Small-Format Glyph Ink Traps for Readable Microtext Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the case of particularly small-printed glyphs, such as microtext, the corner areas are filled with ink, leading to unclear or unreadable images due to undesired ink filling, which is influenced by the printing process and substrate type.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that reshapes glyphs by moving anchor points to form ink traps and introducing arc-shaped gradients, hollowing out inner corners to prevent ink filling, ensuring the glyph remains readable even in small dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a glyph is printed in small dimensions using liquid ink, then the printing process can be applied to various substrates, but the corner areas and inner spaces of the glyph are filled with ink, making the glyph unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-modifying the glyph design before printing to anticipate and prevent the ink filling problem. The method involves detecting inner corners and spaces in the glyph, then pre-adjusting these areas by moving anchor points or introducing arc-shaped gradients to create hollowed-out regions that will remain empty even after ink application. This preliminary structural modification ensures the glyph remains readable despite the inherent ink filling behavior of liquid ink printing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making specific modifications only to the problematic areas of the glyph rather than changing the entire glyph structure. The method selectively identifies inner corners and enclosed spaces, then applies localized adjustments such as moving individual anchor points or introducing arc-shaped gradients only at these specific locations. This localized approach preserves the overall glyph design while preventing ink filling only where it would compromise readability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the glyph design is modified to prevent ink filling, then readability is maintained, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automated computer-implemented method that performs the glyph modification process without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically detects inner corners and enclosed spaces in the glyph, calculates the necessary anchor point movements or arc-shaped gradient introductions, and generates the modified glyph design. This automation eliminates the need for manual glyph redesign while maintaining readability, effectively making the complex processing transparent to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying the geometric parameters of the glyph at identified problem areas. The method changes parameters such as anchor point positions, edge curvature (introducing arc-shaped gradients), and local geometry to create hollowed-out regions. These parameter modifications are applied algorithmically based on the detected glyph structure, transforming the design to prevent ink filling while maintaining the overall character recognition.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for adapting a glyph (100) in order to later apply it to a substrate by printing in small dimensions in the form of an adapted glyph (102), comprising the steps of: - providing an original file containing the glyph (100); - determining all anchor points (104) of the glyph (100) which form an inner corner (108) of the glyph (100) through contact between two edges (106) which run at least partially in a straight line; - reshaping the glyph (100) and thus forming the adapted glyph (102) a) by displacing at least one of the anchor points (104) further into its inner corner (108), wherein the inner corner (108) is hollowed out to form an ink trap (110); or b) by introducing an arcuate course into the two contacting edges (106) while maintaining their contact, the inner corner (108) being hollowed out to form an ink trap (110);and - saving the adapted glyph (102) in a target file. The invention also relates to a computer program with program code for implementing this method.