Dynamic Mask for Authenticating Printed Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for verifying the authenticity of printed materials are complex and do not adequately ensure high security against counterfeiting, as they require significant technical complexity to achieve a high degree of randomness in random patterns.
Innovation Solution
A method using a dynamic mask to select regions with high randomness on the surface of printed materials, which are then used to generate encrypted data, minimizing complexity while maintaining high security by adapting to the unstable conditions of the printing process, such as ink and substrate variations, and incorporating image structures with high deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple light sources and cameras are used to generate random values from light source behavior, then the degree of randomness is improved, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential element needed for randomness generation - the printing process variations themselves - rather than requiring complex external systems. By focusing on the inherent randomness in ink deposition, substrate absorption, and printing mechanics, the solution eliminates the need for multiple light sources and cameras while maintaining high randomness quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing process serves its primary function of reproducing images while simultaneously generating random patterns as a byproduct. The natural variations in ink transfer, drying, and substrate interaction during normal printing operations create the randomness needed for security features, eliminating the need for separate randomness generation systems.
2Reliability
If a dynamic mask is used to select regions with high randomness, then the security against counterfeiting is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic mask is generated in advance during the prepress stage, before actual printing occurs. By pre-calculating which regions will exhibit high randomness based on the specific printing parameters, substrates, and ink formulations, the system prepares the randomness selection map beforehand, simplifying the manufacturing process rather than adding complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask dynamically adapts to changing printing parameters such as ink formulation, substrate type, and printing speed. By adjusting the mask based on these parameter variations, the system maintains optimal randomness selection without requiring complex manual reconfiguration, thus improving security while managing manufacturing complexity through automated parameter-based adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for verifying the authenticity of printed printing materials includes applying a random pattern to a printing material during a printing procedure in a first step. The printed printing materials are captured by a first electronic reading device during a production run, the captured data are transmitted to a computer and encrypted data are generated in the computer from the captured data of the applied random pattern. In a second step the printed printing material is at least partly scanned by using a second electronic reader and the authenticity of the printed printing material is ascertained from the scanned image data by a comparison with the encrypted data of the random pattern. A dynamically generated mask is used in the computer for selecting the random pattern when generating the encrypted data of the random pattern on the printed printing material.