Laser-Etched 2D Codes With Shorter Marking Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser etching methods for marking plastic bottles with machine-readable codes are time-consuming due to the long distance the laser must travel to etch the code, especially when marking large areas or multiple bottles.
Innovation Solution
The use of sub-optimal 2D codes that reduce the distance the laser must travel by selecting inferior mark locations, clustering marks, aligning marks in vertical lanes, and using two lasers to etch different regions simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ideal 2D code pattern is used, then the code fidelity is maximized, but the laser travel distance increases and marking speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial parameters of the 2D code by selecting sub-optimal mark locations that are closer together, reducing the laser travel distance while maintaining sufficient code functionality for machine reading
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only enough mark density to achieve functional readability rather than optimal density, accepting reduced code fidelity to gain marking speed
2Reliability
If marks are distributed to cover the entire code area, then the code representation is complete, but the laser path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in mark distribution by clustering marks in certain regions and leaving other regions sparser, creating an uneven distribution that reduces overall travel distance while maintaining code functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the code area into vertical lanes with aligned marks, organizing the distribution pattern to optimize laser path efficiency within each segment
3Device complexity
If a single laser is used for marking, then the device complexity is low, but the marking time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple lasers to operate simultaneously on different regions of the same code, combining their capabilities to reduce total marking time without requiring sequential processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-laser sequential marking to multi-laser parallel marking, adding the dimension of temporal parallelism where multiple lasers work concurrently on different spatial regions
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 significantly reduces the laser etching path length, thereby increasing the speed of the marking process by up to 12% while maintaining the functionality of the machine-readable code.
Implementation Method 1
Laser etching can be used to mark a bottle with such an identifier. This typically involves a 9.3 μm carbon dioxide laser whose beam is steered by a pair of mirrors
Data Source
AI summary
A surface is laser-etched to convey a 2D machine-readable code pattern. Various strategies are detailed to minimize the etching time. Some strategies include modifying the code pattern to reduce a path length traveled by the laser. Some strategies include modifying the code pattern to make it sub-optimal, i.e., making the code pattern a less-faithful approximation of an ideal code pattern. In some embodiments the etched surface is the surface of a plastic container, and the code pattern conveys information indicating the type of plastic of which the container is manufactured. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.