageSwitch data of variable information in a required time shorter than the printing time per sheet of an inkjet printer or a digital printing machine. , Serial number printing with anti-counterfeiting function can be realized without lowering the manufacturing efficiency.

An example of a diagram showing a halftone dot configuration of ImageSwitch in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. Explanatory drawing which shows the visible image and latent image image visually recognized by ImageSwitch in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. The flowchart which shows the method of making Image Switch in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. An example of a diagram showing pattern data processed by halftone. A flowchart showing how to create pattern data. A flowchart showing a method of creating ImageSwitch data of variable information. The block diagram which shows the period of the halftone dot composition of ImageSwitch. Explanatory drawing which shows composition of pattern data.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The ImageSwitch has a halftone dot configuration shown in FIG. This halftone dot configuration is composed of a plurality of first regions (1) and a plurality of second regions (2). Each region (1, 2) is a region having a fine size that cannot be visually recognized by the naked eye, and is regularly arranged without a gap so as to be adjacent to each other.

The first region (1) includes a first halftone dot portion (1a) for expressing a visible image observed in visible light, and the second region (2) is a latent region observed in an infrared environment. It includes a second halftone dot portion (2a) for expressing an image and a second background portion (2b) forming the background thereof.

When the printed matter of this Image Switch is observed with visible light, the first image (3), which is a visible image shown in FIG. 2, is visually recognized. In this case, the second halftone dot portion (2a) and the second background portion (2b) in the second region (2) have a uniform density, so that the first halftone dot portion (1a) is used. Only the first image (3) is visible.

On the other hand, when observed in an infrared environment, the second image (4), which is a latent image shown in FIG. 2, is visually recognized. In this case, since the second halftone dot portion (2a) in the second region (2) is printed using the ink containing the infrared absorbing dye, the density is maintained in the infrared environment. On the other hand, since the first halftone dot portion (1a) and the second background portion (2b) are printed using an ink that does not contain an infrared absorbing dye, the density is not maintained in an infrared environment. Become invisible. As a result, only the second image (4) by the second halftone dot portion (2a) is visually recognized.

In order to create ImageSwitch data having such a function, halftone processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is required. However, when creating ImageSwitch data of variable information used for serial number printing, it is necessary to repeat all the processes for each variable information, which causes a decrease in manufacturing efficiency.

Therefore, in the present invention, instead of halftone processing for each variable information, a method of synthesizing pattern data that has been halftone processed in advance is used. In this case, the first pattern data (9) shown in FIG. 4 is used as the first image (3) which is a visible image. Further, the second pattern data (10) shown in FIG. 4 is used as the second image (4) which is a latent image. In the second pattern data (10), alphanumeric characters (alphabet and numbers) used for serial number printing are created for each character.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of creating pattern data in the present invention. The block diagram of the period of the halftone dot configuration of ImageSwitch shown in FIG. 7 and the explanatory diagram showing the synthesis of the pattern data of FIG. 8 will be referred to, and the description will be given in accordance with the flowchart of FIG.

First, set the "halftone dot period" of the pattern data. This halftone dot period is a value according to the halftone dot configuration cycle of ImageSwitch, and as described in [0023], the first region (1) and the second region (2) are adjacent to each other. When arranged regularly without gaps, the same halftone dot configuration is repeated in the same cycle. For example, when the number of pixels on one side of the second region (2) is p and the number of pixels on one side of the first region (1) is n times that of the second region (2), the net. The point period (U) is determined by the following formula.
U = p (n2 + 1)
p: Number of pixels on one side of the second region (2) n: Ratio (size of the first region (1) with respect to the second region (2))
This calculation formula will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When the second region (2) is 5 pixels × 5 pixels and the first region (1) is doubled 10 pixels × 10 pixels, the halftone dot period (U) is 25 pixels × 25 pixels. Become. That is, the same halftone dot configuration is repeated every 25 pixels × 25 pixels. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the x-coordinate value and the y-coordinate value in the coordinate values (x, y) of the second pattern data (10) to be combined with the first pattern data (9) are set as halftone dots. By making it an integral multiple of the period (U), the period of the halftone dot configuration of the ImageSwitch is maintained. In FIG. 8, the image size of the second pattern data (10) is illustrated by 50 pixels (twice the halftone dot period (U)) × 75 pixels (three times the halftone dot period (U)). However, the image size of the pattern data does not have to be an integral multiple of the halftone dot period (U) [STEP1].

Next, according to this halftone dot period (U), the first pattern data (9) to be used as a visible image is created. This pattern data is subjected to halftone processing using only the first region (1) shown in FIG. 7. When the color information is to be retained for this pattern data, only the ink color (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow) that does not contain the infrared absorbing dye is set. Further, when creating n kinds of visible images, n pattern data are created, and it is assumed that each pattern data follows the halftone dot period (U) [STEP 2].

Next, the first pattern data (9) is saved as an image file (for example, a bitmap file in TIFF format). In this case, the storage destination may be either a storage area on the computer or a storage area on the network [STEP3].

Next, the second pattern data (10) to be used as a latent image is created according to the halftone dot period (U). This pattern data is subjected to halftone processing using only the second region (2) shown in FIG. 7. If the color information is to be retained for this pattern data, only the ink color (for example, black) containing the infrared absorbing dye is set. Further, this pattern data is created for each alphanumeric character used for serial number printing, and it is assumed that each pattern data follows the halftone dot period (U) [STEP 4].

Next, the second pattern data (10) is saved as an image file (for example, a bitmap file in TIFF format). In this case, the storage destination may be either a storage area on the computer or a storage area on the network [STEP 5].

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of creating ImageSwitch data of variable information in the present invention. First, the first pattern data (9) and the second pattern data (10) created in advance are read into the memory of the computer. If the color information is not retained for each pattern data, the color information is set in the pattern data at this point. The setting conditions for the color information are as described above [STEP 1, 2].

Next, ImageSwitch data of variable information is created. As a general rule, ImageSwitch data is one file per record of variable information. Therefore, the variable information (serial number) from the start value to the end value is repeatedly processed. First, create a new work area in the memory of the computer. This work area is bitmap format data having a width and height equal to or larger than the first pattern data (9), and 0 (white pixels) is assigned to all the pixels [. STEP3].

Next, the first pattern data (9) is arranged at the coordinate value (0,0) of the work area [STEP4].

Next, the coordinate values for arranging the second pattern data (10) according to the serial number are calculated. The coordinate values are calculated for each digit of the serial number. For example, the coordinate value (x, y) in the s-th digit is determined by the following formula.
x = dx + (s-1) x w
y = dy
dx: Offset value in the x direction ( integer multiple of halftone dot period (U))
dy: Offset value in the y direction ( integer multiple of halftone dot period (U))
s: Digit w: Spacing between second pattern data (10) ( integer multiple of halftone dot period (U))
This calculation formula will be described with reference to FIG. When the first digit "A" of the second pattern data (10) is arranged, the offset value (dx) in the x direction with respect to the first pattern data (9) is 25 pixels (halftone dot period (U)). 1 times). Similarly, the offset value (dy) in the y direction with respect to the first pattern data (9) is 50 pixels (twice the halftone dot period (U)). Further, the digit (s) is 1 (digit), and the interval (w) between the second pattern data (10) is 50 pixels (twice the halftone dot period (U)). Therefore, the coordinate values (x, y) for arranging the first digit "A" of the second pattern data (10) are x = 25 and y = 50. The values that can be assigned to dx, dy, and w in this calculation formula are limited to an integral multiple of the halftone dot period (U) set at the time of creating the pattern data [STEP 5].

Next, the second pattern data (10) corresponding to the alphanumeric characters of the serial number is arranged in the coordinate values (x, y) of the work area. At that time, an arithmetic process for synthesizing the second pattern data (10) is performed in the work area. In each pixel of the second region (2) of FIG. 7, if the second pattern data (10) arranged therein is 1 (black pixel), the working area is an ink color containing an infrared absorbing dye. Set the color information of. On the contrary, if the second pattern data (10) arranged there is 0 (white pixel), the color information of the ink color containing no infrared absorbing dye is set in the work area. As a result, the second halftone dot portion (2a) and the second background portion (2b) are formed in the second area (2) of the work area [STEP 6].

Next, the work area is saved as an image file of ImageSwitch data (for example, a bitmap file in TIFF format). In this case, the storage destination may be either a storage area on the computer or a storage area on the network [STEP 7].

The Image Switch of variable information created by the above method has the same effect as the case of using the Image Switch creation method shown in FIG. 3 as an anti-counterfeiting technique, but realizes the Image Switch creation method shown in FIG. As a result, the time required for the production method of the present invention is reduced to about 1/800 of the time required when the application software is used.

1 1st region 1a 1st halftone dot portion 2 2nd region 2a 2nd halftone dot portion 2b 2nd background portion 3 1st image 4 2nd image 5 1st original image 5a 1st Image data 5b First mask data 5c Halftone processing in the first region 6 Second original image 6a Second image data 6b Second mask data 6c Halftone processing in the second region 6d In the second region Inversion processing 7 Halftone dot printed matter data 8 Printed matter 9 First pattern data 10 Second pattern data U Halftone dot period

Claims (2)

A plurality of sets of one first region and one second region adjacent to the first region are arranged in a halftone dot period (U) in which the same halftone dot configuration is repeated in the same cycle, and each of them is arranged. The second region is surrounded by a plurality of the first regions, and the first region has a halftone dot portion of the first a configured by using an ink containing no infrared absorbing dye. The second region includes a halftone dot portion of the second a formed by using an ink containing an infrared absorbing dye and a background portion of the second b formed by using an ink not containing the infrared absorbing dye. The first gradation image is formed by the halftone dot portions of the first a in the plurality of the first regions, and the second gradation is formed by the halftone dot portions of the second a in the plurality of the second regions. The first original image in which the image is configured and pre-halftone processed is stored in the memory of the computer as the first gradation image pattern (1), and the pre-halftone processed second original image is the second. As the gradation image pattern (2) of 2, the first gradation image pattern (1) and the second gradation image pattern (2) are stored in the memory of the computer and are combined according to the variable information. In information prints
The number of pixels on one side of the second region is p, with respect to the said second region, number of pixels on one side of the first region when the n times, the dot cycle (U) p Step 1 to determine (n ^{2 + 1) and}
Step 2 in which the first original image is subjected to halftone processing in the first region according to the halftone dot period (U) and stored in the storage region of the computer as the first gradation image pattern (1). When,
Step 3 in which the second original image is subjected to halftone processing in the second area according to the halftone dot period (U) and stored in the storage area of the computer as the second gradation image pattern (2). When,
Step 4 of reading the first gradation image pattern (1) and the second gradation image pattern (2) into the memory of the computer.
A work area in which 0 (white pixels) is assigned to all pixels is created, and the first gradation image pattern (1) is arranged from the computer memory at the coordinate values (0,0) of the work area. Step 5 and
Step 6 in which the x-coordinate value and the y-coordinate value in the coordinate values (x, y) for arranging the second gradation image pattern (2) in the work area are integral multiples of the halftone dot period (U). When,
The second gradation image pattern (2) is arranged from the memory of the computer at the coordinate values (x, y) in the work area, and the second gradation image pattern (2) in the second area ( If 2) is 1 (black pixel), the color information of the ink color including the infrared absorbing dye is set in the work area, and the second gradation image pattern (2) in the second area is set. If it is 0 (white pixel), step 7 for setting the color information of the ink color that does not include the infrared absorbing dye in the work area,
Having a step 8 of storing the work area in which the first gradation image pattern (1) and the second gradation image pattern (2) are arranged as variable information data in a storage area of a computer. A method for producing a variable information printed matter. A recording medium containing software for executing the method for producing a variable information printed matter according to claim 1 by a computer program.

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