Fluorescent Dot Patterns for Document Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for document security, such as UV ink watermarks, are costly and difficult to implement in digital printing environments, especially in variable data printing scenarios, due to high costs and incompatibility with non-impact printing systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescent mark indicator using a substrate with optical brightening agents and specific dot designs with non-overlapping primary colorants, which suppress substrate fluorescence under normal light but become visible under UV illumination, allowing for cost-effective and compatible security markings in digital printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV fluorescent inks are used to create watermarks, then document security is improved, but cost increases and compatibility with digital printing systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding fluorescent materials to the printing system, the invention inverts the approach by using the substrate's inherent fluorescence and selectively suppressing it in certain areas using yellow colorants. This eliminates the need for fluorescent inks while achieving the same security effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive UV fluorescent inks with common printing consumables (yellow colorants and standard substrates), making the security feature cost-effective and suitable for variable data printing environments.
2Reliability
If UV fluorescent inks are used to create watermarks, then document security is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive UV fluorescent inks with common printing consumables (yellow colorants and standard substrates), making the security feature cost-effective and suitable for variable data printing environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate itself provides the fluorescent property needed for security, eliminating the need to purchase and apply separate fluorescent materials. The system uses the substrate's inherent characteristics to achieve the security effect.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If yellow colorants are used to suppress substrate fluorescence, then UV watermark visibility is improved, but normal light appearance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies yellow colorants selectively in specific patterns on the substrate, creating local areas of fluorescence suppression that form the watermark pattern. These localized applications maintain normal light appearance while providing UV distinguishability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the different optical properties of yellow colorants under UV versus normal light. The colorants appear neutral or subtle under normal light but create distinct fluorescence suppression patterns under UV illumination, enabling the watermark effect.
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
This approach provides a cost-effective and compatible method for document security by using common consumables, ensuring that watermarks are invisible under normal light but discernable under UV light, suitable for short-run and customized digital printing environments without modifying printing devices or using special materials.
Implementation Method 1
substrate containing optical brightening agents... substrate fluorescence... exposed to an ultra-violet light source, will yield a discernable pattern
Implementation Method 2
first dot design is further comprised of substantially non-overlapping primary colorants arranged so as to provide a relatively high paper coverage, the resultant first dot design thus having a property of high suppression of substrate fluorescence
Data Source
AI summary
The teachings as provided herein relate to a watermark embedded in an image that has the property of being relatively indecipherable under normal light, and yet decipherable under UV light. This fluorescent mark comprises a substrate containing optical brightening agents, and a first dot design printed as an image upon the substrate. The first dot design has as a characteristic the property of strongly suppressing substrate fluorescence. A second dot design having a property of providing a differing level of substrate fluorescence suppression from that of the first dot design such that when rendered in close spatial proximity with the first dot design image print, the resultant image rendered substrate suitably exposed to an ultra-violet light source, will yield a discernable image evident as a fluorescent mark.