KR20010034101A - Anti-counterfeiting method and apparatus using digital screening - Google Patents

Abstract

A single base image by rasterizing the primary image to the first base image, rasterizing the secondary image to the second base image, and combining the first base image and the second base image based on predetermined encoding principles Forming an image, compensating for the distortion of a single base image to make the second base image invisible within the first base image, and generating an output image based on the single base image so that the primary image is visible to the naked eye. The secondary image is a method and apparatus for encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that it comprises concealing from the naked eye.

Description

Anti-counterfeiting method and device using digital screening {ANTI-COUNTERFEITING METHOD AND APPARATUS USING DIGITAL SCREENING}

In order to prevent unauthorized duplication or alteration of documents, special markings or backgrounds are provided on paper materials such as tickets, checks, and currency.

The marking or background patterns are imparted to the paper material by printing processes such as offset printing, lithography, letterpress printing or other machinery and by various photographic techniques, dry copy printing, or a series of other methods.

Patterns or markings can be produced with light-sensitive materials such as ordinary inks, magnets, special inks that are fluorescent or similar materials, baked powders, silver salts or azo dyes.

Most of the patterns given to the paper material to avoid easy duplication depend on complexity and resolution.

Thus, in most cases not protected from unauthorized copying or alteration, it adds increased cost to paper-like materials.

Various methods of anti-counterfeiting measures have been proposed, including moire-induced line structures, dot patterns of various sizes, secondary images, see-throughs, barcodes, diffractive holograms, and the like.

However, these methods inevitably affect the quality of the former in order to provide a reliable and readable secondary image to the primary image and thus obtain additional security.

Conventional systems for encoding and decrypting witnesses in prints produce parallax panoramicgram images or scrambled images.

Such conventional systems are described in A. Alasia in US Pat. No. 3,937,565 (February 10, 1976).

Witnesses were produced by photographic technique using a lensline screen (ie lens screen) with a known spatial lens density (69 lines per inch).

The photographic technique or the creation of similar, encoded witness images has the drawback that a special camera is required.

The analog image is also limited in variety in that it is conspicuous when the area of the anti-counterfeiting witness is surrounded by secondary images.

In addition, it is difficult to combine potentially different variables with multiple secondary images because the anti-counterfeiting, photographic images, cannot effectively re-expose the film.

Various reproduction techniques, such as printing or non-printing (electronic) techniques, used for the distribution of optical information, are based on the examination of images.

In this technique, the picture is divided into simple dots, pixels that are systematically harmonized and their size is less than the resolution of the human eye.

Referring to Figs. 1A-1F, examples of various printing screens of the prior art used to generate images 100 with different shades are described.

In FIG. 1A, a portion 102 of the image 100 is as shown in FIG. 1B (Continuous Tone), 1C (Round Screen), 1D (Probabilistic Screen), 1E (Line Screen), 1F (Elliptical Screen). It has been extended to show the effectiveness of other search techniques.

Such screens are reproducible but at the same time reduce the reproduction quality of the image as compared to the original image, causing "noise" of the reproduced image to be severe.

In addition, defects in other systems and media used for reproduction, such as ink, print media (e.g. paper, plastic, etc.), electron-beams, display pixels, etc., must comply with clear and theoretical requirements, but the point, Basic information owners such as pixels cannot be created and cannot be separated.

This increases the "noise" in the generated image.

In electronic or printed four color reproduction, the picture quality is reduced due to the multiple color-shading of the original image that must be reproduced using only the three colors represented by the optical incomplete ink.

As shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, none of the theoretically perfect geometrically shaped base spots 202-210 produced by the computer from the elements and various other elements into the printed spots 202A-210A after printing. The result is that it does not have the position and size shown.

Spots 202-210 and 202A-210A are shown magnified 100: 1 for clarity.

Search and color issues are important issues in multicolor reproduction techniques.

To solve the color problem, two international standards were established. These are the commonly used Red-Green-Blue (RGB) and Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black (CMYK) standards.

Six color reproduction is used in limited applications.

Using a typical 80 line / cm printing screen, four different ink-spots are printed with the correct size, geometry, position, and thickness of an area of 0.125 mm x 0.125 mm (0.005 in. X 0.005 in.).

Reducing the size of the underlying spots or pixels (i.e. increasing the resolution of the screen) reduces the "noise" of the image, but increases the undesirable effects of defects such as applied materials and process increases, thus increasing the resolution Worsen the problem.

The closer the resolution of the screen is to the resolution of the reproduction process (i.e. the limit of printability), the more technical defects affect the undesirably formed image.

In order to reduce the undesirable consequences of these drawbacks, they must first be taken into account in the regeneration process.

For this reason, the original image is digitized or scanned and separated into basic pixels in continuous tonal form using an appropriate screen.

Although the density of pixels depends on the actual image, all pixels have the same size.

Once the theoretical density is changed accordingly, the pixel is switched from persistent to bit-map form.

In bit-map form, the spot sizes are different but the overall density of the spots is the same.

This is desirable because the ink fill thickness or printable density during printing (except for gravure printing) is generally the same.

As a result, a continuous tone pixel with a maximum area of 0.125 × 0.125 mm (with 0.005 in × 0.005 in, 80 line / cm screen) and 25% density, for example, has only 25% of the same area with visual equivalents. , Are replaced with screen spots with an equal maximum density.

Conventional reproduction processes and apparatus use continuous tone pixels such as etched rotogravure, electronic displays, digital printers.

Other reproduction processes use screen-spots, offset printing, and most digital printing processes.

Other processes use a combination of continuous tones and screen spots, such as engraved printing, gravure rotogravure printing, for example.

The process of converting a continuous tone form into a bitmap form is a complex process and most important in screening techniques.

This is because the theoretical density of the continuous tone basic pixel received after scanning is also changed in advance according to the technical defect of the reproduction process.

For example, technical defects in offset print reproduction include the following.

1. The distortion of the image in the shape and size of the spots converted by the following additional reproduction process.

-Converting continuous tone pixels into screen spots,

-Creation of spots from a set of images where the moiré effect occurs,

Film exposure and processing,

-Printing of printing plates,

-Printing process.

2. Optical defect of the ink provided.

Most basic screen-spot distortions occur in the printing process.

As a result, the following undesirable effects occur.

Non-uniformity of paper surface, rubber blanket and printing ink,

-Distortion from the power source in the printing area,

Mechanical inaccuracies in the printing device,

-Convert form from print paper.

Different printing techniques have different defects, characteristics for each particular printing process.

Thus, different screening techniques and screens have been developed to compensate for these different defects.

Screening is very important in digital printing.

There are several types of digital printing techniques such as lasers, inkjets, dye sublimation, magnetic recording, electrostatics and the like.

Thus, as these processes emerge, they have more drawbacks than traditional printing processes.

Correction of technical defects is more complicated in warranty printing.

The smaller or thinner the printed element, the greater the relative distortion in the printing process, and the more difficult it is to compensate for this distortion.

The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for generating printed or unprinted electronic anti-counterfeiting concealed indicia images, and more particularly to an encoded digital screen performed by a software program in a computer system. It relates to the digital screen method and device used.

These methods and devices can combine primary and secondary images so that secondary images can only be viewed when the original document can be viewed with a special decode tool.

The present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the invention. Various features of the drawings in accordance with conventional practice are not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the scale of the various features is arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures.

1A-1F illustrate printing screens commonly used for representative images having different tones and colors in the printing process.

2A and 2B show distortion of the basic parts of an image during a printing process.

3 shows the definition of an image element according to the invention.

4A-4D show how different shades of a screen can be displayed by varying the ratio of screen spots to screen cell regions.

5 shows an example of hiding information in an image as a reward.

Fig. 6 shows how hidden information is added to an image by changing the density of continuous tone pixels without changing the average density of the supercells.

7A-8B illustrate a method of adding hidden information to an image by changing screen spots without changing spot area ratios or super cell spot area ratios.

9A-9B illustrate a method of adding hidden information to an image by changing the angle of the screen spot without changing the spot area ratio.

10A-10B illustrate a method of adding hidden information to an image by changing the position of the screen spot without changing the super cell spot area ratio.

11A-11B illustrate a method of adding hidden information to an image by changing the size of the screen spot without changing the super cell spot area ratio.

12A-12B illustrate a method of adding hidden information to an image by changing the frequency of screen spots without changing the super cell spot area ratio.

13, 14A, 14B are flow charts of a process for producing an image including concealed information.

FIG. 15 shows an example of hiding information in a separated color layer of a primary image. FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart describing a process for forming the image of FIG. 15. FIG.

Fig. 17 is a hardware arrangement diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a hardware arrangement diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

19A-19J illustrate various techniques for activating the decoder of the present invention.

20 shows a prior art method of segmenting an image.

FIG. 21 illustrates flipping the image segmentation of FIG. 20 to form a single phase mixed image.

22 and 23 show the application of the mixing method shown in FIG. 21 to the multi-phase presented in the prior art.

24 is an embodiment of the mixed image of FIG. 21 in connection with an embodiment of the present invention.

25 is another embodiment of a blended image in connection with the concealed image of the present invention.

In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to conceal the secondary image within the primary image so that the secondary image is visible to the user only when the decoder is used so that various media such as tickets, passports, certificates, currency, postal media, etc. Is to increase its safety and anti-counterfeiting ability.

The process includes rasterizing the first image into the first base image and rasterizing the secondary image compensated by the inverse of the secondary image into the second base image.

The first base image and the second base image are fused into a unified base image based on a predetermined decoding, compensation principle, resulting in a second base image concealed within the first base image.

The output image is formed based on the unified base image where the primary image is visible to the naked eye, and the secondary image is concealed from the naked eye.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for concealing a secondary image within a primary image and performing a method for producing high quality hard and / or soft copies of a single base image of various media.

The present invention is directed to a software method and apparatus for digitally combining secondary images into primary images.

Secondary images can be measured for various views selected by the user in digitized form, for decoding by the electronic decoder.

Various degrees of concealment can be selected when the secondary image is rotated relative to another secondary image or when a layer is formed.

The primary image is rasterized or separated into a series of elements.

In general, when a hard copy image is printed, the image consists of a series of "printer spots" whose density varies with the color found in the various components of the image.

Rasterized with the software method and apparatus of the present invention where the element or image (i.e. spots, pixels, etc.) is modified to include the elements of the secondary image and at the same time distorted to compensate for the predicted shortcomings of the alteration and reproduction techniques. It can have a primary image.

The combined image formed looks like the original primary image with the naked eye.

However, because the rasterized elements that make up are shaped to access the encoded type of the secondary image, the decoder reveals the potential secondary image.

Because of the high print resolution required for such complex lines, attempts to copy images printed by electromechanical means or others are not successful in reproducing potential secondary images.

As a result of this digital approach, several different secondary images are combined into a full secondary image and the entire secondary image is reformed into a rasterized primary image.

Each individual secondary image is oriented at various angles to conceal different degrees.

Alternatively, the gray primary image may be a primary constituent print color (ie navy blue, magenta, yellow, black (CMYK)); Red, green, blue (RGB) or other color separation system.

The single color bitmap format is used for certain applications.

One or more secondary images are individually reshaped with each constituent color.

As soon as the colors are recombined to form the final primary image, the decoder reveals another secondary image that is concealed in another pigment.

It is possible to conceal one secondary image within one or more color separations.

In this case, as soon as the secondary information recombines all the pigments concealed, it is possible to read the secondary image through the decoder.

If necessary, the primary image consists of a composed background that includes a concealed secondary image when viewed with a solid color tint or a suitable decoder.

Such firmly tinted areas are found in checks, currency, tickets, and the like.

Other useful applications include secondary encoding of human data (ie, signatures, blood types, medical records, etc.) within a primary image composed of a photograph of a person.

Such techniques make it impossible to create fake IDs or driver's licenses through the universal technique of replacing existing photos with fake ones.

In order to encode the primary image, other important information is included in the secondary image in addition to the human data (height, weight, social security number, etc.).

Other useful applications include, for example, credit cards, passports, photo identification cards, currency, special event tickets, stock certificates, bond certificates, bank checks, traveler's checks, anti-counterfeiting labels (i.e. designer clothing, medicines, alcohol, Video tapes, audio CDs, cosmetics, machine parts, pharmaceuticals), stamps, birth certificates, vehicle recovery cards, land titles, visas and the like.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an anti-counterfeiting method and apparatus for generating a concealed witness image in printed form, as performed by a software program in a computer system.

The concealed image can be viewed through a special decoder that can be decrypted and corresponding to software encoded process variables.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-counterfeiting method and apparatus as performed by a software program in a computer system, wherein the primary image is rasterized and the secondary image is separated into corresponding element units, The rasterized primary image is reconstructed according to the pattern of the concealed secondary image.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-counterfeiting method and apparatus, as performed by a software program in a computer system, in which a primary image is converted into a gray-based image in order to combine the secondary images.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an anti-counterfeiting method and apparatus, as performed by a software program in a computer system, wherein a gray-based image is composed of constituent colors in order to combine the secondary image into each component color part. Separated into parts, the parts are recombined to form the last encoded single image.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for preventing forgery, as performed by a software program in a computer system, wherein the concealed image is digitally readable using a filter based on software.

In this case the secondary information is encoded in software and the reading device is based on software.

In addition, the encode and decode software is a programmable user.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are set forth below by way of example and the following description.

The drawings form part of this specification and include embodiments of the invention and illustrate various objects and features.

Concealed imaging processes include rasterization and separation into elements such as spots, lines, pixels (basic data retainers), primary or visible images.

These elements are regenerated, transformed, and altered in order to perform secondary information in the digital compensation process without the secondary image being visible to the primary image.

In order to decode the information carried out, there is a need for a suitable decoder device capable of selecting secondary information.

When the magnitude of distortion caused by technical imperfections is less than the magnitude of the change, the secondary image required for compensation is performed to compensate for the change.

In order to perform the secondary image and make the secondary image invisible within the same spot-cell, it is possible to change the spot of the primary image to compensate for them.

For example, using a traditional screen of 80 line / cm, this is a theoretical rectangle of 0.125 x 0.125 mm (0.005 in x 0.005 in) called "single cell".

This means that changes and compensation can be made within a single cell at the same screen spot.

Since the size of the undesirable print distortion is very small compared to the size of the compensating portion of the conscious change and screen spot, the concealed image effect is predominant.

This is possible using a high resolution regeneration process.

With reference to FIG. 4A, a further example of how the shade of the image appears is shown.

Spot 402 appears in cell 404 in FIG. 4A.

Regions of cells 404 appear as products of width "x" 406 and height "y" 408.

The ratio of the spot 402 " A " region to the region xy of the cell 404 is represented by the following equation.

Equation (1). Z = A / (xy)%, where Z is in the range of 0-100%.

4B-4D show various ratios of spot 402 and cell 404.

As shown, Z = 75% in FIG. 4B, Z = 50% in FIG. 4C, and Z = 25% in FIG. 4E.

Cell 404 is shown as a rectangle in FIG. 4A, but cell 404 may be in a preferred form such as square, circle, ellipse, trapezoid.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example is shown in which secondary information 506 is added within the area of screen spot 504 and compensated for by the opposite under the naked eye's visible area.

In order to conceal the secondary information 506 to the screen spot (element) 504 (included in the spot (element) cell 502), it is necessary to add the inverse of the secondary information.

For example, the homage of secondary information 506 in a black and white image is in a negative state, and the homage of secondary information 506 in a color image is a phenomenal color.

When the magnitude of the undesirable print distortion is adjacent to the size of the compensating portion of the change and screen spot, the concealment effect is reduced and the effect of the undesirable print distortion is increased.

In order to maintain the concealment effect, many screen-spots must be moved to compensation from adjacent single cells.

The population of signal cells migrated to compensate for the altered screen-spots is called a "super cell" (see Figure 3).

Referring to FIG. 3, an example of a super cell is shown.

In FIG. 3, for example, super cell 306 represents nine cells 310.

The spot ratio area of the super cell 306 is determined using the following formula:

Equation (2). Z _∑ = ∑ (Z1 ... Zn) / n%

"n" is the number of cells in the super cell 306.

The super cell need not be rectangular and may be in various forms such as round, oval, rectangular, and the like.

Both functionally selected properties of the experimental spot (screen element), including full or partial spots, are within the boundaries of the super cell.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the reproduction of the image is brought to an appropriate state through the following.

E.g ;

-Change the basic spot in advance according to all distortions and shape changes that occur in the process of image reproduction,

-The proper shape of the basic spots such as elliptical, oblong, ovoid, arbitrary, is calculated, formed, applied according to the actual regeneration process

Define exact angle and spot positions to avoid moiré effects and achieve the best quality with the least noise in the image.

In order to form other safety features for safe printing, it was determined that technical incomplete and intentional distortions and alterations of other reproduction processes compensated using the digital screen technique were included in the formed image.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to conceal the secondary image within the primary image, the basic spots of the primary image are identified with the encoded digital information carrier.

By adjusting the process to an appropriate screen technique, the distortion formed by performing a secondary image, although visible with a suitable decoding device, is compensated and invisible to the naked eye.

The decoder can compensate for many encoding effects such as magnification, reduction, inversion, and prism effects that contribute to the image.

The decoder optically filters the image using periodic and / or arbitrary filter patterns based on the encoding method used to encode the image.

Optical filtering of images is based on many geometric shapes such as circles, semicircles, squares and triangles.

Electronic decoders can be performed in hardware, software, or a combination thereof and provide programmable capabilities.

Electronic decoders include electronic recognition for interpreting concealed information such as bar codes or digital data.

A preferred embodiment is a method and apparatus for a digital screen for forming an encoded digital screen in which elements of the screen, such as pixels or spots, are part of an image.

In a preferred embodiment, these pixels or spots are used as digital information carriers.

By copying an image protected from copying using a digitally encoded screen, it is possible to create a protected image that is protected from copying, for example for safe printing where the concealed image cannot be reproduced.

This process is not limited to specific encoded screens for resolving specific technical imperfections, but is used to provide a solution to the above mentioned technical problems.

In order to reproduce only the primary image, basic digital information carriers (spots, pixels, etc.) are formed and classified according to the constraints of the actual reproduction technique.

In this case, only the primary image is reproduced.

This twisting and alteration of the underlying data holders can combine secondary images into primary images.

In this way, the "noise" of the primary image is increased and the secondary image appears in the visible form.

In order to reduce the "noise" of the primary image, the element must be compensated on a per element basis (in spots or in pixels) by all changes and distortions (distortions) within a predetermined area less than the naked eye's resolution.

In this way, the secondary image is concealed and the quality of the primary image is improved.

For example, as a digital information carrier, you can use basic spots or pixels to alter or warp an image with the following variables:

Density (see FIG. 6)

Shape and shape (see FIGS. 7A-8B)

Angle (see FIGS. 9A-9B)

Position (see FIGS. 10A-10B)

Size (see FIGS. 11A-11B)

Frequency (see FIGS. 12A-12B)

The variable can be used in the color layer of the primary image and between the color layers of the primary image.

For example, after processing the data using a continuous approximation algorithm, two parts, each of the individual element spots, pixels, etc., are in the region where the secondary image is concealed.

These two parts are as follows.

-The basic spots of the primary image that are distorted or changed according to the secondary image, the data-retention portion of the pixel.

-Compensation part such as basic spot, pixel, etc. to compensate for distortion, change of data holding part.

As a result, all data or pixels are distorted or changed in comparison with the reproduced primary image.

Referring to FIG. 6, the information carrier shows an example of how information is concealed in an area based on the density of the information.

In Fig. 6, cells 602, 604, and 606 are designated as cells in which information is concealed.

The densities of cells 602, 604, and 606 vary to form cells 608, 610, and 612.

In FIG. 6, D1 ₁ , D1 ₂ , D1 ₃ , D2 ₁ , D2 ₂ , D2 ₃ are the densities of cells 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, respectively.

The density of the cells does not necessarily need to be the same (D1 ₁ ≠ D2 ₁ , D1 ₂ ≠ D2 ₂ , D1 ₃ ≠ D2 ₃ ).

The information is concealed when the average densities of the super cells 614 and 616 are the same.

Referring to Figures 7a and 7b it is shown how information is concealed and intracellular compensation occurs by equalizing the cell spot area ratios.

7A is an unaltered or normal screen, and FIG. 7B is an information bearer screen.

In FIG. 7A cell 702 is used as an information carrier cell.

The communicator spot 704 replaces the spot 706.

When the communicator spot 704 is the same as the spot 706, the communicator spot 704 is concealed.

That is, when the following equation is satisfied,

Equation (3). ZA = ZB

Here, ZA is the spot area ratio of the spot 706, and ZB is the spot area ratio of the information carrier spot 704.

8A and 8B, an example of how information is concealed and compensated for by equalizing the super cell spot area ratio is shown.

8A is an unaltered or normal screen and FIG. 8B is an information carrier screen.

In FIG. 8A, super cell 802 is used as an information carrier super cell.

In FIG. 8B, information 808 within super cell 802 replaces spot 806 to form super cell 804.

Information 808 is concealed when the average spot area ratio of the super cell 804 is equal to the average spot area ratio of the super cell 802.

That is, when the following equation is satisfied:

Equation (4). Z∑ ₁ = Z∑ ₂ , Z∑ _A ≠ Z∑ _B

Here, Z∑ ₁ is the average spot ratio of the super cell, and supercell 802 and Z∑ ₂ are average spot area ratios of the super cell 804.

9A and 9B, an example of how information is concealed within a cell in which the concealed information carrier is imprinted is shown.

9A is an unaltered or normal screen, and FIG. 9B is an information bearer screen.

In FIG. 9A, cell 902 is used as an information bearer cell.

Information 904 replaces element 906 in FIG. 9B.

Information 904 is concealed when equation (3) or equation (4) is satisfied.

As shown in Fig. 9B, the information 904 is rotated at an angle α.

The angle α can be any angle between 0 and 359 degrees.

10A and 10B, an example of how information is concealed in a cell where the information carrier is in place is shown.

10A is an unaltered or normal screen and FIG. 10B is an information bearer screen.

In FIG. 10A, supercell 1002 and spot 1004 are shown as an unaltered screen.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the information bearer is to reposition spot 1004 to spot 1008.

The information is concealed in the formed super cell 1006.

Information is concealed when the equation (4) is satisfied between the super cell 1002 and 1006.

The change in position changes with the degree of desired concealment.

11A and 11B, an example of how information is concealed where the information carrier is based on the size of the spot is shown.

11A is an unaltered or normal screen and FIG. 11B is an information bearer screen.

More specifically, spot 1108 replaces spot 1106.

The total spot area of the super cell 1104 is equal to the total spot area of the super cell 1102 so that information is concealed when equation (4) is satisfied.

12A and 12B, an example of how information is concealed where the information carrier is based on the frequency of the spots is shown.

12A is an unaltered or normal screen, and FIG. 12B is an information bearer screen.

In FIG. 12A, each spot 1206-1210 is replaced with the high frequency screen spot 1212 shown in FIG. 12B.

However, the present invention is not so limited, but a single spot such as spot 1206 is replaced with one or more screen spots 1212.

Screen spot 1212 is concealed when equation (3) or (4) is satisfied.

In order to make the secondary image visible, a physical or electrical decoding process and appropriate apparatus are required.

In order to activate the decoder and make the concealed witness visible to the user, the decoder preferably selects a "data-retainer" of spots, pixels, etc., for example using statistical extraction methods.

The components of the process are linked through appropriate interfaces, the process is utilized to the maximum to reach the proper quality of the primary image, and the reliable readability of the concealed information is encoded into the secondary image.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in order to produce a high quality visible primary image with minimal “noise” and maximum readability of the concealed information encoded as an invisible secondary image, the process is performed by different components of the reproduction process. Considering this, the user defines a variable or priority.

In a third embodiment, the concealed image is based on a variable variable rather than a fixed variable. In this embodiment, the following variability variables are considered.

1. Characteristics of visible primary image as follows

-Single color or multicolor

-Grayscale or spot color

-The nature of the primary image, such as background, pattern, photograph, and textbook

2. Features of Concealed Secondary Image

-Single or multiple colors

-Textbooks, photographs, patterns or anything else

Optically recognizable images or direct digital data

3. Features of Regeneration Process and Appropriate Screening Technique

Resolution of the playback process

-The minimum size and shape of the applicable spot or the minimum width of the thinnest applicable line

Minimum space available between basic spots or lines

-Desirable screen size and shape (continuous hue, spots, lines, etc.) suitable for the actual reproduction process;

-Electronic playback (for display) or "hard copy" (for print media)

-Traditional printing (offset, engraving) or digital printing (computer printers such as laser printers, inkjet printers, dye sublimation printers) or digital printing machines (Seiko, Indigo, etc.)

-Continuous tone screening, spot screen screening, etc.

4. Features of decoding device as follows

A simple optical decoder for reading visual codes formed on the principle of simple optical filters of different geometric shapes using periodic or arbitrary filtering patterns.

Complex optical decoder for reading optical codes with different visual effects (magnifier, inverse, prism reduction, etc.)

A simple electrical decoder for reading optically coded, software simulated functions of the optical decoder without electrical recognition.

Advanced electrical decoder for reading optical codes with software simulation of optical decoder function with electrical recognition

Complex user programmable electrical decoder for reading direct digital codes programmable by the user

5. Safety level (copy protection, regeneration, etc.)

-Images must be protected against copying.

The image must be protected against alteration or substitution.

Encoded data must be protected.

-Protection of primary image, secondary image or information is preferred over others.

In a fourth embodiment, the concealed image is based on a user defined variable or priority. In this embodiment, the user selected variable is as follows.

-Primary image quality

-Sharpness and readability of secondary images

The nature of the secondary image (alphanumeric, picture, binary code, etc.);

Decoding process (physical, electronic, software, etc.)

-Actual reproduction techniques used (electronic, digital printing, traditional printing, etc.)

-Safety (data protection and protection against playback)

Referring to Fig. 18, an embodiment of the document personalization system of the present invention is shown.

In FIG. 18, digital camera 1802 is used to take a primary image to form a digital representation of image 1804.

An input device 1806, such as a keyboard, is used to enter personal data 1822 to combine into the primary image.

Image 1804 and personal data 1822 are provided to a workstation 1808, such as a PC, that includes database software 1810.

Personal data 1822 and image 1804 are processed by encoder 1812 to form concealed image file 1813.

Concealed image file 1813 is provided to software 1810 operating on image 1804 and hides data 1822 within image 1804 to form a single file 1814.

Single file 1814 is output to printer 1816.

Printer 1816 prints personalized document 1820 based on single file 1814.

Workstation 1808 is connected to host computer 1818 as needed to coordinate additional data and provide it to workstation 1808.

This is useful in embodiments where high resolution is not needed.

Although the file format is used according to the target system and / or user requirements, the above-mentioned file format is in a "DDL" format for easy use in a PC based system.

An embodiment of the present invention for generating a high resolution image is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 17, various image files are provided to a silicon graphics workstation 1716 running software that creates hidden elements.

When the software is run on a computer that can handle high resolution graphics, SGI machines are used because of their speed and graphics capabilities.

Scanner 1712 is used to scan primary image 1700.

The scanned information is provided to a computer 1714 that separates the image 1700 into a color layer 1702.

In this embodiment, computer 1714 is a Macintosh computer and is used to perform design programs, although computers with similar capabilities are used.

The file is published and concealed by the software, and the witness type, values, and variables are selected by the user.

An encoding algorithm is provided by software in the SGI 1716 to mix the secondary image 1704 with the visible image from the computer 1714 to form a newly mixed file 1708 using the concealed image process 1706. do.

For example, although the file format may be used depending on the target system, the newly mixed file is in the "DDL" file format.

The terminated design is provided to an output device 1718, which is a special high resolution, high definition image device capable of printing the final image as a film 1720 having the resolution needed to maintain and reveal the concealed secondary image upon decoding.

Although a high quality high resolution image setter is used, the preferred output device is manufactured by SCITEX DOLVE.

Optionally, the processing device 1724 may be used to machine the final output 1722 to ensure it fits the user selected preferences.

Since the implementation process is a compensation based process, the user hides one or more secondary images within a single primary image.

Thus, with this process, the user represents an appropriate primary file representing one, two or more secondary files to perform the process and hide within the image represented by the primary file.

Other operations that may be selected for calculation include the "tone" method, the "mixing" method, the "multistep" method, and the "raster" method.

Otherwise, the user exits the program or enters the selection process again.

As soon as you move past the selection process, the process checks the various input installations of your choice.

The process finds the fault associated with each choice and displays the appropriate error message.

Based on the selected input installation, conceal one secondary image and save the result to the output file, conceal two or more secondary images and save the result to the output file, conceal with the tonal method and save the tonal method result to the output file Save, conceal in a mixed way and save mixed / hidden results in an output file, conceal in a multi-step method, save multi-step results in an output file, or conceal in a raster method, save raster results in an output file, and more This is done.

The generated optical window allows you to display or view the results of this method.

When selected, the tone sound scale may indicate software advancement.

The primary image is a gray scale image containing one or more secondary images as a concealed image.

Grayscale images are reduced to color components and one or more secondary images are concealed from all color components to color components.

The primary image is a color image in which one or more secondary images are concealed.

When concealing one or more secondary images in the primary image, each secondary image rotates with respect to each other, for example, at an angle between 0-359 degrees.

Rotation of the secondary image is applicable in gray scale and color primary images, and is within or between single color layers.

The associated software program uses a user interface screen that facilitates selecting which various types of processes will be performed or what variable conditions.

Various screens are provided to the user, typical of a "window" type environment, to facilitate user selection of the various criteria mentioned above.

Details are not provided because the environment is similar to a typical graphical user interface (GUI) using various user inputs and selection devices.

Typical user interface screens are, for example, file menu options (ie, approximately, load setting, save setting, sound, stop), path selection, file compatibility selection, file storage selection, file type selection, sound selection, filter selection, etc. To provide.

Screens within the program class provide, for example, decoding selection, phase selection (one phase, two phases, etc.), density selection (dark to light or negative to positive).

Various choices are provided through digital representations of similar adjustments, such as conventional slider bars or knobs.

Because primary files and destination file boxes have the usual "browsing" capabilities for ease of use, users do not need to remember which locations or directories exist in a system or network.

The "Filter" selection allows the user to select a specific file name and have a search program for it.

The "resolution" selection allows the user to select the desired resolution of the final product image.

Preferably, this number corresponds to the resolution of the target printing apparatus.

Conventional compression techniques are used to reduce the overall size of the file and conserve disk storage space during file storage operations.

Similar user screens are provided when two or three secondary image operations are desired.

However, such screens provide additional options for allowing additional secondary images to be inserted into the composite phase secondary image.

In the composite phase process, the user selects a different rasterization density for each secondary image.

This is especially useful when the user wants to form another set of overlays of textbooks, but appears as separate words when decrypted.

Additional user interface screens are provided to perform a "witness hue" operation.

Unlike concealed images, witness tones flow through the image as smoothly as possible, ignoring tone variations.

One of the most useful applications for the process described above is, for example, where the primary image is a photograph and the secondary image is the signature of the photographic subject.

Using this process, the primary image is rasterized and the signature is blended into the basic pattern of the primary image raster.

The formed encoded image is a visible image of a person's picture, and when decoded it reveals the person's signature.

Secondary images contain other important statistics such as height, weight, and the like.

This highly secure encoded image is very useful for items such as passports, certificates, and photo IDs.

After the concealed imaging process is performed, the image can be separated into three colors, navy blue, orange, and yellow to enhance the safety of the concealed witness.

These colors are adjusted to each other so that when the colors are recombined, natural gray can be obtained from the print paper.

Therefore, while the printed image is visible to the naked eye, the decoded image appears in color. Using different combinations of ink, paper, and print to adjust separation to maintain natural gray is another factor to be adjusted.

Maintaining this combination adds another level of security to the important document currency.

13 and 14a, a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14A, in operation 1400, the secondary image 1300 (consisting of one or more images, textbooks, and data) is an input.

In step 1410, the secondary image 1300 is encoded based on the encoding scheme 1302 to generate an encoded image 1304.

In step 1420, the preferred screen is selected based on the desired playback process, including technical defects present in the process.

The base screen is preferably selected from database 1306 to make the best use of it based on the desired playback process.

The user selected priority 1308 at step 1425 is an input for consideration in the concealed witness process.

In step 1430, the encoded screen 1312 is generated based on an approximation of the information carrier 1310 included in the encoded secondary image.

In step 1435, the primary image 1314 is input.

In step 1440, the primary image 1314 is screened using the encoded screen 1312 to produce an integrated image 1316.

In step 1450, the integrated image 1316 is selectively decoded by decoders 1318A, 1318B to reveal secondary images 1320A, 1320B (same as image 1300).

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 14B.

In FIG. 14B, at step 1470, the primary image 1314 is input.

In step 1475, the primary image 1314 is selected based on the user defined screen.

In step 1480, secondary image 1300 is input.

In step 1485, the first screen is changed and compensated based on the secondary image information.

In step 1490, an integrated image 1316 is generated.

In step 1495, the integrated image 1316 is selectively decoded into the decoders 1318A and 1318B to reveal the secondary images 1320A and 1320B.

Referring to Fig. 15, an example of image generation concealed in color separation is shown.

In this example, a photograph 1502, such as an RGB or CMYK color image, is reproduced and the process combines two different secondary images 1506 and 1508 located at 90 ° to each other to form two different basis of the optical primary image. Are incorporated in color.

The optical primary image 1502 composed of the original RGB colors is scanned into a high resolution image using photo retouching software.

Images are separated into constituent color "plates" in other commonly used color formats CMYK, with constituent images navy blue (1502C), orange (1502Y), and black (1502Y) shown.

Due to the variety of processes, the secondary image can be easily combined with one component color of the visible image.

In this case, the second invisible image 1506 with the repeated symbol JURA 1506 is incorporated into the indigo color plate 1502C.

The indigo color plate 1502C formed as described above can visually see the original visible image in the rasterized pattern, but the secondary invisible image is encoded in the rasterized pattern.

For example, the second secondary invisible image 1580 with repeated display JSP is integrated with the navy blue plate 1502M to produce an encoded navy blue image 1510M.

The last visible image 1512 is reconstructed with the 1510C and orange (1510M) plates encoded using the original yellow (1502Y) and black (1502K) plates.

Secondary image 1506 is read into information 1518 from printed image 1512 using decoder 1514.

Secondary image 1504 is read into information 1520 from image 1512 printed using decoder 1516.

Referring to FIG. 16, an example of a flow diagram of the steps formed by the software of FIG. 15 is shown.

The first image 1502 is first digitized at step 1600 and divided into element CMYK colors 1502C, 1502M, 1502Y, 1502K at step 1605.

Each color scheme can be operated independently in each of the above process execution steps 1610, 1615, 1602, 1625.

The next concealed image process is applied to the first second image 1506 and the second second image 1508 of the step 1635 at the step 1630.

The final output image 1512 is generated by resubscribing the encoded Cyan and Magenta color scheme with the yellow and black color scheme 1510 unchanged at the staff 1640.

For example, only Cyan and Magenta colors are encoded.

Another example would be to encode one, three, or all four colors.

The associated software program utilizes a number of users to interface screens of the function of selecting a process type to be formed within a parameter condition range.

A number of standardized screens of the window type environment are provided to the user for the user's multiple criteria selection function.

The environment is similar to a typical graphical user interface (GUI) used to enter multiple users and select devices, but no detailed description is provided.

For example, a formal user interface screen provides file menu functions (About, Load Setting, Save Setting, Sound, Quit), dictionary function, file search function, file save function, file type function, sound function, filter function, etc. do.

Also, the screen of the program system scope provides a decoder function, for example.

Various functions are provided through digital representations of analog controls such as conventional slider type bars or knobs.

Both the first file and the resulting file box have common browser functions for ease of use, so that the user does not have to remember to select or create a particular file located on the system or network.

The "Filter" function allows the user to select a specific file name and program search it.

The "Resolution" function allows the user to select the required resolution of the final output image.

First of all, this number corresponds to the resolution of the desired output element.

Common compression techniques are also used while the file is storing actions to keep large files of small files and interact with disk storage locations.

Most useful applications of the process detailed above are, for example, where the first image is the photograph and the second image is the subject signature of the protograph.

Using this process, the first image is imaged and becomes a sign that can be combined into the basic style of the first image image.

The resulting encoded image will be an optical image of a person's photograph when the decode recognizes the person's signature.

The second image also provides other biological statistics such as height and weight.

The highly secure encoded image will prove very useful in places such as photographs of passports, certificates and ID cards. (Figure 18)

The security of the hidden display is improved by creating three color separations from the Cyan, Magenta and Yellow images after the hidden image process is formed.

These colors are individually adjusted to include natural gray in the printed paper when the colors are combined.

Thus, the printed image appears gray in the independent eye, while the decoded image appears in color.

Separation adjustment to maintain neutral gray is another factor to be controlled through a combination of different inks, papers, and compressions.

Maintaining this combination adds another level of security for useful paperwork.

Another possible use of the program would be to create a collision or cancel the combination of tints and printed colors.

The technique will conceal the exact words, such as "cancel" or "invalid" in the content of the concert ticket.

If this ticket is photocopied, the preferred word "cancel" will appear in the copy and cause the ticket inspector to invalidate it.

The software will provide an effective and alternatively low price to create something like eliminating the tint form.

In addition, the exemplary process of the present invention is applied to provide a watermark-type form which is usually represented on oil and varnish paper.

In addition, the process may be applicable to provide holograms, such as through a line diffraction method.

The program also proves to be more effective and practical in providing such results.

Another useful application includes the encoding of a second image that is hidden and separated in three or more different color-separation operations that require a high degree of accuracy in the description.

In the second image print job the color recombination will be retrieved by the decoding element.

The entries formed under the request of an accurate first and second image will be effectively damaged.

Other useful applications include the creation and utilization of digital screen configurations for basic, customizable places such as letters, forms, drawings, and the like.

Although customizable screens can be applied to highly secure functions in a single or multi-color process without concealing the second image in the first image, enhancements will be concealment of the second image.

19A-19J, various techniques for activating a decoder are shown to be used to encode an image in an optical first image.

Each form appended shows an enlarged portion of the image.

For example, double line concentration modulation in FIG. 19A; Line concentration modulation II in FIG. 19B; Planar raster expansion in FIG. 19C; Cross raster in Figure 19g; Latent planar raster in FIG. 19H; Elliptical raster in FIG. 19I; Cross line raster in Fig. 19J. Another technique, cross-extended rasterization, uses lens frequency density in the vertical plane and different frequencies in the horizontal plane.

The user will check the second image by rotating the lens.

Other techniques include lenses with varying frequency and / or cross refractive properties on the surface of a single lens.

Therefore, different parts of the printed object will be encoded at different frequencies and will be easily decoded by a single lens.

Many other rasterization types remain readily applicable to encode the technique.

By taking into account the type of rasterization used, the diversity of other security measures will be formed by using the basic principles involved with the program.

The continuous numbering system found in the ticket or banknote will be concealed to establish security against the copy.

The program also conceals, digitally generating the encoding.

Other common security printing techniques include the use of intricately printed lines, thicknesses, patterns, and / or buttons that make forgery or electrical reproduction difficult.

The program may employ a form that follows an arbitrary line on the printed object.

Referring to FIG. 20, any scrambled image is processed into a visual image.

The process is generally referred to in an "one phase" encoding operation.

In all encoding operations, the output image is a function of decoder lens density.

The output image 200 is shown sliced into a basic slice 202 or slice of width h.

Each slice width h is a function of several factors, such as density and base code.

21 illustrates a scrambled image in which piece 2100 of the image is considered another and results in separate piece 10.

Referring to FIG. 21, certain detailed examples of exemplary scrambled processes from an expert point of view are shown.

In this example, the process is generally referred to as an "one phase" encoding operation that is sliced into pieces of base or width h.

Each slice width h is a function of several elements, such as density, redundancy, reflectivity, multiplication, magnification, and base code.

Referring to Figure 22, the "two phase" scrambled encoding process is shown in a similar manner to the one phase process.

However, in this case, each piece of width h is separated into a first sub piece 2200 and a second sub piece 2202.

The basic lines of the first and second secondary images will be stored by the software program in the "primary one" and "primary two" files.

As a result of the output image, the extra fragment 14 consists of the basic lines from the primary one file.

In decoding, the first and second second images will appear independently recognizable.

Referring to Figure 23, the "three phase" scrambled process is shown similar to the one and two phase encoding process.

In this case, the width h is divided into three parts.

The first, second and third second images are stored in three computer base files.

The result of the output image is that every third piece 2300, 2302, 2304 comes from the same first, second, or third base file respectively.

The decoding, first, second, third and second images will appear independently recognizable.

In addition, pieces 2300, 2302, and 2304 are rotated and proportional to others throughout the series of angles, such as at 1 to 359 °.

Referring to Figure 24, another useful application of the present disease is to provide a hidden function in the field of scrambled processing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the scrambling and latent process is combined, with the potential to compensate for the natural visual representation of the scrambled process by the scrambled engraving elements (resolution from an independent perspective), together with replenishment in a highly accurate digital process. .

Referring to FIG. 25, an example of a latent scrambled process is shown.

In the above example, a postal stamp is created by the process merging two different second images adapted to 90 ° to each other in two different primary colors of the visual first image.

The first visual image, composed of the original RGB color, is scanned because of the high resolution image of the digital in a program such as ADOBE PHOTOSHOP.

The image is separated into constituent images of Cyan 2502, Magenta 2504, Yellow 2506, and black 2508.

The flexibility of the process is allowed for easy coupling of the second image 2510 with all the constituent colors of the visual image.

In this case, for example, the second non-visual image 2510 with the repeated symbol USPS is combined with the Cyan color diagram 2502.

As described above, the result of the Cyan color drawing 2512 will show the original visual image of the rasterized form in an independent perspective.

However, the second nonvisual image will be encoded in rasterized form.

The second second non-visual image 2516 along with the repeated mark HIDDEN INDICIA is combined with the Magenta color drawing 2504 to produce an encoded Magenta image 2518.

The final visual image (similar to 2500) will be reconstructed using the original Yellow (2506) and Black (2508) drawings according to the encoded Cyan and Magenta drawings.

According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for generating a printed or unprinted electronic anti-counterfeiting concealed witness image are completed.

Although the invention has been shown and described herein, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the details shown.

Rather, various modifications will be made in detail without departing from the invention within the form and scope of the device of the claims.

Claims (30)

(a) rasterizing the primary image to the first base image, (b) rasterizing the secondary image onto a second base image, (c) mixing the first base image and the second base image based on a predetermined decoding principle to form a single base image in which the second base image is concealed within the first base image; (d) generating an output image based on a single base image, wherein the primary image is visible to the naked eye and the secondary image is concealed from the naked eye. How to encode. The method of claim 1, (e) viewing the secondary image concealed within the output image by activating the decoding device. The method of claim 2, The decoding device is a method for encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that the optical lens according to a predetermined decoding principle. As a method for computerized digital screening techniques that form an encoded screen for combining secondary images into visible primary images as an anti-counterfeiting safety feature, (a) encoding the secondary image by a user selected decoding device to produce an encoded output image; (b) combining the encoded output image with the user-selected base screen to form a secondary image as a concealed secondary image and a screen encoded as output; (c) combining the visible primary image with the concealed secondary image in the output using an encoded screen containing the secondary image concealed by computerized screening of the primary image; (d) reproducing an integrated output image consistent with the reproduction technique by a user selected decoding device used to encode the secondary image. . The method of claim 4, wherein A method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that the encoded output image is properly encoded based on the features of the decoding device. The method of claim 4, wherein A method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that the base screen is selected according to the reproduction technique used to reproduce the image. The method of claim 4, wherein The encoded image is encoded using continuous approximation, where the continuous approximation is performed by a software module running on a general purpose computer. . The method of claim 7, wherein Wherein said continuous approximation is based on at least one of a plurality of user defined variables of a reproduction process used to reproduce an image. The method of claim 4, wherein The regeneration step, Iii) printing on media; Ii) displaying on a display device; Iii) at least one of the steps of storing in the storage medium. The method of claim 4, wherein And wherein encoding is based on distortion of the base spots of the primary image and the secondary image is invisible by compensating for the distortion of the base spots. The method of claim 4, wherein A method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that the secondary image can be read through a decoding device corresponding to the encoding process. The method of claim 4, wherein A secondary image is a method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, wherein the secondary image is separated into pixel elements. The method of claim 12, A pixel element is a method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that it is used as a digital information carrier. The method of claim 13, Wherein the variable of the digital information carrier is altered based on at least one of a population consisting of: a primary image with a secondary image. Iii) the shape of the pixel element; Ii) the size of the pixel element Iii) the angle of the pixel element Iii) the position of the pixel element; Iii) the frequency of pixel elements Iii) density of pixel elements The method of claim 14, A method of encoding a primary image, characterized in that the altered variable of the digital information carrier has a secondary image contained within a single color layer of the image. The method of claim 14, A method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that altered parameters of the digital information carrier are included in multiple color layers of the image. The method of claim 4, wherein And the secondary information is at least one of a group consisting of images, data, prints, and barcodes. The method of claim 4, wherein User-selected screening is 선별) round sorting Ii) line selection Iii) elliptical sorting 로) Rotorgravure Screening 확률) stochastic screening Iii) geometric screening 톤) continuous tone selection 선별) Programmable Screening A method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that one of the group consisting of. The method of claim 4, wherein The decoding apparatus is at least one of an optical decoder and a user programmable digital decoder. The method of claim 4, wherein A method for encoding a primary image with a secondary image, wherein the image is encoded using a software device of the decoding device. The method of claim 4, wherein The decoding apparatus is a method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that the optical filter having at least one of the plurality of geometric shapes is a visual cryptographic decoder for reading the optical code. The method of claim 21, And the decoding device uses at least one of a periodic and an arbitrary filter pattern. The method of claim 4, wherein A decoding device is a method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that it is a complex optical decoder with different optical effects for reading the optical code. The method of claim 4, wherein Other optical effects, Iii) zoom in, Ii) reversal, 프리) Prismatic, Iii) reduction, A method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the group consisting of. The method of claim 4, wherein And the decoding device is an electrical decoder for reading the optical code using computer simulation of the optical decoder function. The method of claim 25, And the electrical decoder combines the electrical recognition. The method of claim 4, wherein And the decoding device is a user programmable electronic decoder for reading the direct digital code embedded in the image. The method of claim 4, wherein A method of encoding a primary image with a secondary image, further comprising the step of calculating a registration of high frequency between the various color layer images for the banknote printing device. Pre-determined playback, including continuous approximation algorithms for processing encoded images, user-selected screening to calculate the appropriate data retention screens, and technical deficiencies in algorithms and playback techniques that automatically consider user-defined priorities. A computer software application characterized by having an information processing function including the features of the technology. The method of claim 29, And wherein the user selected selection is selected based on a predetermined playback technique.