Method and system for aligning images printed by a digital printer and an analog cylinder

Abstract

A technique for aligning images printed by a digital printer and a rotating cylinder includes measuring the position of the substrate on the belt, capturing a digital image of the substrate with a camera, sending the digital image with the camera to a processing device, performing digital image processing on the digital image to identify two shapes, determining the positions of each of the two shapes using the measured positions of the substrate, measuring the distance between the determined positions of each of the two shapes, calculating an error (the error is the difference between the measured distance and the predetermined distance of the two shapes), and adjusting either the speed of the digital printer, the speed of the rotating cylinder, or the speed of the belt based on the error.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 933,031, filed Sep. 16, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of digital printers and analog cylinders, and more particularly to a method and system for registering images printed by a digital printer and an analog cylinder. [Background technology]

[0003] A printer is a device that allows the transfer of an image onto a substrate using various technologies. In the technology of digital printing, the printing device is an array of piezo or thermal nozzles, each capable of ejecting ink droplets. The droplets deposited on the substrate create the image. Having multiple arrays of printheads makes it possible to create multicolor images.

[0004] In traditional rotary printing (e.g., silkscreen printing), compared to digital printing, one color is imaged through a cylinder with holes corresponding to the points where the ink will land on the substrate. The ink flowing through the cylinder is squeezed out through the holes and deposited on the substrate. By using multiple cylinders, it is possible to create multicolor images.

[0005] Both digital and analog systems are registered to ensure that printing occurs nearly exactly as intended, resulting in high quality results.

[0006] Alignment in digital printers is typically achieved and maintained by signals from an encoder that measures substrate movement. In rotary presses, the substrate movement is measured by an encoder, but the large tolerances in the construction of the cylinders make them prone to misalignment with one another or with the digital printer.

[0007] A method and system for image capture alignment are taught in Patent Document 1 by S. Sheng and G. Ji. Specifically, the method includes the steps of: providing an imaging device having a photographing device for acquiring images and a carrier platform directly opposite the photographing device, the carrier platform being movable along the X-axis and / or Y-axis from a reset point; placing a sample on the carrier platform and moving the carrier platform so that the photographing device scans the sample stepwise to determine a rectangular photographing area within the sample area; dividing the rectangular photographing area into a plurality of sub-areas arranged in a matrix, moving the carrier platform and photographing the predetermined sub-areas twice, and correcting movement errors of the carrier platform during alignment of the photographing device with respect to each sub-area according to the photographing results. Such an image capture alignment method and system can eliminate movement errors of the carrier platform during image capture. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 019143 (Image capture position alignment method and system), published January 2, 2018 Summary of the Invention

[0009] A technique for aligning an image printed by a digital printer and a rotating cylinder includes measuring the position of a substrate on a belt, capturing a digital image of the substrate with a camera, transmitting the digital image with the camera to a processing device, performing digital image processing on the digital image to identify two shapes, determining the positions of each of the two shapes using the measured positions of the substrate, measuring the distance between the determined positions of each of the two shapes, measuring the distance between predetermined positions of each of the two shapes, calculating an error, which is the distance between the predetermined positions of each of the two shapes, and adjusting either the speed of the digital printer, the speed of the rotating cylinder, or the speed of the belt based on the error. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a measurement system 100 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid printing system for registering images printed by a digital printer and an analog cylinder, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a digitally printed pattern of a digital marker, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an analog print pattern of an analog marker, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram for registering images printed by a digital printer and an analog cylinder, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram of a system in the form of an exemplary computer system according to one embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In one embodiment, one or more cameras are positioned at the edge of the substrate facing the edge of the substrate. The cameras have a frame rate and resolution sufficient to manage the speed of the machine. For the digital portion of the machine, a marker is a digital pattern that is printed on the substrate and can be recognized by a software algorithm. For the analog portion of the machine, another marker is an analog pattern that is printed on the substrate and can be recognized by a software algorithm. The position difference between these two markers (e.g., whether the two markers fit or overlap each other) is calculated for each rotation of the cylinder, i.e., for each image. This difference (also referred to in this application as error) is measured and stored in computer memory for post-processing.

[0012] By collecting an array of such measurements, the system determines the following parameter values ​​with each rotation of the cylinder: - Belt direction error (also called X-axis); - (also called Y-axis) belt cross direction error; - The difference in size between the digital image and the analog cylinder; - If you have two cameras, the difference between the images printed on the left and right edges It is configured to calculate

[0013] In one embodiment, the error parameters are then sent to the digital printing software and analog cylinder motor drivers to correct for misalignment. If the left and right edges of the image are different sizes, the system is configured to recalculate the image with software or hardware that can shrink or enlarge the image.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid system 100 according to one embodiment. As an image marker 106 disposed on a substrate 104 moves along a printer belt 110 (the substrate movement 108 is indicated by an arrow), a camera 102 is positioned to scan and measure the image of the image marker 106. The image marker 106 is shown as a cross in this illustration. In one embodiment, there are at least two image markers 106, one for the digital side of the system and one for the mechanical side of the system. The marks can be positioned with any predefined shape, size, orientation, and dimensions. In one example, the innovative printer measures whether a first cross in the digital image fits or aligns with a second cross in the mechanical image (or vice versa).

[0015] According to embodiments of the present application, this innovative process can be applied to digital single pass machines and analog rotary, as well as mixed technologies (e.g., digital and rotary, digital).

[0016] Aligning images during the printing process has proven to be challenging, especially at high speeds, and therefore this innovative system and method allows for unattended color alignment of prints.

[0017] The innovative system and method is a general system and method capable of measuring substrates, whether they are fabric, paper, film, continuous or discrete.

[0018] In one embodiment, the camera 102 measures the distance between the digital and analog configurations by capturing the configuration of each marker for the digital and mechanical aspects of the system and measuring the distance between the two markers. It should be understood that the camera is equipped with, or communicatively connected to, an algorithm via a network that measures the distance between the two captured distances. The innovative system then appropriately corrects for any discrepancies found in the calculated distances.

[0019] In one embodiment, the markers are imprinted onto a substrate, such as fabric, along with other portions of the image. For example, when a designer programs a design, the designer instructs the program to place markers in the design at the edges of the fabric for measurement.

[0020] Illustrative Embodiments One embodiment can be understood with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hybrid printing system for registering images printed by a digital printer and an analog cylinder. By way of example, the diagram shows a printing system 200 printing a substrate, which is fabric 202. This particular printing table or bed 201 is approximately 30 feet long and is therefore considered a large printer. In this particular diagram, the fabric 202 is fed to one end of the machine. The fabric is mechanically placed on a moving, adhesive belt 204 to help maintain registration of the substrate 202 as it passes through the printing system 200. As the substrate 202 moves along the belt 204, it moves under a print bar 206. In this diagram, eight bars or modules are shown. It should be understood that the number of print bars is for illustrative purposes only and is not limiting. For example, there could be six or ten print bars. As the substrate 202 moves under the print bars 206, the print bars 206 spray ink onto the fabric 202. In this particular example, there are eight bars printing eight colors. In one embodiment, these bars print digitally. Thus, such bars 206 function as an inkjet printer (e.g., one color per bar).

[0021] Next, after passing under eight bars, the fabric reaches cylinder 208. In one embodiment, cylinder 208 is a rotating cylinder that mechanically prints. It should be understood that printing system 200 can be configured with one or more (e.g., two) cylinders, and the single cylinder 208 is for illustrative purposes. In one embodiment, cylinder 208 is engraved with a particular image. Ink is transferred from the cylinder to the fabric, and the image engraved on the cylinder is then printed, for example, using standard rotary screen printing techniques. For example, a cylindrical mesh is used to transfer the ink (or dye) to the print, except for areas where the ink cannot penetrate due to a blocking screen. Color is applied from the inside of the rotary screen while it rotates. A separate screen is required for each color in the design to be printed. The screen rotates in contact with the substrate, and printing paste is supplied from the inside of the screen. The paste is pushed from the inside of the screen by a metal squeegee blade or a magnetic rod. In rotary screen printing, the fabric and substrate move continuously through the machine, with the fabric glued to a continuous, washable rubber belt. The printed substrate is removed from the end of the machine and dried.

[0022] In one embodiment, when the cylinder is manufactured, the process also engraves an image onto the cylinder, for example, by techniques including but not limited to ultraviolet (UV) printing or laser techniques. For the mechanical part, the cylinder has an image that is engraved once and never changed.

[0023] Thus, printing press 200 is configured for both digital and mechanical or analog printing.

[0024] In one embodiment, the belt 204 moves at a high speed, around 90 meters per minute. The machine speed can be, for example, near zero, one meter per minute, or several hundred meters per minute.

[0025] In one embodiment, after the substrate or fabric passes under the cylinder, such substrate is typically passed on to further processing (such as, but not limited to, a dryer or other system).

[0026] In one embodiment, printing system 200 includes a bridge 210. Above bridge 210 is a carriage element 212 on which a camera 213 travels. In one embodiment, camera 213 is positioned to overlook or focus on a substrate, fabric 202, as it moves along belt 204. Camera 213 is used in processes to check the quality of alignment between digital and analog printing processes or elements (206 and 208).

[0027] In one embodiment, the camera 213 is positioned relative to the edge of the substrate. The substrate can be wide or narrow. The camera 213 can move to the edge of the substrate. Thus, the carriage 212 can be used to slide or move the camera to a desired position on the bridge 210.

[0028] Why use digital and analog together? In one embodiment, it is desirable to have both digital and analog printing capabilities. It has been found that using digital printing without analog printing can have some limitations. For example, digital printing configurations may not be able to print inks containing metals such as gold, silver, and copper. In the fashion industry, it has been found desirable to print T-shirts with certain metallic inks. Inks containing metals are hazardous to the printheads of digital printers. These metallic inks have been found to clog printheads (e.g., 206). Therefore, it is desirable to use an analog printing mechanism to print metallic inks. This innovative hybrid printer 200 provides an improved, more robust printing system.

[0029] Marker In one embodiment, a digital designer prints a marker (e.g., 106) onto a substrate (e.g., fabric or 104). Marker designs include, but are not limited to, round circles, crosses, circles with crosses, etc. An example of a digital printing pattern for a digital marker is shown in FIG. 3A, and an example of an analog printing pattern for an analog marker is shown in FIG. 3B. The substrate is pre-printed with a marker for the analog aspect of the innovation and another marker for the digital aspect of the innovation, for example, as shown at 106 in FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively.

[0030] A camera pointing downward toward the substrate captures images of both markers and calculates or measures the distance between the two markers. Based on this distance, the innovation would then perform a correction. Specifically, the substrate's movement position is measured by a digital measurement system, such as a rotary or linear encoder. The camera continuously captures digital images of the substrate. The image data is transferred to a processing device (e.g., a personal computer, an electronic board, etc.). The processing device continuously searches for specific patterns (e.g., as shown in Figures 3A and 3B) on the substrate. There are two different shapes: digital and analog. If the image contains a specific shape, the processing device identifies the shape and calculates its position, which is obtained from the encoder on the substrate. If the two patterns must have a predefined distance (specified by the designer and stored in the processing device), the processing device can calculate the difference (or error) in the actual position. If the error is greater than a predefined tolerance, a correction is performed, as described in more detail below.

[0031] Examples of correction processes include, but are not limited to, delaying or advancing the digital printing so that the distance between the two markers is appropriate. Because the desired result is to create a single design, coordination between the analog and digital printing processes is important. For example, a designer may want to print gold ink within a digitally printed flower. In this case, it would be undesirable for the gold ink to be printed randomly.

[0032] Two Directions In one embodiment, measurements are taken in two directions (e.g., x and y directions), as indicated by cross 106 in Figure 1. That is, one direction is the direction in which the substrate moves forward, as indicated by arrow 108 in Figure 1. In one embodiment, such direction, i.e., the forward progress of the substrate, is considered to be the primary direction. However, in another embodiment, another direction to consider is the direction perpendicular to cross 108, i.e., the y direction across the width of the substrate.

[0033] Therefore, in one embodiment, one way to correct for unacceptable differences between analog and digital measurements is to slow or speed (e.g., increase) the movement of substrate 104 in the direction of arrow 108.

[0034] In one embodiment, the system is configured to compensate in a second direction (e.g., along the width of the substrate) by electronically moving the digital printer. For example, the system can be configured to transmit or shift print or image data in a new way. That is, the system can be configured to shift image data up or down across the width of the substrate or perpendicular to arrow 108.

[0035] Thus, the system can be configured to adjust or compensate electronically, rather than mechanically.

[0036] In another embodiment, the rotating cylinder (e.g., 208), which is the mechanical part of the system, can also be adjusted (e.g., moved to correct for undesired alignment). In one embodiment, the cylinder (e.g., 208) can be moved up and down in the y-direction (i.e., along an axis perpendicular to the movement of the substrate (e.g., 202). In one embodiment, the system comprises a motor attached to the cylinder that allows movement of the cylinder in the y-direction.

[0037] It has been found that it is considered easier to move or adjust a digital printer because what is being adjusted is electronic data, as opposed to moving a part such as a rotating cylinder.

[0038] Thus, this innovation provides for hybrid machines that print both digitally and mechanically and for alignment of such hybrid systems.

[0039] Textiles This innovation also provides for hybrid machines that print both digitally and mechanically, and alignment of such hybrid systems to print textiles and fabrics.

[0040] Textiles have proven to be difficult substrates to print on. For example, textiles contain meshes that can be seen by humans if they look carefully enough. The meshes have intersecting wires or threads that are difficult to capture with a camera. Problems such as shrinkage of the fabric have also proven to occur. Furthermore, when an image is printed onto a material, the surface absorbs a large amount of ink. The final dimensions may differ from what the user or printing operator expects. For example, if a machine is configured to print a value of one centimeter in diameter, depending on the fabric, the final dimensions may be a few percent less or more. Therefore, this innovation employs or processes image analysis algorithms suitable for capturing the dimensions of the meshes described above.

[0041] Camera - Frame Rate and Resolution In one embodiment, the camera (e.g., 102 or 213) has a frame rate and resolution sufficient to manage the speed of the machine capturing markers (e.g., 106) on the substrate (e.g., 104 or 202) passing under the camera, for example, along the belt (e.g., 110 or 204). The resolution and frame rate can vary depending on the belt speed and marker size. Typical values ​​are 20 frames per second and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. An example machine speed (e.g., the speed of the printhead and substrate passing under the camera) is 90 meters per minute.

[0042] Calculating the difference between markers In one embodiment, the difference between the two markers is calculated for each image and each revolution of the cylinder. It should be understood that one copy of the image is printed for each revolution of the cylinder. One revolution of the cylinder results in one photograph or image. A sensor attached to a stationary part of the machine can detect each revolution of the cylinder and cause a camera to capture an image. In one embodiment, the camera captures images of the two markers and calculates or causes the error or distance between the two markers to be calculated. The error measurement is stored in computer memory.

[0043] In one embodiment, digital print server technology is employed and processed to perform digital printing operations (e.g., operation of printhead 206). Accordingly, such digital print server technology can be adapted to calculate errors between markers and store such errors. In another embodiment, one or more cameras are configured to capture images of the markers, calculate the differences between the markers, and store the differences (also referred to herein as "errors") in local or remote memory.

[0044] An example of a measurement is as follows: Digital pattern position: 13.023 microns Analog pattern position: 10,500 microns Nominal distance between two patterns: 3,000 microns Measured distance = 13.023 - 10.500 = 2.523 microns Error = 2.523 - 3.000 = -477 microns

[0045] Size calculation and alignment In one embodiment, a processor calculates the difference between the size of the digital image and the size of the image produced by the analog cylinder. This system thus performs another type of error correction. The printer (e.g., 200 or 100) or the application running the printer prints a mechanically printed image over a digitally printed image, or vice versa, depending on the desired configuration of the printer. However, a mechanical cylinder may produce a slightly different size compared to a digital one, or vice versa. Typically, the size difference is measured on the order of 1 / 10 of a millimeter for a 1-meter image. Typical errors in size are on the order of 10-20% of the size. For typical analog printers, the size is less than 1,500 millimeters, so the error is less than 300 millimeters. A camera with a field of view of approximately 300 millimeters and sufficient resolution to manage the desired error is sufficient.

[0046] For example, the system can detect the size difference between one meter of digital printing and one meter and one-tenth of a millimeter of mechanical printing. According to embodiments of the present application, the system is configured to stretch the mechanical image or enlarge the digital image so that the two images fit together as designed and intended. In other words, the innovative system ensures that the digital size matches the mechanical size (and vice versa).

[0047] How to change the size According to an embodiment of the present application, there are two ways to change the size. The first implementation is to send a message to a digital processor or server containing a request to stretch or increase the size of the image. For example, the image can be stretched horizontally (X-axis), vertically (Y-axis), or both. Similarly, a request can be made to reduce the size of the image. The computer's response to a request to stretch or reduce the digital image may be delayed, for example, by several seconds. However, after the initial delay, the computer has already adjusted the digital press to produce the image at the new desired size.

[0048] A second implementation of image resizing is mechanical image resizing. More specifically, the system can change the speed of a cylinder to resize the mechanical image.

[0049] Number of cameras In one embodiment, two cameras are employed to measure the difference between images printed on the left and right sides, or top and bottom, of the substrate. These cameras can be located on either side of the belt. It has been found that using one camera allows the positions of the images measured by the difference in their respective markers to be aligned with each other. However, at least two cameras are employed to also measure the alignment of the image sizes. It should be understood that multiple cameras can be integrated into the system and method.

[0050] In one embodiment, there are two cameras, one on the right edge of the design and one on the left edge of the design, to correct for width and Y-offset errors. The two cameras capture both left and right analog and digital markers. The relevant captured variables can be called: [Table 1]

[0051] The offset error between the digital and analog images is: Offset error = YRA-YRD On the other hand, the width error of the digital and analog images is: The width of analog printing is = YRA-YLA Digital printing width = YRD-YLD The width error between the two images is: Width Error = YRA - YLA - (YRD - YLD)

[0052] Other embodiments for determining the error are possible, including using a subset of the parameters in the error calculation, using more than two cameras to capture images of the substrate and using additional variables in the error calculation, and using other relationships between any of the aforementioned variables in the error calculation.

[0053] correction In one embodiment, the computer calculates the difference or error but does not send it directly to the correction processor. Sending the difference directly to the correction processor could cause the system to malfunction due to a single anomaly, e.g., a false positive, which could cause some instability in the printing process. Therefore, in one embodiment, the system generates correction-type calculations based on an average or other predetermined alignment scheme. For example, the system can be configured to calculate the average difference from anywhere from five to ten rotations of the cylinder. In a more specific example, the image differences from five cylinder rotations are calculated and sent to a correction algorithm, such as a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm. In another example, the captured YRA, YLA, YRD, and YLD values ​​are stored in an array of values. The length of the array can be arbitrarily large. Width and offset errors can be calculated using the average error, but excluding the outer values.

[0054] Non-hybrid embodiments It should be understood that a machine (e.g., 200 or 100) can be configured to adjust only when manipulating an aspect of a digital printer (e.g., printhead) or only when manipulating an aspect of a printer cylinder. For example, this innovative process can be implemented in a single-pass printing situation, where a second set of printheads is ejecting ink onto an image immediately after it has been printed by a first set of printheads. In one example, a first digital color can be used as a reference, and other digital colors can be shifted by the system. All colors can be printed in different patterns, and a camera can delay or advance printing to print such patterns in the correct positions.

[0055] Example Process An exemplary process for registering images printed by a digital printer and an analog cylinder can be understood with reference to Figure 4. Method 400 includes measuring the position of a substrate (104 in Figure 1 and 202 in Figure 2) on a belt (110 in Figure 1 and 204 in Figure 2) by an encoder at step 410.

[0056] The method 400 includes, at step 420, a first camera (102 in FIG. 1 and 213 in FIG. 2) capturing at least one digital image of a substrate.

[0057] The method 400 includes, at step 430, a processor (501 in FIG. 5) of a first camera transmitting at least one digital image to a processing device (511 in FIG. 5).

[0058] The method 400 includes, at step 440, a processing device performing digital image processing on at least one digital image to identify two shapes (eg, FIGS. 3A and 3B).

[0059] Method 400 includes, at step 450, in response to identifying the two shapes, a processing device determining a position of each of the two shapes (e.g., 106 in FIG. 1 ) using the measured position of the substrate.

[0060] The method 400 includes, at step 460, the processing device measuring the distance between the determined positions of each of the two shapes.

[0061] The method 400 includes, at step 470, the processing device calculating an error, which is the difference between the measured distance and a predetermined distance of the two features.

[0062] The method 400 includes, at step 480, adjusting either the digital printer (e.g., 206 in FIG. 2), the speed of the rotating cylinder (e.g., 208 in FIG. 2), or the speed of the belt based on the error.

[0063] An example of a machine overview FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram of a portion of a device in accordance with some embodiments of the techniques disclosed herein. The device 511 can include processor electronics 501, such as a microprocessor, that implements one or more techniques presented in this document. The device 511 can include a network interface 503 for transmitting and / or receiving data via one or more communication interfaces 509 (e.g., Ethernet). The device 511 can include one or more memories 507 configured to store information such as data or instructions. The device 511 can further include an application manager 505. In some implementations, the processor electronics 501 can include at least one of the network interface 503 and / or the application manager 505. In some embodiments, at least some of the disclosed techniques, modules, or functions are implemented using the device 511. For example, the device 511 can be used to implement a processor that executes the method 500. In such an embodiment, the device 511 can store portions of media files, encryption keys, and certificates in the one or more memories 507.

[0064] Although some of the embodiments described herein are described in the general context of a method or process, in one embodiment, the implementation may be a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium that includes computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in a network environment. Computer-readable media may include removable and non-removable storage devices, including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and the like. Thus, computer-readable media may include non-transitory storage media. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer- or processor-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

[0065] Some of the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as devices or modules using hardware circuits, software, or a combination thereof. For example, hardware circuit implementations may include discrete analog and / or digital components integrated, for example, as part of a printed circuit board. Alternatively or additionally, the disclosed components or modules may be implemented as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or field-programmable gate array (FGPA) devices. Some implementations may alternatively or additionally include digital signal processors (DSPs), which are specialized microprocessors with architectures optimized for the operational needs of digital signal processing associated with the functionality disclosed herein. Similarly, various components or subcomponents within each module may be implemented in software, hardware, or firmware. Connections between modules and / or between components within a module may be provided using any connection method and medium known in the art, including, but not limited to, communications via the Internet, wired, or wireless networks using appropriate protocols.

[0066] While the present invention has been described herein with respect to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is to be limited only by the claims included below.

Claims

1. 1. A method for registering an image printed by a digital printer and a rotating cylinder, said method comprising: an encoder measuring the position of the substrate on the belt; a first camera capturing at least one digital image of the substrate; a processor of the first camera transmitting the at least one digital image to a processing device; the processing device performing digital image processing on the at least one digital image to identify two shapes; In response to identifying the two shapes, the processing device determines a position of each of the two shapes using the measured position of the substrate; the processing device measuring the distance between the determined positions of each of the two shapes; the processing device calculating an error, which is the difference between the measured distance and a predetermined distance between the two features; adjusting the speed of the digital printer, the rotating cylinder, or the belt based on the error. A method for providing the above.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein one of the two shapes is a digitally printed pattern and the other shape is an analog printed pattern.

3. providing a second camera, the first camera being positioned at a right edge of the design on the substrate and the second camera being positioned at a left edge of the design; each camera capturing the digitally printed pattern and the analog pattern located at the right and left edges of the design; setting four parameters based on the pattern captured by the camera, the four parameters including a left analog value (YLA), a right analog value (YRA), a left digital value (YLD), and a right digital value (YRD); Furthermore, The step of calculating the error further comprises: An offset error between the digital printing pattern and the analog printing pattern is calculated by: Offset error = YRA - YRD Calculating: The error between the width of the digital printing pattern and the width of the analog printing pattern is Analog print pattern width = YRA - YLA Digital printing pattern width = YRD - YLD Steps to calculate: The total width error between the digitally printed pattern and the analog printed pattern is: Width error = YRA - YLA - (YRD - YLD) The step of calculating The method of claim 2 , comprising:

4. storing a plurality of YRA, YLA, YRD, and YLD values ​​in an array; calculating an average value for each of YRA, YLA, YRD, and YLD using the stored values; and the step of calculating the error further comprises the step of using an average value of each of YRA, YLA, YRD, and YLD; The method of claim 3.

5. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the digital printer comprises shifting the digitally printed image data up or down in the direction of belt movement or perpendicular to the belt.

6. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the rotating cylinder comprises moving the cylinder up and down along an axis perpendicular to the belt or along an axis in the direction of belt movement.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the digital printer comprises increasing or decreasing the size of the digitally printed image.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the rotating cylinder comprises changing the speed of the rotating cylinder to change the size of the mechanical image.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined distance between the two shapes is provided by a designer or manufacturer.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the camera is mounted on a moveable carriage integral to a bridge that spans the belt along an axis transverse to the movement of the belt.

11. 1. A system for registering an image printed by a digital printer and a rotating cylinder, the system comprising: an encoder configured to measure the position of the substrate on the belt; a first camera configured to capture at least one digital image of the substrate; a processor of the first camera configured to transmit the at least one digital image to a processing device, the processing device is configured to perform digital image processing on the at least one digital image to identify the two shapes; the processing device is further configured, in response to identifying the two shapes, to determine a position of each of the two shapes using the measured position of the substrate; the processing device is further configured to measure a distance between the determined positions of each of the two shapes; the processing device is further configured to calculate an error, the error being the difference between the measured distance and a predetermined distance between the two shapes. a processor of the first camera; and an adjustment processor configured to adjust the speed of the digital printer or the rotating cylinder based on said error; A system comprising:

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein one of the two shapes is a digitally printed pattern and the other shape is an analog printed pattern.

13. a second camera, the first camera being positioned at a right edge of the design on the substrate and the second camera being positioned at a left edge of the design; each camera configured to capture the digitally printed pattern and the analog pattern located at the right and left edges of the design; a second camera; and a setting processor configured to set four parameters based on a pattern captured by the camera, the four parameters including a left analog value (YLA), a right analog value (YRA), a left digital value (YLD), and a right digital value (YRD); Equipped with the processing device further comprising: An offset error between the digital printing pattern and the analog printing pattern is calculated by: Offset error = YRA - YRD Calculate as follows; The error between the width of the digital printing pattern and the width of the analog printing pattern is The width of the analog print pattern is = YRA - YLA The width of the digital printing pattern is = YRD - YLD Calculate as follows: a total error in width between the digitally printed pattern and the analog printed pattern; Width error = YRA - YLA - (YRD - YLD) Calculate as and calculating the error by The system of claim 12.

14. storage configured to store an array of a plurality of YRA, YLA, YRD, and YLD values; and a calculation processor configured to calculate an average value for each of YRA, YLA, YRD, and YLD using the stored values; Equipped with the processing device is further configured to calculate the error using an average value of each of YRA, YLA, YRD, and YLD. The system of claim 13.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the adjustment processor further shifts the digitally printed image data up or down in the direction of belt movement or perpendicular to the belt.

16. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the adjustment processor is further configured to adjust the rotating cylinder by moving the rotating cylinder up and down along an axis perpendicular to the belt or along an axis in the direction of movement of the belt.

17. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the adjustment processor is further configured to adjust the digital printer by increasing or decreasing the size of the digitally printed image.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the adjustment processor is further configured to adjust the rotating cylinder by changing the speed of the rotating cylinder and changing the size of the mechanical image.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined distance between the two shapes is provided by a designer or manufacturer.

20. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the camera is mounted on a moveable carriage integrated into a bridge that spans the belt along an axis transverse to the movement of the belt.

Images