Thermochromic Ink Data Carrier for Secure Laser Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data carriers for confidential information are either complex to produce, lack security, or are incompatible with standard heat-fixing printing methods, such as those using laser printers.
Innovation Solution
A data carrier using a heat-resistant hydrochromic and/or piezochromic printing ink on a substrate, where the confidential data becomes visible only upon irreversible change due to external physical or chemical influences, allowing for simple production and secure confidentiality protection using common printing methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scratch-off coating is used to hide confidential data, then data security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and complete security cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thermochromic ink that changes color or becomes transparent when heat is applied, allowing confidential data to be hidden during printing and then revealed by the recipient through heat application (such as from a laser printer or hair dryer). This eliminates the need for complex scratch-off coatings while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the printing ink by using thermochromic materials that alter their transparency or color based on temperature. The confidential data is printed with thermochromic ink on a substrate, and when heated, the ink changes state to reveal or hide the information, providing a simple yet secure mechanism.
2Reliability
If thermochromic ink is used for concealing background, then data security is improved, but compatibility with heat-fixing printing methods is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the document: the confidential data is printed with thermochromic ink that responds to heat, while the surrounding text and background are printed with standard heat-fixing compatible ink. This allows the document to be printed using standard laser printers while the specific confidential portions remain secure until intentionally activated.
3Ease of manufacture
If confidential data is printed with laser printer, then ease of manufacture is improved, but unauthorized manipulation becomes harder to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a chromogenic color layer that undergoes permanent color change when exposed to heat or other activation methods. This provides a visual indicator that the document has been manipulated or activated, allowing detection of unauthorized use while still being printable with standard laser printers.
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
Ensures secure and easy production of data carriers with confidential data, preventing unauthorized access and compatibility with standard heat-fixing printing techniques like laser printers.
Implementation Method 1
a background (2A) applied to the substrate (1) and consisting of an irregular arrangement of characters, the characters being formed from a heat-resistant hydrochromic and/or piezochromic printing ink which irreversibly changes its coloration under external physical and/or chemical influences
Implementation Method 2
a background (2A) applied to the substrate (1) and consisting of an irregular arrangement of characters, the characters being formed from a heat-resistant hydrochromic and/or piezochromic printing ink which irreversibly changes its coloration under external physical and/or chemical influences
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a support on which data (3A) which is to be kept secret is applied, said support comprising: a substrate (1) and a background applied to the substrate (1), in particular a masking background (2C) consisting of an irregular arrangement of characters, said characters being formed from a transparent non-chromogenic printing ink which is phosphorescent under UV light.