Fluorescent Colorant Raster Overlap for Security Feature Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing methods based on the CMYK color model are not suitable for producing colored images with fluorescent colors, as full-area coverage results in a gray impression and uneven color perception, making it impossible to display text or individual characters in rainbow colors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves partial overlapping of raster areas with fluorescent colorants, allowing for additive color mixing and optimal intensity adjustment, enabling the production of security features with vibrant color impressions, including rainbow displays and text, using techniques like intaglio and gravure printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If full-area coverage with fluorescent colorants is used, then complete color layer coverage is achieved, but the image appears gray and color perception becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into a grid of discrete raster areas that are partially overlapped. Each raster area is covered with a specific fluorescent colorant, and the partial overlap (10-90% coverage) allows individual color areas to remain distinct while still forming a complete image. This segmentation prevents the gray appearance caused by full coverage while maintaining complete color layer representation.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional CMYK printing processes are used, then standard color reproduction is achieved, but additive color mixing with fluorescent colors is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental printing parameter from full-area coverage to partial overlap of raster areas. By controlling the degree of overlap (10-90%) and the sequence of colorant application, the system enables additive color mixing with fluorescent colors while maintaining precise color reproduction. This parameter change allows the same printing process to achieve both accuracy and versatility.
3Device complexity
If only two fluorescent colors are used, then production complexity is reduced, but one color is perceived more intensely than the other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different overlap percentages and colorant sequences to different regions of the image based on the desired color intensity. By locally adjusting the raster area coverage and overlap parameters, the system balances the perceived intensity of different fluorescent colors, ensuring that no single color dominates the overall image appearance.
4Stability of the object's composition
If complete overlap of adjacent grid areas is used, then continuous color coverage is achieved, but individual color areas merge and lose distinction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial overlap (10-90% coverage) of raster areas instead of complete overlap. This partial action maintains color continuity across the image while preserving the definition of individual color areas. The controlled partial overlap ensures that adjacent color regions remain distinguishable while still forming a cohesive complete image.
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 allows for the creation of high-luminosity, visually appealing security features with precise color control, enabling the display of text and characters in rainbow colors, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The colorants can be applied in overlapping layers, so that at least one sequence of colors in the image corresponds to the sequence of colors of a rainbow or a multicolored gradient. To achieve optimal additive color mixing, it may be necessary to use fluorescent colorants, in particular a colorant that fluoresces under UV light.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a security feature (1) in the form of a color image (2), wherein: in order to produce the image, a colorant is applied to a substrate (3); the image (2) is divided into grid areas; grid areas (4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11) of the image (2) that are directly adjacent to one another partially overlap; a region of overlap (7, 8) of directly adjacent grid areas (4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11) is smaller than one of the grid areas (4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11); each grid area (4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11) of the image (2) is assigned at least one color and at least the regions of the substrate (3) corresponding to the respective grid areas (4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11) minus the corresponding regions of overlap (7, 8) are each covered with at least one colorant of the particular assigned color; the regions of overlap (7, 8) between adjacent grid areas (4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11) are covered at least with the colorant that has the color that is assigned to one of the grid areas (4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11) overlapping in the region of overlap (7, 8) in question.