Infrared-Readable Information Codes for Secure Compact Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information codes are vulnerable to unauthorized reading and copying, and their security largely depends on environmental conditions and operator experience, making reliable decoding difficult, especially in compact sizes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a reader with dual wavelength illumination and imaging capabilities to distinguish between inversion and non-inversion areas on a medium, where modules reflect differently under visible and infrared light, ensuring secure and reliable decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If key information is overlapped and printed on main data by using printing liquid visible only under ultraviolet rays, then security of the code data is increased, but operator's ability to visually view the key information reliably deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of light wavelength by using two different wavelength bands (first wavelength band and second wavelength band) to illuminate the medium. Under the first wavelength band, both light and dark modules appear dark, preventing reading. Under the second wavelength band, the inversion areas invert their reflection characteristics, making the code readable. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by making the code invisible under normal conditions but visible under specific wavelength illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the illumination light wavelength band. The reading apparatus can switch between first and second wavelength bands dynamically. When the second wavelength band is used, the inversion areas change their reflection characteristics, allowing the operator to view the key information reliably. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between security and operability.
2Area of stationary object
If the information code is made compact in size, then space efficiency is improved, but operator's ability to visually view the key information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter change of illumination wavelength to enable reading of compact codes. Even when the code size is reduced, the inversion areas maintain their light reflection characteristics under the second wavelength band, allowing the reading apparatus to capture and decode the information reliably regardless of the code's physical size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for operator visual inspection with an automated reading apparatus that uses controlled wavelength illumination. The apparatus captures images under the second wavelength band and automatically decodes the information, eliminating the need for the operator to visually view the key information, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and readability.
3Reliability
If conventional printing technique with ultraviolet visible liquid is used, then security function is provided, but reading speed and reliability deteriorate due to dependency on operator experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operator inspection with an automated reading apparatus that uses controlled wavelength illumination. The apparatus automatically switches to the second wavelength band, captures the image, and decodes the information without human intervention. This automation eliminates dependency on operator experience and significantly improves reading speed while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-configuring the reading apparatus with the capability to switch between wavelength bands and automatically recognize when to use the second wavelength band for reading. The system is prepared in advance to handle the security-reading transition, enabling fast and reliable reading without manual intervention.
4Device complexity
If key information and code data are overlapped on one medium, then device complexity is reduced, but reading reliability deteriorates as it depends on operator experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operator judgment with an automated reading apparatus that uses wavelength-controlled illumination. The apparatus automatically switches to the second wavelength band to read the overlapped key information and code data, eliminating the need for operator experience in determining how to read the code. This maintains the simple overlapped structure while improving reading reliability.
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
Enhances security by preventing unauthorized reading and copying, ensuring accurate decoding regardless of environmental conditions and operator experience, while maintaining confidentiality.
Implementation Method 1
the inversion areas i) presenting reflection characteristics on one of a dark color and a light color when light of a first wavelength band including at least a visible light band is emitted to the medium and ii) presenting reflection characteristics on the other of the dark color and the light color when light of a second wavelength band different in wavelengths from the first wavelength band is emitted to the medium
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (1) reads an information code (C) formed on a medium (10). The code has light modules and dark modules. The areas of the light modules are produced as inversion areas inverted light reflection characteristics. The areas of the dark module areas are produced as non-inversion areas non-inverting light reflection characteristics. A reader (40) emits illumination light of wavelengths including infrared light wavelengths to the code (10), and images the code (10) under the illumining light emission. The inversion areas, that is, the light module areas, can be dark under the visible light, but can be a light color due to its inverted light reflection characteristics. The light modules can thus be imaged by the reader (40) under the illumining light emission, providing distinguishable detection of the inversion and non-inversion areas, allowing the light and dark modules to be extracted for decoding.