Automated Print Data Processing via Image Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In electrophotographic high-performance printing, it is impractical for experienced printers to manually set display parameters for each document, especially when printing large quantities with varying content, as this process is time-consuming and inefficient, particularly when combining print data from different sources.

Innovation Solution

An automated method using image analysis to determine physical and semantic display parameters for print data, allowing for precise assignment of display parameters without manual intervention, enabling efficient processing in diverse printing environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual setting of display parameters by experienced printers is used, then print quality can be optimized for each individual block, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient, especially when printing large quantities with varying content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint qualityVSAvoidprinting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-analysis of print data by the printing device itself. The controller automatically reads print data, divides it into blocks, determines display parameters through image analysis, and generates output parameters without requiring manual intervention from experienced printers. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by eliminating the time-consuming manual process while maintaining optimized print quality through automated intelligent analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of visual inspection and manual parameter setting with an automated image analysis system. The controller uses image analysis algorithms to automatically determine display parameters based on the content of print data blocks, substituting the mechanical action of manual examination with automated digital analysis. This substitution maintains precision while dramatically improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual visual inspection and professional experience are used to set display parameters, then appropriate printing parameters can be selected, but the process is not scalable and cannot handle large quantities of print data from different sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter selection accuracyVSAvoidhandling diverse print data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device's controller performs self-analysis of print data automatically. It reads print data from various sources, divides it into blocks, and independently determines appropriate display parameters through integrated image analysis capabilities. This self-service approach eliminates dependency on human operators and enables reliable processing of large quantities of diverse print data from different sources without degradation in parameter selection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal controller that can handle multiple types of print data from different sources (text documents, images, tables, etc.) using a single integrated image analysis approach. The controller universally applies image analysis methods to automatically determine display parameters for any block type, making the system adaptable to diverse printing tasks without requiring source-specific manual processing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If image analysis method is used to automatically determine display parameters, then processing speed and efficiency are improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the image analysis functionality directly into the printing device's controller, combining what would otherwise be separate external analysis systems with the printing device's core processing capabilities. By integrating image analysis, block division, display parameter determination, and output parameter generation into a single unified controller, the system achieves high processing speed while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through consolidation rather than addition of separate complex subsystems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2092465B1Method and system for the automatic processing of printing data for a printing operation
Publication Date: 2011.01.19 OCE PRINTING SYST GMBH
  • EP2092465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2092465B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a system for the automatic processing of printing data for a printing operation. Depiction parameters for printing data are generated automatically by way of the method according to the invention. The depiction parameters are generated, inter alia, with the aid of an image analysis method, with the result that physical variables which are assigned to the printing data as depiction parameters directly or after further analysis are extracted from the printing data. Output parameters, by way of which the printing operation is controlled, can be determined using the depiction parameters according to known methods.