Image Inspection with Parallel Reference Image Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image inspection methods require significant time for generating a reference image before inspection, leading to inefficiencies and potential failures if the reference image is not generated in time.

Innovation Solution

An image inspection apparatus and method that allows for simultaneous generation and inspection of reference images, with a hardware processor determining the availability of reference images during the image forming process, enabling parallel processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the reference image is generated before the inspection image, then the inspection can be performed with a reliable reference, but the time required for processing becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating the reference image before the inspection image, but optimizes the timing to allow parallel processing. The reference image is generated in advance and stored, then the inspection image is formed and inspected using the pre-generated reference image, reducing total processing time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the processing sequence, allowing the reference image generation to overlap with the inspection image formation process. By determining whether the reference image is ready at a specific timing point during the image forming process, the system enables parallel execution of previously sequential operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the reference image generation is completed before inspection starts, then the inspection can proceed smoothly, but the productivity is reduced due to sequential processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection readinessVSAvoidinspection throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference image is generated in advance as a preliminary action and stored in the storage device. This allows the inspection process to start immediately without waiting for reference image generation, thereby improving productivity while ensuring inspection readiness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by overlapping the reference image generation with the inspection image formation process. Once the reference image is ready, the inspection can continue without interruption, eliminating idle waiting time and improving overall throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of time

If parallel processing is implemented for reference image generation and inspection, then the processing time is shortened, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hardware processor is designed with multi-functionality, handling both reference image generation and inspection image formation/inspection tasks. This universal approach enables parallel processing without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function, thereby reducing the increase in system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically determines whether the reference image is ready at a specific timing point during the image forming process. This dynamic decision-making allows the system to adaptively switch between sequential and parallel processing modes, optimizing performance without introducing rigid complex structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If the reference image is not generated in time before inspection, then the inspection can start immediately, but the inspection may fail due to missing reference image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection speedVSAvoidinspection success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reference image is generated in advance as a preliminary action and stored before the inspection process begins. This ensures that when the inspection starts, the reference image is already available, preventing inspection failure while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the hardware processor determines whether the reference image is ready at a specific timing point. Based on this feedback, the system can adjust the inspection timing or wait for the reference image generation to complete, ensuring inspection success while minimizing delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250252557A1Image inspection apparatus, image inspection method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

This image inspection apparatus includes an image forming device, a storage, and a hardware processor. The image forming device forms an image on a recording medium based on image data. The storage stores a reference image to be used for inspection of the image formed on the recording medium. The hardware processor inspects the image formed on the recording medium based on the reference image, and determines whether or not the reference image based on the image to be inspected is stored in the storage after the image forming device starts an image forming process.