Inherent information preparation device and history management system

Abstract

To provide a history management system capable of managing a manufacturing history of a paper sheet made of small-cut surfaces multilaterally arranged by preparing inherent information obtained by combining a feature amount of the small-cut surfaces and a feature amount of the paper sheet without adding a serial number or a bar code to the paper sheet.SOLUTION: The history management system includes an inherent information preparation device and a manufacturing information management device. The inherent information preparation device is provided in two or more individual steps in manufacturing a paper sheet and includes: an imaging part for imaging a region of at least a portion of small-cut surfaces and a region of at least a portion of a margin of the paper sheet; and an operation part for preparing inherent information by extracting and combining a feature amount of the small-cut surfaces and a feature amount of the margin of the paper sheet. The manufacturing information management device includes: a database for recording the inherent information; a collation part that collates the inherent information in each step; and a history integration part that integrates the inherent information and information related to the manufacturing of the paper sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a unique information creation device that creates unique information using random features inherent in valuable printed matter, such as banknotes, passports, securities, identification cards, cards, and travel tickets, which require anti-counterfeiting effects, and a history management system that uses unique information. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to the nature of the production of valuable printed matter, it is necessary to strictly manage quantities, as well as to strictly control quality and process in order to ensure distribution and stability.

[0003] As an example of a manufacturing method for valuable printed matter, there are multiple manufacturing processes, such as a papermaking process in which paper sheets with watermarks are manufactured, cut, and inspected, followed by a printing process in which printing is performed on both sides of the sheets, and an inspection process in which the printed sheets are inspected.As a result, in addition to quantity control and quality control at each process, reliable history management is required to trace the history of the product, such as when, at which process, and with what materials, etc.

[0004] For example, as a method for identifying sheets during production, Patent Document 1 discloses a history management method that associates an identification code printed on the edge of a sheet with a serial number assigned to the check surface that makes up the sheet, thereby making it possible to trace the production history of the sheet from the serial number on the check surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-152840 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, areas for assigning identification codes and serial numbers to identify individual items must be secured on the edges of the sheets and on the check surfaces, and a separate device must be provided to print the serial numbers and identification codes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a unique information creation device that creates unique information on a sheet of paper having multiple cut faces arranged on it and margins, and is characterized by comprising an imaging unit for imaging at least a portion of the area of ​​the cut faces and at least a portion of the area of ​​the margins of the sheet of paper, and a calculation unit that extracts features of the cut faces and features of the margins of the sheet of paper from the image data captured by the imaging unit and combines the features to create unique information.

[0008] The present invention also provides a manufacturing information history management system comprising a unique information creation device and a manufacturing information management device, wherein the unique information creation device is provided at two or more processes in the production of sheets and further comprises a transmission unit that transmits the unique information created by the calculation unit and information related to the production of the sheets to the manufacturing information management device, and the manufacturing information management device comprises a database for recording the multiple unique information transmitted by the transmission unit, a comparison unit that compares whether the unique information is all the same, and a history integration unit that integrates the unique information and information related to the production of the sheets and manages them as manufacturing information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, by utilizing the random features inherent in valuable printed matter itself for history management in the manufacturing process, there is no need for a printing device, process, installation location, equipment maintenance, or worker deployment to assign an identification code for the purpose of reading. Therefore, it is possible to build a history management system that is less costly, energy-efficient, and resource-efficient than conventional systems. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 shows a block diagram of a unique information creation device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 shows a diagram illustrating a sheet of paper consisting of multiple cut faces. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating areas used to extract product features. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating areas used to extract product features. [Figure 5] 10 is a flow diagram showing how unique information for each check surface is created by combining feature amounts extracted from the margins of a sheet of paper and feature amounts extracted from the check surface. [Figure 6] 1 shows a block diagram of a history management system according to the present invention; [Figure 7] A flow diagram for creating manufacturing information is shown. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 shows an example of how manufacturing information is created. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various other embodiments are also possible within the scope of the technical concept set forth in the claims.

[0012] (Unique information creation device) Figure 1 is a block diagram of a unique information creation device (10) according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the unique information creation device (10) includes an imaging unit (11) that captures an image of a paper sheet (30), and a calculation unit (12) that extracts features from image data of the paper sheet (30) captured by the imaging unit (11) and creates unique information based on the features. Each unit will be described in detail below.

[0013] The unique information creation device (10) of the present invention can be used in one of the processes in the manufacturing process of paper sheets (30) (for example, the paper manufacturing process, printing process, or inspection process), but in this embodiment, an example of its use in the paper manufacturing process will be described as an example.

[0014] (imaging unit) The imaging unit 11 is a unit that photographs the paper sheets 30 (described later) and acquires image data. The imaging unit 11 is not particularly limited as long as it can photograph and extract feature quantities applied to the paper sheets 30, which are made up of the paper sheets 30 and the cut surfaces 31, using a camera, various sensors, or the like. When photographing feature quantities applied to the paper sheets 30 and the cut surfaces 31, a light source such as a fluorescent lamp or an LED may be provided in the imaging unit 11.

[0015] (sheet paper) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sheet of paper (30) to be photographed in the present invention. The sheet of paper (30) is made up of a margin (32) and multiple small cut surfaces (31), which are the smallest units, arranged on one side.

[0016] The area of ​​the sheet (30) photographed by the imaging unit (11) will be described using Figure 2. In the present invention, the area photographed by the imaging unit (11) is at least a portion of the margin (32) of the sheet (30) and at least a portion of each of the 20 small check faces (31). With regard to the margin (32), a portion of the margin (32) may be photographed, or the entire margin (32) may be photographed. With regard to the small check faces (31), specifically, a portion of each of the 20 small check faces (31) may be photographed, or the entire small check face (31) may be photographed.

[0017] (feature) The feature amount will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the feature amount of the paper sheet (30).

[0018] Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing a paper sheet 30. Fig. 3(b) is an enlarged view of the margin 32 of the paper sheet 30, which is an area enclosed by a bold line in Fig. 3(a), showing the length and orientation of the stock fibers constituting the paper sheet 30. In the present invention, the feature quantity of the paper stock fibers is a numerical value that statistically evaluates the degree of surface irregularity and slight variations in fiber density due to randomness such as the distribution of fiber lengths and the orientation of fibers, or the degree of entanglement.

[0019] Fig. 3(c) is a diagram for explaining the feature quantities of the cut surface (31). As an example of the feature quantities of the cut surface (31), Fig. 3(d) shows an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the thick line in Fig. 3(c). Fig. 3(d) is a diagram showing an area indicating the length and orientation of the stock fibers that make up the cut surface (31). In this case, the feature quantities are numerical values ​​that statistically evaluate the degree of surface irregularity and slight variations in fiber density due to randomness such as the distribution of fiber lengths and fiber orientation, or the degree of entanglement.

[0020] As another example of the feature quantity of the cut surface (31), an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Fig. 3(c) is shown in Fig. 3(e). Fig. 3(e) shows an area of ​​the cut surface (31) where a watermark is applied, for example, made by the unevenness of the paper. In this case, the feature quantity is a numerical value that evaluates the change in clarity and brightness that occurs in the watermark.

[0021] As described above, the feature refers to a numerical value or a set of numerical values ​​extracted from image data of a photograph of a paper sheet (30) using an arbitrary formula or algorithm for random features that are present in each paper sheet (30) and each cut surface (31) during the paper manufacturing process.

[0022] (calculation section) Returning to the explanation of Figure 1, the calculation unit 12 will be described. The calculation unit 12 extracts features (fiber length, fiber orientation, etc.) from the cut surface 31 and margin 32 using a predetermined image processing method for the image data captured by the imaging unit 11, and combines the features to create unique information for the paper sheet 30.

[0023] For example, if the feature value of the cut surface (31) is 11 and the feature value of the margin (32) is 22, the unique information of the sheet (30) is generated as a value of 1122 by combining the features. The calculation unit (12) has a feature extraction algorithm. The feature extraction algorithm is not particularly limited as long as it can extract features of the image from information such as pixel position information and pixel gradation that image data generally contains. For example, to evaluate the brightness of a watermark, a specific position of the watermark pattern in the imaged subject may be identified by pattern matching or the like, and the average gradation value of pixels included in an arbitrary range starting from the specific position may be used as the feature. Furthermore, to evaluate the sharpness of a watermark, the gradation value distribution of pixels included in an arbitrary range starting from the specific position may be evaluated, or a density co-occurrence matrix may be used in addition. Furthermore, to evaluate the fiber orientation, a method may be used in which a linear pattern filter is used to extract the orientation of the fibers contained within the range as a gradient in a Cartesian coordinate system defined on the image, and the amount of matching components for each gradient extracted from the image is statistically evaluated.A single algorithm may be used, or a set of features obtained from multiple algorithms may be used as unique information.

[0024] The feature extraction algorithm of the calculation unit (12) may be a feature extraction algorithm constructed using a deep learning technique.

[0025] As described above, the unique information creation device (10) of the present invention makes it possible to utilize random characteristics applied to the paper sheets (30) during the manufacturing process as unique information, eliminating the need to provide a separate device for printing serial numbers or identification codes for history management.

[0026] In this embodiment, an example in which the unique information creation device (10) is used in a paper manufacturing process has been described, but the unique information creation device (10) may also be used in a printing process. In this case, random features applied in the printing process are extracted to create unique information. Figure 4(a) is a diagram showing a cut surface (31) on which a printed pattern has been applied in the printing process, and Figure 4(b) is an enlarged view of the area surrounded by the dashed line in Figure 4(a). Figure 4(b) is a diagram showing an area on which a printed pattern has been applied, which is made up of printed lines. As an example, the features may be values ​​that evaluate the size (thickness / thinness) of the printed lines that make up the printed pattern, bleeding, shading, and the positional relationship between the printed lines.

[0027] When the unique information creation device (10) is used in a printing process, the unique information may be created by combining the feature amount of the print lines applied to the cut surface (31) and the feature amount of the margin (32).

[0028] (How to create unique information) Next, a method for creating unique information according to the present invention will be described using the flow diagram shown in Fig. 5. The method for creating unique information according to the present invention can be used in one of the processes in the manufacturing process of paper sheets (30) (paper manufacturing process, printing process, inspection process), but here, an example in which it is used in the paper manufacturing process will be described as an example.

[0029] First, in Step 1, a sheet of paper (30) is photographed using the imaging unit (11) in the unique information creation device (10). The areas photographed by the imaging unit (11) in Step 1 are at least a portion of the margin (32) of the sheet of paper (30) and at least a portion of each of the 20 cut faces (31) in FIG.

[0030] For the margins, a partial area may be photographed, or the entire margins 32 may be photographed. For the check faces 31, specifically, a partial area of ​​each of the 20 check faces 31 may be photographed, or the entire check face 31 may be photographed.

[0031] In Step 2, feature quantities are extracted from the margins 32 of the data of the paper sheet 30 photographed in Step 1. Feature quantities are numerical values ​​that statistically evaluate, for example, the degree of surface irregularity or slight variations in fiber density due to randomness in the distribution of fiber lengths, the length and orientation of fibers, or the degree of entanglement, and the numerical values ​​of each feature quantity may be combined.

[0032] In Step 3, feature quantities of the cut surface (31) are extracted from the data of the paper sheet (30) photographed in Step 1. The feature quantities are, for example, numerical values ​​obtained by statistically evaluating the degree of surface irregularity and slight fiber density due to randomness such as fiber length distribution, fiber length and orientation, or entanglement, and the like. The numerical values ​​of each feature quantity may be combined. If the paper sheet (30) has a watermark, as shown in FIG. 3(e), the sharpness or changes in brightness of the watermark may be used as a feature quantity. For example, when the fiber length distribution is extracted in Step 2, the same fiber length distribution may be used in Step 3, or different random feature quantities may be used in Steps 2 and 3.

[0033] In Step 4, the feature amount of the margin 32 and the feature amount of the cut surface 31 are combined to create first unique information of the paper sheet 30. Then, the method of Steps 1 to 4 is performed in one process of the manufacturing process (for example, each of the paper manufacturing process, printing process, and inspection process).

[0034] Up to this point, an example has been described in which the manufacturing information creation method is used in a paper manufacturing process, but the manufacturing information creation method may also be used in a printing process. When the unique information creation device (10) is used in a printing process, Step 3 extracts, for example, the feature quantities shown in Figure 4 (values ​​that evaluate the size (thickness / thinness) of the printed lines that make up the printed pattern, bleeding, shading, and the positional relationship between the printed lines).

[0035] As described above, according to the unique information creation method of the present invention, it is possible to utilize random features that appear during the manufacturing process of the paper sheets (30) as unique information, thereby eliminating the need to provide a separate device for printing serial numbers or identification codes used for history management.

[0036] As described above, the unique information may be created by combining the random feature amount in the print lines applied to the cut surface (31) and the feature amount of the margin (32).

[0037] (History management system) Next, a history management system (S) using the unique information creation device (10) and unique information created by the unique information creation method of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the history management system (S). As shown in FIG. 6, the history management system (S) of the present invention includes multiple unique information creation devices (10) and a manufacturing information management device (20). FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a history management system including two unique information creation devices (10, 10') and a manufacturing information management device (20). However, the number of unique information creation devices (10, 10') is not limited to two, and additional unique information creation devices can be added. Each component will be described in detail below. The two unique information creation devices (10, 10') are provided in different processes, and in the following description, for convenience of explanation, they will be referred to as a first unique information creation device (10) and a second unique information creation device (10').

[0038] The first unique information creation device (10) is provided in the first process and includes an imaging unit (11), a calculation unit (12), and a transmission unit (13). The imaging unit (11) is a unit that captures an image of a predetermined area on a paper sheet (30) and acquires image data. The calculation unit (12) is a unit that extracts feature quantities (fiber length, fiber orientation, etc.) from the cut surface (31) and margin (32) of the image data captured by the imaging unit (11) using a predetermined image processing method, and combines the feature quantities to create unique information for the paper sheet (30).

[0039] (Transmitter) The transmitting unit (13) transmits the unique information (hereinafter referred to as first unique information) created by the calculation unit (12) and manufacturing information (for example, the date and time when the first unique information was created, the device, quality information, etc.) to a database (21) included in the manufacturing information management device (20).

[0040] (Second unique information creation device) The second unique information creation device (10') is provided in the second process and includes an imaging unit (11'), a calculation unit (12'), and a transmission unit (13').

[0041] (imaging unit) The imaging section (11') in the second unique information creation device (10') images the same area as the area imaged by the imaging section (11) in the first unique information creation device (10).

[0042] (calculation section) The calculation unit (12') in the second unique information creation device (10') extracts features from the cut surface (31) and margin (32) of the imaged sheet (30) and creates second unique information in a manner similar to the method for creating the first unique information.

[0043] (Transmitter) The transmitting unit (13′) transmits the unique information (hereinafter referred to as second unique information) created by the calculating unit (12′) and manufacturing information (for example, the date and time when the second unique information was created, the device, quality information, etc.) to a database (21) included in the manufacturing information management device (20).

[0044] (Manufacturing information management device) The manufacturing information management device 20 will now be described. The manufacturing information management device 20 includes a database 21, a collation unit 22, and a history integration unit 23.

[0045] (Database) The database 21 will now be described. The database 21 comprises a receiving unit 21a that receives the individual pieces of unique information and manufacturing-related information transmitted from the first individual information creation device 10 and the second individual information creation device 10', and a storage unit 21b that stores the received individual pieces of information. The database 21 may also store sorting information such as the date and time of creation of the individual pieces of information, or, if the individual pieces of information are created for multiple sheets of paper 30, a serial number.

[0046] (Matching section) The collation unit (22) is a unit that, for example, collates the first unique information stored in the memory unit (21b) in the database (21) with the second unique information, and more specifically, a unit that determines whether they match or fall within a certain tolerance range. The collation unit (22) is preferably connected to the unique information creation devices (10, 10') in each manufacturing process (e.g., papermaking process, printing process, inspection process, etc.) so that it can receive a request to collate the unique information of the paper sheet (30).

[0047] (History Integration Department) If the collation unit (22) finds that the first unique information and the second unique information match or fall within a certain tolerance, the first unique information and manufacturing-related information stored in the memory unit (21b) of the database (21) are integrated with the second unique information, and the integrated information is stored in the history integration unit (23) and treated as manufacturing information up to the second process. This collation and integration is performed for each process. Since the manufacturing information for each process can be constantly checked in the history integration unit (23) during the manufacturing process, the manufacturing history can be tracked.

[0048] (History management procedure) Next, the procedure for the history management method using the history management system (S) will be explained using the flow diagram shown in Figure 7. Here, as an example, we will explain a method for performing history management between two processes. Note that we will explain this using an example where the first process is a paper manufacturing process and the second process is a printing process.

[0049] In Step 4, the method of Steps 1 to 3 (photographing the paper sheet (30), extracting the feature values ​​of the margin (32) of the paper sheet (30) and the feature values ​​of the cut surface (31), and combining the feature values) is performed to create first unique information, which is stored in the memory unit (21b) of the database (21) of the manufacturing information management device (20).

[0050] In Step 4', the same method as in Steps 1 to 3 is performed (for the paper sheet 30, extracting the feature amount of the margin 32 of the paper sheet 30 and the feature amount of the cut surface 31, and combining these feature amounts), to create second unique information, which is stored in the memory unit 21b of the database in the manufacturing information management device 20. Note that the area imaged to create the second unique information is the same as the area imaged to create the first unique information.

[0051] In Step 5, the collation unit 22 collates the first unique information stored in the storage unit 21 b with the second unique information. Specifically, the collation unit 22 compares the first unique information with the second unique information to determine whether they match or fall within a certain tolerance range.

[0052] If the first unique information and the second unique information are compared and found to match or fall within a certain tolerance, the collation unit (22) judges the result to be "good." If the unique information does not match or fall within a certain tolerance due to factors such as a significant difference in fiber length, a difference in orientation direction, or a significant difference in the thickness of the image lines, the collation unit (22) judges the result to be "bad."

[0053] If the collation unit judges the product to be "good," in Step 6, the history integration unit (23) creates manufacturing information that combines the first unique information and the second unique information.

[0054] The creation of manufacturing information will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Here, an example will be described in which cut surfaces (31(a), 31(b), 31(c), 31(d)) are arranged on multiple sides of a paper sheet (30).

[0055] Fig. 8(a) is a diagram showing manufacturing information recorded by the history integration unit (23). Here, an example will be described in which the calculated feature amount of the margin (32) and the date and time when the feature amount of the small cut surface (31) was calculated are recorded as manufacturing information in the first process, the paper manufacturing process. Note that the feature amount 1111 of the small cut surface (31(a)) in Fig. 8(a) is an example of a combination of the calculated feature amount 11 of the margin (32) and the feature amount 11 of the small cut surface (31).

[0056] FIG. 8(b) shows an example in which the manufacturing information includes the margin (32) feature calculated in the second process, the printing process, and the date and time when the cut face (31) feature was calculated.

[0057] If the feature quantity in the second unique information matches the feature quantity in the first unique information or falls within a set range, the feature quantity and date and time of the second process are added to the manufacturing information as shown in the table in Fig. 8(b). The manufacturing information is information that links the unique information calculated in each process with manufacturing-related information (e.g., date and time, the machine used in manufacturing, quality information, etc.).

[0058] With this method, even when the sheet (30) is cut into small cut pieces (31(a)) as shown in Figure 8(c), it is possible to grasp information related to production at each process by referring to the production information integrated in the history integration unit (23).

[0059] As described above, by linking unique information based on the characteristic quantities of each process during production in the history integration unit (23), the manufacturing history of each manufacturing process of the paper sheet (30) can be grasped and managed without assigning an identification code to the product.

[0060] Although the present embodiment has been described as an example in which two processes are provided, multiple processes may be added after the second process. When multiple processes are added, it is also possible to create unique information for each process and add it to the manufacturing information.

[0061] Up to this point, we have explained the cases where the comparison result of the unique information is "good." However, when the result is "bad," it means that the unique information of a product extracted in a certain manufacturing process does not match any of the unique information extracted in the process prior to that. Possible causes for this include the mistaken mixing of another product that was not actually handled in the previous process, the inability to extract the correct unique information due to dirt or damage to the product, or the inability to extract the correct unique information due to a temporary malfunction of the imaging equipment.

[0062] In other words, if the result is "no," it indicates that some kind of defect has occurred in the product or process, so the product in question should be treated as a defective product, or the cause of the "no" result should be investigated, and appropriate measures taken as necessary.

[0063] It is also possible that there is no need to link the manufacturing history to the unique information as manufacturing information, and that only verification of the unique information is required. In such cases, the system can be equipped with a terminal with an interface that allows the inquirer to check only the comparison and pass / fail judgment in the verification unit (22), and an operation mode can be prepared in which manufacturing-related information is not added after the pass / fail judgment.

[0064] As described above, by linking unique information based on feature quantities extracted at each process during production with production-related information to create production information, it is possible to grasp the production results of the production history of the paper sheets (30) at each production process without using assigned information such as serial numbers or identification codes, and manage printed products. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10, 10´ Unique information creation device 11, 11´ Imaging unit 12, 12´ calculation section 13, 13´ Transmitter 20 Manufacturing information management device 21 Databases 21a Receiving section 21b Storage section 22 Matching unit 23 History Integration Department 30 leaf papers 31, 31(a), 31(b), 31(c), 31(d) small cut surfaces 32 Yu Bai

Claims

1. A unique information creation device that creates unique information on a sheet of paper having multiple check faces arranged and margins, an imaging unit for imaging at least a portion of the area of ​​the small cut surface and at least a portion of the area of ​​the margin of the sheet; a calculation unit that extracts feature amounts of the cut surface and feature amounts of the margins of the sheets from the image data captured by the imaging unit, and combines the feature amounts to create unique information; A unique information creation device comprising:

2. A manufacturing information history management system comprising the unique information creation device according to claim 1 and a manufacturing information management device, The unique information creation device provided at two or more steps in the production of the sheet; and further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits the unique information created by the calculation unit and information related to the production of the paper sheets to the manufacturing information management device, The manufacturing information management device a database for recording the plurality of pieces of unique information transmitted by the transmission unit; a matching unit that matches the unique information to determine whether the unique information is the same; a history integration unit that integrates the unique information and information related to the production of the paper sheets and manages them as production information; A history management system comprising:

Images