IR Image Overlay Printing for Full-Page Design Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies restrict the design of images to be printed by requiring the embedding and outlining of specific color images, such as barcodes, which limits the use of the entire page for design.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that uses infrared (IR) toner, invisible to the naked eye, is integrated with general-purpose application software to allow users to designate and superimpose IR toner images on print pages, enabling the entire page to be used for design without visible restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional printing methods are used to print specific color images (e.g., barcodes), then the image can be printed with visible color, but the design freedom is restricted because the image must be embedded and outlined, preventing full-page utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses infrared toner that is invisible to the naked eye, changing the color property from visible to invisible. This allows the toner to be applied without visual restrictions, enabling full-page design freedom while the infrared characteristics remain undetected by conventional printing systems, thus resolving the contradiction between design freedom and printing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an infrared detector as an intermediary to read the infrared toner images. This mediator allows the invisible infrared information to be detected and processed, enabling the system to handle full-page infrared images without requiring conventional visible color printing mechanisms, thereby improving design freedom while managing complexity through specialized detection
2Adaptability or versatility
If infrared toner is used to print invisible images, then full-page design flexibility is achieved, but the ability to detect and measure the printed content becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an infrared detector as an intermediary to read the infrared toner images. This mediator allows the invisible infrared information to be detected and processed, enabling the system to handle full-page infrared images without requiring conventional visible color printing mechanisms, thereby improving design freedom while managing complexity through specialized detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visible light to infrared wavelength. By using infrared toner that reflects or absorbs infrared light, the system shifts the detection domain to infrared, allowing full-page images to be printed invisibly while remaining detectable through infrared sensors, thus resolving the contradiction between design flexibility and detectability
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
Enables full-page design flexibility by allowing IR toner images to be superimposed transparently, maintaining the integrity of the printed image and improving design freedom.
Implementation Method 1
forming an image with a toner that reflects or absorbs light of a specific wavelength
Implementation Method 2
mixing an infrared absorber in a standard color toner
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A printing system (100) is communicable with an image management server (50) through a network. The printing system includes an information processing apparatus (10) and an image forming apparatus (30A, 30B). The information processing apparatus includes a display control unit (21) for controlling a display (204) to display a print setting screen for receiving a print setting that designates printing of a specific color image superimposed on an image to be printed, the specific color image being an image of a specific color. The information processing apparatus includes a storage location information generation unit (43) for, in response to receiving the print setting via the print setting screen, transmitting the specific color image corresponding to the print setting to the image management server through the network and acquiring storage location information indicating a storage location where the specific color image is stored from the image management server. The information processing apparatus includes a first communication unit (25) for transmitting print data to the image forming apparatus, the print data including a printing command including the print setting indicating that the specific color image is to be superimposed and printed on the image to be printed, the image to be printed, and the acquired storage location information. The image forming apparatus includes a printer (932). The image forming apparatus includes a second communication unit for receiving the print data. The image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit (36) for acquiring the specific color image from the image management server based on the storage location information included in the print data received by the second communication unit. The image forming apparatus includes a drawing unit (32) for generating, based on the printing command included in the print data, image data for overprinting the specific color image acquired from the image management server on the image to be printed included in the print data. The image forming apparatus includes a print control unit (35) for controlling the printer to perform printing based on the generated image data.