Multiple Payload Pantograph Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pantographs can only hide a single payload, making it difficult to convey more information due to space constraints and limited visibility until reproduced, and they struggle to maintain the anti-copy effect with multiple human-differentiable payloads.
Innovation Solution
The development of multiple payload pantographs that generate a first data-bearing pattern encoding a first payload and a second pattern that represents or encodes a second payload, where both patterns are integrated into the pantograph foreground or background, using grid codes or stegatones to encode information that becomes visible upon reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional pantograph is used to hide information, then the anti-copy effect is achieved, but only a single payload can be concealed due to space constraints and limited visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The pantograph is segmented into multiple independent data-bearing patterns, each encoding a separate payload. These patterns are distributed throughout the pantograph structure, allowing multiple pieces of information to be concealed simultaneously without interfering with each other's visibility or decoding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spatial dimension of the pantograph by embedding multiple data-bearing patterns at different locations and orientations. This dimensional approach allows multiple payloads to coexist within the same visual space, effectively increasing information capacity without proportionally increasing overall complexity
2Loss of information
If multiple payloads are attempted to be hidden in a traditional pantograph, then more information can be conveyed, but the anti-copy effect and payload visibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Each data-bearing pattern within the pantograph is designed with local optimization, ensuring that individual payloads maintain their visibility and decodability properties. The patent applies different pattern characteristics to different regions, allowing each payload to be reliably concealed and recovered while preserving the overall anti-copy effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-encodes multiple payloads into distinct data-bearing patterns during the pantograph design phase. This preliminary encoding ensures that when the pantograph is reproduced, all payloads simultaneously become visible and decodable, maintaining the reliability of the anti-copy effect across multiple information channels
3Loss of information
If space is increased to accommodate multiple payloads, then more information can be hidden, but the pantograph becomes less practical for standard document applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data-bearing patterns into a unified pantograph structure, combining several information channels into a single integrated design. This merging allows multiple payloads to share the same space efficiently, increasing information capacity without requiring proportional increases in overall pantograph area
Solution Approach 2:
The pantograph structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: concealing multiple different payloads, maintaining anti-copy protection, and fitting within standard document spaces. This multi-functionality is achieved by optimizing the arrangement and density of data-bearing patterns to maximize information capacity within conventional size constraints
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to multiple payload pantograph. Some examples may include a first pattern generation engine to generate a first pattern. The first pattern may be a data-bearing pattern encoding a first payload. Additionally, some examples may include a second pattern generation engine to generate a second pattern, the second pattern (by itself or in combination with the first pattern) may represent a second payload. The second payload may be camouflaged by a combination of the first pattern and the second pattern. Some examples may also include a pantograph generation engine to generate a multiple payload pantograph including the first pattern and the second pattern. The multiple payload pantograph may include the first pattern in one of the pantograph background or the pantograph foreground.