Variable Data Differential Gloss Image Halftone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating differential gloss images to prevent copying, such as those using special toners or paper, or digital watermarking, often require additional electronic processing and increased storage, which can impact printing efficiency and data flow, especially in mass mailing scenarios where on-the-fly processing is needed.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting a single color and two halftones with different anisotropic structure orientations to create variable data differential gloss images by applying one halftone definition to the main area and another to the segment area of an image, allowing for the creation of a gloss image that can be perceived by humans but not by scanners, without requiring special toners or paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If special toners or paper with different diffused light characteristics are used to create differential gloss images, then the ability to prevent copying is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of standard toner and paper by controlling the halftone printing process to create anisotropic structures. By varying the orientation and arrangement of halftone dots during printing, the patent creates differential gloss effects using conventional materials, eliminating the need for specialized toners or paper while maintaining copy protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/material-based approach (specialized toners and paper) with a process-based approach (halftone printing control). Instead of relying on special materials with inherent optical properties, the patent uses the printing process itself to create the desired optical effects through controlled halftone dot patterns and orientations.
2Reliability
If digital watermarking or additional electronic processing is used to create differential gloss images, then the copy protection capability is improved, but the digital processing overhead and storage requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the copy protection function with the standard printing process by integrating halftone control directly into the printing workflow. The differential gloss effects are created as part of the normal image rendering process rather than as a separate post-processing step, eliminating additional electronic processing overhead and maintaining printing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the printing system to self-generate the copy protection features through its existing halftone capabilities. The system uses its own printing process to create the differential gloss patterns without requiring external watermarking software or additional processing equipment, making the solution self-contained and efficient.
3Device complexity
If clear toner is used to create reflected light differences, then the simplicity of the system is improved, but the visibility and contrast for human readers worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different halftone dot patterns and orientations to different regions of the printed material. By creating localized variations in halftone structure (such as different dot arrangements or orientations in specific areas), the patent enhances visual contrast in those regions while maintaining overall system simplicity and using standard toner materials.
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 minimizes digital processing overhead and storage requirements, enabling efficient on-the-fly creation of variable data gloss images that can be used in mass mailing and other applications, while maintaining the ability to distinguish between glossy and non-glossy areas.
Implementation Method 1
selecting a first halftone having a first anisotropic structure orientation, and a second halftone having a second anisotropic structure orientation different from that of the first halftone
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the segmentation of an image into a main area and a image segment for variable data differential gloss image control. A single color is selected. Two or more different color definitions are created by combining the selected single color with two or more halftones having anisotropic structure characteristics which are significantly different in orientation to each other while remaining identical in density. By alternatively assigning the color definitions to the image segment in accord with the variable data content, a variable data differential gloss image may be superimposed within an image having reduced data processing and storage requirements.