A collaboration between QinetiQ, a European science and technology research organisation, and a UK electronics company, is enabling technology normally associated with sophisticated security applications to be incorporated into a children's educational product.
The technology - an optical filter and synchronous light detector - identifies the presence of specialist inks in minute dilutions. Although its first commercial use is in a toy, this capability, coupled with its low cost, opens a range of potential applications such as brand protection, anti-counterfeiting and hidden bar codes. The simple detector system uses low voltage, performs well in high levels of ambient light and can be easily incorporated into assembly line production.
In the educational game, called Contactor - the light filter and reader technology patented by manufacturer Innovision Research & Technology enables a model 'glow-worm' to react in response to being pointed at specialist inks. The inks - applied lithographically in such low dilutions that they are invisible to the naked eye - reflect light that is emitted and detected by the optical system.
Marketed by Ravensburger, Europe's largest game and puzzle manufacturer, Contactor is aimed at young children, with the glow-worm providing visible and audible feedback to multiple-choice questions on brightly coloured quiz sheets.
For more information contact Innovision Research & Technology, 0944 1635 299116.
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