Variable Printing Inspection Apparatus Region Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently and accurately inspecting printed images on multiple sheets with different contents using different image forming data, due to differences in color spaces and blurring, leading to decreased detection precision in variable printing.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus comprising a region extractor that identifies character and background regions in the image forming data and a defect detector that compares read image data to detect dot loss or excessive density, allowing for efficient and accurate inspection without pre-prepared correct images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If image forming image data and read image data are compared directly, then inspection can be performed without pre-prepared correct images, but detection precision decreases due to color space and blurring differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by converting image data between different color spaces (RGB to CMYK) and adjusting resolution parameters to match between read images and image forming data. This allows direct comparison without pre-prepared correct images while maintaining detection precision through standardized parameter transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that mediates between the read image data and image forming image data. This intermediary performs color space conversion, resolution adjustment, and blurring correction to bridge the differences between the two data types, enabling accurate inspection of variable printing without sacrificing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software processing is used for color matching, resolution conversion and filter blurring processing, then degree of freedom is high, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing conversion parameters, color matching profiles, and blurring correction data in lookup tables. During actual inspection, the system quickly retrieves these pre-prepared parameters instead of performing complex calculations in real-time, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining flexibility through selectable processing modes.
3Productivity
If hardware processing is used for color matching, resolution conversion and filter blurring processing, then processing time is reduced, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a hybrid processing system that can dynamically switch between software-based flexible processing and hardware-accelerated fast processing based on the specific inspection requirements. This allows the system to optimize between speed and cost for different inspection scenarios, using hardware acceleration only when high-speed processing is critical.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different contents are printed in variable region for each sheet, then variable printing capability is achieved, but it becomes impossible to print and read a correct image in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the inspection process into two distinct segments: inspection of fixed regions using pre-prepared correct images, and inspection of variable regions using direct comparison with image forming data. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the efficiency of pre-prepared images where applicable while accommodating variable content in other regions, making variable printing inspection feasible without complete loss of preparation benefits.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
To efficiently and accurately perform inspection even when an image is formed on printed matter of a plurality of sheets with different contents by using different image forming image data. Provided is an inspection apparatus for inspecting printed matter on which an image is formed, by comparing a read image on the printed matter with a correct image prepared in advance, comprising an operation display unit, and a region setter configured to set a variable region of a variable printing, wherein the variable region is set as a region on which the image is formed on the printed matter of the plurality of the sheets with different contents and wherein the variable region is set by the instruction from the user on the correct image displayed on an operation display unit.