Color Chart Identification for Printer Color Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in effectively performing color adjustment across multiple printers, as they struggle to distinguish between printers and accurately adjust colors due to in-plane unevenness.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a color chart system that includes identification information of each image forming apparatus encoded within the color chart, allowing for effective color adjustment by distinguishing between printers and accounting for in-plane unevenness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single color measurement apparatus collectively measures colors from multiple printers, then measurement efficiency is improved, but the ability to distinguish and perform accurate color adjustment for each printer deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidcolor adjustment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The color chart is segmented into distinct regions: a first region containing identification information specific to each printer, and a second region containing color patches for measurement. This segmentation allows the measurement apparatus to efficiently measure multiple charts while the identification region enables differentiation and accurate processing for each individual printer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Identification information encoded in the first region of the color chart serves as an intermediary that links the physical color patches to their source printer. This intermediary enables the measurement apparatus to automatically identify which printer produced each chart and apply the correct color adjustment parameters, resolving the conflict between efficient collective measurement and accurate individual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If identification information is encoded within the color chart, then printer distinction capability is improved, but chart complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinter identification accuracyVSAvoidcolor chart complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification information and color patches are merged into a single integrated color chart structure. The first region contains identification information while the second region contains color patches, both on the same chart. This merging eliminates the need for separate identification tags or multiple charts, achieving printer distinction without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the color chart are assigned different functions with appropriate local characteristics. The first region is optimized for identification (simpler structure), while the second region is optimized for color measurement (complex color patches). This local quality differentiation allows each region to excel at its specific function while maintaining overall chart simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3993380B1Color chart, information processing apparatus, and information processing system
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3993380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3993380B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3993380B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A color chart (CC) is for performing color adjustment on an image forming apparatus (10). The color chart (CC) includes identification information and a color adjustment patch (CP). The identification information is on an image forming apparatus (10) to which color adjustment is to be applied. The color adjustment patch (CP) includes a plurality of color patches for performing color adjustment on the image forming apparatus (10) indicated by the identification information.