Patent Description:
A typical printing apparatus may include a print head that may be configured to print content on print media. The printing apparatus may further include a verifier that may be configured to evaluate a quality of the printed content. For example, to perform the verification operation, the verifier may first scan the printed content (e.g., capture an image of the printed content). Thereafter, the printing apparatus may be configured to evaluate the quality of the printed content based on the quality of the image of the printed content.

<CIT> describes an online data validator that is a digital imaging system integrated onto the front side of a printing unit wherein an exit of the printing unit is set on the same side close to the online data validator for a media exiting therefrom.

The invention is defined by the independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed in an open sense, that is as "including, but not limited to.

If the specification states a component or feature "may," "can," "could," "should," "would," "preferably," "possibly," "typically," "optionally," "for example," "often," or "might" (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that a specific component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic.

The term "electronically coupled," "electronically coupling," "electronically couple," "in communication with," "in electronic communication with," or "connected" in the present disclosure refers to two or more components being connected (directly or indirectly) through wired means (for example but not limited to, system bus, wired Ethernet) and/or wireless means (for example but not limited to, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee), such that data and/or information may be transmitted to and/or received from these components.

The terms "print media," "physical print media," "paper," and "labels" refer to tangible, substantially durable physical material onto which text, graphics, images and/or the like may be imprinted and persistently retained over time. Physical print media may be used for personal communications, business communications, and/or the like to convey prose expression (including news, editorials, product data, academic writings, memos, and many other kinds of communications), data, advertising, fiction, entertainment content, and illustrations and pictures. Physical print media may be generally derivatives of wood pulp or polymers, and includes conventional office paper, clear or tinted acetate media, news print, envelopes, mailing labels, product labels, and other kinds of labels. Thicker materials, such as cardstock or cardboard may be included as well. In exemplary embodiments discussed throughout this document, reference may be made specifically to "paper" or "labels;" however, the operations, system elements, and methods of such exemplary applications may be applicable to media other than or in addition to the specifically mentioned "paper" or "labels. In some embodiments, the print media may correspond to a continuous media that may be loaded in a printing apparatus in form of a roll or a stack, or may correspond to media that may be divided into a plurality of labels through perforations defined along a width of the print media. Alternatively or additionally, the print media may be divided into the plurality of labels through one or more marks that are defined at a predetermined distance from each other, along the length of the print media. In some example embodiments, a contiguous stretch of the print media, between two consecutive marks or two consecutive perforations, corresponds to a label of the print media.

The terms "printer" and "printing apparatus" refer to a device that may imprint texts, images, shapes, symbols, graphics such as barcodes, and/or the like onto print media to create a persistent, human-viewable representation of the corresponding texts, images, shapes, symbols, graphics, and/or the like. Printers may include, for example, laser printers, thermal printers, ink-jet printers, and/or the like.

The term "machine readable indicia" has been broadly intended to include any indicia, including Linear symbols, 2D barcodes (such as QR code, and Datamatrix codes), RFID tags, IR tags, near-field-communication (NFC) tags, and characters that are readable by a computing device (for example, an indicia scanner). Indicia are typically graphical representations of information (e.g., data), such as product numbers, package tracking numbers, patient identification numbers, medication tracking identifiers, personnel identification numbers, etc..

The term "quality" may refer to standard or protocol based on which content may be evaluated or compared with each other. For example, quality of printed content may be evaluated based on resolution of the printed content, degree of conformity, print density, contrast with print media and/or the like. In some examples, the quality of the printed content may be further evaluated based on the quality of certain portions of the printed content. For example, the quality of the printed content may be evaluated based on quality of machine readable indicia in the printed content. To this end, the quality of the machine readable indicia may be evaluated based on ANSI X3. <NUM>, ISO <NUM>, and ISO/IEC <NUM> standards. The process of the evaluating the quality of the machine readable indicia is also referred to as grading the machine readable indicia.

The term "location" may refer to a point or a single coordinate in an image. In some examples, the location in an image may be represented in one or more coordinate systems such as, but not limited Cartesian coordinate system, Polar coordinate system, and/or the like.

A typical printing apparatus may include a verifier that may be utilized to evaluate a quality of printed content. For example, the verifier may be utilized to evaluate the quality of a machine readable indicia in the printed content. In some examples, the verifier may scan the printed content to generate an image of the printed content. Further, the verifier may transmit the image of the printed content to a processor of the printing apparatus. The processor may identify and retrieve the machine readable indicia from the image of the printed content. Thereafter, the processor may evaluate the quality of the machine readable indicia in the image of the printed content. Since the image of the printed content is a digital representation of the printed content, therefore, the quality of the machine readable indicia in the image of the printed content may be indicative of the quality of the machine readable indicia in the printed content (i.e., the print quality of the machine readable indicia). In some examples, identifying and retrieving the machine readable indicia directly from the image of the printed content is usually computationally intensive and may affect the overall efficiency of the printing apparatus.

Systems and methods described herein disclose a printing apparatus that may receive a first image data that includes information pertaining to the first image, which is to be printed. In some examples, the printing apparatus may receive the first image data in form of a bit stream. In some examples, the first image data may be representative of the first image. The printing apparatus may render a buffer image from the bit stream (included in the first image data). In an example embodiment, the buffer image may be a representation of the first image. Additionally or alternately, the printing apparatus may scale the buffer image to generate a scaled buffer image. In some examples, scaling the buffer image may involve modifying a resolution of the buffer image. For example, the printing apparatus may reduce the resolution of the buffer image during scaling of the buffer image. Concurrently, in some examples, the printing apparatus may print the buffer image on the print media to generate printed content.

In some examples, the printing apparatus may identify a region of interest in the scaled buffer image. For example, the printing apparatus may identify a machine readable indicia in the scaled buffer image as the region of interest. Identifying the machine readable indicia in the scaled buffer image may include identifying one or more first locations in the buffered image. In some examples, identifying the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image may include determining coordinates of the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image. In an example embodiment, the one or more first locations may encompass the machine readable indicia in the scaled buffer image. More particularly, the one or more first locations may define a periphery of the machine readable indicia in the scaled buffer image. Using the one or more first locations (which encompasses the machine readable indicia in the buffered image), the printing apparatus may be configured to determine one or more second locations on the printed content, which encompass the machine readable indicia in the printed content. In some examples, the one or more second locations encompassing the machine readable indicia in the printed content may be different from the one or more first locations encompassing the machine readable indicia in the scaled buffer image. Such difference in the locations may be due to the difference in the resolution of the printed content and the scaled buffer image. Accordingly, the printing apparatus may determine the one or more second locations on the printed content based on at least the resolution of the scaled buffer image.

In some examples, the printing apparatus may cause the verifier (in the printing apparatus) to scan the printed content. In an example embodiment, scanning the printed content causes the verifier to generate a second image of the printed content. From the second image, the printing apparatus may retrieve a portion of the second image based on the one or more second locations. In an example embodiment, the one or more second locations may define a periphery of the portion of the second image. Since the one or more second locations encompass the machine readable indicia in the printed content and the second image is a digital representation of the printed content therefore, the portion of the second image (encompassed by the one or more second locations in the second image) may include the machine readable indicia. Thereafter, the printing apparatus may evaluate the quality of the machine readable indicia in portion of the second image. The quality of the machine readable indicia in the portion of the second image is reflective of the print quality of the machine readable indicia in the printed content.

Additionally or alternatively, the printing apparatus may cause the verifier (in the printing apparatus) to scan a portion of the printed content to generate the second image. For example, the printing apparatus may cause the verifier to only scan the portion of the printed image that is encompassed by the one or more second locations in the printed content. As discussed, the one or more second locations encompass the machine readable indicia. Accordingly, the second image may only include the machine readable indicia. Thereafter, the printing apparatus may evaluate the quality of the machine readable indicia in the second image. The quality of the machine readable indicia in the second image is reflective of the print quality of the machine readable indicia in the printed content.

Since the one or more second locations, used to retrieve the region of interest from the printed content, are determined by utilizing the scaled buffer image, therefore, the computational resources required to identify and retrieve the region of interest directly from the printed content are saved. Thus, proposed methods and systems for operating the printing apparatus improves the overall efficiency of the printing apparatus.

<FIG> illustrates a system environment <NUM> where various embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented. The system environment <NUM> includes a user computing device <NUM>, a network <NUM>, and a printing apparatus <NUM>. Further, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes a control unit <NUM>. The user computing device <NUM> and the printing apparatus <NUM> are communicatively coupled with each other through the network <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the user computing device <NUM> may refer to a computing device used by a user of the printing apparatus <NUM>. The user computing device <NUM> may comprise one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories may include computer readable code that may be executable by the one or more processors to perform predetermined operations. Further, the user computing device <NUM> may include one or more interfaces that may facilitate communication with the printing apparatus <NUM> through the network <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the user computing device <NUM> may be configured to receive an input from the user <NUM> to generate a print job. In an example embodiment, the print job may include data (e.g., first image data) to be printed by the printing apparatus <NUM>. Some examples of the data may include text and/or graphics to be printed by the printing apparatus <NUM>. After generation of the print job, the user computing device <NUM> may be configured to transmit an instruction (comprising the print job) to the printing apparatus <NUM> for performing the print operation. The structure of the user computing device <NUM> and the operation of the user computing device <NUM> have been described in conjunction with <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively. Examples of the user computing device <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a tablet, or other such computing device.

The network <NUM> corresponds to a medium through which content and messages flow between various devices in the system environment <NUM> (e.g., the user computing device <NUM> and the printing apparatus <NUM>). Examples of the network <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a Wireless Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). Various devices in the system environment <NUM> can connect to the network <NUM> in accordance with various wired and wireless communication protocols such as, but not limited to, Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> communication protocols.

The printing apparatus <NUM> may correspond to a peripheral device that is capable for reproducing text and graphics on a print medium. In other words, the printing apparatus <NUM> may be configured to perform the print operation based on the print job received from the user computing device <NUM>. Some examples of the printing apparatus <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, an ink-jet printer, a laser printer, and a thermal printer. For the purpose of ongoing description, the printing apparatus <NUM> has been considered as the thermal printer. However, it may be contemplated that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the printing apparatus <NUM> as the thermal printer.

The control unit <NUM> may be configured to control the operation of various components of the printing apparatus <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> may receive the first image data from the user computing device <NUM> (as the instruction), as is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. Further, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to render a buffer image using first image data, as is further described in <FIG>. Thereafter, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to cause printing of the buffer image to generate printed content, as is further described in <FIG>. Additionally, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to verify the printed content, as is further described in <FIG>. The structure of the control unit <NUM> has been described in conjunction with <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate a perspective view of a printing apparatus <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The printing apparatus <NUM> may include a media hub <NUM>, a printer media output <NUM>, a ribbon drive assembly <NUM>, a ribbon take-up hub <NUM>, a print head <NUM>, and a verifier <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the media hub <NUM> is configured to receive a media roll <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the media roll <NUM> may correspond to a roll of a print media <NUM> that may be a continuous media or may, in some example embodiments, include one or more portions (hereinafter referred to as labels) that are defined (in the print media <NUM>) by means of perforations or one or more marks. In an example embodiment, the media hub <NUM> is coupled to an actuation unit <NUM> that actuates the media hub <NUM>. On activation of the actuation unit <NUM>, the media hub <NUM> causes the media roll <NUM> to rotate, which further causes the media roll <NUM> to supply the print media <NUM> to the print head <NUM> along a media path <NUM> (shaded in <FIG>). In an example embodiment, along the media path <NUM>, the print media <NUM> traverses from the media roll <NUM> through the print head <NUM> and the verifier <NUM>, to the printer media output <NUM>. A direction of the media traversal along the media path <NUM> from the media roll <NUM> to the printer media output <NUM> is referred to as print direction.

In an example embodiment, the printer media output <NUM> corresponds to a slot through which the printed media is outputted. The width of the printer media output <NUM> is in accordance with a width of the print media <NUM>. In some examples, the width of the printer media output <NUM> may correspond to a maximum width of the print media <NUM> supported by the printing apparatus <NUM>.

The ribbon drive assembly <NUM> may receive a ribbon roll <NUM> that corresponds to a roll of a ribbon <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the ribbon <NUM> may correspond to an ink media that is utilized to dispose ink onto the print media <NUM> to print content on the print media <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> may be coupled to the actuation unit <NUM> that may be configured to actuate the ribbon drive assembly <NUM>. On actuation of the ribbon drive assembly <NUM>, the ribbon drive assembly <NUM> rotates, which in turn causes the ribbon roll <NUM> to rotate that causes the ribbon roll <NUM> to supply the ribbon <NUM> along a ribbon path <NUM> (shaded in <FIG>). Along the ribbon path <NUM>, the ribbon <NUM> traverses from the ribbon roll <NUM> to the print head <NUM> and further to the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the ribbon take-up hub <NUM> may correspond to an assembly that may receive used ribbon <NUM> (i.e., a section of the ribbon <NUM> from which the ink has been is disposed on the print media <NUM>). The ribbon take-up hub <NUM> may also be coupled to the actuation unit <NUM> that may be configured to actuate the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>. On actuation, the ribbon take-up hub <NUM> pulls the ribbon <NUM> from the ribbon roll <NUM>.

The print head <NUM> may correspond to a component that is configured to print the content on the print media <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the print head <NUM> may include a plurality of heating elements (not shown) that are energized and pressed against the ribbon <NUM> to perform the print operation. In operation, the print head <NUM> applies heat on a portion of the ribbon <NUM> and, concurrently, presses the ribbon <NUM> against the print media <NUM> to transfer the ink on the print media <NUM>. In an example scenario, where the print media <NUM> corresponds to thermal paper, the print head <NUM> may be directly press against the thermal paper to perform the print operation.

During the print operation, one or more heating elements of the plurality of heating elements are energized to perform the print operation. The one or more heating elements may be selected based on the data in a print job. For example, if a letter "A" is to be printed, the one or more heating elements that are energized are positioned on the print head <NUM> in such a manner that when the print head <NUM> is pressed against the ribbon <NUM> and the print media <NUM>, letter "A" gets printed on the print media <NUM>. To press the ribbon <NUM> against the print media <NUM>, the print head <NUM> translates in a vertically downward direction (or downward direction) to push the ribbon <NUM> against the print media <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, after the print operation, the print media <NUM> and the ribbon <NUM> traverse along the media path <NUM> and the ribbon path <NUM>, respectively, such that the printed media traverses to the verifier <NUM> and the used ribbon <NUM> traverses to the ribbon take-up hub <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the verifier <NUM> may correspond to an image capturing device that may be configured to scan the printed media to generate a second image of the printed media. In an example embodiment, the verifier <NUM> may include an image sensor such as a Channel MOSFET (CMOS) sensor, charged coupled device (CCD) sensor, and/or contact image sensor (CIS) sensor that may be capable of scanning the printed media. In an example embodiment, for the purpose of ongoing description, the verifier <NUM> may include the CIS sensor. To this end, during the scanning of the printed media, the actuation unit <NUM> may cause the traversal of the print media <NUM> along the media path <NUM>. Accordingly, the CIS sensor scans the printed media to generate the second image.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of the control unit <NUM> of the printing apparatus <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In an example embodiment, the control unit <NUM> includes a first processor <NUM>, a first memory device <NUM>, a first communication interface <NUM>, an input/output (I/O) device interface unit <NUM>, a first image processing unit <NUM>, a verifier control unit <NUM>, and a print head control unit <NUM>.

The first processor <NUM> may be embodied as a means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in <FIG> as a single processor, in an embodiment, the first processor <NUM> may include a plurality of processors and signal processing modules. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single electronic device or may be distributed across a plurality of electronic devices collectively configured to function as the circuitry of the control unit <NUM>. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the circuitry of the control unit <NUM>, as described herein. In an example embodiment, the first processor <NUM> may be configured to execute instructions stored in the first memory device <NUM> or otherwise accessible to the first processor <NUM>. These instructions, when executed by the first processor <NUM>, may cause the circuitry of the control unit <NUM> to perform one or more of the functionalities, as described herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by a combination thereof, the first processor <NUM> may include an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the first processor <NUM> is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the first processor <NUM> may include specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the first processor <NUM> is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the first memory device <NUM>, the instructions may specifically configure the first processor <NUM> to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Thus, the first processor <NUM> used herein may refer to a programmable microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the various embodiments described above. In some devices, multiple processors may be provided dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. Software applications may be stored in the internal memory before they are accessed and loaded into the processors. The processors may include internal memory sufficient to store the application software instructions. In many devices, the internal memory may be a volatile or nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. The memory can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

The first memory device <NUM> may include suitable logic, circuitry, and/or interfaces that are adapted to store a set of instructions that is executable by the first processor <NUM> to perform predetermined operations. Some of the commonly known memory implementations include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In an embodiment, the first memory device <NUM> may be integrated with the first processor <NUM> on a single chip, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The first communication interface <NUM> may correspond to a communication interface that may facilitate transmission and reception of messages and data to and from various devices operating in the system environment <NUM> through the network <NUM>. For example, the first communication interface <NUM> is communicatively coupled with the user computing device <NUM> through the network <NUM>. In some examples, through the first communication interface <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may receive first image data. The first image data may include a bit stream that may be representative of the first image to be printed on the print media <NUM>. Examples of the first communication interface <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, an antenna, an Ethernet port, a USB port, a serial port, or any other port that can be adapted to receive and transmit data. The first communication interface <NUM> transmits and receives data and/or messages in accordance with the various communication protocols, such as but not limited to, I2C, TCP/IP, UDP, and <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> communication protocols.

The I/O device interface unit <NUM> may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may be configured to enable communication between various components of the printing apparatus <NUM>. For example, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may enable communication of the control unit <NUM> with the print head <NUM> and the verifier <NUM>, in accordance with one or more device communication protocols such as, but not limited to, I2C communication protocol, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) communication protocol, Serial communication protocol, Control Area Network (CAN) communication protocol, and <NUM>-Wire® communication protocol. In some examples, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may be configured to transmit a first instruction to the print head <NUM> to print content on the print media <NUM>, as is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. Additionally, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may be configured to transmit a second instruction to the verifier <NUM> to scan the printed content, as is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. Further, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may transmit a third instruction to the actuation unit <NUM> causing traversal of the print media <NUM> along the print direction. Some examples of the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may include, but not limited to, a Data Acquisition (DAQ) card, an electrical drives driver circuit, and/or the like.

The first image processing unit <NUM> may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may enable the first image processing unit <NUM> to render a buffer image from the first image data, as is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. Additionally or alternatively, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to scale the buffer image, as is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may identify a region of interest in the scaled buffer image, as is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may utilize one or more known image processing techniques to manipulate and/or modify the buffer image. Some examples of the one or more image processing techniques may include, but not limited to, edge detection, and object identification techniques such as Scale invariant feature transform (SIFT). The first image processing unit <NUM> may be implemented using one or more of Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

The verifier control unit <NUM> may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may enable the verifier control unit <NUM> to control one or more operations of the verifier <NUM>. For example, the verifier control unit <NUM> may be configured to transmit the second instruction through the I/O device interface unit <NUM> to the verifier <NUM> to scan the printed content. In some examples, the second instruction may include information pertaining to a portion of the printed content to be scanned by the verifier <NUM>. The verifier control unit <NUM> may be implemented using may be implemented using one or more of Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

A print head control unit <NUM> may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may enable the print head control unit <NUM> to cause the print head <NUM> to print content on the print media <NUM>. For example, the print head control unit <NUM> may transmit the first instruction (through the I/O device interface unit <NUM>) to the print head <NUM> to print content on the print media <NUM>, as is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. The print head control unit <NUM> may be implemented using may be implemented using one or more of Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

The operation of the control unit <NUM> is further described in conjunction with <FIG>.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate example flowcharts and example methods of the operations performed by an apparatus, such as the printing apparatus <NUM> having control unit <NUM>, and the user computing device <NUM> of <FIG> in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, one or more processors, circuitry and/or other devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor in the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus provides for implementation of the functions specified in the flowcharts' block(s). These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowcharts' block(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts' block(s). As such, the operations of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, when executed, convert a computer or processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the operations of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, define an algorithm for configuring a computer or processor, to perform an example embodiment. In some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided with an instance of the processor which performs the algorithm of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, to transform the general purpose computer into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment.

Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts', and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart <NUM> for operating the printing apparatus <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

In some examples, those skilled in the art would appreciate that prior to operating the printing apparatus <NUM> to print content, the first processor <NUM> may be configured to calibrate the printing apparatus <NUM>. During the calibration of the printing apparatus <NUM>, the first processor <NUM> may be configured to determine a type of the print media <NUM> installed in the printing apparatus <NUM>. Further, the first processor <NUM> may be configured to determine a length of the labels in the print media <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first processor <NUM> may be configured to utilize a media sensor (not shown) in the printing apparatus <NUM> to determine the length of the labels in the print media <NUM>.

Thereafter, at step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like, for receiving the first image data from the user computing device <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first image data may include a bit stream that is representative of the first image to be printed on the print media <NUM>. In some examples, the bit stream is a compressed form the first image. Further, the bit stream may be representative of the first image either in a monotone format, a continuous tone format or in a halftone format. In some examples, in the continuous tone format, a pixel in an image can have any value. On the other hand, in the halftone format, the image is represented in form of multiple dots, where the size of the dots and the space amongst the dots are varied in order to generate a perceivable image. Further, in monotone format, a pixel in the image can have two values either black or white.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for rendering a buffer image from the first image data (i.e., the bit stream). In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to utilize one or more known decoding techniques such as, but not limited to, bitmap decoder, Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) decoder, wavelet decoder, Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) decoder, Portable Network Graphics (PNG) decoder, Picture Exchange (PCX) decoder, and/or the like for rendering the buffer image. The first image processing unit <NUM> may render in the buffer image in the monotone format, continuous tone format and/or the half tone format based on the information included in the bit stream (pertaining to the monotone, continuous tone and/or half tone).

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM>, the print head control unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for causing the print head <NUM> to print the buffer image on the print media <NUM> to generate a printed content. Printing the buffer image is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM>, the verifier control unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for transmitting the third instruction to the actuation unit <NUM> to cause traversal of the print media <NUM> along the print direction. Accordingly, the printed content traverses from the print head <NUM> to the verifier <NUM>.

Concurrent to the steps <NUM> and <NUM>, at step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for scaling the buffer image. In an example embodiment, scaling an image may include modification in an area of the image. For example, scaling an image may include modifying a resolution of the image.

In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to scale the buffer image in order to modify the area of the buffer image. The first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to scale the buffer image based on a predetermined scale ratio. The predetermined scale ratio may correspond to a factor by which an area of the image is modified. For instance, if the predetermined scale ratio is <NUM>:<NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to reduce the area covered by the image by half. Accordingly, if the image has the resolution <NUM> x <NUM>, the scaling the image will generate an image with resolution <NUM> x <NUM>. Similarly, if the predetermined scale ratio is <NUM>:<NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to scale the image having the resolution <NUM> x <NUM> to an image with the resolution <NUM> x <NUM>. In some examples, the predetermined scale ratio may be pre-stored in the first memory device <NUM> during the manufacturing of the printing apparatus <NUM>. In another embodiment, the predetermined scale ratio may be configurable. In such an embodiment, the user of the printing apparatus <NUM> may define the predetermined scale ratio by utilizing the user computing device <NUM>. In another embodiment, the user of the printing apparatus <NUM> may define the predetermined scale ratio using the user interface provided on the printing apparatus <NUM>.

In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the scale ratio dynamically. For example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the scale ratio based on a size of the printed content and a resolution of the printed content. For example, if the size of the printed content and the resolution of the printed is content is less than a first threshold of size and a second threshold of resolution, respectively, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the scale ratio as <NUM>:<NUM>. However, if the size of the printed content and the resolution of the printed content is greater than a first threshold of size and a second threshold of resolution, respectively, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the scale ratio as <NUM>:<NUM>. In an example embodiment, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to having two scale ratios as <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may determine other scale ratios (e.g., <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>) based on the size of the printed content and the resolution of the printed content.

In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to reduce the area of the buffer image based on the predetermined scale ratio. Accordingly, the first image processing unit <NUM> may scale the buffer image to generate a scaled buffer image, where the area of the scaled buffer image is less than the area of the buffer image. In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may utilize one or more known scaling techniques such as, but are not limited to, Nearest-neighbor interpolation, Bilinear and Bicubic algorithm, Sinc and Lanczos resampling, Box sampling, and/or the like, to scale the buffer image. An example method for scaling of the buffer image is further illustrated in <FIG>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for identifying a regions of interest (ROI) in the scaled buffer image. In an example embodiment, the ROI in the scaled buffer image may correspond to a portion of the scaled buffer image that includes a machine readable indicia. In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the ROI, in the scaled buffer image, comprising the machine readable indicia. In an example embodiment, the ROI in the scaled buffer image may include other content present in the scaled buffer image. For example, the ROI in scaled buffer image may include an address field, a text content, a graphic content such as a trademark, and/or the like. For the purpose of ongoing description, the ROI in the scaled buffer image is considered to include the machine readable indicia. The identification of the ROI in the scaled buffer image is further described in conjunction with <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

In some examples, during the identification of the ROI in the scaled buffer image, the first image processing unit <NUM> is configured to determine the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image that indicates the location of the ROI in the scaled buffer image. In an example embodiment, the one or more first locations (in the scaled buffer image) may define the periphery of the ROI. Accordingly, the one or more first locations may encompass the ROI. More particularly, if the first image processing unit <NUM> creates a virtual bounding box that connects each of the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image, the virtual bounding box may encompass the ROI in the scaled buffer image. In an example embodiment, identifying the one or more first locations may include determining the coordinates of the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image. The identification of the one or more first locations is further described in conjunction with <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for translating the one or more first locations (identified for the ROI in the scaled buffer image) to one or more second locations in the printed content. In an example embodiment, the one or more second locations may correspond to locations on the printed content that encompasses the ROI in the printed content. More particularly, the one or more second locations may define the periphery of the ROI in the printed content. A virtual bounding, connecting each of the one or more second locations, may encompass the ROI in the printed content. In an example embodiment, translating the one or more first locations to the one or more second locations on the printed content may include determining the coordinates of the one or more second locations in the printed content. The translating of the one or more first locations to the one or more second locations is further described in conjunction with <FIG>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the verifier control unit <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for transmitting the second instruction to the verifier <NUM> to scan the printed content. Since the verifier <NUM> includes the CIS sensor, accordingly, the verifier <NUM> scans the printed content iteratively (e.g., line by line). To enable iterative scanning of the printed content, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may be configured to transmit the third instruction to the actuation unit <NUM> to cause traversal of the print media <NUM> during the scanning of the printed content. Accordingly, the verifier <NUM> scans the printed content (during the traversal of the print media <NUM>) to generate a second image. In some examples, the second image is a digital representation of the printed content. In some example, the second image and the printed content may have one to one correspondence. For example, if a graphic symbol is located at coordinates (x, y) in the printed content, the graphic symbol is located at the same coordinates in the second image (i.e., x, y).

In an example embodiment, prior to scanning the printed content, the verifier control unit <NUM> may determine whether the verifier <NUM> is aligned with the printed content. In an example embodiment, the verifier control unit <NUM> may determine the alignment between the printed content and the verifier <NUM> by utilizing known distances between the print head <NUM> and the verifier <NUM>. The determination of the alignment of the verifier <NUM> with the printed content is further described in conjunction with <FIG>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for identifying the ROI in the second image based on the one or more second locations (determined in the step <NUM>). Since the virtual bounding box, connecting each of the one or more second locations, encompasses the ROI in the printed content and since the second image is the digital representation of the printed content, therefore, the one or more second locations (in the second image) may encompass the ROI in the second image. Accordingly, the one or more second locations may define the periphery of the ROI.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for retrieving the portion of the second image from the second image based on the one or more second locations. In an example embodiment, the portion of the second image includes the ROI. Since ROI in the second image includes the machine readable indicia and the second image is a digital representation of the printed content, accordingly, the portion of the second image includes a digital representation of the printed machine readable indicia.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to scanning the complete printed content to generate the second image and, thereafter, retrieving the portion of the second image (i.e., ROI) from the second image. In an example embodiment, the verifier control unit <NUM> may be configured to transmit a fourth instruction to the verifier <NUM> that includes information pertaining to the one or more second locations. For example, the information pertaining to the one or more second locations may include the coordinates of the one or more second locations in the printed content. Upon receiving the fourth instruction, the verifier <NUM> may be configured to scan only a portion of the printed content represented by the coordinates of the one or more second locations in the printed content. Since the one or more second locations define the periphery of the ROI in the printed content, therefore, the verifier <NUM> may scan the ROI in the printed content. Accordingly, the second image generated by the verifier <NUM> only includes the ROI.

In an example embodiment, prior to scanning the printed content, the verifier control unit <NUM> may determine whether the verifier <NUM> is aligned with the portion of the printed content. In an example embodiment, the verifier control unit <NUM> may determine the alignment between the portion of the printed content and the verifier <NUM> by utilizing known distances between the print head <NUM>, the verifier <NUM>, and the coordinates of the one or more second locations. The determination of the alignment between the verifier <NUM> and the portion of the printed content is further described in conjunction with <FIG>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for grading the machine readable indicia included in the portion of the second image. In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to utilize American National Standards Institute (ANSI) , ISO15415, and/or ISO/IEC <NUM> standards for grading the machine readable indicia included in the portion of the second image. In another embodiment, where the second image only includes the machine readable indicia, the first image processing unit <NUM>, may grade the machine readable indicia included in the second image.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to determining the one or more second locations from the scaled buffer image to retrieve the portion of the second image from the second image. In an example embodiment, if the size of the printed content and the resolution of the printed content is less than the first threshold of the size and the second threshold of the resolution, the first processor <NUM> directly identify and retrieve the machine readable indicia from the printed content.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart <NUM> of a method for printing the buffer image on the print media <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In some examples, since the print head <NUM> includes the plurality of heating elements that are positioned on the print head <NUM> in form of a rectangular array, therefore, print head <NUM> is capable of sequentially printing the buffer image. For example, the print head <NUM> is capable of printing the buffer image iteratively based on the traversal of the print media <NUM> and the portion of the buffer image to be printed. For example, the print head <NUM> is capable of printing a row of pixels (i.e., the portion of the buffer image) at a time instant.

Therefore, at step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, the print head control unit <NUM> and/or the like, for identifying one or more pixels from the buffer image that are to be printed. In some examples, the one or more pixels (to be printed) may be arranged in one or more rows of the buffer image. Further, the print head control unit <NUM> may identify a count of the one or more rows of pixels to be printed (in an iteration) based on a width of the rectangular array in which the plurality of heating elements is arranged in the print head <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the print head control unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for identifying a set of heating elements, of the plurality of heating elements in the print head <NUM>, that are to be energized for printing the one or more pixels. In some examples, the print head control unit <NUM> may be configured to identify the set of heating elements based on one or more third locations of the one or more pixels that are to be printed. In some examples, the set of heating elements and the one or more third locations (of the one or more pixels) may have one to one correspondence. For example, if the left most pixel of the buffer image is to be printed, the print head control unit <NUM> may identify the left most heating element of the print head <NUM> as the set of heating elements.

In another example, the print head control unit <NUM> may utilize a look-up table that includes a mapping between the one or more third locations (of the one or more pixels) and the corresponding heating element of the plurality of heating elements to be energized. Following table illustrates an example look-up table:.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to utilizing the look-up table to identify the set of heating elements to be energized. In an example embodiment, the print head control unit <NUM> may utilize known mathematical relationship between the one or more third locations and the plurality of heating elements to identify the set of heating elements to be energized for printing the one or more pixels (of the buffer image) on the print media <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the print head control unit <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> and/or the like, for transmitting the first instruction to the print head <NUM> through the I/O device interface unit <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the first instruction may include the information pertaining to the set of heating elements that are to be energized. Upon receiving the first instruction, the print head <NUM> may energize the set of heating elements. Energizing the set of heating elements causes the set of heating elements to heat up. Accordingly, when the set of heating elements press against the ribbon <NUM>, the heat from the set of heating elements causes transfer of the ink from the ribbon <NUM> to print media <NUM>, thereby printing the one or more pixels (identified in the step <NUM>).

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the print head control unit <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> and/or the like, for transmitting the third instruction to the actuation unit <NUM>. The third instruction may pertain to activating the actuation unit <NUM>. Upon activation, the actuation unit <NUM> causes traversal of the print media <NUM> along the print direction. Thereafter, the first processor <NUM> may be configured to repeat the step <NUM> till the complete buffer image is printed. The printed buffer image has been referred to as the printed content.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart 600A of a method for determining whether the printed content is aligned with the verifier <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the verifier control unit <NUM>, and/or the like for determining a first distance between a starting position of the printed content and the verifier <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the starting position of the printed content may correspond to a location of the perforation on print media <NUM>. As discussed, the perforation on the print media <NUM> may be utilized to divide the media into the labels. The buffer image may be printed on a label in the print media. Accordingly, the starting position of the printed content may correspond to the location of the perforation.

In an example embodiment, the verifier control unit <NUM> may retrieve a second distance between the verifier <NUM> and the print head <NUM>. In some examples, the second distance is predefined during manufacturing of the printing apparatus <NUM>. Further, the second distance is stored in the first memory device <NUM>. Additionally, the verifier control unit <NUM> may be configured to retrieve the length of the label (determined during calibration of the printing apparatus <NUM>) in the print media <NUM> from the first memory device <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the verifier control unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the first distance between the starting point of the printed content and the verifier <NUM> using the following formula: <MAT>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the verifier control unit <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> and/or the like for transmitting the third instruction to the actuation unit <NUM> to cause the traversal of the print media <NUM> along the print direction. In some examples, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may cause the print media <NUM> to traverse by the second distance (determined in the step <NUM>).

As discussed above, the verifier <NUM> may be configured to scan the portion of the printed content instead of the complete printed content. The alignment of the portion of the printed content and verifier <NUM> is further described in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart 600B of a method for determining whether the portion of the printed content is aligned with the verifier <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the verifier control unit <NUM>, and/or the like for determining a third distance between a starting position of the portion of the printed content and the verifier <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the verifier control unit <NUM> may retrieve the second distance between the verifier <NUM> and the print head <NUM>. Additionally, the verifier control unit <NUM> may be configured to retrieve the length of the label in the print media <NUM> from the first memory device <NUM>. Further, additionally, the verifier control unit <NUM> may be configured to retrieve coordinates the one or more second locations on the printed content from the first memory device <NUM>. As discussed, the one or more second locations may encompass the ROI in the printed content. Thereafter, in an example embodiment, the verifier control unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the third distance between the starting position of the portion of the printed content and the verifier <NUM> using the following formula:<MAT>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the verifier control unit <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> and/or the like for transmitting the third instruction to the actuation unit <NUM> to cause the traversal of the print media <NUM> along the print direction. In some examples, the I/O device interface unit <NUM> may cause the print media <NUM> to traverse by the third distance (determined in the step <NUM>). Accordingly, the portion of the printed content aligns with the verifier <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart <NUM> of a method for scaling the buffer image according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for defining a sliding window of a predetermined size. In an example embodiment, the predetermined size of the sliding window may be defined during the manufacturing of the printing apparatus <NUM>. Additionally or alternately, the user of the printing apparatus <NUM> may define the predetermined size of the sliding window by providing input through the user computing device <NUM> or through the user interface provided on the printing apparatus <NUM>. In another example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may automatically define the predetermined size of the sliding window based on the predetermined scale ratio. For example, if the scale ratio is <NUM>:<NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM> may define the sliding window having the size of <NUM> x <NUM>. In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the sliding window having the size of <NUM> by <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the sliding window may have any other size, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For the purpose of describing the flowchart <NUM>, the size of the sliding window is considered to be 4X1.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for iteratively scanning through the buffer image using the sliding window. For example, during first iteration, the sliding window may be configured to encompass first four pixels of the buffer image.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for selecting a pixel of the four pixels encompassed within the sliding window. In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to randomly select the pixel of the four pixels. In another example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to generate a new pixel based on a pixel value of the four pixels encompassed within the sliding window. In an example embodiment, the pixel value of the pixel may include luminance value and/or color value. To generate the new pixel, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to determine an average pixel value of the four pixels.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for determining whether the sliding window has scanned complete buffer image. If the first image processing unit <NUM> determines that the sliding window has scanned the complete buffer image, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to perform the step <NUM>. However, if the first image processing unit <NUM> determines that the sliding window has not scanned the complete buffer image, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to repeat the step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for stitching the selected pixels to create the scaled buffer image. Since the scaled buffer image is formed of pixels that have been selected out of every four pixels of the buffer image, the area of the scaled buffer image is less than the area of the buffer image.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart <NUM> of method for identifying ROI in the scaled buffer image, according to one or more embodiments described herein. As discussed above in <FIG>, the ROI in the scaled buffer image may correspond to portions of the scaled buffer image that includes machine readable indicia. Therefore, the foregoing description of identifying the ROI has been described considering that the ROI of the scaled buffer image includes the machine readable indicia.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for comparing the scaled buffer image with a plurality of the known images of the machine readable indicia using one or more known object identification algorithms such as, but not limited to SIFT, Speeded up robust features (SURF), deep neural networks, convolutional neural network (CNN), and/or the like. For example, in some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to identify one or more key points in the scaled buffer image. Further, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to compare the one or more key points with one or more key points in the one or more known images of the machine readable indicia.

At step <NUM> the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for identifying the ROI in the scaled buffer image that includes the machine readable indicia based on the comparison between the scaled buffer image and the one or more known images of the machine readable indicia. For example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may identify, based on the comparison, a first set of key points of the one or more key points that correspond to the machine readable indicia. Additionally, the first image processing unit <NUM> may determine the coordinates of the first set of key points in the scaled buffer image. In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may determine the coordinates of the first set of key points in Cartesian coordinate system. However, in some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to determining the coordinates of the first set of key points in the Cartesian coordinate system. In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may determine the coordinates of the first set of key points in other coordinate systems such as, but not limited to, polar coordinate systems.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for identifying a second set of key points of the first set of key points that may define a periphery of the machine readable indicia. In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may determine a minima and/or maxima amongst the coordinates of the first set of key points to identify the second set of key points. Determining minima amongst the coordinates of the first set of key points may identify key points that have minimum coordinate value amongst the coordinates of the second set of key points. Similarly, determining maxima amongst the coordinates of the first set of key points may identify key points that have maximum coordinate value amongst the coordinates of the second set of key points. In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may identify the key points with minimum coordinate values and the key points with maximum coordinate values as the second set of key points.

The second set of key points may define the periphery of the machine readable indicia. Further, the first image processing unit <NUM> may consider the location of each key point in the second set of key points as the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image. In an example embodiment, as discussed above in <FIG>, the one or more first locations encompass the machine readable indicia. Further, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to store the coordinates of the one or more first locations in the first memory device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another flowchart <NUM> of a method for identifying ROI in the scaled buffer image, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for defining a sliding window of second predetermined size. In some examples, the second predetermined size may be stored in the first memory device <NUM> during the manufacturing of the printing apparatus <NUM>. For example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may define the sliding window of size 48X48.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for scanning the scaled buffer image using the sliding window.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for determining whether the portion of the scaled buffer image, encompassed by the sliding window, includes a portion the machine readable indicia. In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may utilize a classifier to determine whether the portion of the scaled buffer image includes the portion of the machine readable indicia. In an example embodiment, the classifier may correspond to a mathematical model and/or probabilistic model that is capable of determining whether the portion of the scaled buffer image (encompassed by the sliding window) includes a portion of the machine readable indicia. If the classifier determines that the portion of the scaled buffer image includes the portion of the machine readable indicia, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to perform the step <NUM>. On the other hand, if the first image processing unit <NUM> determines that the portion of the scaled buffer image does not include the portion of the machine readable indicia, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to repeat the step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for determining the location of the portion of the scaled buffer image in the scaled buffer image. In some examples, determining the location of the portion of the scaled buffer image may include determining the coordinates of the portion of the scaled buffer image. In some examples, the location of the portion of the scaled buffer image may correspond to the coordinates of a center pixel in the portion of the scaled buffer image. In another example, the location of the portion of the scaled buffer image may correspond to the coordinates of a corner pixel in the portion of the scaled buffer image. The first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to store the coordinates of the portion of the scaled buffer image in the first memory device <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for determining whether the sliding window has scanned the complete scaled buffer image. If the first image processing unit <NUM> determines that the sliding window has scanned the complete scaled buffer image, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to perform the step <NUM>. However, if the first image processing unit <NUM> determines that the sliding window has not scanned the complete scaled buffer image, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to repeat the step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for determining the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image. As discussed above in the step <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to store the location of the portion of the scaled buffer image (that includes the portion of the machine readable indicia) in the first memory device. Accordingly, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to retrieve the one or more locations of the one or more portions of the scaled buffer image (that includes the portion of the machine readable indicia) from the first memory device <NUM>. Thereafter, the first image processing unit <NUM> may utilize the methodology described in the step <NUM> to determine the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image. For example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the minima and maxima amongst the coordinates of the location of the portions of the scaled buffer image (that includes the portion of the machine readable indicia) to determine the one or more first locations in the scaled buffer image.

<FIG> illustrates an example scaled buffer image <NUM> comprising the ROI, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

The first image processing unit <NUM> identifies the ROI <NUM> in the scaled buffer image <NUM>, as is described in the flowcharts <NUM> and <NUM>. Further, the first image processing unit <NUM> identifies the one or more first locations 1004a, 1004b, 1004c, and 1004d that encompass the machine readable indicia <NUM>. In an example embodiment, following table illustrates the coordinates of the one or more first locations:.

Further, as depicted in the example scaled buffer image <NUM>, a bounding box <NUM> connects the one or more first locations 1004a, 1004b, 1004c, and 1004d with each other. Further, as depicted, the bounding box <NUM> encompasses the machine readable indicia <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart <NUM> of a method for translating the one or more first locations to one or more second locations, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for retrieving the scale ratio from the first memory device <NUM>. As discussed in <FIG>, the scale ratio is utilized to scale the buffer image. At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> includes means such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like for determining the one or more second locations in the printed content based on the one or more first locations and the scale ratio. In an example embodiment, to determine the one or more second locations, the first image processing unit <NUM> may multiply the scale ratio with the coordinates of the one or more first locations to determine the coordinates of the one or more second locations in the printed content.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to utilizing only the scale ratio to determine the coordinates of the one or more second locations. In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may consider other additional parameters to determine coordinates of the one or more second locations. For example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may consider the mechanical parameters associated with the printing apparatus <NUM> to determine the coordinates of the one or more second locations. Some examples of the mechanical parameters may include, but are not limited to, a distance of a left edge of the label and a left edge of the printed content, a distance between right edge of the label and a right edge of the printed content, a tolerance of gear free play and/or the like. In an example embodiment, the left edge of the printed content may be composed of a left pixel that is proximal to the left edge of the label and is distal from the right edge of the label. Further, there is an empty space (i.e., is no printed content) between the left pixel and the left edge of the label. Similarly, in an example embodiment, the right edge of the printed content may be composed of a right pixel that is proximal to the right edge of the label and is distal from the left edge of the label. Further, there is an empty space (i.e., is no printed content) between the right pixel and the right edge of the label. In some examples, the gear free play may correspond to a distance by which the gear rotates without applying force on other components of the printing apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example scenario <NUM> of verifying the printed content, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

The example scenario <NUM> depicts that printing apparatus <NUM> receives the bit stream <NUM> from the user computing device <NUM>, as is described in step <NUM>. In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may convert the bit stream <NUM> into the buffer image <NUM>, as is described in the step <NUM>. For example, the buffer image (created from the bit stream <NUM>) has a resolution of the <NUM> by <NUM>. Thereafter, the first image processing unit <NUM> (in the printing apparatus <NUM>) may be configured to scale the buffer image to generate the scaled buffer image <NUM>. For example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may reduce the resolution of the buffer image <NUM> based on the scale ratio. In some examples, if the scale ratio is <NUM>:<NUM>, the scaled buffer image <NUM> has a resolution 512X484. Concurrently, the printing apparatus <NUM> may print the buffer image on the print media <NUM> to generate the printed content <NUM>, as is described in the step <NUM>. Further, the printer apparatus may cause the traversal of the print media <NUM> along the print direction, as is described in flowchart <NUM>. Such operation causes traversal of the printed content <NUM> from the print head <NUM> to the verifier <NUM>.

Concurrently, in an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to identify the ROI <NUM> in the scaled buffer image <NUM> as is described in the step <NUM>. For example, the first image processing unit <NUM> may identify the machine readable indicia <NUM> as the ROI <NUM>. Further, the first image processing unit <NUM> identifies the one or more first locations 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, and 1212d in the scaled buffer image <NUM> such that the virtual bounding box <NUM> (connecting the one or more first locations 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, and 1212d) encompasses the machine readable indicia <NUM>. Additionally, the first image processing unit <NUM> may determine the coordinates of the one or more first locations 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, and 1212d. For instance, the first image processing unit <NUM> determines the coordinates of the one or more first locations 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, and 1212d, as depicted in the table <NUM>. Thereafter, the first image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the one or more second locations 1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d on the printed content <NUM> (that corresponds to the ROI <NUM> in the printed content <NUM>). In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may multiply the scale ratio with the coordinates of the one or more first locations 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, and 1212d to determine the coordinates of the one or more second locations 1114a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d. For instance, the following table illustrates the coordinates of the one or more second locations 1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d:.

In some examples, the verifier control unit <NUM> may cause the verifier <NUM> may scan the printed content <NUM>. The verifier <NUM> may generate the second image <NUM> of printed content <NUM> based on the scanning of the printed content <NUM>. The second image <NUM> is the digital representation of the printed content <NUM>. Accordingly, the one or more second locations 1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d in the second image may encompass the ROI <NUM> in the second image <NUM>. For example, the bounding box <NUM>, connecting the one or more second locations 1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d, encompasses the ROI <NUM> in the second image <NUM>. Thereafter, the first image processing unit <NUM> retrieves or crops the ROI <NUM> from the second image <NUM> to generate the portion of the second image <NUM>. The portion of the second image includes the digital representation of the printed machine readable indicia <NUM>. In some examples, the first image processing unit <NUM> may grade the digital representation of the machine readable indicia <NUM>, as is described in the step <NUM>.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the printing apparatus <NUM> performing the operations, as is described in the flowchart <NUM>. In an example embodiment, certain steps of the flowchart <NUM> may be performed by the user computing device <NUM>, as is further described in the <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of the user computing device <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In an example embodiment, the user computing device <NUM> includes a second processor <NUM>, a second memory device <NUM>, a second communication interface <NUM>, and a second image processing unit <NUM>.

The second processor <NUM> may be embodied as a means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in <FIG> as a single processor, in an embodiment, the second processor <NUM> may include a plurality of processors and signal processing modules. The plurality of processors may be embodied on a single electronic device or may be distributed across a plurality of electronic devices collectively configured to function as the circuitry of the user computing device <NUM>. The plurality of processors may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the circuitry of the user computing device <NUM>, as described herein. In an example embodiment, the second processor <NUM> may be configured to execute instructions stored in the second memory device <NUM> or otherwise accessible to the second processor <NUM>. These instructions, when executed by the second processor <NUM>, may cause the circuitry of the control system <NUM> to perform one or more of the functionalities, as described herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by a combination thereof, the second processor <NUM> may include an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the second processor <NUM> is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the second processor <NUM> may include specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the second processor <NUM> is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the second memory device <NUM>, the instructions may specifically configure the second processor <NUM> to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Thus, the second processor <NUM> used herein may refer to a programmable microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the various embodiments described above. In some devices, multiple processors may be provided dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. Software applications may be stored in the internal memory before they are accessed and loaded into the processors. The processors may include internal memory sufficient to store the application software instructions. In many devices, the internal memory may be a volatile or nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. The memory can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

The second memory device <NUM> may include suitable logic, circuitry, and/or interfaces that are adapted to store a set of instructions that is executable by the second processor <NUM> to perform predetermined operations. Some of the commonly known memory implementations include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In an embodiment, the second memory device <NUM> may be integrated with the second processor <NUM> on a single chip, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The second communication interface <NUM> may correspond to a communication interface that may facilitate transmission and reception of messages and data to and from various devices operating in the system environment <NUM> through the network <NUM>. For example, the second communication interface <NUM> is communicatively coupled with the printing apparatus <NUM> through the network <NUM>. In some examples, through the second communication interface <NUM>, the user computing device <NUM> may transmit first image data. The first image data may include a bit stream that may be representative of the first image to be printed on the print media <NUM>. Examples of the second communication interface <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, an antenna, an Ethernet port, a USB port, a serial port, or any other port that can be adapted to receive and transmit data. The second communication interface <NUM> transmits and receives data and/or messages in accordance with the various communication protocols, such as, I2C, TCP/IP, UDP, and <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> communication protocols.

The second image processing unit <NUM> may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may enable the second image processing unit <NUM> to identify ROI in the first image, as is further described in conjunction with <FIG>. The second image processing unit <NUM> may be have a similar structure to that of the first image processing unit <NUM>. Further, the embodiments applicable on the first image processing unit <NUM> are also applicable on the second image processing unit <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart <NUM> of a method for operating the user computing device <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step <NUM>, the user computing device <NUM> may include means, such as the second processor <NUM>, the second image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for receiving an input from the user pertaining to transmitting a request to the printer apparatus to print the first image.

At step <NUM>, the user computing device <NUM> may include means, such as the second processor <NUM>, the second image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for scaling the first image. In an example embodiment, the second image processing unit <NUM> may utilize methodologies described in the step <NUM> to perform the step <NUM>. For example, the second image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to scale the first image based on the scale ratio.

In some examples, the step <NUM> may be optional and the second image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to identify the ROI in the first image, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

At step <NUM>, the user computing device <NUM> may include means, such as the second processor <NUM>, the second image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for identifying ROI in the scaled first image. In an example embodiment, the second image processing unit <NUM> may utilize methodologies described in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> to identify the ROI in the scaled first image. For example, the second image processing unit <NUM> may be configured to determine one or more fourth locations in the first image, where a bounding box connecting the one or more fourth locations in the first image encompasses the ROI. As discussed, determining the one or more fourth locations involves determining the coordinates of the one or more fourth locations in the scaled first image.

At step <NUM>, the user computing device <NUM> may include means, such as the second processor <NUM>, the second image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for converting the first image to the bit stream. In an example embodiment, the bit stream corresponds to the first image data. Thereafter, at step <NUM>, the user computing device <NUM> may include means, such as the second processor <NUM>, the second communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like, for transmitting the first image data. Additionally or alternatively, the second processor <NUM> may transmit the coordinates of the one or more fourth locations and the scale ratio. In some examples, the second communication interface <NUM> may be configured to transmit the first image data, the scale ratio, and the one or more third locations as the fifth instruction. The operation performed by the printing apparatus <NUM> upon reception of the fifth instruction is further described in conjunction with <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart <NUM> of another method for operating the printing apparatus <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first communication interface <NUM>, and/or the like, for receiving the fifth instruction from the user computing device <NUM>. As discussed, the fifth instruction includes the first image data, the scale ratio, and the coordinates of the one or more fourth locations. At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for rendering a buffer image from the first image data (i.e., the bit stream).

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for causing the print head <NUM> to print the buffer image on the print media <NUM> to generate a printed content. At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for transmitting the third instruction to the actuation unit to cause traversal of the print media <NUM> along the print direction. Upon 1receiving the third instruction, , the actuation unit <NUM> causes the print media <NUM> to traverse along the print direction. Accordingly, the printed content traverse from the print head <NUM> to the verifier <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the verifier control unit <NUM>, the I/O device interface unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for transmitting the second instruction to the verifier <NUM> to scan the printed content. the verifier <NUM> may generate the second image based on the scanning of the printed content.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for translating the one or more first locations (received in fifth instruction) to one or more second locations in the second image. In an example embodiment, the first image processing unit <NUM> may use the scale ratio to determine the one or more second locations in the second image.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for identifying the ROI in the second image based on the one or more second locations.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for retrieving the portion of the second image from the second image based on the one or more second locations.

At step <NUM>, the printing apparatus <NUM> may include means, such as the control unit <NUM>, the first processor <NUM>, the first image processing unit <NUM>, and/or the like, for grading the machine readable indicia included in the portion of the second image.

In the specification and figures, typical embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed. The present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flow charts, schematics, exemplary, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flow charts, schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, schematics, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware thereof.

In one embodiment, examples of the present disclosure may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). However, the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processing circuitries (e.g., micro-processing circuitries), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that example mechanisms disclosed herein may be capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of tangible forms, and that an illustrative embodiment applies equally regardless of the particular type of tangible instruction bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of tangible instruction bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, flash drives, and computer memory.

Claim 1:
A method comprising:
rendering, by a processor, a buffer image (<NUM>) from a first image data received for printing;
scaling, by the processor, the buffer image (<NUM>) to generate a scaled buffer image (<NUM>);
determining, by the processor, a first location of a machine readable indicia (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the scaled buffer image (<NUM>);
causing, by the processor, a print head (<NUM>) to print the buffer image (<NUM>) on a print media (<NUM>) to generate a printed content (<NUM>); and
causing, by the processor, an image capturing unit to capture a second image (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a portion of the printed content (<NUM>) based on the first location of the machine readable indicia (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the portion of the printed content (<NUM>) is at a second location in the printed content (<NUM>), and wherein the second location in the printed content (<NUM>) corresponds to the first location of the machine readable indicia (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the scaled buffer image (<NUM>).