Printer Verification System with Restricted Print Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional verification systems face challenges in aligning printed images correctly when printing conditions change, leading to misalignment and incorrect verification results, especially when sheet inversion or changes in print order occur, affecting the comparison between correct and verified images.

Innovation Solution

A verification system that includes a setting unit for configuring printing conditions, a printing unit for printing images, a reading unit for image registration, an editing unit for adjusting conditions, and a restriction unit to prevent changes in critical printing settings, ensuring that images are verified under the same conditions as the correct image was generated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If printing conditions are allowed to be freely edited, then adaptability to different printing requirements is improved, but verification accuracy deteriorates due to misalignment between correct and verified images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting condition flexibilityVSAvoidverification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the state of printing condition parameters from fully editable to restricted/locked for critical parameters (print order, sheet inversion, printing surface). This parameter change ensures that verification is performed under consistent conditions with the correct image generation, preventing misalignment while still allowing non-critical parameters to be adjusted for different printing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments printing conditions into critical parameters (print order, sheet inversion, printing surface) and non-critical parameters. By applying different control levels to different segments, the system maintains verification accuracy for critical parameters while preserving flexibility for non-critical adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If printing conditions are strictly controlled, then verification accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited editing capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidprinting condition editing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational state of printing conditions by marking critical parameters as restricted from editing. This allows users to maintain verification accuracy without being completely restricted from adjusting printing conditions, as only non-critical parameters can be modified.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts critical printing parameters (print order, sheet inversion, printing surface) from the editable set and separates them as restricted parameters. This extraction allows users to operate freely on non-critical parameters while preventing changes to critical parameters that would compromise verification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all printing parameters are made editable, then adaptability is improved, but reliability of verification deteriorates due to potential misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting condition adjustabilityVSAvoidverification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reliability status of verification by restricting editing of critical parameters that affect image alignment. This ensures that verification remains reliable when comparing images printed under the same critical conditions, while still allowing adaptability through non-critical parameter adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments printing parameters into reliable (critical) and adaptable (non-critical) categories. By applying different control mechanisms to each segment, the system maintains verification reliability for critical parameters while preserving overall adaptability for printing configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11556285B2Verification system, information processing apparatus, and control methods thereof

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 CANON KK

AI summary

A verification system includes a printer which prints image on a recording sheet, a reader which reads an image printed on the recording sheet, and controllers to set a first print setting via a setting screen, cause the printer to print an image based on the set first print setting, cause the reader to read the printed image, and register the read image as a correct image. The controllers also set a second print setting via the setting screen, cause the printer to print an verification target image based on the set second print setting, cause the reader to read the printed verification target image, and verify the read image using the registered correct image, and control the setting screen for the second print setting so that a predetermined print setting included in the first print setting cannot be edited on the setting screen for the second print setting.