Anti-counterfeit printed matter and printing paper

Abstract

To provide an anti-counterfeit printed matter having a first two-dimensional code printed thereon that is easily readable under illumination with visible light but difficult to read under illumination with invisible light of a specified band, and a second two-dimensional code that is difficult to read under illumination with visible light but easy to read under illumination with invisible light of a specified band, and a configuration that allows the effectiveness to be easily confirmed without modifying an existing reading terminal.SOLUTION: Mutually combinable data is recorded in first and second two-dimensional codes, and auxiliary information for combining the recorded data is recorded in each two-dimensional code. With this configuration, the data recorded in each two-dimensional code is combined and then output by an existing reading terminal, making it easier to check the validity of an anti-counterfeit print on the basis of the combined data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to anti-counterfeiting printed matter such as tickets.

Background Art

[0002] When using a ticket, ticket information is read from a two-dimensional code printed on the ticket surface to confirm the validity of the ticket. However, general two-dimensional codes are easy to forge and replicate. For this reason, a two-dimensional code that is easy to read under visible light illumination and difficult to read under near-infrared light illumination (hereinafter also referred to as a "visible code"), and a two-dimensional code that is difficult to read under visible light illumination and easy to read under near-infrared light illumination (hereinafter also referred to as a "transparent code") have been proposed for anti-counterfeiting printed matter (see Patent Document 1). Since the transparent code is difficult to read under visible light illumination and cannot be printed without using special ink or the like, such anti-counterfeiting printed matter is excellent in anti-counterfeiting and anti-replication effects.

[0003] In a ticket made of such anti-counterfeiting printed matter, the validity of the ticket is confirmed based on the ticket information read from the visible code and the transparent code. For reading the visible code and the transparent code, a reading terminal is used that alternately lights a special light source that irradiates near-infrared light and a general light source that irradiates visible light at a predetermined interval, and detects and decodes the transparent code and the visible code from the images captured under the illumination of each light source.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The conventional reading terminal for anti-counterfeiting printed matter detects and decodes the transparent code and visible code included in the captured image and outputs them. However, since a general-purpose reading program is used for detection and decoding, the recorded data of the transparent code and the visible code are individually output from the reading terminal at the timing when each data is decoded. For this reason, when confirming the validity of a ticket or the like with such anti-counterfeiting printed matter, the recorded data of the transparent code and the visible code output from the reading terminal must be processed in two separate times, and the processing for validity confirmation has become complicated.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide an anti-counterfeiting printed matter that can easily solve the above problems without modifying an existing reading terminal.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The present invention is an anti-counterfeiting printed matter on which a first two-dimensional code that is easy to read under visible light illumination and difficult to read under illumination of invisible light in a predetermined band, and a second two-dimensional code that is difficult to read under visible light illumination and easy to read under illumination of invisible light in a predetermined band are printed. The first data recorded in the first two-dimensional code and the second data recorded in the second two-dimensional code are mutually combinable, and the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code are characterized in that coupling assistance information for assisting the coupling of the first data and the second data is recorded.

[0008] In standardized two-dimensional codes such as QR Codes (registered trademark), a mode is provided in which data is divided and recorded in a plurality of two-dimensional codes, and in such two-dimensional codes of this mode, connection assistance information for assisting the connection of the divided data is recorded. And existing reading terminals are programmed such that for two-dimensional codes in which connection assistance information is recorded, they do not output the respective recorded data individually, but read all the data recorded in a divided manner, combine them based on the connection assistance information, and then output them. That is, when the two-dimensional code of the anti-counterfeiting printed matter of the present invention is read by an existing reading terminal, the first data and the second data are not output individually, but the data obtained by combining the first data and the second data is output from the reading terminal. Thus, according to the anti-counterfeiting printed matter of the present invention, without modifying the existing reading terminal, it is possible to cause the reading terminal to output the recorded data of the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code together, so that it is possible to confirm the validity of tickets and the like at a lower cost and more simply than in the conventional configuration.

[0009] In the present invention, it is proposed that the connection assistance information includes mode information indicating that data to be combined with data recorded in another two-dimensional code is recorded, common identification information indicating that the first data and the second data are objects to be combined with each other, and order information indicating the connection order of the first data and the second data.

[0010] According to such a configuration, the reading terminal can easily determine based on the presence or absence of the mode information whether the read data should be combined with the data of another two-dimensional code, and the reading terminal can accurately combine the first information and the second information based on the identification information and the order information.

[0011] In the above configuration, it is proposed that the connection assistance information includes an error detection code calculated from the data obtained by combining the first data and the second data.

[0012] In a standardized two-dimensional code such as a QR code, it is defined that an error detection code calculated from the combined data is recorded in the combination auxiliary information. When the combination auxiliary information is recorded in the two-dimensional code, an existing reading terminal is configured to combine the data, verify it with the error detection code, and then output it. Therefore, with such a configuration, it becomes possible to verify at the reading terminal that the first data and the second data have not been tampered with and then output them.

[0013] Also, in the present invention, it is proposed that at least a part of the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code are printed so as to overlap each other.

[0014] In such a configuration, both the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code are within the readable range of the reading terminal, and each two-dimensional code can be read without moving the readable range. Therefore, the first data and the second data can be read in a short time. Since the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code can be read under illumination light of different wavelengths, no problem occurs in reading each even if they are printed so as to overlap.

[0015] In the above configuration, it is proposed that the second two-dimensional code is printed with a substantially transparent ink having absorption characteristics of invisible light in the predetermined band on the recording layer on which the first two-dimensional code is printed.

[0016] Since an imaging element of a general camera has sensitivity to invisible light such as near-infrared light, an image of the second two-dimensional code can be captured even with a general camera. However, the image quality becomes coarser than when capturing an image of the first two-dimensional code under visible light illumination. On the other hand, if the second two-dimensional code is formed on the upper layer of the first two-dimensional code as in such a configuration, an image of the second two-dimensional code can be clearly captured compared to the case of forming it on the lower layer of the first two-dimensional code. Therefore, the readability of the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code can be equalized.

[0017] Further, in the present invention, it is proposed that the number of cells constituting the second two-dimensional code is equal to or less than the number of cells constituting the first two-dimensional code. Also, in the present invention, it is proposed that the size of each cell constituting the second two-dimensional code is equal to or greater than the size of each cell constituting the first two-dimensional code.

[0018] As described above, the image of the second two-dimensional code has a coarser image quality than when imaging the first two-dimensional code under visible light illumination. In such a configuration, since the cells of the second two-dimensional code are easier to identify than the cells of the first two-dimensional code, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in readability due to the coarseness of the image quality and equalize the readability of the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code.

[0019] Also, as another aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a printing paper used for producing the anti-counterfeiting printed matter, characterized in that the second two-dimensional code is printed and the first two-dimensional code is not printed. Since the second two-dimensional code is pre-printed on such a printing paper, the anti-counterfeiting printed matter can be produced by later printing the first two-dimensional code and the like with a printer.

[0020] The second two-dimensional code according to the present invention cannot be printed without using a special ink or the like and is more difficult to print than the first two-dimensional code. Therefore, at the site where the anti-counterfeiting printed matter of the present invention is issued, if a printing paper with the second two-dimensional code pre-printed is prepared, the anti-counterfeiting printed matter can be easily issued only by printing the first two-dimensional code and the like.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, in the anti-counterfeiting printed matter on which the first two-dimensional code that is easy to read under visible light illumination and difficult to read under illumination of invisible light in a predetermined band, and the second two-dimensional code that is difficult to read under visible light illumination and easy to read under illumination of invisible light in a predetermined band are printed, the effectiveness can be easily confirmed compared to the conventional configuration without modifying the existing reading terminal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the following examples. In the following examples, the first two - dimensional code according to the present invention corresponds to the visible code 4, the second two - dimensional code according to the present invention corresponds to the transparent code 3. Also, the invisible light in a predetermined band according to the present invention corresponds to near - infrared light. Also, the printing paper according to the present invention corresponds to special paper.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the anti - forgery printed matter of this embodiment is the railway anti - forgery ticket 1. On the two - dimensional code printing part 6 on the front side of the base material 2 of the anti - forgery ticket 1, QR codes 3 and 4 recording ticket information are printed. Also, character information 5 representing ticket information is printed on the part other than the two - dimensional code printing part 6. Although illustration is omitted, the back side of the anti - forgery ticket 1 is white and plain.

[0025] In the two-dimensional code printing section 6, two types of QR codes 3 and 4 are printed. One QR code 4 is a black-and-white visible code that is easy to view under visible light illumination and difficult to view under near-infrared light illumination. The other QR code 3 is a colorless and transparent code that is easy to view under near-infrared light illumination and difficult to view under visible light illumination. That is, as shown in Fig. 1(A), in the image of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 captured under visible light illumination, the pattern of the transparent code 3 does not appear in the two-dimensional code printing section 6, and only the pattern of the visible code 4 appears. And in the infrared image of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 captured under near-infrared light illumination, as shown in Fig. 1(B), the pattern of the visible code 4 does not appear in the two-dimensional code printing section 6, and only the pattern of the transparent code 3 appears.

[0026] The visible code 4 is a general QR code compliant with the QR code standard (JIS X 0510) and is composed of a pattern of white light cells and black dark cells. The base material 2 of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is white thermal paper with a thermal layer formed on the front side, and the visible code 4 is formed by causing the thermal layer to develop black in the dark cell portion by a thermal printer. That is, the dark cells of the visible code 4 exhibit black due to the color of the developed thermal layer, and the light cells of the visible code 4 exhibit white due to the color of the undeveloped thermal layer. Since the thermal layer reflects near-infrared light in the same way regardless of the presence or absence of color development, the pattern of the light cells and dark cells of the visible code 4 does not appear in the infrared image.

[0027] While the visible code 4 is composed of a pattern of light-colored cells and dark-colored cells, the transparent code 3 is composed of a first cell with a high reflectance of near-infrared light and a second cell with a low reflectance of near-infrared light. The transparent code 3 complies with the QR code standard (JIS X 0510) except that it is composed of two types of cells with different reflectances of near-infrared light. The transparent code 3 is formed by solidly printing a transparent ink having absorption characteristics for near-infrared light on the portion of the second cell from above the heat-sensitive layer of the base material 2. That is, in the portion of the first cell where the transparent ink is not printed, most of the near-infrared light is reflected by the heat-sensitive layer of the base material 2, and in the portion of the second cell, most of the near-infrared light is absorbed by the printed transparent ink. Since the transparent ink transmits visible light, the pattern of the first cell and the second cell of the transparent code 3 does not appear in the image captured under visible light illumination.

[0028] Thus, when the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment is imaged under visible light illumination, as shown in FIG. 1(A), an image in which only the pattern of the visible code 4 appears in the two-dimensional code printing portion 6 can be obtained. Therefore, based on the image, the recorded information of the visible code 4 can be read. When the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is imaged under near-infrared light illumination, as shown in FIG. 1(B), an image in which only the pattern of the transparent code 3 appears in the two-dimensional code printing portion 6 can be obtained. Therefore, based on the image, the recorded information of the transparent code 3 can be read. Since the pattern of the transparent code 3 cannot be read by a general scanner and cannot be printed with the ink of a general printer, such an anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is more difficult to counterfeit and replicate than a ticket on which only the visible code 4 is printed, and has an excellent anti-counterfeiting effect. Note that since the character information 5 is printed on the heat-sensitive layer by a thermal printer, the character information 5 also disappears in the infrared image of FIG. 1(B).

[0029] In this embodiment, the transparent code 3 is printed in substantially the same size as the visible code 4 in the two-dimensional code printing portion 6 so that substantially the whole overlaps. According to such a configuration, by simply switching the illumination light, the images of the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 can be captured in a short time without moving the readable range of the reading terminal (QR code reader).

[0030] The transparent code 3 is printed with a QR code having a lower version (fewer total cells) compared to the visible code 4. Also, the transparent code 3 is printed with larger individual cell sizes compared to the visible code 4. Generally, the transparent code 3 imaged under near-infrared light illumination has a coarser image quality than the visible code 4 imaged under visible light illumination. However, according to these configurations, by compensating for the coarseness of the image quality with the cell size, the readability of the transparent code 3 can be made closer to that of the visible code 4.

[0031] Also, in this embodiment, since the transparent code 3 is printed with a transparent ink that absorbs near-infrared light on the thermal layer on which the visible code 4 is printed, the image of the transparent code 3 can be clearly imaged more than when printed with the transparent ink under the visible code 4, and the readability of the transparent code 3 can be made closer to that of the visible code 4. Since the visible code 4 is thermally printed on the thermal layer, when manufacturing the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1, the transparent code 3 can be printed first on the thermal layer with the transparent ink and then the visible code 4 can be printed.

[0032] In this embodiment, the ticket information (ticket ID) of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is recorded separately in the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4, and the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 record coupling auxiliary information for coupling the ticket information after reading. Specifically, the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 are created in a structural concatenation mode defined by the QR code standard. The structural concatenation mode is a mode in which one piece of data is divided and recorded in a plurality of QR codes. The recorded data of a QR code that is not in the structural concatenation mode (hereinafter also referred to as a "normal QR code") is output alone by a (QR code reader), whereas the recorded data of a QR code in the structural concatenation mode is held until the reading terminal reads all the divided data and then output after being combined into one piece of data. That is, in this embodiment, the ticket information recorded separately in the visible code 4 corresponds to the first data according to the present invention, and the ticket information recorded separately in the transparent code 3 corresponds to the second data according to the present invention.

[0033] For the QR code in the structural connection mode, coupling auxiliary information (structural connection header) is recorded at the beginning of the data. FIG. 3 shows the data structures of a normal QR code and a QR code in the structural connection mode. As shown in FIG. 3(A), for a normal QR code, information indicating the data format and the number of characters of the information body is recorded before the information body. Also, a termination pattern and padding data are recorded after the information body. The data from the data format to the padding data is recorded as 8-bit unit data code words, and an error correction code calculated from the data code words is added as an error correction code word after the data code words. Note that when a QR code is read by a general reading terminal, only the data recorded in the information body is output, and the other parts are used only for decoding the information body.

[0034] In the QR code in the structural connection mode, as shown in FIG. 3(B), coupling auxiliary information is recorded at the beginning of the data structure of the normal QR code. The coupling auxiliary information is information for causing the reading terminal to combine the divided data recorded in the QR code in the structural connection mode with the recorded information of other QR codes in the correct order without confusion. Specifically, the coupling auxiliary information is composed of a connection mode indicator, a symbol string indicator, and a coupling ID. The connection mode indicator is an identifier for the reading terminal to distinguish between the structural connection mode and other QR codes, and a common identifier (0011) is recorded in all the QR codes in the structural connection mode. The connection mode indicator corresponds to the mode information according to the present invention. The symbol string indicator records the total number of data divided and recorded in the structural connection mode and the combination order of the data divided and recorded in the QR code. The symbol string indicator corresponds to the order information according to the present invention. The coupling ID is identification information for identifying that the recorded data of each QR code is a target to be combined with each other. The coupling ID is a value of horizontal parity calculated by dividing the combined divided data every 8 bits, and as will be described later, it is also used as an error detection code for detecting an error in the combined divided data. That is, the coupling ID corresponds to the identification information and the error detection code according to the present invention.

[0035] The following describes a specific usage mode of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a railway ticket management system 9 in which the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment is used. The ticket management system 9 is formed by connecting an information management server 10 that manages information of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1, a ticket issuing machine 11 that issues the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1, and a ticket gate machine 12 via a communication line.

[0036] The ticket ID is split and recorded in the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 on the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1. The ticket ID is a unique ID assigned to each anti-counterfeiting ticket 1. When the ticket ID is read by the ticket gate machine 12 at the time of passing through the ticket gate, the validity of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is determined.

[0037] In the ticket management system 9, in addition to the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of the embodiment, ordinary tickets without the transparent code 3 printed thereon are also used in combination. This is because it is desirable to issue low-value tickets with a low risk of being counterfeited or replicated using ordinary tickets with a low issuing cost. The ordinary ticket is a ticket on which only a visible code (ordinary QR code) is printed on the two-dimensional code printing section 6.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a chart showing the general content of data recorded in the QR codes of the ordinary ticket and the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1. As shown in FIG. 5, since the visible code printed on the ordinary ticket is an ordinary QR code, no binding auxiliary information is recorded. The ticket ID of the ordinary ticket is recorded in the visible code without being split as the information body. The ticket ID of the ordinary ticket is a number obtained by combining the ticket issuing machine ID, the ticket issuing date, and the serial number. The ticket issuing machine ID is an ID assigned to each ticket issuing machine 11, and the serial number is a consecutive number assigned to each ticket issued by the ticket issuing machine 11.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the ticket ID of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is separately recorded as the information body in the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1. The ticket ID of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is a number obtained by combining the issuing machine ID, the issuing date and year, the serial number, the adjustment data, and the paper ID. The issuing machine ID and the serial number are common to the regular ticket. The paper ID is a unique serial number or lot number of the paper assigned at the time of paper manufacture. The adjustment data is 1-byte data added so that the value of the horizontal parity calculated from the ticket ID is equal to the combined ID.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, connection assistance information for assisting the combination of the ticket IDs separately recorded in the information body is recorded in the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1, respectively. Specifically, an identifier unique to the structural connection mode is recorded as the concatenation mode indicator. In the symbol string indicator, the combination order and the total number of divisions of the ticket ID are recorded. After the ticket ID of the visible code 4, in order to combine the ticket ID of the transparent code 3, the symbol string indicator is set such that the visible code 4 is "1 / 2" and the transparent code 3 is "2 / 2". And for each combined ID, a value of horizontal parity calculated from the ticket IDs of the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 is recorded. As will be described later, when the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is read by the reading terminal of the ticket gate 12, the ticket ID separately recorded in the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 is combined by the reading terminal based on the connection assistance information and then output.

[0041] The ticket issuing method in the ticket management system 9 will be described. The anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 and the regular ticket are issued by a common ticket issuing machine 11. In the ticket issuing machine 11, a special paper for issuing the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 and a regular paper for issuing the regular ticket are set. The special paper is a printing paper on which the transparent code 3 in the structural connection mode is pre-printed on the two-dimensional code printing portion 6 of the base material 2. The regular paper is a printing paper on which the transparent code 3 is not printed on the two-dimensional code printing portion 6 of the base material 2.

[0042] The ticket issuing machine 11 includes a control computer, a thermal printer for printing the visible code 4 and character information 5, and a reading terminal capable of reading the coupling auxiliary information and the information body recorded on the transparent code 3 of the special paper. When issuing a normal boarding ticket, the ticket issuing machine 11 prints the visible code 4 for recording the ticket ID on the two-dimensional code printing section 6 of the normal paper, and prints the character information 5 on other parts. Also, when issuing the anti-counterfeiting boarding ticket 1, the visible code 4 is printed on the thermal layer so as to overlap the transparent code 3 already printed on the special paper, and the character information 5 is printed on other parts. In this way, by using the special paper with the transparent code 3 pre-printed, only by later printing the visible code 4 and the character information 5 with the thermal printer, the anti-counterfeiting boarding ticket 1 can be easily issued in the same way as the normal boarding ticket. Note that when issuing the anti-counterfeiting boarding ticket 1, the ticket issuing machine 11 reads the recorded data of the transparent code 3 of the special paper and determines the recorded data of the visible code 4 so as to match the transparent code 3.

[0043] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the control content of the ticket issuing process executed by the ticket issuing machine 11. Such a ticket issuing process is executed in the control computer of the ticket issuing machine 11 when the settlement for purchasing a boarding ticket is completed and a boarding ticket is issued to the user. In the ticket issuing process, first, the ticket issuing machine 11 determines whether the ticket to be issued is the anti-counterfeiting boarding ticket 1 (S1). If the ticket to be issued is a normal boarding ticket, the printing process for the normal boarding ticket (S2 to S5) is executed, and the printed normal boarding ticket is sent to the receiving port of the ticket issuing machine 11 (S20). If the ticket to be issued is the anti-counterfeiting boarding ticket 1, the printing process for the anti-counterfeiting boarding ticket 1 (S11 to S15) is executed, and the printed anti-counterfeiting boarding ticket is sent to the receiving port of the ticket issuing machine 11 (S20).

[0044] In the printing process of the ordinary ticket (S2 to S5), first, a ticket ID for the ordinary ticket to be issued is assigned (S2). Specifically, a ticket ID is generated by combining the issuing machine ID, the issue date, and the serial number. Then, data for a normal QR code that records the assigned ticket ID is generated (S3), and the QR code is printed on the two-dimensional code printing section 6 of the ordinary paper using a thermal printer (S4). Also, the character information 5 to be printed on the ordinary ticket is printed on the surface of the base material 2 (S5).

[0045] In the printing process of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 (S11 to S15), first, the combined auxiliary information and the information body of the printed transparent code 3 on the special paper are read (S11). Next, a ticket ID for the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 to be issued is assigned (S12). Specifically, a ticket ID is generated by sequentially combining the issuing machine ID, the issue date, the serial number, the adjustment data, and the paper ID (see FIG. 5). The paper ID is recorded on the transparent code 3 of the special paper. The value of the adjustment data is determined such that the horizontal parity value calculated from the ticket ID is equal to the combined ID recorded on the transparent code 3. Then, data for a QR code in the structural concatenation mode that records a part of the assigned ticket ID (excluding the paper ID) is generated (S13), and the QR code is printed so as to overlap the transparent code 3 of the special paper (S14). Also, the character information 5 to be printed on the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is printed on the surface of the base material 2 (S15).

[0046] When the ticket issuing machine 11 issues a ticket through the above ticket issuing process, it transmits the ticket information (ticket ID, expiration date, available travel section, fare, passenger classification, etc.) of the ticket to the information management server 10. The information management server 10 stores and accumulates the ticket information received from the ticket issuing machine 11 in a database.

[0047] The ticket gate 12 is an automatic ticket gate corresponding to the anti-counterfeiting boarding ticket 1 and the normal boarding ticket. The ticket gate 12 includes a ticket gate, a reading terminal, and a control computer. The reading terminal is an embedded QR code reader that can be arranged in various devices, reads the ticket ID recorded in the QR code of the boarding ticket, and outputs it to the control computer. The control computer of the ticket gate 12 transmits the ticket ID read by the reading terminal to the information management server 10 via a communication line and requests confirmation of the validity of the boarding ticket. In response to such a request, the information management server 10 collates the transmitted ticket ID with the ticket information in the database, returns an answer of "valid" or "invalid" to the ticket gate 12, and updates the ticket information in the database as necessary. Then, when the answer from the information management server 10 is "valid", the control computer of the ticket gate 12 opens the ticket gate, and when the answer is "invalid", it notifies an error.

[0048] The reading terminal is a known embedded QR code reader that can read the transparent code 3 that can be imaged under infrared light illumination and the visible code 4 that can be imaged under visible light illumination. Specifically, the reading terminal includes a transparent reading table on which the boarding ticket is placed, an illumination device that illuminates the reading table from below, an imaging device that images the boarding ticket placed on the reading table, and a decoding device that detects and decodes the QR code from the image captured by the imaging device.

[0049] The illumination device includes a normal light source that irradiates visible light and a special light source that irradiates near-infrared light, and is configured to alternately irradiate the reading table with visible light and near-infrared light by switching the light source to be lit at a predetermined interval (for example, at intervals of several hundred milliseconds).

[0050] The imaging device is a camera arranged to focus on the reading unit, captures an image of the reading unit at the predetermined interval, and outputs the captured image to the decoding device. Since the image sensor of a general camera has sensitivity not only to visible light but also to near-infrared light, the imaging device captures an image in which the pattern of the visible code 4 appears under visible light illumination (when the normal light source is lit) and outputs it to the decoding device. Also, under infrared light illumination (when the special light source is lit), the imaging device captures an image in which the pattern of the transparent code 3 appears and outputs it to the decoding device.

[0051] When the decoding device detects a QR code (transparent code 3 or visible code 4) from the images output by the imaging device according to a known reading program, it decodes the recorded data of the QR code and outputs it to the control computer. Here, the reading program is a known program corresponding to the reading of the structural connection mode. When the decoding device reads a QR code in the structural connection mode, it holds the recorded split data until the remaining split data is read, combines the split data into one data, and then outputs it.

[0052] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the control content of the decoding process executed by the decoding device when decoding a QR code. The decoding process first checks whether the input image from the imaging device contains a QR code. If a QR code is detected, the QR code is decoded (S51 - S53). Subsequently, it is determined whether the decoded data contains a connection mode indicator (S54). If the connection mode indicator is not included here, since the read QR code is not in the structural connection mode, the decoded data is directly output to the control computer (S55), and the decoding process ends.

[0053] In step S54, if it is determined that the concatenation mode indicator is included, since the read QR code is in the structural concatenation mode, the decoded data is temporarily held without being output (S56), and steps S57 to S59 are executed. In steps S57 to S59, it is searched whether a QR code is included in the newly input image from the imaging device. When a QR code is detected, the QR code is decoded. Then, it is determined whether a common combination ID is recorded in the decoded data and the data decoded in step S53 (S60). If the common combination ID is not included, an error is notified (S61), and the decoding process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S60 that the common combination ID is included, the decoded data is temporarily held (S62), and it is determined whether all the QR codes constituting the group in the structural concatenation mode have been read (S63). Then, if there is an unread QR code, the processes of steps S57 to S62 are repeated until all the remaining QR codes are read.

[0054] In step S63, if it is determined that all the QR codes have been read, the held data is combined in the order indicated by the combination auxiliary information (S64). Then, for the combined data, horizontal parity with 8 bits as one block is calculated, and it is determined whether the calculated value matches the combination ID of the combination auxiliary information (S65). If it matches the combination ID, the combined data is output to the control computer. If it does not match the combination ID, an error is notified without outputting the combined data (S66), and the decoding process ends.

[0055] As described above, since the reading program of the reading terminal supports the structured concatenation mode, when the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment is placed on the reading platform of the reading terminal, the ticket ID recorded separately in the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 is combined and then output to the control computer. Specifically, when an image obtained by imaging the two-dimensional code printing unit 6 under illumination of a normal light source or a special light source is input from the imaging device to the decoding device, the processes of steps S51 to S54 and S56 of the above decoding process are executed, and a part of the ticket ID recorded in either the transparent code 3 or the visible code 4 is decoded and held. Then, when the light source is switched and an image obtained by imaging the same two-dimensional code printing unit 6 under illumination of the other light source is input to the decoding device, the processes of steps S57 to S60 and S62 to S66 of the above decoding process are executed, and the ticket ID recorded separately in the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 is combined and output to the control computer.

[0056] On the other hand, when a normal ticket is placed on the reading platform of the reading terminal, the ticket ID recorded in the visible code 4 of the normal ticket is output to the control computer. Specifically, when an image of the visible code 4 obtained by imaging under visible light illumination is input from the imaging device to the decoding device, the processes of steps S51 to S55 of the above decoding process are executed, and the ticket ID recorded in the visible code 4 of the normal ticket is output to the control computer.

[0057] In this way, when the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment is read by the reading terminal of the ticket gate 12, the ticket ID recorded separately in the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 is combined by the reading terminal and then output. Therefore, in the information management server 10 and the control computer of the ticket gate 12, the processes related to the validity confirmation of the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 can be simplified. In particular, the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment has the advantage that it can be used without modifying the reading terminal of the existing ticket gate 12, and thus can be introduced into the ticket management system 9 at low cost.

[0058] In addition, the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of being easily used in combination with a normal ticket on which the transparent code 3 is not printed in the ticket management system. Since the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment is output after the recorded data of the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 are combined, in the information management server 10 and the control computer of the ticket gate 12, the output data when the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 is read and the recorded data when a normal ticket is read can be easily distinguished.

[0059] In addition, for the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment, when the combined ID of the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 does not match, or when the combined ID does not match the horizontal parity of the ticket ID, an error occurs in the above decoding process of the reading terminal. Thus, for the anti-counterfeiting ticket 1 of this embodiment, when the combination of the data of the transparent code 3 and the visible code 4 is abnormal, an abnormality can be detected by the reading terminal before requesting the information management server 10 for validity confirmation, so that the process related to the validity confirmation of the information management server 10 can be simplified.

[0060] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments, and can be appropriately changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the anti-counterfeiting printed matter of the present invention is applicable to various tickets such as tickets other than railway tickets, certificates, and permits. In addition, the first information and the second information according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described ticket ID, and any information related to the validity confirmation of the anti-counterfeiting printed matter may be used. In addition, the two-dimensional code according to the present invention may be a two-dimensional code other than the QR code. In addition, the transparent code 3 is not limited to being colorless and transparent, and may be colored to such an extent that it does not inhibit the readability of the visible code 4. That is, the transparent code 3 may be printed with a light-colored ink that absorbs near-infrared light. The cells of the visible code 4 may also be other than the combination of white and black. In addition, the base material 2 according to the above embodiment may have a color or may have a ground pattern printed thereon as long as the readability of the QR codes 3 and 4 is not impaired. Further, the base material 2 according to the above embodiment may be made of non-thermal paper, and the visible code 4 may be printed by an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1 Anti-counterfeiting ticket (anti-counterfeiting printed matter) 2 Base material 3 Transparent code (second two-dimensional code) 4 Visible code (first two-dimensional code) 5 Character information 6 Two-dimensional code printing section 9 Ticket management system 10 Information management server 11 Ticket issuing machine 12 Ticket gate 13 Communication line

Claims

1. A forgery-proof printed matter on which a first two-dimensional code that is easy to read under visible light illumination and difficult to read under illumination of invisible light in a predetermined band, and a second two-dimensional code that is difficult to read under visible light illumination and easy to read under illumination of invisible light in a predetermined band are printed, wherein first data recorded in the first two-dimensional code and second data recorded in the second two-dimensional code are mutually combinable, and the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code record combination assistance information for assisting the combination of the first data and the second data, and is a forgery-proof printed matter characterized by this.

2. The combination assistance information is mode information indicating recording of data to be combined with data recorded in another two-dimensional code, common identification information indicating that the first data and the second data are objects to be combined with each other, and order information indicating the combination order of the first data and the second data and the forgery-proof printed matter according to claim 1, characterized by including these.

3. The forgery-proof printed matter according to claim 2, characterized in that the combination assistance information includes an error detection code calculated from data obtained by combining the first data and the second data.

4. The forgery-proof printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first two-dimensional code and the second two-dimensional code are printed so that at least a part thereof overlaps.

5. The forgery-proof printed matter according to claim 4, characterized in that the second two-dimensional code is printed with a substantially transparent ink having absorption characteristics of invisible light in the predetermined band on a recording layer on which the first two-dimensional code is printed.

6. The forgery-proof printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the number of cells constituting the second two-dimensional code is equal to or less than the number of cells constituting the first two-dimensional code.

7. The forgery-proof printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the size of each cell constituting the second two-dimensional code is equal to or larger than the size of each cell constituting the first two-dimensional code.

8. Printing paper used for producing the forgery-proof printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second two-dimensional code is printed and the first two-dimensional code is not printed.

9. The printing paper according to claim 8, wherein the second two-dimensional code is printed in advance, and the first two-dimensional code is printed later by a printer to produce the anti-counterfeiting printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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