Printer Quality Assessment via Automated Image Scoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face challenges in objectively assessing the quality of printed images over time, making it difficult to determine if a printer's quality has degraded or if there are issues with the printer compared to a demo model.
Innovation Solution
A printer quality assessment system that includes an image capture device, light sources, and processors to evaluate images printed at different times, providing an objective numeric quality score for comparison.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visual inspection is used to assess printer quality, then the process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the measurement precision and objectivity are insufficient to reliably detect quality degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated image capture device and processing system. The image capture device (camera or scanner) automatically captures printed images, and image processing software objectively analyzes quality parameters such as sharpness, contrast, and color accuracy, eliminating the subjectivity and imprecision of human visual assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of printed images through the image capture device and stores them for analysis. By capturing and storing image data, the system enables repeated, objective measurements of the same print over time without requiring repeated physical inspection, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If objective quality assessment is implemented using image capture devices and processing systems, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service quality assessment by allowing users to automatically capture images of their prints and have the processing system evaluate quality without requiring intervention from manufacturers or specialized inspectors. The printer or user can simply place the print under the capture device and press a button to initiate automated analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system provides automated feedback by analyzing captured images and generating quality scores or assessments that indicate whether the print meets acceptable standards. This feedback mechanism reliably detects quality degradation over time by comparing current prints against stored reference images and predefined quality parameters.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured and processed to assess quality degradation, then the accuracy of quality comparison improves, but the time required for assessment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing reference images of prints made under known good conditions before quality degradation occurs. These reference images are processed and stored in advance, creating a baseline for future comparisons. When assessing current prints, the system only needs to compare against these pre-stored references rather than performing comprehensive analysis from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by focusing image processing on specific quality parameters most relevant to detecting degradation, such as sharpness, contrast, and color fidelity, rather than analyzing every possible aspect of the print. This selective processing maintains high comparison accuracy while reducing the time required for assessment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for objective evaluation of printer quality, enabling users to easily identify any degradation in print quality and provide evidence for resolving issues with manufacturers or salespersons.
Implementation Method 1
The light source can be used to light up the image for the image capture device to capture the image with sufficient detail
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed here is a system enabling users/customers to receive an objective assessment of the performance of a printer. This is accomplished by comparing a quality score of an earlier-in-time image with a quality score of a later-in-time image. A processor analyzes each image based on several criteria and uses various image-analysis methods, to flag errors within an image. A numeric quality score, based on the number of errors, is provided to the user to objectively evaluate whether the printer has degraded or not. Thus, the user can objectively present an argument to a salesperson or manufacturer that the user is due a remedy.