Continuous Color Calibration in Print Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers face challenges in maintaining consistent color output due to changes in print component states such as temperature, toner properties, and sheet material properties over time, which existing calibration methods do not adequately address, leading to variations in color reproduction.
Innovation Solution
A print system that performs continuous color calibration using an image sensor to measure color outputs, calculates color compensation values, and updates a pseudo look-up table to adjust digital inputs and achieve consistent color outputs, allowing for real-time correction of color variations without interrupting print operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If full color calibration is performed frequently, then color output consistency is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to print operation interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs color calibration continuously during print operations by measuring color outputs in real-time and dynamically adjusting digital inputs, eliminating the need to interrupt printing for calibration while maintaining color consistency throughout the print job
Solution Approach 2:
An image sensor continuously measures color outputs from the printer, and the processor uses this feedback to calculate adjusted digital inputs that compensate for color variations, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains color consistency without stopping operation
2Productivity
If full color calibration is performed rarely, then productivity is improved, but color output consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process operates continuously in the background during normal printing, providing ongoing color correction without requiring periodic shutdowns for full calibration cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors and corrects its own color output in real-time using the image sensor and processor, eliminating the need for manual calibration intervention while maintaining color consistency
3Manufacturing precision
If continuous color calibration is implemented, then color output consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An image sensor acts as an intermediary between the printer and the control system, providing real-time color measurement data that enables automatic calibration without requiring complex manual intervention or additional calibration hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual calibration procedures with an automated electronic control system that uses the image sensor and processor to dynamically adjust digital inputs, eliminating the need for physical calibration operations
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
The continuous color calibration method ensures consistent color output throughout a print job by dynamically adjusting digital inputs based on current print component states, maintaining color quality without the need for frequent full calibrations.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor arranged to measure color outputs printed on sheets
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Printing by determining target color values based on first color outputs, determining current color values based on current color outputs, and calculating color compensation values to compensate for a difference between the target color values and the current color values.