Glyph Shape Alteration for Hidden Data Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for embedding hidden information in printed documents are costly and time-intensive, making them unsuitable for rapid variation and widespread use in applications like anti-counterfeiting and track/trace, especially with the increasing demand for variable data in the printing industry.

Innovation Solution

The method involves altering the shape of glyphs in printed text by removing serifs, changing stroke widths or lengths, adjusting joint positions, or adding gaps to encode additional information, which can be extracted using a reading tool, allowing for efficient embedding and retrieval of hidden data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current methods for embedding hidden information (such as RFID tags, watermarks, color flecks) are used, then information can be hidden in printed documents, but the process becomes costly and time-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehidden information embeddingVSAvoidembedding speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the visible text content with hidden information by encoding data within the glyphs themselves. The encoding process modifies glyph shapes (serifs, stroke widths, joint positions, gaps) to embed additional information, combining what was previously separate (visible text and hidden data) into a single integrated structure that serves both purposes simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the glyph structure multi-functional by enabling it to simultaneously serve as readable text and as an information carrier. Each glyph is designed to maintain its primary function of displaying a character while also encoding hidden information through controlled modifications, allowing a single element to perform multiple functions without requiring separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If current methods for embedding hidden information are used, then information can be hidden in printed documents, but manpower and capital costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehidden information embeddingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses digital copying and rendering techniques to embed hidden information. By modifying glyph representations in digital format before printing, the system can embed data through standard printing processes without requiring specialized expensive equipment or materials, leveraging existing digital workflows to reduce manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If current methods for embedding hidden information are used, then information can be hidden, but the process is not suitable for rapid variation and widespread use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehidden information embeddingVSAvoidvariable data capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by enabling variable data encoding where glyph modifications can change rapidly based on input data. The system can dynamically adjust glyph parameters (which serifs to remove, stroke width variations, joint positions, gap placements) to encode different information sequences, allowing each printed instance to carry unique variable data while maintaining the same visual appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying specific glyph parameters to encode information. By controlling which parameters to modify ( serif presence/absence, stroke width, joint position, gap location), the system can encode different data values through discrete parameter states, enabling versatile variable data encoding across large print runs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10419636B2Methods and systems for embedding information into text of printable documents by altering one or more of the glyphs to change a shape of the glyphs

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 GLOBAL GRAPHICS SOFTWARE

AI summary

Information can be encoded into text of a printable document or other printed material. The text includes glyphs, where each glyph corresponds to a text character. Additional information can be encoded into the text by altering one or more of the glyphs to change a shape of the one or more of the glyphs, so that each of the altered glyphs still corresponds to the text character to which the glyph corresponded prior to alteration and the altered glyph further contains a portion of the additional information encoded by the changed shape.