Image Inspection Reference Generation for Parallel Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image inspection methods require significant time for generating a reference image before performing image inspection, leading to inefficiencies and potential delays in the inspection process.

Innovation Solution

An image inspection apparatus and method that allows for the simultaneous generation and inspection of reference images, using separate processors or cores to perform these tasks in parallel, ensuring the reference image is complete before inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If sequential processing is used for reference image generation and inspection, then processing completeness is ensured, but processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the processing system into separate functional units: a reference image generation unit and an inspection unit. These units operate independently and can process different tasks simultaneously, reducing total processing time while maintaining completeness through coordinated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reference image generation unit prepares reference images in advance before inspection is needed. The system determines the generation state of reference images and uses this information to control the inspection timing, ensuring inspection occurs only when reference images are ready while allowing overlapping processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If parallel processing is used for reference image generation and inspection, then processing time is reduced, but state management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidstate management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a determination unit that continuously monitors the generation state of reference images and provides feedback to control the inspection process. This feedback mechanism enables the system to manage parallel processing states effectively, ensuring inspection occurs only when reference images are ready without requiring complex manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If reference image generation is delayed until inspection is needed, then processing time is minimized, but inspection reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates reference images in advance and determines their generation state before inspection. This preliminary preparation ensures that reference images are ready when inspection occurs, maintaining reliability while allowing the inspection process to start as soon as reference images are available, thus minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250252556A1Image 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 former and a hardware processor. The image former forms an image on a recording medium based on image data. The hardware processor generates, based on the image data, a reference image to be used for inspection of the image formed on the recording medium, inspects the image formed on the recording medium based on the reference image, and determines whether or not a state of generation of the reference image satisfies a predetermined state before inspecting the image.