Color calibration system and method for the production of tiles
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VİTRA KARO SAN VE TİC ANONİM ŞİRKETİ
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
The inability to produce tiles with identical color and pattern across batches due to variations in ambient parameters, leading to offshade production and unnecessary kiln-drying of offshade tiles, resulting in energy waste.
A color calibration system and apparatus that includes a printing machine, input unit, color detector, and processing unit to measure and calibrate color values, using a memory unit and AI/machine learning algorithms to ensure consistent color application, preventing offshade production and reducing energy waste.
Enables the production of tiles with consistent color and pattern across batches, minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary kiln-drying of offshade tiles.
Smart Images
Figure TR2025051719_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] COLOR CALIBRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TILES
[0003] Subject of the Invention
[0004] The invention relates to a color calibration system for the production of tiles, a color calibration method for the production of tiles, and a color calibration apparatus suitable for use in the production of tiles.
[0005] State of the Art
[0006] The tiles are flat and generally quadrangular (square- or rectangle-shaped) building elements, which are generally manufactured from the materials such as ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, or concrete and which are used for the floor coverings and wall coatings. Due to their properties of durability, water impermeability, and decorativeness, the tiles are the materials frequently preferred for the indoor and outdoor spaces. Being produced in different sizes, patterns, and colors, the tiles offer an aesthetic and functional solution.
[0007] The production of the tiles according to the state of the art includes the process steps of raw material / slurry preparation, granulation, pressing, drying, glazing, and kiln-drying. The raw materials used in said tile production are usually the materials like clay, kaolin, feldspar, quartz, and calcite. These raw materials are mixed according to certain proportions and are then brought into a fine powder form. This step is critical for determining the properties of the finished product. After the raw material is powdered, it is mixed with water to obtain a liquid mixture referred to as "slurry". The slurry is subjected to various processes in order to provide the same with appropriate consistency. This process enables the mixture to become homogeneous. The slurry mixture is converted to the granules with the help of the spray driers. In this step, the excess water in the mixture is evaporated and the obtained granules are brought into a state suitable for being pressed. The obtained granules are introduced to the presses in order to be compressed according to a certain form and thickness. In this step, the tile is shaped. The moisture of the pressed tiles is removed in the drying units prior to subjecting said tiles to kiln-drying. This process enables the tiles to be kiln-dried properly and ensures that said tiles have no deformation. A glaze is applied on the tile surface in order to confer an aesthetic and protective layer to said surface. This glaze, besides adding color and pattern to the tile surface, increases the resistance of said tile surface to water and stains. The glazed tiles are subjected to kiln-drying at an elevated temperature (generally in the range of 1000-2000°C). The kiln-drying process enables the tile to harden and provides the ultimate strength for said tile. During the kiln-drying process, the glazed surface melts and forms a hard bright coating. The pressing process for the tile production is usually performed after the glaze application, but before the kiln- drying process. This process is used especially for the purpose of adding patterns, colors, motifs, or decorative features to the tiles.
[0008] A parameter change that could occur in any step of the tile production causes a difference in the finished product obtained. In other words, it is not possible to produce in a subsequent batch a tile that is the same as a tile produced in a previous batch. Thus, it is not possible to reproduce the tiles that are identical to the tiles in the previous production batches until a production planning is performed. There may be many reasons for this. For instance, even the ambient parameters valid during the preparation of the mixture or during the performance of the granulation may lead to a tile with different properties, despite using the same raw material. The ambient parameters also cause differences in the ratio of moisture remaining inside the semi-finished product following the drying process, thus resulting in the inability to achieve the same color in the finished product. Accordingly, even the parameters that are not possible to be changed via the human interference affect the tile production. For this reason, the inability to produce a tile that is identical to the tiles produced in the previous batches is a problem in the art that requires to be solved.
[0009] Consequently, it has become necessary to make an innovation in the relevant technical field in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problem.
[0010] Object of the Invention
[0011] An object of the invention is to develop a color calibration system, method, or apparatus for enabling the production of the tiles in the same color. Another object of the invention is to develop a color calibration system, method, or apparatus for enabling the production of the tiles in the same color as the tiles produced in the previous batches.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to develop a color calibration system, method, or apparatus for preventing the production of the offshade tiles.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to develop a color calibration system, method, or apparatus, which avoids the waste of energy by preventing the tiles produced in offshade from being subjected to the kiln-drying process.
[0014] Description of the Figures
[0015] Figure 1: A representative view of the components of the system according to the invention
[0016] Reference Numerals
[0017] I : Color calibration system 14 : Color detector
[0018] 10 : Color calibration apparatus 20 : Printing machine
[0019] II : Input unit 30 : Kiln
[0020] 12 : Processing unit 40 : Tile
[0021] 13 : Memory unit
[0022] Detailed Description of the Invention
[0023] The invention relates to a color calibration system (1) for the production of tiles (40), a color calibration method for the production of tiles (40), and a color calibration apparatus (10) suitable for use in the production of tiles (40). Said color calibration system (1) comprises in its most basic form at least one printing machine (20) that enables a printing in at least one color and / or pattern to be applied on the surface of a tile (40); at least one input unit (11) that enables to input the color values desired to be applied on the surface of the tile (40); at least one color detector that enables to measure the color values of the printing applied on the surface of the tile (40) by means of said printing machine (20); and at least one processing unit (12) that enables at least one input parameter of said printing machine (20) to be calibrated based on the color values measured by means of said color detector and on the color values input by means of said input unit (11).
[0024] The color calibration apparatus (10) according to the invention comprises in its most basic form at least one input unit (11) that enables to input the color values desired to be applied on the surface of a tile (40); at least one color detector that enables to measure the color values of the printing applied on the surface of the tile (40) by means of at least one printing machine (20); and at least one processing unit (12) that enables at least one input parameter to be provided as input to said printing machine (20) to be calibrated based on the color values measured by means of said color detector and on the color values input by means of said input unit (11).
[0025] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said embodiment comprises at least one memory unit (13), which is associated with said processing unit (12) and which stores the input parameters of the printing machine (20) and the measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said embodiment comprises at least one memory unit (13), which is associated with said processing unit (12) and which stores the input parameters of the printing machine (20) and the post-kiln-drying measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40). In a possible embodiment, said memory unit (13) is a memory unit (13), which stores the color value measurements at the outlet of the printing machine (20) and the secondary color value measurements subsequent to the kiln-drying process.
[0026] In a possible embodiment of the invention, said processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which is configured in a way to enable at least one input parameter of the printing machine (20) to be calibrated based on the color values input by means of the input unit (11) and on the data stored in the memory unit. In a possible embodiment, the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises an artificial intelligence algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13). In a possible embodiment, the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises a machine learning algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13). In a possible embodiment, the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises a deep learning algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13).
[0027] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said input parameter is at least one image file. In a possible embodiment, said image file is an image file, which contains at least one numerical value on the RGB level. The color values mentioned herein may be the color values of the RGB or the gray level. In the preferred embodiment, these color values are expressed with 8 bits. Therefore, said color values are between 0 and 255.
[0028] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said color detector is a hyperspectral camera. A possible embodiment is characterized in that said color detector is a spectrophotometer. A possible embodiment is characterized in that said color detector is an infrared sensor.
[0029] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said color detector is disposed at a position at the outlet of the printing machine (20) and before the kiln (30) where the kiln-drying / firing process is performed. A possible embodiment is characterized in that said color detector is positioned inside the printing machine (20) and is configured to be operated subsequent to the printing process.
[0030] The color calibration method according to the invention comprises in its most basic form the process steps of inputting, by means of at least one input unit (11), the color values desired to be applied on the surface of a tile (40); applying, by means of at least one printing machine (20), a printing in at least one color and / or pattern on the surface of the tile (40); measuring, by means of at least one color detector, the color values of the printing applied on the surface of the tile (40) by said printing machine (20); and calibrating, by means of at least one processing unit (12), at least one input parameter to be provided as input to said printing machine (20), based on the color values measured by said color detector and on the color values input by means of said input unit (11).
[0031] In a possible embodiment of the invention, the color calibration method comprises the process step of calibrating, by means of said processing unit (12), at least one input parameter of the printing machine (20) based on the data stored in at least one memory unit (13), which stores the input parameters of said printing machine (20) and the measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40), and based on the color values input by means of the input unit (11). In a possible embodiment, the color calibration method comprises the process step of calibrating, by means of said processing unit (12), at least one input parameter of the printing machine (20) based on the data stored in at least one memory unit (13), which stores the input parameters of said printing machine (20) and the post- kiln-drying measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40), and based on the color values input by means of the input unit (11). In a possible embodiment, the memory unit (13) is a memory unit (13), which stores the color value measurements at the outlet of the printing machine (20) and the secondary color value measurements subsequent to the kiln-drying process.
[0032] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, said calibration process is performed prior to the process of kiln-drying / firing the tile (40). In a possible embodiment, said color detector is positioned inside the printing machine (20) and is configured to be operated subsequent to the printing process.
[0033] In an exemplary operating scenario of the invention, the image / color of the printing to be applied on a tile (40) is defined by a user / operator or by the system, by means of the input unit (11). The processing unit (12) determines the input parameters of the printing machine (20) in response to said input and said input parameters are provided to said printing machine (20). The printing machine (20) applies the printing on the tile (40) and the color values for the color in at least one point on the surface of said tile (40) where said printing has been applied are detected by means of the color detector. The difference between the detected color values and the initial input parameters provided to the printing machine (20) is determined. The input parameters are calibrated based on the data stored in the memory unit (13), in order to achieve the image / color obtained from the input unit (11).
[0034] In another exemplary representation, a printing in a color A is desired to be applied on a tile (40) by means of the input unit (11). An input parameter X is provided to the printing machine (20) in order to apply the color A on the tile (40). Here, the A-X relationship is stored in the memory unit (13). The color values of the tile (40), on which the printing has been applied, are determined as B, by means of the color detector. By means of the algorithm trained with the data stored in the memory unit (13), the processing unit (12) calibrates the input X as an input Y, in order for the tile (40) to acquire the color A in case said tile (40) acquires the color B when said input X is applied. As a result, the calibrated input Y is provided to the printing machine (20) and the color A is obtained.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A color calibration system (1) for the production of tiles (40) characterized in that said color calibration system (1) comprises- at least one printing machine (20) that enables a printing in at least one color and / or pattern to be applied on the surface of a tile (40);- at least one input unit (11) that enables to input the color values desired to be applied on the surface of the tile (40);- at least one color detector that enables to measure the color values of the printing applied on the surface of the tile (40) by means of said printing machine (20); and- at least one processing unit (12) that enables at least one input parameter of said printing machine (20) to be calibrated based on the color values measured by means of said color detector and on the color values input by means of said input unit (11).
2. A color calibration system (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that said color calibration system (1) comprises at least one memory unit (13), which is associated with said processing unit (12) and which stores the input parameters of the printing machine (20) and the measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40).
3. A color calibration system (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said color calibration system (1) comprises at least one memory unit (13), which is associated with said processing unit (12) and which stores the input parameters of the printing machine (20) and the post-kiln-drying measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40).
4. A color calibration system (1) according to Claim 2 or 3 characterized in that said memory unit (13) is a memory unit (13), which stores the color value measurements at the outlet of the printing machine (20) and the secondary color value measurements subsequent to the kiln-drying process.
5. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of Claims 2-4 characterized in that said processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which is configured in a way to enable at least one input parameter of the printing machine (20) to be calibrated based on the color values input by means of the input unit (11) and on the data stored in the memory unit (13).
6. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of Claims 2-5 characterized in that the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises an artificial intelligence algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13).
7. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of Claims 2-5 characterized in that the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises a machine learning algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13).
8. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of Claims 2-5 characterized in that the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises a deep learning algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13).
9. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said input parameter is at least one image file.
10. A color calibration system (1) according to Claim 9 characterized in that said image file is an image file, which contains at least one numerical value on the RGB level.
11. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said color detector is a hyperspectral camera.
12. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said color detector is a spectrophotometer.
13. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said color detector is an infrared sensor.
14. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said color detector is disposed at a position at the outlet of the printing machine (20) and before the kiln (30) where the kiln-drying / firing process is performed.
15. A color calibration system (1) according to any one of Claims 1-13 characterized in that said color detector is positioned inside the printing machine (20) and is configured to be operated subsequent to the printing process.
16. A color calibration apparatus (10) suitable for use in the production of tiles (40) characterized in that said color calibration apparatus (10) comprises- at least one input unit (11) that enables to input the color values desired to be applied on the surface of a tile (40);- at least one color detector that enables to measure the color values of the printing applied on the surface of the tile (40) by means of at least one printing machine (20); and- at least one processing unit (12) that enables at least one input parameter to be provided as input to said printing machine (20) to be calibrated based on the color values measured by means of said color detector and on the color values input by means of said input unit (11).
17. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to Claim 16 characterized in that said color calibration apparatus (10) comprises at least one memory unit (13), which is associated with said processing unit (12) and which stores the input parameters of the printing machine (20) and the measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40).
18. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to Claim 16 or 17 characterized in that said color calibration apparatus (10) comprises at least one memory unit (13), which is associated with said processing unit (12) and which stores the input parameters of the printing machine (20) and the post-kiln-drying measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40).
19. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to Claim 17 or 18 characterized in that said memory unit (13) is a memory unit (13), which stores the color value measurements at the outlet of the printing machine (20) and the secondary color value measurements subsequent to the kiln-drying process.
20. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to any one of Claims 17-19 characterized in that said processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which is configured in a way to enable at least one input parameter to be provided as input to the printing machine (20) to be calibrated based on the color values input by means of the input unit (11) and on the data stored in the memory unit (13).
21. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to any one of Claims 16-19 characterized in that said input parameter is at least one image file.
22. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to Claim 21 characterized in that said image file is an image file, which contains at least one numerical value on the RGB level.
23. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to any one of Claims 17-22 characterized in that the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises an artificial intelligence algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13).
24. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to any one of Claims 17-22 characterized in that the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises a machine learning algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13).
25. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to any one of Claims 17-22 characterized in that the processing unit (12) is a processing unit (12), which comprises a deep learning algorithm trained with the data stored in said memory unit (13).
26. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to any one of Claims 16-25 characterized in that said color detector is a hyperspectral camera.
27. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to any one of Claims 16-25 characterized in that said color detector is a spectrophotometer.
28. A color calibration apparatus (10) according to any one of Claims 16-25 characterized in that said color detector is an infrared sensor.
29. A color calibration method for the production of tiles (40) characterized in that said color calibration method comprises the process steps of- inputting, by means of at least one input unit (11), the color values desired to be applied on the surface of a tile (40);- applying, by means of at least one printing machine (20), a printing in at least one color and / or pattern on the surface of the tile (40);- measuring, by means of at least one color detector, the color values of the printing applied on the surface of the tile (40) by said printing machine (20); and- calibrating, by means of at least one processing unit (12), at least one input parameter to be provided as input to said printing machine (20), based on the color values measured by said color detector and on the color values input by means of said input unit (11).
30. A color calibration method according to Claim 29 characterized in that said color calibration method comprises the process step of calibrating, by means of said processing unit (12), at least one input parameter of the printing machine (20) based on the data stored in at least one memory unit (13), which stores the input parameters of said printing machine (20) and the measurements for the color values corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40), and based on the color values input by means of the input unit (11).
31. A color calibration method according to Claim 29 or 30 characterized in that said color calibration method comprises the process step of calibrating, by means of said processing unit (12), at least one input parameter of the printing machine (20) based on the data stored in at least one memory unit (13), which stores the input parameters of said printing machine (20) and the post-kiln-drying measurements for the colorvalues corresponding to the respective input parameters and applied on the surface of the tile (40), and based on the color values input by means of the input unit (11).
32. A color calibration method according to Claim 30 or 31 characterized in that said memory unit (13) is a memory unit (13), which stores the color value measurements at the outlet of the printing machine (20) and the secondary color value measurements subsequent to the kiln-drying process.
33. A color calibration method according to any one of Claims 29-32 characterized in that said color detector is disposed at a position at the outlet of the printing machine (20) and before the kiln (30) where the kiln-drying / firing process is performed.
34. A color calibration method according to any one of Claims 29-33 characterized in that said calibration process is performed prior to the process of kiln-drying / firing the tile (40).
35. A color calibration method according to any one of Claims 29-32 characterized in that said color detector is positioned inside the printing machine (20) and is configured to be operated subsequent to the printing process.