Print Frame Stitching for Seamless Large Image Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print engines face challenges in efficiently managing and printing images that exceed the physical constraints of their formats, such as press seams and substrate lengths, leading to visible seams and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
The system subdivides images into print frames of manageable lengths and uses digital image processing techniques like stitching and alpha-blending to ensure seamless transitions between frames, adapting to the physical characteristics of the print engine and optimizing image composition for seamless printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If images are subdivided into multiple print frames to fit physical constraints, then visible seams are reduced, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides large images into multiple smaller print frames that fit within the physical constraints of the print engine. This segmentation allows the image to be processed and printed in manageable portions, reducing the visibility of seams at frame boundaries while maintaining overall image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary digital image processing techniques including stitching and alpha-blending to the subdivided frames before printing. This preliminary action prepares the frames in advance to minimize seam visibility, ensuring that when the frames are printed sequentially, the transitions between them are seamless or nearly seamless.
2Productivity
If images are subdivided into manageable frames, then printing continuity is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting large images into smaller frames that fit the print engine's physical constraints, the system enables continuous printing without interruptions. Each frame can be processed and printed in sequence, maintaining printing continuity and productivity while managing the complexity of large image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of the subdivided frames using stitching and alpha-blending techniques before the printing sequence begins. This advance preparation reduces the overall processing time during the printing operation, improving productivity by ensuring that frames are ready for immediate printing with minimal seam visibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is described in which a length of an image is compared with a threshold associated to a print device. The image is subdivided into a sequence of print frames. Each print frame has length equal to or less than the threshold. A stitching operation is performed on at least two consecutive print frames. The print device is controlled to sequentially print the at least two stitched consecutive print frames.