Media group, reader and card reading system

Abstract

To provide a medium group that makes it difficult to visually recognize codes to improve design, and card medium.SOLUTION: A medium group comprises a seal layer 2 having a photoluminescent layer 21 and a card 1 having a transparent layer 11, the card 1 is formed from a base 10 that is at least transparent at a part of a region, the transparent layer 11 is a second image that is formed from a transparent material at the part of the region and includes a code having variable information, the photoluminescent layer 21 is a first image formed from a photoluminescent material, and when the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 is superimposed on the photoluminescent layer 21 of the seal layer 2 to make a laminate 3, the photoluminescent layer 21 and the transparent layer 11 are configured to have varying reflected light amounts depending on viewing angles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a group of media , read removal device and Card reading system Mu Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are game machines that use character cards on which a picture and a QR code (registered trademark) are printed. For example, by reading the information on the character card into the game machine via a barcode reader, the monster defined on the character card is reproduced during the game (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5865079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The character cards used in the game machine described in Patent Document 1 have a two-dimensional code, typically a QR code, printed in a visible state. This hinders the sense of unity with the image on the character card. In addition, there is a possibility that the code itself may be copied.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a group of media, card media, etc., which have an improved design by making the code less visible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by the following means. For ease of understanding, the following description will be given with reference numerals corresponding to the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these. Furthermore, the configurations described with reference numerals may be modified as appropriate, and at least a portion of the configurations may be replaced with other components.

[0007] The first invention is a media group (3) comprising a medium (2) having a first ink layer (21) and a card medium (1) having a second ink layer (11), wherein the card medium is formed of a substrate (10) having at least a portion thereof transparent, the second ink layer is a second image formed of a transparent material in the portion thereof and including a code having variable information, and the first ink layer is a first image formed of a photoluminescent material, and when the second ink layer of the card medium is superimposed on the first ink layer of the medium, the first ink layer and the second ink layer are configured so that the amount of reflected light differs depending on the observation angle. The second invention is a media group that, in the media group (3) of the first invention, comprises a plurality of card media, and the second ink layer possessed by each of the plurality of card media forms a partial image of the code, and when the plurality of card media are stacked at a predetermined position, the second image is formed by the plurality of second ink layers. The third invention is a medium group in which, in the medium group (3) of the first or second invention, the first image is composed of a pattern image (C1) and includes an image of a code different from the second image. The fourth invention is a card medium (1) having a second ink layer (11) that is used by overlaying a first ink layer (21) that is a first image formed of a photoluminescent material, and at least a portion of the second ink layer is formed of a transparent substrate (10), and the second ink layer is a second image that is formed of a transparent material in the portion of the second ink layer and includes a code having variable information, and the first ink layer and the second ink layer are configured so that the amount of reflected light varies depending on the observation angle. A fifth invention is the card medium (1) of the fourth invention, wherein the second image is configured by a pattern image (C2). A sixth invention is the card medium (1) of the fourth or fifth invention, wherein the code is a two-dimensional code. The seventh invention is a reading device (5) that reads a card medium (1) of any of the first to sixth inventions, comprising a reading unit (5C), a light-emitting unit (5L) that is provided near the reading unit and emits light, a reading means (53) that reads an image including the second image of the card medium that is positioned on the reading unit side of the first ink layer (21), which is the first image formed of the photoluminescent material, while light is being emitted by the light-emitting unit, and a code identification means (54) that identifies the code from the image read by the reading means. The eighth invention is a reading device (5) of the seventh invention, which is provided with a mirror surface (5M) that reflects light from the light emitting unit (5L) and makes it incident on the surface of the card medium (1) from a direction perpendicular to the surface, and the mirror surface makes the light reflected from the card medium incident on the reading unit (5C). The ninth invention is a reading device (5) of the seventh or eighth invention, comprising an information acquisition means (55) that acquires the variable information from the code identified by the code identification means (54), and an information output means (56) that outputs information based on the variable information acquired by the information acquisition means to a display device (67). The tenth invention is a card reading system (100) comprising a card medium (1) of any one of the first to sixth inventions and a reading device (5) of the ninth invention, wherein the card medium has a third ink layer with a visible design applied to a location other than the second ink layer (11), and the information based on the variable information output to the display device (67) by the information output means (56) of the reading device is related to the design applied to the card medium. The eleventh invention is a program (61a) executed by a computer (5) for determining the authenticity of any of the card media (1) of the first to sixth inventions, which causes the computer to function as a reading means for reading an image including the second image of the card medium, a code identification means for identifying the code from the read image, an information acquisition means for acquiring the variable information from the identified code, and an authenticity determination means for determining that the card medium is genuine if the variable information can be acquired. The twelfth invention is a method for determining the authenticity of any card medium (1) from the first invention to the sixth invention, comprising the steps of: a computer (5) reading an image including the second image of the card medium; identifying the code from the read image; acquiring the variable information from the identified code; and determining that the card medium is genuine if the variable information can be acquired. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a group of media, card media, etc., which have an improved design by making the code less visible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a card according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a sealing layer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of use of a card using the seal layer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of pattern images constituting the glossy layer and the transparent layer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of pattern images constituting the glossy layer and the transparent layer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an observation mode based on the structure of a laminate according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a reading method in a game system including a game machine and a card according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game machine according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a card reading process in the game machine according to the present embodiment. 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) FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a card 1 according to this embodiment. The following figures, including FIG. 1, 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.

[0011] The card 1 is a card medium used in, for example, a game machine 5 (reader) (described later). When a player inserts the card 1 into, for example, a card insertion section 5I (described later) provided in the game machine 5, the game machine 5 acquires information from the card 1 and performs a play process based on the acquired information. For example, the game machine 5 ejects the card 1 in response to the process, allowing the player to obtain the card 1. Alternatively, the player can obtain the card 1 by purchasing it from, for example, a card vending machine (not shown).

[0012] Fig. 1(A) shows a plan view of the card 1. In Fig. 1(A), the card 1 is shown as viewed from the front side toward the back side in the depth direction Y. This shows the state of the card 1 when it is used in the game machine 5, that is, the state of the card 1 when it is inserted downward in the vertical direction Z. Moreover, Fig. 1(B) is a partial schematic cross-sectional view taken along the X1-X1 direction in Fig. 1(A) Fig. 1(B) shows a partial cross-sectional view of the card 1 as seen from below in the vertical direction Z.

[0013] The card 1 includes a base 10 (substrate) and a transparent layer 11 (second ink layer). The base 10 is a card-shaped medium, for example, having a size of about 50 mm to 60 mm in the X direction, about 80 mm to 90 mm in the Z direction, and a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm in the Y direction. The base 10 can be made of, for example, a resin film, a resin sheet, or the like. The base 10 can be made of, for example, oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, oriented polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, or the like. The base 10 has a flat surface capable of supporting the transparent layer 11. The base 10 is transparent at least in the region having the transparent layer 11. Usually, the entire base 10 is made of the same material, so the base 10 is transparent in regions other than the region having the transparent layer 11.

[0014] Here, the degree of transparency can be expressed numerically as turbidity (cloudiness) using the haze value, which is an index of film transparency. The haze value can be found from the ratio of diffuse transmitted light to total transmitted light, and can be calculated using the following formula (1): Haze value = Td / Tt × 100 (Equation 1) Here, Tt is the total light transmittance, and Td is the diffuse transmittance. The total light transmittance represents the transmittance of all light rays passing through the test piece, and the diffuse transmittance represents the transmittance of diffuse light excluding the parallel component of the light rays passing through the test piece.

[0015] For example, if the test piece is polyvinyl chloride, the haze value is about 1 to 2%. Furthermore, if the test piece is made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or PET (PET), which are commonly used in plastic containers, the haze value is generally 3% or less. The haze value can be measured according to the old JIS-K-7105 and JIS-K-7136 standards, for example, using a "Haze Meter HM-150N" manufactured by Murakami Color Research Laboratory. Therefore, in this specification, the transparency of the base 10 means that the haze value is expressed as, for example, 5% or less.

[0016] The surface side of the base 10, that is, the front side in the Y direction (+Y side), has a transparent layer 11. The transparent layer 11 is formed in a partial region of the base 10. The transparent layer 11 is a layer on which a second image, which is an image of a two-dimensional code (code) represented by a QR code (registered trademark) composed of a pattern image, is printed using transparent ink (transparent material). The pattern image will be described later. The transparent ink used to print the second image is, for example, a colorless ink such as matte OP varnish, clear varnish, ink varnish, clear ink, or medium ink. These inks may be any printing ink, such as ultraviolet-curable ink, oxidative polymerization ink, penetrating ink, thermal drying ink, or evaporation drying ink. Colorless ink is not limited to ink that is completely colorless, but also includes the range of colors that occur as the color of the base 10 changes due to deterioration over time. 1(A) shows a state in which the second image, which is a two-dimensional code, is visible on the transparent layer 11. However, in reality, the second image is printed with transparent ink on the transparent base 10, and therefore the second image is not visible under normal conditions.

[0017] Here, a method for manufacturing the card 1 will be briefly described. First, a base 10 is prepared. Next, a second image is gravure printed on the base 10 as a transparent layer 11 using transparent ink or the like. Furthermore, a colored ink layer (third ink layer) is gravure printed with chromatic inks containing colored pigments and dyes in an area on the base 10 different from the area where the transparent layer 11 is printed. The colored ink layer (third ink layer) is a picture image (design), for example. The picture image is, for example, an image related to a game to be played on the game machine 5. Here, the printing of the second image and the picture image may be performed simultaneously, or the second image may be printed after the picture image is printed, and the printing order is not limited.

[0018] The thickness of the applied ink is, for example, about 1 micrometer. However, the thickness of the ink is not limited to this. The thickness of the ink may also be changed depending on the material, for example. The printing process described above is not limited to gravure printing, but may also be wet offset printing, dry offset printing, letterpress printing, waterless lithographic printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, intaglio printing, or the like. The printing on the base 10 described above can also be performed by the game machine 5, for example, by providing a printing device in the game machine 5 described later. For example, the game machine 5 may print a second image or a picture image on the base 10 according to the play situation, and discharge the printed card 1.

[0019] Next, the seal layer 2 (medium) that is placed on the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 when acquiring information from the card 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the sealing layer 2 according to this embodiment. 2(A) is a schematic diagram of an insertion portion 5I into which a card 1 is inserted in a game machine 5. The insertion portion 5I has a seal layer 2 in a part constituting the insertion portion 5I of the game machine 5. The seal layer 2 is provided at a position including an area having a transparent layer 11 when at least a card 1 is inserted into the insertion portion 5I (see FIG. 7). Fig. 2(B) is a partial schematic cross-sectional view taken along the X2-X2 direction in Fig. 2(A) Fig. 2(B) shows a partial cross-sectional view of the insertion portion 5I as seen from below in the vertical direction Z.

[0020] 2(A) is a portion of the game machine 5 into which the card 1 is inserted (see FIG. 7), and includes a flat plate portion 20 that faces the inserted card 1, and a guide portion 25 that guides the inserted card 1. The flat plate portion 20 and the guide portion 25 are both part of the housing of the game machine 5. The flat plate portion 20 is provided with a seal layer 2 at a position facing the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 inserted into the insertion portion 5I.

[0021] The seal layer 2 is formed by laminating a base material layer 22 and a glittering layer 21 (first ink layer) in this order. The surface of the seal layer 2 facing the base material layer 22 is bonded to the surface of the flat plate portion 20 on the side where the card 1 is inserted, via an adhesive layer (not shown). The base layer 22 may be made of, for example, a resin film, a resin sheet, or paper. Materials that can be used for the base layer 22 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 base layer 22 may have a flat surface that can support the glossy layer 21.

[0022] The base layer 22 also has an adhesive layer on the surface that is adhered to the flat plate portion 20 (the surface opposite the lustrous layer 21). The adhesive layer is composed of an adhesive for bonding the base layer 22 and the flat plate portion 20 together. A wide variety of ordinary adhesives that have adhesive properties can be used to form the adhesive layer. As solvent-based adhesives, rubber-based adhesives such as NR, SBR, IR, and CR are the mainstream, but emulsion-type acrylic adhesives can also be used. Other types include silicone-based and polyvinyl ether-based adhesives, and any of these can be used, as well as hot-melt adhesives.

[0023] The glittering layer 21 is a layer on which a first image made up of a pattern image is printed using ink containing a glittering material. The ink containing the glittering material for drawing the first image may be of various types, as exemplified below. For example, the ink may be a silver ink containing aluminum powder, copper powder, zinc powder, tin powder, iron phosphide, etc. Alternatively, the ink may be a mixture of silver ink and a chromatic ink containing a colored dye such as a pigment or dye.

[0024] Furthermore, the glitter layer 21 may be an ink made of only a glitter material that exhibits a bluish gold or reddish gold color, or may be a mixture of an ink made of a glitter material that exhibits a bluish gold or reddish gold color and a chromatic ink made of the above-mentioned colored pigment. Furthermore, the ink may be a pearl ink, liquid crystal ink, OVI (Optical Variable Ink), CSI (Color Shifting Ink), or other ink containing a functional pigment whose color changes when light is reflected. Pearl ink is an ink containing a pearl pigment that has a pearlescent luster compared to ordinary pigments and has the safety, gloss, and luxurious feel of ordinary pigments. Liquid crystal ink is an ink containing liquid crystals that change color with temperature. The first image of the glittering layer 21 is a pattern image, and therefore is meaningless to a person at first glance.

[0025] In this example, the glittering layer 21 is made of silver ink containing a glittering material. In the method for producing the seal layer 2, first, the base material layer 22 is prepared. Next, a first image is gravure printed on the base material layer 22 as the glittering layer 21 using glossy ink or the like containing a glittering material. The thickness of the ink to be applied is the same as that of the transparent layer 11. Furthermore, the printing process described above is not limited to gravure printing, and similar to the process for the transparent layer 11, other printing processes may be used.

[0026] Next, an example of the card 1 and the seal layer 2 when in use will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of use of a card 1 using the seal layer 2 according to this embodiment. The card 1 and the seal layer 2 described above are assumed to be used in a state in which the card 1 is placed on the glossy layer 21 of the seal layer 2. Fig. 3(A) shows an example of a state in which the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 is located on the opposite side of the base 10 from the shiny layer 21, and Fig. 3(B) shows an example of a state in which the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 is located on the shiny layer 21 side of the base 10. Note that the substrate layer 22 is omitted from Figs. 3(A) and (B). The state in which the cards 1 are placed on the shiny layer 21 of the seal layer 2 is called a stack 3 (media group). By changing the viewing direction of the laminate 3, the visible image changes, such that the first image on the bright layer 21 or the second image on the transparent layer 11 is visible.

[0027] Next, we will explain the printing of pattern images constituting the first image of the lustrous layer 21 and the second image of the transparent layer 11, which change the appearance depending on the observation direction.The printing conditions, which represent the area that can conceal the background, expressed as a percentage, are referred to as the area ratio, and in particular, the case where the background can be concealed by halftone dots is referred to as the halftone dot area ratio. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing examples of pattern images constituting the bright layer 21 and the transparent layer 11 according to this embodiment. 4(A) shows a part of image C1 constituting the first image of the luminous layer 21, and an enlarged view of region E1, which is a part of that image C1. As shown in region E1, image C1 is a pattern image in which a foreground portion C1a and a background portion C1b are expressed in binary. For example, the foreground portion C1a is printed with a dot area percentage of 100%, and the background portion C1b is printed with a dot area percentage of 75%. However, these percentages are merely examples and are not limiting. For example, the dot area percentage of the foreground portion C1a may be less than 100%, and the dot area percentage of the background portion C1b may be other than 75%. In such cases, it is desirable that the difference in dot area percentage between the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b be between 15% and 50%. Furthermore, the density of the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b may be reversed.

[0028] 4(B) shows a part of image C2 constituting the second image of transparent layer 11, and an enlarged view of area E2, which is a part of image C2. As shown in area E2, image C2 is a pattern image in which a foreground portion C2a and a background portion C2b are expressed in binary. For example, the foreground portion C2a is printed with a dot area ratio of 100%, and the background portion C2b is printed with a dot area ratio of 25%. However, these ratios are merely examples and are not limited to these. For example, the dot area ratio of the foreground portion C2a may be less than 100%, and the dot area ratio of the background portion C2b may be greater than or less than 25% as long as there is a predetermined difference between the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b. Furthermore, the density of the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b may be reversed. The difference in density between the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b is greater than the difference in density between the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b.

[0029] Here, the pattern images of the bright layer 21 and the transparent layer 11 are not limited to those in which a pattern image consisting of a foreground portion and a background portion is printed. 5(A) and 5(B) show a case where the image Cx of the glossy layer 21 and the image Cy of the transparent layer 11 are pattern images consisting only of foreground portions. In this case, the print areas Cxa and Cya of the images Cx and Cy are printed with a dot area ratio of 100%, and the pattern image is expressed in binary by the print areas Cxa and Cya and the non-print areas Cxb and Cyb.

[0030] In the above-described laminate 3, the recognizable image changes depending on the angle of the observation viewpoint (observation angle) due to the pattern images of the glossy layer 21 and the transparent layer 11. This is called glossy latent image technology, which uses a technology that switches images depending on the observation position by utilizing differences in the amount of reflected light. Next, the observation mode based on the structure of the laminate 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an observation mode based on the structure of the laminate 3 according to this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 illustrates three positional relationships between the illumination light source L, the viewpoints E (Ea, Eb), and the laminate 3 in the diffuse reflection region and the specular reflection (mirror reflection) region for the laminate 3 in Figure 3(A). Here, in the laminate 3 of FIG. 6, the base layer 22 is omitted. When the viewpoint E (Ea) is at position P1 relative to the positions of the illumination light source L and the laminate 3 as shown in FIG. 6, observation at position P1 is in the diffuse reflection region. This is the case when the illumination light source L is irradiated obliquely onto the surface of the laminate 3, and position P1 at this time is in the normal direction (Y direction) of the laminate 3 and is a position facing the laminate 3. Furthermore, when the illumination light source L and the laminate 3 are under the same conditions and the viewpoint E (Eb) is at position P2, observation at position P2 is in the specular reflection region. In this case, if the angle between the normal to the laminate 3 and the illumination light source L is θL, then position P2 is a position symmetrical to the illumination light source L with respect to the normal to the laminate 3, and is a position from which the laminate 3 is viewed from a direction of angle θR, which is the same angle as angle θL. Here, the illumination light source L outputs visible light.

[0032] In the following, an explanation will be given taking the images C1 and C2 shown in FIG. 4 as an example. First, when there is only the sealing layer 2, that is, when it consists only of the glossy layer 21, in the diffuse reflection region, the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b of the image C1 in Figure 4(A) have a large difference in the amount of reflected light due to the difference in density between them, so the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b can be distinguished. On the other hand, in the specular reflection region, the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b both have a large amount of reflected light, so the difference cannot be perceived and the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b cannot be distinguished.

[0033] Next, when there is only the card 1, that is, when it consists only of the transparent layer 11, the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b in Fig. 4(B) cannot be distinguished in the diffuse reflection area because they are transparent. On the other hand, in the specular reflection area, the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b can be distinguished because the amount of reflected light changes depending on the difference in density between the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b. In other words, when only the card 1 is viewed under natural light, the conditions are usually the same as when viewed in a diffuse reflection area. Therefore, when the card 1 has the transparent layer 11 superimposed on the transparent base 10, the transparent layer 11 is not visible, and it appears as if nothing is printed in the area of ​​the transparent layer 11.

[0034] In the case where the card 1 is superimposed on the seal layer 2 as in the laminate 3, that is, where the transparent layer 11 is formed on the glossy layer 21, the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b can be distinguished from each other in the diffuse reflection region, but the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b cannot be distinguished from each other, so that the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b are observed as a whole. In the specular reflection region, the foreground portion C1a and the background portion C1b cannot be distinguished from each other, but the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b can be distinguished from each other, so that the foreground portion C2a and the background portion C2b are observed as a whole.

[0035] In this way, by using materials (ink, etc.) for the lustrous layer 21 and the transparent layer 11 that reflect different amounts of light depending on the observation angle, the image of the lustrous layer 21 and the image of the transparent layer 11 that make up the laminate 3 can be made to appear in a variety of ways, appearing visible or invisible depending on the observation angle.

[0036] Next, we will explain how this principle is used in the game machine 5. When this principle is used in the game machine 5, the game machine 5 can, for example, acquire an image of only the transparent layer 11 of the card 1, and perform play processing using information obtained from the acquired image. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a reading method in a game system 100 including a game machine 5 and a card 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 7(A) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the card 1 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the insertion portion 5I having the seal layer 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the card 1 shown in FIG. 7A inserted into the insertion portion 5I, as viewed from the X direction.

[0037] In the game system 100 (card reading system) shown in FIG. 7(A), when a card 1 is inserted into the insertion portion 5I of the game machine 5, the upper part of the card 1 in the vertical direction Z protrudes from the insertion portion 5I. Therefore, the player can see the upper part of the card 1. On the other hand, the lower part of the card 1 inserted into the insertion portion 5I is inside the housing. Therefore, the player cannot see the seal layer 2 inside the insertion portion 5I. 7(B), the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 inserted into the insertion portion 5I is in a state where it overlaps with the shiny layer 21 of the seal layer 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7(B) shows the card 1 and the seal layer 2 in the positions shown in FIG. 3(A). Here, in FIG. 7(B), the base layer 22 is omitted.

[0038] Inside the housing of the game machine 5, a mirror surface 5M (mirror surface portion), a camera 5C (reading portion), and a light 5L (light emitting portion) are provided. The camera 5C is a photographing device that captures images. The light 5L is a light-emitting device that outputs visible light. The mirror surface 5M reflects the light from the light 5L and makes it incident perpendicularly to the surface of the card 1. The mirror surface 5M also makes the light reflected from the card 1 incident on the camera 5C. Here, the relationship between the card 1 and the seal layer 2, the camera 5C, and the light 5L is such that the camera 5C observes the card 1 and the seal layer 2 in the specular reflection region of the light 5L. Therefore, a second image of the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 is visualized, and the camera 5C acquires the second image. Note that when the light 5L is turned off, the relationship between the card 1 and the seal layer 2, the camera 5C, and natural light is such that the camera 5C observes the card 1 and the seal layer 2 in the diffuse reflection region. Therefore, a first image of the glossy layer 21 of the seal layer 2 is visualized.

[0039] Furthermore, when the card 1 is turned over and inserted into the insertion portion 5I, the positions of the card 1 and the seal layer 2 become as shown in Fig. 3(B). Even in this case, the relationship between the card 1 and the seal layer 2 and the camera 5C and the light 5L becomes substantially the same as the state in which the positions of the card 1 and the seal layer 2 are as shown in Fig. 3(A). In the state shown in Fig. 3(B), after passing through the base 10, the light enters the transparent layer 11, but the influence of the refractive index of light is considered to be negligible considering the thickness of the base 10.

[0040] Next, the function of the game machine 5 relating to reading the card 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the game machine 5 according to this embodiment. The game machine 5 shown in FIG. 8 includes a control unit 50, a storage unit 60, a camera 5C, a light 5L, a touch panel display 67 (display device), and a sensor unit 69. The control unit 50 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire game machine 5. The control unit 50 appropriately reads and executes the OS (Operating System) and application programs stored in the storage unit 60, thereby cooperating with the above-mentioned hardware and executing various functions.

[0041] The control unit 50 includes a detection signal receiving unit 51, a light control unit 52, an image acquisition unit 53 (reading means), a code identification unit 54 (code identification means), an information acquisition unit 55 (information acquisition means), and a play processing unit 56 (information output means). The detection signal receiving section 51 receives a detection signal from, for example, a sensor section 69 (described later) provided inside the insertion section 5I. The light control unit 52 causes the light 5L to emit light and continues to output light in response to reception of the detection signal by the detection signal receiving unit 51. Note that the light control unit 52 may stop the output of light that has been emitted from the light 5L when image data is received by the image acquisition unit 53, which will be described next. Image acquisition unit 53 activates camera 5C and receives image data including the second image of card 1 via camera 5C.

[0042] The code identification unit 54 identifies a code, which is a second image, from the image data. Here, the code identification unit 54 acquires a code area by, for example, detecting a finder pattern of a two-dimensional code. Then, the code identification unit 54 identifies the code based on the code area. The information acquisition unit 55 performs a predetermined conversion on the code identified by the code identification unit 54 and acquires variable information. The play processing unit 56 outputs information based on the variable information acquired by the information acquisition unit 55 to the touch panel display 67. The above description has focused on the function related to reading the card 1. The game machine 5 also has various other functions related to play executed by the game machine 5, but the various functions related to play are not relevant to the present invention and therefore will not be described here.

[0043] The storage unit 60 is a storage area such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory element for storing programs, data, etc. required for the control unit 50 to execute various processes. The storage unit 60 stores a program storage unit 61 . The program storage unit 61 is a storage area that stores various programs. The program storage unit 61 stores a reading program 61a (program) and a play processing program 61b. The reading program 61a is a program for executing the functions of, for example, the detection signal receiving unit 51, the light control unit 52, the image acquisition unit 53, the code identification unit 54, and the information acquisition unit 55. The play processing program 61b is a program for executing the function of, for example, the play processing unit 56.

[0044] The touch panel display 67 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 sensor unit 69 is provided, for example, inside the insertion unit 51, and detects the insertion of the card 1 into the insertion unit 51. The sensor unit 69 sends a detection signal to the control unit . It should be noted that a computer refers to an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a storage device, etc., and the game machine 5 is an information processing device equipped with a control unit 50, a storage unit 60, etc., and is included in the concept of a computer.

[0045] Next, the processing of the game machine 5 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the card reading process in the game machine 5 according to this embodiment. For example, when the card 1 becomes ready to be read during play on the game machine 5, this card reading process is started. First, when the player inserts the card 1 into the insertion portion 5I of the game machine 5, the sensor unit 69 detects the insertion and transmits a detection signal. Then, in step S (hereinafter, "step S" will be simply referred to as "S") 11, the control unit 50 (detection signal receiving unit 51) of the game machine 5 receives the detection signal transmitted by the sensor unit 69. In S12, the control unit 50 (light control unit 52) ​​causes the light 5L to emit light. Also, the control unit 50 (image acquisition unit 53) activates the camera 5C.

[0046] In S13, the control unit 50 (image acquisition unit 53) receives image data captured via the camera 5C. In S14, the control unit 50 (light control unit 52) ​​stops the light 5L from emitting light. The control unit 50 also stops the activation of the camera 5C. In S15, the control unit 50 (code identification unit 54) identifies a code from the image data received in the process of S13. More specifically, the control unit 50 first detects the finder pattern of the two-dimensional code included in the image data. Since the code area can be obtained from the detected finder pattern, the control unit 50 identifies the code based on the code area.

[0047] In S16, the control unit 50 (information acquisition unit 55) performs a predetermined conversion process on the code identified by the process of S15 to acquire variable information. Here, if the code is correctly identified by the process of S15, the control unit 50 can obtain the variable information by the predetermined conversion process. On the other hand, if the code is not correctly identified by the process of S15, the control unit 50 cannot obtain the variable information by the predetermined conversion process.

[0048] In S17, the control unit 50 (information acquisition unit 55) determines whether or not the variable information has been acquired. If the variable information has been acquired (S17: YES), the control unit 50 proceeds to S18. On the other hand, if the variable information has not been acquired (S17: NO), the control unit 50 proceeds to S19.

[0049] In S18, the control unit 50 (play processing unit 56) executes a play process corresponding to the variable information. The control unit 50, for example, outputs information based on the variable information to the touch panel display 67. Here, the information based on the variable information may be, for example, information that is related to the picture image of the card 1. As an example, if the picture image of the card 1 is an accessory, the control unit 50 executes a process to change, for example, an image of a person displayed on the touch panel display 67 to an image with an accessory similar to the picture image of the card 1 added. Thereafter, the control unit 50 ends this process. On the other hand, in S19, the control unit 50 outputs a message indicating a read error to the touch panel display 67. Note that the output may not be a message indicating a read error, but rather a message to reinsert the card 1. Thereafter, the control unit 50 ends this process.

[0050] As described above, the present embodiment has the following advantages. (1) The laminate 3 includes a card 1 and a seal layer 2. The card 1 includes a base 10 formed from a transparent substrate and a transparent layer 11. The transparent layer 11 is a second image printed with transparent ink. The seal layer 2 includes a glossy layer 21, which is a first image printed with ink containing a glossy material. The laminate 3, in which the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 is superimposed on the glossy layer 21 of the seal layer 2, is configured so that the amount of reflected light varies depending on the observation angle. Therefore, by using the card 1 and the seal layer 2 in a stacked state, depending on the observation angle, it is possible to create a state in which only the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 is visible, only the shiny layer 21 of the seal layer 2 is visible, or both the transparent layer 11 and the shiny layer 21 are visible. Furthermore, the card 1 itself has a second image printed in transparent ink on the transparent base 10, so it can be used as a card 1 that makes the second image difficult to see. As a result, the second image can be made difficult to copy.

[0051] (2) By forming the second image on the transparent layer 11 as a pattern image, it is possible to make the pattern image more difficult to recognize visually. Furthermore, by making the second image on the transparent layer 11 into a two-dimensional code, information can be stored in the second image.

[0052] (3) The game machine 5 has a camera 5C and a light 5L located near the camera 5C, and when light is being emitted from the light 5L, the camera 5C reads the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 placed on top of the luminous layer 21 on the camera 5C side, and identifies the code from the read image. Therefore, by acquiring image data at an observation angle where only the transparent layer 11 is visible while light is being output, the game machine 5 can identify the code of the transparent layer 11 from the card 1.

[0053] (4) The game machine 5 is provided with a mirror surface 5M that reflects light from the light 5L and makes it incident on the surface of the card 1 perpendicularly, and the mirror surface 5M is positioned so that the light reflected from the card 1 is incident on the camera 5C. Therefore, even if a large space cannot be secured inside the housing of the game machine 5, an image consisting of only the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 can be acquired by using the mirror surface 5M.

[0054] (5) The game machine 5 acquires variable information from the identified code, and outputs information based on the acquired variable information to the touch panel display 67. Therefore, the touch panel display 67 can display, for example, information related to play.

[0055] (6) The card 1 has a colored ink layer with a visible picture image applied to it except for the transparent layer 11, and the information based on the variable information output by the game machine 5 to the touch panel display 67 is related to the picture image. Therefore, the image of the card 1 and the play on the game machine 5 can be related to each other, and a sense of unity between the card 1 and the game machine 5 can be created. Furthermore, since the transparent layer 11 of the card 1 is printed with transparent ink on the transparent base 10, the image on the transparent layer 11 does not obstruct the picture image, and the card 1 can be used as one with excellent design.

[0056] 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.

[0057] (Variations) (1) In this embodiment, the laminate 3 made up of the card 1 and the seal layer 2 is used in a game machine 5 that reads and processes the transparent layer 11 of the card 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be used for authenticity determination. In this case, a card with a transparent layer and a card with a shiny layer are prepared, and the card with the transparent layer is placed on top of the card with the shiny layer. Then, a mobile device (reader) with a camera and light, such as a smartphone, reads the stacked stack. At this time, the camera of the mobile device is positioned normal to the surface of the stack, and the light is turned on to capture an image of the transparent layer. Then, based on the code included in the second image of the transparent layer, it can be confirmed whether the card is genuine. Furthermore, by making the first image of the lustrous layer a pattern image and making it an image of a code different from the code of the transparent layer, it can be used for advanced authentication using two codes. More specifically, the control unit of the mobile terminal may determine the authenticity based on whether or not the combination of the code of the lustrous layer and the code of the transparent layer is stored in an authenticity determination table (not shown) stored in the memory unit of the mobile terminal.

[0058] (2) In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which one card 1 having a transparent layer 11 is used, but this is not limiting. A plurality of cards having transparent layers may be stacked and used. In this case, for example, each of the multiple cards may have a transparent layer that forms a partial image of the second image, and the second image may be formed when the multiple cards are stacked in a predetermined position. In this way, when the multiple cards are stacked and used, information can be obtained from, for example, a code included in the second image. Alternatively, each of the multiple cards may have a transparent layer for forming a second image at a different position, and multiple second images may be formed when the multiple cards are stacked in a predetermined position. In this way, by stacking multiple cards, it is possible to obtain information from multiple codes contained in the multiple second images, for example.

[0059] (3) In the present embodiment, the pattern image is printed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The pattern image may be formed by a method other than printing, such as transfer printing or laser drawing. (4) In this embodiment, the card is described as being used in a game machine, but is not limited to this. The card may be a cash card or a credit card used in a financial institution, and may be used for security purposes. The seal layer is also not limited to this. Any medium having a glossy layer may be used. (5) In this embodiment, the glossy layer 21 has been described as having a rectangular shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the glossy layer 21 may have other shapes, such as a circular shape or an elliptical shape. Furthermore, the transparent layer 11 is not limited to a square shape corresponding to a two-dimensional code, and may have a shape depending on the shape of the code, such as a rectangular shape for a barcode.

[0060] (6) In the present embodiment, the card 1 has been described as having the transparent layer 11 and the colored ink layer formed on the base 10, but is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the transparent layer 11 and the colored ink layer formed on the base 10 described in the present embodiment, a substrate such as a transparent film may be further provided on the transparent layer 11 and the colored ink layer. By providing such a substrate such as a transparent film, the layer below the transparent film is less likely to be scraped off.

[0061] (7) In the present embodiment, the transparent layer and the glossy layer form a code using a pattern image, but this is not limiting. The transparent layer and / or the glossy layer may form an image (second image and / or first image) using a solid image.

[0062] (8) In the present embodiment, a gaming machine is described as emitting light from a light source and receiving an image from a camera when a sensor unit detects a card. However, this is not limiting. A gaming machine may not have a sensor unit. For example, when performing a specific process in a game machine's play process, the light may emit light and the camera may receive an image in response to a display on the touch panel display prompting the player to insert a card. In this case, the light may continue to emit light and the camera may continue to receive an image until a code can be obtained or until a predetermined time has elapsed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 card 2. Sealing layer 3 Laminate 5. Game consoles 5C Camera 5I Insertion section 5L Light 5M mirror surface 10 base 11 Transparent layer 20 Flat plate part 21 Photoluminescent layer 22 Base material layer 50 control section 51 Detection signal receiving unit 52 Optical control section 53 Image acquisition unit 54 Code identification section 55 Information Acquisition Department 56 Play processing unit 60 Storage section 61a Reading Program 61b Play Processing Program 67 Touch Panel Display 69 Sensor section 100 Game System C1, C2 images L illumination light source

Claims

1. A media group including a medium having a first ink layer and a plurality of card media having a second ink layer, Each of the plurality of card media is formed of a transparent base material in at least a partial area thereof, the second ink layer of each of the plurality of card media forms a partial image of a code having variable information, the partial image being made of a transparent material in the partial area; When the plurality of card media are stacked at a predetermined position, a second image is formed by the plurality of second ink layers; the first ink layer is a first image formed of a glittering material, A group of media configured such that when the second ink layer of the plurality of card media is superimposed on the first ink layer of the medium, the first ink layer and the second ink layer each have different amounts of reflected light depending on the observation angle.

2. In the group of media described in claim 1, A medium group, wherein the first image is composed of a pattern image and includes an image of a code that is different from the second image.

3. In the group of media described in claim 1 or claim 2, A medium group, wherein the second image is composed of a pattern image.

4. In the group of media according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A medium group, wherein the code included in the second image is a two-dimensional code.

5. A reading device for reading a medium group according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A reading unit; a light emitting unit that is provided near the reading unit and that irradiates light; a reading means for reading an image including the second image formed by the second ink layers when the plurality of card media arranged on the side of the reading unit of the first ink layer, which is the first image formed by the photoluminescent material, are stacked at a predetermined position while light is being irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a code identifying means for identifying the code from the image read by the reading means; A reading device comprising:

6. A reading device according to claim 5, a mirror surface portion that reflects light from the light emitting portion and makes it incident on the surfaces of the plurality of card media in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the plurality of card media; The mirror unit causes light reflected from the plurality of card media to be incident on the reading unit.

7. A reading device according to claim 5 or claim 6, an information acquisition means for acquiring the variable information from the code identified by the code identification means; an information output means for outputting information based on the variable information acquired by the information acquisition means to a display device; A reading device comprising:

8. A medium group according to any one of claims 1 to 4; A reading device according to claim 7; A card reading system comprising: The plurality of card media each include a third ink layer on which a visible design is applied in an area other than the second ink layer; A card reading system, wherein the information based on the variable information output by the information output means of the reading device to the display device is related to the designs applied to the multiple card media.

9. A group of media according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a reading device; A card reading system comprising: The reading device A reading unit; a light emitting unit that is provided near the reading unit and that irradiates light; a reading means for reading an image including the second image formed by the second ink layers when the plurality of card media arranged on the side of the reading unit of the first ink layer, which is the first image formed by the photoluminescent material, are stacked at a predetermined position while light is being irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a code identifying means for identifying the code from the image read by the reading means; A card reading system comprising:

10. In the card reading system according to claim 9, the reading device includes a mirror surface portion that reflects light from the light emitting portion and makes the light incident on the surfaces of the plurality of card media in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the plurality of card media; The mirror unit causes light reflected from the plurality of card media to be incident on the reading unit.

11. In the card reading system according to claim 9 or claim 10, The reading device an information acquisition means for acquiring the variable information from the code identified by the code identification means; an information output means for outputting information based on the variable information acquired by the information acquisition means to a display device; A card reading system comprising:

Images