Laser Bleaching and Ink Printing for High Contrast Barcodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for achieving high-contrast barcodes on packages are complex and costly, requiring labels, white ink, and special recirculation features, and often result in lower contrast compared to using laser bleaching alone.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an ink-based printer and a laser bleaching subsystem, coordinated by electronics, which assesses the package surface reflectivity to generate an oxidized region and print a symbol with high contrast, eliminating the need for labels and white ink, and optimizing laser and ink placement for improved contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If labels with black ink on white background are used, then barcode contrast is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the label application step from the barcode marking process. Instead of applying a separate white label substrate and then printing black ink on it, the system directly modifies the package surface through laser bleaching to create the high-contrast background, removing the complexity of label handling and application equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser bleaching as an intermediary process between the package surface and the black ink printing. The laser creates an oxidized region that serves as a high-reflectivity background, mediating the contrast enhancement without requiring physical labels or complex multi-step printing processes
2Illumination intensity
If white ink is used to print background, then barcode contrast is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical printing process of applying white ink with a laser-based optical/thermal process. The laser bleaching subsystem uses photothermal effects to oxidize the package surface, creating a white background without any ink application, thereby eliminating the need for white ink and associated printing mechanics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical state of the package surface through laser-induced oxidation. By controlling laser parameters (power, speed, wavelength), the system transforms the dark package surface into a high-reflectivity oxidized region, achieving the white background effect through parameter-controlled material modification rather than material application
3Illumination intensity
If laser bleaching is used alone, then barcode contrast is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs laser bleaching as a preliminary action before ink printing. By pre-creating the high-reflectivity oxidized region on the package surface, the system establishes the contrast background in advance, allowing the subsequent ink printing to focus solely on applying the black symbol without the added complexity of simultaneous coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the barcode creation process into two distinct operational phases: first the laser bleaching phase to create the white background, then the ink printing phase to apply the black symbol. This temporal and functional segmentation reduces the precision requirements compared to simultaneous multi-component coordination
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 reduces complexity and costs, achieving higher contrast barcodes by directly printing on the package surface without labels or white ink, enhancing barcode reliability and meeting grading specifications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one laser bleaching subsystem including a laser operable to produce a laser beam, and an optical assembly operable to convey the laser beam onto the surface of the material to generate an oxidized region on the surface of the material
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for a system including: at least one ink-based printer configured and arranged to provide ink to form a symbol on a surface of a material; at least one laser bleaching subsystem including a laser operable to produce a laser beam, and an optical assembly operable to convey the laser beam onto the surface of the material to generate an oxidized region on the surface of the material; and electronics communicatively coupled with the at least one ink-based printer and the at least one laser bleaching subsystem, the electronics being configured to coordinate control operations of the at least one ink-based printer and the at least one laser bleaching subsystem based on a nature of the surface of the material.