DE102022122498A1 - Process for producing and serializing a large number of printed products - Google Patents

Abstract

A method according to the invention is a method for producing and serializing a plurality of printed products, using a static serialization print template (3) for each printed product (1, 1a) to generate a one-dimensional or multidimensional code (4) and a random serialization feature (5) by printing and optically are recorded and a randomly unique serialization code (6) for the printed product is generated from the serialization feature and stored, the serialization feature is arranged on the printed product in close proximity to the code, and the serialization feature is generated in halftone using raster printing technology. The invention advantageously makes it possible to produce printed products and to serialize them in a simple manner and at low cost, in particular without having to manage with digital printing units that are specifically provided for serializing, including control.

Description

invention

The invention relates to a method for producing and serializing a plurality of printed products with the features of claim 1.

field of technology

The invention lies in the technical field of the graphics industry and there in particular in the area of producing printed products which can be identified (proof of individuality) and/or authenticated (proof of authenticity) on the basis of features, preferably through the printing process or the application of corresponding features on the printed products and reading out these features

State of the art

The EP2024899 B 1 generally discloses means of using microstructures of material surfaces as unique identification features.

The DE10304805A1 discloses the creation of security tokens, ie random information for authentication purposes. Provision can be made for the information to be generated randomly in a non-targeted process. Such random patterns can be converted into a "fingerprint" and stored. In addition to these security identifiers, serial numbers can be generated, for example.

The DE102012010482A1 also discloses the production of a security feature, the so-called "viscous fingering effect" being used to generate random structures. It can be provided to use a printing form with a line screen. A number can also be provided.

It is also generally known to serialize printed products by digitally generating and printing serial numbers using a digital printing unit—including control—which is provided specifically for this purpose.

Technical task

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the prior art which, in particular, makes it possible to produce printed products and to serialize them in a simple manner and at low cost. In particular, one task is to manage without digital printing units, including controls, that are specifically provided for serialization.

Solution of the problem according to the invention

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 .

Advantageous and therefore preferred developments of the invention result from the dependent claims as well as from the description and the drawings.

A method according to the invention is a method for producing and serializing a plurality of printed products, wherein using a static serialization print template for each printed product, a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional code and a random serialization feature are generated by printing and optically recorded, and a randomly unique serialization code for the printed product is calculated from the serialization feature is generated and stored, the serialization feature is arranged on the printed product in close proximity to the code, and the serialization feature is generated in halftone using raster printing technology.

Advantageous Forms and Effects of the Invention

The invention advantageously makes it possible to produce printed products and to serialize them in a simple manner and at low cost, in particular without having to manage with digital printing units that are specifically provided for serializing, including control.

The printed product can contain several copies. Each copy of the printed product can be serialized separately according to the invention.

According to the invention, the serialization feature is produced in halftone by means of raster printing. Due to unavoidable scattering in the printing process over several printed products, there are deviations in the screened printed actual image compared to the target image, eg the RIP image or the exposed image on a printing form. This effect is used to advantage: the serialization features of consecutive printed products are thus distinguishable from one another. Serialization is therefore not carried out via a digitally generated serial number, but via a random feature. The latter represents a characteristic, unique piece of information. In this way, printed products that are printed as an edition, i.e. recurring (i.e. with the same static print template, with the same RIP and with the same printing process) with either the same printing form or the same data feed for digital printing processes, distinguish or serialize from each other. This distinctness is quantifiable, i.e. describable by numerical parameters, preferably by the serialization code.

The optical detection is preferably carried out with an optical camera, which can be arranged in a printing machine—performing the method according to the invention (“inline” application). Alternatively, the camera can be located outside of the press, e.g. in a finishing machine or in another separate module (“offline” application).

It should be noted here that the printed products should be serialized so that their individuality can be checked later, and that it is not about authentication, i.e. not about later checking the printed product for authenticity. The non-requirement for authentication allows a coarser resolution on the camera side with stable identification. Existing camera technology can therefore advantageously be used—in printing presses or other machines in the graphics industry.

It should also be noted that the human eye does not perceive the non-deterministic (random) variable information because the target-actual deviations mentioned above are not easily perceptible due to the close coupling to the grid, while the optical system (camera plus image processing) responds particularly well to this, because deviations from the ideal grid, for example, through a grid-related optical analysis, take effect particularly well, especially when frequency-based image analysis methods such as Gabor filtering are used. The non-deterministic, variable information can be extracted from a computer-aided image analysis as a serialization code in the form of a characteristic so-called "feature vector" (which describes the specific properties deviating from the target grid) and e.g. in a digital memory, especially in a Database, are deposited.

• - Bereiche mit festem Halbtonwert z.B. feste Werte zwischen 30% und 80% Flächendeckung,
• - Bereiche mit verschiedenen, festen Halbtonwerten (Graukacheln),
• - Bereiche mit kontinuierlichen Grauwerten (sogenannte Graukeile),
• - Bereiche mit beliebigen Halbtonwerten (z.B. Bildreproduktion in schwarz-weiß).

The serialization feature is printed in halftone. The following options can be selected:

• - Areas with a fixed halftone value, e.g. fixed values between 30% and 80% area coverage,
• - Areas with different, fixed halftone values (gray tiles),
• - Areas with continuous gray values (so-called gray wedges),
• - Areas with arbitrary halftone values (e.g. image reproduction in black and white).

The serialization feature can be printed in monochrome. The serialization feature can be printed in multicolor halftone printing (more than one color separation, e.g. the cyan and the magenta separation).

The code can be printed in a printing form, e.g. in offset printing, or without a printing form, e.g. in inkjet printing.

Developments of the invention

Preferred developments of the invention (in short: developments) are described below.

A development can be characterized in that the code is essentially generated in full tone.

A further development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is arranged in spatial proximity to the code in such a way that the code and the serialization feature are optically detected together.

A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is integrated into the code or vice versa and that the code is otherwise generated essentially in full tone.

A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is arranged adjacent to the code. A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is arranged directly adjacent to the code. A further development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is arranged as an environment for the code. A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is arranged as a background to the code. These developments can be combined with one another in an advantageous manner.

A development can be characterized in that the one-dimensional code is a barcode.

A development can be characterized in that the multidimensional code is a two-dimensional code. A development can be characterized in that the two-dimensional code is a QR code or a data matrix code.

A development can be characterized in that the serialization print template is provided digitally. The serialization print template can be a separate file or can be part (a file) of a print template for the print image to be printed. The serialization print template can be part of the print order data, for example part of a so-called job ticket.

A further development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is generated in a printing form-related manner. A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is produced in offset printing.

A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is generated without a printing form. A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is produced in digital printing, preferably in inkjet printing or by means of electrophotography with dry toner or liquid toner.

A further development can be characterized in that the serialization code is stored together with serialization information provided. A development can be characterized in that the serialization information is a serialization number. If the printed product is packaging or a label, for example, the serialization information can describe the packaged or labeled product, for example its GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), a consecutive product serialization number, its production date, its expiry date and other information.

A development can be characterized in that each printed product of the plurality of printed products has the same printed image.

A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature is part of the printed image.

A further development can be characterized in that a digital image processing method is applied to the serialization feature when the serialization code is generated. A development can be characterized in that the image processing method is grid-related. A development can be characterized in that the image processing method is frequency-related. A development can be characterized in that the image processing method is or includes Gabor filtering.

A development can be characterized in that the serialization feature and/or the code is/are generated with laser-sensitive printing ink. A further development can be characterized in that the serialization feature and/or the code is/are treated with laser radiation, in particular the contrast and/or the coloring is changed.

A method for identifying a printed product, which is produced and serialized according to the method according to the invention or according to one of its developments, can be characterized in that i) the serialization feature is detected optically, that ii) the serialization code for the printed product is generated by computation from the serialization feature and that iii) serialization information stored with the serialization code is loaded.

A development can be characterized in that the three steps i, ii and iii are carried out on a mobile device, e.g. on a smartphone (with display and camera) or e.g. on a code reading device or code scanner (each with at least a camera) . The smartphone can be connected to the server. The code reading device or the code scanner can preferably be connected to the server via a smartphone or via a separate connection. An alternative development can be characterized in that the three steps i, ii and iii are carried out on a (preferably non-mobile) scanner station (with a camera). The scanner station can be a separate device or part of a device or machine, e.g. a device in logistics or a further processing machine, and is preferably connected to the server.

The features and combinations of features disclosed in the above sections Technical field, invention and developments as well as in the following section Working examples represent further advantageous developments of the invention - in any combination with one another.

character list

• 1 zeigt im oberen Bereich ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäß hergestellten Serialisierungsmerkmals 5 und Codes 4. Beide zusammen werden als Merkmal 8 bezeichnet.
• 1 zeigt im mittleren Bereich ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäß hergestellten Serialisierungsmerkmals 5 und Codes 4. Beide zusammen werden wiederum als Merkmal 8 bezeichnet.
• 1 zeigt im unteren Bereich ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäß hergestellten Serialisierungsmerkmals 5 und Codes 4. Beide zusammen werden als Merkmal 8 bezeichnet
• 2a zeigt ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens bzw. eine Druckmaschine 10 und weitere Einheiten bei der Durchführung dieses Verfahrens.
• 2b zeigt ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens bzw. eine andere Druckmaschine 10 und weitere Einheiten bei der Durchführung dieses Verfahrens.
• Die 3 und 4 zeigen ein jeweiliges Detail der Erfindung.

The 1 until 4 show preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and the developments. Features corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. Reference symbols that are repeated in the figures have been partially omitted for the sake of clarity.

• 1 shows in the upper area a preferred exemplary embodiment of a serialization feature 5 and code 4 produced according to the invention. Both together are referred to as feature 8.
• 1 shows in the middle area another preferred exemplary embodiment of a serialization feature 5 and code 4 produced according to the invention. Both together are in turn referred to as feature 8 .
• 1 shows in the lower area a further preferred exemplary embodiment of a serialization feature 5 and code 4 produced according to the invention. Both together are referred to as feature 8
• 2a shows a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention or a printing machine 10 and other units in the implementation of this method.
• 2 B shows another preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention and another printing machine 10 and other units in the implementation of this method.
• The 3 and 4 show a respective detail of the invention.

In 2a a printing machine 10 is shown. This comprises a plurality of printing units 11, for example four printing units, for generating preferably CMYK prints. The printing press prefers to process sheets of printing material. Printing forms 12 are present in the printing units (received on cylinders), which preferably each contain a color separation of a print image 2 to be printed (cf. 3 and 4 ) of a printed product 1 according to a print job by printing technology or print. At least one printing forme 12 is also used for the typographical generation of the code 4 and the serialization feature 5, for example the printing forme that prints black (Black or K). The printing forms were previously produced using an exposure unit 17 . The printing machine shown can be an offset printing machine with offset printing forms.

The printing machine 10 includes a camera 14. This can be arranged after a last printing unit in the printing direction 9 and is used at least for the optical detection of the code 4 and the serialization feature 5. The code and the serialization feature are preferably optically recorded simultaneously and together, i.e. preferably in one Picture. The camera can also capture the entire printed image 2 . The camera shown can be a CCD camera.

Alternatively, the camera 14 can be arranged in an external module 18, e.g. a module for the optical detection of individual copies 1a which are produced from the printed product 1, e.g. are punched and broken out.

In 2a a calculator 15 is shown. The computer is connected to the camera, preferably via a digital network. The data recorded by the camera 14, for example the image or data calculated from it, are transmitted to the computer via the network. The computer is connected to or includes a digital memory 16 . The computer 15 is also connected to the imagesetter 17, preferably via the same network. The computer supplies the imagesetter with data for exposing the printing forms 12 required for the print job. Alternatively, another computer is provided for this purpose.

In the 2a The printing machine 10 shown executes a method according to the invention for producing and serializing a plurality of printed products. A static serialization print template 3 is used here. This is preferably available in digital form and can be stored in memory 16 . The serialization print template is integrated into the print image 2 or transmitted to the imagesetter 17 together with the print image and exposed on at least one printing form 12 . This at least one printing form is used in the printing press 10 . In this way, for each printed product 1, a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional code 4 and a random serialization feature 5 are generated by printing. The serialization print template accordingly provides data for generating the code and the serialization feature. Alternatively, the data for the code can also be made available in some other way, ie by means of an additional print template. The code can be a QR code or a data matrix code, for example. The code is preferably static, ie identical on all printed products 1. The serialization feature is not static, ie it is different on all print products.

The serialization feature 5 is arranged or printed on the printed product 1 in spatial proximity to the code 4 . As in 1 recognizable at the top and in the middle, the serialization feature can be (spatially) integrated into the code, ie it can lie in the area of the code area. In 1 above, the serialization feature can be seen in the code as a rasterized central area, eg circular area. In 1 the standard corner fields of the code can be seen in the middle as gridded areas; this increases the information density of the code, because the corners can now be used as a second information level with regard to the information content and, in particular, also carry variable information, even if the code is generated using a form-bound printing process. In 1 It can be seen below that the code can be (spatially) integrated into the serialization feature, ie the serialization feature can be arranged in the spatial environment of the code or around the code, eg in the form of a frame around the code. Alternatively or additionally, the serialization feature can also lie in the background of the code (eg between individual code elements). The relative arrangement (serialization feature to code or vice versa) is preferably such that that both (serialization feature and code) can be recorded with one camera and/or one camera setting, particularly preferably can be recorded simultaneously.

According to the invention, the serialization feature 5 is produced in halftone using raster printing technology, e.g. with an area coverage of 50% black and 30% cyan or monochrome with e.g. an area coverage of only 50% black. Code 4 is preferably generated essentially in full tone, e.g. with an area coverage of 100% black.

Alternatively, the serialization feature 5 can be produced with a laser-sensitive ink, i.e. the serialization feature produced in this way is preferably initially not visible to the eye and is only made visible to the eye by irradiation with suitable laser light, e.g. by a laser-light-induced contrast or color change.

As a further alternative or in addition, the code 4 can also be generated with such a laser-sensitive printing ink and made visible with laser light. The code can, for example, first be applied as a closed surface of a fluid (and possibly hardened) and then structured with laser light according to the code information, e.g. by a laser light-induced contrast or color change. For example, a QR or data matrix code can be written into a previously closed and/or unstructured layer using an appropriately controlled laser beam.

The code 4 and the serialization feature 5 are preferably optically captured together by the camera 14, i.e. preferably simultaneously and in a common image. The human eye would not see any difference from code to code in the print run, since the target/actual deviations are too small for this. However, these differences can be identified in the camera image or via digital image processing of the camera image and can therefore be used.

From the serialization feature 5, a randomly unique serialization code 6 for the printed product 1 is generated mathematically, i.e. preferably using the computer 15, and stored, preferably in the memory 16. The serialization code is preferably stored together with provided serialization information 7, the serialization information preferably being a Serialization number is.

In 2 B is one to 2a alternative printing press 10 shown. This includes a printing unit 11 for generating preferably CMYK prints. The printing machine preferably processes a web of printing material. The printing unit contains a plurality of digital print heads 13, preferably inkjet print heads, which each preferably produce a color separation of a print image 2 to be printed (cf. 3 and 4 ) of a printed product 1 according to a print job by printing technology or print. At least one print head 13 is also used for the typographical generation of the code 4 and the serialization feature 5, for example the print head which prints black (Black or K). The printing machine shown can be an ink printing machine.

An imagesetter 17 is not provided here. Instead, the data to be printed go from the computer 15 or the memory 16, preferably via a digital network, directly to the printing unit 11 or the print heads 13. Otherwise, the structure and the function are the same as the structure and the function 2a accordingly, in particular a camera 14 is present.

In the 2 B The printing machine shown can have the following alternatives - individually or in combination: instead of the ink printing process, an electrophotographic printing process (with a printing unit known for this purpose) can be carried out, e.g. with dry or liquid toner, and sheets or labels can be printed instead of a web.

3 shows the process of optically capturing the code 4 and the serialization feature 5 with the camera 14. In the example shown, both are arranged next to a printed image 2 on the printed product 1; alternatively, both could also be in the printed image. If there are several copies on the printing material of the printed product, there are preferably several features 8 accordingly. The camera is then designed or movable in such a way that all features 8 can be captured.

The image of the code 4 and the serialization feature 5 optically captured by the camera 14 is fed to the computer 15 . This analyzes the image preferably using known methods of digital image processing. The data generated from the serialization feature 5, in particular the serialization code 6, and preferably also a piece of serialization information 7 that is provided, are preferably stored in the memory 16 (represented by a dashed border). From this storage or from another storage, e.g. a cloud storage, the data can be retrieved later in the course of a review (cf. 4 ) can be read out again.

4 shows the process of checking a printed product 1. A further optical camera 20 is used here, for example a camera of a mobile end device such as a smartphone. This camera captures the code 4 and the serialization feature 5 optically and transmits the image to the computer 15 or to another computer, eg a cloud computer. Using known methods of digital image processing, the computer generates the serialization code 6 from the serialization feature 5. Using this serialization code, the printed product 1 or the copy 1a can be identified individually and the serialization information 7 that may have been stored for the serialization code can now also be called up, preferably from the memory 16 of the computer or from the other memory, eg a cloud memory (represented by a dashed border).

reference list

1

Print product(s).

1a

single use

2

print image

3

Serialization print template

4

code

5

serialization feature

6

serialization code

7

serialization information

8th

characteristic

9

pressure direction

10

printing press

11

printing unit

12

printing form

13

printhead

14

camera

15

calculator

16

Storage

17

imagesetter

18

external module

20

camera

21

mobile device or scanner station

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2024899 [0003]
• DE 10304805 A1 [0004]
• DE 102012010482 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Method for producing and serializing a plurality of printed products, wherein using a static serialization print template (3) for each printed product (1, 1a), a one-dimensional or multidimensional code (4) and a random serialization feature (5) are generated by printing and optically recorded and from the serialization feature, a randomly unique serialization code (6) for the printed product is generated and stored for the printed product, the serialization feature is arranged on the printed product in close proximity to the code, and the serialization feature is generated in halftone using raster printing technology. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that the code (4) is generated essentially in full tone. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the serialization feature (5) is arranged in spatial proximity to the code (4) in such a way that the code and the serialization feature are optically detected together. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the serialization feature (5) is integrated into the code (4) or vice versa and that the code is otherwise generated essentially in full tone. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the serialization feature (5) is generated in a manner linked to the printing form. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the serialization code (6) is stored together with serialization information (7) provided. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the serialization feature (5) is part of the printed image (1, 1a). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the serialization code (6) is generated, a digital image processing method is applied to the serialization feature (5). Method for identifying a printed product which is produced and serialized according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that i) the serialization feature (5) is detected optically, that ii) the serialization code (6) for the printed product (1) is calculated from the serialization feature 1a) is generated and that iii) serialization information (7) stored for the serialization code (6) is loaded. procedure after claim 9 , characterized in that the three steps i, ii and iii are carried out on a mobile terminal (21) or a scanner station (21).

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