Color Validation Print Job Scheduling for Printer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial printing, color shifts in output colors due to individual differences, environmental changes, or physical load changes in image forming apparatuses often require frequent calibration, which can be inconvenient and reduce printer operation rates.
Innovation Solution
A method for an information processing apparatus to determine whether to instruct an image forming apparatus to execute a print job for stabilizing operations based on the print settings of the previous job and the color validation print job, thereby minimizing unnecessary idle printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If idle printing is performed to avoid color shift due to differences between print settings, then color stability is improved, but time usable for printing other than idle printing decreases, reducing printer operation rate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of print job execution based on detected color shifts. When a color shift is detected between sequential print jobs with different settings, the system inserts an idle printing job to stabilize the printer operation, thereby maintaining color accuracy without permanently reducing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects color shifts and determines whether idle printing is necessary, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The color validation unit autonomously monitors color accuracy and controls the printing unit to perform idle printing only when required, optimizing both color stability and operational efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If color validation is performed frequently to detect color shifts, then color accuracy is improved, but printing time is reduced due to validation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs color validation periodically based on changes in print settings rather than continuously or at fixed time intervals. The color validation unit detects color shifts when print settings change between jobs, validating color accuracy only when necessary, thereby reducing validation overhead while maintaining color precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs color validation before executing print jobs with different settings to prevent color shifts. By detecting potential color issues in advance and performing validation proactively, the system ensures color accuracy without causing delays during actual printing operations
Data Source
AI summary
When executing color validation, an information processing apparatus compares print settings of a print job immediately before a color validation print job with print settings of the color validation print job and transmits, as appropriate, a print job for preventing the increase in differences between the print settings to an image forming apparatus.