Image Inspection Reference Generation for Variable Print Defects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image inspection methods for variable printing require registering reference images for all pages, which is time-consuming, and fail to detect defects in the variable region due to excluding it from inspection.
Innovation Solution
An image inspection apparatus and method that generates reference images for both non-variable and variable regions, allowing for parallel processing and inspection, including a controller to manage different inspection modes and a collator for collating variable region information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reference images of all pages are registered in advance to inspect variable regions, then inspection coverage is improved, but inspection time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating reference images for variable regions during the printing process itself, rather than requiring advance registration of all page reference images. The controller generates reference images for variable regions on-the-fly based on the print data, enabling inspection without the time-consuming pre-registration step while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system segments the inspection process into two distinct paths: one for non-variable regions using pre-registered reference images, and another for variable regions using dynamically generated reference images. This segmentation allows each region type to be handled with the most appropriate method, improving overall efficiency while maintaining comprehensive coverage
2Productivity
If variable region is set as inspection exclusion region to shorten inspection time, then inspection speed is improved, but defect detection capability in variable region is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different inspection qualities and methods to different regions: non-variable regions use the traditional reference image comparison method with pre-registered references, while variable regions use a localized approach where reference images are generated dynamically from the print data itself. This local quality differentiation allows fast inspection of stable regions while enabling defect detection in variable regions without sacrificing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that generates reference images for variable regions from the print data on-demand. This intermediary process bridges the gap between the need for fast inspection and the need for defect detection in variable regions, creating reference images only when needed for variable region comparison rather than requiring advance registration of all pages
3Reliability
If reference images are generated for each page including variable regions, then defect detection in variable regions is enabled, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by having the controller generate reference images for variable regions automatically from the print data itself, without requiring external input or manual registration. The print data serves as the source material, and the controller autonomously creates the reference images needed for inspection, reducing processing complexity while enabling comprehensive defect detection
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide an image inspection apparatus, an image inspection method, and an image inspection program with which it is possible to detect an image defect not only in a non-variable region but also in a variable region. An image inspection apparatus 300 includes an image former 330, a reference image generator 380, and an image inspector 350. The image former 330 forms an image on a recording medium based on image data. The reference image generator 380 generates, based on the image data, a reference image to be used for inspection of the image formed on the recording medium. The image inspector 350 inspects the image formed on the recording medium based on the reference image. The reference image generator 380 generates a reference image to be compared to a read image that is to be inspected by the image inspector 350 for an image of a page including a non-variable region in which the same image is formed in a plurality of pages by the image former 330 and a variable region in which different images are formed for each page.