Confidential Information Provision Device Using Volatile Organic Compounds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing document management technologies require special recording media with embedded structures or magnetic bodies for confidential information detection, which complicates handling and increases costs, and do not allow for non-contact detection of confidential information on regular media.

Innovation Solution

A confidential information provision device that acquires and manages confidential levels of information to be printed, using a volatile material to provide detectable confidential information on regular recording media during the print process, allowing non-contact detection without the need for special media.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special recording media with embedded structures or magnetic bodies are used for confidential information detection, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmedia complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the confidential information detection function from the recording medium itself and implements it through a separate detection device that reads volatile organic compounds in the air space above the medium. This eliminates the need for embedded structures or magnetic bodies in the recording medium, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and media complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces volatile organic compounds as an intermediary substance that carries confidential information from the recording medium to the detection device. The detection device reads these compounds through non-contact means, enabling detection without modifying the recording medium structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If special recording media with embedded structures or magnetic bodies are used for confidential information detection, then detection capability is improved, but handling ease deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidhandleability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the detection function from the medium and implementing it externally through air-based compound detection, the recording medium returns to its simple, handleable form while maintaining detection capability through the separate detection device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The confidential information is copied onto volatile organic compounds that can be detected in the air space above the recording medium. This allows the information to be accessed without requiring special handling of the recording medium itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If magnetic bodies are embedded in recording media for confidential information, then information security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses volatile organic compounds as temporary, disposable carriers of confidential information. These compounds naturally evaporate and can be replenished, eliminating the need for expensive magnetic bodies while maintaining information security through the temporary nature of the carrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of information storage from solid magnetic bodies embedded in the medium to gaseous volatile organic compounds in the air space. This parameter change from solid to gas phase enables detection without modification of the recording medium while reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If non-contact detection of confidential information is implemented, then handling ease is improved, but detection precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehandleabilityVSAvoiddetection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces potential contact-based detection methods with a chemical sensing system that detects volatile organic compounds in the air space. This substitution maintains non-contact operation while achieving high detection precision through chemical analysis of the compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables secure, non-contact detection of confidential information on regular media, improving handleability and reducing costs by eliminating the need for special media, while maintaining confidentiality through volatile materials that are odorless and invisible.

Implementation Method 1

using a volatile material to provide detectable confidential information on regular recording media during the print process, allowing non-contact detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11461601B2Confidential information provision device, image forming apparatus and system

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A confidential information provision device includes: an information acquisition unit configured to acquire a confidential level of information that is to be printed on a recording medium; and a provision unit configured to provide confidential information to the recording medium in accordance with the confidential level, the confidential information provided to the recording medium being constituted of a material that is detectable in a non-contact manner.