Information recording medium, label, program, information recording medium manufacturing method, authenticity determination device, and authenticity determination system

Abstract

To provide an information recording body, a label, a program, a method for manufacturing the information recording body, an authenticity determination device, and an authenticity determination system which are devised so as to determine illegal duplication of a code by using a moire phenomenon.SOLUTION: In the information recording body 20 in which a code layer 21 formed by a first color and a pattern layer 22 formed by a color different from the first color are arranged on a base 10, the code layer 21 constitutes a code area having a code image, the pattern layer 22 constitutes a pattern area having one or more determination patterns, at least a part of the code image is formed so as to overlap with a partial area of the determination pattern in a plan view, and the determination pattern is a moire excitation pattern for exciting moire by overlapping of a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information recording medium, a label, a program, a method for manufacturing an information recording medium, an authenticity determining device, and an authenticity determining system. [Background technology]

[0002] Barcodes, two-dimensional codes, and the like have been used for a variety of purposes. Information about these codes can be easily obtained from images captured by a camera on a mobile device, for example, using published procedures and equipment. Therefore, the uses of codes have become more diverse, and they are widely used for product management, campaigns, and the like. However, this code can be reproduced using consumer copy machines or printers in a way that is difficult to distinguish from the naked eye, and there is a need to prevent malicious individuals from illegally reproducing or reading this code.

[0003] Meanwhile, a technology that uses moiré (interference fringes) for authenticity determination has been disclosed. Moiré (interference fringes) are stripe patterns that occur when regularly arranged halftone dots interfere with each other. For example, with regard to authenticity determination of identification documents, "an identification document authenticity determination device that includes an image reading unit that reads an image of the identification document, a cutting unit that cuts out a specific area from the image read by the image reading unit based on a preset document format, and a determination unit that determines as a counterfeit an identification document in which moiré fringes that occur when the identification document is printed with a laser printer or an inkjet printer are present in the specific area cut out by the cutting unit, and determines as a non-counterfeit an identification document in which no moiré fringes are present" has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 491384 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technique described in Patent Document 1 merely determines authenticity based on the presence or absence of moire.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an information recording medium, a label, a program, a method for manufacturing an information recording medium, an authenticity determination device, and an authenticity determination system that are devised so that unauthorized duplication of a code can be detected by utilizing the moire phenomenon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. The first invention is an information recording body having a first forming portion formed in a first color and a second forming portion formed in a color different from the first color arranged on a substrate, wherein the first forming portion constitutes a code area having a code image, and the second forming portion constitutes a pattern area having one or more judgment patterns, and in a planar view, at least a portion of the code image is formed overlapping a partial area of ​​the judgment pattern, and the judgment pattern is a moire excitation pattern that excites moire by overlapping the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern. The second invention is an information recording medium according to the first invention, wherein the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern are linear stripe patterns each having a constant width, and the width of the stripe pattern of the first periodic pattern is different from the width of the stripe pattern of the second periodic pattern. The third invention is an information recording medium of the second invention, wherein the line segments constituting the stripe pattern of the first periodic pattern and the line segments constituting the stripe pattern of the second periodic pattern are configured to overlap at a constant interval. The fourth invention is an information recording medium in which, in any of the first to third inventions, the pattern area further has one or more information patterns in a position that does not overlap the judgment pattern, and the information patterns are composed of two periodic patterns that are linear stripes each having a certain width, and one periodic pattern overlaps the other periodic pattern at a different angle. The fifth invention is an information recording body according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, in which the pattern area and the code area are formed overlapping each other, and the pattern area is larger than the code area. A sixth invention is an information recording medium according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the code image is a two-dimensional code or a barcode. The seventh invention is an information recording medium in which, in any of the first to sixth inventions, the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern of the judgment pattern are formed using different chromatic colors. An eighth aspect of the invention is a label comprising an information recording medium according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention. A ninth invention is a program for causing a computer to function as: a condition receiving means for receiving a shift width and overlap interval used to generate a judgment pattern; a code generating means for generating a code image in which a condition string indicating the overlap interval received by the condition receiving means is incorporated into code information; and a judgment pattern generating means for generating the judgment pattern by overlapping a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern, which are linear stripe patterns having a constant width that satisfy the relationship between the shift width and the overlap interval received by the condition receiving means, so as to excite moiré. A tenth invention is a program according to the ninth invention, which causes the computer to function as a code area generating means for generating a code area having the code image generated by the code generating means, and a pattern area generating means for generating a pattern area in which the judgment pattern is arranged at a predetermined position so that at least a portion of the code area generated by the code area generating means and a portion of the judgment pattern generated by the judgment pattern generating means overlap. An eleventh invention is a program according to the tenth invention, wherein the computer includes an identification pattern storage unit that stores identification information and an information pattern in association with each other, causes the code generation means to function to generate the code image by incorporating, as the condition string, a string indicating the shift width and the overlapping interval accepted by the condition acceptance means into the code information, the string; causes the computer to function as information pattern acquisition means that acquires the information pattern corresponding to the condition string from the identification pattern storage unit, and causes the pattern area generation means to function to generate the pattern area by further arranging the information pattern acquired by the information pattern acquisition means at a predetermined position that does not overlap with the judgment pattern. A twelfth invention is a program according to the eleventh invention, wherein the information pattern is composed of two periodic patterns, each of which is a linear stripe pattern having a certain width, and one periodic pattern overlaps the other periodic pattern at different angles. A thirteenth invention is a program that causes the computer to function as a first forming means that forms the code area generated by the code area generating means on a substrate using a first color, and a second forming means that forms the pattern area generated by the pattern area generating means on the substrate using a color different from the first color, in any of the tenth to twelfth inventions. A fourteenth invention is a program that causes the code generation means to function in any one of the ninth to thirteenth inventions to generate the code image in which the encrypted condition string is incorporated into the code information. A fifteenth invention is a method for manufacturing an information recording medium according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein a generating device includes a condition receiving step of receiving a shift width and an overlapping interval to be used in generating the judgment pattern, a code generating step of generating the code image by incorporating a condition character string indicating the overlapping interval received in the condition receiving step into code information, a judgment pattern generating step of generating the judgment pattern by overlapping the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern, which are linear striped patterns having a constant width that satisfy the relationship between the shift width and the overlapping interval received in the condition receiving step, so as to excite moire, and a code area generating step of generating the code area having a code image; and a pattern area generating step of generating the pattern area in which the judgment pattern is arranged at a predetermined position so that at least a portion of the code area generated in the code area generating step overlaps with a portion of the judgment pattern generated in the judgment pattern generating step, and the manufacturing method further includes a first forming step of forming the code area generated in the code area generating step on the substrate using the first color, and a second forming step of forming the pattern area generated in the pattern area generating step on the substrate using a color different from the first color. A sixteenth invention is an authenticity determination device that determines whether an information recording medium is genuine, comprising: an image receiving means that receives an image of the information recording medium; a code receiving means that receives code information obtained from a code image included in the image of the information recording medium; a determination pattern detection means that detects a determination pattern from the image of the information recording medium received by the image receiving means; a spacing confirmation means that confirms, from the determination pattern detected by the determination pattern detection means, an overlapping spacing between a first periodic pattern that is a striped pattern with a constant width and a second periodic pattern that is a striped pattern with a constant width different from the first periodic pattern; a comparison means that compares a condition character string indicating the overlapping spacing obtained from the code information received by the code receiving means with the overlapping spacing confirmed by the spacing confirmation means; and an authenticity determination means that determines that the information recording medium is genuine if the comparison is successful by the comparison means. A 17th invention is an authenticity determination device according to the 16th invention, further comprising an identification pattern storage unit that stores identification information and information patterns in association with each other, an information pattern detection unit that detects the information pattern from an image of the information recording medium received by the image receiving unit, and an identification information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information from the information pattern detected by the information pattern detection unit by referring to the identification pattern storage unit, wherein the matching unit further matches the condition character string that indicates the shift width and the overlapping interval between the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern, which are obtained from the code information received by the code receiving unit, with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit. An eighteenth invention is the authenticity determination device according to the sixteenth or seventeenth invention, further comprising a result processing means for outputting a result of the authenticity determination by the authenticity determination means. A nineteenth invention is an authenticity determination system for determining whether an information recording medium is genuine, comprising: an image acquisition means for photographing the information recording medium to acquire an image of the information recording medium; a code acquisition means for detecting a code image from the image of the information recording medium acquired by the image acquisition means to acquire code information; a determination pattern detection means for detecting a determination pattern from the image of the information recording medium acquired by the image acquisition means; a spacing confirmation means for confirming, from the determination pattern detected by the determination pattern detection means, an overlapping spacing between a first periodic pattern which is a striped pattern with a constant width and a second periodic pattern which is a striped pattern with a constant width different from the first periodic pattern; a comparison means for comparing a condition character string indicating the overlapping spacing obtained from the code information acquired by the code acquisition means with the overlapping spacing confirmed by the spacing confirmation means; an authenticity determination means for determining that the information recording medium is genuine if the comparison is successful by the comparison means; and a result processing means for processing the result of the authenticity determination by the authenticity determination means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information recording medium, label, program, method for manufacturing an information recording medium, authenticity determination device, and authenticity determination system that are devised so that unauthorized duplication of codes can be detected by utilizing the moire phenomenon. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a genuine product determination service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a label according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 3A to 3C are diagrams showing examples of each area constituting an information recording medium according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a generating device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of a condition storage unit and an example of a judgment pattern of the generation device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an identification pattern storage unit of the generation device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a label generation process of the generation device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a label generation process of the generation device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a label generation process of the generation device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a label generation process of the generation device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a label generation process of the generation device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an authenticity determination server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram for explaining the authenticity determination process of the authenticity determination server according to the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this example. (Embodiment) <Authenticity Verification Service System 100> FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a genuine product verification service system 100 according to this embodiment. The authenticity determination service system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a system used to determine whether an item G to which a label 1 is affixed is an authentic product, for example, by utilizing whether the label 1 is authentic.

[0011] The authenticity determination service system 100 includes a label creation service system SSA and an authenticity determination service system SSB. The label generation service system SSA performs processing to generate a label 1 to be affixed to an item G. The label generation service system SSA includes a generation device 4, a printer 6 (printing device), and an authenticity determination server 7. The generation device 4, the printer 6, and the authenticity determination server 7 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network N1. The communication network N1 may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, and may be wired or wireless.

[0012] The authenticity determination service system SSB is a system that determines whether or not a label 1 affixed to an item G is genuine. The authenticity determination service system SSB includes an authenticity determination server 7 and a user terminal 9. The authenticity determination server 7 and the user terminal 9 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network N2. The communication network N2 is, for example, an internet line or a mobile terminal communication network. The communication networks N1 and N2 are not limited to the above-mentioned communication lines connecting the devices.

[0013] The authenticity determination service system 100 is provided to general companies and general users by a service management company that operates the service system. The service management company performs various processes using a generation device 4, a printer 6, and an authenticity determination server 7. General companies refer to, for example, manufacturers, logistics management companies, retailers, etc. of the item G. General users refer to consumers of the item G, etc.

[0014] <Label 1> Next, label 1 will be explained. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the label 1 according to this embodiment. The following figures, including FIG. 2, are schematic diagrams, and the size and shape of each part are exaggerated or omitted as appropriate to facilitate understanding. In the following description, specific numerical values, shapes, materials, etc. are given, but these can be changed as appropriate.

[0015] <Label 1> The label 1 shown in Fig. 2(A) is a printed matter that is to be attached to, for example, an item G. By attaching the label 1 to the item G, the label 1 can be used to determine whether the item G is genuine or not in, for example, product management, distribution, sales, etc. 2(A) shows a plan view of the label 1 viewed from above in the vertical direction Z. The label 1 comprises a base 10 (substrate) and an information recording medium 20.

[0016] <Base 10 Structure> FIG. 2B is a partial schematic cross-sectional view taken along the XX direction in FIG. 2A, showing the cross-sectional view of the label 1 as seen from the front in the Y direction. As shown in Figure 2(B), the base 10 has a substrate layer 11, an adhesive layer 12, and a peelable support layer 13 laminated in this order from the side having the information recording medium 20 toward the lower side in the Z direction.

[0017] The substrate layer 11 may be, for example, a white resin film, a resin sheet, or paper. Materials that can be used for the substrate layer 11 include, for example, inkjet paper, fine paper, kraft paper, copying paper, glassine paper, rayon paper, coated paper, synthetic paper, paper laminated with a resin film, NIP fine paper, oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, oriented polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. The substrate layer 11 may have a flat surface that can support the information recording medium 20. The substrate layer 11 is not limited to being white, and may be opaque or transparent.

[0018] The adhesive layer 12 is composed of an adhesive that is used to attach the label 1 to the article G when it is used. A wide variety of ordinary adhesives that have adhesive properties can be used to form the adhesive layer 12. While rubber-based solvent-based adhesives such as NR, SBR, IR, and CR are the mainstream, emulsion-type acrylic adhesives can also be used. Other adhesives that can be used include silicone-based and polyvinyl ether-based adhesives, and any of these can be used, including hot-melt adhesives.

[0019] The releasable support layer 13 is a member known as release paper, release sheet, or the like, which is provided to protect the adhesive layer 12 in the label 1 when it is unused, i.e., before it is attached to an article G, and to prevent the adhesive layer 12 from accidentally sticking to other articles, etc. In FIG. 2(B), the releasable support layer 13 is shown as a single layer, but the releasable support layer 13 may be configured, for example, as a laminate of a base layer and a release layer. The releasable support layer 13 is peeled and removed when the label 1 is attached to the article G. For example, the releasable support layer 13 can be made of the same material as the base layer 11, and releasability can be imparted by applying ink for forming a release layer to the surface on which the adhesive layer is to be formed.

[0020] Furthermore, once the peelable support layer 13 is peeled off and attached to the item G by the adhesive layer 12, it is desirable that the label 1 has a structure that prevents it from being reattached to another item, such as by damaging the base material layer 11 when peeled off from the item G.

[0021] <Structure of Information Recording Medium 20> The surface side of the base 10, i.e., the upper side in the Z direction, has an information recording medium 20. The information recording medium 20 has an image printed thereon, for example, by a printer using electrophotographic technology such as a toner printer, from which information and patterns such as codes used for authenticity determination can be obtained.

[0022] 2(B), the information recording medium 20 has a composite image including a pattern layer 22 (second forming portion) and a code layer 21 (first forming portion) on the base 10. The composite image is an image formed by a composite layer in which the pattern layer 22 and the code layer 21 are superimposed. The pattern layer 22 is, for example, a chromatic color, and constitutes a pattern area E2 (see Figure 3(A) described below) printed with chromatic color inks, for example, cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. The code layer 21 is, for example, black (first color) and forms a code region E1 (see FIG. 3(B) described later) printed with, for example, black (K) ink, which is an achromatic ink.

[0023] In the example described below, the pattern layer 22 is described as a chromatic color and the code layer 21 is described as black, but this is not limiting. For example, the code layer 21 may be a color other than black as long as it is a clearly distinguishable color different from the color of the pattern layer 22 and the color of the base layer 11. However, the code layer 21 needs to be a color that can be read as a code by the user terminal 9, which serves as a reading device and will be described later. Furthermore, the pattern layer 22 does not have to be a single color, but may be a composite color. However, the pattern layer 22 must be able to distinguish the reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS, which will be described later, by using different colors, and the overlapping line between the reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS must be able to be further distinguished by using different colors. Furthermore, the pattern layer 22 must be able to distinguish the two periodic patterns, which will be described later, by using different colors.

[0024] In this example, both the pattern layer 22 and the cord layer 21 are square, and the size of the pattern layer 22 is slightly larger than the size of the cord layer 21, but this is just an example. Each shape is not limited to a square, and the pattern layer 22 and the cord layer 21 may partially overlap, leaving only the cord layer 21. Also, although the pattern layer 22 and the code layer 21 are described here as a layer configuration, they do not necessarily have to be printed on the layers.

[0025] Next, the areas of the information recording medium 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of each area constituting the information recording medium 20 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3A shows an example of a pattern region E2 of the pattern layer 22. As shown in FIG. Pattern area E2 is divided into nine areas and has images B1 to B9 in each area. In this example, images B1 and B7 are images of the determination pattern. The remaining images, images B2 to B6 and images B8 and B9, are images of the information pattern. The determination pattern and information pattern will be described later.

[0026] FIG. 3(B) shows an example of the code region E1 of the code layer 21. The code area E1 has a code image C. Here, the code image C refers to a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), in which data such as letters and numbers are expressed as a graphic pattern. The code image C shown in FIG. 3B is a QR code (registered trademark) and has finder patterns Cp in three places. The information recording medium 20 has a pattern area E2 shown in Figure 3(A) and a code area E1 shown in Figure 3(B), and two of the divided areas of the pattern area E2 that overlap the finder pattern Cp of the code area E1 are arranged so that images B1 and B7 of the judgment patterns are placed therein, respectively.

[0027] Although the pattern area E2 and code area E1 that make up the information recording medium 20 have been described above, the images B1 to B9 of pattern area E2 and the code image C of code area E1 may be printed, for example, by overlapping the pattern area E2 on the code area E1, or vice versa. Alternatively, a composite image (not shown) may be generated by combining the images B1 to B9 of pattern area E2 and the code image C of code area E1, and then printed.

[0028] <Label Generation Service System SSA> Next, each device of the label generation service system SSA will be described. <Generation device 4> FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the generating device 4 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the condition storage unit 52 and an example of the judgment pattern PJ of the generating device according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the identification pattern storage unit 53 of the generating device according to this embodiment.

[0029] The generating device 4 is a device that generates an image of the information recording medium 20. The generating device 4 is operated by, for example, a label generating operator who generates the labels 1. The generating device 4 is, for example, a general personal computer (PC), but may also be a tablet computer, a server, or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the generating device 4 includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 50, an input unit 57, a display unit 58, and a communication interface unit 59. The control unit 40 is a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire generating device 4. The control unit 40 appropriately reads and executes the operating system (OS) and application programs stored in the storage unit 50, thereby cooperating with the above-mentioned hardware and executing various functions.

[0030] Before describing the control unit 40, the storage unit 50 will be described. The storage unit 50 is a storage area such as hardware, semiconductor memory elements, etc. for storing programs, data, etc. required for the control unit 40 to execute various processes. The storage unit 50 includes a program storage unit 51 , a condition storage unit 52 , and an identification pattern storage unit 53 . The program storage unit 51 is a storage area for storing various programs, and stores a generation program 51a. The generating program 51a is a program for performing various functions (described later) executed by the control unit 40 of the generating device 4.

[0031] The condition storage unit 52 is a storage area that stores the conditions of the shift width δ and the overlap interval n between two periodic patterns that make up the judgment pattern PJ (FIG. 5(B) described later) in association with each other. Here, the determination pattern PJ refers to a pattern that excites moiré and is used to determine the authenticity of the information recording medium 20. A pattern that excites moiré is one that, when re-scanned or printed, breaks down and produces interference fringes known as moiré. The two periodic patterns are a reference pattern PB (first periodic pattern) and a pair pattern PS (second periodic pattern).The reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS are each a linear stripe pattern having a constant width. The shift width δ is the difference between the width of the reference pattern PB and the width of the pair pattern PS when the width of the reference pattern PB is set to p = 1. The overlap interval n is a value indicating the number of pair patterns PS that exist between the position where the lines of the reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS overlap and the next time both lines overlap.

[0032] FIG. 5A shows an example of the condition storage unit 52. The condition storage unit 52 associates the overlap interval n with a deviation width δ ranging from 0.01 to 0.25. The allowable range of the deviation width δ is determined according to the size of the information recording medium 20 to be generated and the resolution of the printer 6. 5A shows only divisible numbers, but is not limited to this. For example, the condition storage unit 52 may include a case where the shift width δ is 1 / 9 and the overlap interval n is 9.

[0033] FIG. 5B shows an example of a determination pattern PJ in the condition 52a of the condition storage unit 52. The judgment pattern PJ indicates that the reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS, which is shifted by 0.125 more than the reference pattern PB, overlap with an overlap distance n of 8. Furthermore, the reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS are printed in different colors to make them easier to distinguish from each other. For example, the reference pattern PB is printed in magenta (M) ink, and the pair pattern PS is printed in cyan (C) ink. In such a case, the overlapping line is green.

[0034] The identification pattern storage unit 53 is a storage area for storing information patterns. FIG. 6 shows an example of the identification pattern storage unit 53. The identification pattern storage unit 53 stores information patterns corresponding to, for example, ten numbers (identification information) from 0 to 9. Here, the information pattern is made up of two periodic patterns, each of which is a linear stripe pattern having a fixed width, with one periodic pattern overlapping the other at different angles.

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 6, the numbers 0 to 4 correspond to the angle of the vertical stripes in the Y direction relative to the other line, and the numbers 5 to 9 correspond to the angle of the horizontal stripes in the X direction relative to the other line. In this way, each number can be distinguished by the combination of two periodic patterns. Here, the two periodic patterns may have the same width or different widths. Also, it is sufficient that the information pattern is different for each number, and the angle corresponding to the number is just one example. Furthermore, the two periodic patterns are printed in different colors to make them easier to distinguish from each other: for example, one periodic pattern is printed in magenta (M) ink and the other periodic pattern is printed in cyan (C) ink.

[0036] Next, the control unit 40 will be described. The control unit 40 includes a condition presentation unit 41, a condition reception unit 42 (condition reception means), a code generation unit 43 (code generation means), a judgment pattern generation unit 44 (judgment pattern generation means), an information pattern acquisition unit 45 (information pattern acquisition means), a code area generation unit 46 (code area generation means), a pattern area generation unit 47 (pattern area generation means), a formation processing unit 48 (first formation means, second formation means), and a data transmission unit 49.

[0037] The condition presenting unit 41 presents the conditions for generating a judgment pattern to a label generating operator by, for example, outputting each condition in the condition storage unit 52 to the display unit 58. The condition receiving unit 42 receives, from the input unit 57, one of the conditions consisting of the shift width δ and the overlapping distance n in the condition storage unit 52 input by the label production operator, for example. Here, the correspondence between the size (dimensions) of the information recording medium 20 to be generated in advance and the condition memory unit 52 may be stored in the memory unit 50, and the condition presentation unit 41 may output the size of the information recording medium 20, and the condition acceptance unit 42 may accept the size of the information recording medium 20.

[0038] The code generation unit 43 generates a code image in which a character string indicating the shift width δ and the overlapping distance n received by the condition receiving unit 42 is incorporated as a condition character string into a URL (code information). At this time, the code generation unit 43 may encrypt the condition character string and generate a code image in which the encrypted condition character string is incorporated into the URL. The determination pattern generating unit 44 generates a determination pattern that satisfies the conditions of the shift width δ and the overlapping interval n received by the condition receiving unit 42. The information pattern acquisition unit 45 acquires an information pattern corresponding to the condition character string from the identification pattern storage unit 53 .

[0039] The code region generating unit 46 generates a code region having the code image generated by the code generating unit 43 . The pattern area generation unit 47 generates a pattern area in which the judgment pattern is arranged at a predetermined position so that at least a part of the code area generated by the code area generation unit 46 overlaps with a part of the judgment pattern generated by the judgment pattern generation unit 44. The pattern area generation unit 47 also generates a pattern area in which the information pattern acquired by the information pattern acquisition unit 45 is further arranged at a predetermined position that does not overlap with the arranged judgment pattern.

[0040] The forming processing unit 48 outputs instructions to cause the printer 6 to perform a process of forming the code area generated by the code area generating unit 46 on the base 10 using, for example, black (K) ink, and forming the pattern area generated by the pattern area generating unit 47 on the base 10 using, for example, cyan (C) ink and magenta (M) ink. The data transmission unit 49 transmits each piece of data in the condition storage unit 52 and the identification pattern storage unit 53 to the authenticity determination server 7. The data transmission unit 49 may transmit each piece of data in the condition storage unit 52 and the identification pattern storage unit 53 only once, for example, when creating the generation device 4. Furthermore, the data transmission unit 49 may transmit each piece of data in the condition storage unit 52 and the identification pattern storage unit 53 used in the formation to the authenticity determination server 7 each time processing is performed by the formation processing unit 48.

[0041] The input unit 57 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 58 is a display device configured, for example, by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display. In addition, instead of the input unit 57 and the display unit 58, a touch panel display having a function as a display unit constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like and a function as an input unit for inputting various operations with the user's finger may be provided. The communication interface unit 59 is an interface for communicating with the printer 6 and the authenticity determination server 7 via the communication network N1. Here, a computer refers to an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a storage device, etc., and the generating device 4 is an information processing device equipped with a control unit 40, a storage unit 50, etc., and is included in the concept of a computer.

[0042] <Printer 6> The printer 6 shown in Fig. 1 is, for example, a printer using electrophotographic technology such as a toner printer. The printer 6 uses a charging roll, a photosensitive drum, and a developing roll to align, for example, a magenta pattern and a cyan pattern that make up a pattern area and a black pattern that makes up a code area on an intermediate transfer belt, to form the patterns, and then transfers the formed patterns to a base 10 with a secondary transfer roll, thereby forming an information recording medium 20 on the base 10. The printer 6 then applies heat to the base 10 with a fixing belt and applies pressure with a pressure roll, thereby fixing the information recording medium 20 to the base 10. Here, the resolution of the printer 6 is set according to the magnitude of the offset width δ. The smaller the offset width δ, the higher the resolution is desirable. For example, a high resolution of 600 dpi or higher is desirable. If the test pattern is printed using a printer 6 with the exemplified resolution, moiré phenomena can be prevented. The printer 6 is not limited to the above-mentioned printers, and may be one that performs gravure printing, wet offset printing, dry offset printing, letterpress printing, waterless lithographic printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, intaglio printing, etc.

[0043] <Processing Description> Next, the label generation process will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the label generation process of the generation device 4 according to this embodiment. 8 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the label generation process of the generation device 4 according to this embodiment. In step S (hereinafter, "step S" will be simply referred to as "S") 11 of FIG. 7, the control unit 40 (condition presentation unit 41) of the generation device 4 outputs conditions for generating a determination pattern to the display unit 58. At this time, as the conditions for generating a determination pattern, the condition presentation unit 41 extracts, for example, the conditions of the shift width δ and the overlapping interval n from the condition storage unit 52. Then, the condition presentation unit 41 presents, for example, both the shift width δ and the overlapping interval n as the conditions for generating a determination pattern. Note that the content of the presented conditions is not limited to this.

[0044] In S12, the control unit 40 (condition receiving unit 42) receives, for example, from the input unit 57, a condition for generating a determination pattern. In S13, the control unit 40 (code generation unit 43) generates a code image by incorporating, into a URL, a character string indicating the shift width δ and the overlapping interval n, which correspond to the condition received in S12, as a condition character string.

[0045] Here, a specific example of code image generation will be described with reference to FIG. If the conditions accepted in S12 are that the deviation width δ is 0.125 and the overlap interval n is 8, the code generation unit 43 sets the condition string to "1250008." This is a combination of the four decimal digits of the deviation width δ and the three digits of the overlap interval n. The code generation unit 43 then incorporates the condition string into a predetermined position in the target URL. The target URL may be, for example, a URL indicating the location of the authenticity determination server 7 or a URL of a general company that sells the item G.

[0046] FIG. 8A is an example of a URL 30 incorporating a condition string 30a. Next, the code generation unit 43 encrypts the condition string, which makes it difficult to decipher the condition string, thereby increasing security. FIG. 8B shows an example of a URL 31 incorporating an encrypted string 31a obtained by encrypting the condition string 30a. Then, the code generating unit 43 converts the URL into code data to generate a code image. FIG. 8C shows an example of a two-dimensional code 32 that is a code image including the contents of a URL 31.

[0047] 7, the control unit 40 (determination pattern generation unit 44) generates a determination pattern that satisfies the conditions received in S12. More specifically, if the conditions received in S12 are that the shift width δ is 0.125 and the overlapping interval n is 8, the determination pattern generation unit 44 generates a determination pattern PJ that has an interval of eight paired patterns PS between the overlapping portions of the reference pattern PB and the paired patterns PS (see FIG. 5(B) described above).

[0048] Here, Fig. 9 illustrates two judgment patterns. Fig. 9(A) is the first judgment pattern, which is represented by a line segment parallel to the vertical axis Y. Fig. 9(B) is the second judgment pattern, which is represented by a line segment parallel to the horizontal axis X. It is sufficient to generate at least one judgment pattern, but generating and using both the one represented by the line segment parallel to the vertical axis Y and the one represented by the line segment parallel to the horizontal axis X, as illustrated in Fig. 9, makes it easier to prevent reading errors during authenticity determination when the information recording medium 20 is soiled or damaged.

[0049] 7, the control unit 40 (information pattern acquisition unit 45) acquires an information pattern corresponding to the condition character string from the identification pattern storage unit 53. For example, if the condition character string is "1250008", the information pattern acquisition unit 45 acquires five types of information patterns of 0, 1, 2, 5, and 8 from the identification pattern storage unit 53. In S16, the control unit 40 (the code region generating unit 46 and the pattern region generating unit 47) performs a region generating process.

[0050] Here, the area generation process will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in image 35 in Fig. 10(A), the code region generation unit 46 generates a code region E1 having the code image generated in the process of S13. Then, in generating pattern region E2, the pattern region generation unit 47 reserves an area including blank areas (margins) around the code region E1 and divides it into nine partial regions 36-1 to 36-9. This is to make the partial regions 36-1 to 36-9 positions where either a specific pattern or an information pattern can be placed.

[0051] Next, as shown in image 37 in Fig. 10(B), pattern area generation unit 47 places the judgment pattern and the information pattern in predetermined positions. As an example, a vertically striped judgment pattern is placed in partial area 36-1, and a horizontally striped judgment pattern is placed in partial area 36-7. Furthermore, to indicate that the condition character string is "1250008," information patterns of "1," "2," "5," and "0" are placed in partial areas 36-2, 36-3, 36-4, and 36-5, in that order, and information patterns of "0," "0," and "8" are placed in partial areas 36-6, 36-8, and 36-9, in that order (Fig. 10(B) shows numbers corresponding to the patterns at the placement positions). It should be noted that this arrangement described by way of example is merely an example.

[0052] The judgment pattern is used to grasp the deviation width δ and the overlapping distance n in the process of authenticity determination. Therefore, it is desirable to place the judgment pattern in one of the four corners of the code image where there is a lot of blank space. Furthermore, since the finder pattern Cp has more blank space, it is desirable to place the judgment pattern in one of the partial areas 36-1, 36-3, or 36-7, which are the areas of the finder pattern Cp. FIG. 11 shows an image 39 of the information recording medium 20 generated by combining the pattern area E2 and the code area E1. In the image 39 of the information recording medium 20, determination patterns are arranged in two places on the finder pattern Cp, which makes it easy to check the deviation width δ and overlap interval n of the determination patterns by image processing.

[0053] In S17 of FIG. 7, the control unit 40 (forming processing unit 48) outputs an instruction to the printer 6 to perform processing to form the information recording medium 20 from the image 39 of the information recording medium 20 consisting of the code region E1, the pattern region E2, etc. Thereafter, the control unit 40 ends the process. The printer 6 prints on the base 10 based on the image 39. By this process, the label 1 having the information recording medium 20 on the base 10 can be generated.

[0054] <Authenticity Determination Service System SSB> Next, each device of the authentication service system SSB will be described. <Authenticity Determination Server 7> FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the authenticity determination server 7 according to this embodiment. The authenticity determination server 7 is a computer that determines the authenticity of the information recording medium 20 based on the data received from the user terminal 9. As shown in FIG. 12, the authenticity determination server 7 includes a control unit 70, a storage unit 80, and a communication interface unit 89. The control unit 70 is a CPU that controls the entire authenticity determination server 7. The control unit 70 appropriately reads and executes the OS and application programs stored in the storage unit 80, thereby cooperating with the above-mentioned hardware and executing various functions.

[0055] Before describing the control unit 70, the storage unit 80 will be described. The storage unit 80 is a storage area such as hardware, semiconductor memory elements, etc. for storing programs, data, etc. required for the control unit 70 to execute various processes. The storage unit 80 includes a program storage unit 81 , a condition storage unit 82 , and an identification pattern storage unit 83 . The program storage unit 81 is a storage area for storing various programs, and stores an authenticity determination program 81a. The authenticity determination program 81a is a program for performing various functions (described later) executed by the control unit 70 of the authenticity determination server 7.

[0056] The condition storage unit 82 is a storage area that stores data similar to the generation conditions for the determination patterns stored in the condition storage unit 52 of the generation device 4. The identification pattern storage unit 83 is a storage area that stores data similar to the information patterns stored in the identification pattern storage unit 53 of the generation device 4 . The condition storage unit 82 and the identification pattern storage unit 83 store data in advance based on the data of the condition storage unit 52 and the identification pattern storage unit 53 received from the generation device 4 .

[0057] Next, the control unit 70 will be described. The control unit 70 includes an image acquisition unit 71 (image receiving means), a code information acquisition unit 72 (code receiving means), a judgment pattern detection unit 73 (judgment pattern detection means), a spacing confirmation unit 74 (spacing confirmation means), an information pattern detection unit 75 (information pattern detection means), an identification information acquisition unit 76 (identification information acquisition means), a matching processing unit 77 (matching means), and an authenticity processing unit 78 (authenticity determination means, result processing means). The image acquisition unit 71 acquires an image of the information recording medium 20. More specifically, the image acquisition unit 71 acquires the image of the information recording medium 20 from the user terminal 9.

[0058] The code information acquisition unit 72 acquires a URL. More specifically, the code information acquisition unit 72 acquires from the user terminal 9 the URL that the user terminal 9 obtained from the code image included in the image of the information recording medium 20. The determination pattern detection unit 73 detects a determination pattern from the image of the information recording medium 20 acquired by the image acquisition unit 71. The determination pattern detection unit 73 can detect the position of the determination pattern, for example, by analyzing the image of the information recording medium 20. More specifically, the determination pattern detection unit 73 can detect the position of the determination pattern, for example, by storing an image of the determination pattern in advance in the storage unit 80 and performing pattern matching on the image of the information recording medium 20. The interval checking unit 74 checks the overlap interval n between the reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS from the detected determination pattern PJ.

[0059] The information pattern detection unit 75 detects an information pattern from the image of the information recording medium 20 acquired by the image acquisition unit 71. The information pattern detection unit 75 can detect the position of the information pattern, for example, by analyzing the image of the information recording medium 20. More specifically, the information pattern detection unit 75 can detect the position of the information pattern, for example, by pattern matching the image of the information recording medium 20 with the information pattern in the identification pattern storage unit 83. The identification information acquisition unit 76 refers to the identification pattern storage unit 83 and acquires the number corresponding to the information pattern from the detected information pattern.

[0060] The matching processing unit 77 matches a numerical value indicating the overlapping interval n contained in the condition character string obtained from the URL acquired by the code information acquisition unit 72 with the overlapping interval confirmed by the interval confirmation unit 74. The matching processing unit 77 also matches the numerical values ​​indicating the shift width δ and the overlapping interval n contained in the condition character string with the numbers acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 76. The authenticity processing unit 78 determines whether the information recording medium 20 is authentic based on whether or not the verification processing unit 77 has performed verification. The authenticity processing unit 78 determines that the information recording medium 20 is authentic only if the verification processing unit 77 has performed verification. The authenticity processing unit 78 then transmits the result of the authenticity determination to, for example, the user terminal 9.

[0061] The communication interface unit 89 is an interface for communicating with the generating device 4 via the communication network N1 and for communicating with the user terminal 9 via the communication network N2. Here, there is no limit to the number of pieces of hardware that constitute the authenticity determination server 7, and it may be configured with one or more pieces as necessary. Furthermore, the authenticity determination server 7 may be, for example, a cloud.

[0062] <User terminal 9> FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the user terminal 9 according to this embodiment. The user terminal 9 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user, or may be a tablet or the like. The user terminal 9 photographs the information recording medium 20 to acquire the image, detects the code image, transmits it to the authenticity determination server 7, and outputs the result of the authenticity determination. As shown in FIG. 13, the user terminal 9 includes a control unit 90, a storage unit 95, a camera 97, a touch panel display 98, and a communication interface unit 99. The control unit 90 is a CPU that controls the entire user terminal 9. The control unit 90 appropriately reads and executes the OS and application programs stored in the storage unit 95, thereby cooperating with the above-mentioned hardware and executing various functions.

[0063] The control unit 90 includes an image capture instruction receiving unit 91, an image acquisition processing unit 92 (image acquisition means), a code acquisition processing unit 93 (code acquisition means), and an information output processing unit 94 (result processing means). The photographing instruction receiving unit 91 receives a photographing instruction from a user. The image acquisition processing unit 92 acquires an image of the information recording medium 20 via the camera 97 in accordance with the photographing instruction received by the photographing instruction receiving unit 91. The image acquisition processing unit 92 then transmits the acquired image of the information recording medium 20 to the authenticity determination server 7. The code acquisition processing unit 93 detects the code image of the information recording medium 20 acquired by the image acquisition processing unit 92 and acquires a URL. Then, the code acquisition processing unit 93 transmits the acquired URL to the authenticity determination server 7.

[0064] The information output processing unit 94 performs processing related to the result in response to receiving the result of the authenticity determination from the authenticity determination server 7. Specifically, if the result of the authenticity determination is genuine, the information output processing unit 94 outputs, for example, a web page indicated by the URL to the touch panel display 98. If the result of the authenticity determination is not genuine, the information output processing unit 94 outputs a message indicating an error to the touch panel display 98.

[0065] The storage unit 95 is a storage area such as a semiconductor memory element for storing programs, data, etc. required for the control unit 90 to execute various processes. The storage unit 95 includes a program storage unit 96 . The program storage unit 96 is a storage area for storing various programs. The program storage unit 96 stores a processing program 96a, which is a program for performing various functions executed by the control unit 90 of the user terminal 9.

[0066] The camera 97 is an image capturing device. The camera 97 is provided, for example, on the surface opposite to the surface having the touch panel display 98, and captures images in response to operational instructions via the touch panel display 98. The touch panel display 98 functions as a display unit configured with a liquid crystal panel or the like, and also functions as an input unit that detects touch input by the user's finger or the like. The communication interface unit 99 is an interface for communicating with an external server such as the authenticity determination server 7. Here, a computer refers to an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a storage device, etc., and the authenticity determination server 7 and the user terminal 9 are each information processing devices equipped with a control unit, a storage device, etc., and are included in the concept of a computer.

[0067] <Processing Description> Next, the authenticity determination process will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the authenticity determination process of the authenticity determination server according to this embodiment. First, when the user executes the processing program 96a of the user terminal 9 to start the camera 97 and take a picture of the label 1, in S21 the control unit 90 (photographing instruction receiving unit 91) of the user terminal 9 receives the photographing instruction, and the control unit 90 (image acquisition processing unit 92) acquires the photographed image.

[0068] In S22, the control unit 90 (code acquisition processing unit 93) of the user terminal 9 detects the code image of the information recording medium 20 from the captured image and acquires a URL. The acquired URL is an encrypted condition string. The code acquisition processing unit 93 then transmits the acquired encrypted URL to the authenticity determination server 7. In S23, the control unit 90 (image acquisition processing unit 92) of the user terminal 9 transmits the captured image including the acquired image of the information recording medium 20 to the authenticity determination server 7. At that time, the image acquisition processing unit 92 may cut out the image of the information recording medium 20 from the captured image and transmit the cut-out image of the information recording medium 20. Here, the processes of S22 and S23 may be performed simultaneously or in the reverse order. In addition, the control unit 90 may also transmit, to the authenticity determination server 7, information for identifying the user terminal 9, such as terminal identification information, so that the authenticity determination server 7 can associate the encrypted URL with the image of the information recording medium 20.

[0069] In S31, when the control unit 70 (code information acquisition unit 72) of the authenticity determination server 7 acquires the encrypted URL, it performs a decryption process (S32) and acquires a condition character string from the decrypted URL (S33). Furthermore, when the control unit 70 (image acquisition unit 71) of the authenticity determination server 7 acquires the image of the information recording medium 20, the control unit 70 checks the determination pattern in S34. More specifically, the determination pattern detection unit 73 detects the position of the determination pattern, and the interval check unit 74 checks the overlap interval n between the reference pattern and the pair pattern from the detected determination pattern. In S35, the control unit 70 checks the information pattern. More specifically, the information pattern detection unit 75 detects the position of the information pattern, and the identification information acquisition unit 76 refers to the identification pattern storage unit 83 and acquires a number corresponding to the information pattern from the detected information pattern.

[0070] In S36, the control unit 70 (the matching processing unit 77) performs matching processing. For example, through the process of S33, the control unit 70 can confirm that the shift width δ is 0.125 and the overlap interval n is 8 from the condition character string obtained from the decrypted URL (confirmation 1). Furthermore, by the process of S34, the control unit 70 can confirm that the overlap interval n is 8 based on the determination pattern (confirmation 2). Furthermore, through the process of S35, the control unit 70 can confirm that the deviation width δ is 0.125 and the overlapping interval n is 8 based on the information pattern (confirmation 3).

[0071] If confirmation 1 to confirmation 3 are the same, the matching processing unit 77 determines that matching has been successful. However, if the information recording medium is a fake that has been copied, the determination pattern and information pattern cannot be confirmed from the image. Therefore, confirmation 2 and confirmation 3 cannot be performed, and the matching processing unit 77 determines that matching was not possible. In S37, the authenticity processing unit 78 determines the authenticity based on the result of the matching process, and transmits the result to the user terminal 9. In S24, the information output processing unit 94 of the user terminal 9 receives the authenticity determination result from the authenticity determination server 7 and outputs the result to the touch panel display 98.

[0072] As described above, the present embodiment has the following advantages. (1) The information recording medium 20 has a code layer 21 formed in black and a pattern layer 22 formed in a chromatic color different from black, which are arranged on a base 10, the code layer 21 forming a code area E1 having a code image such as a two-dimensional code, the pattern layer 22 forming a pattern area E2 having one or more judgment patterns PJ, and in a planar view, at least a portion of the code area E1 is formed overlapping a partial area of ​​the judgment pattern PJ, and the judgment pattern PJ is a moire excitation pattern that excites moire by overlapping the reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS. Therefore, at least a portion of the code area E1 and the determination pattern PJ, which is a moiré excitation pattern, are formed to overlap, so that the code image and the determination pattern PJ overlap on the information recording medium 20. If the information recording medium 20 is copied, a moiré phenomenon occurs at the position of the determination pattern PJ, making it possible to detect unauthorized duplication of the code. Furthermore, the information recording medium 20 can generate a code image in black, which is easy to read by a reading device such as the user terminal 9, and can generate the determination pattern PJ in a color that is easy to see as an image.

[0073] (2) The reference pattern PB and the pair pattern PS of the information recording medium 20 are linear stripe patterns each having a fixed width, and the width of the stripe pattern of the reference pattern PB is configured to be different from the width of the stripe pattern of the pair pattern PS. Furthermore, the information recording medium 20 is configured so that the line segments constituting the stripe pattern of the reference pattern PB and the line segments constituting the stripe pattern of the pair pattern PS overlap at a fixed interval. Therefore, a striped moire excitation pattern can be used for the information recording medium 20. Furthermore, the fact that the patterns overlap at a fixed interval can be used as a condition for determining authenticity.

[0074] (3) The pattern area E2 of the information recording medium 20 further has one or more information patterns in a position that does not overlap the judgment pattern PJ, and the information patterns are composed of two periodic patterns, each of which is a linear stripe pattern having a certain width, and one periodic pattern overlaps the other periodic pattern at different angles. Therefore, the information recording medium 20 can have a complex pattern area, improving security. Also, the information pattern can be used as a condition for determining authenticity.

[0075] (4) The pattern area E2 and the code area E1 of the information recording medium 20 are formed to overlap each other, and the pattern area E2 is larger than the code area E1. Therefore, the information recording medium 20 always has the pattern area E2 in the code image of the code area E1, making it more difficult to copy. Also, the occurrence of a portion that contains only the code area E1 makes it easier to recognize the determination pattern, for example.

[0076] (5) The code image on the information recording medium 20 is a two-dimensional code or a bar code. Therefore, the information recording medium 20 can use a general code image, and therefore the information recording medium 20 can be used for a variety of purposes.

[0077] (6) The generation device 4 receives the offset width δ and overlap interval n used to generate the judgment pattern PJ, generates a code image in which a condition string indicating the received overlap interval n is incorporated into a URL, and generates the judgment pattern PJ by overlapping the reference pattern PB, which is a linear stripe pattern having a constant width that satisfies the relationship between the received offset width δ and overlap interval n, and the pair pattern PS so that moiré occurs. Therefore, it is possible to generate a code image in which information about the overlapping interval n used to generate a judgment pattern is incorporated into the URL, and it is possible to generate a judgment pattern that satisfies the shift width δ and the overlapping interval n.

[0078] (7) The generating device 4 generates a code area E1 having the generated code image. The generating device 4 also generates a pattern area E2 in which the determination pattern PJ is arranged at a predetermined position so that at least a portion of the generated code area E1 and a portion of the generated determination pattern PJ overlap. Therefore, it is possible to generate an information recording medium 20 having a determination pattern PJ that has both a portion that overlaps at least a part of the code image and a portion that does not overlap the code image.

[0079] (8) The generation device 4 generates a code image in which a condition string indicating the received shift width δ and overlap interval n is incorporated into a URL, acquires an information pattern corresponding to the condition string from the identification pattern storage unit 53, and generates a pattern area E2 in which the acquired information pattern is further placed in a predetermined position that does not overlap with the judgment pattern. Therefore, the pattern area E2 of the information recording medium 20 can have a more complex pattern including the determination pattern PJ and the information pattern. Furthermore, the identification information (numbers) corresponding to the information pattern can be used to determine authenticity.

[0080] (9) The generating device 4 generates a code image in which the encrypted condition character string is incorporated into the code information. Therefore, the generated code image can be highly secure.

[0081] (10) The printer 6 forms the generated code area E1 on the base 10 in black using black (K) ink, and forms the generated pattern area E2 on the base 10 in chromatic colors using cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, and yellow (Y) ink. Therefore, the printer 6 can form the code area E1 and the pattern area E2 on the base 10, and can generate the information recording medium 20.

[0082] (11) The authenticity determination server 7, which determines whether the information recording medium 20 is genuine, receives an image of the information recording medium 20, receives a URL obtained from a code image contained in the image of the information recording medium 20, detects a determination pattern PJ from the received image of the information recording medium 20, and from the detected determination pattern PJ, confirms the overlapping distance n between a reference pattern PB, which is a striped pattern with a constant width, and a pair pattern PS, which is a striped pattern with a constant width different from that of the reference pattern PB, and compares the confirmed overlapping distance n with a condition string indicating the overlapping distance n obtained from the received URL.If a match is successful, the information recording medium 20 is determined to be genuine. Therefore, the authenticity of the information recording medium 20 can be determined using the code image and the determination pattern.

[0083] (12) The authenticity determination server 7 detects an information pattern from the image of the information recording medium 20, and by referring to the identification pattern memory unit 53, acquires identification information (numbers) from the detected information pattern, and further compares the acquired identification information (numbers) with a condition string indicating the shift width δ and overlap interval n obtained from the received URL. Therefore, the authenticity of the information recording medium 20 can be determined using the code image and the information pattern in the determination pattern area.

[0084] (13) The authenticity determination server 7 outputs the result of the authenticity determination. Therefore, the result of the authentication can be communicated to the user who obtained the image of the information recording medium 20, for example, by transmitting the result of the authentication to the user terminal 9 that is the sender of the image of the information recording medium 20.

[0085] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Note that the above-described embodiments and the modified embodiments described below can be used in appropriate combinations, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] (Variations) (1) In this embodiment, the code image has been described as an example of a two-dimensional code image, such as a QR code (registered trademark), but the code image is not limited to this. It may be a two-dimensional code other than a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, or any other code. (2) In the present embodiment, the shift width δ of the determination pattern and the overlapping interval n are used to determine authenticity, but this is not limiting. For example, the authenticity may be determined by comparing only the overlapping interval n. In addition, in this embodiment, both the judgment pattern and the information pattern are used to determine authenticity, but this is not limiting. For example, only the judgment pattern may be used. However, using both the judgment pattern and the information pattern will result in higher reliability.

[0087] (3) In the present embodiment, the pattern area is divided into nine parts, and the determination pattern and information pattern are arranged in predetermined positions. However, this is not limiting. For example, the number of divisions of the pattern area does not have to be nine, and may be, for example, four, or may be n × m (n ≠ m). Furthermore, the condition character string may be expressed as another character string as long as the values ​​of the shift width δ of the determination pattern and the overlap interval n are known. In addition, although an example has been shown in which either a judgment pattern or an information pattern is placed in all divided areas, there may be blank areas among the divided areas that do not have either a judgment pattern or an information pattern.

[0088] (4) In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which both the generation device 4 and the authenticity determination server 7 have a condition storage unit and an identification pattern storage unit, but this is not limited to this. A storage device having a condition storage unit and an identification pattern storage unit may be provided separately from the generation device 4 and the authenticity determination server 7, and the generation device and the authenticity determination server may use the storage device by accessing it. Alternatively, either the generation device or the authenticity determination server may have a condition storage unit and an identification pattern storage unit, and the other device may use the storage device by accessing it.

[0089] (5) In the present embodiment, the user terminal 9 transmits an encrypted URL and an image of the information recording medium 20 to the authenticity determination server 7, but this is not limiting. For example, the user terminal may transmit only an image of the information recording medium to the authenticity determination server 7, and the authenticity determination server may detect a code image from the image of the information recording medium and obtain the encrypted URL.

[0090] (6) In the present embodiment, the authenticity determination server 7 receives and processes all data from the user terminal 9, but this is not limiting. For example, the process from obtaining the encrypted URL to obtaining the condition string may be performed by another server, such as an authentication server. Furthermore, depending on the result of the authenticity determination, another server, such as a product information server, may transmit product information, or other information related to the item G, to the user terminal.

[0091] (7) In the present embodiment, the conditions for the determination pattern are specified by the label generation operator, but this is not limiting. For example, the conditions to be created may be specified in advance, eliminating the need for the condition presenting unit 41 and the condition receiving unit 42 to perform processing.

[0092] (8) In the present embodiment, the label 1 having the information recording medium 20 has been described as an example, but this is not limiting. Any other medium having an information recording medium may be used, and is not limited to, for example, a sticker-like medium. Furthermore, the item G having the information recording medium 20 is not limited to the example item, and may be, for example, a card. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 Label 4 Generator 6 Printers 7 Authentication Server 9 User terminals 10 base 20 Information Recording Body 21 Code Layers 22 Pattern Layer 40, 70, 90 control section 42 Conditions Reception Department 43 Code Generation 44 Judgment pattern generation unit 45 Information pattern acquisition unit 46 Code Region Generation Unit 47 Pattern area generation unit 48 Formation Processing Section 50, 80, 95 memory section 51a Generator 52, 82 Condition memory section 53, 83 Identification pattern memory unit 71 Image acquisition unit 72 Code information acquisition unit 73 Judgment pattern detection unit 74 Spacing check section 75 Information pattern detection unit 76 Identification information acquisition unit 77 Matching processing unit 78 Authenticity Processing Department 81a Authentication Program 92 Image acquisition processing section 93 Code acquisition processing unit 94 Information output processing section 100 Authenticity Verification Service System B1~B9 Images C Code Image Cp finder pattern E1 coding region E2 Pattern Area G Goods N1, N2 communication networks PB Reference Pattern PJ Judgment Pattern PS Pair Pattern SSA Label Generation Service System SSB Authentication Service System δ Deviation width n overlap interval

Claims

1. An information recording medium having a first forming portion formed in a first color and a second forming portion formed in a color different from the first color, disposed on a substrate, the first forming section forms a code area having a code image; the second forming unit forms a pattern area having one or more determination patterns; In a plan view, at least a part of the code image is formed so as to overlap a partial area of ​​the determination pattern, The information recording medium, wherein the determination pattern is a moire excitation pattern that excites moire by overlapping a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern.

2. 2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, An information recording medium, wherein the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern are linear stripe patterns each having a constant width, and the width of the stripe pattern of the first periodic pattern is different from the width of the stripe pattern of the second periodic pattern.

3. 3. The information recording medium according to claim 2, An information recording medium, wherein the line segments constituting the striped pattern of the first periodic pattern and the line segments constituting the striped pattern of the second periodic pattern are configured to overlap at regular intervals.

4. 2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, the pattern region further includes one or more information patterns at positions that do not overlap the determination pattern; The information pattern is composed of two periodic patterns, each of which is a linear stripe pattern having a constant width, and one periodic pattern and the other periodic pattern are overlapped at different angles.

5. 2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, The information recording medium, wherein the pattern area and the code area are formed to overlap each other, and the pattern area is larger than the code area.

6. 2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, The code image is a two-dimensional code or a barcode.

7. 2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, The information recording medium, wherein the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern of the determination pattern are formed in different chromatic colors.

8. A label comprising the information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Computer, a condition receiving means for receiving a deviation width and an overlapping interval used to generate a determination pattern; a code generating means for generating a code image in which the condition character string indicating the overlapping interval accepted by the condition accepting means is incorporated into code information; a determination pattern generating means for generating the determination pattern by overlapping a first periodic pattern and a second periodic pattern, which are linear stripe patterns having a constant width that satisfies the relationship between the shift width and the overlapping interval received by the condition receiving means, so as to excite moire; A program to make it function as such.

10. 10. The program according to claim 9, The computer a code region generating means for generating a code region having the code image generated by the code generating means; a pattern area generating means for generating a pattern area in which the determination pattern generated by the determination pattern generating means is disposed at a predetermined position so that at least a part of the code area generated by the code area generating means and a part of the determination pattern generated by the determination pattern generating means are superimposed on each other; A program that makes things work.

11. The program according to claim 10, the computer includes an identification pattern storage unit that stores identification information and information patterns in association with each other; causing the code generation means to function to generate the code image by incorporating character strings indicating the deviation width and the overlapping distance accepted by the condition acceptance means as the condition character strings into the code information; causing the computer to function as an information pattern acquisition unit that acquires the information pattern corresponding to the condition character string from the identification pattern storage unit; a program that causes the pattern area generating means to function to generate the pattern area in which the information pattern acquired by the information pattern acquiring means is further arranged at a predetermined position that does not overlap with the determination pattern;

12. The program according to claim 11, The information pattern is composed of two periodic patterns, each of which is a linear stripe pattern having a fixed width, and one periodic pattern and the other periodic pattern are overlapped at different angles.

13. The program according to claim 10, The computer a first forming means for forming the code region generated by the code region generating means on a substrate using a first color; a second forming means for forming the pattern region generated by the pattern region generating means on the base material using a color different from the first color; A program that makes things work.

14. 10. The program according to claim 9, a program that causes the code generation means to function to generate the code image in which the encrypted condition character string is incorporated into the code information;

15. 2. A method for producing the information recording medium according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: The generating device: a condition receiving step of receiving a deviation width and an overlapping interval used to generate the determination pattern; a code generating step of generating the code image by incorporating the condition character string indicating the overlapping interval accepted in the condition accepting step into code information; a determination pattern generating step of generating the determination pattern by overlapping the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern, which are linear stripe patterns having a constant width that satisfies the relationship between the shift width and the overlapping interval accepted in the condition accepting step, so as to excite moire; a code region generating step of generating the code region having the code image generated in the code generating step; a pattern area generating step of generating the pattern area in which the determination pattern is arranged at a predetermined position so that at least a part of the code area generated in the code area generating step and a part of the determination pattern generated in the determination pattern generating step overlap each other; Including, The printing device a first forming step of forming the code region generated in the code region generating step on the base material using the first color; a second forming step of forming the pattern region generated in the pattern region generating step on the base material using a color different from the first color; A manufacturing method comprising:

16. An authenticity determination device for determining whether an information recording medium is genuine, comprising: an image receiving means for receiving an image of an information recording medium; a code receiving means for receiving code information obtained from a code image included in the image of the information recording medium; a determination pattern detection means for detecting a determination pattern from the image of the information recording medium received by the image reception means; a spacing confirmation means for confirming, from the determination patterns detected by the determination pattern detection means, an overlapping spacing between a first periodic pattern which is a striped pattern having a constant width and a second periodic pattern which is a striped pattern having a constant width different from that of the first periodic pattern; a comparison means for comparing a condition character string indicating an overlapping interval obtained from the code information received by the code receiving means with the overlapping interval confirmed by the interval confirmation means; an authenticity determination means for determining that the information recording medium is genuine when the verification is successful; An authenticity determination device comprising:

17. The authenticity determination device according to claim 16, an identification pattern storage unit that stores identification information and information patterns in association with each other; an information pattern detection means for detecting the information pattern from the image of the information recording medium received by the image reception means; an identification information acquiring means for acquiring the identification information from the information pattern detected by the information pattern detecting means by referring to the identification pattern storage unit; Equipped with The matching means further matches the condition string indicating the shift width and the overlapping interval between the first periodic pattern and the second periodic pattern, which is obtained from the code information received by the code receiving means, with the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means.

18. The authenticity determination device according to claim 16, An authenticity determination device comprising a result processing means for outputting a result of the authenticity determination by the authenticity determination means.

19. An authenticity determination system for determining whether an information recording medium is genuine, comprising: an image acquisition means for photographing an information recording medium and acquiring an image of the information recording medium; a code acquisition means for detecting a code image from the image of the information recording medium acquired by the image acquisition means and acquiring code information; a determination pattern detection means for detecting a determination pattern from the image of the information recording medium acquired by the image acquisition means; a spacing confirmation means for confirming, from the determination patterns detected by the determination pattern detection means, an overlapping spacing between a first periodic pattern which is a striped pattern having a constant width and a second periodic pattern which is a striped pattern having a constant width different from that of the first periodic pattern; a comparison means for comparing a condition character string indicating an overlapping interval obtained from the code information acquired by the code acquisition means with the overlapping interval confirmed by the interval confirmation means; an authenticity determination means for determining that the information recording medium is genuine when the verification is successful; a result processing means for processing a result of the authenticity determination by the authenticity determination means; An authenticity determination system comprising:

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