Automated Graphics Preflighting with Machine Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual visual checks for ensuring compliance with corporate brand guidelines in packaging design are tedious and prone to human error, leading to an undesirable error rate.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses machine-readable rules and computer vision algorithms to preflight graphics artwork files by rendering images, identifying objects, and checking characteristics against predetermined values, with the ability to modify designs or pass files to the next workflow step based on compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual visual checks are performed against brand guidelines, then human operators can identify compliance issues, but the process is tedious and prone to human error leading to undesirable error rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual inspection process with an automated computer-based system that uses image rendering and machine vision algorithms to detect objects and verify compliance with brand guidelines. This substitution eliminates human error and tedious manual checking while maintaining high accuracy in identifying compliance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service compliance checking by automatically rendering images from artwork files, detecting objects within those images, and comparing them against stored brand guidelines without requiring human operators. The computer system performs the entire verification process autonomously, saving time and improving reliability.
2Reliability
If manual visual checks are performed on hard copy proofs or electronic soft proofs, then compliance can be verified, but the inherent human error creates an undesirable error rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual inspection processes with a standardized automated computer-based system that consistently applies brand guidelines to verify compliance. This automation reduces the effective complexity by eliminating the need for trained human operators to manually compare artwork against guidelines, while maintaining high verification accuracy through systematic algorithmic checking.
3Measurement precision
If automated machine vision is used to identify objects in rendered images, then compliance checking accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional computer-based system that combines image rendering, machine vision object detection, and compliance verification against brand guidelines into a single integrated platform. This universal system handles multiple tasks that would otherwise require separate tools, making the increased complexity worthwhile by delivering precise object identification and accurate compliance checking in one cohesive workflow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a computer system for preflighting a graphics artwork file. The method includes storing rules corresponding to an object, a set of recognition inputs for identifying the object, and a graphics artwork file to be preflighted. An image is rendered from the graphics artwork file and machine vision identifies a representation of the object in the rendered image, a characteristic of the object, and a value for the characteristic. The identified characteristic value is checked against corresponding values embodied in the rules, and an output of the checking step is provided. The system comprises at least one computer processor, an input, an output, and a plurality of computer memory modules for storing the rules, the recognition inputs, the artwork file, and instructions for performing the rendering, the machine vision, and the checking method.