Print Verification System Evaluation via Virtual Printer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for verifying the functionality of a Print Verification System (PVS) are tedious and do not accurately reflect actual production processing, as they require manual preparation of test print jobs and switching to a test mode, which can lead to untested defect conditions and inaccurate verification.
Innovation Solution
A print system that uses bitmap images generated externally to evaluate the PVS, allowing any print job to act as a test job, eliminating the need for a test mode and enabling defects to be seeded into one version of the print job while another remains intact, with a virtual printer generating rasterized images for comparison with printed output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specially prepared test print job is used to verify PVS functionality, then the PVS can be tested for defect detection, but the preparation process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual printer to create a digital copy (rasterized image) of the expected output. This copy serves as the reference standard for defect detection, eliminating the need for manual preparation of test print jobs. The virtual printer generates the test data automatically from the original print job files.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-generating the rasterized reference images using the virtual printer before actual printing occurs. This allows the PVS to be tested in advance without requiring physical test print jobs to be prepared manually.
2Reliability
If the PVS is switched to test mode to compare reformatted page pairs, then defect detection capability is verified, but the system deviates from actual production processing
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual printer creates an accurate digital copy of the production processing output. By comparing the physical printed pages against this digital copy generated by the virtual printer, the system maintains the same comparison methodology used in production, ensuring test results accurately reflect real-world performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the testing process into two independent paths: one through the physical printer for actual printing, and another through the virtual printer for generating reference images. This segmentation allows testing without requiring the PVS to switch modes, as each path operates independently using the same production processing logic.
3Measurement precision
If manual preparation of test print jobs is performed, then specific defect conditions can be tested, but the process becomes complex and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating the test reference images through the virtual printer without requiring manual intervention. The original print job files are automatically processed to create the rasterized reference images, eliminating the need for operators to manually prepare test jobs while maintaining the ability to verify specific defect conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for evaluation of a print verification system. One embodiment is a print system that includes a printer, a virtual printer, a print verification system, and a print server. The print server is configured to initiate an evaluation of the print verification system by providing a defective version of a print job to one of the printer and the virtual printer and providing a non-defective version of the print job to the other one of the printer and the virtual printer. The print server verifies functionality of the print verification system based on whether the print verification system detects the defects via comparison of the printed output of the print job by the printer against the bitmap image output of the print job by the virtual printer.