Printing apparatus and printing method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies fail to accurately extract patterns spanning boundaries between image regions when imaging fabrics with patterns, leading to incomplete pattern recognition and printing.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that includes a transport unit, imaging unit, printing unit, pattern extracting unit, printing image generation unit, and printing control unit, which perform first and second extracting processing to identify pattern regions from overlapping image data regions, ensuring complete pattern extraction and matching for accurate printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pattern extraction is performed on partitioned image regions, then processing efficiency is improved, but patterns spanning boundaries between regions cannot be extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging data is divided into multiple regions for parallel processing, improving efficiency. However, to solve the boundary pattern extraction problem, the patent applies overlapping region technology where adjacent regions share a common overlap area, allowing patterns spanning boundaries to be captured in at least one complete region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the region partitioning by creating overlapping zones between adjacent regions. This transforms the traditional non-overlapping partition into a multi-layered structure where boundary patterns can be extracted from the overlapping area, solving the boundary extraction problem while maintaining processing efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If overlapping regions are introduced for pattern extraction, then pattern extraction accuracy is improved, but data processing volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial overlapping rather than complete duplication. The overlapping regions are designed to be just sufficient to capture boundary patterns, not excessive coverage. This allows boundary patterns to be extracted accurately while minimizing redundant data processing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes overlapping regions to extract boundary patterns, then discards the redundant overlapping data after extraction. This recovers processing efficiency by eliminating duplicate data handling while still benefiting from the overlapping regions during the critical extraction phase.
3Measurement precision
If multiple extracting processing are performed on overlapping regions, then complete pattern extraction is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the extraction results from overlapping regions by identifying and consolidating pattern data. Instead of performing separate independent extractions, the system combines results from first and second extracting processing, eliminating redundant operations and reducing total processing time while ensuring complete pattern extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the first extracting processing to guide the second extracting processing on overlapping regions. By analyzing what has already been extracted, the second processing can focus only on boundary patterns, reducing unnecessary re-processing and minimizing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a pattern extracting unit for, based on a comparison between first image data representing a pattern and second image data generated by imaging a fabric transported, extracting a pattern region from the second image data, a printing image generation unit for arranging third image data representing an image to be printed overlaid on the pattern so that the third image data matches the pattern region to generate printing image data, and a printing control unit for causing a printing unit to print the printing image data on the fabric transported.