JP7543666B2 - Information records, media and booklets - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information recording body, a medium , and a booklet.

Conventionally, there is electronic watermarking technology that embeds specific information into images, etc. If this technology is used in printed matter, it is possible to embed information at a level that is not visible to the human eye, without compromising the artistic effect of the printed matter. Furthermore, the information embedded in the printed matter can be read by a reading device.

If this embedded information is to be used, for example, to determine authenticity, it is desirable for the embedded information to be difficult to infer from copies. For this reason, technology has been disclosed for information recording media that are designed to make the embedded information difficult to infer (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2016-93895 A

In the device described in Patent Document 1, one of the two images has features that correspond to the code, and the other image is intended to block the features of the other image. Therefore, the other image is merely a so-called dummy image. And if the mechanism in Patent Document 1 were to be made public, there would be a possibility that counterfeit products with only one of the images would be manufactured.

The present invention aims to provide an information recording medium with improved security.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. Note that, for ease of understanding, the following description will be given with reference symbols corresponding to the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these. Furthermore, the configurations described with reference symbols may be modified as appropriate, and at least a portion of the configurations may be replaced with other configurations.

The first invention is an information recording body (30) having a first ink layer (31) and a second ink layer (32), the first ink layer and the second ink layer being provided on one surface of a substrate (11) and configured so that the amount of reflected light varies depending on the observation angle, the first ink layer being a first image (C1) corresponding to a first code that identifies the information recording body, the second ink layer being a second image (C2) that identifies the information recording body and corresponds to a second code different from the first code, the first code being obtained by subjecting the first image to a conversion process in accordance with a first rule, and the second code being obtained by subjecting the second image to a conversion process in accordance with a second rule, and the first ink layer and the second ink layer being formed by at least partially overlapping each other.
A second invention is an information recording medium (30) of the first invention, wherein the first image (C1) and the second image (C2) are pattern images generated according to a specific rule.
The third invention is an information recording medium (30-3) according to the first or second invention, in which the second ink layer (32) is formed on at least a portion of the first ink layer (31).
A fourth invention is an information recording medium (30-3) according to the third invention, in which the second ink layer (32) is formed directly on at least a partial area of the substrate (11).
A fifth invention is an information recording medium (30) according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, in which the first ink layer (31) is formed of a color element having a low lightness, and the second ink layer (32) is formed of a color element having a higher lightness than that of the first ink layer.
A sixth invention is an information recording medium (30) according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the first ink layer (31) is formed from a shiny material and the second ink layer (32) is formed from a transparent material.
The seventh invention is an information recording medium (230) of the sixth invention, wherein at least one of the first ink layer (31) and the second ink layer (234) is formed using an authenticity determining material containing at least one of an infrared or ultraviolet luminescent material, an infrared absorbing material, and a polarizing material.
The eighth invention is an information recording medium (230-2) according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, which is provided with a third ink layer (240) provided on one surface of the substrate (11), and the third ink layer is a third image formed using an authenticity determining material containing at least one of an infrared or ultraviolet luminescent material, an infrared absorbing material, and a polarizing material.
A ninth invention is an information recording medium which is any of the first to eighth inventions and which has a fourth ink layer provided on one surface of the substrate, the fourth ink layer being formed of a chromatic element or a lustrous material and which is a fourth image having an authenticity determination pattern.
A tenth invention is an information recording medium (230-3) according to any one of the first to ninth inventions, in which the base material (211) contains a specific fiber and/or is watermarked.
An eleventh invention is a medium (10) comprising an information recording medium (30) according to any one of the first to tenth inventions.
A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a booklet including an information recording medium according to any one of the first to tenth aspects of the present invention.
A thirteenth invention is an authenticity determination device (5) that determines the authenticity of any of the information recording bodies (30) of the first to tenth inventions, comprising a reading unit (65), first reading means (51, 52) in which the reading unit reads the first image (C1) of the information recording body to obtain the first code, second reading means (54, 55) in which the reading unit reads the second image (C2) of the information recording body to obtain the second code, and authenticity determination means (56) that determines that the information recording body is genuine when a combination of the first code obtained by the first reading means and the second code obtained by the second reading means matches a combination of the first code and the second code stored in advance in a code memory unit (63).
A fourteenth invention is an authenticity determination device (5) of the thirteenth invention, comprising a light-emitting unit (66) that irradiates light, and a light control means (53) that controls the light-emitting unit to irradiate light when the first code can be acquired by the first reading means (51, 52), and the second reading means (54, 55) is an authenticity determination device that reads the second image of the information recording body while light is being irradiated from the light-emitting unit by the light control means, to acquire the second code.
The fifteenth invention is a program (61a, 61b) executed by a computer (5) for determining the authenticity of an information recording medium (30) of any of the first to tenth inventions, the program causing the computer to function as a first reading means for acquiring the first code from the first image (C1) of the information recording medium, a second reading means for acquiring the second code from the second image (C2) of the information recording medium, and an authenticity determining means for referring to a code memory unit (63) in which a combination of the first code and the second code is stored, and determining that the information recording medium is genuine if the combination of the first code acquired by the first reading means and the second code acquired by the second reading means matches the combination in the code memory unit.
A sixteenth invention is a method for determining the authenticity of any of the information recording media (30) of the first to tenth inventions, comprising the steps of reading the first image (C1) to obtain the first code, reading the second image (C2) to obtain the second code, and determining the authenticity based on a combination of the obtained first code and the obtained second code.

The present invention makes it possible to provide information recording media and the like with improved security.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a printed matter according to the first embodiment. 3A to 3C are diagrams showing examples of pattern images of the information recording medium according to the first embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing other examples of the pattern image of the information recording medium according to the first embodiment. 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining an observation mode based on the structure of the information recording medium according to the first embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between an illumination light source and a camera when copying a printed matter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the reading device according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing an authenticity determination process in the reading device according to the first embodiment. This is a continuation of Figure 7. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing specific examples of other printed matter according to the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing specific examples of other printed matter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a printed matter according to a second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing specific examples of other printed matter according to the second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing specific examples of other printed matter according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this example.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a printed matter 10 according to the first embodiment.
<Printed Material 10>
The printed matter 10 (medium) shown in Fig. 1(A) is, for example, a ticket such as an admission ticket. Fig. 1(A) shows a plan view of the printed matter 10 viewed downward from above in the vertical direction Z. The printed matter 10 has, for example, monetary value in itself, but a copy of the printed matter 10 has no monetary value. The printed matter 10 includes a sheet of paper 11 and an information recording medium 30.
The paper 11 is a base material that forms the basis of the printed matter 10, and is, for example, white paper. Note that the paper 11 is not limited to white paper, and may be other paper such as fine paper, coated paper, tack paper, plastic card, film, etc., as long as it has a flat surface capable of supporting a printed image. In this example, the printed image relates to the contents of the ticket.

<Structure of Information Recording Medium 30>
The front side of the paper 11, that is, the upper side in the Z direction, has an information recording medium 30. The information recording medium 30 has information used for authenticity determination, such as a code, printed thereon by latent image printing. The image printed on the information recording medium 30 changes when the observation direction of the paper 11 is changed.

Fig. 1(B) is a partial schematic diagram of a cross section in the X-X direction in Fig. 1(A). Fig. 1(B) shows a cross section of the printed matter 10 as seen from the front in the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 1(B), the information recording medium 30 has a composite image including a glossy layer 31 (first ink layer) and a transparent layer 32 (second ink layer) on a sheet of paper 11. The composite image is an image formed by a composite layer in which the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32 are superimposed.
The glittering layer 31 is a layer on which a pattern image (first image) is printed with ink containing a glittering material.
The transparent layer 32 is a layer on which a pattern image (second image) different from the pattern image of the glossy layer 31 is printed with transparent ink.
In this example, the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32 are square-shaped, and the transparent layer 32 is formed over the entire glossy layer 31 .

Here, a method for manufacturing the information recording medium 30 will be briefly described.
First, a paper 11 on which the contents of the ticket are printed in advance is prepared, and a pattern image is gravure printed on the paper 11 using a glossy ink or the like containing a glittering material to form a glittering layer 31. Various types of ink containing a glittering material for drawing the pattern image are envisioned, for example, as shown in the following examples.
For example, the ink may be a silver ink containing aluminum powder, copper powder, zinc powder, tin powder, iron phosphide, etc. Also, the ink may be a mixture of silver ink and a chromatic ink containing a colored dye such as a pigment or a dye.

Furthermore, the glittering layer 31 may be an ink made of only a glittering material exhibiting a bluish gold or reddish gold color, or may be a mixture of an ink made of a glittering material exhibiting a bluish gold or reddish gold color and a chromatic ink made of the above-mentioned colored pigment.
Furthermore, the ink may be a pearl ink, a liquid crystal ink, an OVI (Optical Variable Ink), a CSI (Color Shifting Ink), or the like, which is an ink containing a functional pigment whose color changes by reflecting light. The pearl ink is an ink containing a pearl pigment that has a pearlescent luster compared to normal pigments and has safety, gloss, and a luxurious feel. The liquid crystal ink is an ink containing a liquid crystal that has the property of changing color depending on temperature.
In this example, the glittering layer 31 is made of silver ink containing a glittering material.

Next, another pattern image is overlaid on the pattern image of the glossy layer 31 by gravure printing using a transparent ink or the like as the transparent layer 32. The ink for drawing this pattern image is, for example, achromatic ink such as matte OP varnish, transparent varnish, ink varnish, transparent ink, or medium ink. Note that these inks may be any printing ink such as ultraviolet curing ink, oxidative polymerization ink, penetrating ink, superheat drying ink, or evaporation drying ink.
The materials used for the above-mentioned shiny layer 31 and transparent layer 32 are merely examples, and other materials may be used as long as they reflect different amounts of light depending on the observation angle.

Here, the thickness of the ink applied is, for example, about 1 micrometer in each case. However, the thickness of the ink is not limited to this. Also, for example, the thickness of the ink may be changed depending on the material.
The printing process described above is not limited to gravure printing, but may be wet offset printing, dry offset printing, letterpress printing, waterless lithographic printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, intaglio printing, or the like.

Next, the printing of the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32 will be explained, taking the printing condition that indicates the area that can conceal the base, expressed as a percentage, in a printing region of a certain area printed in the printing process of the information recording medium 30, as the area ratio, and in particular, the case where the base can be concealed by halftone dots as the dot area ratio.
2 and 3 are diagrams showing examples of pattern images of the information recording medium 30 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an observation mode based on the structure of the information recording medium 30 according to the first embodiment.

2A shows an enlarged view of an image C1 (first image) of the glossy layer 31 and a part of the image C1, an area E1. The glossy layer 31 is a layer on which the image C1 is printed. The image C1 is a pattern image in which a foreground portion C1a and a background portion C1b are expressed in binary form, as shown in the area E1.
For example, the foreground portion C1a is printed with a dot area rate of 100%, and the background portion C1b is printed with a dot area rate of 75%. However, this rate is merely an example and is not limited to this. For example, the dot area rate of the foreground portion C1a may be less than 100%, and the dot area rate of the background portion C1b may be other than 75%. In that case, it is desirable that the difference in dot area rate between the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b is 15% or more and 50% or less. Furthermore, the density of the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b may be reversed.

2B shows an enlarged view of the image C2 (second image) and a part of the image C2, an area E2, on the transparent layer 32. The transparent layer 32 is a layer on which the image C2 is printed. The image C2 is a pattern image in which a foreground portion C2a and a background portion C2b are expressed in binary form, as shown in the area E2.
For example, the foreground portion C2a is printed with a dot area ratio of 100%, and the background portion C2b is printed with a dot area ratio of 25%. However, this ratio is also an example and is not limited to this. For example, the dot area ratio of the foreground portion C2a may be less than 100%, and the dot area ratio of the background portion C2b may be greater than or less than 25% as long as there is a predetermined difference between the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b. Furthermore, the density of the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b may be reversed.
The difference in density between the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b is greater than the difference in density between the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b.
In this way, the image C1 of the glossy layer 31 and the image C2 of the transparent layer 32 of the information recording medium 30 are pattern images, and therefore are meaningless images at a glance.

Here, the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32 of the information recording medium 30 are not limited to those on which a pattern image consisting of a foreground portion and a background portion is printed.
3A and 3B show a case where the image Cx of the glossy layer 31 and the image Cy of the transparent layer 32 are pattern images consisting of only the foreground portion. In this case, the print areas Cxa and Cya of the images Cx and Cy are printed with a dot area ratio of 100%, and the print areas Cxa and Cya and the non-print areas Cxb and Cyb represent the pattern image in binary.

Next, the pattern images shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 will be described.
The pattern image is an image generated according to a specific rule (first rule, second rule). The pattern image can represent characteristic points or lines in a spatial frequency domain that has been frequency-converted by performing a Fourier transform, for example. When a characteristic point can be represented by performing a transform process on the pattern image, the points represented by performing the transform process on the image C1 are different from the points represented by performing a similar transform process on the image C2. Furthermore, the points represented by performing the transform process on a composite image including the images C1 and C2 are even more different from the above.
Here, the specific rule is not limited to the Fourier transform, and may be other transformation processes, such as a transformation process for a barcode or a transformation process for a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark).

In the above-mentioned information recording medium 30, the recognizable image changes depending on the angle of the observation viewpoint (observation angle).
FIG. 4A illustrates three positional relationships between an illumination light source 21, a viewpoint 22, and an information recording medium 30 in the diffuse reflection region and the regular reflection (specular reflection) region.
When the viewpoint 22 (22a) is at a position P1 with respect to the positions of the illumination light source 21 and the information recording medium 30 as shown in FIG. 4A, the information recording medium 30 is observed in the diffuse reflection region at the position P1. This is the case where the illumination light source 21 is irradiated from an oblique direction to the surface of the information recording medium 30, and the position P1 at this time is in the normal direction (Z direction) of the information recording medium 30 and is a position facing the information recording medium 30. Also, when the illumination light source 21 and the information recording medium 30 are under the same conditions and the viewpoint 22 (22b) is at a position P2, the information recording medium 30 is observed in the regular reflection region at the position P2. In this case, if the angle between the normal line of the information recording medium 30 and the illumination light source 21 is the angle θL, the position P2 is a position symmetrical to the illumination light source 21 with respect to the normal line of the information recording medium 30, and is a position where the information recording medium 30 is viewed from the direction of the angle θR, which is the same angle as the angle θL.

Here, the illumination light source 21 outputs visible light.
4B, when the viewpoint 22 (22c) is at position P3, the illumination light source 21 and position P3 are in line symmetry with respect to the normal line of the information recording medium 30. Therefore, in this case as well, observation is made in the regular reflection region at position P3.
In the following, an example will be described using images C1 and C2 shown in FIG.

When the information recording medium 30 consists only of the glossy layer 31, in the diffuse reflection area, the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b of the image C1 in FIG. 2(A) have a large difference in the amount of reflected light due to the difference in density between them, so the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b can be distinguished. On the other hand, in the specular reflection area, the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b both have a large amount of reflected light, so the difference cannot be sensed and the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b cannot be distinguished.

Next, when the information recording medium 30 is composed only of the transparent layer 32, in the diffuse reflection area, the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b in Fig. 2B cannot be distinguished because they are transparent. On the other hand, in the specular reflection area, the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b can be distinguished because the amount of reflected light varies depending on the density difference between the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b.
When the information recording medium 30 has the transparent layer 32 formed on the glossy layer 31, the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b can be distinguished from each other in the diffuse reflection region, but the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b cannot be distinguished from each other, so that the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b are observed as a whole. In the specular reflection region, the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b cannot be distinguished from each other, but the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b can be distinguished from each other, so that the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b are observed as a whole.

In this way, the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32 are made of materials (ink, etc.) that reflect different amounts of light depending on the observation angle, so the image in the glossy layer 31 and the image in the transparent layer 32 can be made to appear differently depending on the observation angle, making them visible or invisible.

<Reproduction of printed matter 10>
Next, a case where the printed matter 10 is duplicated will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the illumination light source 21 and the camera 23 when copying the printed matter 10 according to the first embodiment.
5 shows the positional relationship between the illumination light source 21, the camera 23, and the printed matter 10 of a reproduction machine such as a copy machine. An image of the information recording medium 30 of the printed matter 10 is captured by the camera 23 in a state where light is irradiated from the illumination light source 21 shown in FIG.

5 shows a case where the illumination light source 21 illuminates the information recording medium 30 from a slightly oblique direction, and the camera 23 captures the information recording medium 30 from a perpendicular direction to obtain an image. When the illumination light source 21, the camera 23, and the printed matter 10 are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 5, as typified by a reproduction machine such as a copy machine, the camera 23 reads light diffusely reflected by the surface of the printed matter 10, as shown in paragraph [0009] of JP-A-2009-21812. Therefore, depending on the positional relationship between the illumination light source 21 and the information recording medium 30, the camera 23 captures images of both the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32 of the information recording medium 30.
In this manner, a copy of the printed matter 10 is produced in the copying machine based on the image captured by the camera 23 .

The copy will then have a print at a position corresponding to the information recording medium 30 (see FIG. 1A) of the printed matter 10. The print will have a composite image of the pattern image in the glossy layer 31 of the information recording medium 30 and the pattern image in the transparent layer 32. The print will also have a layer of, for example, a typical black ink containing carbon, or a colored ink in the case of a color copy. Therefore, no matter what observation angle the print is made from (diffuse reflection area, regular reflection area, etc.), only the composite image will be visible in the print. Therefore, the print will not allow the pattern image in the transparent layer 32 to be observed.

<Reading device 5>
Next, the reader 5 (authentication device) that reads the code from the information recording medium 30 of the printed matter 10 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the reading device 5 according to the first embodiment.
The reading device 5 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.
The reading device 5 includes a control unit 50 , a storage unit 60 , a reading unit 65 , a light output unit 66 (light emitting unit), a touch panel display 67 , and a communication interface unit 69 .

The control unit 50 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire reading device 5. The control unit 50 appropriately reads and executes an OS (Operating System) and application programs stored in the storage unit 60, thereby cooperating with the above-mentioned hardware and executing various functions.
The control unit 50 includes a first image receiving unit 51 , a first conversion unit 52 , a light control unit 53 , a second image receiving unit 54 , a second conversion unit 55 , and an authenticity determination unit 56 .

The first image receiving unit 51 receives image data of the information recording medium 30 via the reading unit 65 as a result of the reading unit 65 reading the information recording medium 30 .
The first conversion unit 52 performs a predetermined conversion on the image data accepted by the first image acceptance unit 51 using a conversion application 61b described later, and acquires first data (first code).
When the first data is acquired by the first conversion unit 52, the light control unit 53 causes the light output unit 66 to irradiate light and continues the output of light. When the second data is acquired by the second conversion unit 55, which will be described next, the light control unit 53 stops the output of light that has been irradiated from the light output unit 66.

The second image receiving unit 54 receives the image data of the information recording medium 30 via the reading unit 65 by having the reading unit 65 read the same information recording medium 30 again.
The second conversion unit 55 uses the conversion application 61b to perform a predetermined conversion on the image data accepted by the second image acceptance unit 54, and obtains second data (second code).
The authenticity determination unit 56 refers to an authenticity determination table 63 (code storage unit) and determines the authenticity of the information recording medium 30 based on whether the first data acquired by the first conversion unit 52 and the second data acquired by the second conversion unit 55 are stored in correspondence with each other.

The storage unit 60 is a storage area such as a semiconductor memory element for storing programs, data, etc. required for the control unit 50 to execute various processes.
It should be noted that a computer refers to an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a storage device, etc., and the reading device 5 is an information processing device equipped with a control unit 50, a storage unit 60, etc., and is included in the concept of a computer.

The storage unit 60 stores a program storage unit 61 and an authenticity determination table 63 .
The program storage unit 61 is a storage area for storing various programs. The program storage unit 61 stores a control program 61a (program) and a conversion application 61b. The control program 61a is a program for executing each function of the control unit 50. The conversion application 61b is a dedicated application (application) for performing a predetermined conversion on image data, which is used by being called from the control program 61a. The control program 61a and the conversion application 61b are downloaded, for example, from an application distribution server (not shown) via the communication interface unit 69, and stored in the program storage unit 61.
In this example, the control program 61a and the conversion application 61b are described as separate programs, but they may be realized by a single program.

The authenticity determination table 63 is a table that stores a combination of first data and second data that identify the information recording medium 30. The authenticity determination table 63 stores in advance data corresponding to the first image of the luminous layer 31 of the correct information recording medium 30 and data corresponding to the second image of the transparent layer 32 in association with each other.

The reading unit 65 is, for example, a camera that acquires printed content such as images and characters as an image. The reading unit 65 is, for example, an outer camera provided on the rear side of the reading device 5, opposite the touch panel display 67. The information recording medium 30 of the printed matter 10 is read by the reading unit 65 of the reading device 5.
The optical output unit 66 is, for example, a light provided near the reading unit 65 .
The touch panel display 67 functions as a display unit constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and also functions as an input unit that detects touch input by the user's finger or the like.
The communication interface unit 69 is an interface for communicating with, for example, the above-mentioned application distribution server.

<Processing of the reading device 5>
Next, the process of the reading device 5 will be described.
7 and 8 are flow charts showing the authenticity determination process in the reading device 5 according to the first embodiment.
To start this process, first, the control unit 50 of the reading device 5 puts the reading unit 65 into an activated state in response to a user's operation on the reading device 5 .
In step S 11 of FIG. 7 (hereinafter, step S is simply referred to as “S”), the control unit 50 (first image receiving unit 51 ) reads an image stored in the information recording medium 30 via the reading unit 65 .

Here, the user can use the reading unit 65 to read the first image from an angle at which the first image held by the luminous layer 31 of the information recording medium 30 can be read. The user can also use the reading unit 65 to read the second image from an angle at which the second image held by the transparent layer 32 of the information recording medium 30 can be read. The user can also use the reading unit 65 to read the first image and the second image from an angle at which both the first image held by the luminous layer 31 of the information recording medium 30 and the second image held by the transparent layer 32 can be read.

In S11, in order to obtain the first data from the first image held by the photoluminescent layer 31 of the information recording medium 30, the user identifies the diffuse reflection area where only the first image held by the photoluminescent layer 31 is visible, and performs an operation to read the image. To identify the diffuse reflection area, for example, the user may position the reading unit 65 of the reading device 5 so that a light source such as room light is irradiated obliquely onto the surface of the information recording medium 30, and the reading unit 65 of the reading device 5 is in the normal direction of the information recording medium 30 and faces the information recording medium 30. This is the same as the relationship between the illumination light source 21 and position P1 in FIG. 4(A).

In S12, the control unit 50 (first conversion unit 52) performs a conversion process on the image read in S11 to obtain first data. The conversion process is executed by the conversion application 61b.
In S13, the control unit 50 judges whether the first data was acquired in S12. Here, the control unit 50 may judge whether the first data was acquired by referring to the authenticity determination table 63 and judging whether the first data is stored in any of the first data storage items in the authenticity determination table 63. Alternatively, the control unit 50 may judge whether the first data was acquired simply by whether any data was acquired in S12. If the first data was acquired (S13: YES), the control unit 50 shifts the process to S14. On the other hand, if the first data was not acquired (S13: NO), the control unit 50 shifts the process to S18.

In S14, the control unit 50 (light control unit 53) controls the light output unit 66 to output (irradiate) light.
In S15, the control unit 50 (second image receiving unit 54) reads, via the reading unit 65, another image contained in the same information recording medium 30 as the one read in S11.
In S15, since the second data is to be obtained from the second image held by the transparent layer 32 of the information recording medium 30, the user specifies a specular reflection area where only the second image held by the transparent layer 32 is visible, and performs an operation to read the image. To specify the specular reflection area, for example, the user may position the reading device 5 so as to face the information recording medium 30 in the normal direction of the information recording medium 30. In this way, the positional relationship between the light output unit 66 and the reading unit 65 of the reading device 5 becomes similar to the relationship between the illumination light source 21 and the position P3 in FIG. 4B, so that the reading unit 65 can read the second image held by the transparent layer 32 of the information recording medium 30.

In S16, the control unit 50 (second conversion unit 55) performs a conversion process on the image read in S15 to obtain second data. The conversion process is executed by the conversion application 61b.
In S17, the control unit 50 judges whether or not the second data was acquired in S16. If the second data was acquired (S17: YES), the control unit 50 moves the process to S21 in Fig. 8. On the other hand, if the second data was not acquired (S17: NO), the control unit 50 moves the process to S18. The control unit 50 judges whether or not the second data was acquired in the same manner as the judgment (S13) when acquiring the first data.
In S18, the control unit 50 outputs a message indicating that a reading error has occurred to the touch panel display 67. After that, the control unit 50 ends this process.

On the other hand, in S21 of FIG. 8, the control unit 50 (light control unit 53) controls the light output unit 66 to stop the output of light that was being output. At that time, the control unit 50 may end the execution of the reading unit 65. The control unit 50 may also end (stop) the execution of the reading unit 65 after reading the image contained in the information recording medium 30 (after the processing of S11 in FIG. 7). Then, when it becomes necessary to read the image again (before the processing of S15 in FIG. 7), the control unit 50 may start the reading unit 65 again, and thereafter (after the processing of S15 in FIG. 7) end the execution of the reading unit 65 again.

In S22, the control unit 50 (authenticity determination unit 56) determines whether or not a combination (record) that matches the combination of the first data and the second data exists in the authenticity determination table 63. If a combination that matches the combination of the first data and the second data exists in the authenticity determination table 63 (S22: YES), the control unit 50 transfers the process to S23. On the other hand, if a combination that matches the combination of the first data and the second data does not exist in the authenticity determination table 63 (S22: NO), the control unit 50 transfers the process to S24.

In S23, the control unit 50 (authenticity determination unit 56) outputs a message indicating that the printed matter 10 is genuine to the touch panel display 67. After that, the control unit 50 ends this process.
On the other hand, in S24, the control unit 50 (authenticity determination unit 56) outputs a message to the touch panel display 67 indicating that the printed matter 10 is a fake. Then, the control unit 50 ends this process.

In this example, the first image is read first, and then the second image is read, but this order is not limited, and the second image may be read first, and then the first image. In that case, the control unit 50 first performs the processes from S14 in FIG. 7 to S21 in FIG. 8, then performs the processes from S11 to S13 in FIG. 7, and then performs the processes from S22 onward in FIG. 8.

Next, an example of the printed matter 10 having another information recording medium 30 will be described. In the description, the parts that perform the same functions as the above-mentioned printed matter 10 and information recording medium 30 are given the same reference numerals at the end, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Configurations that differ from the above-mentioned printed matter 10 and information recording medium 30 will be described in detail.
9 to 11 are diagrams showing specific examples of other printed matter 10 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9A shows an example of a printed matter 10-2.
The printed matter 10-2 has, on a sheet of paper 11, an information recording body 30-2 that is composed of glossy layers 31 and 31-2 and a transparent layer 32.
Fig. 9(B) is a partial schematic diagram of a cross section in the X1-X1 direction in Fig. 9(A). As shown in Fig. 9(B), the information recording medium 30-2 is formed into one in which a transparent layer 32 is superimposed on a glossy layer 31, and one with only a glossy layer 31-2. Here, the glossy layer 31 and the glossy layer 31-2 are both the same pattern image, and the features (characteristic dots and lines) expressed by performing a conversion process on the pattern image are the same.

In this way, the information recording medium 30-2 has an area of only the glossy layer 31-2 in addition to the area where the transparent layer 32 is formed on the glossy layer 31. In this way, by reading the glossy layer 31-2, it is possible to make the first image easier to read compared to reading the area where the transparent layer 32 is formed on the glossy layer 31.
In addition, in FIG. 9, the glossy layer 31 and the glossy layer 31-2 are shown as different sizes, but are not limited to this. The sizes may be the same. Furthermore, the glossy layer 31 and the glossy layer 31-2 may be combined.

FIG. 10A shows an example of a printed matter 10-3.
The printed matter 10-3 has an information recording body 30-3 composed of a glossy layer 31 and a transparent layer 32 on a sheet of paper 11. In the information recording body 30-3, the transparent layer 32 overlaps a part of the glossy layer 31 and also partially protrudes onto the sheet of paper 11.
Fig. 10B is a partial schematic diagram of a cross section in the X2-X2 direction in Fig. 10A. As shown in Fig. 10B, in the information recording medium 30-3, the area where the glossy layer 31 is formed and the area where the transparent layer 32 is formed do not coincide in a plan view, and are different in size and position.

Therefore, it becomes easy to distinguish between a state in which the glossy layer 31 is observed and a state in which the transparent layer 32 is observed, making it easy to read the first image from the glossy layer 31 and the second image from the transparent layer 32, respectively.
Furthermore, if the size of the portion consisting of only the glossy layer 31 and the portion consisting of only the transparent layer 32 is made small enough that the code cannot be read, the code can be made unreadable in the composite image of the print produced when the printed matter 10-3 is copied.

As described above, the first embodiment has the following advantages.
(1) The information recording medium 30 has different images on both the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32, and both images are converted into codes by a conversion process. Therefore, by using the multiple codes obtained, it is possible to provide higher security.
(2) By forming both the image on the glossy layer 31 and the image on the transparent layer 32 as pattern images, they can be made meaningless at a glance.
(3) Since the image C1 is included in the glossy layer 31 and the image C2 is included in the transparent layer 32, it is possible to switch between the images C1 and C2 depending on the observation angle of the information recording medium 30. Furthermore, since the glossy layer 31 can be made of glossy ink or the like containing a glossy material and the transparent layer 32 can be made of transparent ink or the like, switchable printing can be performed at low cost.

(4) The reading device 5 reads the information recording medium 30 at an observation angle at which only image C1 is visible, and then outputs light to read the information recording medium 30 at an observation angle at which only image C2 is visible.The reading device 5 can obtain a code from the data obtained by converting and processing images C1 and C2, respectively.
The reading device 5 judges the authenticity of the information recording medium 30 depending on whether the obtained code combination is included in the authenticity judgment table 63 or not, so that it can be judged as genuine only when both images are correct, thereby achieving high security.
Furthermore, when the reading device 5 reads a copy printout in which only a composite image consisting of images C1 and C2 can be observed, the code corresponding to image C1 or the code corresponding to image C2 cannot be obtained from the composite image, and therefore, when a composite image is used, it can always be determined that the product is a fake.

(5) After reading image C1, the reading device 5 outputs light, and after reading image C2, the reading device 5 stops outputting light. Therefore, the reading device 5 can perform control in accordance with the operation of having the user read the information recording medium 30, making it easy for the user to use when determining the authenticity of the information recording medium 30.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
The second embodiment additionally includes another configuration capable of determining authenticity.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a printed matter 210 according to the second embodiment.
The printed matter 210 shown in FIG. 11A includes a sheet of paper 11 and an information recording medium 230 .
The information recording medium 230 includes a glossy layer 31 and a transparent layer 234 (second ink layer).
The transparent layer 234 is a layer on which a pattern image different from the pattern image of the glossy layer 31 is printed with a transparent ink. The ink for drawing this pattern image is, for example, an ink obtained by mixing the achromatic ink used in the transparent layer 32 in the first embodiment, such as matte OP varnish or transparent varnish, with a fluorescent ink that is a fluorescent material used as an authenticity determining material and emits light when excited by a specific ultraviolet light wavelength. The fluorescent ink may be, for example, an ink in the UV-A range, in which the ultraviolet light has a wavelength of about 315 to 380 nm, that emits light when exposed to black light.

Fig. 11(B) is a partial schematic diagram of a cross section taken along the line X3-X3 in Fig. 11(A) As shown in Fig. 11(B), the information recording medium 230 has a transparent layer 234 superimposed on a glossy layer 31.
When viewed using visible light, the information recording medium 230 can be viewed by switching between a first image in the glossy layer 31 and a second image in the transparent layer 234, depending on whether the area is a diffuse reflection area or a regular reflection area, as in the example shown in Figure 1 of the first embodiment.
Furthermore, the information recording medium 230 can be made so that the second image fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light with a specific excitation wavelength that corresponds to the fluorescent ink.

Therefore, for example, if the information recording medium 230 is determined to be a fake by the authenticity determination process described in the first embodiment, the user, for example, requests a verification agency, such as the manufacturer of the printed matter 210, to verify it. The verification agency then irradiates the information recording medium 230 with black light to verify the authenticity in more detail. This allows a more accurate determination of authenticity based on whether or not the second image fluoresces.

In the above, the transparent layer 234 is made of an ink in which the achromatic ink used in the transparent layer 32 is mixed with a fluorescent ink that emits light when excited by a specific ultraviolet wavelength, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may also be an ink in which another authenticity determining material is mixed with the achromatic ink. Other authenticity determining materials may be, for example, upconversion or infrared emitting materials that emit light when excited by infrared rays. It may also be an infrared absorbing material or a polarizing material.

(Variation 1)
Next, another example of the information recording medium 230 will be described.
12 and 13 are diagrams showing a specific example of another printed matter 210 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 12A shows an example of a printed matter 210-2.
The printed matter 210-2 has, on a sheet of paper 11, an information recording body 230-2 that is composed of glittering layers 31 and 31-2, a transparent layer 32, and an authenticity determining layer 240 (third ink layer).

Figure 12 (B) is a partial schematic diagram of a cross section in the X4-X4 direction in Figure 12 (A). As shown in Figure 12 (B), information recording medium 230-2 includes a transparent layer 32 superimposed on a glossy layer 31, a glossy layer 31-2 only, and an authenticity determination layer 240. Here, glossy layer 31 and glossy layer 31-2 are both the same pattern image, and the features (characteristic dots and lines) expressed by performing a conversion process on the pattern image are the same.

The authenticity determination layer 240 has, for example, a third image drawn on it, and the ink used to draw this third image is, for example, a mixture of an achromatic ink, such as matte OP varnish or transparent varnish, as described for the transparent layer 32 in the first embodiment, and an ink that is a fluorescent material as an authenticity determination material and that emits light when excited by a specific ultraviolet light wavelength, similar to that described above.

In this way, the information recording medium 230-2 has an area of only the glossy layer 31-2, separate from the area where the transparent layer 32 is formed on the glossy layer 31. In this way, by reading the glossy layer 31-2, it is possible to make it easier to read the first image compared to reading the area where the transparent layer 32 is formed on the glossy layer 31.

In addition, the information recording medium 230-2 emits fluorescence from the third image drawn on the authenticity determination layer 240 when exposed to light of a specific ultraviolet excitation wavelength corresponding to the fluorescent ink, making it possible to determine the authenticity of the printed matter 210-2 having the information recording medium 230-2 using other methods.

(Variation 2)
FIG. 13A shows an example of a printed matter 210-3.
The printed matter 210-3 has an information recording body 230-3 constituted by a glossy layer 31 and a transparent layer 32 on a sheet of paper 211.
The paper 211 is, for example, white paper containing colored fibers as specific fibers. The paper 211 may also contain fluorescent fibers as specific fibers, or may contain a watermark. The paper 211 may also contain both specific fibers and a watermark. In this way, the paper 211 is manufactured by special processing so that the authenticity of the paper 211 itself can be determined.

Figure 13 (B) is a partial schematic diagram of a cross section in the X5-X5 direction in Figure 13 (A). As shown in Figure 13 (B), the information recording medium 230-3 is formed by overlapping a transparent layer 32 on a glossy layer 31.

In this way, as explained in the first embodiment, the authenticity of the printed matter 210-3 including the information recording medium 230-3 can be determined by the area where the transparent layer 32 is formed on the glossy layer 31 of the information recording medium 230-3. In addition, since the paper 211 has features that allow for authenticity determination, such as white paper containing colored fibers, the authenticity of the printed matter 210-3 can also be determined by another method, that of the paper 211.

(Variation 3)
As another type of printed matter 210, although not shown, a fourth image which is an image of an authenticity determination pattern using glitter ink or colored ink may be further provided on the information recording medium 230. In this case, the ink layer (fourth ink layer) on which the fourth image of the authenticity determination pattern is drawn is provided in a region separate from the information recording medium 230. Examples of the authenticity determination pattern include microcharacters, a copy prevention pattern, a latent image on film, and intaglio printing.

In this way, by having the fourth image, which is an image of the authenticity determination pattern, on the information recording medium 230, it becomes possible to determine the authenticity of the printed matter 210 having the information recording medium 230 using other methods, depending on the presence or absence of the fourth image.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments are merely a list of the most favorable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Note that the above-mentioned embodiments and the modified forms described below can be used in appropriate combinations, but detailed explanations will be omitted.

(Modifications)
(1) In each embodiment, the pattern image is printed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The pattern image may be formed by a method other than printing, such as transfer printing or laser drawing.
(2) In each embodiment, a printed matter having an information recording medium is described taking a ticket as an example, but is not limited to this. For example, the printed matter may be a card used in a game, a security label, etc. Also, the information recording medium may be used for digital watermarking.
(3) In each embodiment, the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32 are described as being square-shaped, but are not limited thereto. The glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32 may be other shapes, such as rectangular, circular, or elliptical.

(4) In each embodiment, the transparent layer 32 is formed directly on the glossy layer 31, but this is not limiting. For example, a substrate such as a transparent film may be provided between the glossy layer 31 and the transparent layer 32. Also, for example, in addition to the transparent layer 32 formed on the glossy layer 31 described in each embodiment, a substrate such as a transparent film may be provided on the transparent layer 32. By having a substrate such as a transparent film in this way, the portion of the glossy layer 31 below the transparent film is less likely to be scraped off.

(5) In each embodiment, the reading device has been described as a mobile terminal, but is not limited thereto. For example, the reading device may be a personal computer. The reading unit may be a scanner or the like. The optical output unit may be a light connected to a personal computer, for example.
(6) In each embodiment, the authenticity determination is performed by the reading device based on whether or not a combination of a first code and a second code is stored in an authenticity determination table stored in a memory unit of the reading device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the authenticity determination table may be stored in a server or the like that is communicably connected to the reading device.

(7) In each embodiment, the conversion process for the first image of the glossy layer 31 and the conversion process for the second image of the transparent layer 32 are described as being the same process, but this is not limited thereto. The conversion process for the first image and the conversion process for the second image may be different processes.
(8) In each embodiment, a printed matter has been described as an example of a medium having an information recording medium, but this is not limiting. Any other medium having an information recording medium, such as a card, may be used. In addition, the medium is not limited to a medium having an information recording medium, and may be a booklet having an information recording medium.

5 Reading device 10, 10-2, 10-3, 210, 210-2, 210-3 Printed matter 11, 211 Paper 21 Illumination light source 23 Camera 30, 30-2, 30-3, 230, 230-2, 230-3 Information recording body 31, 31-2 Luminous layer 32, 234 Transparent layer 50 Control unit 51 First image receiving unit 52 First conversion unit 53 Light control unit 54 Second image receiving unit 55 Second conversion unit 56 Authenticity determination unit 60 Memory unit 61a Control program 61b Conversion application 63 Authenticity determination table 65 Reading unit 66 Light output unit 67 Touch panel display 240 Authenticity determination layer C1, C2, Cx, Cy Image

Claims (11)

An information recording medium having a first ink layer and a second ink layer,
The first ink layer and the second ink layer are
provided on one surface of the substrate,
Each is designed to reflect different amounts of light depending on the viewing angle.
the first ink layer is formed of a glittering material and has at least two first images corresponding to a first code for identifying the information recording medium;
the second ink layer is made of a transparent material, identifies the information recording medium, and has a second image corresponding to a second code different from the first code;
the first code is obtained by performing a conversion process on the first image in accordance with a first rule,
the second code is obtained by performing a conversion process on the second image in accordance with a second rule,
The first image in the first ink layer and the second image in the second ink layer are formed to overlap each other at least partially,
An information recording medium, in which other first images, excluding the one first image in the first ink layer, are provided in a position different from the area in which the one first image in the first ink layer and the second image in the second ink layer are superimposed. 2. The information recording medium according to claim 1,
An information recording medium, wherein the second image in the second ink layer is formed on at least a partial area of one of the first images in the first ink layer. 3. The information recording medium according to claim 2,
An information recording medium, wherein the second image in the second ink layer is formed directly on at least a partial area of the base material. In the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An information recording medium, wherein at least one of the first ink layer and the second ink layer is formed using an authenticity determining material containing at least one of an infrared or ultraviolet luminescent material, an infrared absorbing material, and a polarizing material. In the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
An information recording medium, wherein the first image and the second image are pattern images generated according to a specific rule. In the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The first ink layer is formed of a color element having a low brightness,
An information recording medium, wherein the second ink layer is formed of a color element having a higher lightness than the first ink layer. In the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A third ink layer is provided on one surface of the substrate,
The information recording medium, wherein the third ink layer is a third image formed using an authenticity determining material containing at least one of an infrared or ultraviolet luminescent material, an infrared absorbing material, and a polarizing material. In the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
a fourth ink layer provided on one surface of the substrate;
The information recording medium, wherein the fourth ink layer is formed of a glittering material and is a fourth image having an authenticity determining pattern. In the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The information recording medium, wherein the substrate contains specific fibers and/or is watermarked. A medium comprising the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . A booklet comprising the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 9 .

Images