Printing apparatus and printing method

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies face challenges when applying images to clothing fabrics with complex patterns, such as jacquard woven or lace fabrics, as forming a dividing line can be labor-intensive and may deteriorate the fabric quality, and accurately detecting distortion is difficult due to uneven patterns.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a control unit that registers pattern image data, extracts pattern regions from imaged data using image recognition, corrects print data to match the fabric's pattern shape, and performs printing accordingly, eliminating the need for a dividing line on the fabric.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a dividing line is formed on the fabric to detect distortion, then the distortion detection accuracy is improved, but the fabric quality deteriorates and the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistortion detection accuracyVSAvoidfabric quality deterioration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses image processing to create a digital copy of the fabric pattern, which serves as a reference for distortion detection. Instead of physically marking the fabric with dividing lines, the system captures an image of the fabric, processes it to identify pattern positions, and uses this digital representation to detect stretching and distortion during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical approach of forming physical dividing lines on the fabric with an optical and computational approach. The system uses imaging devices to capture fabric patterns, image processing algorithms to analyze the patterns, and computational methods to detect distortion, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical fabric marking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a dividing line is formed on the fabric to detect distortion, then the distortion detection accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistortion detection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses image processing to create a digital copy of the fabric pattern, which serves as a reference for distortion detection. Instead of physically marking the fabric with dividing lines, the system captures an image of the fabric, processes it to identify pattern positions, and uses this digital representation to detect stretching and distortion during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical approach of forming physical dividing lines on the fabric with an optical and computational approach. The system uses imaging devices to capture fabric patterns, image processing algorithms to analyze the patterns, and computational methods to detect distortion, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical fabric marking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the fabric pattern is uneven, then the fabric design flexibility is improved, but the pattern recognition accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric design flexibilityVSAvoidpattern recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs image processing techniques that can adapt to various pattern characteristics. The system adjusts its analysis parameters based on the specific fabric pattern being processed, allowing it to handle diverse designs from simple to complex patterns while maintaining accurate recognition and distortion detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the image processing results to continuously refine its pattern recognition. By analyzing the captured fabric images and comparing them with reference patterns, the system can identify deviations and adjust its detection algorithms to maintain high accuracy even with uneven or complex fabric patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11970016B2Printing apparatus and printing method

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a transport unit that transports clothing fabric at which a pattern is formed, an imaging unit that images the clothing fabric transported by the transport unit, a printing unit that performs printing on the clothing fabric transported by the transport unit, and a control unit, the control unit registers first image data representing the pattern in a predetermined storage unit, extracts, based on a comparison between the first image data and second image data, a pattern region corresponding to the pattern in the second image data, the second image data is generated by imaging of the clothing fabric by imaging unit, corrects third image data representing an image to be printed overlaid on the pattern to match the shape of the pattern region, and causes the printing unit to perform the printing of the corrected third image data on the clothing fabric.