Printed-Material Quality Inspection Using Page-ID Image Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems struggle to accurately inspect the printing quality of continuous printed materials when pages are missing or duplicated, leading to increased discarding of non-defective materials.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that sets normal page identification information in normal images and inspection page identification information in inspection images, allowing for accurate comparison and quality inspection even when pages are missing or duplicated, using a processor to determine printing quality based on matching identification information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If normal images are selected in sequence from a plurality of normal images for inspection, then inspection efficiency is improved, but inspection accuracy deteriorates when pages are missing or duplicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoidinspection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating a plurality of normal images in advance corresponding to different page scenarios (normal pages, missing pages, duplicated pages). These pre-prepared normal images are stored and selected based on the actual inspection needs, allowing the system to maintain both inspection efficiency through pre-generated images and accuracy by selecting the appropriate normal image that matches the actual page configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects from multiple pre-generated normal images based on the actual inspection requirements. Instead of using a fixed sequential selection method, the system adapts by choosing the most appropriate normal image from the plurality of available options, enabling it to handle varying page configurations (missing or duplicated pages) while maintaining both efficiency and accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If sequential selection of normal images is used, then processing speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates in cases of missing printed materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidinspection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of normal image selection from a fixed sequential method to a flexible selection method that chooses from multiple pre-generated normal images with different page configurations. This allows the system to maintain fast processing by selecting from pre-generated images while improving reliability by matching the selected normal image to the actual page configuration, ensuring accurate inspection even when pages are missing or duplicated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If simple sequential comparison is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates when page errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidprinting quality inspection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating multiple normal images in advance that account for various page error scenarios (missing pages, duplicated pages). This pre-preparation allows the simple sequential comparison mechanism to achieve high manufacturing precision by comparing against the appropriate pre-generated normal image that matches the actual page configuration, without increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4621546A1Information processing system, information processing program, and information processing method
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4621546A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621546A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621546A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing system includes a processor configured to determine, in a case where normal page identification information in one normal image selected in sequence from plural normal images matches inspection page identification information in an inspection image read from a printed material, a printing quality of the inspection image by using the one normal image, and determine, in a case where the normal page identification information in the one normal image does not match the inspection page identification information in the inspection image, and there is another unused normal image having the normal page identification information that matches the inspection page identification information, the printing quality of the inspection image, based on the other normal image.