Color Calibration for Printers Using Distributed Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printer systems with multiple print-bars face challenges in maintaining accurate colorimetry due to variations in output over time, leading to accelerated wear and potential failure from uneven calibration loads across print-heads.
Innovation Solution
A calibration process that distributes changes in NP output across print-bars to produce calibrated print-bar aware NPac vectors, closely matching the colorimetry of corresponding NPac vectors under reference conditions, using a print-bar aware NPac lookup table and distribution criteria to adjust area coverage parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods are used that do not distribute calibration loads evenly, then colorimetry accuracy can be maintained, but print-head wear accelerates and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is segmented across multiple print-bars, with each print-bar receiving a distributed portion of the calibration workload rather than all calibration tasks being concentrated on a single print-bar. This segmentation allows colorimetry accuracy to be maintained through calibration while distributing wear across multiple components, thereby extending print-head life and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process dynamically adjusts the distribution of calibration tasks across print-bars based on their current state and usage patterns. By making the calibration load distribution dynamic rather than static, the system can maintain colorimetry accuracy while adaptively managing wear across different print-bars to extend their operational life
2Measurement precision
If calibration tasks are concentrated on specific print-bars, then colorimetry can be calibrated accurately, but those print-bars experience accelerated wear and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration workload is divided and distributed across multiple print-bars rather than concentrated on one or a few. Each print-bar performs a segmented portion of the total calibration tasks, which maintains the ability to achieve accurate colorimetry calibration while ensuring that no single print-bar experiences excessive wear that would shorten its operational life
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of calibration task distribution from concentrated to distributed across print-bars. By altering how calibration work is allocated (the distribution parameter), the system maintains colorimetry accuracy while extending the operational life of individual print-bars through reduced stress and wear
3Ease of manufacture
If uneven calibration loads are applied across print-bars, then calibration can be performed, but device complexity increases and maintenance difficulty arises
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is designed to automatically distribute calibration tasks across print-bars without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated load-balancing algorithms. The system self-manages the distribution of calibration loads in a straightforward manner, maintaining calibration effectiveness while avoiding unnecessary complexity in the calibration process
Data Source
AI summary
A method of calibrating an area coverage representation of a color. A first area coverage of a Neugebauer primary in an area coverage representation of a color is determined based on a plurality of reference area coverage parameters for the Neugebauer primary, wherein each reference area coverage parameter in the plurality of reference area coverage parameters corresponds to a respective colorant deposition subsystem in a plurality of colorant deposition subsystems. A second area coverage of the Neugebauer primary is determined based on the plurality of reference area coverage parameters and a plurality of calibration parameters for the Neugebauer primary, wherein each calibration parameter in the plurality of calibration parameters corresponds to a respective colorant deposition subsystem in the plurality of colorant deposition subsystems. A plurality of calibrated area coverage parameters are determined for the Neugebauer primary in the area coverage representation of the color based on the plurality of reference area coverage parameters, the plurality of calibration parameters and a difference in area coverage between the first area coverage and the second area coverage.