UV IR Security Watermarking via Digital Pattern Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for document security, such as UV and IR watermarking, are costly and difficult to implement in standard electro-photographic or non-impact printing systems, especially for variable data printing, due to high costs and physical/chemical incompatibilities, limiting their use in applications like redeemable coupons and personalized media.
Innovation Solution
A method that processes a print job workflow to embed UV and IR images using a printer connected to the workflow, transforming device-independent color space representations into device-dependent representations, and using spatially structured pattern inks with non-overlapping primitive spot colors to minimize halftone process effects, allowing for secure printing without special materials or physical modifications to the printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV or IR special inks are used for watermarking, then document security is improved, but cost and difficulty of incorporation into standard printing systems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digitally generated pseudo-random patterns that replicate the security features of traditional UV/IR ink watermarking without requiring the actual special inks. The pattern is embedded in the digital document and reproduced through standard printing processes, creating a secure watermark that functions identically to expensive special ink systems but using only ordinary printing materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces costly UV/IR special inks with inexpensive standard printing materials (toner, ink, or dye) that can be used in conventional printing systems. The security feature is achieved through digital pattern generation rather than through expensive physical materials, making the system economically viable for variable data printing applications.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If UV fluorescent inks are used for watermarking, then watermark visibility under UV illumination is improved, but cost and availability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the UV fluorescent watermark pattern that can be reproduced using standard printing processes. The pseudo-random pattern is generated computationally and embedded in the digital document, eliminating the need for physical UV fluorescent materials while maintaining the same detection characteristics under UV illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the watermark from physical chemical properties (UV fluorescent ink composition) to digital parameters (pseudo-random pattern data). This transformation allows the watermark to be created, modified, and reproduced through digital processing rather than through material science constraints, significantly improving cost and availability.
3Reliability
If special UV/IR materials are used, then security feature distinguishability is improved, but system overhead and storage requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying of security patterns rather than physical materials. The pseudo-random pattern is stored as digital data and reproduced through standard printing processes, eliminating the need for specialized material handling, storage, and processing systems. This significantly reduces system overhead while maintaining security feature distinguishability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the security feature from the physical material domain and places it in the digital domain. By removing the dependency on special UV/IR materials, the system eliminates associated overhead requirements for material storage, handling, and processing, while retaining the security functionality through digital pattern generation and reproduction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If physical modification to printing device is made for UV/IR printing, then UV/IR printing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing universal printing system capable of producing UV/IR detectable watermarks through software processing rather than hardware modification. The standard printing device can reproduce the pseudo-random pattern using its existing mechanisms, making the system universally applicable to existing printing infrastructure without requiring UV/IR specific hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a digital copy of the UV/IR watermark pattern that can be reproduced by any standard printing device. This approach allows existing printing hardware to perform UV/IR watermarking functions without physical modification, as the pattern is generated and printed through standard digital printing processes that any compatible device can execute.
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 secure printing with minimal system overhead and storage requirements, applicable to both digital and printed documents, without the need for costly special materials or physical modifications to the printing device, effectively preventing counterfeiting and alteration.
Implementation Method 1
One example of this approach is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,286 to Winnik et al., which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for its teachings. However, these inks are costly to employ, and thus are typically only economically viable in offset printing scenarios
Implementation Method 2
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/758,344, filed Jun. 5, 2007, entitled 'INFRARED ENCODING OF SECURITY ELEMENTS USING STANDARD XEROGRAPHIC MATERIALS,' by Eschbach et al.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and systems of processing work flow associated with a print job including Specialty Imaging such as UV and/or IR encoding. According to one exemplary embodiment, a printing system controller accesses a spatially structured ink composed of a plurality of non-overlapping primitive spot colors to render Specialty Imaging effects along with other images and text associated with the print job.