Color Chart Rearrangement for Diffuse Reflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color calibration methods in image forming apparatuses face challenges due to diffuse reflection from neighboring color patches, leading to inaccurate color measurements and increased costs from additional structural components to mitigate this issue.
Innovation Solution
A chart creation method that rearranges color patches to restrict the spread of average color values within a predetermined range by exchanging measured color values between patches, using a control apparatus to create and print charts with rearranged patches, thereby minimizing the influence of diffuse reflection without increasing the number of chart sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanism is added to block off light rays reflected on surroundings of the target color patch via diffuse reflection, then color measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful diffuse reflected light rays from the measurement path by positioning the sensor to detect only directly reflected light from the target color patch, excluding light reflected from surrounding patches. This eliminates the need for additional blocking mechanisms while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light shielding structure as an intermediary element between the target color patch and the sensor. This structure selectively blocks diffuse reflected light from surrounding patches while allowing directly reflected light from the target patch to reach the sensor, thus improving measurement accuracy without complex mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If black image regions are arranged between color regions to suppress diffuse reflection, then color measurement accuracy is improved, but the number of chart sheets increases and material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating localized light shielding at each target color patch position rather than using extensive black regions between all color patches. The sensor is positioned to detect light only from the immediate target patch area, providing local measurement accuracy without requiring global chart structure modifications that would increase material consumption.
3Measurement precision
If black image regions are arranged between color regions to suppress diffuse reflection, then color measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process by focusing the sensor on individual target color patches independently, measuring each patch separately without requiring comprehensive black region separators. This segmentation allows for faster measurement by eliminating the need to account for and compensate for diffuse reflection from surrounding patches, thus reducing overall measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances color measurement accuracy and reduces the need for additional structural components, preventing excessive material consumption and measurement time, while maintaining accurate color calibration.
Implementation Method 1
a scanner or an in-line sensor can receive a mixture of color information of light rays reflected on a color patch to be measured (target color patch) and color information of light rays reflected on neighboring color patches of the target color patch via diffuse (or irregular) reflection
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A chart creation method to be used in a system including an image forming apparatus and a control apparatus, the control apparatus and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a chart creation control program are provided. The chart creation method includes: creating a print image of a chart; giving instructions to the image forming apparatus to print the chart and measure colors of the chart; obtaining measured color values of the color patches of the chart from the image forming apparatus; and rearranging the color patches of the chart so as to restrict spread of average color values of subgroups of color patches in the chart within a predetermined range. The chart creation method further includes: creating a print image of the color chart including the rearranged color patches, and giving instructions to the image forming apparatus to print the chart and measure colors of the chart.