Label Inspection System with Variable Content Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing label attachment systems, variable printing content on labels makes it difficult to inspect and detect labels with undesired content, leading to inefficiencies in production and stock management, as each label must be inspected individually and stocks of various contents need to be held, causing delays in changing printing content.

Innovation Solution

A management device and system that includes an image formation data management unit and an inspection unit to create a formation order for image formation on labels, inspect the formed images, and transmit state information, allowing for the detection and re-printing of labels with incorrect content, thereby ensuring only desired content is attached to bottles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If variable printing content is used on labels, then adaptability is improved, but inspection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting content variabilityVSAvoidinspection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by reading the actual printing content on each label, comparing it with the expected content, and providing inspection results back to the control system. This enables automatic detection of labels with incorrect variable content, resolving the inspection difficulty caused by printing content variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual inspection methods with an automated optical reading and comparison system. The reading device captures images of the labels, and the control device automatically compares the captured content with expected content, substituting human inspection with automated optical and computational processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If individual inspection of each label is performed, then detection accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidinspection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous inspection by processing labels sequentially as they move through the production line without stopping. The reading device continuously captures images, and the control device continuously compares content, ensuring uninterrupted inspection that maintains both accuracy and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Automated optical reading and computational comparison replace slow manual inspection, enabling rapid processing of each label while maintaining high detection accuracy. The system can inspect multiple labels per second, dramatically improving productivity compared to individual manual inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If stocks of various printing contents are held, then adaptability is improved, but loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestock varietyVSAvoidstockholding waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system discards labels with incorrect printing content immediately after detection through the inspection system. By identifying and removing defective labels before they enter the production stream, the system prevents waste of bottles and other resources that would result from using misprinted labels, eliminating the need to hold large stocks of various printing contents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Adaptability or versatility

If stocks of various printing contents are held, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent varietyVSAvoidtime to change printing content

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system provides immediate feedback on printing content accuracy, enabling real-time detection of incorrect labels. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify and address printing errors as they occur, eliminating the need to hold stocks of various contents and reducing the time required to change printing content by enabling on-demand verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10712983B2Management device, image forming apparatus, medium application system, management method, and computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2020.07.14 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

According to an embodiment, management device includes an image formation data management unit and an inspection unit. The image formation data management unit is configured to create a formation order indicating an order of forming an image corresponding to image formation data on a medium to be applied to an application target object. The inspection unit is configured to inspect whether the image formation data in accordance with the formation order matches with a read image obtained by reading the image formed on the medium in accordance with the formation order. The image formation data management unit transmits state information in which the formation order is associated with an image formation state based on at least one of an image formation result of the image formation data and an inspection result obtained by the inspection unit.