Artificial intelligence-based corrugated cardboard packaging box printing system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an artificial intelligence-based printing technology capable of reducing ink when printing packaging boxes, and may provide an artificial intelligence-based packaging box printing system comprising: a printing device which performs printing on the packaging boxes through a multi-channel printer head which uses eco-friendly ink and can simultaneously spray various colors through individual nozzles for each color; and a computing device which analyzes an inputted print image using an artificial intelligence-based ink reduction model to generate an ink spray pattern which can reduce ink consumption, and then generates a control value of the printing device for the ink spray pattern, wherein the ink spray pattern is composed of at least one of the spray amount, density, or spray interval of a channel for each color of the multi-channel printer head.

Description

Artificial intelligence-based corrugated packaging box printing system and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing technology for corrugated cardboard packaging boxes.

[0002] The following description merely provides background information related to the present embodiment and does not constitute prior art.

[0003] Generally, corrugated cardboard used as a material for packaging boxes is widely used in packaging boxes by providing reinforcing materials in a zigzag shape between the upper and lower paper surfaces for shock absorption and shear surface reinforcement. Producers cut the corrugated cardboard into the required specifications through a cutting process and print on it to use as a box.

[0004] Packaging boxes are manufactured to accommodate the product inside, while also featuring various images printed on the exterior to identify the product name or manufacturer. In modern times, these images have gradually evolved to incorporate design elements, leading to a market demand for devices capable of printing diverse images with precision.

[0005] Since the box is a packaging box, the printing process to form trademarks, product names, etc. on the outer surface is carried out after the folding process or after the cutting process.

[0006] Printing technologies for packaging boxes have traditionally included flexo, offset printing, and gravure printing. Among these, the flexo technique is implemented to print an image on the packaging box using embossing.

[0007] Although this flexographic printing had the advantage of allowing for mass printing in a short time with only basic plate making, it had the disadvantage that it was difficult to immediately reflect designs that changed moment by moment with modern trends and that the designs were not sophisticated.

[0008] In addition, existing methods had the disadvantage of producing a large amount of ink wastewater due to the dilution of ink with water. Based on a 70% operating rate for each company, the amount of wastewater generated amounts to approximately 50 to 100 tons per year.

[0009] Recently, with the advancement of digital printing technology, not only is it being increasingly used for corrugated box printing, but research and development on printing systems using eco-friendly inks are also underway.

[0010] Printing systems using eco-friendly inks play an important role in sustainable packaging and reducing the carbon footprint.

[0011] In addition, with the technological development of hardware and software for artificial intelligence, research and development are underway to apply technologies to corrugated packaging box printing systems to reduce ink consumption and improve print quality.

[0012] The present invention provides an artificial intelligence-based corrugated packaging box printing system and method capable of improving print quality while minimizing ink consumption by determining an ink jet pattern through analysis using an artificial intelligence-based model of a printed image and then printing it onto a corrugated packaging box using a printing device that performs digital printing.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other unmentioned purposes will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0014] As a technical means for achieving the above-mentioned technical task, an artificial intelligence-based corrugated cardboard packaging box printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a printing device that performs printing on said packaging box using an eco-friendly ink and a multi-channel printer head capable of simultaneously spraying multiple colors through individual nozzles for each color; and a computing device that analyzes an input print image using an artificial intelligence-based ink saving model to generate an ink spraying pattern that can reduce ink consumption and then generates control values ​​for said printing device, wherein the ink spraying pattern may be composed of at least one of the spraying amount, density, and spraying interval of each color channel of said multi-channel printer head.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the computing device can generate the ink spraying pattern by changing at least one attribute value among the color saturation, brightness and lightness, resolution, color profile, and spot size and density of the printed image based on the use of the packaging box, and then inputting the printed image with the changed attribute value into the ink saving model.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the computing device divides the printed image into multiple regions to generate a design pattern composed of multiple regions, and inputs each of the design patterns into the ink saving model to generate an ink spraying pattern for each of the design patterns.

[0017] As a technical means for achieving the above-mentioned technical problem, an artificial intelligence-based corrugated packaging box printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a packaging box printing method using a printing device that uses eco-friendly ink and performs printing on the packaging box through a multi-channel printer head capable of simultaneously spraying multiple colors through individual nozzles for each color, comprising the steps of receiving a printing image to be printed through the printing device, analyzing the input printing image using an artificial intelligence-based ink saving model to generate an ink spraying pattern that can reduce ink consumption, generating a control value for controlling the multi-channel printer head of the printing device corresponding to the ink spraying pattern, and controlling the multi-channel printer head for each color channel based on the control value to print on the packaging box, wherein the ink spraying pattern may be composed of at least one of the spraying amount, density, and spraying interval of each color channel of the multi-channel printer head.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the packaging box printing method further includes the step of changing at least one attribute value among color saturation, brightness and lightness, resolution, color profile and spot size and density of the printed image based on the use of the packaging box, and the step of generating the ink jet pattern may generate the ink jet pattern by inputting the printed image with the changed attribute value into the ink saving model.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of generating the ink jet pattern may include the step of dividing a printed image with changed attribute values ​​into multiple regions to generate a design pattern composed of multiple regions, and the step of inputting each of the design patterns into an ink saving model to generate an ink jet pattern for each of the design patterns.

[0020] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, by determining an ink jet pattern through analysis using an artificial intelligence-based model for a printed image and then printing it onto a corrugated packaging box using a printing device that performs digital printing, the amount of ink consumed can be minimized while the print quality can be improved.

[0021] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, at least one attribute value among the color saturation, brightness and lightness, resolution, color profile, and spot size and density of the printed image is changed based on the use of the packaging box, and then applied to an ink saving model to generate an ink spraying pattern, thereby significantly reducing ink usage.

[0022] In addition, according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, by dividing a printed image with changed attribute values ​​into multiple regions to generate a design pattern composed of multiple regions, and then inputting each design pattern into an ink saving model to generate an ink spraying pattern for each design pattern, precise printing control for packaging boxes having various printed images is possible, thereby enabling not only reduced ink consumption but also improved quality of the printed images.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a digital printing system for an eco-friendly corrugated cardboard box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an ink saving model applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the packaging box printing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following detailed description is provided to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein. However, this is merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0027] In describing the embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of their functions within the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Therefore, such definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification. Terms used in the detailed description are intended merely to describe the embodiments of the present invention and should not be limiting in any way. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, expressions in the singular form include the meaning of the plural form. In this description, expressions such as "include" or "comprise" are intended to refer to certain characteristics, numbers, steps, actions, elements, parts thereof, or combinations thereof, and should not be interpreted to exclude the existence or possibility of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, actions, elements, parts thereof, or combinations thereof other than those described.

[0028] Hereinafter, a digital printing system and method for an eco-friendly corrugated cardboard box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a digital printing system for an eco-friendly corrugated cardboard box according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an ink saving model applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Prior to the explanation, it should be noted that each component in this block diagram is classified by functional unit for the sake of convenience of explanation; therefore, in actual system implementation, a single component may be implemented as a combination of one or more hardware / software, or multiple components may be implemented as a single hardware / software. In particular, the module included in the digital printing system for eco-friendly corrugated cardboard boxes may be implemented using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processor Unit), MCU (Micro Controller Unit), AP (Application Processor), or any type of processor well known in the technical field of this invention, and a storage medium (e.g., a storage medium such as memory, a hard disk, etc.).

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an eco-friendly corrugated cardboard box digital printing system can perform printing on a corrugated cardboard packaging box using eco-friendly ink by utilizing a computing device (100) including an AI-based ink saving model (50) and a printing device (200) linked thereto. Here, a brand logo, product information, graphics, etc. can be printed on the corrugated cardboard packaging box.

[0032] The ink saving model (50) may be generated based on artificial intelligence capable of providing information regarding image optimization, ink concentration control, and color modeling. Specifically, big data may be constructed by collecting image data of various resolutions and color combinations, work environment data such as the type of paper used for packaging boxes to be printed, ink concentration, temperature, and humidity, the amount of ink consumed in the printing job, and analysis data analyzing the correlation between ink usage patterns and the image quality accordingly. Then, machine learning and / or deep learning may be performed through preprocessing of the constructed big data, thereby generating an ink saving model (50) that can predict and provide information regarding image optimization (i.e., changes in image attributes), ink spraying patterns for controlling ink concentration, and color modeling for the printing job, which is executed by receiving printing job information.

[0033] In particular, the ink saving model (50) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be generated using learning techniques of CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), RL (Reinforcement Learning), and Linear Regression. That is, the ink saving model (50) can analyze the pattern of the print image within the print job information and convert the attribute value of the print image by optimizing the color and image, and can generate a control value that can control the amount of ink to be sprayed for ink concentration control by performing learning on an appropriate amount of ink to be sprayed after monitoring the amount of ink used in the print job in real time in conjunction with the printing device (200).

[0034] Meanwhile, the ink saving model (50) can minimize ink usage by using a loss function, that is, a loss function for a quality-ink trade-off. Specifically, the ink saving model (50) may be a model created by applying a loss function for a quality-ink trade-off implemented by considering the balance between quality and ink usage.

[0035] The ink saving model (50) described above can be provided using an artificial neural network-based artificial intelligence algorithm composed of an input layer receiving the use and design pattern of the packaging box as shown in FIG. 2, a first hidden layer analyzing basic information regarding the edge, texture, and color pattern of the printed image and analyzing characteristic information of visual elements by adjusting the filter size and the number of filters, a second hidden layer analyzing information related to print quality and ink consumption based on the basic information and characteristic information analyzed in the first hidden layer, and performing color matching and texture matching using a multilayer perceptron (MLP) or an additional CNN layer along with a deep convolution layer, a third hidden layer adjusting an ink spray pattern including the spray amount, density, and spray interval for each color channel to minimize ink usage while satisfying a preset print quality goal suitable for the use according to the color matching and texture matching, and an output layer outputting control values ​​for each color channel, such as the spray amount, density, and spray interval for each color channel corresponding to the ink spray pattern finally adjusted in the third hidden layer.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first hidden layer may be composed of a CNN layer constructed by learning on a training dataset having design patterns for a plurality of printed images using a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network).

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the third hidden layer may utilize a regression layer and an ink distribution adjustment network. That is, the regression layer numerically optimizes the ink jet pattern according to the print quality goal, analyzes the color and density information of each pixel based on the input print image to determine an appropriate amount of ink, and can predict ink usage and control print density. This regression layer learns the correlation between the ink jet pattern and the print result, and based on this, predicts the optimal amount of ink to be used during the printing process; at this time, a Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) or Leaky ReLU may be used as the activation function.

[0038] The distribution adjustment network is designed to control ink distribution according to each area of ​​an image, and can adjust ink jet density to prevent quality degradation caused by uneven ink spread or excessive usage during printing. In particular, the distribution adjustment network can adjust the ink jet patterns of each color channel using statistical distribution models, such as the Gaussian or normal distribution, to balance the factors affecting print quality and ink usage.

[0039] Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the present invention, the computing device (100) can optimize the image by adding information about the use of the corrugated packaging box and changing attribute values ​​for the printed image, and then apply the optimized printed image to the ink saving model (50). Specifically, the computing device (100) analyzes the printed image and changes attribute values ​​to reduce ink consumption. By analyzing the use and the design pattern of the printed image, it can adjust color contrast or change at least one of the printed image attribute values, such as color saturation, brightness and lightness, resolution, color profile, spot size and density, and whether or not to apply patterns and textures, so that relatively low-cost ink colors are used, and then input this into the ink saving model (50).

[0040] Additionally, the computing device (100) can analyze the printed image by region to select a specific region, that is, a region necessary for brand recognition and visual effects, and then generate a design pattern composed of the selected region and other regions, and then analyze based on this. That is, it can select a region necessary for brand recognition and visual effects and then generate a design pattern composed of the selected region and other regions, and input the printed image composed of each design pattern into the ink saving model (50) to generate information about the ink spraying pattern for each design pattern.

[0041] Meanwhile, the printing device (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be composed of a multi-channel print head (210) that uses digital printing technology and sprays ink using each color channel according to an ink spraying pattern, and a control unit (220) that controls each color channel through the multi-channel print head (210) based on a control value output from an ink saving model (50).

[0042] Here, the multi-channel print head (210) has individual nozzles for each color so that it can spray multiple colors simultaneously, and has a structure that can additionally have RGB color channels or specific color channels, and has color channels for CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) colors.

[0043] Meanwhile, the ink saving model (50) and the printing device (200) of the eco-friendly corrugated cardboard packaging box printing system described above may be configured as separate devices and connected via a wired or wireless interface. In this case, the ink saving model (50) may be stored in a storage medium, such as a personal computer or server, in the form of a program executable by at least one processor.

[0044] Additionally, the ink saving model (50) of the environmental corrugated packaging box printing system may be implemented by storing it in the memory of the printing device (200) in the form of a program.

[0045] The eco-friendly ink used in the embodiments of the present invention may have characteristics such as being water-based, plant-based, or UV-curable, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] Below, the printing process of a corrugated packaging box using eco-friendly ink will be explained with reference to Fig. 3.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the packaging box printing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the computing device (100) receives information about the use of the printing image to be printed and the packaging box through the printing device (200) (S300).

[0049] Then, the computing device (100) changes at least one attribute value among the color saturation, brightness and lightness, resolution, color profile and spot size and density of the printed image based on the use of the packaging box among the information (S302).

[0050] Then, the computing device (100) divides the printed image with changed attribute values ​​into multiple regions to generate a design pattern composed of multiple regions (S304). At this time, importance information generated by checking whether each region requires brand recognition and visual effects can be set for each design pattern.

[0051] Then, the computing device (100) inputs each design pattern with importance information set into the ink saving model (50) to generate an ink spraying pattern for each design pattern (S306), and then generates a control value for it (S308) and provides it to the printing device (200).

[0052] Afterwards, the printing device (200) performs printing on the packaging box based on the control value (S310).

[0053] As printing is completed, the printing device (200) generates printing completion information regarding ink consumption for each color channel and provides it to the computing device (100) (S312). Here, the printing completion information may include information regarding ink consumption for each design pattern.

[0054] Although omitted in the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the computing device (100) can match and accumulate the usage of the packaging box, the amount of ink consumed per design pattern, the ink spraying pattern, etc., and then use this to retrain the ink saving model (50).

[0055] In addition, although omitted in the embodiment of the present invention as described above, information including color matching information that can replace each color that is insufficient for implementing the ink spray pattern using an ink saving model (50) as well as an ink spray pattern can be provided to the printing device (200). In this case, the printing device (200) checks the ink shortage channel during printing, and if there is a channel with an ink shortage, selects a color to replace the ink shortage color based on the color matching information, and may perform printing corresponding to the ink spray pattern using the channel corresponding to the selected color.

[0056] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the ink saving model (500) may be implemented in the form of a program and stored in an executable form in the memory (not shown) of the printing device (200) and executed by the control unit (220).

[0057]

[0058] Meanwhile, combinations of each block of the attached block diagram and each step of the flowchart may be executed by computer program instructions. Since these computer program instructions can be loaded into the processor of a general-purpose computer, a specialized computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, the instructions executed through the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create a means to perform the functions described in each block of the block diagram.

[0059] Since these computer program instructions may be stored in a computer-available or computer-readable recording medium (or memory), etc., which can be directed toward a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement a function in a specific way, the instructions stored in the computer-available or computer-readable recording medium (or memory) may also be used to produce a manufactured item containing instruction means that perform the function described in each block of the block diagram.

[0060] And, since computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, instructions that perform a series of operation steps on a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to create a process executed by a computer and perform the computer or other programmable data processing equipment may also provide steps for executing the functions described in each block of the block diagram.

[0061] Additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or part of code containing at least one executable instruction for executing a specified logical function(s). Also, it should be noted that in some alternative embodiments, the functions mentioned in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may be executed in reverse order according to the corresponding function.

Claims

1. In a packaging box printing system, A printing device that performs printing on the packaging box using eco-friendly ink and a multi-channel printer head capable of simultaneously spraying multiple colors through individual nozzles for each color, and It includes a computing device that analyzes an input print image using an artificial intelligence-based ink saving model to generate an ink jet pattern that can reduce ink consumption, and then generates control values ​​for the printing device. An artificial intelligence-based packaging box printing system characterized in that the above ink jet pattern is composed of at least one of the jet amount, density, and jet interval of each color channel of the multi-channel printer head.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above computing device is, An artificial intelligence-based packaging box printing system characterized by changing at least one attribute value among color saturation, brightness and lightness, resolution, color profile, and spot size and density of the printed image based on the use of the packaging box, and then inputting the printed image with the changed attribute values ​​into the ink saving model to generate the ink jet pattern.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above computing device is, An artificial intelligence-based packaging box printing system characterized by dividing the above-mentioned printed image into multiple regions to generate a design pattern composed of multiple regions, and inputting each of the above-mentioned design patterns into an ink saving model to generate an ink spraying pattern for each of the above-mentioned design patterns.

4. A method for printing a packaging box using a printing device that uses eco-friendly ink and performs printing on the packaging box through a multi-channel printer head capable of simultaneously spraying multiple colors through individual nozzles for each color, A step of receiving a print image to be printed through the above-mentioned printing device, and A step of generating an ink spraying pattern that can reduce ink consumption by analyzing the above-mentioned input print image using an artificial intelligence-based ink saving model, and A step of generating a control value for controlling a multi-channel printer head of the printing device corresponding to the ink jet pattern, and The method includes the step of printing on a packaging box by controlling the multi-channel printer head for each color channel based on the above control value, An artificial intelligence-based packaging box printing method characterized by the above ink jet pattern being composed of at least one of the jet amount, density, and jet interval of each color channel of the multi-channel printer head.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above packaging box printing method is, The method further includes the step of changing at least one attribute value among color saturation, brightness and value, resolution, color profile, and spot size and density of the printed image based on the use of the packaging box, An artificial intelligence-based packaging box printing method characterized by the step of generating the ink jet pattern by inputting the printed image with the attribute values ​​changed into the ink saving model to generate the ink jet pattern.

6. In Paragraph 5, The step of generating the above ink jet pattern is, The step of generating a design pattern composed of multiple regions by dividing a printed image with the above-mentioned attribute values ​​changed into multiple regions, and An artificial intelligence-based packaging box printing method characterized by including the step of inputting each of the above design patterns into the above ink saving model to generate an ink spraying pattern for each of the above design patterns.

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