Infrared Mark Encoding with Standard Toner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing digital documents against counterfeiting and unauthorized copying, such as special inks and digital watermarking, are costly and difficult to implement in standard electro-photographic or non-impact printing systems, particularly in variable data printing environments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an infrared mark system using standard non-impact printing materials with distinct colorant combinations that have identical visual responses under normal illumination but different infrared reflectance, allowing for detection with infrared-sensitive devices, without the need for special materials or physical modifications to printing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special inks with infrared response are used for document security, then detection capability against counterfeiting is improved, but cost and difficulty of implementation in standard printing systems increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidimplementation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits the inherent infrared response properties of standard toner materials already present in conventional printing systems. The toner's natural infrared absorption and scattering characteristics provide the security feature without requiring any special inks or material modifications, making the system self-sufficient using existing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by utilizing the infrared spectral response of standard toner materials. By adjusting the infrared illumination wavelength and detection sensitivity parameters, the system achieves enhanced security detection capability using ordinary printing materials, avoiding the need for special infrared-reactive inks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If digital watermarking is implemented for copy control, then document security is improved, but system overhead and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument securityVSAvoidsystem overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes the infrared optical properties already inherent in standard toner materials. By isolating and exploiting this specific physical characteristic, the system achieves security functionality without adding complex watermarking infrastructure, reducing system overhead while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If special infrared materials are used for encoding, then infrared detection capability is improved, but cost and material availability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared detection capabilityVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes standard toner materials serve multiple functions: they perform their primary printing function while simultaneously providing infrared detection capability for security applications. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate special infrared materials, reducing material costs and improving availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes inexpensive, readily available standard toner materials that can be obtained from conventional printing supplies. These ordinary materials provide sufficient infrared detection capability for security purposes without requiring expensive specialized substances, making the solution economically viable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 effective document security with minimal system overhead and storage requirements, enabling detection of counterfeiting and unauthorized copying using standard digital printing materials and equipment.

Implementation Method 1

different infrared reflectance, allowing for detection with infrared-sensitive devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared reflectance: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8460781B2Infrared encoding of security elements using standard xerographic materials

Publication Date: 2013.06.11 XEROX CORP

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 infrared illumination when viewed by a suitable infrared sensitive device. This infrared mark entails, a substrate reflective to infrared radiation, and a first colorant mixture and second colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate. The first colorant mixture layer in connection with the substrate has a property of strongly reflecting infrared illumination, as well as a property of low contrast under normal illumination against a second colorant mixture as printed in close spatial proximity to the first colorant mixture pattern, such that the resultant image rendered substrate suitably exposed to an infrared illumination, will yield a discernable image evident as a infrared mark to a suitable infrared sensitive device.