Image Inspection Apparatus Correcting Blur from Floating Paper

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accuracy of image inspection is compromised when a paper sheet floats during printing, leading to image blurring and reduced inspection quality.

Innovation Solution

An image inspection apparatus that acquires printing data and read data, corrects blur caused by paper sheet floating, and compares the corrected data to inspect the image, utilizing a processor to perform resolution characteristic corrections based on the type of paper sheet and spatial frequency of the image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If paper sheet is used for printing, then printing is enabled, but paper sheet floating causes image blur and reduces inspection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidimage blur

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting paper sheet floating state before reading the printed image, and pre-calculating the blur correction amount based on the floating detection result. This allows the inspection apparatus to compensate for blur effects before they degrade inspection accuracy, rather than attempting to correct blurred images after reading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of correction amount based on the detected floating state. By adjusting the correction amount according to the degree and direction of paper sheet floating, the system optimizes blur compensation for each specific floating condition, thereby maintaining high inspection accuracy despite paper sheet instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If blur correction is performed on read data, then inspection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical stabilization systems with a computational approach. Instead of physically stabilizing the paper sheet or using complex optical correction mechanisms, the system uses image processing algorithms to detect floating and calculate correction amounts, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection apparatus performs self-correction by automatically detecting its own reading conditions (paper sheet floating state) and autonomously calculating the necessary correction amounts. The system serves itself by using the printed image data and floating detection results to generate correction parameters without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11800019B2Image inspection apparatus and program product correcting image blur caused by floating paper to increase inspection accuracy of printed image

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image inspection apparatus includes a processor configured to acquire printing data that is data as a base of an image to be printed, acquire read data that is data obtained by reading the image printed on a paper sheet, perform correction of a blur caused by floating of the paper sheet occurring in the reading of the image, on the read data, and inspect the image by comparing the printing data with the read data after the correction.