Color Barcode Integrity via Pantone Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Color barcodes are prone to integrity and authenticity issues during printing and copying due to variations in color management systems, printer stability, scanner precision, and degradation over time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving encryption of color information and data, followed by production of color and data portions using Pantone™ colors, which are then printed together to maintain integrity and authenticity, utilizing a system comprising a color information portion and a data portion within the color barcode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If color barcodes are used to record more information, then information capacity is improved, but integrity and authenticity are compromised due to color variations in printing and copying
Solution Approach 1:
The barcode is divided into multiple color tiles where each tile represents a specific color from a predefined palette. This segmentation allows the barcode to encode more information while maintaining reliability through standardized color representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from continuous color values to discrete color indices from a standardized palette. This parameter transformation enables multivalued recording while ensuring integrity through consistent color reference across different printing and copying operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different color management systems and printers are used, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but color consistency and authenticity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A standardized color palette acts as an intermediary between different printing systems. Instead of relying on direct color matching across diverse printers, the system uses predefined color references that serve as a common language, ensuring consistent interpretation across different color management systems and printer types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms color representation from device-dependent continuous values to device-independent discrete indices. This parameter change enables universal compatibility across different printers while maintaining color consistency through the standardized palette definition.
3Quantity of substance
If color barcodes are printed on matter that degrades over time, then information storage is achieved, but color accuracy and authenticity are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The color palette is predefined and standardized before the barcode is generated. This preliminary establishment of color references ensures that even as the printed material degrades over time, the original color intent can be recovered by referencing the predetermined palette, maintaining long-term authenticity.
4Reliability
If encryption is applied to color information, then security and authenticity are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies encryption to the color information indices rather than the entire barcode structure. This selective parameter encryption maintains authenticity and security while minimizing the increase in system complexity by focusing cryptographic operations only on the color data portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A color barcode can record much more amount of information than black white barcode. However, the problem of the color barcode is that it is easy to lose integrity or authenticity in printing and copy generation. This invention provides an apparatus and a method to keep the integrity or authenticity of the color barcode. Such is accomplished by the color information portion of the color barcode representing the color information about what colors are used for color tiles of data portion of the color barcode and an apparatus and a method for producing and reproducing such color barcode.