Methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting printing defects and contaminated components of a printer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023125920-A1
Application number	US-202218146201-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 23, 2022
Priority date	Jan 5, 2018
Publication date	Apr 27, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for printing defect detection includes processing and analyzing a difference image obtained by comparing an image scanned with a verifier to a reference image. The detected defects are grouped, and the grouping is refined. Confidence level values are then assigned to the refined groups, and analysis is performed to determine if one or more servicing actions should be taken.

First claim

1 . A method comprising:
capturing an image of printed content; generating a difference image based on a comparison of the captured image of the printed content and a reference image, wherein the reference image correlates to the printed content; analyzing the difference image to identify one or more bright points, wherein the one or more bright points correspond to one or more defects in the printed image; and determining one or more causes for the one or more defects based on one or more parameters associated with the one or more bright points.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising determining whether the one or more bright points lie on a line.

3 . The method of claim 2 further comprising in response to determining that the one or more bright points are non-collinear, determining that the one or more defects in the printed image is caused by contaminated platen roller.

4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising determining whether a bright point of the one or more bright points is within a predetermined distance from another bright point the one or more bright points.

5 . The method of claim 4 further comprising, in response to determining that the bright point is within the predetermined distance of the other bright point, creating a cluster of bright points that includes the bright point and the other bright point.

6 . The method of claim 5 further comprising determining whether the cluster of bright points are collinear based on attempting to connect three bright points in the cluster of bright points on a straight line.

7 . The method of claim 6 further comprising in response to determining that the one or more bright points are collinear, determining that one or more defects are caused by wrinkles on a ribbon.

8 . The method of claim 6 further comprising connecting the one or more bright points to create a line.

9 . The method of claim 8 further comprising determining a slope of the line and comparing the slope of the line with a predetermined angle.

10 . The method of claim 9 further comprising detecting the cause of the one or more defects as wrinkles on a ribbon.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the printed content includes a barcode symbol.

12 . A printer-verifier apparatus comprising:
a verifier configured to:
capture an image of printed content;
generate a difference image based on a comparison of the captured image of the printed content and a reference image, wherein the reference image correlates to the printed content;
analyze the difference image to identify one or more bright points, wherein the one or more bright points correspond to one or more defects in the printed image; and
determining one or more causes for the one or more defects based on one or more parameters associated with the one or more bright points.

13 . The printer-verifier apparatus of 12 , where the verifier is configured to determine whether the one or more bright points lie on a line.

14 . The printer-verifier apparatus of 13 , wherein the verifier is configured to, in response to determining that the one or more bright points are non-collinear, determine that the one or more defects in the printed image is caused by contaminated platen roller.

15 . The printer-verifier apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the verifier is further configured to determine whether a bright point of the one or more bright points is within a predetermined distance from another bright point the one or more bright points.

16 . The printer-verifier apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the verifier is further configured to: in response to determining that the bright point is within the predetermined distance of the other bright point, create a cluster of bright points that includes the bright point and the other bright point.

17 . The printer-verifier apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the verifier is further configured to determine whether the cluster of bright points are collinear based on attempting to connect three bright points in the cluster of bright points on a straight line.

18 . The printer-verifier apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the verifier is further configured to: in response to determining that the one or more bright points are collinear, determine that one or more defects are caused by wrinkles on a ribbon.

19 . The printer-verifier apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the verifier is further configured to connect the one or more bright points to create a line.

20 . The printer-verifier apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the verifier is further configured to determine a slope of the line and compare the slope of the line with a predetermined angle, wherein the verifier is configured to detect the cause of the one or more defects as wrinkles on a ribbon based on the comparison of the slope of the line with the predetermined angle.

Assignees

• Datamax Oneil Corp

Inventors

• D'Armancourt Sebastien
• Celinder Thomas Axel Jonas
• Ackley H Sprague
• Aspenns Glenn David

Classifications

• G06T2207/30144

  Printing quality · CPC title

• H04N1/00037

  Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state (H04N1/00031 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06T7/0002

  Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection · CPC title

• H04N1/00082

  Adjusting or controlling (interrupting an operation H04N1/00915; inhibiting an operation H04N1/00925) · CPC title

• H04N1/00045

  using a reference pattern designed for the purpose, e.g. a test chart · CPC title