Concealed Product Marking With Laser-Weakened Support Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for product identification, such as 'Watermaking' and fiber-based techniques, fail to ensure unique and traceable marking due to batch processing and difficulty in accessing mathematical interpretations, leading to potential duplication and authenticity issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a unique code generation and invisible marking on a support using a laser attack to weaken specific material portions, creating an invisible code that is revealed through a subsequent material attack, ensuring individual product traceability and authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If invisible ink is sprayed onto graphics using Watermaking technique, then batch marking is achieved, but individual product marking is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the identification system into two parts: a visible code for batch identification and an invisible code for individual product identification. The invisible code is created by selectively weakening specific fiber portions in the paper support, allowing each product to have its own unique identifier while maintaining batch processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from surface-level ink marking to subsurface fiber modification. By altering the physical structure of paper fibers internally rather than applying surface coatings, the system enables individual product marking through laser-induced fiber weakening that remains invisible until chemically revealed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fiber distribution signature is used for product identification, then material-based coding is achieved, but uniqueness guarantee deteriorates with increased product volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a laser to pre-weaken specific fiber portions during the marking process. This creates predetermined vulnerable points in the fiber structure that will selectively dissolve during chemical reading, revealing the invisible code. This preliminary modification ensures unique identification before the product reaches the consumer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the natural random fiber distribution mechanism with a controlled laser-based fiber weakening process. Instead of relying on stochastic material variations, the system uses directed energy to create specific, reproducible, and unique fiber patterns that guarantee identification uniqueness.
3Manufacturing precision
If laser attack is used to create invisible code, then individual product marking is achieved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a chemical intermediary (reading solution) that mediates between the laser-weakened fibers and the detection system. The chemical solution selectively dissolves the weakened fibers, making the invisible code visible without requiring complex direct detection equipment. This intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invisible code structure is designed to be self-revealing through selective fiber dissolution. The laser-weakened fibers naturally dissolve faster when exposed to the chemical reading solution, automatically revealing the code pattern without requiring additional active components or complex detection mechanisms.
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
Ensures unique and traceable product identification by creating an invisible code that is revealed through a subsequent material attack, providing secure and reliable product authentication.
Implementation Method 1
the marking of the invisible code consists of an optical attack by a laser having a wavelength in the infrared range
Implementation Method 2
a step of marking a code invisible to the naked eye corresponding to the unique code on a predetermined area of the support, characterized in that the marking of the invisible code consists of an attack on the material of the support intended to weaken certain portions of the predetermined area of the support forming the invisible code
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention mainly concerns a method for the concealed marking of a support (11) associated with a product, characterised in that it comprises: - a step of generating a unique code intended to be associated with the product, and - a step of marking a code invisible to the naked eye (Cl) corresponding to this unique code on a predetermined zone of the support (11), characterised in that - the marking of the invisible code (Cl) consists of etching material of the support (11) intended to weaken certain portions of the predetermined zone of the support (11) forming the invisible code (Cl) without affecting the appearance of the support (11), - such that the portions of the support (11) weakened during the step of marking the invisible code (Cl) will be the first portions of the support (11) to be altered to reveal the invisible code (Cl) during a subsequent reading step carried out by etching material of the support (11) a second time.