Printed matter and printing method

Abstract

To provide a printed matter capable of easily judging whether it is a normal printed matter or not by an image part for discriminating forgery and capable of easily changing the image part for discriminating forgery.SOLUTION: The image includes a significant information image portion (13) which is formed with a first ink and whose information can be read by a predetermined optical reader, and a forgery identification image portion (14) which is formed on the significant information image portion (13) with a second ink that does not impair information reading of the significant information image portion by the optical reader and in which a plurality of raised dots are arranged in a predetermined shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printed matter having a counterfeit prevention function and a printing method for producing the printed matter. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a printed matter that can determine whether a printed matter such as a gift card or a certification seal indicating that the product to which it is affixed has received a predetermined certification is genuine (whether it is a counterfeit printed matter), the printed matter described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This printed matter has a two-dimensional code, such as a QR Code (registered trademark), printed on it, and in the image portion of the two-dimensional code (significant information image portion), a counterfeit identification image made up of characters and patterns such as language characters, numbers, and symbols, which are smaller in size than the reading resolution of a reader (optical reading device) for reading the two-dimensional code.

[0003] When using conventional printed matter such as those described above, even if the two-dimensional code formed on the printed matter can be read by a reader, if, for example, the image portion of the two-dimensional code is visually examined using a magnifying glass and the counterfeit identification image (letters or patterns) that should be printed within the image portion of the two-dimensional code cannot be seen, then the printed matter can be determined to be not a genuine printed matter, i.e., a counterfeit printed matter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7320309 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, two-dimensional codes are formed as image portions within a printed matter that are smaller than the character portions and picture / design portions that represent the information that the printed matter is intended to convey. In the conventional printed matter described above, it is necessary to print characters and patterns for identifying counterfeits in even smaller portions of the relatively small two-dimensional code image portion, such as cells or the margins between cells (e.g., quiet zones). For this reason, it is necessary to actually visually check the characters and patterns for identifying counterfeits on the printed matter using a magnifying glass, making it difficult to make an efficient judgment.

[0006] Furthermore, if the image portion (characters and patterns) for counterfeit identification is to be changed periodically or irregularly to improve reliability, the printing plate for the image portion for counterfeit identification, including the characters and patterns, must be changed each time, which makes it difficult to change the image portion for counterfeit identification.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a printed matter that can easily be determined as to whether or not it is a genuine printed matter by the image portion for identifying counterfeits, and that can easily change the image portion for identifying counterfeits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The printed matter of the present invention is a printed matter in which an image is printed on a substrate using ink, and the image includes a significant information image portion formed using a first ink and whose information can be read using a predetermined optical reading device, and a counterfeit identification image portion formed on the significant information image portion using a second ink that does not impair the information reading of the significant information image portion by the optical reading device, and which is composed of a plurality of raised dots arranged in a predetermined shape.

[0009] With this configuration, the information represented by the significant information image area formed in the first ink on the printed matter can be read by a predetermined optical reading device without being obscured by the counterfeit identification image area formed on the significant information image area in the second ink. Meanwhile, the presence of the counterfeit identification image area, in which a plurality of raised dots are arranged in a predetermined shape on the significant information image area, can be confirmed by the roughness felt when touched with a fingertip. Counterfeit printed matter obtained by, for example, copying this printed matter can be determined to be non-genuine by the absence of the plurality of raised dots and the feel felt with a fingertip.

[0010] In the printed matter according to the present invention, the significant information portion may be an image representing a two-dimensional code.

[0011] With this configuration, the information of the two-dimensional code represented by the image of the two-dimensional code formed in the first ink on the printed material can be read by a specified optical reading device without being damaged by the counterfeit identification image portion formed in the second ink on the image of the two-dimensional code.

[0012] In the printed matter according to the present invention, the second ink may be a transparent ink.

[0013] With this configuration, the information represented by the significant information image area formed in the first ink on the printed matter can be read by a predetermined optical reading device without being obscured by the counterfeit identification image area formed in transparent ink on top of the significant information image area. Furthermore, under predetermined optical conditions, the counterfeit identification image area formed in transparent ink can be visually recognized. As a result, the presence of the counterfeit identification image area (formed with multiple raised dots) can be confirmed visually as well as by touching it with one's fingers.

[0014] In the printed matter according to the present invention, the second ink may be a fluorescent ink.

[0015] With this configuration, the information represented by the significant information image area formed in the first ink on the printed matter can be read by a predetermined optical reading device without being obscured by the counterfeit identification image area formed in fluorescent ink on top of the significant information image area. Furthermore, the counterfeit identification image area formed in fluorescent ink can be visually recognized under predetermined optical conditions. As a result, the presence of the counterfeit identification image area (formed with multiple raised dots) can be confirmed visually as well as by touching it with one's fingers.

[0016] The printing method of the present invention is a method for forming an image on a substrate on which a significant information image portion that can be read by a predetermined optical reading device is formed using a first ink, and includes a step of forming a counterfeit identification image portion on the significant information image portion formed on the substrate using a second ink that does not impair the information reading of the significant information image portion by the optical reading device, and which comprises ...

[0017] According to this printing method, a significant information image area that can be read by a specified optical reading device is formed on a substrate using a first ink, and a counterfeit identification image area is formed on the significant information image area by using a second ink that does not impair the information reading of the significant information image area by the optical reading device, and that comprises multiple raised dots arranged in a specified shape.

[0018] In the printing method of the present invention, the steps can be configured to include a first step of providing a dot printer with printing data representing the positions of each of the plurality of dots arranged in the predetermined shape, and a second step of the dot printer forming the counterfeit identification image area consisting of a plurality of raised dots arranged in the predetermined shape using the second ink in accordance with the printing data.

[0019] According to this configuration, the dot printing machine that receives the printing data forms the counterfeit identification image portion, which is made up of multiple raised dots arranged in a predetermined shape using the second ink, on the meaningful information image portion based on the printing data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the printed matter and printing method of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether a printed matter is genuine by the feel of the counterfeit identification image area, rather than by visually checking using a magnifying glass or the like as in the past, making it easy to determine whether the printed matter is genuine or not.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the printed matter and printing method of the present invention, the counterfeit identification image area is formed with a plurality of raised dots, so the counterfeit identification image area can be changed simply by changing the layout of the plurality of raised dots (print data) without changing the printing plate, which makes it easy to change the counterfeit identification image area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing separately the two-dimensional code image area (significant information image area) and the counterfeit identification image area included in the printed matter. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a two-dimensional code image and a counterfeit identification image included in a printed matter are superimposed on each other. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a printed matter. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a dot printing machine that forms printed matter, along with its operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] A printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG.

[0025] In FIG. 1, printed matter 11 is a gift card, and, for example, a title image portion 12 (an image showing the characters "GIFT CARD") and a two-dimensional code image portion 13 serving as a significant information image portion are printed in the first ink on the surface of substrate 11, which is a rectangular piece of paper. A two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code) is a code that represents meaningful information (significant information) using a two-dimensional cell arrangement according to a predetermined format, and two-dimensional code image portion 13 is an image portion that represents the two-dimensional code. Title image portion 12 is printed in a predetermined position (e.g., the center of substrate 11) on the surface of substrate 11 using a first ink (a predetermined color) appropriate for the printing method, according to a known printing method (such as letterpress printing, offset printing, gravure printing, or screen printing). The two-dimensional code image 13 is printed together with the title image 12 in a predetermined position (for example, the lower right corner of the substrate 11) on the surface of the substrate 11 using a first ink (predetermined color: for example, black) suitable for that printing method, according to the same printing method as the title image 12. The first ink may have a component composition based on, for example, a colorant and varnish to which additives (hardener / lubricant) are added.

[0026] In this way, the printed matter 10 having the title image portion 12 and the two-dimensional code image portion 13 printed on the substrate 11 can be used as a gift card (cash voucher). In addition, by optically scanning the two-dimensional code image portion 13 of the printed matter 10 with a reader (a specified optical reading device) of predetermined specifications, it is possible to read information represented by the two-dimensional code (significant information: for example, the issuer, the details of the services (amount) that can be exchanged, etc.).

[0027] The specifications of a reader for reading two-dimensional codes are established by standards such as ISO standards (International Standards) and JIS standards (Japan Industrial Planning Standards).

[0028] On the substrate 11 on which the two-dimensional code image area 13 is formed, a counterfeit identification image area 14, as shown in FIG. 2, is printed on the two-dimensional code image area 13 with a second ink, as shown in FIG. 3. The counterfeit identification image area 14 is formed by arranging a plurality of raised dots D in a predetermined shape (e.g., a heart shape) as shown in FIG. 3 (plan view) and FIG. 4 (cross-sectional view). The height h of each dot D constituting the counterfeit identification image area 14 is set to, for example, 0.02 to 0.1 mm, preferably approximately 0.06 mm, while the thickness (ink raised portion) of the underlying two-dimensional code image area 13 is 0.01 mm or less. The second ink used to print the counterfeit identification image area 14 is an ink that does not impair the information readability of the two-dimensional code image 13 by the reader. Specifically, a transparent ink or a fluorescent ink can be used as the second ink.

[0029] Each of the transparent ink and fluorescent ink as the second ink has the property of being transparent to the extent that it does not impair the reading of the information used by the dedicated reader to read the information of the two-dimensional code image 13, and specifically can be composed of the following components. Transparent ink is ·Pure water (10~30%) Anti-drying agent (10-20%) Water-based emulsion (50-90%) Preservatives (0.1-1%) It can be configured as follows. Fluorescent ink is ·Pure water (10~30%) Anti-drying agent (10-20%) Water-based emulsion (50-90%) Preservatives (0.1-1%) Water-dispersible fluorescent pigment (1-10%) It can be configured as follows.

[0030] In addition, the second ink may be an invisible ink that uses a special fluorescent pigment and is transparent (the color cannot be recognized under natural light), but which fluoresces in the visible light range when irradiated with special light such as ultraviolet light (e.g., black light).

[0031] Furthermore, the viscosity of the second ink is preferably about 20 to 50 mPa·s, taking into consideration the need to print an image (counterfeit identification image area 14) consisting of multiple raised dots (see Figure 4) while maintaining normal ejection from the tip nozzle 53 of the dot printing machine 50.

[0032] The counterfeit identification image 14 on the printed matter 10 described above can be printed using, for example, a dot printer 50 as shown in FIG.

[0033] In Figure 5, a dot printing machine 50 has a syringe 51 and a head 52, and the syringe 51 and the head 52 are connected by a tube 54. The second ink delivered from the syringe 51 is pressure-fed to the head 52 through the tube 54, and the second ink is ejected as ink droplets IK from a nozzle 53 at the tip of the head 52. The head 52 is movable up and down in the Z direction (the vertical direction in Figure 5) by a movement mechanism (not shown), and the head 52 and a print object 10 (substrate 11) placed on, for example, a table (not shown) are movable relatively in the X direction (the horizontal direction in Figure 5) and the Y direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of Figure 5) by the movement mechanism (not shown). Then, the head 52 is lowered while ink droplets IK are being ejected from the tip nozzle 53 (see FIG. 5(a)), and at the timing when the ink droplets IK adhere to the two-dimensional code image 13 already formed on the surface of the substrate 11 (see FIG. 5(b)), the head 52 is raised (see FIG. 5(c)). By this operation, the ink droplets IK from the tip nozzle 53 adhere to the two-dimensional code image portion 13 formed on the substrate 11 (printing).

[0034] Using such a dot printer 50, the counterfeit identification image portion 14 is printed and formed as follows.

[0035] In step 1, a control device (not shown) provides the dot printer 50 with print data representing the positions (positions on the XY plane) of each of the plurality of raised dots that make up the counterfeit identification image area 14. In accordance with the print data, the dot printer 50 two-dimensionally (in the XY plane) moves the head 52, which faces the two-dimensional data image 13 (the printed material 10 on which the printed material 10 is placed) already printed on the substrate 11, while ejecting ink droplets IK (second ink) from the tip nozzle 53 in synchronization with the two-dimensional movement of the head 52 while moving the head 52 up and down in the Z direction at the positions of each dot represented by the print data (step 2: see (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 5). This results in the counterfeit identification image area 14 being printed and formed on the two-dimensional data image area 13 with the second ink, with the plurality of raised dots arranged in a predetermined shape (e.g., a heart shape: see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0036] With the printed matter 10 described above, a reader (optical reading device) can read the information represented by the two-dimensional code image portion 13 formed with the first ink on the printed matter 10 without it being corrupted by the counterfeit identification image portion 14 formed on the two-dimensional code image portion 13 with the second ink (transparent ink, fluorescent ink, invisible ink). Meanwhile, the presence of the counterfeit identification image portion 14, which has a plurality of raised dots arranged in a predetermined shape on the two-dimensional code image portion 13, can be confirmed by the roughness felt when touched with a fingertip. A counterfeit printed matter (counterfeit gift cart) obtained by, for example, copying this printed matter 10 (gift card) can be determined to be an unauthentic printed matter (authentic gift card) or at least that the two-dimensional code image portion 13 (significant information) has been tampered with, based on the absence of the raised dots and the feel felt with a fingertip.

[0037] In this way, with the above-described printed matter 10, it is possible to determine whether or not the printed matter is genuine by the feel of the counterfeit identification image area 14, rather than by visually checking using a magnifying glass or the like as in the past, so that it is easy to determine whether or not the printed matter is genuine.

[0038] If a transparent ink is used as the second ink to form the counterfeit identification image area 14, the appearance of the counterfeit identification image area 14 may change depending on the viewing direction due to the reflection and refraction of light at the raised dots D (see FIG. 4) of the transparent ink that make up the counterfeit identification image area 14. Whether or not the printed matter 10 is genuine can be determined based on whether or not there is such a change in appearance depending on the viewing direction.

[0039] Furthermore, if fluorescent ink is used as the second ink for forming the counterfeit identification image area 14, the counterfeit identification image area 14 formed by the fluorescent ink with a plurality of raised dots D (see FIG. 4) can appear brighter and more vivid to the eye than the underlying two-dimensional code image area 13. Based on the appearance of such counterfeit identification image area 14, it is also possible to determine whether the printed matter 10 is a genuine printed matter.

[0040] Furthermore, when invisible ink is used as the second ink for forming the counterfeit identification image area 14, the counterfeit identification image area 14 formed on the two-dimensional code image area 13 cannot be seen under normal external light, but when irradiated with special light such as ultraviolet light (for example, black light), the counterfeit identification image area 14 fluoresces in the visible light range and becomes visible. In this way, it is possible to determine whether the printed matter 10 is genuine or not based on the difference in appearance depending on whether or not it is irradiated with special light.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the above-described printed matter 10 and its printing method, the counterfeit identification image 14 is formed with a plurality of raised dots D (see FIG. 4) specified by the printing data, so the counterfeit identification image portion can be changed simply by changing the arrangement of the plurality of raised dots (printing data) without changing the printing plate. Therefore, even if the counterfeit identification image portion 14 is to be changed periodically or irregularly to improve reliability, the counterfeit identification image portion 14 can be easily changed.

[0042] The second ink is not limited to the transparent ink, fluorescent ink, or invisible ink mentioned above, but may be any ink that does not impair the reader's ability to read the information in the two-dimensional code image section 13 when an image is formed on the two-dimensional code image section 13 with the ink.

[0043] Furthermore, the significant information image portion that forms the background of the counterfeit identification image portion 14 is not limited to the two-dimensional code image portion 13, but may be any image portion that represents significant information to the subject through the components of the image, such as an image portion representing a barcode made up of an arrangement of multiple lines, or an image portion representing an authentication mark made up of letters, numbers, patterns, etc.

[0044] The substrate 11 of the printed matter according to the present invention is not limited to sheet-like materials such as paper as described above, but may be any three-dimensional object such as a bottle, a bag-shaped object, or any other object that can be printed with ink.

[0045] The dot printer for forming the counterfeit identification image area, which is made up of a plurality of raised dots arranged in a predetermined shape with the second ink, on the significant information image area is not limited to the one described above (see FIG. 5). As long as it is capable of printing dots with the second ink, other types of printers, such as an inkjet printer, may also be used.

[0046] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] The printed matter according to the present invention has the effect of making it possible to easily determine whether or not the printed matter is genuine, and is useful as a printed matter having a function to prevent counterfeiting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Printed matter 11 Base material 12 Title image section 13 Two-dimensional code image section 14 Counterfeit identification image section 50 dot printing machine 51 Syringe 52 heads 53 Tip nozzle 54 tubes

Claims

1. A printed matter in which an image is printed on a substrate with ink, The image is a meaningful information image portion formed with a first ink, the information of which can be read by a predetermined optical reading device; a counterfeit identification image portion formed on the significant information image portion with a second ink that does not impair information reading of the significant information image portion by the optical reading device, and which is composed of a plurality of raised dots arranged in a predetermined shape.

2. The printed matter according to claim 1 , wherein the significant information image portion is an image of a two-dimensional code.

3. 3. The printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the second ink is a transparent ink.

4. 3. The printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the second ink is a fluorescent ink.

5. A method for forming an image on a substrate having a meaningful information image portion formed with a first ink, the meaningful information image portion being readable by a predetermined optical reading device, comprising: A printing method comprising a step of forming a counterfeit identification image portion on the significant information image portion formed on the substrate, the counterfeit identification image portion being made up of a plurality of raised dots arranged in a predetermined shape using a second ink that does not impair information reading of the significant information image portion by the optical reading device.

6. The steps include: a first step of providing printing data representing the positions of each of the plurality of dots arranged in the predetermined shape to a dot printer; 6. The printing method according to claim 5, further comprising a second step of forming the counterfeit identification image portion by the dot printer in accordance with the print data, the counterfeit identification image portion being formed by arranging a plurality of raised dots in the predetermined shape using the second ink.

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