Generic Shape Quality Verification for Mark and Read Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mark and read systems are limited in verifying the quality of generic shapes, as they primarily focus on one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcode symbologies, and require multiple components, leading to increased costs, processing time, and reduced efficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A generic shape quality verification process that generalizes Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility (AIM) Direct Part Mark (DPM)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Engineering Consortium (IEC) 29158 quality metrics, allowing verification of any shape by creating a layout prototype, defining fixed and variable parts, and implementing a machine vision homography calibration process to compensate for tilt, enabling the computation of metrics like Cell Contrast, Cell Modulation, Grid Non Uniformity, Axial Non Uniformity, Fixed Pattern Damage, and Print Growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mark and read systems use multiple separate components (marker and code grader), then verification capability is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the marker and code grader into a single integrated device that performs both marking and quality verification functions. The marker includes an integrated imaging sensor and processing circuitry that captures images of the marked workpiece and executes verification algorithms, eliminating the need for separate code grader equipment while maintaining comprehensive verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated marker is designed to perform multiple functions: it marks the workpiece with identification information, captures images of the marked surface, processes the images to verify mark quality, and provides feedback control. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized devices with a single versatile system that handles the entire mark and verify workflow.
2Reliability
If conventional systems use multiple separate components, then verification is possible, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by capturing images of the workpiece immediately after marking without requiring transfer to separate verification equipment. The integrated marker continuously captures, processes, and verifies marks in real-time as the workpiece moves through the marking station, eliminating idle time and sequential processing delays associated with multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs verification actions simultaneously with or immediately following the marking action. By integrating the imaging sensor and verification processing within the marker itself, the system prepares and executes verification while the marking process is still completing or just finished, rather than waiting for separate post-marking verification equipment to become available.
3Ease of manufacture
If quality verification is limited to 1D and 2D barcode symbologies, then standard verification methods can be used, but applicability to generic shapes is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable verification parameters including configurable tolerance thresholds, contrast ratios, and geometric constraints that can be modified based on the specific mark type and application requirements. The system allows dynamic adjustment of verification criteria to accommodate different mark styles, sizes, and complexities while maintaining a unified verification framework that works across diverse mark types.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification algorithm is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple mark types including 1D barcodes, 2D data matrices, and generic shapes with arbitrary geometries. The image processing engine extracts relevant features adaptively based on the mark characteristics and applies appropriate verification metrics, enabling a single system to verify diverse mark formats without requiring separate specialized algorithms for each type.
Data Source
AI summary
A generic shape quality verification process that allows the generalization of Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility (AIM) Direct Part Mark (DPM)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Engineering Consortium (IEC) (ISO/IEC) 29158 quality metrics for a generic shape marked or marked with a generic technique, wherein the AIM-DPM/ISO-IEC 29158 quality metrics, e.g., Cell Contrast, Cell Modulation, Grid Non Uniformity, Axial Non Uniformity, Fixed Pattern Damage, Unused Error Correction, and Print Growth are generalized to permit verification of a generic shape, are generalized to permit verification of a generic shape, where the process in accordance with the invention consists of the following three steps, i.e., (i) configuration, (ii) calibration and iii) work such that based on computed AIM-DPM/ISO-IEC 29158 metrics, it is possible to verify whether quality of the printed layout is acceptable.