Printing Image Geometric Error Correction with Protected Area Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for correcting geometric errors in printing images during transfer to printing materials distort protected areas such as register crosses and edge marks, leading to positioning errors and inaccuracies in printing processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a matrix manipulation device to correct geometric errors while preserving the absolute position and content of specific protected areas within the raster bitmap, using a protected area determining device and a protective element to ensure these areas remain unchanged during manipulation, and a temporary memory to store and restore the protected content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If matrix manipulation is applied to correct geometric distortions in the raster bitmap, then geometric accuracy of the printed image is improved, but the absolute position and content of protected areas (register crosses, edge marks) are distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The raster bitmap is divided into two distinct segments: a first area containing the printing image subject to geometric correction, and a second area containing protected elements (register crosses, edge marks) that remain unchanged. This segmentation allows independent processing of each area, applying matrix manipulation only where needed while preserving protected areas at their absolute positions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality characteristics are applied to different areas of the raster bitmap. The first area undergoes geometric distortion correction to achieve high manufacturing precision, while the second area maintains its original properties with preserved absolute position and content, ensuring measurement precision for alignment purposes.
2Manufacturing precision
If the entire raster bitmap is distorted to compensate for printing material deformation, then overall geometric errors are corrected, but protected areas such as edge marks become erroneous
Solution Approach 1:
The raster bitmap is segmented into a first area for printing image correction and a second area for protected alignment marks. This allows the matrix manipulation device to apply distortion compensation only to the first area while leaving the second area unchanged, ensuring edge marks and register crosses maintain their reliability for plate handling and registration.
Solution Approach 2:
The matrix manipulation device acts as an intermediary that selectively applies geometric correction. It processes the raster bitmap by applying matrix transformation only to the first area while preserving the second area, thus mediating between the need for distortion compensation and the need to maintain accurate reference marks.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus are provided for correcting geometric errors during a transfer of a printing image to a printing material. For the purpose of correction, a raster bitmap is fed to a matrix manipulation device, which distorts the raster bitmap. The problem with the distortion is that areas such as edge marks are also distorted. In order to avoid those undesired distortions, a protected area determining device for determining a protected area within the raster bitmap and/or the master print, and a protective element for preserving the content of a protected area within a raster bitmap, are provided.