Print Inspection Control With Automated Reference Image Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection systems require manual registration of reference images and threshold settings, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, and lack seamless integration with print job execution.
Innovation Solution
An integrated inspection system and method that automates reference image registration and threshold setting, allowing for efficient comparison of printed images with registered references during the print job execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual registration of reference images and threshold settings is performed, then inspection accuracy can be maintained, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing images during the printing process and pre-processing them to generate reference images and determine threshold values before the actual inspection begins. This eliminates the need for manual registration and setup, reducing operation complexity while maintaining inspection accuracy through automated image processing and analysis.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual reference image registration and threshold setting are performed, then inspection quality can be ensured, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system performs self-service by automatically generating reference images and threshold values from images captured during the printing process itself. The system uses its own imaging resources to create the inspection standards without requiring external manual intervention, thereby ensuring inspection quality while significantly improving productivity through automated operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by integrating reference image generation and threshold setting into the continuous printing process. Instead of interrupting production for manual setup, the system continuously captures images during printing and immediately processes them for inspection purposes, eliminating idle time and maintaining high productivity while ensuring inspection quality.
3Reliability
If separate reference image registration job and main print job are executed manually, then inspection thoroughness is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the reference image registration job and the main print job into a single integrated process. By combining these previously separate operations, the system executes both functions simultaneously without requiring sequential manual intervention, thereby maintaining inspection thoroughness while eliminating the time loss associated with switching between separate jobs.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inspection system includes at least an inspection apparatus, a printing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus that are communicable with each other, wherein the inspection apparatus includes controllers, the controllers configured to receive an inspection setting for a registered reference image, and to transmit a predetermined notification to the information processing apparatus based on completion of an inspection setting, wherein the information processing apparatus includes controllers, the controllers configured to transmit a main print job for executing inspection to the printing apparatus if the predetermined notification is received, wherein the printing apparatus includes the controllers configured to perform printing based on the main print job if the main print job is received and to generate a scan image by reading a printed matter printed, and wherein the inspection apparatus further includes an inspection unit configured to execute inspection of the received scan image based on the inspection setting received.