Color Measurement Device Error Detection via Trajectory Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Middle to lower end quality control systems in color printing presses face challenges in accurately measuring color bars due to misalignment, leading to contaminated and invalid color measurement information, which can result in the production of unusable or degraded printed goods.
Innovation Solution
A color measurement device with an optical measurement head and pixel array for detecting errors by tracking the center trajectory of the color bar, coupled with application software that interprets color data and prevents invalid measurements from being forwarded to control units, ensuring accurate alignment and valid data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a color measurement engine is used in middle to lower end quality control systems, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to misalignment and extraneous information collection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement field into distinct regions: a first field of view for color bar measurement and a second field of view for alignment verification. This segmentation allows the system to separately handle precise color measurement and alignment detection, preventing contamination of color data by misalignment while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference feature (alignment target) as an intermediary element between the measurement system and the color bar. This reference feature serves as a mediator to detect and correct misalignment before color measurement occurs, ensuring measurement precision without requiring expensive automated tracking systems.
2Reliability
If automated tracking and motion control are implemented, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reference feature as an intermediary that simplifies the alignment verification process. Instead of implementing complex automated tracking systems, the reference feature provides a simple visual target that can be detected by basic imaging components, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical automated tracking and motion control systems with an optical/imaging-based alignment verification system. The reference feature detection uses imaging technology rather than mechanical tracking, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving measurement reliability through software-based alignment correction.
3Productivity
If the color measurement field of view is enlarged to capture more color bar data, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inclusion of extraneous regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total field of view into a primary measurement region (first field of view) and a verification region (second field of view). The primary region is optimized for rapid color bar measurement, while the verification region checks for proper alignment. This segmentation allows the measurement region to remain focused and precise while still enabling fast scanning through efficient use of the enlarged total field of view.
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
The solution enables reliable and consistent color bar measurements by detecting and correcting misalignment issues, preventing contamination from adjacent regions and ensuring the integrity of quality control information, thus reducing the risk of producing defective products.
Implementation Method 1
an optical measurement head, the optical measurement head being moveable linearly along a color bar region of a printing sheet, and being configured for making color measurements
Implementation Method 2
a pixel array for tracking a center trajectory of the color bar for purposes of detecting the color measurement errors
Data Source
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AI summary
A color measurement device (100) includes an error detection function for color printing control. The color measurement device includes an optical measurement head (102), the optical measurement head being moveable linearly along a color bar region (108) of a printing sheet (104), and being configured for making color measurements with respect to the color bar, and for detecting color measurement errors by determining whether such color measurements are being made at least in part with respect to regions of the printing sheet other than the color bar region. The optical measurement head may further include a pixel array (116) for tracking a center trajectory of the color bar for purposes of detecting the color measurement errors, and a color measurement engine for purposes of making the color measurements with respect to the color bar. The color measurement device may further include a motion control element (612) and a mechanical track (610) to guide the optical measurement head along the color bar region.