Incorrect confirmation assistance device and method

Abstract

To provide a fraud confirmation assist device and a fraud confirmation method capable of efficiently confirming a plurality of frauds.SOLUTION: The fraud confirmation assist device comprises: a light source for irradiating a reading target with light in at least an invisible wavelength range; a reading sensor having sensitivity in at least the invisible wavelength region; a control unit which performs a reading operation of the reading target by the combination of the light source and the reading sensor; and an output unit which outputs a plurality of pieces of fraud confirmation information on the basis of read information output by the reading sensor by the reading operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an unauthorized confirmation assistance device and a method. way and a method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, several anti-counterfeiting techniques for detecting fraud such as forgery and alteration of various certificates and documents are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining document alteration. In this technique, a trained image classifier is used to determine whether an image has been altered.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, recently, there are many documents to which techniques for preventing multiple types of fraud are applied, and the awareness of strengthening security has been increasing year by year. Conventionally, for each type of technique, a separate device has been used to check for forgery or alteration, which has the problem that the confirmation work by the user is time-consuming and inefficient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an unauthorized confirmation assistance device and a method capable of efficiently performing confirmation of multiple types of fraud. way and a method.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the unauthorized confirmation assistance device of the present invention includes a light source that irradiates light in at least an invisible wavelength range to a reading target, a reading sensor that has sensitivity at least in the invisible wavelength range, a control unit that performs a reading operation on the reading target in combination with the light source and the reading sensor, and a reading image output by the reading sensor by one reading operation on the reading target from, an extraction processing unit that extracts invisible characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks at a predetermined position in the read image and the encrypted image in the read image, a first processing unit that performs an emphasis process on the characters, the numbers, the symbols, the patterns, or the marks extracted by the extraction processing unit, and a second processing unit that decrypts information from the encrypted image extracted by the extraction processing unit, said visually display both the characters, the numbers, the symbols, the patterns, or the marks after the emphasis process and the information after the decryptionCharacterized by comprising an output unit that outputs.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is an effect that a plurality of fraud confirmations can be efficiently performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] With reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of an incorrect confirmation assistance device and an incorrect confirmation method will be described in detail. Hereinafter, examples of the incorrect confirmation assistance device as an image reading device and an image forming device will be shown as examples of the incorrect confirmation assistance device. In the following, an example in which an image sensor is applied as the reading sensor is shown, but the reading sensor is not limited to the image sensor as long as it is configured to convert light into an electrical signal. The image (also referred to as a read image) and image information output by the image sensor are examples of the "information (or read information)" output by the reading sensor. Further, the incorrect confirmation assistance device is not limited to an image reading device or an image forming device, and may be a dedicated device having an assistance function for incorrect confirmation. Further, if an assistance function for incorrect confirmation can be applied, it may be implemented by a device having other functions.

[0010] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an incorrect confirmation assistance device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an image reading device which is an example of the incorrect confirmation assistance device.

[0011] The image reading device irradiates light from a light source onto a reading target such as various certificates and documents, and receives the light reflected from the reading target with an image sensor to read an image.

[0012] Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the image reading device main body 10 has a contact glass 11 on the upper surface and has reading means (first reading means) inside the image reading device main body 10. Inside the image reading device main body 10, a light source 13, a first carriage 14, a second carriage 15, a lens unit 16, a sensor board 17, etc. are provided. The first carriage 14 has a light source 13 and a reflection mirror 14-1, and the second carriage 15 has reflection mirrors 15-1 and 15-2. Further, the image reading device main body 10 includes a control board (corresponding to the control unit 300 shown in FIG. 2) and controls the entire device.

[0013] The control board moves the first carriage 14 and the second carriage 15, and irradiates the light of the light source 13, etc., to sequentially read the reflected light from the reading target arranged on the contact glass 11 with an image sensor. Due to the irradiation of the light of the light source 13, the light reflected by the reading target is reflected by the mirror 14-1 of the first carriage 14 and the mirrors 15-1 and 15-2 of the second carriage 15, and enters the lens unit 16. The light emitted from the lens unit 16 forms an image on the image sensor (the first reading unit) provided on the sensor board 17. The image sensor is an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary MOS), and converts the reflected light from the reading target into an electrical signal and outputs image information. Note that the light source 13 is not limited to one light source, and a plurality of light sources may be provided. Also, the image sensor is not limited to one image sensor, and a plurality of image sensors may be provided. The device settings of these combinations of numbers will be described as needed in the later stage. The reference white board 12 is a member that is read in advance to perform white correction on the read image.

[0014] The image reading device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is further equipped with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 20, and it is also possible to read the reading target in a sheet-through manner by the ADF 20. In the ADF 20, the pickup roller 22 separates the bundle of reading targets from the tray 21 of the ADF 20 one by one, and reads one side or both sides of the reading target conveyed through the conveyance path 23 under the control of various conveyance rollers 24, etc., and discharges it to the discharge tray 25.

[0015] The reading of the reading target is performed at the reading window 19. In this example, the first carriage 14 and the second carriage 15 are moved to a predetermined home position and fixed. When the reading target passes between the reading window 19 and the background part 26, the light of the light source 13 is irradiated onto the first surface (front surface) of the reading target facing the reading window 19 to read the image. The reading window 19 is a slit-shaped reading window provided in a part of the contact glass 11. Also, the background part 26 is a background member.

[0016] When performing double-sided reading of the object to be read, after passing through the reading window 19, the second side (back side) is read by the reading module 27 of the second reading means provided on the second side. The reading module 27 has an irradiation unit including a light source and a close-contact type image sensor which is the second reading unit, and reads the reflected light of the light irradiated on the second side by the close-contact type image sensor. Note that this light source is not limited to a single light source, and a plurality of light sources may be provided. Also, the image sensor is not limited to a single image sensor, and a plurality of image sensors may be provided. The background member 28 is composed of a density reference member.

[0017] When the first reading means and the second reading means read the object to be read, shading correction is performed with shading data generated based on the density reference member respectively. In shading correction, variations in accuracy for each pixel of each reading unit are corrected.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the control block of the image reading apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control block of the image reading apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading apparatus 1 includes a control unit 300, an operation panel 301, various sensors 302, a scanner motor 303, various motors 304, and a reading means 400. In addition, various control targets are connected. The various sensors 302 are sensors for detecting the object to be read. The scanner motor 303 is a motor for driving the first carriage 14 and the second carriage 15 of the image reading apparatus main body 10. The various motors 304 are various motors provided in the ADF 20.

[0019] The operation panel 301 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device. The operation panel 301 receives input operations such as various settings and reading execution (scan execution) from the user via operation buttons, touch inputs, etc., and transmits corresponding operation signals to the control unit 300. Also, the operation panel 301 displays various display information from the control unit 300 on the display screen. For example, the operation panel 301 is provided with an execution button for the user to perform inaccurate confirmation of various certificates, documents, etc., and when there is an input operation of the execution button, it instructs the control unit 300 to execute the inaccurate confirmation process. It may be possible to select whether to perform inaccurate confirmation on the setting screen of the display screen. Also, it may be set such that the inaccurate confirmation process is always executed when the scan execution button is operated. The execution result of the inaccurate confirmation process is output so that the control unit 300 can visualize it. For example, an execution screen (confirmation screen) of the inaccurate confirmation process is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel 301. Also, the data of the confirmation screen may be saved in an external memory or output to an external printer for printing out.

[0020] The reading means 400 shows an example of a functional block for reading an image. Note that the first reading means and the second reading means are not limited to this. The reading means 400 includes a light source unit 401, a sensor chip 402, an amplifier 403, an A / D 404, an image processing unit 405, a frame memory 406, an output control circuit 407, and an I / F circuit 408, and image data (read image) is output from the output control circuit 407 to the control unit 300 through the I / F circuit 408 for each frame. Here, the sensor chip 402, the amplifier 403, the A / D 404, the image processing unit 405, the frame memory 406, the output control circuit 407, and the I / F circuit 408 are provided on the sensor board 17 (see FIG. 1). Each sensor chip 402 is a pixel sensor provided in the image sensor.

[0021] The reading means 400 is driven by the controller 307 based on a reading control signal (such as a timing signal) output from the control unit 300. For example, the reading means 400 irradiates the object to be read with light by lighting the light source unit 401 based on a lighting signal from the controller 307. Further, the reading means 400 converts the light from the object to be read imaged on the sensor surface of the image sensor into an electrical signal by each sensor chip 402 and outputs it.

[0022] The reading means 400 amplifies the electrical signal (pixel signal) output from each sensor chip 402 by the amplifier 403, converts it from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D 404, and outputs a level signal of the pixel. The image processing unit 405 performs image processing on the output signal from each pixel. For example, the image processing unit 405 performs shading correction on the output signal from each pixel.

[0023] After the image processing, each data is stored in the frame memory 406, and the read image is transferred to the control unit 300 via the output control circuit 407 and the I / F circuit 408.

[0024] The control unit 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, etc., and executes operations such as the reading operation of the reading target and the process of performing an irregularity check by controlling the entire device. The processing unit for performing an irregularity check, etc., may be implemented by a functional unit expressed by the CPU executing a predetermined program, may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or may be implemented by sharing functions respectively. When the control unit 300 receives a scan execution operation to which an irregularity check is applied, it executes an irregularity check process during the scan execution. For example, for the reading means 400, it performs a reading operation on the reading target with a combination of a predetermined light source and a predetermined image sensor. In addition, the control unit 300 executes one or more irregularity check processes on the read image transferred from the reading means 400, visualizes the result, and outputs it. For example, the control unit 300 displays an execution screen (confirmation screen) of the irregularity check process on the display screen of the operation panel 301. Also, the data of the confirmation screen may be saved in an external memory or output to an external printer for printing out.

[0025] Subsequently, the configuration of the irregularity check means will be described in detail. Hereinafter, examples of device settings when mainly performing an irregularity check will be shown. The inventor of the present application focused on the spectral reflection characteristics of carbon black (hereinafter also referred to as black toner) in the invisible wavelength range, and implemented several methods to enable a plurality (a plurality of types) of irregularity checks in a single reading operation using this characteristic. Therefore, first, taking various certificates and documents as examples of the reading target, the effectiveness of printing their printed surfaces with toner having spectral reflection characteristics in the invisible wavelength range will be shown, and the configuration of the irregularity check means will be described in detail. Note that the carbon black used for the printed surface is taken as an example. Other inks, etc., may be appropriately used as long as they exhibit characteristics similar to carbon black.

[0026] Hereinafter, "visible information" refers to information that can be confirmed by the human eye under natural light, or information that can be confirmed by a sensing device such as an image sensor that is sensitive to visible light (light in the visible wavelength range). Also, "invisible information" refers to information that cannot be confirmed by the human eye under natural light, or information that cannot be confirmed by a visible light sensing device, for example, information that can only be confirmed by a sensing device such as an image sensor that is sensitive to light in the invisible wavelength range such as infrared rays (including near-infrared) and ultraviolet rays. Also, among the device configurations shown below, settings such as information for preventing unauthorized confirmation previously applied to the printed surface, the number and wavelength range of light sources and image sensors used for reading means are also included in the configuration of the "unauthorized confirmation assistance device" in a broad sense.

[0027] Figure 3 is a graph showing the spectral reflectance characteristics of carbon black. As shown in Figure 3, carbon black has a low reflectance both in the visible wavelength range and in the invisible wavelength range. That is, for a printed surface printed with carbon black black toner, it is read as "black" both under visible wavelength range illumination and under invisible wavelength range illumination.

[0028] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration for performing unauthorized confirmation. The reading means 400 in Figure 4 shows a light source 401 and an image sensor 402, but also includes other configurations as shown in the reading means 400 in Figure 2. As the light source 401 shown in Figure 4, a light source including at least an invisible wavelength component is used, and as the image sensor 402, an image sensor having sensitivity in the wavelength range of the light source 401 is used. For example, a light source 401 of light including an invisible wavelength range component and a visible wavelength range component is used, and an image sensor 402 having sensitivity in the wavelength range including them is used. Also, the reading means 400 reads the image information (image 1 as an example) to be used according to the type of unauthorized confirmation with a small number of reading operations. Here, the case of reading with one (1) reading operation is shown as an example.

[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the extraction processing unit 500 and the visualization processing unit 600 correspond to the "output unit". The extraction processing unit 500 includes a plurality of auxiliary processing units 501, extracts a target image (image 1 in this example) from the read images read in one reading operation, and processes the target image with the auxiliary processing unit 501.

[0030] Each auxiliary processing unit 501 performs auxiliary processing for forgery confirmation using the target image, and outputs the processed result as a plurality of forgery confirmation information indicating whether the read target is the original information without forgery and alteration. The visualization processing unit 600 outputs the forgery confirmation information obtained by the auxiliary processing after visualizing each processing result. For example, the visualization processing unit 600 visualizes each processing result and outputs it together to the display screen of the operation panel 301. Alternatively, the visualization processing unit 600 visualizes and outputs the processing result as print information so that it can be printed by an external printer.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printed surface. FIG. 5(a) shows the configuration of the printed surface of a certain claim form. The printed surface 1000 shown in FIG. 5(a) shows the state when the one printed with black toner is observed by the human eye under natural light. On the printed surface 1000, the information that the recipient of the claim form (the person who pays the claim amount) should confirm is printed in black toner. In this example, various information (character information, claim amount "￥5,000,000", etc.) regarding the printed claim content corresponds to the information to be confirmed. The triangles and squares in the printed surface 1000 represent the above-mentioned character information other than the "claim form".

[0032] The printed surface 1000 shown in FIG. 5(a) has already been subjected to special processing for forgery prevention that can only be observed with special light. FIG. 5(b) is a diagram for explaining the special processing performed for forgery prevention. For comparison with FIG. 5(a), the number "5" (the number indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5(a)) 1001 observed by the human eye under natural light and the image (invisible light image) 2001 of the number "5" on the printed surface 1000 when read in the invisible wavelength range are shown side by side.

[0033] For example, under the rule of "all numbers are processed specially", processing is performed on the top of each number on the printing surface 1000 with an invisible light paint, and the rest is printed with black toner. That is, generally, it is sufficient to notify the claim content. Therefore, the claim content is printed with black toner that can be confirmed by the human eye under natural light. To detect forgery, it is printed with a special paint that cannot be confirmed under natural light, and detected by irradiating with special light (light in the invisible wavelength range).

[0034] In this example, when the portion 1001 of the number "5" is read in the invisible wavelength range, an invisible image 2001 including dots (corresponding to "comparison information") applied with an invisible light paint on the number "5" (corresponding to "original information") as shown in Fig. 5(b) is obtained. Since the number "5" uses black toner, it can also be read in the visible wavelength range, and is recognized as "5" in both the visible image and the invisible image 2001, and the dots are shown only in the invisible image 2001. Note that the number and arrangement of the dots may be changed according to the number. For example, for the number "5" shown in Fig. 5(b), three dots are provided at a predetermined interval so that a line is not added to the number to prevent forgery into another number. The number of dots may be 2 or less or 4 or more.

[0035] When the printing surface 1000 shown in Fig. 5(a) is read by the image reading device 1 of Fig. 1 to which the device configuration shown in Fig. 4 is applied, an image including dots such as the invisible image 2001 shown in Fig. 5(b) is output from the reading means 400. The auxiliary processing unit 501 performs corresponding processing for incorrect confirmation on the invisible image, for example, enhancement processing such as enlargement of the dot portion, and enhancement processing of the number without dots, and outputs the processing result (invisible image) to the visualization processing unit 600. As a result, even when the claim form is forged or tampering such as addition or deletion of numbers is made on the printing surface 1000, the visualization processing unit 600 visualizes and displays the invisible image, etc., so that finally it can be determined by the user's eyes whether forgery or tampering has been made.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the processing result displayed on the display screen by the visualization processing unit 600. For example, assume that there is a rule to perform special processing on all of the numbers of the claim amount shown in FIG. 5(a). In that case, the user checks from the display of the invisible image 2000 shown in FIG. 6 that there are dots on all of the numbers of the claim amount, and determines whether the scanned claim form is a regular document. In the example shown in FIG. 6, there are dots on all of the numbers of the claim amount. For this reason, the user can determine that the claim form is a regular document and that there is no forgery in the claim amount. On the other hand, if there are no dots on all of the numbers in FIG. 6, the claim form is suspected of being forged. Also, even if there are dots, if there is a case where there is no number at the position of the dot, it is suspected that there has been forgery such as addition or deletion of numbers later.

[0037] Note that although the auxiliary processing unit 501 has been described as performing an emphasis process such as magnifying the portion where dots are printed in this example, the emphasis process is not limited to the magnifying process, and other processes may be used as long as they are emphasis processes that make it easy for the user to determine fraud.

[0038] Also, in the embodiment, as an example of the printed surface, an example is shown in which characters and numbers are printed with black toner and dots are applied to each number with an invisible paint. The dots may be printed using an invisible paint when printing characters and numbers on the printed surface, or may be added later with a seal or the like on the printed surface.

[0039] Also, although the dots are added to all of the claim amounts in this example, if there is a portion where forgery prevention is desired, for example, they may be added in association with characters or the like. Also, although an example has been shown in which dots are added as a forgery prevention mark (corresponding to "original information"), it is not limited to this. For example, other symbols, figures, etc. may be used as the forgery prevention mark.

[0040] In addition, in this embodiment, an example was shown in which a function is provided as "assistance" so that it is possible to finally check and determine whether there is any fraud by human eyes. However, for example, an automatic recognition technology such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) may be used to make an automatic determination and output the result. However, in the case of certificates, claims, etc. that have legal effect, visual confirmation is required for some objects. In such cases, the present device provides functions up to "assistance", and the final determination is made by a human.

[0041] As described above, in this embodiment, the device is configured by applying a rule of printing characters and numbers on the printed surface with black toner as an example and applying dots, which are anti-forgery marks, to each number with an invisible paint. By applying this rule, if the dots cannot be confirmed, it is forgery, and if the dots and the numbers do not correspond, it is alteration. The user can confirm this at a glance, and can efficiently perform two types of fraud confirmation, forgery and alteration, without increasing the number of confirmation devices. In addition, by performing the highlighting process, the user can also confirm the presence or absence of fraud easily and with high accuracy in a short time.

[0042] (Modification Example 1) Subsequently, the device configuration of Modification Example 1 that performs multiple types of fraud confirmation will be described.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of Modification 1. In the device configuration of Modification 1 shown in FIG. 7, the reading means 400 reads, by a single (one-time) reading operation as in the embodiment, image information to be used according to the type of irregularity confirmation, such as image 1, image 2, ··· image M (M = 1, 2, 3, ···). The extraction processing unit 500 extracts target images (image 1, image 2, ··· image M) from the read images read by a single (one-time) reading operation, and inputs the extracted images 1, 2, ··· image M to the auxiliary processing units 501 of 1 to N (N = 1, 2, 3, ···) for processing. Here, the extraction processing unit 500 has a plurality of auxiliary processing units 501 corresponding to the types of irregularity confirmation. The plurality of auxiliary processing units 501 also include an auxiliary processing unit 501 as an "information conversion unit" that converts target image information into judgment information so as to be able to judge whether it is irregular by the user's eyes according to the type of irregularity confirmation. The image input to each auxiliary processing unit 501 is any one of images 1 to M. That is, one auxiliary processing unit 501 converts the first image information into first judgment information for judging the first irregularity with respect to the reading target, and another auxiliary processing unit 501 converts the second image information different from the first image information into second judgment information for judging the second irregularity with respect to the reading target. In this way, one image is input to one auxiliary processing unit 501.

[0044] The auxiliary processing units 501 of 1 to N process the irregularity confirmation information applied to the printed surface based on one of the images 1 to M. The processing results of each of the auxiliary processing units 501 of 1 to N are output to the visualization processing unit 600, respectively, and the user can confirm each processing result by the processing in which the visualization processing unit 600 visualizes each processing result on a display screen or the like.

[0045] As an example, it is assumed that two pieces of irregularity confirmation information are applied to the printed surface 1000 of the claim form. One is an image (invisible image) for forgery prevention, and the other is a cipher image for alteration prevention. One of the auxiliary processing units 501 of 1 to N performs a process of extracting the forgery prevention image from the read image, and another one of the auxiliary processing units 501 of 1 to N performs a process of extracting and decrypting the cipher image from the read image.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing surface 1000 of Modification 1. An anti-counterfeiting image (invisible image) 1011 is provided on the printing surface 1000 shown in FIG. 8 with an invisible light paint. Although "R" is shown as an example of the invisible image 1011, it may be appropriately changed to other characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, marks, etc., as long as the user can determine that it is a forgery. In addition, as an example, a QR code (registered trademark) 1012 is provided as the encrypted image. The QR code 1012 is a QR code obtained by encrypting the claim amount "5,000,000" on the printing surface 1000.

[0047] Note that the QR code 1012 may be provided with an invisible light paint or a black toner. Other claim contents such as the claim amount are provided with a black toner. That is, except for what is provided with the invisible light paint on the printing surface 1000 shown in FIG. 8, it can be confirmed by the human eye under natural light.

[0048] When the printing surface 1000 is read by the image reading device 1 of FIG. 1 to which the device configuration shown in FIG. 7 is applied, a read image of the display shown in FIG. 8 is output from the reading means 400. Among the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N, one performs extraction processing of the invisible image 1011 included in the read image. For example, processing for extracting and emphasizing the invisible image 1011 from a predetermined position in the read image is performed. Another one of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N decodes the QR code 1012 corresponding to the encrypted image into numerical information in a predetermined manner. For the decoding, a conventional method may be used.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the processing result of the read image. An image 2011 of the invisible image 1011 is output by the processing of the first auxiliary processing unit 501, and a numerical image 2012 obtained by decoding the QR code 1012 is output by the processing of the other auxiliary processing unit 501. Each result is displayed on a display screen or the like, and in this example, the user determines that the document is a legitimate one if the image 2011 is "R" shown in FIG. 9(a), and determines that there is no forgery if the decrypted information matches the claim amount "5,000,000" shown in FIG. 9(b).

[0050] Thus, even if there is forgery or alteration in the claim form, the extraction processing unit 500 outputs processing results corresponding to multiple types of fraud confirmations with just one reading operation. On a single display of the output destination display device or the like, the respective processing results can be displayed together. In this example, the anti-forgery image "R" and the claim amount "5,000,000" are displayed. Therefore, the user can quickly determine the forgery of the claim form by the former and the presence or absence of alteration by the latter.

[0051] When applying multiple fraud confirmation techniques, a huge amount of time, cost, and technology are required for that purpose. In the configuration of Modification Example 1, even when using such certificates or documents, the processing for each fraud confirmation is performed with one reading operation. Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to perform fraud confirmation in a shorter time, easily, and with high accuracy compared to the conventional method, and the need for applying multiple fraud confirmation techniques increases, and an effect of further enhancing the security of certificates and documents can also be expected.

[0052] (Modification Example 2) Documents with high security require multiple images for one fraud confirmation.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of Modification Example 2 that requires multiple images for one fraud confirmation. In the device configuration of Modification Example 2 shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of auxiliary processing units 501 are provided for one type of fraud confirmation. As an example, two auxiliary processing units 501 numbered N and N + 1 are provided for one fraud confirmation. In this configuration, a plurality of images may be input to one auxiliary processing unit 501, or the same image may be input to different auxiliary processing units 501.

[0054] As an example, one of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N performs extraction processing of invisible images in the read image, and the two auxiliary processing units 501 numbered N and N + 1 perform composite processing using the encrypted image and the image to be decrypted in the read image.

[0055] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printed surface in Modification 2. On this printed surface 1000, an anti-counterfeiting image (invisible image) 1011 is provided with an invisible light paint. Also, in the column of the claimed amount, an image (image to be decrypted) 1021 obtained by encrypting the actual claimed amount with an encryption key is provided, and a QR code 1022 serving as the encryption key is provided as an encrypted image.

[0056] As described above, in Modification 2, since the numbers of the claimed amount on the printed surface 1000 are encrypted, the claimed amount cannot be easily confirmed or falsified by a third party. To confirm the claimed amount, the numerical sequence of the QR code 1022 is acquired and used as the encryption key. The QR code 1022 may be provided with an invisible light paint.

[0057] When the printed surface 1000 is read by the image reading device 1 in FIG. 1 to which the device configuration shown in FIG. 10 is applied, a read image including each image information shown in FIG. 11 is output from the reading means 400. One of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N performs a process of extracting the invisible image 1011 included in the read image. Also, the Nth and (N + 1)th auxiliary processing units 501 decrypt the encryption key from the QR code 1022 included in the read image by the Nth auxiliary processing unit 501, and the (N + 1)th auxiliary processing unit 501 uses the combined encryption key to decrypt the encryption of the claimed amount. That is, for one incorrect check of confirming falsification of the claimed amount, two auxiliary processes of decrypting the encrypted image and decrypting the encryption of the claimed amount with the encryption key obtained from the encrypted image are performed.

[0058] This processing result is the same as that in FIG. 9. That is, the first of the processing results is the anti-counterfeiting image 2011 extracted from the read image. The second of the processing results is the image 2012 of the encrypted claimed amount obtained using the two auxiliary processing units 501. In Modification 2, since the encryption is decrypted to display the claimed amount, falsification of the claimed amount cannot be performed. Also, forgery can be easily determined by checking whether the image 2011 is "R".

[0059] (Modification 3) Next, a modification example of the reading light of the reading means 400 for reading an invisible image from the printing surface will be shown. It has been explained that a light source in a wavelength range with good reflectivity for the invisible paint is used as the light source of the reading means 400. Among them, it is particularly effective to use infrared light for reading the invisible image.

[0060] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the spectral sensitivity characteristics of an image sensor. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the reflection spectral characteristics when each color toner (C toner, M toner, Y toner, black toner, black (C toner + M toner + Y toner)) is applied to a white paper surface.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 12, silicon constituting the pixels of a general image sensor has sensitivity not only in the visible wavelength range (approximately wavelength 380 nm to 780 nm) but also in the infrared light region (approximately wavelength 780 nm or more). That is, although the infrared light region cannot be recognized by the human eye, if it is an image sensor that also has sensitivity in the infrared light region, it is possible to read infrared light, and even when irradiated with infrared light, the invisible paint portion can be imaged. On the other hand, between C toner, M toner, and Y toner and black toner, as shown in FIG. 13, there is a large difference in the reflectivity of the infrared light component. Therefore, by utilizing these relationships, a black toner image (halftone image) is hidden by an image (halftone image) of C toner, M toner, or Y toner, and the black toner image is read using infrared light. That is, it is hidden in a visible image of C toner, M toner, or Y toner under visible light so that it cannot be confirmed by the human eye, and the latent image (black toner image) is read by infrared light.

[0062] With such a configuration, a low-cost and high-security document can be created using general-purpose toner, and it can be confirmed using a general-purpose reading sensor. An example will be shown below as Modification Example 4.

[0063] (Modification Example 4) Public certificates issued at convenience stores and the like are printed on common white paper and are subject to multiple different anti-counterfeiting technologies. Since various certificates can be obtained at convenience stores and supermarkets across the country, they are highly convenient. By using the above-described image reading device for various certificates and documents in such a form, multiple anti-counterfeiting checks can be performed in a single reading operation, thus further enhancing their utility value.

[0064] Specifically, one of the public certificates issued at convenience stores and the like has a scrambled image on the back. The scrambled image on the back encrypts the information on the front. By decrypting this image, the regular information on the front is restored, and the presence or absence of forgery can be confirmed by comparing it with the information on the printed surface of the front. In addition, a cherry blossom mark is applied to the back. When read with infrared light, this becomes the characters "〇 Certificate". Since it does not appear on copies or documents forged by third parties, the presence or absence of forgery can be confirmed. This device enables these to be confirmed in a single reading operation.

[0065] Therefore, an example is shown in which a public certificate is read with infrared (near-infrared) reading light as shown in Modification Example 3, and multiple anti-counterfeiting checks are performed in a single reading operation.

[0066] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device according to Modification Example 4 for performing anti-counterfeiting checks on public certificates issued at convenience stores and the like. The device configuration according to Modification Example 4 shown in FIG. 14 applies the configuration of Modification Example 3 to the light source 401 and the image sensor 402 of the reading means 400, and obtains an infrared image as a read image from the reading means 400.

[0067] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printed surface 1000. FIG. 15 shows the front printed surface 1000-1 and the back printed surface 1000-2. On the front printed surface 1000-1, information indicating various certification contents is printed. On the back printed surface 1000-2, information for multiple types of anti-counterfeiting checks is printed.

[0068] In the example shown in FIG. 15, a general form is shown in which a scrambled image q1, a forgery prevention detection image q2, and a QR code q3 are printed as information for unauthorized confirmation. The scrambled image q1 is decoded using the encryption key of the QR code q3. The forgery prevention detection image q2 has an image of a cherry blossom mark formed with C toner, M toner, or Y toner, and a forgery prevention image "〇 Certificate" formed with black toner. The characters "〇 Certificate" in black toner are latent images in the cherry blossom mark, and the characters "〇 Certificate" in black toner are detected by reading the infrared image of the cherry blossom mark. Since various certificates use a wide range of scrambled images q1 as shown in FIG. 15, the various certificates shall be read at actual size.

[0069] When the back surface 1000-2 of the printing surface 1000 is read by the image reading device 1 of FIG. 1 to which the device configuration shown in FIG. 14 is applied, an infrared image of the back surface 1000-2 is output as a read image from the reading means 400.

[0070] One of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N performs a process of extracting an image of black toner at the position of the cherry blossom mark included in the read image. Also, another one of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N, in this example, the Nth auxiliary processing unit and the (N + 1)th auxiliary processing unit, the Nth auxiliary processing unit decrypts the QR code q3 included in the read image with the encryption key, and the (N + 1)th auxiliary processing unit decrypts the scrambled image q1 with the encryption key.

[0071] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the processing result of the read image. The first of the processing results is the image 2021 of black toner at the position of the cherry blossom mark. In this example, since the characters "〇 Certificate" are latent images in the cherry blossom mark with black toner, as shown in FIG. 16, it can be easily determined as a genuine one by the display of the characters "〇 Certificate". The second of the processing results is the image 2022 after the scrambled image q1 is decoded. By comparing it with the information on the front surface 1000-1, if the same information is displayed, it can be determined that there is no forgery in the information on the front surface 1000-1.

[0072] (Modification Example 5) In the reading means 400, in addition to the configuration for reading an invisible image, a configuration for reading a visible image may be provided. For example, in a conventional image reading device, a received certificate may be saved or copied as a visible image read by visible light and used as a record, evidence, or a preliminary document of receiving the certificate. By mounting the inaccurate confirmation assisting means on an image reading device or the like used for such a purpose, further multifunctionalization and higher security can be achieved.

[0073] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of Modification 5. The first light source 401 and the first image sensor 402 have a configuration for reading an invisible image, and the second light source 411 and the second image sensor 412 have a configuration for reading a visible image. As an example, the second light source 411 is a white LED.

[0074] FIG. 18 is a graph showing the spectral characteristics of a white light source and an infrared light source. The spectral characteristics are shown when an infrared light LED is used as the first light source 401 and a white LED is used as the second light source 411. An image sensor having sensitivity to light in the visible wavelength range is used for the second image sensor 412.

[0075] The visible image is a copy image read when the image reading device 1 executes scanning of a reading target, and is provided to and stored in various conventional function blocks 700.

[0076] Note that the copy image may be saved together with the invisible image as evidence or deleted when the reading target is determined to be forged or altered. In this case, it is desirable to disable the output of the copy image. For example, the output of the copy image from the image reading device 1 to an external printer is disabled. On the other hand, when the reading target is determined not to be forged or altered, the output of the copy image may be permitted.

[0077] (Modification 6) For the first light source 401 and the second light source 411, one physical image sensor may be used. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of Modification 6. As shown in FIG. 19, one physical image sensor (third image sensor) 422 is provided for the first light source 401 and the second light source 411. The third image sensor 422 has spectral sensitivity characteristics in the wavelength range of the first light source 401 and the wavelength range of the second light source 411, and reads the reflected light from the printing surface 1000 by the first light source 401 and the reflected light from the printing surface 1000 by the second light source 411.

[0078] FIG. 20 is a graph showing the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the third image sensor 422. In this third image sensor, it has sensitivity to Red, Green, Blue, and IR. Therefore, for example, an infrared light LED is used for the first light source 401 and a white LED is used for the second light source 411. The light of the white LED is split into Red light, Green light, and Blue light. In such a configuration, the lighting and extinguishing of the infrared light LED and the white LED are switched respectively, and the third image sensor 422 sequentially receives Red light, Green light, Blue light, and infrared light. The third image sensor 422 outputs a visible image of an R image, a G image, and a B image, and an infrared image.

[0079] By making the image sensors that output the invisible image and the visible image the same in this way, the device can be miniaturized.

[0080] (Modification 7) Another configuration for outputting an invisible image and an RGB image using the third image sensor 422 is shown.

[0081] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of Modification 7. As an example, an infrared light LED is used for the first light source 401, and a white LED is used for the second light source 411. The third image sensor 432 is provided with light receiving parts for R, G, B, and IR. Specifically, each light receiving part is a group of Red pixels that receive light in the visible wavelength range, a group of Green pixels, a group of Blue pixels, and a group of IR pixels that receive light in the infrared wavelength range. In this configuration, both the infrared LED and the white LED are lit, and the infrared light reflected by the printing surface 1000 is received by the IR part, the Red light is received by the R part, the Green light is received by the G part, and the Blue light is received by the B part.

[0082] Also, the third image sensor 432 outputs a visible image read by the R part, the G part, and the B part, and an infrared image read by the IR part, and the extraction processing unit 500 performs an unauthorized confirmation process using the infrared image. In the example shown in FIG. 21, one of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N performs an unauthorized confirmation process using one image (infrared image 1) in the infrared image. Also, another one of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N, in this example, the Nth auxiliary processing unit, performs an unauthorized confirmation process using two images (infrared image 2 and infrared image 3) in the infrared image. Note that since the specific examples of the unauthorized confirmation process are a repetition of the content already described, the description is omitted here.

[0083] As described above, in the configuration of Modification 7, it is not necessary to switch the lighting of the infrared light LED and the white LED, and the read images by both light sources can be acquired at once. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the user's effort and time.

[0084] (Modification 8) Invisible images and visible images may be used for unauthorized confirmation. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of Modification 8. In the device configuration of FIG. 22, the extraction processing unit 500 performs an inaccuracy confirmation process using the invisible image and the visible image output from the third image sensor 432. In the example shown in FIG. 22, one of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N performs an inaccuracy confirmation process using one image (infrared image 1) in the infrared image. Also, another one of the auxiliary processing units 501 from 1 to N, in this example, the Nth auxiliary processing unit, performs an inaccuracy confirmation process using two images (visible image 1 and visible image 2) in the visible image.

[0085] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an inaccuracy confirmation process using an invisible image and a visible image. FIG. 23(a) shows an example of the configuration of the back surface 1000-2 of the printed surface 1000, and FIG. 23(b) shows an example of the infrared image 2020 of the back surface 1000-2. The configuration of the back surface 1000-2 and the infrared image are the same as those described in Modification 4. When the front surface 1000-1 of the printed surface 1000 is printed with black ink, the printed content of the front surface 1000-1 is read as black in both the visible image and the infrared image, resulting in the same reading result. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23(c), for the visible image 2022 of the front surface 1000-1, since they are equivalent as information, they can be used interchangeably, and an inaccuracy confirmation process can be performed using the visible image 2022.

[0086] (Modification 9) One light source (third light source) capable of emitting both wavelength ranges of a visible light source and an invisible light source (infrared light) may be used.

[0087] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of Modification 9. In the device configuration of FIG. 24, the first light source and the second light source are physically changed to a third light source 421 which is one light source. With this configuration, it becomes possible to make the device more compact.

[0088] (Modification 10) If the encryption / decryption method of the image of important information exists locally, such as in an inaccurate confirmation device, there is a risk that the methods themselves will be analyzed and leaked, enabling forgery of documents by third parties. Therefore, in Modification Example 10, a configuration is shown in which the target auxiliary process (assumed to be the Nth auxiliary process) is carried out by an information processing device such as a server device on the network (corresponding to an "external device"). Note that the functional units for the auxiliary process provided in the information processing device are not limited to one, and may be plural.

[0089] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of Modification Example 10. In the device configuration of FIG. 25, an Nth auxiliary processing unit is provided in an information processing device 800 outside the image reading device 1. One or more of the auxiliary processing units 500-1 included in the extraction processing unit 500 request analysis via the network 900 to the information processing device 800, and the Nth auxiliary processing unit of the information processing device 800 performs an analysis process using the information (visible information or infrared information) to be analyzed transmitted from the image reading device 1, and transmits the analysis result to the image reading processing device 1. That is, the auxiliary processing unit 500-1 acquires a part of the judgment information, i.e., the analysis result, from the information processing device 800 and uses it for inaccurate confirmation. On the network 900, information is transmitted as an encrypted image or an image with information embedded therein, and information analysis is performed on the server or the like. Thereafter, the analyzed information is transmitted again to the image reading device 1 and used for inaccurate confirmation. At this time, the analyzed information may be directly transmitted to the visualization processing unit 600.

[0090] For example, in the processing of a scrambled image, the encryption key is sent to a specific Webb site to decrypt it, and the decrypted image is obtained. In this case, the encryption key is decrypted from the QR code, and the encryption key and the scrambled image are sent to the website. The website uses them to decrypt the scrambled image and returns the information of the decryption result.

[0091] With the configuration of Modification Example 10, it is possible to achieve both confidentiality and facilitation of inaccurate confirmation, particularly in documents where the confidentiality of information such as personal information is important.

[0092] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inaccuracy confirmation assistance device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 26 shows an image forming apparatus 2 generally called a multi-function peripheral (MFP) which is an example of the inaccuracy confirmation assistance device. The image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 26 includes an image reading device (image reading device main body 10 and ADF 20) at the upper part. Since the description of the configuration of the image reading device will be repeated in the description of the first embodiment, the description of the configuration of the image reading device is omitted here.

[0093] The image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 26 has an image forming unit 80 and a paper feeding unit 90 below the image reading device main body 10. The image forming apparatus 10 prints an output image based on the read image read by the image reading device main body 10 on a recording sheet (an example of a “recording medium”) by the image forming unit 80. The output image is, for example, a visible image processed by various function blocks 700 or an invisible image processed by the visualization processing unit 600.

[0094] The image forming unit 80 includes an optical writing device 81, a tandem type image forming unit (Y, M, C, K) 82, an intermediate transfer belt 83, a secondary transfer belt 84, and the like. In the image forming unit 80, for the image to be printed, the optical writing device 81 writes the image on the photosensitive drum 820 of the image forming unit 82, and the toner images of each plate are transferred from each photosensitive drum 820 onto the intermediate transfer belt 83. The K plate is formed with K toner containing carbon black.

[0095] In the example shown in FIG. 26, the image forming unit (Y, M, C, K) 82 has four rotatable photosensitive drums (Y, M, C, K) 820, and around each photosensitive drum 820, there are provided image forming elements including a charging roller, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, a cleaner unit, and a discharger. By operating each image forming element around each photosensitive drum 820 in a predetermined image forming process, an image is formed on each photosensitive drum 820, and the image formed on each photosensitive drum 820 is transferred as a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 83 by the primary transfer roller.

[0096] The intermediate transfer belt 83 is disposed in a nip between each photoreceptor drum 820 and each primary transfer roller, and is stretched and arranged by a driving roller and a driven roller. The toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 83 is secondarily transferred onto a recording sheet on the secondary transfer belt 84 by a secondary transfer device as the intermediate transfer belt 83 travels. The recording sheet is conveyed to a fixing device 85 by the travel of the secondary transfer belt 84, and the toner image is fixed as a color image on the recording sheet. Thereafter, the recording sheet is discharged to a paper discharge tray outside the machine.

[0097] Note that the recording sheet is fed out, for example, from paper feed cassettes 91 and 92 in which the paper feed unit 90 stores recording sheets of different paper sizes, and is conveyed by a conveying means 93 composed of various rollers and supplied to the secondary transfer belt 84.

[0098] Note that the image forming unit 80 is not limited to forming an image by the electrophotographic method as described above, and may form an image by an inkjet method.

[0099] The above-mentioned two types of anti-counterfeiting measures are applied to certificates issued by convenience stores and the like, and the security is high. However, after capturing an image with an image reading device, it is necessary to transmit and receive data to and from a specified website. On the other hand, confirmation with an infrared camera (such as a drive recorder) is also required, which is very time-consuming. With the configuration shown in this embodiment, it becomes possible to easily perform multiple anti-counterfeiting confirmations from a single read image of such a document.

[0100] As described above, the embodiments and modified examples of the present invention have been explained. However, each embodiment and modified example is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and modified examples can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modified examples are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0101] 1 Image reading device (inaccuracy confirmation assistance device) 300 Control unit 400 Reading means 500 Extraction processing unit 501 Assistance processing unit 600 Visualization processing unit 1000 Printing surface

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0102]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A light source that irradiates at least light in the invisible wavelength range onto the object to be read, A reading sensor that is sensitive at least in the invisible wavelength range, A control unit that performs a reading operation on the object to be read with the combination of the light source and the reading sensor, An extraction processing unit that extracts invisible characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks at a predetermined position in the reading image and an encrypted image from the reading image output by the reading sensor for one reading operation on the object to be read, A first processing unit that performs an enhancement process on the characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks extracted by the extraction processing unit, A second processing unit that decrypts information from the encrypted image extracted by the extraction processing unit, An output unit that visualizes and outputs both the characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks after the enhancement process and the information after the decryption, An unauthorized confirmation assistance device having the above.

2. A light source that irradiates at least light in the invisible wavelength range onto the object to be read, A reading sensor that is sensitive at least in the invisible wavelength range, A control unit that performs a reading operation on the object to be read with the combination of the light source and the reading sensor, An extraction processing unit that extracts characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks that can be read at an invisible wavelength latent in a visible image, an encrypted image, and an encrypted image having an encryption key for decrypting the encryption of the encrypted image at a predetermined position in the reading image from the reading image output by the reading sensor for one reading operation on the object to be read, A third processing unit that decrypts the encryption key from the encrypted image extracted by the extraction processing unit, A fourth processing unit that decrypts the encrypted image extracted by the extraction processing unit into information with the encryption key decrypted by the third processing unit, An output unit that visualizes and outputs both the characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks extracted by the extraction processing unit and the information after decryption decrypted by the fourth processing unit, An unauthorized confirmation assistance device having the above.

3. The fourth processing unit requests a process of decrypting the encryption of the encrypted image with the encryption key to an external device via a network, and acquires the information after decryption from the external device, The output unit Visualize and output both the decrypted information and the characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks extracted by the extraction processing unit. The inaccurate confirmation assistance device according to claim 2.

4. The light in the invisible wavelength range included in the light source is infrared light. The reading sensor has sensitivity at least in the infrared wavelength range of the infrared light. The inaccurate confirmation assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A second light source that irradiates the object to be read with light in the visible wavelength range, A second reading sensor that has sensitivity in the visible wavelength range, Including, The control unit also performs a reading operation of a visible image in combination with the second light source and the second reading sensor on the object to be read in order to output it as a record, evidence, or preliminary document. The inaccurate confirmation assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The reading sensor that outputs the read image and the second reading sensor that outputs the read image of the visible image are the same reading sensor, The visible image is also read by the single reading operation on the object to be read. The inaccurate confirmation assistance device according to claim 5.

7. The same reading sensor has a light receiving part for receiving light in the invisible wavelength range and a light receiving part for receiving light in the visible wavelength range, respectively. The inaccurate confirmation assistance device according to claim 6.

8. The light source that irradiates light in the invisible wavelength range and the second light source that irradiates light in the visible wavelength range are the same light source. The inaccurate confirmation assistance device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. Including an image forming unit that forms the reading information obtained by the reading operation on the object to be read on a recording medium. The inaccurate confirmation assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for the reading device to output information of the object to be read, Performing a reading operation on the object to be read in combination with at least a light source that irradiates light in at least the invisible wavelength range and at least a reading sensor that has sensitivity in the invisible wavelength range, Extracting invisible characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks at a predetermined position in the read image and the encrypted image in the read image from the read image output by the reading sensor by the single reading operation on the object to be read, Performing an emphasis process on the extracted characters, numbers, symbols, patterns, or marks, Decrypting information from the extracted encrypted image. A step of visualizing and outputting both the character, the number, the symbol, the pattern, or the mark after the emphasis process and the information after the decryption; A method including the above.

Images