Printer Identification via Voronoi Dot Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer identification methods using barcodes are resource-intensive and prone to errors due to print head malfunctions, barcode placement variations, and calibration issues, requiring a more efficient and reliable approach.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating unique dot patterns for each printer, creating Voronoi diagrams from these patterns, and selecting the appropriate diagram to identify the printer based on the presence of single dots in each cell, reducing ink usage and improving identification accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If barcodes are used for printer identification, then identification information can be printed on documents, but a relatively large amount of ink is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different dot patterns for different printers instead of uniform barcodes. Each printer has a unique local dot pattern characteristic that enables identification while consuming less ink than traditional barcodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification parameter from barcode patterns to dot patterns with varying characteristics (dot size, spacing, density). This parameter change allows for printer identification while reducing ink consumption compared to traditional barcodes.
2Reliability
If barcodes are used for printer identification, then identification information can be printed on documents, but barcode matching processes are relatively resource intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification process by using Voronoi diagrams to divide the analysis space into regions. Each region corresponds to a specific dot pattern characteristic, allowing for more efficient processing and matching of printer identifiers compared to traditional barcode matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical barcode matching process with a computational geometry approach using Voronoi diagrams. This substitution reduces processing resources by using spatial partitioning algorithms instead of traditional pattern matching methods.
3Productivity
If barcodes are used for printer identification, then identification information can be printed on documents, but errors in barcode matching may occur due to print head malfunctions, barcode placement variations, and printer calibration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by using Voronoi diagrams that inherently account for variations in dot pattern placement and printer calibration issues. The geometric structure of Voronoi regions provides a buffer zone that tolerates certain variations without causing identification errors, thus cushioning against potential failures before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple dot patterns instead of complex barcodes, which are more tolerant of print quality variations. These simpler identification markers can be reliably printed even with minor print head issues, making the system more robust to common printing problems.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for identifying a printer that generated a printed document. The methods comprise: generating an electronic image of the printed document; obtaining a dot pattern contained on the printed document via an analysis of the electronic image; overlaying the dot pattern on Voronoi diagrams; selecting a first Voronoi diagram from the Voronoi diagrams that has a single dot of the dot pattern in each of at least some cells thereof; and identifying a printer associated with the first Voronoi diagram that was selected from the Voronoi diagrams. The printer associated with the first Voronoi diagram comprises the printer that generated a printed document.