Invisible Mark Reading with NIR Image Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reading devices provide only the final determination result of authenticity, making it difficult for users to verify the validity of the authenticity determination and limiting the accuracy of the process.

Innovation Solution

The reading device notifies the user with the raw NIR image data instead of the final determination result, allowing users to judge the validity of the authenticity determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the reading device provides only the final determination result, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user cannot verify the validity of the authenticity determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of intermediate informationVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the invisible image data from the complete authenticity determination process and presents it separately to the user. By taking out this intermediate information, users can verify the determination results themselves while the device maintains a clear functional structure that doesn't overwhelm the user with unnecessary complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the information flow into distinct parts: the invisible image reading process, the authenticity determination logic, and the result presentation. This segmentation allows users to see the intermediate invisible image data separately from the final determination, enabling verification while keeping the overall system manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the reading device displays the invisible image, then the user can verify the authenticity determination, but the ease of operation is reduced due to additional information processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity determination reliabilityVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the invisible image as an intermediary element between the authenticity determination process and the final result. This intermediary provides users with verifiable information to assess reliability, while the system manages the complexity of presenting and processing this additional information through structured display methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the reading device stores and notifies raw NIR image data, then the accuracy of authenticity determination is enhanced, but the loss of time for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity determination precisionVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by reading and storing the invisible image data in advance, before the authenticity determination is completed. This allows the raw NIR image data to be readily available for user verification without requiring additional processing time when the user needs to verify the results, thus enhancing precision without significant time penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 accuracy of authenticity determination by enabling users to verify the authenticity determination results directly and supports multiple-checks through stored NIR images.

Implementation Method 1

performing securement of originality, authenticity determination, and anti-forgery by embedding invisible information that is not visible to eyes in a document, and by reading the invisible information with invisible light such as infrared light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear-infrared light absorption/reflection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3608884B1Reading device, system and method for authenticating an invisible mark of an original
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3608884B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3608884B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3608884B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A reading device (101) includes a light source (2), an imaging element (9), a controller (23), a correcting unit (22), and a notifying unit (25). The light source (2) is configured to irradiate an object with light. The imaging element (9) is configured to receive and read the light from the object. The controller (23) is configured to control a second reading operation of reading the object with an invisible image. The correcting unit (22) is configured to perform correction with respect to the invisible image. The notifying unit (25) is configured to notify an outside of at least the invisible image corrected.