Ink color testing method, device and equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses an ink color testing method, device and equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of ink testing for ink-jet printing. The method comprises the following steps: determining test waiting time; controlling the ink-jet printing equipment to jet ink to be tested onto a printing medium to obtain a first test image; and after the test waiting time, controlling a color acquisition device to obtain a color value of the first test image so as to determine color characteristics of the ink to be tested. According to the method provided by the invention, the color of the first test image is not collected immediately after the first test image is printed, but is collected after the test waiting time ensures that the color of the ink on the printing medium is stable, so that the test result is closer to the actual performance, and the accuracy of the ink color test result is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ink testing technology for inkjet printing, and more particularly to an ink color testing method, apparatus, equipment, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In the inkjet printing industry, the accuracy of ink color directly affects the quality of printed images. In applications with high color accuracy requirements, strict demands are placed on ink color accuracy. Therefore, ink color testing helps determine whether the printed image color matches the expected color and whether the ink used in production meets user needs. Currently, ink color testing typically involves scanning the image with a scanner or colorimeter after printing. The resulting color values ​​often differ from the actual color of the final image, leading to inaccurate test results. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide an ink color testing method, apparatus, device, and storage medium to solve the problem that ink color testing results are not accurate enough in the prior art.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an ink color testing method, the method comprising:

[0005] Determine the test wait time;

[0006] Control the inkjet printer to spray the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain the first test image;

[0007] After the test waiting time has elapsed, the color acquisition device is controlled to acquire the color value of the first test image to determine the color characteristics of the ink to be tested.

[0008] Preferably, determining the test waiting time includes:

[0009] The inkjet printing device is controlled to eject the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain a second test image;

[0010] Multiple preset times are determined, and after waiting for each preset time, the color acquisition settings are controlled to obtain the color value of the second test image, which is recorded as the second color value;

[0011] The test waiting time is obtained based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values.

[0012] Preferably, obtaining the test waiting time based on a plurality of preset times and their corresponding second color values ​​includes:

[0013] The coefficient of color change of the second test image over time is obtained based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values.

[0014] The preset time corresponding to when the change coefficient is less than or equal to a preset coefficient threshold is obtained, which is the test waiting time.

[0015] Preferably, obtaining the test waiting time based on a plurality of preset times and their corresponding second color values ​​includes:

[0016] A color change curve is established based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values;

[0017] Based on the color change curve, the range in which the color change rate is less than or equal to the second preset threshold is obtained;

[0018] Obtain the start time corresponding to the interval;

[0019] The test waiting time is determined based on the start time.

[0020] Preferably, the first test image includes multiple first sub-test images with different concentrations, and the step of controlling the color acquisition device to acquire the color values ​​of the first test images after the test waiting time to determine the color characteristics of the ink to be tested includes:

[0021] After waiting for the test waiting time, the color acquisition device is controlled to acquire the color value of each of the first sub-test images and recorded as the first color value.

[0022] The color value of the first test image is determined based on each of the first color values.

[0023] Preferably, determining the color value of the first test image based on each of the first color values ​​includes:

[0024] The color value of the first test image is determined based on the average of the first color values.

[0025] Preferably, determining the color value of the first test image based on each of the first color values ​​includes:

[0026] The weight value corresponding to each of the first sub-test images is determined based on its concentration.

[0027] Obtain the weighted color value obtained by multiplying each of the first color values ​​by its corresponding weight;

[0028] The color value of the first test image is determined based on each of the weighted color values.

[0029] The ink to be tested includes any one or more of the following: white ink, black ink, colored ink, hot stamping ink, and transparent ink.

[0030] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide an ink color testing device, the device comprising:

[0031] The determination module is used to determine the test wait time;

[0032] The printing module is used to control the inkjet printer to spray the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain the first test image;

[0033] The testing module is used to control the color acquisition device to acquire the color value of the first test image after the test waiting time has elapsed, in order to determine the color characteristics of the ink to be tested.

[0034] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide an ink color testing device, comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, wherein when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the method of the first aspect described above is implemented.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a storage medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of the first aspect described above.

[0036] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0037] The ink color testing method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided in this invention involve determining a test waiting time; controlling an inkjet printer to spray the ink to be tested onto a printing medium to obtain a first test image; and after the test waiting time has elapsed, controlling a color acquisition device to acquire the color value of the first test image to determine the color characteristics of the ink to be tested. In this invention, color acquisition is not performed immediately after printing the first test image, but rather after the test waiting time has elapsed to ensure the ink color on the printing medium is stable. This makes the test results closer to actual performance, thereby improving the accuracy of the ink color testing results. Attached Figure Description

[0038] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, and these are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the ink color testing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of a color block image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the analysis of test results for the ink to be tested according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ink color testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ink color testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain the present invention and are not configured to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be practiced without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the invention.

[0045] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0046] Example 1

[0047] This invention provides an ink color testing method, which is suitable for detecting the color or hue of ink sprayed onto a printing medium.

[0048] Please see Figure 1 The ink color testing method specifically includes the following steps:

[0049] S1: Determine the test waiting time;

[0050] S2: Control the inkjet printer to spray the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain the first test image;

[0051] S3: After the test waiting time has elapsed, control the color acquisition device to acquire the color value of the first test image to determine the color characteristics of the ink to be tested.

[0052] Specifically, the ink to be tested is ejected from the printhead onto the printing medium. Over time, factors such as diffusion and ink overlap on the printing medium can cause color differences between the immediately printed image and the image after a certain period of time. These differences may not be easily discernible to the human eye, but they will affect the results captured by the color acquisition device. To ensure color stability of the ink to be tested and improve the accuracy of color testing, in this embodiment of the invention, color acquisition is not performed immediately after the first test image is printed. Instead, color acquisition is performed only after a testing waiting period has elapsed to ensure that the ink color on the printing medium is stable. This testing waiting period is the time interval between the ink being ejected to form the first test image and the time when the color acquisition device performs color acquisition on the first test image.

[0053] The inkjet printer sprays the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain a first test image. After the first test image is printed, and after a waiting period, a color acquisition device (such as an i1Profiler color scanner) scans the first test image and acquires its color values, thereby detecting the color characteristics of the ink to be tested. Preferably, the first test image is a color patch image, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the first test image includes at least one color patch, and the color of the patch can be any color. The ink to be tested includes any one or more of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, spot color ink, and white ink. Here, spot color ink is ink formulated for a specific color, such as red ink, purple ink, gold ink, etc.

[0054] Before controlling the inkjet printer to print with the ink to be tested, it is necessary to acquire the original test image to be printed corresponding to the first test image, perform RIP processing on the original test image to obtain image printing data that the inkjet printer can recognize; to ensure that the image can be printed normally, it is necessary to check whether the printhead status is normal. If it is normal, the printing parameters are determined. The printing parameters here include feathering mode, printing precision, whether ICC is used, printing pass count, etc. The image printing data and printing parameters are sent to the control board of the inkjet printer. The control board drives the printhead to eject the ink to be tested onto the printing medium according to the printing data to obtain the first test image. Preferably, the color value of the first test image acquired by the color acquisition device is represented by Lab value.

[0055] In one example, such as Figure 3The diagram illustrates one approach to analyzing test results for the ink under test. The color characteristics of the ink are characterized by the detected Lab values. Generally, the color characteristics of cyan ink are primarily determined by the b-value in the Lab values; a lower b-value indicates higher saturation, and a lower L-value indicates a darker color. For magenta ink, the color characteristics are determined by the a-value in the Lab values; a higher a-value indicates better saturation, and a lower L-value indicates a darker color. For yellow ink, the color characteristics are determined by the b-value; a higher b-value indicates higher saturation, and a lower L-value indicates a darker color. For black ink, the color characteristics are determined by the L-value; a lower L-value indicates a darker color. Figure 3 The data also includes the Lab value of red (R) ink, where red ink refers to spot color ink.

[0056] In one embodiment, determining the test wait time includes:

[0057] The inkjet printing device is controlled to eject the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain a second test image;

[0058] Multiple preset times are determined, and after waiting for each preset time, the color acquisition settings are controlled to obtain the color value of the second test image, which is recorded as the second color value;

[0059] The test waiting time is obtained based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values.

[0060] Specifically, after the inkjet printer sprays the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain the second test image, the color acquisition device is controlled to acquire the color of the second test image after several preset time intervals. These preset time intervals can be determined according to actual production conditions. Preferably, after the second test image is printed, color acquisition is performed at preset intervals. For example, the preset intervals can be 20 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, etc. If the preset interval is 1 minute, then the preset time is 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, etc., after the second test image is printed. In other embodiments, the test can be performed at irregular time intervals. For example, within one hour after the second test image is printed, color acquisition is performed at 1-minute intervals, and after one hour, color acquisition is performed at 10-minute intervals; or after the second test image is printed, color acquisition is performed at 1-minute intervals, then 2-minute intervals, then 4-minute intervals, etc., in which case the preset time is 1 minute, 3 minutes, 7 minutes, etc., after the second test image is printed. The color value acquired after each preset time interval is recorded as the second color value. Because the water content in ink can affect the color to some extent, and the drying speed of ink varies under different temperatures and humidity, this embodiment sets multiple color sampling times to record the color performance of the ink for a period of time after printing.

[0061] In one embodiment, obtaining the test waiting time based on a plurality of preset times and their corresponding second color values ​​includes:

[0062] The coefficient of color change of the second test image over time is obtained based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values.

[0063] The preset time corresponding to when the change coefficient is less than or equal to a preset coefficient threshold is obtained, which is the test waiting time.

[0064] Specifically, the variation coefficient is obtained by dividing the difference between the second color values ​​collected at two preset times by the time interval between the two preset times. The second color value can be a CMYK, Lab, or RGB value. The color change is larger immediately after printing, and the variation coefficient is also larger. As time goes on, the color gradually stabilizes, and the variation coefficient decreases. When the variation coefficient is less than or equal to the preset coefficient threshold, the preset time corresponding to that variation coefficient is obtained, which is the test waiting time. For example, if the initial second color value is C0, the second color value is C1 after 1 minute, and the second color value is C2 after 2 minutes, the variation coefficient for 1 minute is |C1-C0| / 1, and the variation coefficient for 2 minutes is |C2-C1| / 1. Since |C2-C1| / 1 is less than or equal to the preset coefficient threshold, the corresponding time of 2 minutes is the test waiting time. The preset coefficient threshold can be determined according to actual production conditions and is not limited here.

[0065] In one embodiment, a color change curve is established by curve fitting based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values, where the horizontal axis of the curve represents time and the vertical axis represents color value. The second color value can be a CMYK value, Lab value, or RGB value. The curve fitting method can be linear fitting, polynomial fitting, exponential fitting, etc. Preferably, a suitable time boundary point can be determined based on the change characteristics of the color change curve. After this time boundary point, the color change begins to slow down and tends to stabilize. The time value corresponding to this time boundary point can be determined as the test waiting time. Alternatively, the range where the color change rate is less than or equal to a second preset threshold can be determined based on the color change curve. The color change rate is obtained by calculating the derivative of the curve. A color change rate less than or equal to the second preset threshold indicates that the color change tends to stabilize within this range. The starting time corresponding to this range can be obtained as the test waiting time, or any time within this range can be determined as the test waiting time. The second preset threshold can be determined according to the actual production situation and is not limited here.

[0066] Considering that environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can affect the diffusion and penetration of ink when it is sprayed onto the printing medium, for example, the degree of ink diffusion or leveling may vary within the same time frame due to different temperatures or humidity levels, thus affecting the structure of the color test. In one embodiment, environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can also be used as one of the conditions for determining the test waiting time. For example, under different temperature and humidity conditions, after controlling the inkjet printing device to spray the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain a second test image, after the second test image is printed, color sampling is performed at preset intervals. For example, the preset intervals can be 20 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, etc., and the color value obtained when the second test image is collected after each preset time is recorded as the second color value. Based on the multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values ​​collected under different temperature and humidity conditions, a multidimensional color change model is established by curve fitting. Preferably, based on the change characteristics of the color change model, a suitable time boundary point can be determined after which the color change begins to slow down and tends to stabilize. The time value corresponding to this time boundary point can be determined as the test waiting time under certain temperature and humidity conditions. In other embodiments, temperature, humidity, or other environmental factors (light, wind) and the corresponding waiting time can also be used as training data to be input into a machine learning model or a neural network model for learning and training. Subsequently, a suitable test waiting time can be directly obtained based on the input data such as environmental factors.

[0067] In one embodiment, the ink to be tested includes one or more of the following: white ink, black ink, colored ink (such as cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, or spot color ink such as purple ink), hot stamping ink, and clear ink (varnish). In some printing applications, multiple inks are sprayed onto the surface of the printing medium. For example, in embossing printing, white ink is sprayed first, followed by colored ink on top of the white ink. Furthermore, varnish or hot stamping ink may be sprayed onto the colored ink. When multiple different types of ink are sprayed, the colors of the inks may interfere with each other. In some embodiments, the color of the printed mixture can also be tested.

[0068] For example, several inks to be tested are sprayed onto the surface of a printing medium according to a preset printing order (e.g., in embossing printing, the preset order is to print white ink first, then colored ink, and finally varnish or hot stamping ink) to form a second test image. After the second test image is printed, color data is collected at preset intervals, and the color value at each preset time is recorded as the second color value (this color value is not the color value corresponding to a single ink, but the color value after multiple layers of ink are superimposed). Based on the data of multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values ​​collected under different temperature and humidity conditions, a multi-dimensional color change model is established by curve fitting. Preferably, based on the change characteristics of the color change model, a suitable time boundary point can be determined after which the color change begins to slow down and tends to stabilize. The time value corresponding to this time boundary point can be determined as the test waiting time under a certain temperature and humidity condition.

[0069] In one embodiment, the first test image includes multiple first sub-test images with different concentrations, and the step of controlling the color acquisition device to acquire the color values ​​of the first test images after the test waiting time to determine the color characteristics of the ink to be tested includes:

[0070] After waiting for the test waiting time, the color acquisition device is controlled to acquire the color value of each of the first sub-test images and recorded as the first color value.

[0071] The color value of the first test image is determined based on each of the first color values.

[0072] For example, an inkjet printer is controlled to print images at densities of 60%, 70%, 80%, ..., 100% to obtain multiple first sub-test images with different densities. After the test waiting time, a color acquisition device simultaneously acquires the color values ​​of each first sub-test image to obtain multiple first color values, where the first color values ​​differ due to the different image densities. In one embodiment, the average of all the first color values ​​is obtained, and this average is used as the color value of the first test image.

[0073] In another embodiment, determining the color value of the first test image based on each of the first color values ​​includes:

[0074] The weight value corresponding to each of the first sub-test images is determined based on its concentration.

[0075] Obtain the weighted color value obtained by multiplying each of the first color values ​​by its corresponding weight value;

[0076] The color value of the first test image is determined based on each of the weighted color values.

[0077] Specifically, assigning different weights to each first sub-test image based on its varying density results in a more accurate color value calculation compared to simply averaging the colors in a single test. Preferably, the weights for each first sub-test image are determined using the following formula:

[0078]

[0079] Among them, c i w represents the concentration value of the first sub-test image. i Here, k represents the weight value corresponding to the first sub-test image, and k is a parameter that controls the weight distribution. k is a constant, and the value of k can be determined according to the actual production situation, without any restrictions here.

[0080] After obtaining the weight values ​​corresponding to the first sub-test images of different concentrations according to the above formula, the first color value is multiplied by its corresponding weight value to obtain the weighted color value. The weighted color values ​​are then added together to obtain the color value of the first test image.

[0081] After obtaining the color value of the first test image, as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the color characteristics of the ink to be tested are evaluated and analyzed according to the color value of the first test image. Further, based on the evaluation and analysis results, it is determined whether the ink to be tested meets the printing task or customer requirements, thereby determining whether the printed product meets the customer's requirements.

[0082] In summary, the ink color testing method provided by this invention determines the color characteristics of the ink by determining a test waiting time, controlling an inkjet printer to spray the ink to be tested onto a printing medium to obtain a first test image, and then, after the test waiting time has elapsed, controlling a color acquisition device to acquire the color value of the first test image. This method does not immediately acquire color data after printing the first test image, but rather waits until the ink color on the printing medium has stabilized after the test waiting time has elapsed, making the test results closer to actual performance and thus improving the accuracy of the ink color testing results.

[0083] Example 2

[0084] Please see Figure 4 This invention provides an ink color testing device 200, the device 200 comprising:

[0085] Module 201 is used to determine the test wait time;

[0086] Printing module 202 is used to control the inkjet printer to spray the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain the first test image;

[0087] The test module 203 is used to control the color acquisition device to acquire the color value of the first test image after the test waiting time has elapsed to determine the color characteristics of the ink to be tested.

[0088] Preferably, the determining module 201 includes:

[0089] The second test image printing unit is used to control the inkjet printing device to spray the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain a second test image.

[0090] A preset time determination unit is used to determine multiple preset times, and after waiting for the preset times respectively, control the color acquisition settings to acquire the color value of the second test image, which is recorded as the second color value;

[0091] The test waiting time acquisition unit is used to acquire the test waiting time based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values.

[0092] Preferably, the test waiting time acquisition unit includes:

[0093] The coefficient acquisition unit is used to acquire the correlation coefficient between the color change rate and the time change rate based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values;

[0094] The first-time acquisition unit is used to acquire the preset time corresponding to when the color change rate is less than or equal to the time change rate multiplied by the correlation coefficient, which is the test waiting time.

[0095] Preferably, the test waiting time acquisition unit includes:

[0096] A curve establishment unit is used to establish a color change curve based on multiple preset times and their corresponding second color values.

[0097] An interval acquisition unit is used to acquire intervals where the color change rate is less than or equal to a second preset threshold based on the color change curve.

[0098] A start time acquisition unit is used to acquire the start time corresponding to the interval;

[0099] The second time acquisition unit is used to determine the test waiting time based on the start time.

[0100] Preferably, the test module 203 includes:

[0101] The acquisition unit is used to control the color acquisition device to acquire the color value of each of the first sub-test images after waiting for the test waiting time, and record it as the first color value;

[0102] The color value determination unit determines the color value of the first test image based on each of the first color values.

[0103] Preferably, the color value determination unit includes:

[0104] The first test color value determination unit determines the color value of the first test image based on the average value of each of the first color values.

[0105] Preferably, the color value determination unit includes:

[0106] The weight value acquisition unit is used to determine the corresponding weight value of each of the first sub-test images based on its concentration.

[0107] The weighted color value acquisition unit is used to acquire the weighted color value after multiplying each of the first color values ​​by its corresponding weight;

[0108] The second test color value acquisition unit is used to determine the color value of the first test image based on each of the weighted color values.

[0109] In summary, the ink color testing device provided in this embodiment of the invention determines the color characteristics of the ink by determining a test waiting time, controlling an inkjet printer to eject the ink to be tested onto a printing medium to obtain a first test image, and then, after the test waiting time has elapsed, controlling a color acquisition device to acquire the color value of the first test image. The method of this invention does not immediately acquire color data after printing the first test image, but rather acquires color data only after the test waiting time has elapsed, ensuring that the ink color on the printing medium is stable. This makes the test results closer to actual performance, thereby improving the accuracy of the ink color testing results.

[0110] Example 3

[0111] In addition, the ink color testing method of this invention can be implemented by an ink color testing device. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the ink color testing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0112] The ink color testing device may include a processor 301 and a memory 302 storing computer program instructions.

[0113] Specifically, the processor 301 may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits that can be configured to implement the embodiments of the present invention.

[0114] Memory 302 may include mass storage for data or instructions. For example, and not limitingly, memory 302 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), floppy disk drive, flash memory, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, memory 302 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media. Where appropriate, memory 302 may be internal or external to a data processing device. In a particular embodiment, memory 302 is a non-volatile solid-state memory. In a particular embodiment, memory 302 includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, the ROM may be a mask-programmed ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), an electrically rewritable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0115] The processor 301 reads and executes computer program instructions stored in the memory 302 to implement any of the ink color testing methods in the above embodiments.

[0116] In one example, the ink color testing device may also include a communication interface 303 and a bus 310. For example, Figure 5 As shown, the processor 301, memory 302, and communication interface 303 are connected through bus 310 and complete communication with each other.

[0117] The communication interface 303 is mainly used to realize communication between various modules, devices, units and / or equipment in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0118] Bus 310 includes hardware, software, or both, that couples components of an ink color testing device together. For example, and not limitingly, bus 310 may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), HyperTransport (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an Infinite Bandwidth Interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Microchannel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCI-X) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, or other suitable buses, or combinations of two or more of these. Where appropriate, bus 310 may include one or more buses. While specific buses are described and illustrated in embodiments of the invention, the invention contemplates any suitable bus or interconnect.

[0119] Example 4

[0120] Furthermore, in conjunction with the ink color testing methods in the above embodiments, this invention can be implemented using a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions; when these computer program instructions are executed by the processor 301, they implement any one of the ink color testing methods in the above embodiments.

[0121] In summary, the ink color testing method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided in this invention determine the color characteristics of the ink by determining a test waiting time; controlling an inkjet printer to eject the ink to be tested onto the printing medium to obtain a first test image; and after the test waiting time has elapsed, controlling a color acquisition device to acquire the color value of the first test image. The method of this invention does not immediately acquire color data after printing the first test image, but rather acquires color data only after the test waiting time has elapsed, ensuring that the ink color on the printing medium is stable. This makes the test results closer to actual performance, thereby improving the accuracy of the ink color testing results.

[0122] It should be clarified that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0123] The functional blocks shown in the above-described structural diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this invention are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. The programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried in a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0124] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this invention describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this invention is not limited to the order of the steps described above; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0125] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink color test method characterized by, The method comprises: determining a test waiting time, comprising: controlling the inkjet printing device to eject the ink to be tested onto a printing medium to obtain a second test image; determining a plurality of preset times, and after waiting for the preset times respectively, controlling the color collection device to obtain color values of the second test image, denoted as second color values; and obtaining the test waiting time according to the plurality of preset times and the corresponding second color values; controlling the inkjet printing device to eject the ink to be tested onto a printing medium to obtain a first test image; after the test waiting time, controlling the color collection device to obtain color values of the first test image to determine the color characteristics of the ink to be tested.

2. The ink color test method of claim 1, wherein, The method comprises: obtaining a change coefficient of the color values of the second test image with time according to the plurality of preset times and the corresponding second color values; obtaining the preset time corresponding to the change coefficient less than or equal to a preset coefficient threshold as the test waiting time.

3. The ink color test method of claim 1, wherein, The method comprises: establishing a color change curve according to the plurality of preset times and the corresponding second color values; obtaining an interval in which the color change rate is less than or equal to a second preset threshold according to the color change curve; obtaining a starting time corresponding to the interval; determining the test waiting time according to the starting time.

4. The ink color test method of claim 1, wherein, The first test image comprises a plurality of first sub-test images with different concentrations, and the method comprises: after the test waiting time, controlling the color collection device to obtain color values of each of the first sub-test images, denoted as first color values; determining the color values of the first test image according to the first color values.

5. The ink color test method of claim 4, wherein, The method comprises: determining the color values of the first test image according to the average of the first color values.

6. The ink color test method of claim 4, wherein, The method comprises: determining a weight value corresponding to each of the first sub-test images according to the concentration thereof; obtaining weighted color values obtained by multiplying each of the first color values by the corresponding weight value; determining the color values of the first test image according to the weighted color values.

7. Ink color test method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The ink to be tested comprises any one or more of white ink, black ink, color ink, gold stamping ink, and transparent ink.

8. An ink color testing device characterized by comprising: The device comprises: a determining module configured to determine a test waiting time, comprising: controlling the inkjet printing device to eject the ink to be tested onto a printing medium to obtain a second test image; determining a plurality of preset times, and after waiting for the preset times respectively, controlling the color collection device to obtain color values of the second test image, denoted as second color values; and obtaining the test waiting time according to the plurality of preset times and the corresponding second color values. a printing module for controlling an inkjet printing device to eject a test ink onto a print medium to obtain a first test image; a testing module for controlling a color acquisition device to acquire color values of the first test image after the test wait time to determine color characteristics of the test ink.

9. An ink color test apparatus characterized by comprising: comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, implement the method of any of claims 1-7.

10. A storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions, characterized in that, computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method of any of claims 1-7.

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