Color Verification Apparatus for Small Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color verification systems struggle to accurately measure color values of small-sized color verification targets that are smaller than the caliber of the color measuring aperture, leading to inaccurate color measurements and the need for separate correction coefficients for various sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A color verification apparatus that includes an input processor, color measurement availability determiner, estimation object list generator, theoretical color value acquirer, conversion coefficient calculator, measured color value acquirer, and estimated color value calculator, which allows for color verification without calculating correction coefficients by using estimation objects in the same printed matter to estimate the color value of the target object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a color measuring instrument with a fixed aperture caliber is used to measure small color verification targets, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the target cannot cover the entire measuring aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by measuring a color patch larger than the target object (which can fully cover the measuring aperture) and using the measured value to estimate the color of the small target. This intermediary color patch serves as a mediator to bridge the gap between the fixed aperture and the small target, enabling accurate measurement without requiring the target itself to cover the aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the color information by measuring a color patch that represents the same color as the target object. Instead of directly measuring the small target, the system measures a larger color patch with identical color properties and uses this copy to infer the target's color, thereby overcoming the aperture size limitation.
2Measurement precision
If separate correction coefficients are calculated for various sizes and shapes of color verification targets, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the size and shape dependency from the correction process by eliminating the need for separate correction coefficients for different target dimensions. Instead, the system uses a universal measurement approach where a single color patch measurement can represent the color of targets of various sizes, thereby removing the complex task of managing multiple correction coefficients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by creating a single measurement method that works for color verification targets of all sizes and shapes. The color patch measurement approach serves multiple functions: it can measure any target color accurately regardless of the target's dimensions, eliminating the need for size-specific correction coefficients and simplifying the overall system.
3Measurement precision
If trim areas are provided for color verification patches, then the color verification can be performed, but the printable size is reduced and paper is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color verification function from the trim area by enabling color measurement directly on the small color verification targets themselves without requiring additional trim areas. This eliminates the need for separate trim regions and allows the full printable area to be utilized for actual content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter approach by transitioning from measuring large color patches in trim areas to measuring small color verification targets directly. This parameter change in measurement target size allows elimination of trim areas while maintaining color verification accuracy, thereby increasing the printable area.
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
Enables accurate color verification of small-sized targets without separate correction coefficients, eliminating the need for trim areas and increasing printable sizes, thus preventing paper wastage and reducing labor in digital printing.
Implementation Method 1
calculating the color value based on a reflectivity inside the measurer
Data Source
AI summary
A color verification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a color measuring instrument to measure an estimation object in a printed matter including a RIP image formed by an image forming apparatus and thereby acquires a measured color value of the estimation object. The color verification apparatus calculates an estimated color value of a color verification target object from the measured color value of the estimation object and a conversion coefficient. The color verification apparatus performs color verification on the color verification target object in the printed matter based on the estimated color value of the color verification target object and a theoretical color value of the color verification target object when it is determined that color measurement is unavailable to the color verification target object.