Anisotropic Toner Superposition for Directional Gloss and Forgery Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses lack the capability to create images with decorative effects where glossiness changes depending on the viewing direction and fail to securely prevent forgery by making images difficult to read using scanners or cameras.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, and a controller to superimpose a first toner image and a second toner image with an anisotropic pattern, where the glossiness of the image changes based on the viewing direction, and a security image with a halftone pattern is formed to have uniform density but varying glossiness between the foreground and background, making it difficult to detect using scanners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional image forming apparatus forms a standard toner image, then the image has uniform appearance, but it lacks decorative effect with directional gloss variation
Solution Approach 1:
The image is segmented into multiple toner images with different properties (first toner image and second toner image with anisotropic pattern). Each segment serves a specific function: the first provides base image information while the second provides directional gloss variation. This segmentation enables decorative effects without requiring complete process redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite toner images by superimposing multiple toner layers with different characteristics. The combination of isotropic and anisotropic toner patterns creates a composite structure that exhibits directional gloss properties, achieving decorative effects through material composition rather than process complexity.
2Reliability
If an image is formed with uniform density for security purposes, then it is difficult to detect using scanners, but it lacks visual distinction between foreground and background
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the image are assigned different local qualities: the first halftone image and second halftone image both have uniform density for scanner resistance, but they differ in anisotropic pattern orientation. This creates local variations in glossiness that provide visual contrast while maintaining uniform density for security purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses glossiness changes instead of density changes to create visual distinction. By varying the anisotropic pattern orientation between regions, the image exhibits different reflective properties (glossiness) that are visible to the human eye but not detectable by scanners that measure only density.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple toner images are superimposed to create anisotropic patterns, then directional gloss variation is achieved, but the image formation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming process uses periodic action by forming multiple toner images in sequence (first toner image, then second toner image with anisotropic pattern). This step-by-step periodic formation allows precise control of glossiness properties while managing process complexity through structured repetition rather than simultaneous complex operations.
4Reliability
If halftone images with anisotropic patterns are used for security images, then scanner detection is prevented, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of pattern orientation rather than density to achieve security properties. By varying the orientation of anisotropic patterns between halftone images while maintaining uniform density, the system achieves security protection without requiring extreme manufacturing precision, as the effect relies on directional properties rather than fine density variations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves a decorative effect with directional gloss variation and enhances security by creating images that are challenging to read using scanners or cameras, effectively preventing forgery.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image formed on the recording material by the image forming unit to the recording material
Implementation Method 2
the second toner image being constituted by a pattern having anisotropy such that glossiness of the image changes depending on a direction in which the image is viewed
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a toner image on a recording material, a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image formed on the recording material by the image forming unit to the recording material, and a controller configured to cause the image forming unit to form an image on a basis of image information, the controller being configured to cause the image forming unit to form the image in which a first toner image and a second toner image is superimposed on each other on the recording material, the first toner image being a toner image corresponding to the image information, the second toner image being constituted by a pattern having anisotropy such that glossiness of the image changes depending on a direction in which the image is viewed.