Segmented Barcode Using Dual Pigments for Environmental Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barcode technologies face challenges in efficiently encoding and decoding information due to environmental factors, such as temperature and light, which can cause discoloration and render the code unreadable, especially when using high-performance inks that are resistant to changes.
Innovation Solution
A barcode system that incorporates a first part printed with a stable pigment for ID information and a second part printed with a pigment that easily discolors in response to environmental conditions, allowing for decoding of environmental information through the discoloration of the second pigment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-performance ink with high light resistance and water resistance is used to print the code, then the code maintains readability and information integrity, but the code cannot provide information about environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The code is divided into multiple parts, each printed with different pigments having different environmental sensitivities. This segmentation allows the code to simultaneously maintain readability (through stable pigment parts) and provide environmental information (through sensitive pigment parts that discolor under specific conditions).
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the code are assigned different pigment characteristics - some regions use pigments resistant to environmental factors for maintaining core information readability, while other regions use pigments sensitive to specific environmental factors for detecting conditions such as temperature exposure, light exposure, or moisture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pigment easy to discolor is used to provide environmental information, then environmental influences can be detected, but the code may become unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The code structure separates environmental sensing functions from core information storage functions by using different pigments in different parts, ensuring that discoloration in sensitive parts does not compromise the readability of the entire code.
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental sensitivity is localized to specific portions of the code where it is needed, while other portions maintain high stability for reliable readability. This allows the system to gain environmental information without sacrificing overall code integrity.
3Reliability
If all parts of the code use stable pigment, then the code remains readable, but no environmental information can be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The code is segmented into stable regions for readability and sensitive regions for environmental sensing, allowing simultaneous achievement of both goals without requiring all parts to have the same properties.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the code are assigned different pigment stabilities according to their functional requirements - stable regions preserve information while sensitive regions capture environmental data.
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 enables the evaluation of environmental influences and provides a new value by maintaining constant hue and density for the stable part while allowing for accurate detection of changes in the second part, even if they are subtle, using a camera or scanner.
Implementation Method 1
a second part printed with a second pigment easier to discolor than the first pigment, wherein the code is decodable by using information about discoloration of the second pigment
Data Source
AI summary
A code includes a first part printed by using a first pigment, and a second part printed by using a second pigment which is easier to discolor than the first pigment, wherein the code is decodable by using information about discoloration of the second pigment.