Color Tolerance Parameter in Digital Print Workflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital print workflows lack the specification of color tolerance, leading to inefficient sorting, scheduling, and quality control processes, as color accuracy requirements are often unspecified or uniformly applied, resulting in increased costs, waste, and lower customer satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a defined color tolerance parameter into the print job intent, which flows through the workflow, allowing for tailored processing and pricing based on individual print job requirements, and utilizing a print job analysis system to manage and match color accuracy capabilities with job demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If color accuracy requirements are uniformly applied to all print jobs, then quality control is simplified, but production efficiency decreases and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the print workflow by introducing distinct color accuracy requirement levels (first level with tight tolerance, second level with loose tolerance) to differentiate between different print job types. This segmentation allows the system to apply appropriate quality control measures to each segment, improving overall production efficiency while reducing waste by avoiding excessive quality control on jobs that don't require it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring color accuracy requirements to specific print job characteristics. Instead of uniform quality control, the system implements differentiated color accuracy levels based on job-specific needs, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing waste while maintaining necessary quality standards for each local context.
2Manufacturing precision
If tight color tolerances are applied to all print jobs, then color accuracy is improved, but production costs increase and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the color accuracy parameter by introducing multiple requirement levels instead of using a single tight tolerance for all jobs. By adjusting this parameter based on print job characteristics, the system achieves necessary color accuracy for each job type while maintaining higher overall yield and productivity.
3Reliability
If color tolerance specification is added to print job intent, then quality control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the color accuracy requirement a flexible parameter that can be set at different levels based on print job characteristics. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt quality control measures to specific needs without requiring complex rigid structures, thereby improving reliability while managing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for enabling submission of color accuracy requirements with the submission of a print job. More specifically, a print job analysis system may be configured to receive a print job request having a color accuracy requirement level directly from a customer (or from an operator on behalf of the customer). In addition, the print job analysis system may also be configured to determine an appropriate color accuracy requirement level for the print job request if no color accuracy requirement level is directly provided with the print job request. Furthermore, the print job analysis system may also be configured to provide an analysis of recommended color accuracy requirement levels to the customer and/or the operator if they are unsure of an appropriate color accuracy requirement level to be used for the particular print job.