Inspection Apparatus Adaptive Color Reference Generation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing inspection systems face reduced accuracy due to variations in the surface patterns of recording media, as they assume a uniform surface pattern for all sheets, leading to incorrect reproduction of the reference image and decreased inspection quality.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus and method that acquire scanned images of recording media with a target image and a color chart, generate index color information, and perform color conversion to create a reference image for each index color with higher frequency of occurrence, allowing for accurate comparison and inspection of printed matters despite variations in surface patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a uniform surface pattern assumption is used for all recording media, then the reference image generation process is simple, but the inspection accuracy deteriorates when recording media have varying surface patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of surface pattern representation from a fixed uniform assumption to a variable captured representation. By scanning actual recording media and extracting surface pattern information, the system adapts the reference image generation to match the actual surface characteristics, thereby maintaining high inspection accuracy across diverse recording media without complicating the overall process
2Measurement precision
If the surface pattern of recording media is captured and used for reference image generation, then inspection accuracy is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning unit serves multiple functions: it scans the target printed matter for inspection and separately scans the recording media to capture surface pattern information. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high inspection accuracy by capturing actual surface patterns while avoiding the need for separate dedicated surface pattern measurement devices, thus managing complexity effectively
3Productivity
If a single reference image is generated for all recording media, then the inspection process is fast, but the reliability of inspection results decreases due to surface pattern variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning of recording media to capture surface pattern information before the actual inspection. This preliminary action allows the system to generate appropriate reference images tailored to each recording medium's surface characteristics, ensuring high reliability inspection results while maintaining efficient inspection speeds through automated adaptive reference generation
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
Enhances the accuracy of printed image inspection by using index colors with higher frequency of occurrence, effectively accounting for surface pattern variations, thereby preventing deterioration in inspection quality and improving the reliability of image inspection.
Implementation Method 1
acquire a first scanned image by scanning each recording media printed with a target image as a printed matter using a scanner
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection apparatus includes circuitry to acquire a first scanned image by scanning each recording media printed with a target image, acquire a second scanned image by scanning one recording medium printed with a color chart including a plurality of color patches, generate index color information including information of index colors having higher frequency of occurrence on the one recording medium for each of the color patches, generate color conversion information by associating each of the color patches and each of the index colors, generate a reference image for each of the index colors by performing a color conversion of the target image by applying the color conversion information, calculate a difference of a color value of each pixel configuring the first scanned image and a color value of each pixel of each of reference images, and inspect the printed matter based on a plurality of color difference values.