Image Adjustment for Embossed Media Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing on media that will be embossed or debossed after printing leads to distortion, where text appears too close or far apart, and individual letters may become narrower or stretched, resulting in loss of image clarity and visibility due to contraction or stretching of the medium.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that adjusts the original image by scanning the medium to determine embossment or debossment patterns, allowing for adjustments such as font width, density, character spacing, and image relocation to compensate for the expected medium changes, using interfaces for user input and display for preview before printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the medium is embossed after printing, then texture is imparted to the medium, but the printed image becomes distorted with text appearing too close or far apart and letters becoming narrower or stretched

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetexture of mediumVSAvoidimage clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the embossed medium's surface characteristics before printing, and pre-adjusts the image data to compensate for expected distortion. This includes modifying character spacing, font width, and text positioning in advance so that after embossing, the final appearance matches the intended design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses optical sensors or cameras to detect the actual surface geometry of the embossed medium, compares it with the intended embossing pattern, and automatically adjusts printing parameters based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures accurate text placement and clarity despite surface variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of text size and spacing is performed for embossed areas, then image distortion is compensated, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage distortion compensationVSAvoidmanual adjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects embossed areas, calculates required compensation parameters, and adjusts the image data without human intervention. The computer automatically identifies regions requiring adjustment, computes optimal spacing and scaling factors, and applies corrections to the digital image file, eliminating manual labor entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with automated computer-based image processing algorithms. Software automatically modifies digital image data including text positioning, character spacing, and font scaling, substituting human manual work with computational processes that are both faster and more precise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If text is printed in bossed areas, then the medium utilizes the embossed regions, but letters appear too close together or stretched and may become invisible on sidewalls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutilization of embossed regionsVSAvoidtext visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different compensation strategies to different regions of the embossed medium. Text in peak areas receives different spacing and scaling adjustments compared to text in valley areas or on sidewalls. The system locally adapts printing parameters based on the specific geometric characteristics of each region to ensure optimal visibility and readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system considers the three-dimensional geometry of the embossed surface when positioning and sizing text elements. By accounting for the vertical dimension and slope angles of sidewalls, the system adjusts text orientation, positioning, and scaling to ensure text remains visible and readable from the intended viewing angle, preventing text from being lost on steep sidewalls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively compensates for embossment or debossment distortions by adjusting image elements, ensuring text clarity and image integrity on embossed or debossed media, maintaining intended appearance and visibility.

Implementation Method 1

the system uses a laser scanner to determine the information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser scanning: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS8995008B2System and method for adjusting an image to be printed on a medium that will be embossed

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 KONICA MINOLTA SYSTEMS LABORATORY INC

AI summary

A system adjusts an original image for printing on a location on a medium that will be bossed after printing the adjusted image on the medium. The system comprises an interface for receiving information concerning a bossment to be implemented on the medium after printing the adjusted image on the medium; and an adjustor that makes an adjustment to the received image based on the information received by the interface. A method for operating the system is also disclosed.