Printed Material With NIR Code Layer for Stable Invisible Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for a technique to stably recognize invisible information provided on printed materials using near infrared ray absorbing materials, as existing methods struggle with stability and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A printed material configuration that includes a base substance with a near infrared ray absorbing material, and an optional interposition layer containing the absorbing material, which uses a reading device to recognize code information through absorption and reflection of near infrared rays, employing semiconductor lasers at wavelengths of 780 nm, 830 nm, and 850 nm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If invisible information is provided on a printed material using a near infrared ray absorbing material, then confidentiality is improved, but stable recognition of the information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and controlling the particle size of the near infrared ray absorbing material (0.05 μm to 1.0 μm) and its content (1-20 parts by mass per 100 parts of base substance). These parameter optimizations ensure that the material sufficiently absorbs near infrared rays for stable recognition while maintaining invisibility to the human eye, thus resolving the contradiction between confidentiality and reliable recognition.
2Loss of information
If a near infrared ray absorbing material is used to create invisible information, then confidentiality is improved, but the visibility and readability of the printed material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the near infrared ray absorbing property a localized characteristic of specific regions on the printed material, while the overall appearance remains unchanged. The absorbing material is distributed in controlled amounts (1-20 parts per 100 parts base substance) to create invisible information regions that do not affect the general visibility and readability of the printed material to human eyes.
3Measurement precision
If the particle size of the near infrared ray absorbing material is reduced to improve recognition stability, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the particle size parameter to a specific range (0.05 μm to 1.0 μm) that balances recognition stability with manufacturing feasibility. This parameter selection ensures sufficient near infrared absorption for stable recognition while avoiding excessively fine particles that would complicate manufacturing processes and increase costs.
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
Enables stable recognition of invisible information by converting the absorbing layer to a visible state with near infrared rays, maintaining the base material's appearance and ensuring high confidentiality and print quality.
Implementation Method 1
a near infrared ray absorbing material, in a case where an integral value of transmittance of visible light at 400 nm to 750 nm is denoted as a first integral value X1, and an integral value of transmittance in a 20 nm width that is centered on a predetermined wavelength λ of the near infrared ray is denoted as a second integral value X2, a ratio R = X2/X1
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A(a)~2A(b)
Figure 2B(a)~2B(b)
AI summary
A printed material (100) has a base substance (1), an absorption part (22) (a near infrared ray absorbing layer (3)) that is provided on the base substance (1) to contain a near infrared ray absorbing material, and a code shape (20) that is formed in a predetermined shape from the absorption part (22) or by covering a part of the absorption part (22) and that outputs code information (CI), upon irradiation with light of near infrared rays, as reflected light of the light of near infrared rays, where in the near infrared ray absorbing material, in a case where an integral value of transmittance of visible light at 400 nm to 750 nm is denoted as a first integral value X1, and an integral value of transmittance in a 20 nm width that is centered on a predetermined wavelength λ of the light of near infrared rays is denoted as a second integral value X2, a ratio R = X2/X1 between the second integral value X2 and the first integral value X1 is 0.09 or more.