Poly-Code

Abstract

Polycode (100) for the visible wavelength range, comprising: a carrier (3); a first 2D code (1); at least a second 2D code (2); where the 2D codes (1, 2) are two-dimensional nxm matrix codes, where n is the number of rows and m is the number of columns for the matrix, wherein the second 2D code (2) has nxm fields (21, 22, 23, 24) arranged directly on the carrier (3), wherein the first 2D code (1) has nxm fields (11, 12, 13, 14) arranged overlapping on the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2), where n ≥ 1 and m ≥ 2, wherein stacks (S1, S2, S3, S4) are formed by stacking the fields (11, 12, 13, 14) and the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) are formed on a first surface (30) of the carrier (3), wherein the fields (11, 12, 13, 14; 21, 22, 23, 24) of the first 2D code (1) and the second 2D code (2) are colored, transparent fields having at least two different colors, wherein the carrier (3) is a transparent, colorless or a transparent, colored or opaque substrate, wherein boundary layers (G1, G2, G3, G4) are formed between the fields (11, 12, 13, 14) of the first 2D code (1) and the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2), characterized in that the boundary layers (G1, G2, G3, G4) are inhomogeneous.

Description

background

[0001] The invention relates to a polycode, which is a multi-layer code or a 3D code, and comprises a carrier; a first 2D code; and at least one second 2D code; wherein the 2D codes are two-dimensional nxm matrix codes. n is the number of rows and m is the number of columns for the matrix. The second 2D code has 2 nxm fields arranged directly on the carrier. The first 2D code has nxm fields arranged overlapping the fields of the second 2D code, where n ≥ 1 and m ≥ 2. Stacks are formed by stacking the fields of the first code and the fields of the second code on a first surface of the carrier. The fields of the first 2D code and the second 2D code are colored, transparent, having at least two different colors. The carrier is a transparent, colorless or a transparent, colored substrate.Boundary layers are formed between the fields of the first 2D code and the fields of the second 2D code.

[0002] The invention further relates to a printer system for producing the above-mentioned polycode and comprises: a first printer arranged at a first printing station for printing the second 2D code on a carrier associated with a carrier tape; at least one second printer arranged at a second printing station for printing the first 2D code onto the second 2D code; and a conveyor for conveying the carrier tape. The second printing station is arranged downstream of the first printing station in the conveying direction. State of the art

[0003] From EP4334840B1 a 3D code for a visible wavelength range is known, which discloses colored, transparent fields of a first 2D code and a second 2D code.

[0004] EP4334840B1 is a 3D code

[0005] WO2019 214291A1 discloses a 3D code that features multiple overlapping colored QR codes. The color on each QR code is unique and does not vary within that QR code.

[0006] HP's Indigo printer can stack multiple layers of ink on a single drum and then print them onto paper. https: / / www.hp.com / dede / industrial-printers / indigo-digital-presses / labels-flexible-packaging-digital-presses / 6k-printing-press.html as of March 31, 2025.

[0007] AGFA's Anapurna printer uses a movable print head to print multiple layers of color on top of each other. https: / / www.agfa.com / printing / products / hybridanapurna-led-series / ?lang=de as of March 31, 2025. Short description

[0008] The invention relates to a polycode, which is a multi-layer code or a 3D code, and comprises a carrier; a first 2D code; and at least one second 2D code; wherein the 2D codes are two-dimensional nxm matrix codes. n is the number of rows and m is the number of columns for the matrix. The second 2D code has 2 nxm fields arranged directly on the carrier. The first 2D code has nxm fields arranged overlapping the fields of the second 2D code, where n ≥ 1 and m ≥ 2. Stacks are formed by stacking the fields of the first code and the fields of the second code on a first surface of the carrier. The fields of the first 2D code and the second 2D code are colored, transparent, having at least two different colors. The carrier is a transparent, colorless or a transparent, colored substrate.Inhomogeneous boundary layers are formed between the fields of the first 2D code and the fields of the second 2D code.

[0009] 2D means two-dimensional like a QR code or 2D matrix code.

[0010] The polycode comprises multiple color layers, allowing it to be stacked in depth rather than expanding in width. The depth effect is an absorption feature used as coding or to prevent tampering. The polycode is encodable and requires very little space. The polycode has significantly more variation capacity than a QR code, allowing a high information density to be achieved in a small space.

[0011] The fields of the first 2D code and the second 2D code are colored and transparent fields, each containing at least two different colors. Grayscale can also be used. The order of the two different colors plays a crucial role in identifying the relevant stack. A color 1 on a field of the first 2D code combined with a color 2 on a corresponding overlapping field of the second 2D code results in a resulting color 12. The color 2 on said field of the first 2D code combined with the color 1 on the corresponding overlapping field of the second 2D code results in a resulting color 21. The resulting color 12 differs from the resulting color 21. This difference can be used as a basis for identifying the order of the stacks.

[0012] To capture the polycode, state-of-the-art scanners are used, as described in EP4334840B1. For scanning for the purpose of measuring a stack, a light source emits a light beam into the stack. The emitted light beam has an unattenuated initial intensity and a specific wavelength. The light is received by the scanner after reflection. The attenuation of the received light provides information about the color combination and / or the ink layer thickness of the fields in the stack. Further information can be extracted from the resulting color or the wavelength of the received light to determine unique properties of the received light, i.e., a unique "fingerprint." The key parameters are the light beam intensity emitted by the scanner onto the polycode and the scanner's light color.

[0013] For the light beam sent from the scanner to the polycode, the emitted light beam intensity, the light color, and the exposure time are key parameters for determining the color data and recognizing the polycode. Color data is the individual colors of the respective fields of the polycode and the resulting colors of the respective stacks. Instead of the resulting colors, the resulting grayscale can also be considered in a monochrome scan.

[0014] The light beam sent from the scanner to the polycode passes through the first 2D code and the second 2D code, reflects back off the carrier, and then passes through the second 2D code and the first 2D code. The carrier acts as a reflector, which can be paper, plastic film, or a mirror. The extinction coefficient ε is a measure of the attenuation, or extinction E, of electromagnetic waves through a medium, based on the path length d through the medium and the molar concentration c of the ink in the solvent being applied. Attenuation occurs through scattering and absorption; if the scattering component can be neglected, it is also referred to as the absorption coefficient. As the input light beam passes through the various ink layers, different wavelengths are absorbed, so the depth effect of the polycode acts as a safety factor compared to two-dimensional images.The color values ​​of the reflected color can be captured by optical measurement using a state-of-the-art color detection device. Examples of color detection devices include cameras and CMOS sensors (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor). The capture occurs at least twice: once to create a database for the captured resulting colors of the polycode stacks, and once upon recognition of the polycode, to compare its data with that of the database to verify authenticity or, if necessary, reject the polycode as a counterfeit.

[0015] Another important feature of the polycode is the boundary layer effect. Boundary layers form between the fields of the first 2D code and the fields of the second 2D code. These boundary layers always have different shapes because the layer colors of the first 2D code can penetrate or diffuse into the layer colors of the second 2D code and can always take on arbitrarily different forms.

[0016] The invention further relates to a printer system for producing the above-mentioned polycode and comprises: a first printer arranged at a first printing station for printing the second 2D code on a carrier associated with a carrier tape; at least one second printer arranged at a second printing station for printing the first 2D code on the second 2D code; a conveyor for conveying the carrier tape. The second printing station is arranged downstream of the first printing station in the conveying direction. The carrier tape is conveyed from the first printer to the second printer by means of the conveyor.

[0017] In one variation, the printer system includes a dryer and a manipulator. Another important feature of the polycode is the boundary layer effect. Boundary layers are formed between the fields of the first 2D code and the fields of the second 2D code. These boundary layers always have different formations because the layer colors of the first 2D code can penetrate or diffuse into the layer colors of the second 2D code and can always take on any shape. The diffusion of the colors into each other can be variably controlled by allowing the drying of the color layers on the second 2D code to occur more or less strongly, so that when the colors of the first 2D code are applied to the partially dried color layers on the second 2D code, a variable basis for stronger or weaker diffusion of the colors is found.Drying takes place using at least one dryer located after the second 2D code has been applied and before the first 2D code has been applied. An example of a dryer is a UV dryer that emits ultraviolet light.

[0018] A manipulator can also be placed at a position after the second 2D code has been applied and before the first 2D code has been applied to enhance the boundary layer effect. The manipulator creates irregularities or inhomogeneities on the originally homogeneously applied ink layer of the second 2D code, which help enhance the boundary layer effect. These inhomogeneities are unique. This means that they are always different for two polycodes. A manipulator can be a brush that creates random strokes on the ink layer of the second 2D code. A manipulator can also be a pneumatic device that blows air onto the ink layer of the second 2D code to create random shapes.

[0019] The manipulators and dryers can be arranged in any order relative to each other, but always in a position after the application of the second 2D code and before the application of the first 2D code. Short description of the figures

[0020] Examples of the polycode and printer system are described in the following drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic, perspective view of a poly code, Fig. 2 a schematic side view of a poly code from Fig. 1 with boundary layers, Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of a poly code with stacks, Fig. 4a a schematic plan view of boundary layers of the poly code from Fig. 2, Fig. 4b a schematic top view of the poly code from Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a schematic plan view of a printer system with two printers and a carrier belt, Fig. 6 a schematic side view of the printer system Fig. 5, Fig. 7 a schematic plan view of a printer system with a printer and a carrier tape, Fig. 8 a schematic plan view of a printer system with a printer and a carrier unit, Fig. 9 a schematic plan view of a positioning means of the printer system from Fig. 8. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0021] Bar codes are one-dimensional codes; QR codes are two-dimensional codes; and poly codes are three-dimensional codes. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a polycode 100 for the visible wavelength range. The exemplary polycode 100 of Fig. 1 comprises a carrier 3; a first 2D code 1; and at least one second 2D code 2. The 2D codes 1, 2 are two-dimensional n×m matrix codes. n is the number of rows and m is the number of columns for the matrix. The second 2D code 2 has n×m fields 21, 22, 23, 24 arranged directly on the carrier 3. The first 2D code 1 has n×m fields 11, 12, 13, 14 arranged overlapping on the fields 21, 22, 23, 24 of the second 2D code 2. n ≥ 1 and m ≥ 2.

[0022] Fig. 3 shows that stacks S1, S2, S3, S4 are formed by stacking the fields 11, 12, 13, 14 of the first 2D code 1 and the fields 21, 22, 23, 24 of the second 2D code 2 on a first surface 30 (from Fig. 2) of the carrier 3. The fields 11, 12, 13, 14; 21, 22, 23, 24 of the first 2D code 1 and the second 2D code 2 are colored, transparent fields having at least two different colors. Grayscale can also be used. In one embodiment, the carrier 3 is a transparent, colorless or a transparent, colored substrate. In another embodiment, the carrier 3 is an opaque substrate that functions as a reflector. Fig. 2 shows that boundary layers G1, G2, G3, G4 are formed between the fields 11, 12, 13, 14 of the first 2D code 1 and the fields 21, 22, 23, 24 of the second 2D code 2. Fig. Figure 4a shows a schematic top view of the boundary layers G1, G2, G3, G4. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the boundary layers G1, G2, G3, G4 are inhomogeneous. The inhomogeneities G11, G21, G31, G41 can be referred to as macroscopic fingerprints. This means that the differences between G11 of a first polycode and G11 of a second polycode can be detected with the naked eye. Fig. 4a shows the inhomogeneities G11, G21, G31, G41 of the boundary layer G1, G2, G3, G4. Such inhomogeneities can be, as described later, by a manipulator 270 as in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 or Fig. 8 and have the advantage that they can be recorded both microscopically and macroscopically. Fig. Figure 2 shows that the carrier 3, 2D code 2, and 2D code 1 are coated with a protective layer 4 that protects the polycode against UV rays and scratches. The protective layer 4 can, for example, be a UV-protective layer.

[0023] The unique inhomogeneities from Fig. 4a can be described as the fingerprint of the Poly-Code, which makes falsification of the Poly-Code 100 impossible.

[0024] Fig. 4b a schematic top view of the poly code from Fig. 3. The inhomogeneities G11, G21, G31, G41 as for the embodiment according to Fig. 4a, can also be pixel-based. This means that the pixels 111 and 112 from a pixel group 110 are detected by means of a detection means. A pixel is a picture point, a picture cell, or a picture element and is referred to as a single color value of a digital raster graphic. These pixels can be detected graphically. The term "microscopic detection" is used here to clarify the difference between this and macroscopic detection. This does not mean, however, that a microscope is required for microscopic detection. Detection can take place via a screen or graphic image processing. Fig. 4b shows the polycode 100 with a schematic top view of the stacks S1, S2, S3, and S4. A first pixel group 50, for example, has a plurality of pixels 51 and 52. A second pixel group 60, for example, has a plurality of pixels 61 and 62. A third pixel group 70, for example, has a plurality of pixels 71 and 72. A fourth pixel group 80, for example, has a plurality of pixels 81. These pixel groups 50, 60, 70, and 80 of a first polycode 100 and a second polycode 100 always differ, even if no manipulators 270 have been used for this purpose. For example, only the yellow or green pixels of a pixel group can be considered. All colored pixels can also be used. The respective unique pixel constellations from Fig. 4b can be described as the fingerprint of the Poly-Code, which makes falsification of the Poly-Code 100 impossible.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a printer system 200 for producing a polycode 100 according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising: a first printer 201, arranged at a first printing station 211, for printing the second 2D code 2 on a carrier 3 associated with a carrier tape 250; at least one second printer 202, arranged at a second printing station 212, for printing the first 2D code 1 onto the second 2D code 2; a conveyor 230 for conveying the carrier tape 250. The conveyor 230 can be a drive for the carrier tape 250. The second printing station 212 is arranged downstream of the first printing station 211 in the conveying direction 291. The carrier tape 250 is conveyed from the first printer 201 to the second printer 202 by means of the conveyor 230. The carrier tape 250 is part of a roll 280 onto which the polycodes are applied. The roll 280 is rotatably mounted on a support 240.The carrier tape 250 is guided at one end from the roll 280 to the first printer 201 and threaded there and is guided in continuation to the second printer 202 and threaded there.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the printer system 200 comprises at least one dryer 260 arranged between the first printer 201 and the second printer 202, with which the ink layers of the fields 11, 12, 13, 14 can be at least partially dried.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the printer system 200 comprises at least one manipulator 270 arranged between the first printer 201 and the second printer 202, with which the color layers on the fields 21, 22, 23, 24 of the second 2D code can be at least partially manipulated.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the printer system comprises the dryer 260 and the manipulator 270, which play an important role in controlling the boundary layer effect. Boundary layers G1, G2, G3, G4 are formed between fields 11, 12, 13, 14 of the first 2D code 1 and fields 21, 22, 23, 24 of the second 2D code 2. These boundary layers are generally always formed differently because the layer colors of the first 2D code 1 can penetrate or diffuse into the layer colors of the second 2D code 2 and can always assume arbitrarily different shapes.The diffusion of the colors into each other can be variably controlled and intensified by allowing the drying of the color layers on the second 2D code 2 to occur more or less intensively, so that when the colors of the first 2D code 1 are applied to the partially dried color layers on the second 2D code 2, a variable basis for a stronger or weaker diffusion of the colors is found. Drying takes place by at least one dryer 270, which is arranged at a position after the application of the second 2D code 2 and before the application of the first 2D code 1.

[0029] The manipulator 270 can also be arranged at a position after the application of the second 2D code 2 and before the application of the first 2D code 1 to enhance the boundary layer effect. The manipulator 270 creates irregularities or inhomogeneities on the originally homogeneously applied ink layer of the second 2D code 2, which support the enhancement of the boundary layer effect. These inhomogeneities are unique. That is, they are always different for two polycodes 100. A manipulator can be a brush that creates random strokes on the ink layer of the second 2D code. A manipulator can also be a pneumatic device that blows air onto the ink layer of the second 2D code 2 to create random shapes. Fig. Figure 4 shows the boundary layers G1, G2, G3, and G4. The boundary layer G1 exhibits an inhomogeneity G11, which is generated by a pneumatic means through a lateral blowout of air. The boundary layer G2 exhibits an inhomogeneity G21, which indicates a random brush stroke. The boundary layer G3 exhibits an inhomogeneity G31, which indicates a random brush dab. The boundary layer G4 exhibits an inhomogeneity G41, which is generated by a pneumatic means through a substantially vertical blowout of air.

[0030] The manipulators 270 and dryers 260 can be arranged in any order relative to each other, but always at a position after the application of the second 2D code 2 and before the application of the first 2D code 1.

[0031] The arrangement of the manipulator 270 and the dryer 260 can be adapted analogously for all subsequent embodiments of the invention. Thus, the boundary layer control can always be implemented.

[0032] Fig. 7 shows a printer system 300 for producing a polycode 100. Printer system 300 comprises: a printer 301 for printing the second 2D code 2 on a carrier 3 associated with a carrier tape 250; a conveyor 330 for conveying the carrier tape 250; wherein the printer system 300 has a carrier tape deflection unit 360 with a plurality of deflection means 370. The carrier tape 250 is guided via the deflection means 370 to a second input position 312 of the printer 301 and to a second printing position 322 of the printer 301, at which the first 2D code 1 is applied to the second 2D code 2. The carrier tape 250 is part of the roller 280, which is rotatably mounted on a support 240.The carrier tape 250 is guided at one end from the roll 280 to a first input position 311 of the printer 301 and threaded there, and then guided via the carrier tape deflection unit 260 to a second input position 312 of the printer 301 and threaded there. The conveyor 330 can be a drive for the carrier tape 250, which guides the carrier tape 250 with the carriers 3 via deflections 370 in the guide direction 391 from a first printing position 321 to a second printing position 322 of the printer 301. At the first printing position 321, a second 2D code 2 is applied to a carrier 3, and simultaneously at the second printing position 322, a first 2D code 1 is applied to a second 2D code 2 previously generated at the printing position 321. The advantage is that only one printer is used to achieve multi-layered color applications. Similar to the design shown in . Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are also used in the embodiment according to Fig. 7, a dryer 260 and optionally a manipulator 270 are used to control the boundary layer effect. The position of the dryer 260 and the manipulator 270 in the embodiment according to Fig. 7 is in the guide direction 391 after the first printing position 321.

[0033] In an embodiment according to Fig. 8, a printer system 400 for producing a polycode 100 comprises: a printer 401 for printing the second 2D code 2 on a carrier 3 associated with a carrier unit 450; a positioning means 430 for moving the carrier unit 450 from a first starting position 452 of a first printing position 421 of the printer 401 to a second input position 461 of a second printing position 422 of the printer 401. At the second printing position 422 of the printer 401, the first 2D code 1 is applied to the second 2D code 2.

[0034] In the embodiment according to Fig. 8, a limited number of carriers 3 are transported on a carrier unit 450. In contrast, in embodiments according to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, a plurality of carriers 3 are transported on a roller 280. For example, 10 carriers 3 are arranged on the carrier unit 450. The carrier unit 450 is first positioned in a first input position 451 of the first printing position 421 of the printer 401. At the first printing position 421, the second 2D code 2 is applied to the carrier 3 of the carrier unit 450. When all carriers of the carrier unit 450 have been printed, the carrier unit 450 is conveyed out to the first output position 452 in the direction 491. The carrier unit 450 is then positioned by an indicated offset 492 to the second input position 461 of the second printing position 422 of the printer 401. At the second printing position 422, the first 2D code 1 is applied to the second 2D code 2 on the carrier 3 of the carrier unit 450. When all carriers of the carrier unit 450 have been printed, the carrier unit 450 is moved out to the second starting position 462 in the direction 492 for removal. Fig. 9 shows a detailed view of Fig. 8 with a positioning means 430, with which the carrier unit 450 is moved from the first starting position 452 of the first printing position 421 of the printer 401 to the second input position 461 of the second printing position 422 of the printer 401. The positioning means 430 can comprise a gripper and / or a suction cup.

[0035] Analogous to the embodiment as in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 are also in the embodiment according to Fig. 8, a dryer 260 and optionally a manipulator 270 are used to control the boundary layer effect between the color layers of the polycode 100. The position of the dryer 260 and the manipulator 270 in the embodiment according to Fig. 8 is in direction 491 after the first print position 421 of the printer 401.

[0036] The printers of all embodiments are digital printers, which can be an inkjet printer, a laser printer or LED printer, or a plastic 3D printer. List of reference symbols 1 first 2D code 2 second 2D code 3 carriers 4 protective layer 11-14 Fields 11 to 14 belonging to 2D code 1 21-24 Fields 21 to 24 belonging to 2D Code 2 30 Surface of the carrier 3 100 Poly Code 50 first pixel group of the first stack 1 51 first pixels belonging to the first pixel group 52 second pixels belonging to the first pixel group 60 second pixel group of the second stack 2 61 first pixels belonging to the second pixel group 62 second pixels belonging to the second pixel group 70 third pixel group of the third stack 3 71 first pixels belonging to the third pixel group 72 second pixels belonging to the third pixel group 80 fourth pixel group of the fourth stack 4 81 first pixels belonging to the fourth pixel group 200 printer systems 201 first printer 202 second printing 211 first printing station 212 second printing station 230 funding 240 support 250 carrier tape 260 dryers 270 Manipulator 280 roll 291 Conveying direction 300 printer systems 301 printers 311 first entry position 312 second input position 321 first print position 322 second print position 360 carrier tape deflection unit 370 deflection devices 391 Direction of guidance 400 printer systems 401 Printer 451 first entry position 461 second entry position 421 first print position 422 second print position 430 positioning devices 450 carrier unit 452 first starting position 462 second starting position 491 direction G1-G4 boundary layer G11-G41 Inhomogeneities of the boundary layer S1 Stack 1 S2 Stack 2 S3 Stack 3 S4 Stack 4 XYZ Cartesian coordinate system XY XY plane of the Cartesian coordinate system XZ XZ plane of the Cartesian coordinate system QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 4334840B1 [0003, 0004, 0012] WO 2019 214291A1

[0005] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / www.hp.com / dede / industrial-printers / indigo-digital-presses / labels-flexible-packaging-digital-presses / 6k-printing-press.html dated 31-03-2025

[0006] https: / / www.agfa.com / printing / products / hybridanapurna-led-series / ?lang=en from 31-03-2025

[0007]

Claims

[1] Poly-code (100) for the visible wavelength range, comprising: a carrier (3); a first 2D code (1); at least a second 2D code (2); where the 2D codes (1, 2) are two-dimensional nxm matrix codes, where n is the number of rows and m is the number of columns for the matrix, wherein the second 2D code (2) has nxm fields (21, 22, 23, 24) arranged directly on the carrier (3), wherein the first 2D code (1) has nxm fields (11, 12, 13, 14) arranged overlapping on the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2), where n ≥ 1 and m ≥ 2, wherein stacks (S1, S2, S3, S4) are formed by stacking the fields (11, 12, 13, 14) and the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) are formed on a first surface (30) of the carrier (3), wherein the fields (11, 12, 13, 14; 21, 22, 23, 24) of the first 2D code (1) and the second 2D code (2) are colored, transparent fields having at least two different colors, wherein the carrier (3) is a transparent, colorless or a transparent, colored or opaque substrate, wherein boundary layers (G1, G2, G3, G4) are formed between the fields (11, 12, 13, 14) of the first 2D code (1) and the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2), characterized in that the boundary layers (G1, G2, G3, G4) are inhomogeneous. [2] Polycode (100) according to claim 1, wherein the stacks (S1, S2, S3, S4) comprise pixel groups (50, 60, 70, 80). [3] A printer system (200) for producing a polycode (100) according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising: a first printer (201) arranged at a first printing station (211) for printing the second 2D code (2) on a carrier (3) associated with a carrier tape (250); at least one second printer (202) arranged at a second printing station (212) for printing the first 2D code (1) onto the second 2D code (2); a conveying means (230) for conveying the carrier tape (250); wherein the second printing station (212) is arranged in the conveying direction (291) after the first printing station (211), characterized in that the carrier tape (250) can be conveyed from the first printer (201) to the second printer (202) by means of the conveying means (230). [4] Printer system (200) according to claim 3, wherein at least one dryer (260) is arranged between the first printer (201) and the second printer (202), whereby the ink layers of the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2) can be at least partially dried. [5] Printer system (200) according to claim 4, wherein at least one manipulator (270) is arranged between the first printer (201) and the second printer (202), whereby the color layers on the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2) are at least partially manipulatable. [6] A printer system (300) for producing a polycode (100) according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising: a printer (301) for printing the second 2D code (2) on a carrier (3) associated with a carrier tape (250); a conveying means (330) for conveying the carrier tape (250); wherein the conveying means (330) comprises a carrier belt deflection unit (260), characterized in that the carrier tape (250) can be guided via a plurality of deflection means (370) to a second input position (312) of the printer (301) and to a second printing position (322) of the printer (301), at which the first 2D code (1) can be printed on the second 2D code (2). [7] Printer system (300) according to claim 6, wherein at least one dryer (260) is arranged after the printer (301) in the direction (391), whereby the ink layers of the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2) can be at least partially dried. [8] Printer system (300) according to claim 7, wherein at least one manipulator (270) is arranged after the printer (301) in the direction (391), whereby the color layers on the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2) are at least partially manipulatable. [9] A printer system (400) for producing a polycode (100) according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising: a printer (401) for printing the second 2D code (2) on a carrier (3) associated with a carrier unit (450); a positioning means (430) for moving the carrier unit (450) from a first starting position (452) of a first printing position (421) of the printer (401) to a second input position (461) of a second printing position (422) of the printer (401); wherein at the second printing position (422) of the printer (401), the first 2D code (1) can be printed on the second 2D code (2). [10] Printer system (400) according to claim 9, wherein at least one dryer (260) is arranged after the printer (401) in the direction (491), whereby the ink layers of the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2) can be at least partially dried. [11] Printer system (400) according to claim 10, wherein at least one manipulator (270) is arranged after the printer (401) in the direction (491), whereby the color layers on the fields (21, 22, 23, 24) of the second 2D code (2) are at least partially manipulable.

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