Color Correction Patches in Continuous Paper Margins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous paper printers face challenges in performing color correction during printing operations due to the inability to modify content information, leading to potential erroneous detection by mark sensors during post-processing, as existing techniques do not consider detection criteria for eye marks.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device that generates printing data by adding outer area images for color correction in the margin of continuous recording media, using a detection criterion to prevent erroneous eye mark detection by mark sensors during post-processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a color correction patch is printed in the outer area of continuous paper, then color correction can be performed during printing operation, but the mark sensor may erroneously detect the color correction patch as an eye mark at the post-processing stage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by making the color correction patch visually distinct from eye marks through specific design characteristics. The color correction patch uses a cross pattern with colored regions (C, M, Y, K) and white spaces, whereas eye marks are solid black rectangular patterns. This local differentiation in pattern structure and color composition allows the mark sensor to reliably distinguish between color correction patches and eye marks during post-processing detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the content information is changed to accommodate color correction patch, then color correction becomes possible, but continuous paper printers cannot modify content information during printing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the paper width into distinct functional zones: the central content recording area for original printing content and the outer areas for color correction patches and eye marks. This spatial segmentation allows color correction patches to be added in the outer areas without modifying or interfering with the content information in the central area, enabling color correction functionality while maintaining printing operation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the outer area dimension of continuous paper (margins outside the content recording area) to place color correction patches. By transitioning from a single-content-area layout to a multi-zone layout that includes outer areas, the system can accommodate color correction functionality without affecting the original content printing operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If a calibration pattern is printed in the margin around the image recording area, then color correction can be performed, but the pattern may be detected erroneously as an eye mark by the mark sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by designing the color correction patch with specific local characteristics (cross pattern with colored regions and white spaces) that differ from the global characteristics of eye marks (solid black rectangles). This local pattern differentiation ensures that while the color correction patch serves its calibration function, it does not trigger false detection by the mark sensor looking for eye mark patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming device which forms an image for color correction in the margin of a continuous recording medium such as continuous paper as appropriate without causing erroneous detection by a mark sensor at a post-processing stage. In the image forming device, a printing data generator (control section) performs: acquiring a detection criterion to detect a post-processing image for use at the post-processing stage; creating a color correction image to be used for color correction of an original image according to the detection criterion; and arranging the color correction image as an outer area image in an area other than an original image formation area in printing data.