Color Verification Optimization for Printing Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current color verification processes for printing apparatuses are inefficient, requiring lengthy verification times and excessive waste due to the need to verify all combinations of color conversion profiles and correction tables, which can lead to inaccurate grouping and deteriorated print quality.

Innovation Solution

A computer-readable medium with a color verification optimization program that analyzes print jobs, compares color saturation values to identify coinciding or approximating profiles and tables, and performs verification on representative patterns while omitting unnecessary checks, thereby reducing verification times and maintaining print quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If verification is performed on all combinations of color conversion profiles and color correction tables, then verification accuracy is improved, but verification time and waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple color conversion patterns into groups based on similarity of color saturation values. By combining patterns that produce similar color outputs, the system performs verification on representative patterns only, thereby reducing total verification time while maintaining accuracy through the grouping strategy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial verification by selecting only representative color conversion patterns from each group for verification, rather than verifying all patterns. This partial action approach maintains sufficient verification accuracy while significantly reducing the number of verification operations required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If verification is performed on all combinations of color conversion profiles and color correction tables, then verification accuracy is improved, but waste sheets increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidwaste sheets

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By merging color conversion patterns into groups based on color saturation similarity, the patent reduces the number of unique verification patterns needed. This merging strategy directly reduces waste sheets since fewer verification prints are required while still covering the necessary color conversion scenarios through representative patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs partial verification on selected representative patterns rather than all patterns. This partial action approach minimizes waste sheets by printing verification color charts only for representative patterns, eliminating redundant verification prints for similar patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If grouping is performed based on sheet type, then verification efficiency is improved, but grouping accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification efficiencyVSAvoidgrouping accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the grouping parameter from sheet type to color saturation values. By using color saturation values as the basis for grouping color conversion patterns, the system achieves more accurate grouping that reflects actual color output characteristics rather than just physical sheet properties, thereby improving both grouping accuracy and verification efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical classification system (grouping by sheet type) with a data-driven approach (grouping by color saturation values). This substitution allows for more precise grouping based on actual color conversion characteristics, improving grouping accuracy while maintaining verification efficiency through the structured grouping methodology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10122894B2Non-transitory computer readable recording medium stored with color verification optimization program, color verification optimization apparatus, and color verification optimization method

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A color verification optimization program causes a computer to execute a process including steps of, when a plurality of color conversion patterns are extracted, determining whether one color conversion profile and another color conversion profile coincide with or approximate to each other by comparing color saturation values which are estimated with respect to color conversion profiles, determining whether one color correction table and another color correction table coincide with or approximate to each other by comparing color saturation values which are estimated with respect to color correction tables, and performing control to perform verification on one color conversion pattern in two or more color conversion patterns of which the color conversion profiles and the color correction tables both coincide with or approximate to each other and omit the verification with respect to a remaining color conversion pattern.