Image Alignment Using Adjacent Markers in Continuous Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In printing processes, the accuracy of image alignment in inspection systems is compromised when only one position detection marker is used per inspection unit, leading to decreased alignment accuracy due to sheet desynchronization and expansion/contraction issues in continuous printing media.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that obtains data from an inspection target image and an adjacent image marked with a reference position marker, and generates an aligned image by aligning the inspection target image with a reference image based on the marker positions, thereby improving alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If only one position detection marker is printed per inspection unit region to reduce ink consumption, then ink consumption is reduced, but alignment accuracy decreases due to sheet shift accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the inspection process into multiple segments by using adjacent images from different inspection unit regions. Instead of relying on a single marker per region, the system segments the alignment task across multiple regions, each contributing to the overall alignment accuracy through the generating unit that combines information from multiple markers.
2Device complexity
If one position detection marker is used per inspection unit region, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment accuracy worsens due to desynchronization in continuous printing media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step through the generating unit, which acts as a mediator between the multiple markers and the alignment process. This unit synthesizes position information from multiple markers across adjacent images to compute accurate alignment parameters, effectively mediating the contradiction between simple marker placement and precise alignment requirements.
3Productivity
If continuous sheet is used as printing medium, then productivity is improved, but alignment accuracy decreases due to expansion and contraction from desynchronization between conveyance speed and scanning speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the alignment process adaptive to speed variations. The generating unit dynamically calculates alignment parameters based on the actual positions of markers detected in adjacent images, allowing the system to compensate for expansion and contraction caused by desynchronization between conveyance speed and scanning speed, thus maintaining accuracy despite continuous media movement.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus configured to execute image processing based on image data obtained by reading a print image continuously printed on a printing medium, the print image is marked with one marker per inspection unit region, and the image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain data of an inspection target image obtained by reading the print image of the one inspection unit region and data of an adjacent image obtained by reading a region that is adjacent to the print image of the one inspection unit region in a conveyance direction of the printing medium and includes the marker, and a generating unit configured to generate an aligned image by aligning the inspection target image with a reference image based on the position of the marker on the inspection target image and the position of the marker on the adjacent image.