Random Pigment Domain Marking for High-Throughput Object Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking and identifying objects with random pigment domains are inefficient in high-throughput production environments, requiring significant information technology resources and often necessitate complex two-stage reading processes or offline authentication without a data connection.
Innovation Solution
A procedure involving the random distribution of fluorescent or phosphorescent pigment domains on an object, followed by automated analysis to determine two-dimensional coordinates and angles, which are stored in a database with meta-information, allowing for quick and efficient identification using a commercially available camera and light source, enabling machine-readable authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a random pattern of pigment domains is applied to mark an object, then the object can be uniquely identified, but the marking process requires significant information technology resources and complex processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential geometric features (two-dimensional coordinates and angles between pigment domains) from the complete random pattern, storing only these critical parameters in the database rather than the entire pattern data, thereby reducing IT resource requirements while maintaining identification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the identification process into two stages: first capturing the complete random pattern with a camera, then automatically analyzing and extracting only the necessary coordinate and angle data for database comparison, reducing the complexity of data processing and storage
2Reliability
If traditional marking methods are used, then objects can be identified, but the process cannot keep up with high-throughput production requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical marking systems with a simplified optical system using a camera to capture the random pigment pattern, enabling rapid non-contact measurement that can keep pace with high-speed production lines while maintaining identification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary automatic analysis of the captured image to extract coordinates and angles before database storage, preparing the data in advance in a compact format that enables quick verification during high-throughput production without bottlenecks
3Reliability
If detailed random patterns are captured and stored, then identification reliability is improved, but the data processing and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential geometric parameters (two-dimensional coordinates of pigment domains and angles between them) from the complete image data, storing only these extracted features rather than the full high-resolution images, thereby maintaining authentication accuracy while dramatically reducing data storage requirements
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 method enhances production efficiency by allowing rapid marking and identification with high throughput, using minimal IT resources and enabling authentication through a simple, visually imperceptible marking that can be easily updated or deleted, suitable for high-volume production and diverse product types.
Implementation Method 1
The ink, toner or varnish contains fluorescent or phosphorescent pigments
Implementation Method 2
The ink, toner or varnish contains fluorescent or phosphorescent pigments
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for unambiguously marking an object (100), wherein a random distribution of individual pigment domains (110) is applied to a surface (101) of the object (100), and wherein a list (120) of distances (!XY) between the individual pigment domains (110) is measured and stored in a database (DB1, DB2, DB3, DBj, DB765, DBk), and to a method corresponding thereto for identifying an object. By virtue of capturing an image (130) of the pigment domains (110), identifying the two-dimensional coordinates (X, Y) of a respective pigment domain (110) captured in the image (130), determining the two-dimensional distance (ΔXY) between a respective pair of two pigment domains (110) and/or the angle (α) of a respective triplet of pigment domains, storing the distances (ΔXY) and/or angles (α) previously determined in the step in a list (120), storing the list (120) in a database (DB765), selected from more than one database (DB1, DB2, DB3, DBj, DB765, DBk), wherein the list (120) is enriched with meta-information about the manufacturing and/or finishing parameters of the object (100), applying a database identification as information unit (140) to the surface (101) of the object (100), wherein the information unit (140) is able to be assigned unambiguously to a database (DB765), the method is suitable for the particularly fast individual marking and identification of objects.