Dynamic Printing Calibration Weighting Factor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for printing process calibration, such as adapting tonal value gains, gray reproduction, and multi-dimensional transformation, face inefficiencies in reproducing tonal values and gray tones for multi-color overprints, requiring complex calculations and large control elements, and lack a balanced combination for optimal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic method for printing process calibration that determines calibration datasets for colored and gray halftones, calculates a weighting factor based on the original print's content, and combines these datasets for efficient calibration, dynamically adjusting the proportion of colored and gray halftone adaptations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the method of adapting tonal value gain is used, then the simplicity of calculation and small control element are achieved, but the reproduction of tonal values for secondary colors and gray reproduction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple calibration methods (tonal value gain adaptation, gray reproduction adaptation, and multi-dimensional transformation) into a unified calibration process. The control element integrates various measurement areas including process colors, secondary colors, gray areas, and paper white, allowing simultaneous calibration of multiple parameters rather than using separate control elements for each method.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element is designed to serve multiple calibration functions simultaneously. It includes measurement areas for all process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), all secondary colors (C+M, C+Y, M+Y, C+M+Y), gray reproduction, and paper white, making it a universal calibration tool that replaces multiple specialized control elements.
2Manufacturing precision
If the method of adapting gray reproduction is used, then the gray reproduction and black reproduction are improved, but the control element size and calculation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gray reproduction adaptation requirements with the tonal value gain adaptation and multi-dimensional transformation into a single integrated calibration process. The control element contains all necessary measurement areas (300 color areas) to support all three calibration methods simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate large control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element is designed as a multi-functional calibration tool that handles gray reproduction, tonal value gain, and color reproduction calibration all in one element. The 300 color areas provide comprehensive coverage for all calibration needs without requiring multiple separate control elements.
3Manufacturing precision
If the method of adaptation by using multi-dimensional transformation is used, then the adaptation of the entire reproducible color space is improved, but the calculation outlay and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of the printing process by measuring all 300 color areas in the control element before actual calibration. The multi-dimensional transformation tables are pre-calculated based on these measurements, storing the transformation data for rapid application during calibration without requiring complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates transformation tables that copy and store the complex multi-dimensional transformation relationships in advance. These pre-calculated tables are then applied during calibration by simple lookup and application, replacing the need for complex real-time mathematical transformations during the actual calibration process.
4Manufacturing precision
If separate calibration methods are used for colored halftones and gray halftones, then the specific calibration requirements are met, but the overall calibration efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calibration of colored halftones and gray halftones into a single integrated process. The control element contains both colored halftone areas and gray halftone areas, and the calibration process simultaneously determines calibration datasets for both types, applying a single combined calibration to the printing press rather than requiring separate calibration procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the dynamic printing process calibration of a printing press includes determining a calibration dataset for the colored halftones of the process colors, determining a calibration dataset for the gray halftones of the process colors, determining a weighting factor for the two calibration datasets as a function of the original print and calculating a combined calibration dataset from the two determined calibration datasets, with reference to the weighting factor. The calculated combined calibration dataset is applied to the calibration of the printing process of a printing press.