Dynamic Pattern Generation for Security Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional specialty imaging techniques in printing processes often require special inks or materials and are limited in aesthetics, particularly when used in non-rectangular areas of documents, and lack dynamic capabilities for real-time implementation in variable data workflows.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dynamic pattern generation process using standard page description language constructs, such as PostScript constructs, to create a pattern color space that incorporates specialty imaging features without the need for special inks, allowing for real-time processing of variable data and integration into digital front-end controllers for printing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional specialty imaging techniques are used to provide security features, then fraud protection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to requirement of special inks and materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the specialty imaging effect from the ink/material domain and relocates it to the digital data domain. By encoding imaging instructions in PostScript code that generates patterns during printing, the system eliminates dependency on special inks while maintaining security features. The security effect is taken out from physical materials and implemented through digital pattern generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical/optical mechanism of special inks with a digital/mathematical mechanism. Instead of relying on proprietary ink formulations that create security effects, the system uses algorithmic pattern generation through PostScript constructs to create visually distinctive patterns that provide fraud protection without requiring special materials.
2Ease of manufacture
If rectangular areas are used for security elements in documents, then ease of manufacture is improved, but aesthetic quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static rectangular security elements into dynamic, adaptable patterns. The PostScript-based system generates patterns that can change form, size, and configuration based on document layout requirements. Security elements are no longer confined to fixed rectangular boundaries but can dynamically adapt to various shapes and positions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through code-based generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in security element geometry through digital control. By modifying PostScript variables and pattern generation parameters, the system can produce security features in diverse shapes and configurations without changing physical manufacturing processes. This allows aesthetic customization while maintaining ease of manufacture through software control.
3Device complexity
If static specialty imaging marks are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates for variable data workflows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts static imaging marks into dynamic, variable data-capable patterns. The PostScript implementation allows security patterns to be generated with varying parameters based on document content, enabling real-time adaptation to different documents while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized code-based generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal security imaging system that handles both static and variable data requirements through a single PostScript-based approach. The same pattern generation mechanism can produce fixed security marks or dynamically adapted patterns based on variable data inputs, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate systems for different scenarios.
4Reliability
If special inks are used for color shifting effects, then visual security features are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color shifting and visual effect generation from the ink domain and implements it through digital pattern generation. By using PostScript constructs to create patterns with varying densities, orientations, and configurations, the system reproduces visual security effects without requiring special color-shifting inks, thereby eliminating the need for expensive proprietary materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies of specialty imaging effects through standard printing processes. Instead of relying on special inks to produce visual effects, the system generates patterns that visually replicate or exceed the security effects of conventional specialty imaging, using only standard marking materials and digital pattern control.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet image pattern is created on a recording medium having florescence properties and a first color by electronically creating a first electronic pattern ink, the first electronic pattern ink including a second color, holes, and a first pattern, the holes representing areas in the first electronic pattern ink wherein the second color is absent; electronically creating a second electronic pattern ink, the second electronic pattern ink including the second color, holes, and the first pattern, the holes of the second electronic pattern ink representing areas in the second electronic pattern ink filled with a third color, the third color being equal to the first color; electronically creating an electronic image region having a background and a foreground; electronically painting, using the first electronic pattern ink, the background of the electronic image region; electronically painting, using the second electronic pattern ink, the foreground of the electronic image region; and rendering, using marking materials, the electronic image region on a recording medium such that only the florescence properties of the recording medium are only visible through the holes when viewing the recording medium using ultraviolet illumination.