KR100919841B1 - Medium on which dot pattern is formed by printing - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to realize a simple, easy and inexpensive so-called stealth dot pattern that cannot recognize the existence of the dot pattern on the medium surface by slight improvement of existing printing technology, infrared or ultraviolet light is provided on the medium surface on which the dot pattern is provided. In the medium surface on which the dot pattern used in the dot pattern reading system which irradiates the light, reads the reflected light to the optical lead means, recognizes the dot pattern, converts the data into corresponding data, and outputs text, voice, images, etc. The dots constituting the dot pattern were prepared by printing on the surface of the medium using ink of any color reacting in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength region.

Description

Medium formed by printing a dot pattern {MEDIUM ON WHICH DOT PATTERN IS FORMED BY PRINTING}

The present invention relates to a technique suitable for application to a dot pattern lead system that reads a medium surface on which a dot pattern is printed and outputs data corresponding to the dot pattern.

Background Art A technique for reading a dot pattern printed on a surface of a medium such as paper and outputting data corresponding to the dot pattern is known.

Several methods, including the inventors, have been proposed for the theory of the arrangement of the dot pattern.

On the other hand, the dot pattern printing technology has been improved, so that it is possible to arrange the dot pattern on the paper with high density.

As a patent document proposed for the lead system of such a dot pattern, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-528387 (patent document 1) etc. of an Anoto Actievo Lake company application are mentioned. Further, as the prior art of the dot pattern used in the present invention, there is PCT / JP03 / 03162 (for convenience, referred to as GRID-1) and PCT / JP03 / 16763 (for convenience, referred to as GRID-2) by the present applicant.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-528387

1 shows the printing state of the dot in the specific example (1),

Fig. 2 shows the printing state of the dot in the specific example (2) (1),

3 is a diagram showing the printing state of the dot in the specific example (2) (2),

Fig. 4 shows the printing state of the dot in the specific example (3) (1),

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the printing state of the dot in the specific example (3) (2),

6 shows the printing state of the dots in the specific example (4),

7 is for explaining the principle of the specific example (5),

8 shows an arrangement of dots in the specific example (5) (1),

Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of dots in the specific example (5),

Fig. 10 shows an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-1 in specific example (5),

Fig. 11 shows an example of arrangement of dot patterns of GRID-1 in specific example (5),

Fig. 12 shows an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-1 in Specific Example (5),

Fig. 13 shows an example of arrangement of dot patterns of GRID-2 in Specific Example (5),

Fig. 14 shows an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-2 in Specific Example (5),

Fig. 15 shows an arrangement example of the dot pattern of GRID-2 in Specific Example (5),

16 is an explanatory diagram for controlling the size of a dot at the time of printing in the specific example (5),

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram in which a circular information dot is arranged on a square dot in the specific example (5),

18 is an example (1) of a printing surface when a mask shape is set in the image in the specific example (6),

19 is an example (2) of a printing surface when a mask shape is set in the image in the specific example (6),

20 illustrates a method of generating a dot pattern by the FM screening printing method in Specific Example (7),

21 is an explanatory diagram in the case where color exchange is performed at the time of forming a dot pattern in Specific Example (7),

22 illustrates a method of forming a dot pattern in Specific Example (7),

23 is a view showing the printing surface of the photo seal of the specific example (8) (1),

24 is a view showing the printing surface of the photo seal of the specific example (8) (2),

25 is a view showing the printing surface of the photo seal of the specific example (8) (3),

26 is a view showing the printing surface of the photo seal of the specific example (8) (4),

27 shows a mobile phone terminal of a specific example (8) (1),

Fig. 28 shows (2) the cellular phone terminal of embodiment 8;

29 shows the system configuration of the photo-seal device of embodiment 9,

30 is a flowchart 1 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 8;

31 is a flowchart 2 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 8;

32 is a flowchart 3 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 8;

33 is a flowchart 4 showing the processing procedure of Embodiment 8;

34 is a flowchart 1 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

35 is a flowchart 2 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

36 is a flowchart 3 showing the processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

37 is a flowchart 4 showing the processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

38 is a flowchart 5 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

39 is a flowchart 6 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

40 is a flowchart 7 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

41 is a flowchart 8 showing the processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

42 is a flowchart 9 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

43 is a flowchart 10 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

44 is a flowchart 11 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

45 is a flowchart 12 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

46 is a flowchart 13 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

47 is a flowchart 14 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

48 is a flowchart 15 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

49 is a flowchart 16 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

50 is a flowchart 17 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

51 is a flowchart 18 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

52 is a flowchart 19 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

53 is a flowchart 20 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

54 is a flowchart 21 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

55 is a flowchart 22 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

56 is a flowchart 23 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

57 is a flowchart 24 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

58 is a flowchart 25 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

59 is a flowchart 26 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

60 is a flowchart 27 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

61 is a flowchart 28 showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9,

62 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of Embodiment 9;

63 is an explanatory diagram (1) of a parameter list of dot patterns used in the printing apparatus of the specific example 10,

64 is an explanatory diagram (2) of a parameter list of dot patterns used in the printing apparatus of the specific example 10;

Fig. 65 is an explanatory diagram (3) of a parameter list of dot patterns used in the printing apparatus of the specific example 10,

FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram (4) of a parameter list of dot patterns used in the printing apparatus of the specific example 10,

FIG. 67 is a view showing the arrangement of dot patterns on the printing surface of Example 10;

Fig. 68 is a view showing the arrangement of dot patterns on the printing surface of Example 10 (2),

69 shows an arrangement state of the dot pattern on the printing surface of Specific Example 10 (3),

70 is a view showing the arrangement of dot patterns on the printing surface of Example 10 (4),

71 shows an example of the dot pattern GRID-1 used in the present embodiment.

Fig. 72 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (1),

73 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (2),

74 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (3),

75 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (4),

76 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (5),

77 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (6),

78 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (7),

79 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (8),

80 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (9),

81 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (10),

82 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-1 (11),

83 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-2 (1),

84 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-2 (2),

85 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-2 (3),

86 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-2 (4),

87 shows the principle of the dot pattern GRID-2 (5).

**** Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings ****

1 dot pattern

2 key dots

3 Information Dot

4 grid dots

However, in the system using the dot pattern described in Patent Document 1, all of the image is taken as an image by using the optical lead means, and the dot pattern is recognized from the image. There was a possibility.

If the dot pattern is visually identifiable, there is a problem in that the information meant by the dot pattern is easily interpreted and the confidentiality is insufficient.

In addition, there is a problem in that the dot pattern is visually present on the medium surface, thereby damaging the aesthetics of the medium surface.

In order to avoid such a problem, it may be considered to print the dot pattern using a transparent special ink that reacts in infrared light or ultraviolet light, but it is not practical because the printing cost or the lead device becomes complicated. In particular, a method using these special optical filters has not been suitable in a mobile phone terminal to which a photographing function has been added which is widely used in recent years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to realize a so-called stealth dot pattern simply, easily and inexpensively, which cannot be visually recognized by the existing printing technology by slightly improving the existing printing technology. It is a task.

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

Claim 3 of the present invention is to irradiate infrared light on a medium surface provided with a dot pattern and to read the reflected light to the optical lead means to recognize the dot pattern and convert it into data corresponding thereto to output characters, voices, images and the like. A medium in which a dot pattern used in a dot pattern lead system is formed, wherein a dot constituting the dot pattern includes a first printed layer and a first printed layer which are printed using ink absorbed in an infrared region on the surface of the medium, and the first printed layer. A second printing layer formed of an opaque ink which is the same color as the color of the medium surface and printed in the area covering the dot of the ink, and an ink which transmits infrared rays to the upper layer of the second printing layer. It is a medium characterized by having a third printed layer, which is normally printed.

According to the above, since the normal printing layer is formed on the upper layer of the dot pattern printed with ink reacting in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength range, the opaque ink of the same color as the medium surface or any color is formed, so the dot pattern of the lower layer is visually confirmed. It becomes the state that I cannot do. However, since the infrared wavelength is longer than that of the normal printing layer, it reaches the dot pattern, and the reflected dot pattern can optically recognize the underlying dot pattern.

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

delete

According to the present invention, since it is difficult to visually recognize the dot pattern, it is possible to improve the airtightness by preventing the interpretation of the dot pattern easily and visually while maintaining the aesthetics of the surface of the medium on which the dot pattern is arranged. It can have an excellent effect together.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Each figure is an example of the form which implements invention, and the part which added the same code | symbol in the figure represents the same thing.

First, the principle of the dot pattern used by this invention is demonstrated. In the present invention, two types of examples invented by the present inventors will be described as an arrangement algorithm of dot patterns. It is referred to herein as GRID-1 and GRID-2 for convenience.

GRID-1 is filed by the inventor as PCT / JP03 / 03162, and GRID-2 is also filed as PCT / JP03 / 16763.

(Description of dot pattern: GRID-1)

71 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a dot pattern of the present invention. 72 is an enlarged view showing an example of the information dot of a dot pattern and the bit display of data defined therein. 73 is an explanatory diagram showing information dots arranged around a key dot.

The information input / output method using the dot pattern of this invention consists of generation | occurrence | production of the dot pattern 1, recognition of the dot pattern 1, and means for outputting information and a program from this dot pattern 1. That is, the dot pattern 1 is read as image data by a camera (which may be an optical lead device connected to a personal computer, a digital camera, or a camera function of a camera-equipped cellular phone terminal) as an image pickup means, and then the lead device and personal First, the grid dot is outputted by a computer or an analysis program installed in the camera-equipped cellular phone terminal, and then the key dot 2 is extracted by not printing the dot at the position where the grid dot originally exists, and then the information dot ( 3) Digitalize by extracting and extract information area and convert it into numerical code of information. It is for outputting voice data, other information, and a program related to the code. In addition, the information dot 3 may be a coordinate value, not a code, or may be a numerical value of itself, such as voice data or other information.

In the generation of the dot pattern 1 of the present invention, the key dot 2, the information dot 3, and the lattice dot 4 are arranged by a predetermined rule by a dot code generation algorithm. In GRID-1, as shown in FIG. 71, the block of the dot pattern 1 which shows information arrange | positions 5 * 5 lattice dots 4 centering on the key dot 2, and 4 points of lattice dots The information dot 3 is arrange | positioned around the virtual point of the center enclosed by (4). Arbitrary numerical information is defined in this block. In the example shown in FIG. 71, four blocks (in the solid frame) of the dot pattern 1 are shown in parallel. However, of course, the dot pattern 1 is not limited to four blocks.

One corresponding information and program may be registered in one block, or one corresponding information and program may be registered in a plurality of blocks.

When the dot pattern 1 is read as image data by the camera, the lattice dot 4 corrects the distortion of the lens of the camera or the imaging in the tilted state, the stretching of the paper, the curvature of the media surface, and the distortion during printing. can do. Specifically, a correction function (Xn, Yn) = f (X'n, Y'n) for converting the distorted four-point grid dot 4 to the original square is obtained, and the information dot is corrected by the same function. Find the vector of the correct information dot (3).

If the lattice dots 4 are arranged in the dot pattern 1, the image data read from the dot pattern 1 with the camera corrects the distortion caused by the camera. Therefore, the dot type 1 is a popular type camera equipped with a lens having a high distortion rate. Even when reading the image data of the pattern 1, it can recognize correctly. Further, even when the camera is tilted and read with respect to the surface of the dot pattern 1, the dot pattern 1 can be correctly recognized.

As shown in Fig. 71, the key dot 2 is a dot in which one lattice dot 4 at a substantially center position of the lattice dots 4 arranged in a rectangular shape is shifted in a predetermined direction. In addition, the key dot can also be arranged to shift the lattice dots of the four corners constituting the block in a predetermined direction (see Fig. 82). The key dot 2 is a representative point of the dot pattern 1 for one block representing the information dot 3. For example, the lattice dot 4 in the center of the block of the dot pattern 1 is shifted upwards. When the information dot 3 represents X and Y coordinate values, the center position of the block is a representative point. However, the numerical value (number) is not limited to this and can vary depending on the size of the block of the dot pattern 1.

In addition, although the key dot 2 is arrange | positioned at the center of a block, it is not limited to this, It can also arrange | position based on the grid point which comprises the edge part of a block.

The information dot 3 is a dot for recognizing various kinds of information. The information dot 3 is arranged around the key dot 2 as a representative point, and is represented by a vector using a center surrounded by four grid dots 4 as an imaginary point. It is placed at the end point. For example, the information dot 3 is surrounded by the lattice dot 4, and dots arranged at positions displaced from the virtual point as shown in Fig. 72 have a direction and a length expressed in a vector, so that the clock 45 bits are rotated by 45 degrees and arranged in 8 directions to express 3 bits. Therefore, 3 bits x 16 = 48 bits can be expressed in one block of the dot pattern 1.

In addition, in the illustrated example, three bits are represented by being arranged in eight directions, but not limited thereto, and four bits may be represented by being arranged in sixteen directions and may be variously changed.

The interval between the information dot 3 and the virtual point surrounded by the four grid dots 4 is preferably about 15 to 30% of the distance between the adjacent virtual points. This is because when the distance between the information dot 3 and the virtual point is greater than this distance, the dots are noticeable in large chunks and are difficult to see as the dot pattern 1. On the contrary, when the distance between the information dot 3 and the virtual point is closer than the said distance, it becomes difficult to determine whether the information dot 3 which gave the vector direction centering about which adjoining virtual points is centered.

For example, as shown in FIG. 73, the information dot 3 is arrange | positioned clockwise centering on the key dot 2 in the area | region I1 to I16, and can express 3 bits x 16 = 48 bits. have.

In addition, it is possible to further include a sub-block in the block, each having independent information contents and not being affected by other information contents. FIG. 73 illustrates this and shows a subblock composed of four information dots [I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ , I ₄ ], [I ₅ , I ₆ , I ₇ , I ₈ ], [I ₉ , I ₁₀ , I ₁₁ , I ₁₂ ], [I ₁₃ , I ₁₄ , I ₁₅ , I ₁₆ ] each have independent data (3 bits x 4 = 12 bits) spread on the information dot. By providing the subblocks as described above, an error check to be described later can be easily performed in units of subblocks.

The vector direction (rotational direction) of the information dot 3 is preferably set equally every 30 degrees to 90 degrees.

74 shows another form as an example of the bit representation of the information dot and the data defined therein.

In addition, two types of long and short are used from the virtual point surrounded by the lattice dot 4 with respect to the information dot 3, and when the vector direction is made into eight directions, four bits can be represented. At this time, about 25 to 30% of the distance between the virtual points adjacent to the long side is preferable, and about 15 to 20% of the short side is preferable. However, it is preferable that the center spacing of the long and short information dots 3 is longer than the diameter of these dots.

The information dot 3 surrounded by four lattice dots 4 is preferably one dot in view of appearance. However, in the case where it is desired to increase the amount of information while ignoring the appearance, it is possible to have a large amount of information by allocating one bit for each vector to represent the information dot 3 with a plurality of dots. For example, in the vector in the concentric 8 direction, information dot 3 surrounded by four dot grids 4 can express 2 ⁸ information, and 16 information dots of one block become 2 ¹²⁸ .

Fig. 75 shows a bit display example of an information dot and data defined therein, (a) showing two dots, (b) four dots and (c) five dots.

Fig. 76 shows a variation of the dot pattern, in which (a) is arranged 6 information dots, (b) is arranged 9 information dots, (c) is arranged 12 information dots, and (d) is information. A schematic diagram of the arrangement of 36 dots.

The dot pattern 1 shown in Figs. 71 and 73 shows an example in which 16 (4 x 4) information dots 3 are arranged in one block. However, the information dot 3 is not limited to being arranged 16 blocks in one block, and can be changed in various ways. For example, six (2 × 3) information dots (3) are placed in one block according to the size or size of the information required (a), and nine information dots (3 ×) are placed in one block. 3) Arrangement (b), twelve (3x4) twelve information dots (3) in one block (c), or thirty six (6x6) information dots (3) in one block There is one (d).

77 (a) and 77 (b) are explanatory views showing a state in which information dots I1 to I16 are paralleled to explain a method of checking an error of an information dot.

Redundancy is given to one bit among one of three bits of the information dot 3, and the upper bits of the data obtained from the information dot In and the lower bits of the data obtained from the information dot In + 1 are treated the same. Thus, when the information dot 3 is displayed on a medium surface such as a printed matter, the upper bit of the data obtained from the information dot In and the lower bit of the data obtained from the information dot In + 1 are not the same. The dot 3 is determined not to be displayed at a proper position.

FIG. 77 (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which information dots I1 to I16 are paralleled to explain a method of error checking information dots in sub-block units.

In the error checking method shown in FIG. 77 (b), similar to FIG. 77 (a), redundancy is given to one bit and [I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ , I composed of four information dots 3]. ₄ ], [I ₅ , I ₆ , I ₇ , I ₈ ], [I ₉ , I ₁₀ , I ₁₁ , I ₁₂ ], [I ₁₃ , I ₁₄ , I ₁₅ , I ₁₆ ] Error check in units of bits x 4 = 12 bits). Thereby, the information dot 3 of the dot pattern 1 has the other information dot 3 which adjoins by the printing shift to the media surface, such as a printed matter, expansion and contraction of the media surface, and the shift at the time of pixelation. The error can be checked 100% as to whether or not the input is offset to the position where it is arranged.

78 is an explanatory diagram of a method of checking an error of an information dot by assigning "0" to a lower bit.

The information dot 3 can be used for error checking by allocating " 0 " or " 1 " to its lower bits. In the state where the information dot 3 is displayed on the medium surface, the information dot 3 is displayed at an appropriate position at the position where the information dot 3 is arranged with the other data adjacent to the virtual point. It can be determined that there is no. For example, if the direction of the key dot 2 is set upward and the data defined by the information dot 3 of that direction is set to "0", the information dot 3 is arrange | positioned in one direction of 8 directions, and In addition, "0" is assigned to the lower bits for use in error checking. That is, the information dot 3 which assigned "0" to the lower bit is always located in the up-down or left-right direction with respect to the virtual point. Therefore, when the information dot 3 is located in the inclined direction, it can be determined that it is not displayed at the proper position.

79 is an explanatory diagram of a method of checking an error of an information dot by assigning "1" to a lower bit.

By the way, when the direction of the key dot 2 is set upward and the data defined by the information dot 3 of that direction is set to "0", the information dot 3 is arrange | positioned in one direction of eight directions, It is also possible to check the error of the information dot 3 by assigning "1" to the lower bit. That is, the information dot 3 which assigned "1" to the lower bit is always located in the diagonal direction centering on the virtual point. Therefore, when this information dot 3 is located in an up-down, left-right direction, it can be determined that it is not displayed in the appropriate position.

80 is an explanatory diagram of a method of checking an error of an information dot by alternately assigning "0" and "1" to a lower bit.

It is also possible to check the error of the information dot 3 by arranging one information dot 3 completely and alternately assigning "0" and "1" to the lower bits for use in error checking. Do. In this error check method, information dots are generated alternately in the up, down, left and right directions and 45 degree inclination directions, thereby eliminating the regularity of the dot pattern. That is, the information dot 3 in which "0" and "1" are alternately assigned to the lower bits is always located in the up, down, left, or 45 degree inclination with respect to the virtual point. Therefore, when the said information dot 3 is located in directions other than an up-down, left-right, or 45-degree inclination direction, it is determined that it is not displayed in the appropriate position. In this way, an error in which the information dot 3 is input from the rotational direction around the imaginary point can be reliably checked.

When the information dot 3 is set in eight directions (45-degree intervals) and long / long (see Fig. 74), three points close to each other (concentric circles ±) when the lower one bit among the four bits is set to "0" or "1". If the dot position is shifted from the dot position of two 45-degree rotation positions + any one point / length, it can be determined as an error and the error can be checked 100%.

Fig. 81 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where information dots I1 to I16 are paralleled to explain the security of the information dots.

For example, in order to make the data of the dot pattern 1 unreadable, an operation expressed by the function f (Kn) is performed on In of the information dot 3 to convert In = Kn + Rn into the dot pattern 1 ), The dot pattern In is input, and Kn = In-Rn is obtained.

Alternatively, a plurality of information dots 3 are arranged in one column with the key dot 2 as a representative point so that the data of the dot pattern 1 cannot be read by the eye, and the first column is arranged in a plurality of columns to be adjacent to each other. Each information dot 3 can be arranged so that the regularity of the dot pattern 1 of each block is eliminated by using the difference of two rows of data as the data of the information dot 3.

This makes it impossible to visually read the dot pattern 1 printed on the surface of the medium, so that the security can be improved. In addition, when the dot pattern 1 is printed on the surface of the medium, the information dots 3 are randomly disposed so that the shape is lost, so that the dot pattern can be made inconspicuous.

82 is an explanatory diagram showing another arrangement example of the dot patterns in which the arrangement positions of the key dots are changed.

The key dot 2 does not necessarily need to be arranged at the center of the block of the lattice dots 4 arranged in a rectangular shape. For example, it can arrange | position to the corner part of the block of the lattice dot 4 as mentioned above. In this case, the information dots 3 are preferably arranged in parallel with the key dot 2 as a starting point.

(Description of Dot Pattern: GRID-2)

Next, the basic principle of the dot pattern of GRID-2 is demonstrated using drawing.

First, as shown in FIG. 83, the grid lines y1 to y7 and x1 to x5 are assumed at predetermined intervals in the xy direction. The intersection of these grid lines is called the grid point. In the present embodiment, as the minimum block (one grid) surrounded by these four grid points, four blocks (four grids) in the xy direction, that is, 4x4 = 16 blocks (16 grids), are used as one information block. In addition, as an example, the unit of this information block is 16 blocks. As an example, the information block can be configured with any number of blocks.

Four vertices constituting the rectangular area of the information block are corner dots (x1y1, x1y5, x5y1, x5y5) (dots surrounded by circles in the drawing). These four corner dots match the grid points.

As such, by finding four corner dots that coincide with the grid points, the information block can be recognized. However, even if this information is recognized by the corner dot, the direction cannot be known. For example, if the direction of the information block cannot be recognized, scanning the rotated ± 90 or 180 degrees even for the same information block will result in completely different information.

Therefore, vector dots (key dots) are arranged at grid points in the rectangular area of the information block or in the adjacent rectangular area. In the same figure, the dot (x0y3) enclosed by the triangle is a key dot (vector dot) at the first lattice point vertically above the midpoint of the lattice line forming the upper side of the information block. Similarly, key dots of the following information blocks are arranged at the first vertical grid point x4y3 of the midpoint of the lattice lines constituting the lower side in the information block.

In the present embodiment, the distance between the grids (grids) is 0.25 mm. Therefore, one side of the information block is 0.25 mm x 4 grid = 1 mm. This area is 1 mm x 1 mm = 1 mm ² . 14 bits of information can be stored in this range. If two bits are used as control data, 12 bits of information can be stored. The distance between the grids (grids) is 0.25 mm as an example. For example, the distance between the grids may be freely changed in the range of 0.25 to 0.5 mm or more.

In this GRID-2, every other information dot is arranged at a position to be shifted in the x direction and the y direction from the grid point. The diameter of the information dot is preferably 0.03 to 0.05 mm or more, and the amount of deviation from the grid point is preferably about 15 to 25% of the distance between the grids. This shift amount is also an example, so it is not always necessary to be within the above range, but in general, when the deviation is greater than 25%, the dot pattern tends to appear in a shape when viewed with eyes.

In other words, the deviation from the lattice point is shifted up and down (y direction) and left and right (x direction) alternately, so that the ubiquitous distribution of the dot distribution disappears and looks like a moire pattern on the ground. Can maintain the aesthetics of the printed surface.

By adopting this arrangement principle, every other dot is necessarily arranged on a grid line in the y direction (see FIG. 84). This is an advantage of simplifying and speeding up the calculation algorithm in the information processing device at the time of recognition since only one grid line arranged in a straight line in the y direction or the x direction can be found every other time when the dot pattern is read. have.

In addition, although the dot pattern is deformed due to the curvature of the ground, the lattice lines may not be an exact straight line. However, since the smooth curve is approximate to the straight line, the lattice lines are relatively easy to find. It is a strong algorithm for distortion.

FIG. 85 describes the meaning of the information dot. In the drawing, + indicates a lattice point and? Indicates a dot (information dot). 0 when the information dot is placed in the -y direction with respect to the grid point, 1 when the information dot is placed in the + y direction, and 0, + x when the information dot is placed in the -x direction with respect to the grid point. The case where the information dot is arrange | positioned in the direction is set to 1.

Next, the arrangement state of the specific information dot and the read algorithm will be described with reference to FIG. 86.

In the drawing, the information dot 1 (hereinafter referred to as the information dot 1) surrounded by a circle means "1" because it is shifted in the + x direction from the grid point x2y1. In addition, the information dot 2 (the number enclosed by a circle in the drawing) is shifted in the + y direction than the grid point x3y1, which means "1", and the information dot 3 (the number enclosed by the circle in the drawing) is a lattice. Since it is shifted in the -x direction from the point x4y1, "0" means the information dot 4 (the number enclosed by a circle in the drawing) "0" and the information dot 5 means "0".

In the case of the dot pattern shown in FIG. 86, the information dots 1-17 become the following values.

(1) = 1

(2) = 1

(3) = 0

(4) = 0

(5) = 0

(6) = 1

(7) = 0

(8) = 1

(9) = 0

(10) = 1

(11) = 1

(12) = 0

(13) = 0

(14) = 0

(15) = 0

(16) = 1

(17) = 1

In the present embodiment, the information bits are further calculated using an information acquisition algorithm by the difference method described below. However, the information dots can be output as they are as information bits. It is also possible to calculate a true value by arithmetic processing the value of the security table described later for this information bit.

Next, the information acquisition method which applied the difference method which is the characteristic of GRID-2 is demonstrated using FIG.

In addition, in description of this embodiment, the number enclosed in () has shown the number enclosed by the circle (circle number) in the figure, and the number enclosed with [] means the number enclosed by the rectangle in the figure.

In this embodiment, the value of each of the 14 bits in the information block is represented by the difference of adjacent information dots. For example, the first bit is obtained by the difference from the information dot 5 at the position of +1 grid in the x direction with respect to the information dot 1. That is, [1] = (5)-(1). Herein, since the information dot 5 means "1" and the information dot 1 means "0", the first bit [1] means 1-0, that is, "1". Similarly, the second bit is represented by [2] = (6)-(2) and the third bit [3] = (7)-(3). The first to third bits are as follows.

In the following differential equation, the value is taken as an absolute value.

[1] = (5)-(1) = 0-1 = 1

[2] = (6)-(2) = 1-1 = 0

[3] = (7)-(3) = 0-0 = 0

Subsequently, the fourth bit [4] is obtained by the difference between the information dot 8 and the information dot 5 located directly below. Therefore, the fourth bits [4] to the sixth bit [6] take the difference from the value of the information dot in the position of one lattice in the + x direction and one lattice in the + y direction.

In this way, the fourth bit [4] to the sixth bit [6] can be obtained by the following equation.

[4] = (8)-(5) = 1-0 = 1

[5] = (9)-(6) = 0-1 = 1

[6] = (10)-(7) = 1-0 = 1

Subsequently, for the seventh bit [7] to the ninth bit [9], the difference between the value and the information dot at the position of one lattice in the + x direction and one lattice in the -y direction is taken.

In this way, the seventh bit [7] to the ninth bit [9] can be obtained by the following equation.

[7] = (12)-(8) = 0-1 = 1

[8] = (13)-(9) = 0-0 = 0

[9] = (14)-(10) = 0-1 = 1

Subsequently, for the tenth bit [10] to the twelfth bit [12], the difference of the information dots at the position of one lattice in the + x direction is taken as follows.

[10] = (15)-(12) = 0-0 = 0

[11] = (16)-(13) = 1-0 = 1

[12] = (17)-(14) = 1-0 = 1

Finally, the thirteenth bit [13] and the fourteenth bit [14] are obtained as follows by taking the difference from the information dot at the position of +1 and -1 lattice in the x direction with respect to the information dot 8, respectively.

[13] = (8)-(4) = 1-0 = 1

[14] = (11)-(8) = 1-1 = 0

The first bit [1] to the fourteenth bit [14] may be used as read data with the true value as it is, but a security table corresponding to the 14 bits may be provided to secure the security to provide a key parameter corresponding to each bit. It is also possible to define a true value by adding, multiplying, or multiplying the key parameters with respect to the read data.

In this case, the true value T can be obtained by Tn = [n] + Kn (n: 1 to 14, Tn: true value, [n]: lead value, and Kn: key parameter). The security table storing such key parameters can be registered in a ROM in the optical lead apparatus.

For example, if you set the following key parameter in the security table:

K1 = 0

K2 = 0

K3 = 1

K4 = 0

K5 = 1

K6 = 1

K7 = 0

K8 = 1

K9 = 1

K10 = 0

K11 = 0

K12 = 0

K13 = 1

K14 = 1

The true values T1 to T14 can be obtained as follows, respectively.

T1 = [1] + K1 = 1 + 0 = 1

T2 = [2] + K2 = 0 + 0 = 0

T3 = [3] + K3 = 0 + 1 = 1

T4 = [4] + K4 = 1 + 0 = 1

T5 = [5] + K5 = 1 + 1 = 0

T6 = [6] + K6 = 1 + 1 = 0

T7 = [7] + K7 = 1 + 0 = 1

T8 = [8] + K8 = 0 + 1 = 1

T9 = [9] + K9 = 1 + 1 = 0

T10 = [10] + K10 = 0 + 0 = 0

T11 = [11] + K11 = 1 + 0 = 1

T12 = [12] + K12 = 1 + 0 = 1

T13 = [13] + K13 = 1 + 1 = 0

T14 = [14] + K14 = 0 + 1 = 1

87 shows the correspondence between the information bits described above, the security table, and the true value.

In the above, the case where the information bit is obtained from the information dot and the true value is obtained by referring to the security table has been described. On the contrary, when the dot pattern is generated from the true value, the value [n] of the nth bit is [n] = Tn−. It can be found as Kn.

As an example here, when T1 = 1, T2 = 0, and T3 = 1, the first bits [1] to the third bit [3] can be obtained by the following equation.

[1] = 1-0 = 1

[2] = 0-0 = 0

[3] = 1-1 = 0

The first bit [1] to the third bit [3] can be represented by the following differential equation.

[1] = (5)-(1)

[2] = (6)-(2)

[3] = (7)-(3)

If the initial values of (1) = 1, (2) = 1, and (3) = 0 are given here, the dots 5 to 7 can be obtained as follows.

(5) = (1) + [1] = 1 + 1 = 0

(6) = (2) + [2] = 1 + 0 = 1

(7) = (3) + [3] = 0 + 0 = 0

Although the following description is abbreviate | omitted, the value of the dots 8-14 can also be calculated | required similarly, What is necessary is just to arrange a dot according to this value.

In addition, the initial value of the dots 1-3 is arbitrary random numbers (0 or 1).

That is, by adding the values of the information bits [1] to [3] to the assigned initial dots (1) to (3), the values of the dots (5) to (7) arranged in the next y-direction grid lines can be obtained. Can be. Likewise, the values of the dots 8 to 10 can be obtained by adding the values of the information bits [4] to [6] to the values of the dots 5 to 7. Further, the values of the dots 12 to 14 can be obtained by adding the values of the information bits [7] to [9] to them. In addition, the values of the dots 15 to 17 can be obtained by adding the values of the information bits [10] to [12].

The dots 4 and 11 can be obtained by subtracting the information bit [13] and adding the information bit [14] in accordance with the dot 8 calculated above.

Thus, in this embodiment, the arrangement | positioning on the grid line yn is determined according to the dot arrangement | positioning on the grid line y (n-1), and iteratively repeats it, and the arrangement | positioning of the whole information dot is determined.

Although the following specific examples are explained assuming the use of the GRID-1 and GRID-2 dot patterns described above, only the GRID-1 or GRID-2 dot pattern algorithms described above are applicable to the specific examples below. Any dot pattern can be used as long as it is a technology for storing information by the dot pattern.

Embodiment (1)

In the following specific examples, an example in which a carbon ink absorbing infrared wavelengths is used as a representative example of an ink (reactive ink) absorbing infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths in a region to which an optical imaging device such as a CMOS sensor reacts, Any ink having the above characteristics can be used even if it does not contain carbon. For example, an ink (stealth ink) close to transparent can be used as an ink having a characteristic of absorbing infrared rays with a molecular structure containing no carbon. As such, by using a so-called stealth ink close to transparent, the dots can be made invisible easily.

FIG. 1 shows the printing of dots with carbon ink of the same color as the color of paper, and the normal printing is performed using non-carbon ink of four colors (YMCK) thereon.

According to this embodiment, since the dots are printed in the same color as the color of the paper (medium surface), the dots are difficult to see with the naked eye.

In the present embodiment, when the color of the paper is pure white or almost blue, the dot is printed in gray (K; dark blue) or cyan (C) in which the carbon content is reduced to about several percent. The printed area can make the dots not easily visible. Of course, if the stealth ink (trade name) which does not contain carbon and reacts in an infrared wavelength range becomes difficult to visually identify.

In addition, in the case of paper (medium) containing a lot of ivory or warm colors, it is preferable to print dots with Y ink or stealth ink (trade name).

Although the carbon content in the ink is preferably about 10%, it is possible to recognize the infrared optical lead device even with a carbon content of several percent by improving the imaging performance of the device.

Embodiment (2)

In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the opaque ink is additionally printed on the dots printed on the surface (medium surface) so that the dots cannot be recognized by the eyes.

Here, opaque ink means ink which does not transmit visible light. In other words, by allowing infrared rays with a long wavelength to pass through and visible rays having a short wavelength, the dot pattern is not recognizable to the eyes and reacts with infrared rays.

That is, the dots are first printed on the ground (medium surface) with carbon ink (FIG. 2 (a)), and then the area covering the dots using the color of the ground or its approximate color, or any opaque non-carbon ink is used. 2 (b), and further printing is carried out using non-carbon ink of four colors (CMYK) thereon.

At this time, since the dot is covered by the printing of the non-transparent non-carbon ink in the state shown in FIG. 2 (b), the dots printed thereunder cannot be recognized by the eye, but the infrared rays penetrate the non-transparent non-carbon ink layer. Since it is absorbed by the dot portion of the carbon ink, infrared rays are not reflected at the dot portion, and thus the dot is reliably recognized by the ultraviolet optical lead device.

In addition, in the case of using a white opaque non-carbon ink prepared as a special color, the opacity is inherently high, so that dot printing can maintain high concealability even when using a normal black (K) carbon ink.

In the above description, an example in which only an area where dots are printed with carbon ink on the ground is overprinted using opaque ink is illustrated, but as shown in FIG. 3, the dots are first printed with carbon ink (FIG. 3 (a)). The entire surface of the sheet may be printed with opaque non-carbon ink (FIG. 3 (b)).

In this case, the front printing by the opaque non-carbon ink may be any color.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in the state shown in FIG. 3B, the dots are covered by printing of the non-transparent non-carbon ink, and therefore the dots printed thereunder cannot be recognized by the eye, but the infrared rays are the non-transparent non-carbon. Since the ink layer penetrates the ink layer and is absorbed in the dot portion of the carbon ink, infrared rays are not reflected from the dot portion, and thus the dot is reliably recognized by the infrared optical lead device.

In addition, the color of the carbon ink which prints a dot does not need to be black. In other words, as described above, the carbon absorption can be expected in any color as long as it contains about several percent.

In addition, the color of the opaque non-carbon ink of the upper layer which prints the entire surface of the paper is determined in advance, and the dots printed on the lower layer can be more reliably concealed by using carbon ink of a color that is close to the color of the front printing. have.

Embodiment (3)

In the specific example shown in Fig. 4, the dots are printed with carbon inks of the same color as the background four colors (the number of colors are arbitrary) at the position so that the colors of the dots are confused with the surrounding colors so that they are easy to conceal.

Fig. 4A shows a normal one color dot, and Fig. 4B shows a dot composed of four color concentric circles.

This embodiment is a technique of printing a highly concealable dot on the premise of dot printing by the AM printing method.

The same figure (b) shows the example which prints a dot by four carbon carbon.

In this case, dots of each color (four colors) are printed concentrically, and are in the order of the colors Y (yellow), M (mother), C (cyan), and K (dark blue) from the lower layer.

The dot size of each color to be printed is the diameter φY of the color having the highest gradation (highest gradation color: Y in this case) to match the diameter φ0 of the dot pattern so that φY = φ0, and the amount of dots of the highest gradation color (%) When x 0% and the dot amount of the dot of the color to be calculated are x%, the diameter? X of each color is calculated by the following equation.

Therefore, when the Y amount of dots is 70%, the M amount is 50%, the C amount is 30%, and the K amount is 20%, the diameters of the respective colors are as follows (see Fig. 5 (a)).

In addition, when the K (dark blue) component is superimposed on each of C, M, and Y components, the diameter of each color is as follows (refer to FIG. 5 (d)). Thus, by superimposing a K component (dark blue component) on each other component of C, M, and Y, it becomes possible to reduce the use color number of ink.

In the case of further reducing the number of colors, the number of colors constituting the dots using only the target color for the dots is determined by which color is dominant in the printing or which color is desired to be seen clearly (target color). It can also be reduced.

In addition, according to the specific example, the dot pattern is not easily concealed, and the dot pattern is not expressed only by the K of the carbon ink. It can prevent.

Embodiment (4)

6 and 7 show the principle of the technique of extracting only dots by color separation processing.

In this specific example, the recognition method is shown in the case where normal printing is performed using only CMY ink without using black color (K), and only the dots constituting the dot pattern are expressed in black color (K).

At this time, all the inks used for normal printing and dot printing can be used as long as they can be optically recognized in the visible light region.

The color (image surface) printed in this way on the optical lead apparatus is input to the RGB frame buffer by color image picked up by an image pickup means using a CMOS image pickup device, a CCD image pickup device, or the like to perform color separation processing. Fig. 6 (a) shows the component ratio of each RGB color at this time.

Generally, some characteristics, such as CMOS, which are optical lead elements, exist at the time of a read. This is because when a color component is inclined to one color and the influence is high, other colors are attracted to it, or variations in the manufacture of the device also affect the color. For example, as a result of reading, the entire image becomes a bluish image (FIG. 6 ( a)). When dot pattern recognition is performed on such a characteristic image, in the case of color separation processing, a K component (dark blue) dot becomes difficult to read as a dark color in the case of color separation processing, which often leads to a read error. Therefore, make corrections at read time.

That is, the pixel in which the addition result of RGB is minimum is searched among the read image. Thus, the pixel in which the addition result of RGB becomes the minimum must be a dot. In this case, it is understood that blue is corrected to a strong image when a deviation occurs such that only B has a high value among RGB. Therefore, each RGB value of the pixel of which the RGB addition result was minimum is made into the correction reference value, and this correction reference value is subtracted from other pixels (FIG. 6 (b)-(c)). In this way, the image corrected by the CMOS is restored to the state before correction.

Subsequently, the average of the maximum and minimum values of the RGB data of each pixel is taken with respect to the image corrected as described above (for example, FIG. 6 (d), and when the gray scale of the average value is a high value (for example, FIG. In the case of), the width of the region α is set small, and when the gray scale is low (for example, in case of FIG. 6 (e)), the width of the region α is set large so that the K ink ( It is easy to identify the dot pattern in the visible light region by dark blue color).

In addition, when it adds to the negative value at the time of adding process of the above-mentioned RGB component in each pixel, it processes to 0 uniformly. In addition, the extraction of the RGB minimum region may be performed by sampling a plurality of pixels to calculate a correction reference value.

In this embodiment, when the dark achromatic color (gray) is printed by CMY except for the dot, it cannot be distinguished from the dot by color separation processing, so that only the dot cannot be recognized. However, if the printing is light achromatic (grey), this part is not recognized as a dot, so there is no problem.

Therefore, although it is premised not to use dark gray for printing, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to recognize a dot by color separation processing.

Since the specific infrared irradiation function, the filter function, etc. are unnecessary in this specific example, it becomes possible to recognize a dot from the picked-up image picked up with the existing digital camera, the digital camera function added to the mobile phone terminal, a WEB camera, etc.

In summary, the following procedures can be executed in the optical lead apparatus.

1) First, the average value x of the gradation (maximum 100%) of the highest light and the lowest light of RGB of each pixel is calculated.

2) Then, it is determined whether the target light is grayscale (grayscale) depending on whether the difference between the highest light and the lowest light of RGB is larger or smaller than the predetermined value α.

For example, let α = -1 / 10x + 10.

Where 10 is the correction factor. If x is close to 100%, it is judged as grayscale 100 (white), so there is no problem, but if grayscale is low, it is +10 to prevent the determination error (error that judges white in low range). Perform the calibration.

3) For alpha> maximum gray scale-minimum gray scale, let x be grayscale gray scale.

4) For α <maximum gradation-minimum gradation, grayscale is 100% (white).

5) The image processing is executed on the basis of grayscale and binarized to determine dots.

In addition, although the correction coefficient was set to 10, it can be set as another numerical value, and the formula which calculates (alpha) can be defined according to the characteristic of CMOS.

Embodiment (5)

This specific example combines the dot of a dot pattern as the dot of a dark blue of printing.

Fig. 10 is a case in which the dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method. When the arrangement logic of the pattern is GRID-1, the left figure is an original image of C, M, Y, and the right figure is C. An enlarged view of a printing surface in which a part of the K component (dark blue component) is extracted from M, Y, and the dot pattern is used as a dot. In the same figure, K as a dot is printed by carbon ink. Since only the K component (dark component) corresponding to the dot dot amount of the dot is extracted from the original images C, M, and Y, there are K components (dark component) in C, M, and Y in the left figure. This principle is shown in FIG. That is, in the same figure, the minimum amount of halftone dots which are read as a dot among common components is extracted from the color component CMY of the periphery which arranges a dot, and the dot is arrange | positioned using it as a K component.

Fig. 11 is a case where a dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method, and when the arrangement logic of the pattern is GRID-1, the left figure is an original image of C, M, Y, and the right figure is C It is an enlarged view of the printing surface which extracted all K components (dark blue components) from M, Y, and used the dot pattern as the dot of K. In the same figure, K as a dot is printed by carbon ink or non-carbon ink, and it is presupposed that a dot is recognized by the color separation method demonstrated in the specific example (4).

Fig. 12 is a case in which the dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method. When the arrangement logic of the pattern is GRID-1, the left figure is an original image of C, M, Y, and the right figure is a circle. It is an enlarged view of the printing surface which extracted K component (dark blue component) which is ideal for image printing from image C, M, and Y, and used the dot pattern as the dot of K1 and K2. In the same figure, K1 is printed with non-carbon ink and K2 is printed with carbon ink. K1 is a halftone combined with a dot pattern, and K2 is overprinted with a minimum amount of halftone dots that can be read as dots in the region of K1. Therefore, the dot by K2 needs to be smaller than K1, and can be used as a recognition dot with a degree of freedom.

Fig. 13 is a case where a dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method, and when the arrangement logic of the pattern is GRID-2, the left figure is an original image of C, M, Y, and the right figure is C An enlarged view of a printing surface in which a part of the K component (dark blue component) is extracted from M, Y, and the dot pattern is used as a dot. In the same figure, K as a dot is printed by carbon ink. Since only the K component (dark component) corresponding to the dot dot amount of the dot is extracted from the original images C, M, and Y, there are K components (dark component) in C, M, and Y in the right figure.

Fig. 14 is a case where a dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method, and when the arrangement logic of the pattern is GRID-2, the left figure is an original image of C, M, Y, and the right figure is C. It is an enlarged view of the printing surface which extracted all K components (black components) from, M, and Y, and used the dot pattern as the dot of K. In the same figure, K as a dot is printed by carbon ink or non-carbon ink, and it is presupposed that a dot is recognized by the color separation method demonstrated in the specific example (4).

Fig. 15 is a case in which the dot is a dot pattern dot in the AM printing method, and when the arrangement logic of the pattern is GRID-2, the left figure is an original image of C, M, Y, and the right figure is a circle. It is an enlarged view of the printing surface which extracted K component (dark blue component) which is ideal for image printing from image C, M, and Y, and used the dot pattern as the dot of K1 and K2. In the same figure, K1 is printed with non-carbon ink and K2 is printed with carbon ink. K1 is a halftone that is also used as a dot pattern, and K2 is superimposed and printed with a minimum amount of halftone dots to be read as dots in the region of K1. Therefore, the dot by K2 needs to be smaller than K1, and can be used as a recognition dot with a degree of freedom.

As mentioned above, although the dot of this specific example uses the dot, the information is defined by the shift principle by shift | deviating from the position of an original dot.

That is, in principle, the dot pattern has a dot arranged at the intersection of the lattice lines (lattice points), but in this specific example, the lattice dots are arranged at every other lattice point, and the others are printed as information dots shifted from the lattice points. .

Since the definition of this information dot has been described above, the description is omitted here.

According to the present embodiment, since the halftone dots substantially present on the printing surface can be used as dots, the recognition of dots by the naked eye becomes almost difficult.

It is applicable to all the dot patterns which define information by the deviation from a grid point.

In addition, when the dots of the dot pattern are printed with K carbon ink to be read by the infrared optical lead device, the positions of the dots of the dots of K of the non-ink carbon of the printing are different, so that if they are overprinted on the ground (medium surface) Although it has been recognized by the present inventors to generate dullness, according to this embodiment, the dot pattern is used as a halftone of K and four-color printing is performed only by normal printing, so the dot pattern is overlapped with a separate K ink (dark blue). Dullness of the printing surface does not occur as in the case of printing, so the printing surface can be kept beautiful.

When the black color K of the halftone point is combined with the dot, the dot needs to be shifted from the lattice point, so that adjacent dots are more likely to be connected than in the case of the normal halftone point. Normal halftones are often connected at 50% or more. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is necessary to correct the amount of half-dots to be about 20 to 25% at maximum. However, if the shape of a dot is image-processed with high accuracy, it can recognize even with the halftone amount exceeding 50%.

FIG. 8 shows a case where dots are printed in a square shape, and FIG. 9 shows a case where a dots are printed in a circle.

In addition, in order to detect a dot even when there is no color component of black color (K) at all, or it is very small, it is preferable to express a dot more than the minimum few% (percentage more if printing precision is low) or more.

In addition, in the case of applying the infrared irradiation method to the present embodiment, it is also possible to correct and print the dot to a size easily recognizable as shown in FIG. 16 using K carbon ink for printing the dots.

In Figures 16 (a) and (b), 30% of the K component (the dark red component), which occupies 50%, is reduced by 30% in addition to the CMY as shown in the drawings (a) 'and (b)'. This prevents adjacent dots from contacting each other. In the same figure, dot intervals are equalized for explanation. However, when the dot and the information dot are used as described above, the arrangement is shifted. FIG. 17 is a view for explaining clearly the dot pattern of GRID-1 in which a black circular information dot is disposed on a mesh dot arranged in a rectangular shape.

Embodiment (6)

This embodiment provides a mask portion in one printed image so that the shape of the mask can be recognized.

In this embodiment, a character, a picture, and various codes printed with carbon ink by infrared methods are divided by dividing an area into a predetermined shape into a portion printed using a non-carbon ink CMYK as an image and a portion printed using a carbon ink CMYK. I had a lead.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 18, a mask shape to be concealed in an image is set, and then, as shown in Fig. 19A, portions other than the mask portion are printed using non-carbon ink.

Subsequently, the mask portion is printed with carbon ink as shown in Fig. 19B.

In this manner, the image shown in FIG. 19C is completed. At this time, the ink containing carbon is different from the ink which is not used. Therefore, color correction of the ink of the mask part or the non-mask part is performed so that the user does not feel discomfort during visual confirmation, so that the border of the mask is not known. It is desirable to. It is also possible to use ink mixed with stealth ink instead of carbon.

When infrared irradiation is performed on the image shown in Fig. 19 (c) and the reflected light is read by the infrared optical lead device, only the mask portion printed with carbon ink absorbs infrared rays, so that the mask image area as shown in Fig. 18 is shown. Can be recognized. Although this mask area | region was made into the shape of A of the capital letter of the alphabet in this specific example 6, this area | region can also be made into the shape of another character, a symbol, and a figure. In addition, printing of this mask area | region can also be printed by the dot pattern demonstrated by another specific example.

Embodiment 7

This embodiment shows a concealment (stealth) printing technique of a dot pattern according to the FM screening printing method, which does not use dot printing.

The FM screening printing method represents an image by the density of pixels of the same size (see Fig. 20).

In this embodiment, only the part of the dot, that is, only the part of the pixel constituting the dot is used for CMY of the same color carbon ink, and the other part uses non-carbon ink, so that the dot can be recognized by infrared irradiation.

However, in the dot constituting the dot pattern, when there is no color information as shown in Fig. 20B, as shown in Fig. 21, the color is exchanged with neighboring pixels or the same color as the dot is assigned to the pixel as a dot. Recognizable shapes need to be produced with carbon ink.

In addition, when the surrounding pixels do not have color information at all, it is necessary to generate dots close to paper by using carbon ink.

In the above example, the case where carbon ink was used with four colors (CMYK) was demonstrated, but similar to the specific example (3), black color (K) can be abbreviate | omitted and can be represented by three colors of carbon ink of CMY. That is, the color of the dot is corrected by removing the K component from the CMYK for each pixel constituting the dot, and adding the component amount to the CMY to increase the gray level of the CMY. Thereby, a dot can be represented by three colors of carbon ink of CMY, without using black (K), and color number can be reduced. In addition, when the pixel does not have color information, a carbon ink may be formed to exchange colors with neighboring pixels or to assign a similar color to the pixels to recognize the dots as dots.

In addition, in the FM screening printing system, the black color K may be used as a dot, and the periphery of the dot may be expressed in three colors of CMY alone.

That is, CMY which subtracted the common gradation part of each gradation (maximum 100%) of the CMY of each pixel included with respect to the area | region per dot by the dominant area of a dot, ie, (print area) / (number of dots). Is taken as the gradation of the pixel, and the gradation of the common portion is added in the region, and divided by 100% yields the number of pixels constituting the dot expressed in dark blue. Therefore, the dots can be formed by arranging pixels of black color (K) in a spiral shape from the center where the dots should be arranged (see Fig. 22).

By the above, a dot can be detected using the color separation processing technique of the specific example 4 similarly to the method of the specific example (5).

According to this embodiment, the K ink (dark blue) is not overprinted with the carbon ink and the non-carbon ink, and the dullness of the printing surface can be controlled.

However, in the present embodiment, when there is no black color in the dominant area of the dot on the paper surface (on the medium surface), it is necessary to express the dot in the dark color K of the lowest number of pixels that can be recognized as the dot.

Embodiment 8

In the photograph of FIG. 23, the dot pattern demonstrated by this specific example (1)-(7) is printed. In this picture, a dot pattern is printed with carbon ink or stealth ink. In addition, the ink used for printing the dot pattern uses stealth ink that reacts in the infrared wavelength region or the ultraviolet wavelength region without containing carbon ink or carbon. In addition, the dot pattern is not printed in the background part other than a person. As a result, the use of carbon ink does not cause dullness on the white paper.

24 to 26 show a printing example of the photo seal according to the present invention. Fig. 23 and Fig. 24 are photographs of persons, and the photographing is a photograph of a so-called digital camera, a mobile phone terminal equipped with such a digital camera function, or a photographic seal camera installed in an amusement facility. In Fig. 23, dots are printed only on the person portion (except the face) of the photo seal. In Fig. 24, a dot pattern printing area is provided under the face photograph. Fig. 25 shows a greeting card, in which a dot pattern is printed for each object (character).

Fig. 26 shows a combination of a frame image printed with a dot pattern and photo data, which can be downloaded in advance to a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal. In the frame image, a dot pattern is printed in advance. In a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal which downloaded the frame image, the dot pattern is converted into a code by a processing program installed in advance and stored in a memory or a hard disk device.

Subsequently, the user inputs voice data through the personal computer or the mobile phone terminal. In the personal computer or the mobile phone terminal, the voice data is associated with the code by the processing program (specifically, the ID and code assigned to the voice data are registered in the association table), and storage means such as a memory or a hard disk device. The association information is stored. Then, a picture is taken by a digital camera or a camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, and when picture data is transmitted to the personal computer, the picture data is synthesized with the frame data. Such processing may be performed by a processing program in the camera-equipped mobile phone terminal. The synthesized photo data is printed by a printer connected to a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal. Subsequently, the voice data and the association information (contents of the association table) are transmitted to another personal computer or mobile phone terminal in the form of an e-mail attachment. This transfer can also be performed by a storage medium such as a memory card in addition to electronic mail. Subsequently, in another personal computer or mobile phone terminal to which the voice data and associated information have been transmitted, when the captured image of the composite picture data is input, the other personal computer or mobile phone terminal uses the preinstalled processing program to perform the synthesis picture data. The dot pattern of the frame portion is read from to convert to code. The processing program detects the ID of the voice data from the code with reference to the association information (association table), and reproduces and outputs the voice data corresponding to the ID through a speaker or the like.

As described above, in FIG. 26, the frame data is downloaded from a predetermined site (server) and synthesized and printed by the user's own photographic data, so that a predetermined voice can be reproduced and output when another user photographs the synthesized photo. Done.

In addition, the case of directly transmitting voice data and related information between a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal has been described. However, the data may be registered in a predetermined server and other users may access the server to download the data. have.

27 to 28 show mobile telephone terminals with digital camera functions.

The mobile phone terminal MP may be equipped with a mini SD card (trade name) or a small memory card (CARD) called a memory stick Duo (trade name), and the liquid crystal display (DISP), operation buttons (OB), and numbers on the front thereof. The button NB, the camera photographing button CB, and the like are arranged. Moreover, the photographing lens LS of a CCD camera or a CMOS camera is provided in the back side.

Inside the cellular phone terminal, a main memory (MM), a ROM and a flash memory (FMEM), an operation button, a number button, a camera photographing button, and the like are connected via a bus centering on a central processing unit (CPU). In addition, a card adapter (CDA), a microphone (MIC), and a speaker (SP) for mounting the memory card are also connected to the bus.

The digital camera function includes a CMOS image pickup device or a CCD image pickup device of 1 to 2 million pixels or more, and starts shooting by triggering a button press operation of the camera shooting button.

The photographed image is stored in a flash memory or a memory card as data in JPEG format.

In this specific example, dots provided on the medium surface described in the specific examples (1) to (7) are read by a program registered in the flash memory.

In addition, the voice data input from the microphone is converted into voice data such as WAV format, MP3 format and the like and registered in the flash memory or the memory card.

Fig. 30 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of this embodiment using such a mobile phone terminal.

First, the user speaks the contents to be recorded toward the microphone of the cellular phone terminal. The content thus spoken is registered in the flash memory or the memory card as voice data through the microphone.

The user then photographs the photo seals shown in Figs. 23, 24 and 26 using the camera function of the mobile phone terminal. Code data set by the printing apparatus is printed on the photo seal as a dot pattern. Since the printing technique of such a dot pattern is the same as what was demonstrated by the specific example (1)-(7) mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted in this specific example.

The dot pattern photographed in this way is converted into code data according to a program read from the flash memory by the central processing unit.

The central processing unit then associates the input voice data with the code data and registers them in a database of a flash memory or a memory card.

Subsequently, in the mobile phone terminal, when the photographic seal is photographed again and the dot pattern is converted into code data, the central processing unit accesses the database of the flash memory or the memory card according to the code data, reads the associated voice data, Play through

In this manner, at the time of capturing the second and subsequent photographic seals, the associated voice data can be reproduced each time.

In addition, it is not necessary to register the shot image data in the flash memory or the memory card at the time of shooting the second and subsequent photo seals, but in the state where the camera shot image is developed in the main memory or VRAM (not shown) (on memory state). It is also possible to perform reproduction of voice data.

Fig. 31 shows that the voice data, the code data, and the database associated with them are registered in a memory card so that the memory card is mounted on another mobile phone terminal and the other mobile phone terminal has taken the above-mentioned picture seal. This is a flowchart for reproducing the same voice data.

As described above, in FIG. 31, by simply transferring the memory card to the other party, the same picture seal is photographed by the other party's mobile phone terminal, so that the recorded voice data can be reproduced by the other party's mobile phone terminal. The voice message can be delivered to the other party.

Fig. 32 is a flowchart in which the voice data, code data and a database associated with them are transmitted to the other party's mobile phone terminal using the communication function of the mobile phone terminal. By downloading a so-called i-applied program from a predetermined server to the user's cellular phone terminal and the other party's cellular phone terminal, the i-applications (trademarks) are communicated with each other so that voice data and code data and The database is transmitted to the other party's mobile phone terminal.

As a result, when the other party photographs the same picture seal with the mobile phone terminal, the voice data recorded by the user on the mobile phone terminal of the user side is reproduced from the mobile phone terminal of the other party.

32 illustrates an example of transmitting voice data, code data, and a database by communication between i-applications (trademarks). FIG. 33 transmits these data from the user's mobile phone terminal to the mobile phone terminal of the other party using e-mail. The processing to be shown is shown. In this manner, similarly to the above, when the other party photographs the picture seal with the mobile phone terminal, the voice data pre-recorded by the user on the mobile phone terminal of the user is reproduced from the other mobile phone terminal.

Embodiment (9)

This specific example is a system using the cellular phone terminal described in the specific example (8) and a photo seal photographing apparatus.

The system configuration of this embodiment is as shown in FIG.

That is, the photo seal photographing apparatus has a camera CM, a microphone MIC, an operation button OB, and a printing apparatus PRT around the control apparatus. The control device is constituted by an information processing device such as a general-purpose personal computer. The control device is constituted by a central processing unit (not shown), a main memory, a hard disk device in which a program or a database is registered, and the like. The control device is connected to a dot code management server light voice management server via a network. The former dot code management server is responsible for issuing dot codes and associating voice data managed by the voice management server, and has a database associated with them. The latter voice management server registers and manages voice data input through the microphone of the photo seal photographing apparatus. In addition, although these two servers are shown as separate servers in FIG. 29, they may be the same server.

Next, the processing procedure using this system configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in a photographic seal photographing apparatus (trade name: Prekra), a user operates a camera by using an operation button to perform photographing, and stores photographic data in a memory of the control apparatus. At this time, the controller of the photographic seal photographing apparatus reads the dot pattern printed in advance on the photographic seal sheet to be printed and converts the dot pattern into a dot code number.

The photo seal photographing apparatus prints out the photographic image photographed on the seal sheet.

The user then inputs any voice through the microphone. The voice data input in this manner is once stored in the memory of the control device. The dot code read from the seal site and the voice data are notified to the voice management server in the control device tactic. As a result, the dot code management server registers the database in which the voice data is associated with the dot code.

The user then photographs the photo seal printed out from the photo seal photographing apparatus with the mobile phone terminal. The central processing unit of the cellular phone terminal reads the dot pattern from the photographed image of the photo seal and converts it into a dot code number. The processing at this time is the same as that described in the specific example (8).

The user then inputs any voice through the microphone. The audio data input in this manner is stored in the memory of the control device once. The controller registers the voice data as a voice management server. At this time, the dot code management server is notified of the ID assigned to the voice data. As a result, the dot code management server performs registration with a database in which voice data and dot codes are associated with each other.

The user then starts a communication program stored in the flash memory of the cellular phone terminal to access the dot code management server, and retrieves the ID of the voice data corresponding to the dot code number. Then, the voice data registered in the voice management server accessed by the voice management server according to the detected ID is downloaded to the mobile phone terminal and reproduced through the speaker.

In this embodiment, the dot pattern is read by the cellular phone terminal, but the optical lead device connected to the personal computer can be used.

The processing shown in Fig. 34 was a case where a dot pattern was previously printed on the photo seal sheet, but Fig. 35 causes the photo seal photographing device to issue a new dot code every time a picture is taken. Other processing is the same as that in Fig. 34, so that description thereof is omitted.

36 shows a case where dot code issuance is a dot code management server.

Fig. 37 is a procedure for recording audio using a photo seal photographing apparatus and reproducing the above audio data with a personal computer or a mobile phone, and the dot pattern is printed on the photo seal sheet in advance.

FIG. 38 is a procedure for recording audio using a photo seal photographing apparatus and reproducing the sound data with a personal computer or a mobile phone as in FIG. 37, but the dot pattern is a dot in which the photo seal photographing apparatus is unused every time a photograph is taken. To issue the code.

39 and 40 perform photographic seal printing using a photographic seal sheet previously printed with a dot pattern with a photographic seal photographing apparatus, and photographing the photographic seal with a camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, and audio input is performed at that time. It is managed by the voice management server. When another user photographs the picture seal with another camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, the voice management server is contacted to reproduce the voice data input above.

41 and 42 are photographic seal photographing apparatuses which issue a dot code every time a photograph is taken, perform photographic seal printing, photograph the photographic seal with a camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, and perform voice input at that time to manage voice. It is managed by the server. When the other user has taken the picture seal with another camera-equipped mobile phone terminal, the voice management server is inquired and the voice data inputted above is reproduced.

43 and 44 show that after the user takes a picture with the picture seal device, the picture seal device receives the dot code from the dot code management server, generates a dot pattern, and outputs the picture seal. Subsequently, the user photographs the picture seal with the cellular phone terminal, records a voice, records the voice in association with the dot code, and then registers the dot code and the voice data in the voice management server.

When another user photographs the photo seal, i.e., the dot pattern, on the cellular phone terminal, the dot pattern is converted into a dot code, and the voice management server is inquired of the presence or absence of associated voice data based on the dot code. When the voice data corresponding to the dot code is found, the voice data is downloaded from the voice management server to the cellular phone terminal and reproduced.

45 shows that after the user photographs with the photo seal device, the photo seal device prints the photo seal on which the photo data is printed on the seal sheet in which the dot pattern is printed in advance.

The user then photographs the photo seal with a camera built into the cellular phone terminal. Alternatively, the dot pattern is photographed with a pen camera (pen-type printing surface lead device) connected to a USB personal computer, and converted into a dot code.

The information processing terminal then inputs voice data in association with the dot code.

Then, the voice data associated with the dot code is transmitted to another cellular phone terminal or another personal computer. At this time, the transmission means may use an e-mail function of a cellular phone terminal or a flash memory card.

When the dot pattern of the photo seal device is photographed by the built-in camera of the mobile phone terminal storing the transmitted dot code and voice data, the CPU of the mobile phone terminal converts the dot pattern into a dot code. Outputs voice data associated with the dot code stored in the.

Further, the dot pattern may be photographed by a pen camera (pen-type printing surface lead device) connected to another personal computer by USB, and converted into a dot code to output associated audio data.

Although FIG. 46 is substantially the same as FIG. 45, it differs by the point that a reserved unused code is issued in a photo sealing apparatus, a dot pattern is produced | generated based on the issued code, and the photo seal on which the dot pattern was printed is printed.

47 and 48 perform printing by connecting a personal computer or the like to paper on which a dot pattern has been previously printed on photographic data photographed by a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal, and associating audio data with respect to the dot code of the dot pattern. Register the dot pattern of the photo seal with another personal computer or a mobile terminal, convert it to a dot code, and inquire the dot code management server to convert the associated voice data into voice. It is downloaded from the management server and reproduced.

49 and 50 are modified examples of Figs. 47 and 48, in which a dot code issuing program is installed in a personal computer and a dot code is issued when a user prints photographic data photographed with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal. The issued dot code is registered in the dot code management server.

When voice data is input to the personal computer or the mobile phone terminal in association with the dot code, the voice data is registered in the voice management server.

When the dot pattern of the photo seal is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, it is converted into a dot code, and the dot code management server is inquired to download and reproduce the associated voice data from the voice management server.

51 and 52 are modifications of the above FIGS. 49 and 50.

That is, when a personal computer has a communication function and a user prints photographic data photographed with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal, a request for issuing a dot code is issued to a dot code management server, and correspondingly, the dot code is issued from the dot code management server. Is issued, a dot pattern is generated from the dot code, and the photo seal to which the dot pattern is added is printed from a printing apparatus.

Subsequently, when voice data is input in association with the dot code, the voice data is registered in the voice management server.

When the dot pattern of the photo seal is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, it is converted into a dot code, and the dot code management server is inquired to download and reproduce the associated voice data from the voice management server.

53 and 54 show modifications of FIGS. 47 and 48.

That is, the user takes a picture with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal and prints the picture data with a printing device of a convenience store or a photo shop. At this time, a photo seal sheet on which a dot pattern is printed is set in the printing apparatus, and the printed photo seal is capable of reading the dot pattern.

The user then reads the dot pattern of the photo seal with a USB camera, scanner pen or mobile phone connected to a personal computer, associates the voice data with the dot code, and registers it with the dot code management server and the voice management server. When the dot pattern of the photo seal is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, it is converted into a dot code, and the dot code processing server is inquired to download and reproduce the associated voice data from the voice management server.

FIG. 67 is a modification of FIGS. 49 and 50.

That is, a dot code issuing program is installed in a printing device of a convenience store or a photo store, and a dot code is issued when a user prints photograph data photographed with a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal, and the dot code is issued to a dot code management server. Register at

When voice data is input to the personal computer or the mobile phone terminal in association with the dot code, the voice data is registered in the voice management server.

When the dot pattern of the photo seal is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, it is converted into a dot code, and the dot code management server is inquired to download and reproduce the associated voice data from the voice management server.

57 and 58 are modified examples of FIGS. 51 and 52.

That is, a printing device such as a print making device has a communication function, and when a user prints photographic data photographed by a digital camera or a mobile phone terminal, a dot code issuance request is issued to a dot code management server, and a dot code is correspondingly issued. When a dot code is issued from the management server, a dot pattern is generated from the dot code and the photo seal to which the dot pattern is added is printed from the printing apparatus.

Subsequently, when voice data is input in association with the dot code, the voice data is registered in the voice management server.

When the dot pattern of the photo seal is photographed by another personal computer or a mobile phone terminal, it is converted into a dot code, and the dot code management server is inquired to download and reproduce the associated voice data from the voice management server.

FIG. 59 is a modification of FIG. 46.

In other words, the photo seal device in which the dot pattern is arranged in the photo data is printed in accordance with the dot pattern generation program installed in the personal computer.

The user then photographs the photo seal with the built-in camera of the cellular phone terminal. Alternatively, the dot pattern is photographed with a pen camera (pen-shaped printing surface lead device) connected to a user's personal computer by USB, and converted into a dot code.

In the personal computer or the mobile phone terminal, voice data is input in association with the dot code.

Then, the voice data associated with the dot code is transmitted to another cellular phone terminal or another personal computer. At this time, the transmission means may use an e-mail function of a cellular phone terminal or a flash memory card.

When the dot pattern of the photo seal device is photographed by the built-in camera of the mobile phone terminal storing the transmitted dot code and voice data, the CPU of the mobile phone converts the dot pattern into a dot code and stores the The associated pipe speech data is output in the dot code.

Further, the dot pattern may be photographed by a pen camera (pen-type printing surface lead device) connected to another personal computer by USB, and converted into a dot code to output associated voice data.

Fig. 60 is a variation of Fig. 59, in which a photo seal device is used instead of a personal computer in which a dot pattern generation program is installed. Other processing is the same as that in Fig. 59, and description is omitted.

Fig. 61 is a variation of Fig. 59, except that the picture data photographed by the digital camera or the mobile phone terminal is printed by a printing device of a convenience store or a photo shop.

Fig. 62 is almost the same as Fig. 61 except that only a dot code is issued each time a printing device is printed at a convenience store or photo shop.

Embodiment (10)

63 to 66 are lists showing parameters when the dot pattern of the present invention is applied to a printing device such as a printer, an input device such as an image scanner, or a copying device such as a copy or a facsimile.

Although the illustration of the apparatus configuration is omitted, the apparatus of this embodiment is a copying machine, which includes a scanner unit for reading originals, a control unit with a memory, an input unit for inputting the number of copies, and the like, a printing unit for printing paper; It consists of a discharge part for discharging printed paper.

The control unit arranges the dot pattern read from the memory in an arbitrary area input from the input unit with respect to the read original document, and performs printing instruction on the printing unit.

As the input unit, for example, a touch panel can be used, and the arrangement of dot patterns can be determined by displaying a lead document and designating arbitrary coordinate positions with a touch pen or the like. The dot pattern used in this embodiment is preferably the dot pattern described in the above-described GRID-1 or GRID-2, but may be a dot pattern according to other algorithms.

In addition, it is preferable that these dot patterns are printed on the so-called stealth dot patterns described in the specific examples (1) to (7).

In the memory of the copier, a parameter table as shown in Figs. 63 to 66 is generated, and an arbitrary area of an original can be designated to register parameters relating to print control for each object.

67-70 show the specific example.

In FIG. 67, the title [1], the figure of the car [2], the graphs [3] and [4] are arranged. In the area of the heading [1], iMRK = 1 for security mark, jMRK = 1 for dot printing only on an object, iCNG = 1 for copy prohibition at all, and no security parameter. ISTC = 0 or the like which is meant is registered as a dot pattern. In addition, the serial number (NFST) of the output device that performed the first printing, whether to add the serial number when copying (NLST), the serial number of the original (NPRT), or the number of objects printed on the paper (MOBJ) In this case, 4), an object number NOBJ to be printed, an active code NACT for each object, and the like are registered as dot patterns.

In this way, when the print control parameter is discharged as a printed matter superimposed on the original as a dot pattern, the copying control unit interprets the dot pattern for each object, prohibits copying itself, or copies the printed copy. It becomes possible to control.

For example, when the control unit detects a parameter of iCNG = 1 from the dot pattern read, the control unit does not perform a print instruction to the printing unit because any copy is prohibited. Instead, the control unit displays a display such as "This document is copy prohibited" for the touch panel or the like.

When a parameter of NCPY = 3 is detected from the dot pattern read by the controller, up to three prints are instructed to the printing unit.

68 means that the area described as "CONFIDENTIAL" is the security mark (iMRK = 1), and that other houses or trees are iMRK = 0, which means that the object is not controlled. In this case, information dots related to voice data or the like can be arranged in the tree or the house as a dot pattern.

In addition, although FIG. 69 is not defined in the parameter table of FIGS. 63-66, the parameter (iARA = 0) which means that a dot is arrange | positioned in the whole document is printed as a dot pattern, and FIG. 70 dot only in a part of a house. A parameter (iARA = 1) indicating that the pattern is arranged is printed as a dot pattern.

As described above, in the present embodiment, printing control parameters for controlling copying can be batch printed on any area of the original document using a printing apparatus.

When the printed matter having such print control parameters is scanned as an original document, the control section can control copying itself, limit the number of copies, the copying range, and the like.

As described above, according to the present invention, the existing printing technology can be slightly improved, so that the so-called stealth dot pattern, which cannot be visually recognized by the existence of the dot pattern on the surface of the medium, can be realized simply, easily and inexpensively. By copying the dot pattern to the copying printing apparatus to perform copying control, copying of confidential documents or copyrighted copies of copy prohibitions can be easily realized.

In the present embodiment, the example in which the dot pattern is arranged on the surface of the photo seal or the paper medium has been described. However, the medium may be any of copy paper, trading card, greeting card, various seals, bromide, photo album, and the like.

As the printing apparatus, a photo seal photographing apparatus, a color copier, a printer with a scanner, and the like can be exemplified, but a simple printing apparatus and the like can also be used.

The stealth dot pattern of the present invention is a voice input system, a photo seal printing technology, a mobile phone terminal using a picture book, a photo book, a printed matter (e.g., a banknote or an official document), etc. The present invention can also be applied to lead technologies such as photo seals and the printing management of a copy printing apparatus (copy apparatus).

Claims (19)

delete delete It is used in a dot pattern reading system that irradiates infrared light onto a medium surface provided with a dot pattern, reads the reflected light by optical lead means, recognizes the dot pattern, converts the data into corresponding data, and outputs text, voice, and images. As a medium in which a dot pattern is formed, Dots constituting the dot pattern is a first printed layer formed by using the ink absorbed in the infrared region on the surface of the medium; A second printing layer formed in the area covering the dots of the first printing layer, the same color as that of the medium surface, and printed with opaque ink that transmits infrared rays; And a third printing layer, which is normally printed by ink penetrating infrared rays, on the upper layer of the second printing layer. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete