Flatbed Printer Camera-to-Print Head Coordinate Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flatbed printers face inaccuracies in determining print head coordinates due to reliance on flat bed surface coordinates, leading to errors and reduced print quality.
Innovation Solution
A method that directly converts camera coordinates into print head coordinates using a mapping table, eliminating the need for flat bed surface coordinates and accounting for printer and camera defects, with the mapping table established through printing and analyzing a reference image with geometric patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flat bed surface coordinates are used to determine print head coordinates, then the printing process can be performed, but coordinate determination accuracy deteriorates due to accumulation of transformation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate flat bed surface coordinate system from the coordinate transformation chain. By establishing a direct mapping between camera coordinates and print head coordinates, the method removes the source of accumulated transformation errors and achieves higher coordinate determination accuracy for improved print quality.
2Ease of operation
If multiple coordinate transformations are performed (camera to flat bed surface to print head), then coordinate mapping can be achieved, but error accumulation increases reducing print accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate flat bed surface coordinate system from the transformation chain, establishing a direct mapping between camera coordinates and print head coordinates. This eliminates the accumulation of transformation errors while maintaining full coordinate mapping capability through a simplified single-step transformation.
3Productivity
If conventional coordinate transformation methods are used, then printing can be performed, but additional calibrations are required increasing process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary direct calibration between the camera and print head coordinate systems, storing the transformation parameters in a lookup table. This preliminary action eliminates the need for additional calibrations during operation, simplifying the process while maintaining high printing efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for printing on a media object supported by a flat bed of a printer, the printer comprising a print head and a camera above the flat bed, the method comprising the steps of detecting a media object on the flat bed surface of the printer by means of a digital camera image captured by the camera, deriving camera coordinates of the media object in the digital camera image, applying a direct transformation from the camera coordinates into print head coordinates of the media object without using coordinates of the flat bed surface, and printing a digital target image on the media object by ejecting recording material on the media object from the print head, the print head controlled according to the print head coordinates appropriate for the media object.