Multi-Chromatic Indicia Redundancy for Lottery Ticket Misprints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for printing variable indicia on lottery tickets and similar documents are prone to misprints due to clogged inkjet heads, leading to issues with indicia clarity and potential false perceptions of winning tickets.
Innovation Solution
The use of process colors with multiple component colors, each selected to have a grayscale equivalent level greater than a predetermined threshold when viewed in red, green, or blue channels, ensures that at least two component colors convey the meaning of the variable information even if one component color fails to print.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If single spot color printing is used for variable indicia, then printing simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to clogged inkjet heads causing misprints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the variable indicia into multiple separate indicia elements, each printed with a different spot color (e.g., red, black, green). This segmentation ensures that if one inkjet head clogs, the other colors can still convey the necessary information, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the variable indicia are printed with different spot colors tailored to their specific functions. For example, key numbers use one color while other indicia use different colors, allowing localized optimization for reliability based on the criticality of each indicia element
2Reliability
If multiple spot colors are used for variable indicia, then redundancy is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple inkjet heads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional inkjet printing system where a single device can print multiple spot colors (red, black, green) using multiple inkjet heads. This universal system handles all variable indicia printing requirements, achieving redundancy while managing device complexity through integrated design
3Manufacturing precision
If process colors with multiple component colors are used, then manufacturing precision is improved for contrast ratios, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional printing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter requirements for process colors, particularly contrast ratios between different wavelengths of reflected light and human eye photoreceptor sensitivity. By establishing these quantitative parameters, the patent ensures manufacturing precision while providing clear guidelines for achieving the desired color properties
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 enhances the redundancy and integrity of variable indicia, reducing the likelihood of misprints and ensuring that the information remains legible and accurate, even under conditions of partial printing failure.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing process colors that ensure contrast ratios between various wavelengths of reflected light relative to human eye photoreceptor sensitivity
Data Source
AI summary
A redundantly printed security-enhanced document, printing method, and system for better ensuring that the meaning of the information imparted by variable indicia printed by redundant printing indicia on a document protected by a removable Scratch-Off Coating (SOC). By printing the variable indicia with multiple colors, redundancy and integrity of the intended indicia is achieved relative to the perception of human eye photoreceptor cones. The redundantly printed document, methods, and systems enhance the overall appearance of the redundantly printed document, and reduce possible consequences resulting from misprinted variable indicia.