JP2006171900A - Article management system and article management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily manage articles without adding special devices. <P>SOLUTION: A clerk of a book store, when a book is brought in for resale, reads codes such as ISBN and book JAN code previously attached to the book with a bar code reader and scanner 34, places a designated page on the scanner 34, and inputs a start command for collating unique book information to a computer activating a collation program. Herewith, a surface condition of a prescribed region of a prescribed page of the book is read out with predetermined resolution and gray scale to be transferred as image data to a computer 36 for storing. Next, the article management system, for checking if the book for resale was purchased following a normal procedure, captures the image data, unique book information, via a network 38 from a unique book information management server 40, and verifies for displaying whether the image data is the same or not by comparing with the previously stored unique book information image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an article management system and an article management method, and more particularly, to an article management system and an article management method for managing from sales to resale of articles such as books.

  In recent years, shoplifting at bookstores for resale has increased rapidly and has become a social problem. Various techniques have been proposed to solve such social problems.

  For example, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, a product such as a book and a CD, or a non-contact type IC tag is pasted on a cover or a case of the product and rearranged on the system rack, and the product is received from the system rack. A system has been proposed in which a history such as taking out a product or returning a product to a system rack is recognized, managed, searched, and processed using a non-contact IC tag reader / writer.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, in the bookbinding method including the wrapping step of gluing the text content of the book body to the cover material that becomes the cover of the book body, the content of the text in the cover material is glued to the portion to be glued. It has been proposed that a tag on a sheet made of a magnetic material is preliminarily attached in advance with the same glue as that used for the case work, and the book is managed using the magnetic material glued to the book. .

In the technique described in Patent Document 3, it is proposed to provide a shoplifting prevention tag and an IC tag on the cover of a book.
JP-A-11-130213 JP 2001-315464 A JP 2002-337482 A

  However, in the conventional techniques, it is necessary to attach an IC tag, a magnetic body or the like to a book or the like, and costs such as material costs and pasting steps are required. For example, there is a problem that the cost increase rate is large for books of several hundred yen.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to easily manage articles without adding a special device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an article management system according to claim 1 provides unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which unique and readable characteristics having randomness are distributed along a surface. An article information registration apparatus comprising: reading means for acquiring reference data by reading from a section; and storage means for storing the reference data acquired by the reading means; and reading the unique information from a part of the article Collation reading means for obtaining collation data, acquisition means for obtaining the reference data stored in the storage means, the reference data obtained by the obtaining means, and the collation data obtained by the collation reading means And an article collating apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the articles are the same.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the article information registration apparatus, the unique information representing the unique characteristic of the solid in which the unique characteristic that can be read by the reading means is distributed along the surface is the article. Is read from a part of the reference data, and the storage unit stores the reference data read by the reading unit.

  On the other hand, in the article information matching device, unique information representing unique features of a solid in which unique and readable characteristics having randomness are distributed along the surface is read from a part of the article by the matching reading unit. The collation data is acquired, the reference data stored in the storage unit of the article information registration apparatus is acquired by the acquisition unit, and the determination unit determines whether or not the same article is based on the reference data and the verification data.

  For example, when selling an article, the article information registration device reads unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which random and readable unique characteristics are distributed along the surface from a part of the article. By storing the reference data as the reference data, when the article is resold, the unique characteristic of the solid in which the unique characteristic that can be read by the article information matching device is distributed along the surface. Is read from a part of the article, and based on the stored reference data and the collation data obtained by reading at the time of resale, it is determined whether or not it is the same article. Judgment can be made and goods can be managed.

  In other words, an article can be managed by reading unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which readable unique characteristics having randomness are distributed along the surface from a part of the article. Article management can be easily performed without adding a device.

  For example, the article information registration device and the article information matching device may be connected to a network and the acquisition unit may acquire the reference data from the storage unit via the network, as in the invention described in claim 2. Instead of connecting to the network, the acquisition means may acquire the reference data stored in the storage means via the recording medium, as in the third aspect of the invention.

  Further, as in the invention according to claim 4, the apparatus further includes a server for accumulating reference data stored in the storage means, and the article information registration apparatus, the article information collation apparatus, and the server are connected to the network to register the article information. The apparatus may register the reference data stored in the storage means to the server via the network, and the article information collating apparatus may acquire the reference data from the server via the network by the acquisition means.

  The article management system according to claim 5, wherein the reference data is obtained by reading, from a part of the article, unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which unique unique characteristics having randomness are distributed along the surface. An article information registration apparatus comprising: a reading unit that acquires the information; an output unit that outputs the reference data acquired by the reading unit to the outside via a network; and the output from the output unit via the network A storage unit that stores reference data, and collation data for collating with the reference data via a network are received. Based on the reference data stored in the storage unit and the collation data, the same article A determination unit that determines whether or not there is a transmission unit that transmits a determination result of the determination unit to a transmission source of the verification data via a network. The server, collation reading means for obtaining collation data by reading the unique information from a part of the article, and sending the collation data obtained by the collation reading means to the server via a network, An article collating apparatus comprising: requesting means for requesting collation as to whether the reference data stored in the storage means is the same article; and receiving means for receiving the determination result of the determining means transmitted from the transmitting means. It is characterized by the following.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, in the article information registration apparatus, the unique information representing the unique characteristic of the solid in which the unique characteristic that can be read by the reading unit is distributed along the surface is the article. Is read from a part of the reference data, and the reference data is acquired by the output means via the network.

  In the server, the reference data output from the output unit via the network is stored by the storage unit. Further, the determination means receives the verification data for verification with the reference data via the network, and determines whether or not the same article is based on the verification data and the reference data.

  Then, in the article information collating apparatus, the unique information representing the unique characteristic of the solid in which the readable unique characteristic having randomness is distributed along the surface is read from a part of the article by the collation reading unit. The verification information data is acquired, and the requesting unit acquires the verification data acquired by the verification reading unit and transmits the verification data to the server via the network, thereby requesting verification of the same article as the reference data stored in the storage unit, The reception unit receives the determination result of the determination unit transmitted from the transmission unit of the server.

  For example, when selling an article, the article information registration device reads unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which random and readable unique characteristics are distributed along the surface from a part of the article. And stored as reference data in a server via a network, and when the article is resold, the unique characteristic that can be read by the article information matching device is distributed along the surface. Specific information representing a unique characteristic of a solid is read from a part of an article, transmitted as verification data to a server, a verification request is made with reference data, and the server transmits a verification result to the article information verification device. Thus, it is possible to determine whether or not the product is a stolen product, and the article can be managed.

  That is, as in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the unique information representing the unique characteristics of the solid in which the readable unique characteristics having randomness are distributed along the surface. Since the article can be managed by reading from a part of the article, the article can be easily managed without adding a special device.

  As in the invention described in claim 6, the reading unit and the collation reading unit acquire image data representing density by reading reflected light or transmitted light that irradiates a part of the article with light. May be.

  Further, the reading unit and the collation reading unit may read a part of an article having a sheet shape or a flat plate shape as in the invention described in claim 7.

  Further, the reading means and the collation information reading means may read the irregularities on the surface of the paper as a part of the article as in the invention described in claim 8.

  Moreover, the article information collating apparatus may further comprise a notifying means for notifying the determination result by the determining means, as in the ninth aspect of the invention. For example, by providing notification means such as a display device, it is possible to permit or prohibit purchase according to the determination result of the determination means.

  In the reading means and the collation reading means, as in the invention described in claim 10, the reading means further reads the type information indicating the type of the article, and predetermined for each type of the article based on the type information. The reference data is obtained from the read position, and the collation reading means further reads the type information and obtains the collation data by reading the read position predetermined for each type of the article based on the type information. It may be. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to unify the reading position of the article | item at the time of acquiring reference | standard data and collation data.

  The article management method according to claim 11, wherein the reference data is obtained by reading, from a part of the article, unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which readable unique characteristics having randomness are distributed along the surface. Whether or not they are the same article based on the reference data and the collation data stored by obtaining the collation data by reading the unique information from a part of the article. It is characterized by determining whether or not.

  According to the invention described in claim 11, for example, when selling an article, the unique information representing the unique characteristic of the solid in which the readable unique characteristic having randomness is distributed along the surface is obtained. By reading from a part of the article, the reference data is acquired and stored, and when the article is resold, a solid readable characteristic with randomness is distributed along the surface. By acquiring unique data representing unique features from a part of the article to obtain collation data, and determining whether or not the same article is based on the stored reference data and the collation data obtained at the time of resale, It is possible to determine whether or not the item is a stolen item, and the item can be managed.

  In other words, an article can be managed by reading unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which readable unique characteristics having randomness are distributed along the surface from a part of the article. Article management can be easily performed without adding a device.

  In addition, the acquisition of the reference information and the collation information is performed so that image data representing density is acquired by reading reflected light or transmitted light obtained by irradiating a part of the article with light as in the invention described in claim 12. It may be.

  Further, the reference information and the collation information may be read as in a part of an article having a sheet shape or a plate shape as in the invention described in claim 13.

  Further, the reference information and the collation information may be read as described in the fourteenth aspect by reading unevenness on the surface of the paper as a part of the article.

  Further, in the invention described in any one of claims 11 to 14, as in the invention described in claim 15, the determination result as to whether or not they are the same article is further notified. Good. For example, by notifying the determination result using a display device or the like, it is possible to permit or prohibit purchase according to the determination result.

  Further, when acquiring the reference data, and when acquiring the collation data, as in the invention according to claim 16, when acquiring the reference data, further reading the type information indicating the type of the article, The reference data is acquired by reading a predetermined reading position for each type of article based on the type information, and when acquiring the collation data, the type information is further read, and the article data is read based on the type information. The verification data may be acquired by reading a predetermined reading position for each type. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to unify the reading position of the article | item at the time of acquiring reference | standard data and collation data.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the reference data is obtained by reading from the part of the article unique information representing the unique characteristic of the solid in which the unique characteristic having the randomness is distributed along the surface. Is acquired and stored, and collation data is acquired by reading unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid whose characteristic features that can be read with randomness are distributed along the surface. Then, by determining whether or not they are the same article based on the stored reference data and collation data, the uniqueness of a solid in which readable unique features having randomness are distributed along the surface Since the article can be managed by reading the unique information representing the characteristics of the article from a part of the article, the article can be easily managed without adding a special device.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is applied to a book management system.

  A book management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of a book information registration device and a book information collation device. When a new book is sold, the book is registered by the book information registration device and brought in for resale. The book information collation device collates whether or not the read book is a book registered in the book information registration device. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not the book is a stolen product by the book information collating device.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a book information registration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The book information registration device 10 includes a book information reading unit 12, a book unique information conversion unit 14, a book unique information storage unit 16, and a control unit 18, and the book information registration device 10 is controlled by the control unit 18.

  The book information reading unit 12 reads book information from a part of a book. The book information reads a random change in the unevenness of the paper from the randomness of the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper from any page of the book. That is, since the book is made of paper and the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper cannot be controlled during manufacture, the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper is considered random. Can do. Therefore, the book information reading unit 12 reads a random change in the unevenness of the paper in a certain area on the paper due to the randomness of the fibrous material forming the paper as the unique information of the book. For example, the book information reading unit 12 optically reads reflected light or transmitted light when an arbitrary page of the book is irradiated with light. In the present embodiment, the book information reading unit 12 reads a random change in the unevenness of the paper. However, since the optical information is read, the random change in the unevenness of the paper read by the book information reading unit 12 is It can also be understood as a random change in the transparency of the paper. That is, the book information reading unit 12 may read a random change in paper transparency.

  The book unique information conversion unit 14 converts the book information read by the book information reading unit 12 into book unique information. The book unique information conversion unit 14 includes, for example, signal processing for converting a signal obtained by reading by the book information reading unit 12 into digital data and outputting the digital data, and has a predetermined resolution (for example, 400 dpi) and a predetermined value. Are converted into digital data having a gray scale (for example, 8-bit gray scale).

  The book unique information storage unit 16 stores the book unique information of the digital data converted by the book unique information conversion unit 14.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the book information collating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The book information matching device 20 includes a book information registration device 11, a book unique information management unit 22, a book information input unit 24, a book unique information storage unit 26, a unique information comparison unit 28, a unique information determination unit 30, and a control unit 32. The book information matching unit 20 is controlled by the control unit 32.

  The book information registration device 11 has the same configuration as the book information registration device 10 described above, includes a book information reading unit 12, and reads a book read by the book information reading unit 12 included in the book information registration device 11. Information is output to the unique information comparison unit 28.

  The book unique information management unit 22 stores and manages the book unique information registered by the book information registration apparatus 10 described above, and the book unique information input unit 24 is stored and managed in the book unique information management unit 22. Enter book-specific information. Then, the book unique information input by the book unique information input unit 24 is temporarily stored in the book unique information storage unit 26.

  The unique information comparison unit 28 compares the book unique information obtained by reading with the book information reading unit included in the book information registration device 11 with the book unique information temporarily stored in the book unique information storage unit 26, and compares them. The result is output to the unique information determination unit 30.

  The unique information determination unit 30 includes the book unique information obtained by reading the book information reading unit included in the book information registration apparatus 11 based on the comparison result output from the unique information comparison unit 28, and the book unique information storage unit 26. It is determined whether or not the book unique information input from the book unique information management unit 22 is the same book unique information and is the same book unique information. It can be confirmed that the book read by the book information reading unit included in the apparatus 11 is a book that has been registered by the book information registration apparatus 10.

  Next, a detailed example of the book management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the book management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the book management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a computer 36 connected to a flatbed scanner 34 is provided in a bookstore, and the computers 36 of each bookstore are connected via a network 38. Can be configured. Alternatively, when not connected to the network 38, data may be exchanged via a recording medium. In the present embodiment, a server 40 that manages book-specific information is connected to the network 38.

  That is, the computer and the scanner 34 of each bookstore correspond to the book information registration device 10 described above and also correspond to the book information verification device 20, and the server 40 corresponds to the book unique information management unit 22 of the book information verification device 20 described above. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each computer 36 is configured by connecting a CPU 36A, ROM 36B, RAM 36C, hard disk (HDD) 36D, and external interface (I / F) 36E to a bus 36F. A flatbed scanner (hereinafter simply referred to as a scanner) 34 is connected to the projector. Various peripheral devices such as a keyboard 36G, a mouse 36H, and a display 36I are also connected to the bus 36F.

  The HDD 36D stores a registration program for functioning as the book information registration device 10 and a verification program for functioning as the book information verification device 20, and activates each program under the control of the CPU 36A. Thus, each computer 36 functions as the book information registration device 10 and the book information matching device 20 described above. Each program may be stored in the ROM 36B, or may be stored by connecting an HDD outside the computer 36.

  In the present embodiment, the scanner 34 connected to the computer 36 functions as the book information reading unit 12 of the book information registration apparatus 10 described above, but is not limited to this, for example, a CCD area sensor and a CCD area sensor. A combination with illumination for irradiating light to the field of view may be applied, or a digital camera or the like may be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the book specific information conversion unit 14 is described as functioning by starting a program of the computer 36, but a dedicated signal processing circuit including a microcomputer is applied. Alternatively, both the computer 36 and a dedicated signal processing circuit may be connected via input / output ports.

  In the detailed example of the present embodiment, the HDD 36D functions as the above-described book specific information storage unit 16, but for example, a recording medium that can be recorded by light or magnetism may be applied, or the computer 36 may be used. You may make it apply HDD connected to the exterior of.

  Next, a method for registering book specific information using the above registration program will be described.

  For registration of the book-specific information, for example, the computer 36 and the scanner 34 are installed at the payment place of the bookstore and the above-described registration program is started.

  For example, when purchasing a book and paying for it at a bookstore, first the bar code such as ISBN (International Standard Book Number), book JAN code (Japanese Article Number), etc. The information is read by a code reader, a scanner 34, or the like, and information such as the file name of the book unique information image data, the date and time of reading, and the bookstore unique number (for example, the representative phone number of the bookstore) is input using the keyboard 36G and the mouse 36H.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a bookstore clerk opens and places a predetermined page of the book on the scanner 34, and uses the mouse 36H and the keyboard 36G according to the instruction on the display 36I of the computer 36 in which the registration program is activated. A unique information registration start command is input (for example, a book unique information registration button displayed on the display 36I is clicked with the mouse 36H). In this embodiment, a predetermined page is set for each ISBN or book JAN code, and when the ISBN or book JAN code is input, the predetermined page is displayed on the display 36I. The store clerk places a page according to the display on the scanner 34.

  As a result, a surface state of a predetermined area of a predetermined page of the book (for example, a square area R indicated by a dotted line shown in FIG. 5; in the case of 400 dpi, about 32 mm × 32 dots and about 2 mm × about 2 mm) is changed to a predetermined resolution (for example, 400 dpi). ) And a predetermined gradation (for example, 8-bit gray scale), and the obtained image data is transferred from the scanner 34 to the computer 36 and stored in the HDD 36D. When the reading resolution is 400 dpi, the reading gradation is 8-bit gray scale, and the square area (reference area) R to be read is 32 × 32 dots, the size of the image data (reference data) is 1024 bytes. The gradation value is an integer value in the range of 0 to 255. An example of an image obtained by visualizing the reference data based on the image data (reference data) obtained by reading is shown in FIG. Note that the area where the unique information of a book is read is preferably a part that is coated with a resin or paint, or is not laminated with a film of plastic, such as a book cover.

  Then, the image data obtained by reading with the scanner 34 in this way is converted into a code such as ISBN or book JAN code read by a barcode reader or scanner 34, etc., and the file name of the input book specific information image data, The date and time of reading, the bookstore unique number (for example, the representative telephone number of the bookstore, etc.) and the like are stored in the HDD 36D as a database as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, since each computer 36 is connected to the server 40 via the network 38, the above database is transferred to the book specific information management server 40 via the network 38, and the book specific information is transferred. Book-specific information is registered in the management server 40. When the predetermined computer 36 is not connected to the network 38, data is recorded on a recording medium capable of recording digital information by light or magnetism, such as a flexible disk or a CD-R, and the recording is performed. Data may be registered in the server 40 via a medium.

  Next, a method for collating unique information of a book using the above-described collation program will be described.

  For the verification of the unique information, for example, the computer 36 and the scanner 34 described above are installed at a book purchase place such as a bookstore that purchases books, and the above-described verification program is started. Further, the ISBN or the book JAN code attached to the book is read by a barcode reader, the scanner 34 or the like.

  When a book is brought in for resale, a store clerk reads a code such as an ISBN or a book JAN code, which is attached to the book in advance, with a barcode reader, a scanner 34, or the like. As a result, a predetermined page predetermined for each ISBN or book JAN code is displayed on the display 36I from the ISBN or book JAN code. The store clerk opens a predetermined page of the book displayed on the display 36I, places it on the scanner 34, and collates the book specific information using the mouse 36H and the keyboard 36G in accordance with the instructions on the display 36I of the computer 36 on which the collation program is activated. A start command is input (for example, the book specific information collation button displayed on the display 36I is clicked with the mouse 36H).

  Thus, the surface state of a predetermined area of a predetermined page of the book (for example, in the case of 400 dpi, about 4 mm × about 4 mm at 64 × 64 dots) has a predetermined resolution (for example, 400 dpi) and a predetermined gradation (for example, 8 The obtained image data is transferred from the scanner 34 to the computer 36 and stored in the HDD 36D of the computer 36. Since the reading resolution is 400 dpi, the reading gradation is 8-bit gray scale, and the reference area to be read is 64 × 64 dots, the size of the image data is 4096 bytes, and the gradation value of each pixel is in the range of 0-255. The integer value of It should be noted that the predetermined page in which the unique information is registered and the predetermined area in which the unique information is registered may be recognized in advance in each bookstore.

  Next, in order to check whether or not the book to be resold has been purchased by a regular procedure (whether it is a stolen product) or not, the book specific information management server 40 via the network 38 is authorized. The image data of the book unique information purchased by the procedure is taken into the computer 36 and compared with the book unique information image data stored in advance, and it is verified whether or not they are the same image data. A detailed collation method will be described later.

  Here, when there is no collation result, that is, when the book brought in is not purchased by a regular procedure, the fact is displayed on the display 36I and the purchase can be refused.

  When collation is performed, until the image data is the same, the image data of the book unique information registered in the book unique information management server 40 is collated, but the same image data exists. If not, that is, if the book that was brought in was not purchased in a regular procedure, it is checked against the image data of all the book-specific information registered in the server 40 for book-specific information management. It will be. That is, as the number of image data of book unique information registered in the server 40 for managing book unique information increases, it takes time for collation. In order to shorten the collation time, first, when collating the unique information of the book, using the ISBN or the book JAN code, the image data database of the book unique information registered in the server 40 for book unique information management is used. You may make it collate, after narrowing down the book specific information image data of the applicable book. Furthermore, it is possible to input the date and time when the book was released and collate only from the image data of the book specific information registered after that date and time. Furthermore, the bookstore in which the image data of the book specific information is registered may be expanded in order from the bookstores around the area where the bookstore is located and collated.

  Next, collation between the image data of the book unique information registered in the above-described book unique information management server 40 and the image data obtained by reading from the book brought into the bookstore will be described. Specifically, the authenticity determination method described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-85212, which has already been filed by the present applicant, is applied.

  That is, the scanner 34 reads a reference area of 32 × 32 dots (about 2 mm × about 2 mm) of the print portion of the paper (original) with a resolution of 400 dpi and an 8-bit gray scale manager, and an image output from the scanner 34. Data (this image data shows random changes in paper irregularities in the reference area on the paper (original) due to the randomness of the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper) as reference data (In this embodiment, book-specific information is registered by the book information registration apparatus 10). In FIG. 8A, the reference data is visualized as a “reference image” (contrast is corrected so that visual confirmation is easy).

  Since it is impossible to control the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper at the time of manufacture, the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper can be regarded as random. The entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper can be observed using a transmission light microscope. On the other hand, in the “reference image” shown in FIG. 8 (A), although the entanglement of the fibrous material cannot be confirmed, it is caused by the randomness of the entanglement of the fibrous material (paper generated by various conditions when the paper is rolled) Since the pattern of random light and darkness reflecting the random change of the unevenness of the paper (which may also be affected by the unevenness of the surface) has occurred, the reference data corresponding to the reference image is the reference on the paper (original) It can be confirmed that the information is unique information representing a characteristic unique to the paper (original) in the area, that is, a random change in the unevenness in the reference area on the paper (original).

  Next, as a comparative example, a 64 × 64 dot (approximately 4 mm × approximately 4 mm) collation region (region including the above-described reference region) of the paper used as the reference image is read and the image output from the scanner 34 is read. The data was stored as the first verification data. The first collation data represents a random change in the paper unevenness in the collation area of the paper (original). In FIG. 8B, the first collation data is visualized as a “collation image”.

  Further, as a case in which it is highly probable that the collation results are the same or not, the original plate of the scanner 34 is made by slightly shifting the position of the paper as the original and rotating the direction slightly with respect to the time when the first collation data is acquired. The collation area of 64 × 64 dots is read in the state where it is placed on the area (this allows an area slightly different in position and orientation from that at the time of obtaining the first collation data) to be output from the scanner 34. The stored image data was stored as second verification data. Further, as another comparative example, a collation area of 64 × 64 dots out of paper different from the paper used as the original is read, and the image data output from the scanner 34 is stored as third collation data.

  Next, correlation values between the first to third matching images represented by the first to third matching data and the reference image represented by the reference data were calculated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 as an example, a partial area (shown as “correlation value calculation range” in FIG. 9) of the same size as the reference image is extracted from the collation image to be calculated, and the partial area is extracted. The correlation value between the reference image and the reference image is calculated by the normalized correlation method (see the following equation (1)), while shifting the position of the partial area on the collation image by 1 dot (pixel) in the X and Y directions. Repeated.

Where F is a reference image (a set of reference data), f _i is the brightness value of each pixel of the reference image, N is the total number of pixels of the reference image (and a partial area of the collation image), and G is a partial area of the collation image (Set), g _i is the average value of the brightness values of the individual pixels in the partial region of the collation image. By performing each of the above calculations using the first to third matching images as the target images to be calculated, assuming that the number of dots in the reference image is m × n and the number of dots in the matching image is M × N, a single matching is performed. (M−m + 1) × (N−n + 1) correlation values are obtained per image.

Subsequently, the normalized score of the maximum value of the correlation value was calculated for each of the first to third collation images according to the following equation (2) as a feature amount representing the distribution degree of the correlation value.

Normalized score = (maximum correlation value−average correlation value) ÷ standard deviation of correlation value (2)

10A to 10B show the correlation value between the maximum correlation value and the normalized score calculation result of the correlation value, and the position of the partial area on the collation image and the correlation value. It is shown with the chart shown in.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, when the collation area including the reference area on the same paper is read without any deviation in position and orientation, the maximum correlation value is very high. In addition, the distribution of correlation values also shows a value that is very low compared to the maximum value in the portion other than the peak portion where the correlation value is maximum. The normalized score is also very high. Further, when a paper different from the original is read, the maximum correlation value is very low as shown in FIG. 10C, and the distribution of correlation values also includes the peak portion as a whole. Since the correlation value indicates a low value, the normalized score of the maximum correlation value is also a very low value.

  On the other hand, when the collation area including the reference area on the same paper is read with slightly different positions and orientations, the maximum correlation value and the normalized score of the maximum correlation value are as shown in FIG. Both of these values are intermediate values when the same paper is read without deviation in position and orientation and when different paper is read. Therefore, an intermediate value between the value shown in FIG. 10B and the value shown in FIG. 10C is adopted as the maximum correlation value and the normalized score threshold value of the maximum correlation value (for example, correlation). The threshold of the maximum value of the value ≒ 0.3, the threshold of the normalized value of the maximum value of the correlation value = 5.0), the maximum value of the correlation value is compared with the threshold value, and the normalized value of the maximum value of the correlation value is normalized. Cases where there is a high probability of misjudgment such as a slight misalignment of the paper position and orientation when the collation area is read, by comparing the score with a threshold value to determine whether they are the same or not In this case, the determination accuracy can be improved as compared with the case where the determination is performed using only the maximum correlation value.

  Next, the operation of the book management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the flow of processing performed by the computer 36 when the computer 36 functions as the book information registration apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the computer 36 when the computer 36 functions as the book information registration apparatus 10.

  In step 100, a message to input book information is displayed on the display 36D, and the process proceeds to step 102 to determine whether or not the book information has been input. That is, it is determined whether or not book information such as an ISBN, a book JAN code, a registered file name, a reading date and time, a bookstore unique number, or the like has been input, waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 104. Note that the reading date and time, the bookstore unique number, and the like may be automatically input.

  In step 104, the position of a predetermined page to be registered that is predetermined for each ISBN or book JAN code is displayed on the display 36D. As a result, the store clerk opens and places a predetermined page to be registered in the scanner 34.

  In step 106, it is determined whether a registration instruction has been issued. In this determination, it is determined whether or not an instruction representing a registration instruction has been made using the keyboard 36G, the mouse 36H, or the like. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 108.

  In step 108, reading processing of a predetermined area of a predetermined page is performed. That is, the computer 36 outputs a reading instruction to the scanner 34. Thus, as described above, in the case of 400 dpi, a surface state of about 2 mm × about 2 mm at 32 × 32 dots is read with a predetermined resolution (for example, 400 dpi) and a predetermined gradation (for example, 8-bit gray scale), The obtained image data is transferred from the scanner 34 to the computer 36.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the reading is completed. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, together with the input book information (eg, ISBN, book JAN code, file name to be registered, reading date and time, book unique number, etc.), the image data obtained by reading is stored in the HDD 36D as reference data. 114.

  In step 114, the reference data stored in the HDD 36D is transferred to the server 40 via the network 38, and the series of registration processes is completed. The reference data in the computer 36 may be deleted after the reference data stored in the HDD 36d is transferred to the server 40.

  Next, an example of the flow of processing performed by the book specific information management server 40 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the server 40 for managing book specific information. The process performed by the server 40 in FIG. 12 is started when the server 40 receives data or at a predetermined timing such as waiting for a data request, but is not limited thereto.

  In step 150, it is determined whether registration target data has been received. That is, it is determined whether or not the reference data transmitted in the above-described step 114 has been transmitted from the computer 36 functioning as the book information registration apparatus 10, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 152. If NO, the process proceeds to step 154.

  In step 152, registration data (reference data transmitted from the computer 36 functioning as the book information registration apparatus 10) is stored as a database, and the process proceeds to step 154.

  In step 154, it is determined whether a registration data request has been made. The determination is made as to whether or not an acquisition request for a registered database has been made from the computer 36 functioning as the book information collating apparatus 20, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 156. If the result is negative, the processing in the server 40 is terminated as it is, and other processing performed in the server 40 is performed.

  In step 156, the requested registration data is transmitted to the request destination, the processing in the server 40 is terminated, and other processing performed in the server 40 is performed. Note that the requested registration data is, for example, only the registration data corresponding to the ISBN or book JAN code of the book to be collated by the book information collation apparatus 20 or the bookstores around the area where the bookstore is located. You may do it.

  As described above, at the time of selling the book, the computer 36 functioning as the book information registration device 10 has image data of a predetermined area of a predetermined page of the book (paper due to randomness of the entanglement of the fibrous material forming the paper). By registering image data indicating random changes in the unevenness of the paper in the reference area on the (original) as reference data for collation at the time of resale, by collating with the reference data at the time of resale of the book, the IC Without adding a special device such as a tag or a magnetic tag, it is possible to confirm whether or not the book to be resold is a stolen product.

  Next, the flow of processing performed by the computer 36 when the computer 36 functions as the book information matching device 20 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the computer 36 when the computer 36 functions as the book information matching device 20.

  In step 200, the display 36I displays that the book information that can be input is input, and the process proceeds to step 202 to determine whether or not the book information is input. That is, the input at the time of registration includes ISBN, the book JAN code, the name of the file to be registered, the reading date and time, the bookstore unique number, etc., but at the time of collation, the book information at the time of registration can be input. It is determined whether or not book information such as an ISBN or a book JAN code has been input. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 204.

  In step 204, the position of a predetermined page to be registered that is predetermined for each ISBN or book JAN code is displayed on the display 36I. As a result, the store clerk opens a predetermined page that appears to be registered and places the book on the scanner 34.

  In step 206, it is determined whether or not a collation start instruction has been issued. In this determination, it is determined whether or not an instruction indicating a collation start instruction has been made using the keyboard 36G, the mouse 36H, or the like. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 208.

  In step 208, a process for reading the book to be verified is performed. That is, the scanner 34 is instructed to read a book. As a result, the book placed on the scanner 34 is read. And the data of the collation area | region corresponding to the predetermined area | region of the predetermined page predetermined for every ISBN or book JAN code are extracted.

  Next, in step 210, a request for obtaining reference data corresponding to the input book information (ISBN, book JAN code, etc.) is made to the server 40 via the network 40. At this time, it is possible to send back reference data corresponding to bookstores and the like around the area where the purchase bookstore is located on the server 40 side by transmitting the location information of the purchase bookstore at the same time. An increase in the amount can be suppressed.

  In step 212, it is determined whether or not the reference data requested from the server 40 has been received. If the determination is negative, the process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 214.

  In step 214, the reference data received from the server 40 and the verification area data (read data read from the book to be purchased) are verified, and the process proceeds to step 216. The collation processing collates the read collation area data with each reference data on the database acquired from the server 40 according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, in step 250, collation data having the same size as the reference area is extracted from the collation area data, and the process proceeds to step 252 where the reference data obtained from the server 40 and the reference data obtained in step 250 are A correlation value with the extracted collation data is calculated by the normalized correlation method, and the correlation value obtained by the calculation is stored in the RAM 36C or the like.

  Next, in step 254, it is determined whether or not the calculation target area has scanned the entire surface of the verification target area. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 256, where the data extraction position is one dot vertically or After moving to the side, the process returns to step 250 and the above-described processing is repeated. When the determination at step 254 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 258. In this embodiment, since the reference area is 32 × 32 dots and the collation area is 64 × 64 dots, the correlation value is calculated (64−32 + 1) × (64−32 + 1) = 1089 times, and 1089 correlation values are obtained. Will be obtained.

  In step 258, the maximum value is extracted from the large number of correlation values obtained by the above calculation, and the process proceeds to step 260.

  In step 260, after the standard deviation and average value of a large number of correlation values are calculated, the calculated standard deviation / average value and the maximum value of the correlation values extracted in step 258 are respectively expressed in the above-described equation (2). By substituting, the normalized score of the maximum correlation value is calculated.

  Subsequently, in step 262, it is determined whether or not the maximum correlation value extracted in step 258 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and the normalized score calculated in step 260 is equal to or greater than the threshold value. For example, “0.3” can be used as the threshold value of the maximum correlation value, and “5.0” can be used as the threshold value of the normalized score. If the determination in step 262 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 264, where it is determined that the books to be collated are the same, and the collation process with the reference data is terminated.

  If the determination in step 262 is negative, the process proceeds to step 266, where it is determined that the books to be collated are not the same, and the collation process with the reference data is terminated.

  On the other hand, in step 216 of the flowchart of FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not there is the same data as a result of the above-described reference data and verification data verification process. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 218. Thus, a message indicating purchase permission is displayed on the display 36I, and the series of collation processing is terminated.

  If the determination in step 216 is negative, the process proceeds to step 220 where a message indicating that purchase is prohibited is displayed on the display 36I, and the series of collation processing ends.

  Therefore, the purchase bookstore can easily determine whether or not the book to be purchased has been properly purchased, that is, whether it is a stolen product, by checking the display on the display 36I.

  That is, the book can be easily managed by reading the predetermined area of the predetermined page of the book with the scanner 34.

  In the above embodiment, the comparison between the reference data and the matching data is performed by the computer 36 functioning as the book information matching device 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is performed by the server 40. It may be. The processing of the server 40 and the processing of the computer 36 functioning as the book information matching device 20 in this case are as shown in FIGS.

  Here, processing performed by the server 40 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same processes as those in the flowchart of FIG. Also, the processing performed by the server 40 of FIG. 12 is started when the server 40 receives data, or at a predetermined timing such as waiting for a data request, but is not limited thereto.

  On the server 40 side, in step 150, it is determined whether registration target data has been received. That is, it is determined whether or not the reference data transmitted in the above-described step 114 has been transmitted from the computer 36 functioning as the book information registration apparatus 10, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 152. If not, the process proceeds to step 160.

  In step 152, registration data (reference data transmitted from the computer 36 functioning as the book information registration apparatus 10) is stored as a database, and the process proceeds to step 160.

  In step 160, it is determined whether a registration data verification request has been made. The determination is made by determining whether or not the data to be verified has been transmitted from the computer 36 functioning as the book information verification device 20, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 162. If the result is negative, the processing in the server 40 is terminated as it is, and other processing performed in the server 40 is performed.

  In step 162, data to be verified is acquired from the computer 36 functioning as the book information verification device 20. That is, collation area data is received via the network 38 from the computer 36 functioning as the book information collation apparatus 20 together with book information such as ISBN and book JAN code.

  Next, in step 164, the reference data is compared with the data in the verification area. The matching process is the same as the matching process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 described above.

  In step 166, the collation result obtained by the collation process is transmitted to the computer 36 functioning as the book specific information collation apparatus 20 via the network 38, and the series of processes in the server 40 is terminated. The other processing performed in is performed.

  Next, processing performed by the computer 36 functioning as the book information matching device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same processes as those in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S200, the computer 36 functioning as the book information collating apparatus 20 displays on the display 36I that the inputable text information is input. The process proceeds to step 202, where it is determined whether or not the book information has been input. . That is, the input at the time of registration includes ISBN, the book JAN code, the name of the file to be registered, the reading date and time, the bookstore unique number, etc., but at the time of collation, the book information at the time of registration can be input. It is determined whether or not book information such as an ISBN or a book JAN code has been input. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 204.

  In step 204, the position of a predetermined page to be registered that is predetermined for each ISBN or book JAN code is displayed on the display. As a result, the store clerk opens a predetermined page that appears to be registered and places the book on the scanner 34.

  In step 206, it is determined whether or not a collation start instruction has been issued. In this determination, it is determined whether or not an instruction indicating a collation start instruction has been made using the keyboard 36G, the mouse 36H, or the like. The process waits until the determination is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 208.

  In step 208, a process for reading the book to be verified is performed. That is, the scanner 34 is instructed to read a book. As a result, the book placed on the scanner 34 is read. And the data of the collation area | region corresponding to the predetermined area | region of the predetermined page predetermined for every ISBN or book JAN code are extracted.

  In step 209, the collation area data read together with the input book information is transmitted to the server 40, and a collation request is made. As a result, on the server 40 side, the above-described steps 162 to 164 are performed.

  In step 211, it is determined whether or not a collation result has been received from the server 40, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed and proceeds to step 213.

  In step 213, it is determined whether there is the same data from the collation result received from the server 40. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 218 to indicate that purchase permission is indicated on the display 36I. Displayed, and a series of collation processes are completed.

  If the determination in step 213 is negative, the process proceeds to step 220 where a message indicating that purchase is prohibited is displayed on the display 36I, and the series of collation processing ends.

  Therefore, in the purchase bookstore, as in the above-described embodiment, whether or not the book to be purchased is properly purchased by checking the display on the display 36I, that is, whether or not it is a stolen product. Can be easily determined.

  That is, the book can be easily managed by reading the predetermined area of the predetermined page of the book with the scanner 34.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the book information registration apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the book information collation apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed example of the book management system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer which functions as a book information registration apparatus and book information collation apparatus in the book management system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the scanner which reads a book. It is the image figure which visualized an example of reference data. It is a figure which shows an example of the database of book specific information. (A) is a registered image, and (B) is an image diagram showing an example of a collation image. It is an image figure for demonstrating the calculation of the correlation value of a registration image and a collation image. (A)-(C) are the diagrams which show the distribution of the correlation value on various conditions with the maximum value of a correlation value, and the normalized score. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with a computer when a computer functions as a book information registration apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with the server for book specific information management. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with a computer when a computer functions as a book information collation apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating collation with respect to each reference data on the database acquired from the server. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the flow of the process performed with the server for book specific information management. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the flow of the process performed with a computer when a computer functions as a book information collation apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 11 Book information registration apparatus 12 Book information reading part 14 Book specific information conversion part 16 Book specific information storage part 18, 32 Control part 20 Book information collation apparatus 22 Book specific information management part 24 Book specific information input part 26 Book specific information Storage unit 28 Unique information comparison unit 30 Unique information determination unit 34 Scanner 36 Computer 38 Network 40 Server

Claims (16)

Reading means for acquiring reference data by reading unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which readable unique characteristics having randomness are distributed along the surface from a part of the article;
Storage means for storing the reference data acquired by the reading means;
An article information registration device comprising:
Verification reading means for acquiring verification data by reading the unique information from a part of the article;
Obtaining means for obtaining the reference data stored in the storage means;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the same article is based on the reference data acquired by the acquisition unit and the verification data acquired by the verification reading unit;
An article verification device comprising:
An article management system consisting of   The article management system according to claim 1, wherein the article information registration apparatus and the article information collation apparatus are connected to a network, and the acquisition unit acquires the reference data from the storage unit via the network.   The article management system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the reference data stored in the storage unit via a recording medium.   The apparatus further comprises a server for storing the reference data stored in the storage means, the article information registration apparatus, the article information collation apparatus, and the server are connected to a network, and the article information registration apparatus is stored in the storage means. The said reference data is registered into the said server via the said network, The said article information collation apparatus acquires the said reference data via the said network from the said server by the said acquisition means. Goods management system. Reading means for acquiring reference data by reading unique information representing a unique characteristic of a solid in which readable unique characteristics having randomness are distributed along the surface from a part of the article;
Output means for outputting the reference data acquired by the reading means to the outside via a network;
An article information registration device comprising:
Storage means for storing the reference data output from the output means via a network;
Determining means for receiving collation data for collating with the reference data via a network and determining whether or not they are the same article based on the reference data stored in the storage means and the collation data When,
A transmission unit that transmits a determination result of the determination unit to a transmission source of the verification data via a network;
A server with
Verification reading means for acquiring verification data by reading the unique information from a part of the article;
Requesting means for requesting collation of the same article as the reference data stored in the storage means by transmitting the collation data acquired by the collation reading means to the server via a network;
Receiving means for receiving the determination result of the determining means transmitted from the transmitting means;
An article verification device comprising:
An article management system consisting of   6. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit and the collation reading unit acquire image data representing a density by reading reflected light or transmitted light obtained by irradiating a part of the article with light. Item management system given in any 1 paragraph.   The article management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reading unit and the collation reading unit read a part of an article having a sheet shape or a flat plate shape.   8. The article management system according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit and the collation reading unit read irregularities on the surface of the paper as a part of the article.   The article management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the article information collating apparatus further includes a notification unit that notifies a determination result by the determination unit. The reading means further reads the type information indicating the type of the article, and acquires reference data by reading a predetermined reading position for each type of the article based on the type information,
The collation reading means further reads the type information, and obtains collation data by reading a predetermined reading position for each type of article based on the type information. The article management system according to any one of 9. Reading and storing reference data by reading from a part of the article unique information representing unique features of a solid in which random readable unique features are distributed along the surface;
An article management method for acquiring collation data by reading the unique information from a part of an article and determining whether or not they are the same article based on the stored reference data and the collation data.   12. The article according to claim 11, wherein the reference data and the collation data are obtained by acquiring image data representing density by reading reflected light or transmitted light obtained by irradiating a part of the article with light. Management method.   The article management method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the reference data and the collation data are read by reading a part of an article having a sheet shape or a flat plate shape.   The article management method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the reference data and the collation data are read by reading irregularities on the surface of the paper as a part of the article.   15. The article management method according to claim 11, further comprising notifying a determination result of whether or not the articles are the same. When acquiring the reference data, further reading the type information representing the type of the article, and acquiring the reference data by reading a predetermined reading position for each type of the article based on the type information,
12. The verification data is acquired by further reading the type information and acquiring a predetermined reading position for each type of article based on the type information when acquiring the verification data. The article management method according to any one of claims 15 to 15.

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