藝術網點導入圖像化QR Code之自我驗證研究

Abstract

QR Code (Quick Response Code)為連結虛擬網路與實體世界的重要媒介，可透過掃描來讀取資訊、連結網址或進行電子支付，已成為現今社會中廣泛應用的重要工具。然而，其極簡的外觀、無法藉由人眼直接的辨識，又因製作簡易，竄改複製的安全問題也日益凸顯。許多學者研究如何提升QR Code美觀度、資訊量及防偽識別，儘管如此，無法在掃描條碼之前預先確認資料來源的真偽，仍然是現行使用QR Code的缺陷。因此，本研究旨於將QR Code可視化與防偽技術整合應用，將具有隱蔽性及防偽性的微結構藝術網點，透過半色調過網技術導入圖像化QR Code中，整合成藝術網點圖像化QR Code；此外，運用疊紋原理的網屏解碼影像技術，將QR Code與針孔狀網屏遮罩片輸出於同一平面上，利用塑膠載體本身的可撓性，使用者只需將QR Code與遮罩片交疊並照光，即可進行自我驗證辨識真偽。本研究利用四種影像強化方法，找出提升QR Code圖像與解密影像之最佳階調分布。經研究結果顯示，本研究之藝術網點圖像化QR Code可成功被判讀，透過影像強化技術有助於改善圖像暗部，同時微結構亦能有效防止複印偽造；在自我驗證解密影像中，以高斯分布解密影像效果為最佳。而本研究之成果已模擬應用於功能性塑膠票券，其QR Code既美觀、可讀取並可驗證真偽，為有價證券領域帶來了新的應用與價值，更進一步推動QR Code之防偽技術的發展。

The Quick Response Code (QR Code) serves as a crucial link between the virtual network and the physical world, facilitating information retrieval, website linking, and electronic payments through scanning. It has become an extensively utilized tool in contemporary society. However, its minimalist appearance, inability for direct recognition by the human eye, and ease of production have highlighted security concerns related to tampering and replication. Despite numerous scholarly efforts to enhance the aesthetics, information capacity, and anti-counterfeiting features of QR Codes, the inherent limitation of being unable to verify the authenticity of data sources before scanning remains a prevailing drawback.This study aims to address this limitation by integrating visualization and anti-counterfeiting techniques into QR Code applications. Concealed and anti-counterfeiting microstructure artistic screening, referred to as"artistic screening," is incorporated into QR Codes through halftone screen technology, resulting in an integrated artistic screening graphic QR Code. Additionally, the principles of moiré patterns and screen-decoded image technology are employed to output the QR Code and a pinhole-shaped mesh screen mask on the same plane. Leveraging the flexibility of the plastic carrier itself, users can overlap the QR Code with the mask and illuminate them for self-authentication, enabling the identificationof authenticity.Four image enhancement methods are employed to identify the optimal tone distribution for improving both QR Code images and decrypted images. The research findings demonstrate the successful interpretation of the artistic screening graphic QR Code, highlighting the efficacy of image enhancement techniques in improvingdark areas and the ability of microstructures to prevent replication and forgery. In the self-authentication of decrypted images, Gaussian distribution yields the best results. The outcomes of this study are simulated for application in functional plastic vouchers, presenting QR Codes that are aesthetically pleasing, readable, and verifiable, thereby introducing new applications and value to the realm of valuable securities and further advancing anti-counterfeiting technologies associated with QR Codes.