Digital Watermark Encoding via Clear Topcoat Sheen Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital watermarking techniques face challenges in encoding information on consumer goods without impacting perceptual quality, especially in environments with geometric distortions and limited spectral range of scanners, and require sophisticated signaling methodologies to ensure reliable data recovery and compatibility with various printing and scanning technologies.
Innovation Solution
A substrate with a 2-dimensional pattern of clear topcoat layers of different sheens, combined with narrow-band absorption materials, is used to encode a digital watermark signal, allowing for robust and flexible data encoding that is machine-readable and compatible with various scanning technologies, while minimizing visual impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If digital watermarking is applied over the surface of an object to enable auto-identification, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but the reliability of data recovery deteriorates due to geometric distortions and scanning conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The digital watermark signal is segmented into multiple independent signal elements distributed across different locations on the substrate. Each signal element contains redundant information, allowing the decoder to recover the complete data even if some elements are distorted or damaged during scanning. This segmentation enables reliable data recovery while maintaining high-speed auto-identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The watermark encoding process incorporates redundancy and error correction codes beforehand to cushion against potential geometric distortions and scanning conditions. By pre-building resilience into the signal structure, the system ensures reliable data recovery even when the object undergoes transformation during the scanning process.
2Illumination intensity
If clear topcoat layers with different sheens are used to encode watermark signals, then perceptual quality is maintained, but the complexity of manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different clear topcoat layers with varying sheen properties are applied to specific local areas of the substrate where watermark signal elements are encoded. This local differentiation maintains perceptual quality by matching the visual characteristics to the encoding requirements while limiting manufacturing complexity to only the necessary regions rather than the entire surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The watermark encoding uses composite clear topcoat layers combining different sheen properties (glossy, matte, satin) in a multi-layer structure. This composite approach enables rich signal encoding capability while using standard coating materials and processes, balancing manufacturing feasibility with signal encoding requirements.
3Loss of information
If multiple clear topcoat layers are applied to encode digital signals, then data encoding capacity is improved, but the number of manufacturing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clear topcoat layers encoding different aspects of the digital signal are merged into a single integrated manufacturing process. The layers are applied in sequence during the same production line operation, combining what would otherwise be separate manufacturing steps into one coordinated process, thereby increasing data encoding capacity without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clear topcoat layers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide protective coating, create the watermark signal through sheen variation, and enable color rendering enhancement. This multi-functionality allows the same manufacturing steps to achieve multiple objectives, increasing data encoding capacity without adding dedicated manufacturing steps for each function.
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
The solution enables reliable and efficient data encoding and recovery of digital watermarks on consumer goods, maintaining perceptual quality and compatibility with diverse scanning technologies, even under geometric distortions and limited spectral conditions.
Implementation Method 1
narrow-band absorption materials, is used to encode a digital watermark signal
Implementation Method 2
A substrate with a 2-dimensional pattern of clear topcoat layers of different sheens
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to signal processing such as digital watermarking and other encoded signals. One claim recites a substrate comprising: a plurality of first areas and a plurality of second areas, in which each of the plurality of first areas comprises a color ink printed therein with a first clear topcoat layer printed over the color ink, and in which each of the plurality of second areas comprises the color ink printed therein, and a second clear topcoat layer printed over the color ink, in which the first clear topcoat layer and the second clear topcoat layer each comprise a different sheen relative to one another, and in which the plurality of second areas is arranged on the substrate in hole locations provided in the first clear topcoat layer, the second clear topcoat layer filling in the holes, the holes arranged according to a 2-dimensional pattern that is machine-readable from image data depicting such. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided in the specification with reference to specific implementations and related examples.