KR101855889B1 - Information particle, producing method and decoding method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information particle, a method of producing the information particle, and a decoding method. The present invention relates to an information particle comprising an arbitrary code. The information particle comprises an encoding region comprising a photo-curable material capable of transmitting light; and one or more modules formed on the surface of the encoding region. The one or more modules correspond to the code as a set of mutually independent modules. Each module has at least one of a depression type, a projection type, or a through type. According to the present invention, in information particles, a code can be displayed using a light-transmitting material. A code or an image is intuitively displayed using a plurality of mutually independent modules. So, code diversity can be secured.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to information particles, information particles,

The present invention relates to an information particle, an information particle generation method and a decoding method, and more particularly, to a method and a method for generating information particles and information particles including fine code containing multiple information.

Information particles are particles with a symbol or code embedded in a small size particle. Various information particles are being developed according to the development of security technology. For example, U.S. Patent No. 8211595 discloses a technique for imparting an identification code including a hologram to a metal plate through an exposure and etching process using a photoresist, and in Korean Patent No. 1398659, Discloses a technology for preventing the light sensitive characteristic from appearing in the fine code by including an empty fine code in the fine code.

However, when a substance which reacts physically and chemically under specific conditions is used, there is a disadvantage that the application field is limited due to the toxicity of the reactant, and there is a limit that the type of information that can be inserted is limited according to the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information particle capable of displaying a code using only a light-transmitting substance and a method for producing the information particle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for decoding information particles and information particles that can increase the recognition rate of modules included in information particles and consequently minimize errors occurring in storing and restoring information .

It is another object of the present invention to secure code diversity of information particles by providing information particles and methods of generating information particles that can display codes or images intuitively using a plurality of mutually independent modules.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information particle comprising an arbitrary code, comprising: an encoding region including a photo-curable material capable of transmitting light; and at least one module formed on a surface of the encoding region, The at least one module corresponds to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, and each module has at least one of a depression type, a protrusion type, or a through type.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating information particles comprising an arbitrary code, comprising the steps of: setting an encoding region including a photo-curing substance capable of transmitting light on a surface of the information particle; Forming one or more modules on the surface of the encoding region, wherein the one or more modules correspond to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, each module having at least one of a recessed, And the like.

The present invention also relates to a method of decoding information particles comprising arbitrary code, comprising the steps of: irradiating light at a predetermined angle to one or more modules formed on the surface of the encoded region of the information particle, Analyzing the code using a pattern or image formed by the collected light, wherein the one or more modules correspond to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, At least one of a shape, a protrusion shape or a perforated shape.

The present invention also provides an apparatus for decoding information particles comprising arbitrary code, the apparatus comprising: a light source section for irradiating light at a predetermined angle to at least one module formed on a surface of an encoding region of the information particle; And a communication unit for transmitting a pattern or an image formed by the collected light to a server, wherein the one or more modules correspond to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, And has at least one of a protruding shape or a perforated shape.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to display a code with only a single substance that does not cause toxicity in the information particle.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the recognition rate of information included in the information particles, and as a result, errors occurring in storing and restoring information can be minimized.

In addition, according to the present invention, code diversity can be secured by intuitively displaying a code or an image using a plurality of mutually independent modules.

1 is a view for explaining information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a view for explaining a module shape of an information particle according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a view for explaining information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a view for explaining information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention,
5 is a view for explaining information grains having gray scale according to an embodiment of the present invention,
6 is a view for explaining a method of generating information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a view for explaining a method of generating information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a view for explaining a method of generating information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention,
9 is a view for explaining a method of generating information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention,
10 is a view for explaining a method of generating information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention,
11 is a view for explaining an information particle decoding method according to an embodiment of the present invention,
12 is a view for explaining an information particle decoding method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
13 is a view for explaining an information particle decoding method according to an embodiment of the present invention,
14 is a view for explaining a method of decoding an information particle according to an embodiment of the present invention,
15 is a view for explaining an information particle decoding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
16 is a diagram for explaining an information particle decoding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and all combinations described in the specification and claims can be combined in any manner. It is to be understood that, unless the context requires otherwise, references to singular forms may include more than one, and references to singular forms may also include plural forms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular illustrative embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Singular representations as used herein may also be intended to include a plurality of meanings, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "and / or" " and / or "include any and all combinations of the items listed therein. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," "having," "having," "having," and the like have the implicit significance, Steps, operations, elements, and / or components, and does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / Steps, processes, and operations of the methods described herein should not be construed as necessarily enforcing their performance in such specific order as discussed or illustrated unless specifically concluded the order of their performance . It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view for explaining information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an information particle 10 including an arbitrary code according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an encoding region 50 including a photo-curable material capable of transmitting light, And one or more modules 100 formed on the surface. Wherein the one or more modules correspond to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, each module having at least one of a depression form, a protrusion form, or a perforated form.

The photo-curing material may be a transparent and / or translucent material having a photo-curable polymer and light-transmitting properties. In the case of photo-curable polymers as a single material without added material, it is known that a small amount of ingestion is harmless to the human body. Information particles produced only by the photo-curable polymer can be contained in edible materials in the form of solid, liquid or powder have.

In addition, when the information particles are transparently formed according to the embodiment of the present invention, the information particles may be attached to the surface of the product, but when irradiated with light at a predetermined angle without blocking the unique color of the product, The range is wide.

Further, when each module of the information particle according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed in a depression form, the information particle may be used as a distribution mechanism such as a well plate by utilizing a depression form.

The encoding region 50 is an area corresponding to the code, and includes one or more modules 100. One or more modules 100 may be formed on the surface of the encoding region 50 to have a depression shape 100A or a penetrating shape 100C as shown in Figure 1 and may have a protrusion shape 100B have.

One or more modules 100 are mutually independent modules, as shown in Figure 1, corresponding to any code as a set. When light is irradiated to each module 100 and light is introduced into the module 100, the introduced light may be reflected or scattered in the interior, and may be reflected or refracted to the outside. Using this principle, the form of the module 100 formed in the information particle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be formed such that the light refracted or reflected by the module 100 is decoded into arbitrary code .

In addition, the information particle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used not only in the form of the module 100, but also in the case where the module 100 forms a depression form or a protrusion form, The size and the direction of which may vary depending on the corresponding code.

2 is a view for explaining a module shape of an information particle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the shape of each module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be the same as shown in (A), and may have different module shapes as shown in (B) have. Each of the modules 100 may be formed to have a different size according to a code corresponding to the encoding region 50. The shape of the module 100 may have a circular or polygonal shape, and is not limited to a specific shape.

3 to 4 are views for explaining information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, one or more modules 100 in the information particle comprise a photo-curable first material, and the base area 200 excluding one or more modules in the encoding area 50 comprises a photo- And the first material and the second material may be materials having different refractive indices. In this case, light that is refracted or reflected in the module 100 including the first material is set to correspond to a preset code, and light that is refracted or reflected in the background area 200 including the second material is collected , It is possible to decode the predetermined code by using the light collected by the camera.

Here, the first material and the second material may be the same material having only the same refractive index, but having the same physicochemical properties, or may be different materials having different refractive indices.

Referring to Figure 4, one or more modules 100 in the information particle comprise a photo-curable third material, wherein the background area excluding one or more modules in the encoding area comprises a photo-curable fourth material, The fourth material may be a material having a different porosity. According to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the porosity of the material included in the module 100 and the material contained in the substrate area 200 can be adjusted by using the same material, You can change the code. Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the third material and the fourth material may be the same material having different porosity, but may be different materials having different porosities.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining information grains having grayscales according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, one or more modules 100 in the information particle 10 may be formed to have a different density depending on a set of modules, and the encoding region 50 of the information particle 10 may be formed as a whole You can have a scale.

The gray scale implements the image only by the brightness information, and it is possible to implement gray scale on the surface of the information particle 10 using the information particle generating method of the present invention.

For example, in FIG. 5, the module 100 is formed so that the brightness of the information particles 10 decreases toward the right. The region 1 having a high brightness (near white) can be arranged such that a set of modules 100 has a high density and a region having a low brightness (near black) 3 may be arranged such that a set of modules 100 have a low density.

The gray scale of the information particles 10 may be formed by adjusting the density of the module 100. The gray scale of the information particles 10 may be formed by adjusting the size, refractive index, porosity, depth of depression or height of curvature of the module 100.

The information particles 10 having the rail scale generated by the above-described method can be applied to all applications utilizing grayscale.

Although not shown in the drawings, the one or more modules 100 may be formed such that the shape of one set of modules corresponds to a particular shape. For example, a word such as the alphabet 'orange' may be formed as a code on the surface of the information particle 10 using a plurality of sets of the circular modules 100. In this case, the user can visually check the code 'orange' It is possible to do.

Further, the specific shape corresponding to the shape of the work set formed by the module may be a figure, a number or a letter, or a predetermined code.

According to the prior art, it is impossible to completely display a code such as 'ⓞ (circle character or donut shape)' because it can not form a broken part (or an isolated part) when using a photo-curable material to be. However, according to the present invention, since a specific shape or code is formed by using a set of fine modules, a figure (middle circle of a circle) isolated in the middle is formed by using a plurality of fine modules, The information particles can be recognized by the formed code or image. Because of this feature, according to the present invention, code diversity can be expanded, which means that utilization of information particles can be increased.

 Further, the size of the information particles may be in the order of nanometers (nm) to micrometers (占 퐉), and may be of a size that the user can visually confirm.

6 to 9 are views for explaining an information particle generation method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, in an information particle generation method including an arbitrary code, an encoding region including a photo-curable material capable of transmitting light to a surface of information particles is set (S100) Thereby forming one or more modules on the surface of the encoding region (S200). At this time, the one or more modules correspond to codes as a set of mutually independent modules, and each module may have at least one of a depression form, a protrusion form, or a through form.

Referring to FIG. 7, in step S200, the encoding device may apply a pressure to the surface of the encoding region in the form of a stamp opposite to the one or more modules, and then irradiate light to cure the surface of the encoding region to form a module have.

As shown in FIG. 7, the module formed on the surface of the encoding region of the information particle may be formed to have a protrusion shape (A) or a depression shape (B) according to the shape of the stamp. (A), and a stamp in the form of a protrusion can be used to form a depression-type module (B). Also, depending on the magnitude of the pressure applied to the surface of the encoding region, the depth of the module or the height of the projection may vary, and the module in the encoding region may have a penetrating shape. The form of these modules can be different depending on the code.

Referring to FIG. 8, since the encoding region of the information particle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a photo-curable material, the module can be formed by adjusting the intensity of light, the irradiation time, . In this case, a micro mirror device or the like may be used for the photocuring process.

For example, in the above-described step S200, light of a first reference value is irradiated to a portion corresponding to one or more of the encoded regions using a shading film formed with a pattern corresponding to one or more module shapes, The light of the second reference value can be irradiated to the background region excluding the module. In this case, the light of the first reference value may have a light amount or irradiation time different from the light of the second reference value depending on the form of the module.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), when a weak light curing is performed on a module portion and a strong light curing is performed on a base region, a portion where a weak light is irradiated in a light curing process, Relatively less hardened. As a result, if the photocurable material is washed after a certain period of time, a module in the form of a depression is formed on the surface of the encoding region in case of (A).

(B), when a long time light is irradiated to the module portion and a relatively short time light is irradiated to the base region using a curtain film formed with a pattern corresponding to the module shape, the hardening of the base region is weaker than that of the module portion do. In the case of the result (B), a protrusion type module is formed on the surface of the encoding region.

Referring to FIG. 9, in step S200, the encoding apparatus includes a step of filling a mold with a photo-curable material, which is opposite to the one or more modules, and irradiating the encoded region with light Thereby curing the photo-curing substance present in the encoding region to form a module. One embodiment of the step of filling the mold with a photo-curable material includes placing a photo-curable material that is fluid in the mold in the form of a bowl during the curing time, and in another embodiment, flowing the photo-curable material onto the mold. In the latter case, the mold may be formed at the bottom of the channel or channel through which the photocurable material, the fluid, can flow.

In FIG. 9, <A> shows a module in the form of a protrusion, <B> in the form of a recessed module, <C> in the form of an attached module, . That is, the mold for forming the protrusion type module in <A> has a depression shape, and the mold for forming the depression type module in <B> has a protrusion shape. <C> is a mold for forming a perforated module, so that a mold in the form of a protrusion capable of penetrating the encoding region is used, and the amount of the photo-curing substance poured into the mold is controlled to create a module can do.

Referring to FIG. 10, in the generation of information particles using a mold, when the mold 2000a is opaque, light may be irradiated on the upper portion of the mold to cure the photo-curing substance present in the encoding region. Since the opaque mold 2000a does not transmit the light irradiated by the light source 1500, the light source 1500 irradiates the photo-curable material contained in the mold 2000a on the photo-curable material.

If the mold 2000b is transparent or translucent, light may be applied to at least one of the top or bottom of the mold to cure the photo-curable material present in the encoding region. Since the transparent or translucent mold 2000b transmits light, the light irradiated from the light source 1500b located at the lower portion can pass through the mold 2000b to cure the photo-curable material.

11 to 14 are diagrams for explaining a method of decoding information particles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11, an information particle decoding method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes irradiating light at a predetermined angle to one or more modules formed on a surface of an encoding region of information particles (S1000), refracting or reflecting After the light is collected (S2000), the code may be analyzed (S3000) using the pattern or image formed by the collected light. The pattern used in the code analysis of step S3000 may be a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR code, wherein one or more modules correspond to codes as a set of mutually independent modules, and each module may be in the form of a depression, a projection, Or at least one of the forms.

The at least one module may be formed to refract or reflect light corresponding to the pattern or image only when the light is irradiated at a predetermined angle. For example, in the case of FIG. 12, when the light is irradiated vertically, the module may be formed such that no pattern is collected in the camera, but the pattern is collected only when the light is irradiated on the side.

In another embodiment, the module may be formed such that the patterns (a, b, c, d, e) collected on the camera are the same when illuminating light in various directions as shown in FIG. 13, It is possible to decode the information without any information on the information.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the pattern collected by the camera when the light is illuminated in all directions and the patterns (b, c, d, e) collected when the light is illuminated in a specific direction are different The module may be formed. In this case, different patterns, images and / or codes (information) are displayed depending on the direction in which the light is irradiated. Therefore, in order to confirm specific information, directions and methods of light irradiation / have.

15 to 16 are views for explaining an information particle decoding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 15, an information particle decoding apparatus 1000 including an arbitrary code includes a light source 1300 that irradiates light at a predetermined angle to at least one module formed on a surface of an encoding region of an information particle, And a communication unit (not shown) for transmitting a pattern or an image formed by the collected light to the server 20. The at least one module may be a mutually independent module, And each module may have the form of at least one of a depressed form, a protruding form, or a perforated form.

The information particle decoding apparatus 1000 may be of a portable size as shown in FIG. 15 and may include a light source unit 1300 that can irradiate light vertically and / or laterally on the information particle to be observed.

The light source unit 1300 may include a light source in all directions so as to irradiate light in each clockwise direction with reference to the encoding region. The light source may be an ultraviolet and / or infrared light source such as a halogen bulb, a fluorescent lamp for ultraviolet rays, a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, an argon lamp, a light emitting diode (LED) And the like.

According to the setting of the decoding apparatus 1000, the light source unit 1300 may irradiate only a part of a plurality of light sources, or all the light sources may irradiate light at the same time.

The camera unit 1500 collects light refracted and / or reflected by the module, and may include a camera or an optical microscope.

16, the information particle decoding apparatus 1000 includes a display unit 1900 for displaying an analysis unit (not shown), a pattern or an image, and a code analysis result for analyzing a code using a pattern or an image .

The light reflected from the module may represent a specific pattern or image. The decoding apparatus 1000 analyzes the collected light directly in the decoding apparatus 1000 without transmitting the light to the server 20, and outputs the result to the display unit 1900 Can be displayed.

The display unit 1900 may include a display module, and is not limited to the display method. The pattern A or the image collected by the camera unit 1500 may be displayed on the display unit 1900 and the analysis result of the analyzing unit may be displayed as B and C. According to the embodiment of FIG. 16, the code included in the information particle is the QR code, and the information contained in the QR code corresponds to C. FIG.

The information particle decoding apparatus 1000 may be a dedicated terminal manufactured for information particle decoding and may be a terminal of a smart phone or a tablet PC including a light source unit 1300, a camera unit 1500, a display unit 1900, have. The information particle decoding apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the type of terminal.

Some embodiments omitted in this specification are equally applicable if their implementation subject is the same. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to be exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, The present invention is not limited to the drawings.

10: information particle
50: encoding area
100: Module
1000: information particle decoding device

Claims (21)

In an information particle comprising an arbitrary code,
An encoding region comprising a photo-curable material capable of transmitting light;
And one or more modules formed on a surface of the encoding region,
Wherein the at least one module corresponds to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, each module having at least one of a depression form, a protrusion form or a perforated form,
Wherein the module is configured to reflect or refract light when irradiating more than one light at one or more predetermined angles.
The method according to claim 1,
The module refracts or reflects light irradiated onto the module,
Wherein the form of the module is formed such that light refracted or reflected by the module is decoded with the code.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one module comprises a photocurable first material,
Wherein the background region excluding the one or more modules in the encoding region comprises a photocurable second material,
Wherein the first material and the second material have different refractive indices.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one module comprises a photo-curable third material,
Wherein the background region excluding the one or more modules in the encoding region comprises a photo-curable fourth material,
Wherein the third material and the fourth material have different porosities.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one module is formed such that the shape of a set of the modules corresponds to a particular shape.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one module is formed to have a different density depending on a set of the modules.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the module is different in depth of depression or projection height according to a corresponding code.
delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the module has a circular or polygonal shape.
A method for generating information particles comprising an arbitrary code,
Setting an encoding region comprising a photo-curable material capable of transmitting light on a surface of the information particle;
Forming at least one module on a surface of the encoding region using an external stimulus,
Wherein the at least one module corresponds to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, each module having at least one of a depression form, a protrusion form or a perforated form,
Wherein the module is configured to reflect or refract light by irradiating more than one light at one or more predetermined angles.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein forming the one or more modules comprises:
Applying a stamp to a surface of said encoding region in close proximity to said one or more modules to form a stamp;
And irradiating light to cure the surface of the encoding region.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein forming the one or more modules comprises:
Filling a mold of a type opposite to said one or more modules with a photo-curable material;
And irradiating light onto the encoding region to cure the photo-curing substance present in the encoding region.
13. The method of claim 12,
If the mold is opaque,
The step of curing the photo-
Irradiating the light onto the top of the mold to cure the photocurable material present in the encoding region.
13. The method of claim 12,
When the mold is transparent or translucent,
The step of curing the photo-
Irradiating the light onto at least one of the upper side and the lower side of the mold to cure the photo-curing substance present in the encoding region.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein forming the one or more modules comprises:
A first reference value light is irradiated to a portion corresponding to the at least one module among the encoding regions using a shading film having a pattern corresponding to the at least one module shape, Irradiating light having a second reference value with light;
Wherein the light of the first reference value has a light amount or an irradiation time different from the light of the second reference value according to the shape of the module.
A method of decoding an information particle comprising an arbitrary code,
Irradiating light at a predetermined angle to one or more modules formed on a surface of an encoding region of the information particle;
Collecting light refracted or reflected by the module;
And analyzing the code using a pattern or image formed by the collected light,
Wherein the at least one module corresponds to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, each module having at least one of a depression form, a protrusion form or a perforated form,
Wherein the module is configured to reflect or refract light by irradiating more than one light at one or more predetermined angles.
17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the at least one module is configured to refract or reflect light corresponding to the pattern or image only when the light is irradiated at the angle.
17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the pattern is a bar code or a QR code.
An apparatus for decoding information particles comprising arbitrary code,
A light source for irradiating light at a predetermined angle to at least one module formed on a surface of the encoding region of the information particle;
A camera unit for collecting light refracted or reflected by the module;
And a communication unit for transmitting a pattern or an image formed by the collected light to a server,
Wherein the at least one module corresponds to the code as a set of mutually independent modules, each module having at least one of a depression form, a protrusion form or a perforated form,
Wherein the module is configured to reflect or refract light when irradiating the at least one light at one or more predetermined angles.
20. The method of claim 19,
An analyzer for analyzing the code using the pattern or the image;
And a display unit for displaying the pattern or the image and the code analysis result.
20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the camera unit comprises a camera or an optical microscope.

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