Printed matter and authenticity determination system

Abstract

To provide a printed matter devised so that authenticity determination can be easily and surely performed in order to prevent fraudulent campaign applications, and an authenticity determination system for performing authenticity determination thereof.SOLUTION: According to the present invention, a printed matter is printed with an identification code that identifies the printed matter and a predetermined pattern for authenticity determination. Furthermore, the authenticity determination system includes an imaging unit that captures an image containing the identification code and the authenticity determination pattern printed on the printed matter, an analysis unit that analyzes the image captured by the imaging unit, and a determination unit that determines the authenticity of the printed matter based on the results of the image analysis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printed matter and an authenticity determination system for preventing fraudulent applications through duplication in a campaign using an identification code such as a barcode. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when applying for a campaign, an applicant takes an image of an identification code, such as a barcode, printed on a printed matter using a camera on a mobile terminal and transmits the image to a server.

[0003] The server acquires and records the features from the image of this identification code, thereby managing which product the application is for and preventing multiple applications for the same product. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-029258 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, identification codes are usually printed in a single color of ink, and identification codes printed in ink can be reproduced so precisely that they are indistinguishable from genuine identification codes, even with commercially available printers and copiers.

[0006] To verify the authenticity of such identification codes printed in ink, there is a conventional technique for capturing the characteristic features of the printed material and identifying each individual printed material. This conventional technique uses image recognition technology. However, even when image recognition technology is applied, authenticity verification of identification codes printed in ink cannot be performed with sufficient accuracy.

[0007] As an example of an authenticity determination technique that applies image recognition technology, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that determines whether an identification code is a copy or not based on the linearity of the edge shape of the identification code itself.

[0008] However, when an identification code is imaged using a high-precision camera mounted on a mobile device such as a smartphone, the edge shape of the identification code obtained from the image capture does not appear to be significantly different from the edge shape of a genuine identification code.

[0009] Therefore, it is not easy to determine whether an identification code printed in black is a copy, even based on the linearity of the edge shape.

[0010] If it is not possible to determine whether an identification code has been duplicated, there is a risk that a duplicated identification code could be used to fraudulently apply for a campaign multiple times.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide printed matter that is designed to enable easy and reliable authentication in order to prevent fraudulent campaign applications, and an authentication determination system for carrying out such authentication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

[0013] A first aspect of the present invention is a printed matter on which an identification code for identifying the printed matter and a predetermined pattern for authenticity determination are printed.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention is the printed matter of the first aspect, in which a pattern for determining authenticity is printed around the identification code.

[0015] A third aspect of the present invention is the printed matter of the first aspect, in which a pattern for determining authenticity is printed as the background of the identification code.

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an authenticity determination system comprising an imaging unit that captures an image including an identification code and an authenticity determination pattern printed on a printed matter of any of the first to third aspects, an analysis unit that analyzes the image captured by the imaging unit, and a determination unit that determines the authenticity of the printed matter based on the results of the image analysis.

[0017] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the authenticity determination system according to the fourth aspect, which is realized by a smartphone.

[0018] A sixth aspect of the present invention is an authenticity determination system according to the fourth aspect, in which an analysis unit extracts information about periodicity from a power spectrum image obtained by Fourier transforming an image, and a determination unit determines authenticity by comparing the periodicity with the periodicity of a known authentic image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide printed matter that is designed to enable easy and reliable authentication in order to prevent fraudulent campaign applications, and an authentication determination system for performing such authentication. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a product showing an application example of a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a campaign application form, showing another application example of a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a product in which the print design on the product package is used as a pattern for authenticity determination. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an authenticity determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between (a) an input image captured by a camera and (b) a power spectrum image obtained from the input image. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between (a) a power spectrum image and (b) frequency component information obtained from the power spectrum image. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the CMYK halftone dot angles and their pitches in offset printing appear as bright spots on a power spectrum. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing (a) angle information obtained from a power spectrum image of an image of a genuine product, and (b) angle information obtained from a power spectrum image of an image of a replica product. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the authenticity determination system and the campaign server. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows (a) an image of an example of a genuine printed matter that has no authenticity pattern and only an identification code, and (b) its power spectrum image. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows (a) a copy of the print shown in FIG. 10(a) and (b) its power spectrum image. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the authenticity determination system according to the embodiment of the present invention when it is applied to a campaign. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between (a) an input image captured by a camera and (b) a power spectrum image obtained from the input image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the size ratio between parts, etc., are not necessarily the same as those in reality. Furthermore, even when the same part is shown, the dimensions and ratios may be different depending on the drawing. In this specification and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with reference to the previous drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0022] [Printed material] First, a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a product showing an application example of a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a campaign application form, showing another application example of a printed matter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The printed matter 10 is printed on a product or product packaging A, as exemplified in Fig. 1. Alternatively, the printed matter 10 is printed on a campaign entry form B given to a product purchaser, as exemplified in Fig. 2.

[0026] An identification code 20 for identifying the printed matter 10 and a predetermined pattern 30 for determining authenticity are printed on the printed matter 10.

[0027] The identification code 20 can be, for example, a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)).

[0028] The authentication pattern 30 is printed in the background of the identification code 20, around the identification code 20, or adjacent to the identification code 20.

[0029] The authenticity determination pattern 30 can be created by color printing, light monochrome printing, or printing of a special pattern. Specifically, the authenticity determination pattern 30 can be formed by ink printing consisting of light halftone dots or periodic fine patterns, or by color printing consisting of a single color or CMY.

[0030] Furthermore, as the authenticity determination pattern 30, special patterns such as thin lines with line widths and print densities that are difficult to reproduce with a copy machine, micro characters, halftone dot angles, and copy deterrent patterns can be arranged.

[0031] The following describes the cases where the authenticity determination pattern 30 is printed in black ink, color printed, made of thin lines or micro characters, and made of a special pattern.

[0032] (Ink-printed pattern for authenticity verification) When the authenticity determining pattern 30 is printed using ink, like the identification code 20, it is necessary to devise a method to make it difficult to copy. For this reason, the authenticity determining pattern 30 is formed by applying thin halftone dots or thin lines using offset printing or gravure printing.

[0033] In particular, when the authenticity check pattern 30 is formed using thin halftone dots using a copy machine or another commercially available printer, the halftone dots are formed in a characteristic way depending on the type of printing device, making it easier to determine whether the product is genuine. Furthermore, when using an AM screen, the ink screen angle is often set to 45 degrees, but by setting this to a special angle, such as 50 degrees, it becomes even more difficult to copy.

[0034] (Color printed pattern for authenticity verification) Printing the authenticity verification pattern 30 in color makes it easier to distinguish between offset printing, gravure printing, and halftone dot patterns produced by color copiers. Therefore, creating the authenticity verification pattern 30 using color printing further complicates duplication. In particular, when a light gray is printed by overlaying CMY colors, the copy is often reproduced with a light black ink, making it easy to distinguish between genuine and replica products by capturing and enlarging the image. The halftone dots can be 10% to 90%. The line ruling can be 80 to 300 lines. A line ruling of 80 to 150 lines ensures sufficient print quality and minimizes cost increases. In particular, a halftone dot ruling of 10% to 30%, more preferably 0% to 20%, allows the background (equivalent to the white portion) of a code formed with black ink or the like to be used as a background without impeding code reading and makes its frequency components easier to read. In other words, the code can be formed with a density difference between the solid portion and the halftone dots of 10% or more and 30% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 20% or less. The solid portion itself may also be halftone dotted at 50% or more and 90% or less. In this case, it is preferable to use halftone dots with the same period as the background portion of the code.

[0035] It is also effective to achieve this color printing with thin halftone dots using only one of the colors cyan, magenta, yellow, or black. In this case, as with black, the halftone dots are reproduced as characteristic dots of each printing device, making it easy to distinguish between genuine and reproduced products. Also, in the case of color printing, as with black, copying can be made even more difficult by using a special screen angle for the plate (for example, cyan is often set at 15 degrees, but this can be changed to 20 degrees).

[0036] Furthermore, by using special color inks (hereinafter referred to as "spot colors") rather than cyan, magenta, yellow, or black ink for this color printing, duplication becomes even more difficult. Color printing using spot colors is also used in copy prevention technology, and by printing special colors that are difficult to reproduce with cyan, magenta, yellow, or black ink in one plate, the color changes when the copy is made, making it easier to distinguish between genuine and copied products.

[0037] Furthermore, when spot colors are used, the genuine spot color print has only one plate and one type of periodicity (angle, wavelength) of the halftone dots, whereas a color copy made using CMY has three types of periodicity (angle, wavelength), making it easy to distinguish between genuine and replica products even using a Fourier transform.

[0038] Such a color printed pattern can be thin enough not to interfere with the reading of the identification code 20 and can be provided in the background of the identification code 20, or can be provided around the identification code 20 without overlapping it, or can be provided adjacent to the identification code 20.

[0039] Furthermore, the print design of the product or the product package A itself can also be used as the pattern 30 for authenticity determination.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a product in which the print design on the product package is used as a pattern for authenticity determination.

[0041] For example, a design identifying the product is generally printed in color on product package A. Utilizing this, as shown in the example of Fig. 3, the design of product package A can be printed in a light color in the background of the part where the identification code 20 is printed, around it, or adjacent to the identification code 20, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 3, thereby realizing the authenticity pattern 30.

[0042] In this way, when the printed design of the product or the product package A itself is used as the authenticity determining pattern 30, depending on the package design, it can be used as the authenticity determining pattern 30 without any particular changes from the current state, so that the authenticity determining function can be imparted without any additional printing load.

[0043] (Fine lines and micro-character patterns for authenticity verification) The authenticity determining pattern 30 can also be provided by printing thin lines or micro characters, which are used for anti-counterfeit printing on securities and the like.

[0044] When an authenticity determining pattern 30 made by printing thin lines or micro-characters is reproduced, the thin lines often become broken or the micro-characters become blurred. This can also be confirmed from an image captured by a smartphone camera. Therefore, in the case of an authenticity determining pattern 30 made by printing thin lines or micro-characters, it is possible to easily distinguish a replica by observing an image captured by a smartphone camera.

[0045] (Special pattern for authenticity verification) Forming the authenticity determining pattern 30 with a special pattern used in copy prevention technology also makes it possible to easily distinguish copies. To form the authenticity determining pattern 30 with a special pattern, for example, large dots are arranged sparsely and small dots are arranged finely to make the apparent density the same. When a printed matter with such a special pattern is reproduced using a copy machine or the like, the large dots can be reproduced, but the small dots cannot be reproduced and remain blank, making it easy to distinguish the copy. Therefore, by forming the authenticity determining pattern 30 with such printing, it is possible to easily determine the authenticity.

[0046] [Authenticity Determination System] Next, an authenticity determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an authenticity determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] The authenticity determination system 40 can be realized by a portable information terminal such as a notebook PC or a smartphone, and includes an imaging unit 42, an analysis unit 44, a determination unit 46, and a campaign application processing unit 48. For simplicity of explanation, FIG. 4 omits the illustration of peripheral devices such as a CPU, memory, storage device, input devices, and output devices that are included in a typical computer.

[0049] When the authenticity determination system 40 is implemented on a smartphone, it can be implemented by installing a dedicated app on the smartphone. In this case, the camera provided on the smartphone can be used as the imaging unit 42.

[0050] In the following description, an example will be described in which the authenticity determination system 40 is implemented in a smartphone.

[0051] When a user uses the authentication determination system 40 implemented on a smartphone to determine the authenticity of a printed matter 10, the user launches a dedicated app. Then, the user first captures an image including the identification code 20 and the authenticity determination pattern 30 printed on the printed matter 10 using the smartphone camera, which is the imaging unit 42.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between (a) an input image captured by a camera and (b) a power spectrum image obtained from the input image.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between (a) a power spectrum image and (b) frequency component information obtained from the power spectrum image.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the CMYK halftone dot angles and their pitches in offset printing appear as bright spots on a power spectrum.

[0055] The analysis unit 44 analyzes the image captured by the camera. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the analysis unit 44 performs a two-dimensional Fourier transform on the input image C captured by the camera to obtain a power spectrum image D as shown in Fig. 5(b). The analysis unit 44 further extracts information E on periodicity (angle, wavelength) from the power spectrum image D as shown in Fig. 6(a).

[0056] The information E relating to the periodicity (angle, wavelength) will be described with reference to FIG.

[0057] When a two-dimensional Fourier transform such as a fast Fourier transform (FFT) is performed on an image of an offset print or gravure print, the information about the halftone dots appears as peaks (bright spots) in the power spectrum in the resulting power spectrum image D.

[0058] In such a power spectrum image D, as shown in FIG. 7(a), if the angle from the center to bright spot 1 is θ, the distance is X pixels, and the input image size is L, bright spot 1 has a periodicity (angle, wavelength) of wavelength L / X in the direction of angle θ. This is information E related to the periodicity (angle, wavelength). For example, if the dimension of input image C is 24 mm, the bright spot has a periodicity of 178 μm (stripe as shown in FIG. 7(b)) in the direction of angle θ=65° from the bottom left.

[0059] The determination unit 46 determines the authenticity of the printed matter 10 based on the analysis results obtained by the analysis unit 44. Specifically, the determination unit 46 compares information E relating to the periodicity (angle, wavelength) extracted by the analysis unit 44 with information e relating to the periodicity (angle, wavelength) from a power spectrum image obtained by Fourier transforming a known image of the authentic product.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows (a) dot angle information obtained from a power spectrum image of an image of a genuine product, and (b) dot angle information obtained from a power spectrum image of an image of a replica product.

[0061] The halftone dot angle information shown in FIG. 8 is an example of information E regarding periodicity (angle, wavelength).

[0062] The halftone dot angles obtained from the power spectrum image of the gravure-printed image of the genuine product, as shown in Fig. 8(a), are different from the halftone dot angles obtained from the power spectrum image of the copy product, as shown in Fig. 8(b). Therefore, the determination unit 46 can determine whether the product is a copy based on the discrepancy in halftone dot angles.

[0063] The determination unit 46 can also determine whether an image is a copy by comparing the authenticity determination pattern 30, which is realized by special printing patterns such as thin lines, micro characters, and copy deterrent patterns contained in the image, with the authenticity determination pattern 30 of a genuine product by pattern matching.

[0064] Using a colorimeter for this comparison makes it easier to determine whether or not the item is a copy. However, when implementing the authentication system 40 on a smartphone, the camera on the smartphone often automatically corrects colors depending on the light source and background. Therefore, in order to accurately measure the colors of the special colors using a colorimeter, it is necessary to prepare a reference print.

[0065] If the determination unit 46 determines that the printed matter 10 is genuine, the campaign application processing unit 48 extracts and digitizes feature points from the identification code 20 in the image to create feature point data. The campaign application processing unit 48 detects even slight variations in the printing of the identification code 20, so the feature point data extracted from the identification code 20 is different for each printed matter 10.

[0066] In this way, the campaign application processing unit 48 generates only the feature point data F of the identification code 20 provided on the printed matter 10 that is an authentic product.

[0067] Next, the operation of the campaign server 50 will be described.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the authenticity determination system and the campaign server.

[0069] The dedicated app uses a communication function to transmit the feature point data F extracted by the campaign application processing unit 48 to the campaign server 50, as shown in Fig. 9. If the authenticity determination system 40 is implemented on a smartphone, this communication function can be the communication function that the smartphone has.

[0070] As described above, the campaign application processing unit 48 generates only the feature point data F of the identification code 20 provided on the authentic printed matter 10, and therefore the authenticity determination system 40 transmits only the feature point data F of the identification code 20 provided on the authentic printed matter 10 to the campaign server 50. In other words, the feature point data F from the counterfeit product is not transmitted to the campaign server 50.

[0071] The campaign server 50 is connected to a database 60 that stores the feature data F transmitted from each authenticity determination system 40. Alternatively, the campaign server 50 may have the database 60 built-in.

[0072] When the campaign server 50 receives the feature point data F transmitted from the authenticity determination system 40, it compares the received feature point data F with the feature point data f stored in the database 60. If the feature point data F does not match any of the feature point data f, that is, if the feature point data F has been transmitted for the first time, it registers and stores the feature point data F as new data in the database 60, and performs processing to accept applications for the campaign.

[0073] On the other hand, if the feature data F matches any of the feature data f, the campaign server 50 determines that this is a second application for the same product and rejects this application for the campaign.

[0074] As explained above, transmitting only the feature data F of the identification code 20 provided on the genuine printed matter 10 to the campaign server 50 is achieved by providing the authenticity determination pattern 30 on the printed matter 10.

[0075] If the printed matter 10 only has the identification code 20 and no authenticity determining pattern 30, the analysis unit 44 and determination unit 46 will not perform the authentication determination using the authenticity determining pattern 30, and only the campaign application processing unit 48 will operate. Therefore, regardless of whether the identification code 20 in the image is genuine or a copy, the campaign application processing unit 48 extracts feature points from the identification code 20 and generates feature point data F. This feature point data F is then sent to the campaign server 50.

[0076] In this case, the campaign server 50 receives the replicated feature point data F f Since the duplicated identification code is not identical to the genuine identification code, the minutiae data F generated from the duplicated identification code is f is the minutiae data F generated from the genuine identification code. t Therefore, the campaign server 50 uses the feature point data F f is compared with previously received feature point data f stored in the database 60, no match is found. f The information is newly registered and stored in the database 60, and the campaign application acceptance process is carried out.

[0077] However, according to this embodiment, by providing the printed matter 10 with the authenticity determination pattern 30 in addition to the identification code 20, the authenticity determination system 40 can determine the authenticity of the printed matter 10 and transmit only the feature point data F of the printed matter 10 that is determined to be authentic to the campaign server 50. This makes it impossible to apply for the campaign using a copy.

[0078] Moreover, the authenticity determination system 40 can be implemented on a portable information terminal such as a smartphone by installing a dedicated app, which makes it possible to quickly determine authenticity using a smartphone in the actual field of operation.

[0079] Furthermore, the campaign server 50 can prevent multiple fraudulent campaign entries from genuine products by verifying that the transmitted feature data F is not identical to the feature data f transmitted in the past.

[0080] To achieve this effect, it is essential that the printed matter 10 has the authenticity determining pattern 30 in addition to the identification code 20. This is because if a printed matter has only the identification code 20 and no authenticity determining pattern 30, the power spectrum images of both the genuine product and the copy will be almost identical.

[0081] 10 shows (a) an image of an example of a genuine printed matter that has no authenticity pattern and only an identification code, and (b) its power spectrum image. Here, the identification code 20 was printed by gravure printing.

[0082] 11A and 11B show a copy of the printed matter shown in FIG. 10A and a power spectrum image thereof, respectively. The identification code 21 was created by copying using a copy machine.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 10(b) and FIG. 11(b), the power spectral image D and the power spectral image D' are almost identical.

[0084] In this way, the power spectrum image D' of the replica product is almost identical to the power spectrum image D of the genuine product, so even if a campaign application is from a replica product, it will not be determined to be a replica by the determination unit 46.

[0085] If the determination unit 46 does not determine that the item is a replica, the campaign application processing unit 48 generates feature point data F' of the identification code 20. The campaign application processing unit 48 detects even slight variations in the printing of the identification code 20, so the feature point data F' will differ from the feature point data F of the identification code 20 of an authentic printed matter.

[0086] The feature point data F' generated by the campaign application processing unit 48 is transmitted from the authenticity determination system 40 to the campaign server 50 even if it is generated from the identification code 20 of a duplicated printed matter.

[0087] When the campaign server 50 receives the feature point data F', if there is no identical feature point data f received in the past, the campaign server 50 will accept the campaign application. As mentioned above, the feature point data F' will be different from the feature point data F of the identification code 20 of the genuine printed matter. Therefore, even if a campaign application has been made in the past using the genuine printed matter, the campaign application using the feature point data F' will be accepted.

[0088] Thus, in order to prevent fraudulent campaign applications, it is clear that providing only the identification code 20 on the printed matter 10 is not sufficient; the authenticity determination pattern 30 is essential.

[0089] Next, as an example of the operation of the authentication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, a case where the authentication system is applied to a campaign application will be described. Here, the authentication system 40 will be described as being implemented by a smartphone with a dedicated application installed.

[0090] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the authenticity determination system according to the embodiment of the present invention when it is applied to a campaign.

[0091] When a user purchases a product that is the subject of a campaign (S1), the user captures an image of the printed matter 10 printed on the product or product packaging A, as illustrated in Figure 1, or on the campaign application form B, as illustrated in Figure 2, using the imaging unit 42 of the authenticity determination system 40, i.e., the smartphone camera (S2).

[0092] An authentic printed matter 10 has an identification code 20 and an authenticity determining pattern 30 printed thereon. When a user photographs the printed matter 10, the user photographs the printed matter 10 so that the identification code 20 and the authenticity determining pattern 30 are included in the image.

[0093] When an image C including the identification code 20 and the authenticity determination pattern 30 is captured, the dedicated application crops the image C so that it includes the identification code 20 and the authenticity determination pattern 30, as illustrated in Figure 5(a), and the analysis unit 44 performs a Fourier transform on the cropped image C to obtain a power spectrum image D, as illustrated in Figure 5(b) (S3).

[0094] The analysis unit 44 further analyzes the power spectrum image D to obtain angle information E relating to the periodicity (angle, wavelength) of the image (S4).

[0095] If the angle information E regarding the periodicity (angle, wavelength) of the image obtained by the analysis unit 44 is the same as that from the genuine authenticity determination pattern 30 (S5: Yes), the judgment unit 46 judges that the printed matter 10 is genuine (S8), and if not (S5: No), it judges that the printed matter 10 is a replica (S6).

[0096] For example, Fig. 5(b) shows an example of a power spectrum image D obtained by Fourier transforming image C from the genuine printed matter 10 shown in Fig. 5(a). Characteristic peaks are shown in power spectrum image D. By analyzing such power spectrum image D, the analysis unit 44 obtains angle information E relating to the periodicity (angle, wavelength) of image C.

[0097] FIG. 13, like FIG. 5, is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between (a) an input image captured by a camera and (b) a power spectrum image obtained from the input image.

[0098] However, while FIG. 5 illustrates (a) image C obtained by imaging an authentic print and (b) power spectrum image D obtained from image C, FIG. 13 illustrates (a) image C' obtained by imaging a duplicate print and (b) power spectrum image D' obtained from image C'.

[0099] The replica exemplified here, as shown in image C' in FIG. 13(a), has only the area around the identification code 20 copied in monochrome using a copier, and does not have the authenticity determination pattern 30. A power spectrum image D' obtained by Fourier transforming this image C' can be seen with the naked eye to have no distinctive peaks, as shown in FIG. 13(b). Therefore, angle information E' regarding the image periodicity (angle, wavelength) obtained by analyzing power spectrum image D' differs from angle information E regarding the image periodicity (angle, wavelength) obtained from power spectrum image D of the genuine product. In this case (S5: No), the determination unit 46 determines that the product is a replica (S6).

[0100] Furthermore, even if the genuine article and the duplicate article are produced using different printing methods, for example, the genuine article is printed by gravure printing while the duplicate article is produced by monochrome copying, the angle information of the halftone dots is different (S5: No), and the judgment unit 46 judges the printed matter 10 to be a duplicate (S6).

[0101] After step S6, a warning is displayed by the dedicated app, the campaign application is rejected (S7), and the processing in the authenticity determination system 40 ends.

[0102] In step S8, after the printed matter 10 is determined to be authentic, the campaign application processing unit 48 extracts and digitizes feature points from the identification code 20 in the image C to create feature point data F. The feature point data F is transmitted to the campaign server 50 via the communication function of a smartphone on which a dedicated app is installed (S9).

[0103] When the campaign server 50 receives the feature data F, it compares the feature data F with previously received feature data f that has already been stored in the database 60 (S10).

[0104] If the feature point data F is new feature point data different from any of the feature point data f (S11: Yes), the campaign server 50 newly registers and stores this feature point data F in the database 60 (S12), thereby completing the campaign application (S13).

[0105] On the other hand, if the feature point data F matches any of the feature point data f (S11: No), the campaign server 50 determines that this is a second application for the same product and rejects this campaign application (S14), thereby ending the processing at the campaign server 50.

[0106] As described above, the printed matter 10 according to this embodiment can be authenticated by providing the authenticity determining pattern 30 for verification in the background, around, or adjacent to the identification code 20.

[0107] The authenticity determination system 40 of this embodiment performs a Fourier transform on an image C including an identification code 20 and an authenticity determination pattern 30 placed on a printed matter 10, obtains a power spectrum image D, and can determine the authenticity of the printed matter 10 based on information E regarding periodicity (angle, wavelength) extracted from the power spectrum image D.

[0108] This kind of authentication system 40 can be implemented on a smartphone by installing a dedicated app on the smartphone. By using a smartphone equipped with the functions of the authentication system 40 in this way, it becomes possible to quickly determine the authenticity on the spot.

[0109] If the authenticity determination system 40 determines that the printed matter 10 is a copy, it does not transmit the feature data F of the identification code 20 to the campaign server 50. In other words, the authenticity determination system 40 transmits only the feature data F of the identification code 20 of the genuine product to the campaign server 50. This not only prevents copies from entering the campaign in advance, but also contributes to reducing the processing load on the campaign server 50.

[0110] Furthermore, the campaign server 50 confirms that the feature data F is new feature data that has not been transmitted before. This allows the campaign application to be rejected for the second time even if the campaign application was made from a genuine printed matter 10 and was not rejected by the authenticity determination system 40.

[0111] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide printed matter that is designed to allow easy and reliable authentication in order to prevent fraudulent campaign applications, and an authenticity determination system for performing such authentication.

[0112] Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Those skilled in the art may conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas of the invention as defined in the claims, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 10 Printed matter 20 Identification Code 21 Identification Code 30 Authentication Pattern 40 Authentication System 42 Imaging unit 44 Analysis Department 46 Judgment section 48 Campaign application processing section 50 Campaign Server 60 databases A Product or product packaging B Campaign application form C, C' images D, D' power spectrum images E, e Information about periodicity (angle, wavelength) F, F', f feature point data

Claims

1. A printed matter, The printed matter has printed thereon an identification code for identifying the printed matter and a predetermined pattern for determining authenticity.

2. The printed matter according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern for authenticity determination is printed around the identification code.

3. The printed matter according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern for authenticity determination is printed as a background of the identification code.

4. an imaging unit that captures an image including the identification code and the authenticity pattern printed on the printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3; an analysis unit that analyzes the image captured by the imaging unit; a determination unit that determines the authenticity of the printed matter based on the result of the analysis of the image; This is an authenticity determination system.

5. The authentication system according to claim 4, which is realized by a smartphone.

6. the analysis unit extracts information about periodicity from a power spectrum image obtained by Fourier transforming the image; The authenticity determination system according to claim 4 , wherein the determination unit determines the authenticity by comparing the periodicity with a periodicity of a known authentic image.

Images