Overprinting Inspection Apparatus Using Difference Image Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing overprinting inspection systems fail to accurately detect failures by merely comparing succeeding print data with post-overprinting images, as the data mismatch due to differences in image composition and printing processes, leading to increased processing demands with larger comparison target data amounts.

Innovation Solution

An overprinting inspection apparatus utilizing a processor to compare succeeding print data with a succeeding image detected from a post-overprinting medium, reducing the comparison target data amount by focusing on specific-color or specific-area information, thereby enhancing detection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the post-overprinting image is compared with combined data obtained by combining the preceding print data and the succeeding print data, then the overprinting failure detection accuracy is improved, but the processing amount for the comparison increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverprinting failure detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the comparison process into two distinct stages: first comparing the preceding print data with the preceding image to generate corrected print data, and then comparing the succeeding print data with the difference between the post-overprinting image and the preceding image. This segmentation reduces the overall processing amount while maintaining detection accuracy by breaking down the complex three-way comparison into manageable two-way comparisons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and utilizes the difference image (post-overprinting image minus preceding image) as the target for comparison with succeeding print data. This extraction approach isolates only the relevant information needed for detecting succeeding image printing failures, eliminating the need to process the entire combined data set and thereby reducing processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Power

If the succeeding print data is compared with the post-overprinting image directly, then the processing amount is reduced, but the overprinting failure detection accuracy deteriorates due to data mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing amountVSAvoidoverprinting failure detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary comparison between the preceding print data and the preceding image before comparing the succeeding print data with the post-overprinting image. This preliminary action generates corrected print data that accounts for any discrepancies in the preceding image, thereby preparing the data in advance to enable accurate subsequent comparison with reduced processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the difference image (obtained by subtracting the preceding image from the post-overprinting image) as an intermediary element that mediates between the succeeding print data and the complete post-overprinting image. This intermediary contains only the relevant succeeding image information, enabling accurate comparison without processing the entire post-overprinting image data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If three pieces of data (preceding print data, succeeding print data, and post-overprinting image) are used for comparison, then the detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidcomparison system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the three-data comparison process into two sequential two-data comparison processes. The first comparison involves preceding print data and preceding image, while the second comparison involves succeeding print data and the difference image. This segmentation maintains detection reliability by systematically processing all three data sources while reducing system complexity through modular, step-by-step comparison operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary processing to generate the difference image before the main comparison operation. This preliminary action simplifies the subsequent comparison by pre-processing the post-overprinting image data, thereby reducing the complexity of the main comparison process while ensuring all necessary information from the three data sources is utilized for reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12086482B2Overprinting inspection apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium storing overprinting inspection program

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An overprinting inspection apparatus includes a processor configured to detect failure in overprinting by comparing succeeding print data and a succeeding image detected from a post-overprinting medium obtained by the overprinting. The overprinting is printing of the succeeding image based on the succeeding print data over a pre-overprinting medium on which a preceding image has been printed based on preceding print data.