Patent Description:
Hitherto, it has been necessary to accurately determine the authenticity of a printed product, namely, a voucher such as a bill (banknote) or a gift certificate, or an identification card such as a driver's license, a basic resident registration card, a residence card, a special permanent resident certificate, or a passport.

For example, PTL <NUM> discloses a related-art technique for detecting a difference in the color flatness of a scanned image of an object that is printed with a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing and determining whether the printed product is one printed using the area coverage modulation method.

However, this related-art technique requires an image captured in close proximity by using a line sensor such as a scanner, and has a problem such as failing to perform determination using an image produced by an image sensor such as a digital camera.

It is an object of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a determination device, a control method for the determination device, a determination system, a control method for the determination system, and a program, which can effectively address the aforementioned problems.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a determination system according to claim <NUM> including an imaging data acquisition device that is configured to capture an image of a printed surface of a printed product to acquire imaging data of the captured image, and a determination device that is configured to determine, based on the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device, a printing method used to produce the printed surface of the printed product for which the image is captured by the imaging data acquisition device. The determination device is further configured to select a determination area included in the captured image from the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device, extract a determination image of a preset target color from the selected determination area, binarize gradation data of the target color in a plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image by using as a reference a binarization threshold suitable for each determination area to acquire binarized reference binary data of the determination image, convert the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image with respect to a dark portion of the determination image to acquire converted gradation data, binarize the acquired converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold to acquire comparison binary data, acquire, based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the reference binary data with the comparison binary data, a determination value for determining a printing method used to produce the printed surface of the printed product, and determine, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface of the printed product.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to acquire difference data as the comparison result, the difference data being a difference between the reference binary data and the comparison binary data, and acquire the determination value, based on the difference data that is the acquired comparison result.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to perform conversion processing on the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image so as to enlarge a dark portion of the determination image to acquire enlargement-converted gradation data, perform conversion processing on the enlargement-converted gradation data in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image so as to reduce the dark portion of the determination image in size to acquire reduction-converted gradation data, and binarize the reduction-converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold to acquire the comparison binary data.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to perform conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image so as to replace the gradation data of the target color with a minimum value of a neighboring pixel region of a pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image is enlarged to acquire the enlargement-converted gradation data, and perform conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image so as to replace the enlargement-converted gradation data with a maximum value of the neighboring pixel region of the pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image is reduced in size to acquire the reduction-converted gradation data.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to perform conversion processing on the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image so as to reduce a dark portion of the determination image in size to acquire reduction-converted gradation data, perform conversion processing on the reduction-converted gradation data in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image so as to enlarge the dark portion of the determination image to acquire enlargement-converted gradation data, and binarize the enlargement-converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold to acquire the comparison binary data.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to perform conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image so as to replace the gradation data of the target color with a maximum value of a neighboring pixel region of a pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image is reduced in size to acquire the reduction-converted gradation data, and perform conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image so as to replace the reduction-converted gradation data with a minimum value of the neighboring pixel region of the pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image is enlarged to acquire the enlargement-converted gradation data.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the binarization threshold suitable for each determination area may be determined based on a histogram of gradation data in the determination area.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to set the number of difference dots per area of the difference data as the determination value.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to determine, based on the acquired determination value, whether the printed product is a printed product printed by a printing method using a plate or a printed product printed by a printing method using a printer based on an area coverage modulation method.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to determine that the printed product is a printed product printed with the printer in a case where the determination value is greater than or equal to a preset determination threshold, and determine that the printed product is a printed product printed with the plate in a case where the determination value is less than the determination threshold.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the printing method using the printer may be printing using an area coverage modulation method.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the printer based on the area coverage modulation method may be configured to print a determination image using a mixture of three colors of CYM (cyan, yellow, and magenta).

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the imaging data acquisition device may be a mobile phone or a digital camera including an image sensor that is configured to acquire the imaging data of an imaging image of the printed surface of the printed product.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the printed product may be an original that is printed with the plate, or the printed product may be a counterfeit that is printed with the printer, and the determination device may be configured to determine, based on the acquired determination value, whether the printed product is an original printed product printed by the printing method using a plate or a counterfeit printed product printed by the printing method using a printer.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to receive the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device via the Internet.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to transmit a determination result of a printing method used to produce the printed surface of the printed product to an external device via the Internet.

In the determination system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination device may be configured to transmit a determination result of a printing method used to produce the printed surface of the printed product to the imaging data acquisition device via the Internet.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a control method according to claim <NUM> for a determination system including an imaging data acquisition device that captures an image of a printed surface of a printed product to acquire imaging data of the captured image, and a determination device that determines, based on the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device, a printing method used to produce the printed surface of the printed product for which the image is captured by the imaging data acquisition device. The control method includes, by the determination device, selecting a determination area included in the captured image from the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device, extracting a determination image of a preset target color from the selected determination area, binarizing gradation data of the target color in a plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image by using as a reference a binarization threshold suitable for each determination area to acquire binarized reference binary data of the determination image, converting the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image with respect to a dark portion of the determination image to acquire converted gradation data, binarizing the acquired converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold to acquire comparison binary data, acquiring, based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the reference binary data with the comparison binary data, a determination value for determining a printing method used to produce the printed surface of the printed product, and determining, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface of the printed product.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a determination device according to claim <NUM> for a determination system.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program according to claim <NUM> to be executed by a determination device for a determination system including an imaging data acquisition device that captures an image of a printed surface of a printed product to acquire imaging data of the captured image, the determination device including a computer.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether a printed product is a printed product printed by a printing method using a plate or a printed product printed by a printing method using a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing.

The following describes a configuration of a determination device and a control method therefor according to embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiments described below are examples of embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to these embodiments. As used herein, terms such as "parallel" and "orthogonal", values of length and angle, and the like used to specify shapes and geometric conditions and degrees thereof are not limited to exact meanings, and are construed to the extent that similar functions can be expected. In addition, in the drawings referred to in the embodiments, the same portions or portions having similar functions are assigned the same reference numerals or similar reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted in some cases. In addition, dimensional ratios in the drawings may be different from actual ratios for convenience of description, or a portion of the configuration may be omitted from the drawings.

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a determination system <NUM> according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example control method for the determination system <NUM> (determination device <NUM>) illustrated in <FIG>. The process illustrated in <FIG> is implemented mainly by a processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> executing a program prepared in advance.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the determination system <NUM> includes the determination device <NUM>, an imaging data acquisition device <NUM>, and an external device <NUM>. In the determination system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the external device <NUM> may be omitted as necessary.

The imaging data acquisition device <NUM> is configured to capture an image of a printed surface B of a printed product A and acquire imaging data of the captured image. The imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> is transmitted to the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> through a communication unit <NUM> of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> and a communication unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> via wireless communication such as the Internet. The printed product A is, for example, a gift certificate, a bill (banknote), a driver's license, a basic resident registration card, a residence card, a special permanent resident certificate, a passport, or the like.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> includes the communication unit <NUM>, a processing unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, an operation unit <NUM>, and an imaging unit <NUM>. The components of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are illustrative, and some of the components may be omitted as necessary, or any other component may be added.

The communication unit <NUM> is configured to transmit and receive predetermined data and the like to and from the communication unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> via wireless communication such as the Internet. If necessary, the communication unit <NUM> may be configured to transmit and receive predetermined data and the like to and from the communication unit <NUM> via wired communication.

The processing unit <NUM> is constituted by, for example, a computer such as a CPU and is configured to execute processing necessary for the imaging data acquisition device <NUM>, including control of the operation of the imaging unit <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> stores, for example, a program of processing to be executed by the processing unit <NUM> of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> and data necessary for the processing. The storage unit <NUM> is configured to temporarily save imaging data generated by the imaging unit <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> is, for example, a display that displays content and the like executed by the processing unit <NUM> of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM>.

The operation unit <NUM> is, for example, an input device to be operated by the user of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM>, and the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> is configured to cause the processing unit <NUM> to execute processing corresponding to the operation.

The imaging unit <NUM> is configured to capture an image of the printed surface B of the printed product A and acquire imaging data of the captured image. The imaging unit <NUM> is, for example, an image sensor.

The imaging data acquisition device <NUM> is, for example, a mobile phone (smartphone) or a digital camera including an image sensor (the imaging unit <NUM>) that acquires imaging data of an imaging image of the printed surface B of the printed product A. The imaging data is, for example, gradation data of RGB colors.

The determination device <NUM> is configured to determine a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A, for which an image is captured by the imaging data acquisition device <NUM>, on the basis of the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device <NUM>.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the determination device <NUM> is configured to select a determination area included in the captured image (cut out an image) from the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> (step S1 in <FIG>).

Then, the determination device <NUM> is configured to extract a determination image L of a preset target color (extract the target color) from the selected determination area (step S2 in <FIG>).

The determination device <NUM> extracts a color close to the determination image L of the target color among RGB (such as B (Blue) in the case of cyan), or extracts a color through conversion of CMY (such as <NUM>-R (Red) in the case of cyan) (determines a color to be selected in accordance with the target image or color.

Then, the determination device <NUM> is configured to binarize gradation data of the target color in a plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L by using as a reference a (preset) binarization threshold suitable for each determination area to acquire (calculate) binarized reference binary data of the determination image L (step S3 in <FIG>).

The binarization threshold suitable for each determination area is determined based on, for example, a histogram of gradation data in the corresponding determination area.

On the other hand, the determination device <NUM> is configured to convert the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L with respect to a dark portion (portion of the target color) of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) converted gradation data, and binarize the acquired converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold described above to acquire (calculate) comparison binary data (step S4 in <FIG>).

More specifically, in step S4, the determination device <NUM> is configured to perform conversion processing on the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L so as to enlarge the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) enlargement-converted gradation data (dark portion enlargement processing). Then, the determination device <NUM> is configured to perform conversion processing on the enlargement-converted gradation data in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L so as to reduce the size of the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) reduction-converted gradation data (dark portion reduction processing). Then, the determination device <NUM> is configured to binarize the reduction-converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold described above to acquire (calculate) the comparison binary data described above.

In this case, the determination device <NUM> is configured to perform conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image L so as to replace the gradation data of the target color with a minimum value of a neighboring pixel region of a pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image L is enlarged to acquire (calculate) the enlargement-converted gradation data.

More specifically, as the dark portion enlargement processing, processing is executed on the target pixel region (target dots) so that the gradation data is replaced with, for example, the minimum value of the neighboring 3x3 region.

In this case, furthermore, the determination device <NUM> is configured to perform conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image L so as to replace the enlargement-converted gradation data with a maximum value of the neighboring pixel region of the pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image L is reduced in size to acquire (calculate) reduction-converted gradation data.

More specifically, as the dark portion reduction processing, processing is executed on the target pixel region (target dots) so that the gradation data is replaced with, for example, the maximum value of the neighboring 3x3 region.

In still another case, in step S4, the determination device <NUM> may be configured to perform conversion processing on the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L so as to reduce the size of the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) reduction-converted gradation data (dark portion reduction processing). Then, the determination device <NUM> may be configured to perform conversion processing on the reduction-converted gradation data in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L so as to enlarge the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) enlargement-converted gradation data (dark portion enlargement processing). Then, the determination device <NUM> may be configured to binarize the enlargement-converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold described above to acquire (calculate) the comparison binary data described above.

In this case, the determination device <NUM> is configured to perform conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image L so as to replace the gradation data of the target color with a maximum value of a neighboring pixel region of a pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image L is reduced in size to acquire (calculate) reduction-converted gradation data.

In this case, furthermore, the determination device <NUM> is configured to perform conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image L so as to replace the reduction-converted gradation data with a minimum value of the neighboring pixel region of the pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image L is enlarged to acquire (calculate) enlargement-converted gradation data.

After step S4 described above, the determination device <NUM> is configured to acquire (calculate), based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the reference binary data with the comparison binary data described above, a determination value for determining a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A and determine, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A (step S5 in <FIG>).

In particular, the determination device <NUM> is configured to acquire (calculate) difference data, which is a difference between the reference binary data and the comparison binary data, as a comparison result and acquire (calculate) the determination value described above on the basis of the acquired difference data, which is the comparison result.

Then, the determination device <NUM> is configured to determine, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A.

In particular, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> is configured to determine, based on the acquired determination value, whether the printed product A is a printed product A in which the determination image of the target color is printed with a plate or a printed product A in which the determination image of the target color is printed with a printer.

The determination device may be configured to set, for example, the number of difference dots per area of the difference data as the determination value.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the determination device <NUM> includes the communication unit <NUM>, the processing unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, and an operation unit <NUM>. The components of the determination device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are illustrative, and some of the components may be omitted as necessary, or any other component may be added.

The communication unit <NUM> is configured to transmit and receive predetermined data and the like to and from the communication unit <NUM> of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> or a communication unit <NUM> of the external device <NUM> via wireless communication such as the Internet. If necessary, the communication unit <NUM> may be configured to transmit and receive predetermined data and the like to and from the communication units <NUM> and <NUM> via wired communication.

The display unit <NUM> is, for example, a display that displays the result of determination executed by the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM>.

The operation unit <NUM> is an input device to be operated by the user of the determination device <NUM>, and the determination device <NUM> is configured to cause the processing unit <NUM> to execute processing corresponding to the operation.

The processing unit <NUM> is constituted by, for example, a computer such as a CPU and is configured to execute processing necessary for the determination device <NUM>.

The processing unit <NUM> is configured to receive the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> using the communication unit <NUM> via the Internet.

The processing unit <NUM> is configured to, for example, select a determination area included in the captured image from the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> (step S1 in <FIG>), extract the determination image L of a preset target color from the selected determination area (step S2 in <FIG>), binarize gradation data of the target color in a plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L by using as a reference a (preset) binarization threshold suitable for each determination area to acquire (calculate) binarized reference binary data of the determination image L (step S3 in <FIG>), convert the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L with respect to the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) converted gradation data, binarize the acquired converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold to acquire (calculate) comparison binary data (step S4 in <FIG>), acquire (calculate), based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the reference binary data with the comparison binary data, a determination value for determining a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A, and determine, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A (step S5 in <FIG>).

The storage unit <NUM> stores a program of processing to be executed by the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> and data necessary for the processing.

The program is a program to be executed by the determination device <NUM> including at least a computer (the processing unit <NUM>) and is configured to cause the computer (the processing unit <NUM>) to execute processing including selecting a determination area included in the captured image from the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> (step S1 in <FIG>), extracting the determination image L of a preset target color from the selected determination area (step S2 in <FIG>), binarizing gradation data of the target color in a plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L by using as a reference a (preset) binarization threshold suitable for each determination area to acquire (calculate) binarized reference binary data of the determination image L (step S3 in <FIG>), converting the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L with respect to the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) converted gradation data, binarizing the acquired converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold to acquire (calculate) comparison binary data (step S4 in <FIG>), acquiring (calculating), based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the reference binary data with the comparison binary data, a determination value for determining a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A, and determining, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A (step S5 in <FIG>).

For example, if the determination value described above is greater than or equal to a preset determination threshold (the percentage of unevenness in color on the determination image L of the target color is greater than or equal to a predetermined value), the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> is configured to determine that the printed product A is a printed product printed with the printer described above.

On the other hand, if the determination value described above is less than the determination threshold (the percentage of unevenness in color on the determination image L of the target color is less than the predetermined value), the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> is configured to determine that the printed product A is a printed product printed with the plate described above.

Then, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> is configured to determine, based on the acquired determination value described above, whether the printed product A is an original printed product A printed by a printing method using the plate described above or a counterfeit printed product A printed by a printing method using the printer described above.

Specifically, for example, the determination value described above is calculated from the proportion of the number of difference dots or the like in the comparison of a binarized determination image with respect to the determination area, a determination threshold is calculated from an image of the printed product A on the plate by using the imaging data acquisition device <NUM>, and the printed product A greater than or equal to the determination threshold is determined to be one produced by a printer based on an area coverage modulation method.

Then, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> is configured to transmit the determination result of the printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A to the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> via the Internet.

The processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> may be configured to transmit the determination result of the printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A to the external device <NUM> via the Internet by using the communication unit <NUM>.

The external device <NUM> is, for example, a server that executes necessary processing on the basis of the determination result or the like received from the determination device <NUM>.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the external device <NUM> includes the communication unit <NUM>, a processing unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, and an operation unit <NUM>. The components of the external device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are illustrative, and some of the components may be omitted as necessary, or any other component may be added.

The processing unit <NUM> is constituted by, for example, a computer such as a CPU and is configured to execute processing necessary for the external device <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> stores a program of processing to be executed by the processing unit <NUM> of the external device <NUM> and data necessary for the processing.

The display unit <NUM> is, for example, a display that displays content and the like executed by the processing unit <NUM> of the external device <NUM>.

The operation unit <NUM> is an input device to be operated by the user of the external device <NUM>, and the external device <NUM> is configured to cause the processing unit <NUM> to execute processing corresponding to the operation.

The basic principle of the determination method according to this embodiment will now be described. As described above, the determination system <NUM> according to this embodiment is configured to determine the authenticity of the printed product A, such as a voucher or an identification card, by determining whether the printed product A is a printed product A printed by a printing method using a plate or a printed product A printed by a printing method using a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing.

For example, the printed product A, which is original, is printed with a plate on offset printing or the like.

In contrast, the printed product A, which is counterfeit, is generally manufactured using, for example, imaging data obtained by imaging of the original printed product A using a scanner by printing the printed surface B of the printed product A with a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing. The printing method using a printer includes, for example, printing using an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing, and the like. A printer based on the area coverage modulation method is configured to, for example, print the printed product A using a mixture of three colors of CYM (cyan, yellow, and magenta). That is, the printer based on the area coverage modulation method is configured to print the determination image L using a mixture of three colors of CYM (cyan, yellow, and magenta).

Accordingly, the determination device according to this embodiment determines whether the printed product A is a printed product A printed by a printing method using a plate or a printed product A printed by a printing method using a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing, and determines the authenticity of a voucher, an identification card, or the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the printed surface B of the printed product A. <FIG> is an enlarged view of an image L of a target color (blue) in an area Y on the printed surface B of the printed product A illustrated in <FIG> when the printed product A is printed with a plate using an offset printing method. <FIG> is an enlarged view of the image (line) L of the target color (blue) in the area Y on the printed surface B of the printed product A illustrated in <FIG> when the printed product A is printed with a printer based on an area coverage modulation method.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the printed surface B of the printed product A, which is a gift certificate, includes the area Y having the image L of the target color (for example, blue).

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the printed product A is the original printed by a printing method using a plate, such as offset printing, substantially no unevenness in color appears on the image L of the target color in the area Y on the printed surface B of the printed product A.

In contrast, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the printed product A is a counterfeit printed by printing with a printer, unevenness in color occurs on the image L of the target color in the area Y on the printed surface B of the printed product A.

A description will now be given of the principle that unevenness in color occurs at end portions of the image L of the target color in the area Y on the printed surface B of the printed product A when the printed product A is a counterfeit printed by printing with a printer.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example enlarged view of an image of the target color (blue) that is printed using a mixture of three colors of CYM (cyan C, yellow Y, and magenta M) using a printer based on an area coverage modulation method, in which the positions of the three colors are printed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when a color close to each of the primary colors (such as cyan, yellow, and magenta) is printed using a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing, dots of each color are sparsely formed, and accordingly unevenness in color (such as voids) is observed in the captured image.

In particular, the printer is configured to perform printing by, for example, scanning a printing unit (a printhead and a paper feed mechanism) by using a driving system (for example, a motor). When during the rendering by the printer, the use of the driving system (motor), such as the paper feed mechanism, causes a fine error, more noticeable unevenness in color occurs in the image of the target color.

In this manner, when the printed product A is a counterfeit printed by printing with a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing, unevenness in color (such as voids) occurs in the determination image L of the target color (i.e., as illustrated in <FIG> described below, the value of difference data is large).

In contrast, as described above, when the printed product A is the original printed by a printing method using a plate, no unevenness in color (such as voids) occurs in the determination image L of the target color (i.e., as illustrated in <FIG> described below, the value of difference data is small).

In this embodiment, therefore, as described above, it is determined whether the printed product A is a printed product A printed by a printing method using a plate or a printed product A printed by a printing method using a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing to determine whether the printed product A is original or counterfeit.

As described above, the printing method using a printer is, for example, printing using an area coverage modulation method.

Next, an example of a control method that is a determination method of the determination system <NUM>, in particular, a control method for a determination device, will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of determination areas Z1 and Z2 on the printed surface B of the printed product A. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination image of a target color in the selected determination area Z1 on the printed surface B of the printed product A illustrated in <FIG> when the printed product A is printed with a printer based on an area coverage modulation method. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the determination image of the target color in the selected determination area Z1 on the printed surface B of the printed product A illustrated in <FIG> when the printed product A is printed with a plate. <FIG> is an enlarged view of the determination image L illustrated in <FIG> in which the target color is extracted when the printed product A is printed with a printer. <FIG> is an enlarged view of the determination image L illustrated in <FIG> in which the target color is extracted when the printed product A is printed with a plate. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of reference binary data obtained by binarizing gradation data of the target color of the determination image L illustrated in <FIG> in which the target color is extracted by using as a reference a binarization threshold when the printed product A is printed with a printer. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of reference binary data obtained by binarizing gradation data of the target color of the determination image L illustrated in <FIG> in which the target color is extracted by using as a reference a binarization threshold when the printed product A is printed with a plate. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of comparison binary data obtained by binarizing converted gradation data, which is acquired by converting the gradation data of the target color of the determination image L illustrated in <FIG> in which the target color is extracted with respect to the target color of the determination image L and then executing enlargement and reduction processing, by using as a reference the binarization threshold when the printed product A is printed with a printer. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of comparison binary data obtained by binarizing converted gradation data, which is acquired by converting the gradation data of the target color of the determination image L illustrated in <FIG> in which the target color is extracted with respect to the target color of the determination image L and then executing enlargement and reduction processing, by using as a reference the binarization threshold when the printed product A is printed with a plate. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of difference data that is a difference between the reference binary data and the comparison binary data corresponding to the determination image of the target color illustrated in <FIG>, when the printed product A is printed with a printer. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of difference data that is a difference between the reference binary data and the comparison binary data corresponding to the determination image of the target color illustrated in <FIG>, when the printed product A is printed with a plate.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the printed surface B of the printed product A, which is a gift certificate, includes areas Z1 to Z2 each having an image of a target color.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> selects the determination area Z1 illustrated in <FIG>, which is included in the captured image, from the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> (corresponding to step S1 in <FIG>).

Then, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> extracts the determination image L of a preset target color (blue) (extracts the target color) from the selected determination area Z1 (corresponding to step S2 in <FIG>).

As described above, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> extracts a color close to the determination image L of the target color among RGB (such as B (Blue) in the case of cyan) or extracts a color through conversion of CMY (such as <NUM>-R (Red) in the case of cyan) (determines a color to be selected in accordance with the target image or color.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> binarizes gradation data of the target color in a plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L by using as a reference a (preset) binarization threshold suitable for each determination area to acquire (calculate) binarized reference binary data of the determination image L (corresponding to step S3 in <FIG>).

In <FIG>, the area (dark portion) of the target color of the binarized determination image L is represented as gradation data "<NUM>", and the area other than the target color is represented as gradation data "<NUM>".

As described above, the binarization threshold suitable for each determination area is determined based on, for example, a histogram of gradation data in the corresponding determination area.

On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> converts the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L with respect to the dark portion (portion of the target color) of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) converted gradation data, and binarizes the acquired converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold described above to acquire (calculate) comparison binary data (corresponding to step S4 in <FIG>).

More specifically, in step S4, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> performs conversion processing on the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L so as to enlarge the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) enlargement-converted gradation data (dark portion enlargement processing). Then, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> performs conversion processing on the enlargement-converted gradation data in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L so as to reduce the size of the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) reduction-converted gradation data (dark portion reduction processing). Then, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> binarizes the reduction-converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold described above to acquire (calculate) the comparison binary data described above.

In this case, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> performs conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image L so as to replace the gradation data of the target color with a minimum value of a neighboring pixel region of a pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image L is enlarged to acquire (calculate) the enlargement-converted gradation data.

In this case, furthermore, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> performs conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image L so as to replace the enlargement-converted gradation data with a maximum value of the neighboring pixel region of the pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image L is reduced in size to acquire (calculate) reduction-converted gradation data.

In still another case, in step S4, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> may be configured to perform conversion processing on the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L so as to reduce the size of the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) reduction-converted gradation data (dark portion reduction processing). Then, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> may be configured to perform conversion processing on the reduction-converted gradation data in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image L so as to enlarge the dark portion of the determination image L to acquire (calculate) enlargement-converted gradation data (dark portion enlargement processing). Then, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> may be configured to binarize the enlargement-converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold described above to acquire (calculate) the comparison binary data described above.

In this case, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> performs conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image L so as to replace the gradation data of the target color with a maximum value of a neighboring pixel region of a pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image L is reduced in size to acquire (calculate) reduction-converted gradation data.

In this case, furthermore, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> performs conversion processing on the plurality of pixel regions constituting the determination image L so as to replace the reduction-converted gradation data with a minimum value of the neighboring pixel region of the pixel region so that the dark portion of the determination image L is enlarged to acquire (calculate) enlargement-converted gradation data.

Then, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> determines, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A.

After step S4 described above, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> acquires (calculates), based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the reference binary data with the comparison binary data described above, a determination value for determining a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A, and determines, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A (corresponding to step S5 in <FIG>).

In particular, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> acquires (calculates) difference data, which is a difference between the reference binary data and the comparison binary data, as a comparison result and acquires (calculates) the determination value described above on the basis of the acquired difference data, which is the comparison result.

For example, if the determination value described above is greater than or equal to a preset determination threshold (i.e., as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the percentage of unevenness in color on the determination image of the target color is greater than or equal to a predetermined value), the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> determines that the printed product A is a printed product printed with the printer described above.

On the other hand, if the determination value described above is less than the determination threshold (i.e., as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the percentage of unevenness in color on the determination image of the target color is less than the predetermined value), the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> determines that the printed product A is a printed product printed with the plate described above.

In this manner, the determination device <NUM> determines, based on the acquired determination value, whether the printed product A is an original printed product A printed by a printing method using the plate described above or a counterfeit printed product A printed by a printing method using the printer described above.

The processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> transmits the determination result of the printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A to the <NUM> imaging data acquisition device <NUM> (mobile phone) via the Internet.

The determination result of the printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A is displayed on the display unit <NUM> of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> (mobile phone), which enables the user of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> (mobile phone) to be informed of the determination result.

Alternatively, the processing unit <NUM> of the determination device <NUM> may transmit the determination result of the printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A to the external device <NUM> via the Internet by using the communication unit <NUM>.

The determination result of the printing method used to produce the printed surface B of the printed product A is displayed on the display unit <NUM> of the external device <NUM>, which enables the user of the imaging data acquisition device <NUM> (mobile phone) to be informed of the determination result.

As described above, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether a printed product is a printed product printed by a printing method using a plate or a printed product printed by a printing method using a printer based on an area coverage modulation method such as inkjet printing.

Claim 1:
A determination system (<NUM>) comprising:
an imaging data acquisition device (<NUM>) that is configured to capture an image of a printed surface (B) of a printed product (A) to acquire imaging data of the captured image; and
a determination device (<NUM>) that is configured to determine, based on the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device, a printing method used to produce the printed surface (B) of the printed product (A) for which the image is captured by the imaging data acquisition device,
wherein the determination device (<NUM>) is further configured to
select a determination area included in the captured image from the imaging data acquired by the imaging data acquisition device,
extract a determination image (L) of a preset target color from the selected determination area,
binarize gradation data of the target color in a plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image (L) by using as a reference a binarization threshold suitable for each determination area to acquire binarized reference binary data of the determination image (L),
convert the gradation data of the target color in the plurality of pixel regions constituting the extracted determination image (L) with respect to a dark portion of the determination image (L) to acquire converted gradation data,
binarize the acquired converted gradation data by using as a reference the binarization threshold to acquire comparison binary data,
acquire, based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the reference binary data with the comparison binary data, a determination value for determining a printing method used to produce the printed surface (B) of the printed product (A), and
determine, based on the acquired determination value, a printing method used to produce the printed surface (B) of the printed product (A).