Cloud Printing System Virtual Calibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the production print space, customers face challenges with ensuring optimal color reproduction accuracy and troubleshooting issues that often stem from improper expectations or operator errors, leading to unnecessary support calls and visits to printing shops.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based printing system is implemented, using a reference printing device to define and monitor color printing resources and environmental specifications, performing match calibrations, quality checks, and alerting operators to compliance issues, thereby reducing unnecessary support calls by identifying and addressing environmental or maintenance-related problems before they impact printing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual calibration and quality check methods are used, then operators can perform basic printing operations, but color reproduction accuracy deteriorates and unnecessary support calls increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops where quality check results from printed targets are continuously monitored and compared against reference values. When deviations are detected, the system automatically generates alerts and notifies operators, enabling continuous improvement of color reproduction accuracy without requiring constant manual intervention or support calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing device performs self-diagnosis and self-monitoring by automatically printing quality targets, capturing images of these targets, analyzing the results, and comparing them against reference standards. This self-service capability enables the device to maintain optimal color reproduction accuracy and identify issues before they require external support intervention.
2Measurement precision
If automated monitoring systems are implemented, then color reproduction accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it performs normal printing operations, automatically prints quality control targets, captures images of these targets using an integrated imaging device, analyzes the printed targets, and communicates results. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated quality control equipment, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining color reproduction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses printed quality targets as an intermediary medium between the printing process and the analysis system. These targets serve as a bridge that translates complex color reproduction quality into measurable image data that can be automatically analyzed, simplifying the monitoring process without requiring direct complex sensing of the printed output.
3Measurement precision
If frequent quality checks are performed, then color reproduction issues are detected early, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic quality checks at defined intervals during normal printing operations, rather than continuous monitoring. This periodic approach allows the device to maintain productivity by performing quality checks only when necessary, while still detecting color reproduction issues early enough to prevent defective output. The automated nature of these periodic checks minimizes the time lost compared to manual processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual calibration system uses a reference printing device to add new printing devices and perform verification operations. The reference printing device is defined using color printing resources from an initial printing device. Policies define environmental specification information regarding the operating conditions for a printing device in the system. When a new printing device is added, the new printing device performs a match calibration using the color printing resources provided by the reference printing device. If the match calibration is acceptable, then the new printing device is added to the virtual calibration system. The reference printing device also instructs the printing devices to perform quality checks and to provide environmental information. Using the environmental information, the reference printing device determines if an issue is impacting color printing that is not related to the color printing capabilities of the printing device.