Colour Matching Printers via Inverted Profile Workflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color management systems face challenges in accurately integrating a new print system with an existing one without altering the established workflow, particularly when the new system requires matching the color output of the existing system, especially when color profiles are not colorimetrically accurate.
Innovation Solution
A method involving three output profiles is used to convert colors from an existing print system to an additional print system, where the actual color profile of the existing system is inverted and combined with the output profile of the new system to ensure similar color reproduction, utilizing a unique combination of A2B and B2A tables to define the color workflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a new print system is integrated with an existing print system using traditional colour management, then the existing workflow remains unchanged, but the colour output between the two systems is not comparable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary colour workflow that acts as a mediator between the existing print system and the new print system. This intermediary workflow includes a virtual colour output profile that represents the existing print system's colour characteristics, allowing the new print system to match colours by comparing against this virtual profile rather than directly against the existing system, thus achieving colour comparability while preserving workflow stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the colour management process into distinct components: the existing print system's actual colour profile, a virtual colour output profile representing the existing system, and a separate colour workflow for the new print system. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and enables the new system to be integrated without altering the existing system's colour characteristics
2Adaptability or versatility
If colour profiles are used for conversion, then colour data can be transformed between devices, but the profiles are not colourimetrically accurate leading to colour mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by creating a virtual colour output profile that is derived from the actual colour profile of the existing print system. Instead of trying to make the new print system's profile match the old one directly, the method generates a virtual profile that represents what the existing system produces, then uses this inverted relationship to guide the new system's colour output, achieving colourimetric accuracy through this reverse engineering approach
3Manufacturing precision
If the existing workflow is modified to achieve colour matching, then colour accuracy improves, but the established workflow must be altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual colour output profile that is essentially a copy or representation of the existing print system's colour characteristics. This virtual profile serves as a blueprint that the new print system can replicate without needing to modify the actual existing workflow. The copying approach allows colour matching to be achieved through the virtual model rather than through direct workflow changes
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for printing colour images using a colour workflow. This workflow results in equal output colours from two print systems. For a first print system an existing colour output profile for converting colours is used. An actual output colour profile for the first print system is obtained from colour measurement data that relate device colorant coordinates of the first print system to device independent colour data. The existing output colour profile does not correspond to the colour measurement data. For a second print system, an additional output colour profile is obtained from colour measurement data. The colour workflow that is applied in the second print system for converting colours of an input image is made by combining the existing output colour profile, the actual output colour profile and the additional colour output profile, wherein the actual output colour profile is applied in an inverse direction (A2B).