Image Processing Apparatus Multi-Color Calibration Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing multi-color calibration process in electrophotographic apparatuses requires completing single-color calibration first, leading to a long processing time and difficulties in identifying and correcting image quality issues, which can result in increased working time and reduced accuracy if single-color calibration is not successfully completed.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that evaluates single-color reproduction characteristics after single-color calibration and determines whether to perform multi-color calibration, allowing for independent evaluation and correction of multi-color reproduction characteristics, thereby reducing unnecessary recalibration and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multi-color calibration is performed after completing single-color calibration, then correction accuracy is improved, but processing time is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing single-color calibration before multi-color calibration. The single-color calibration corrects gradation characteristics of each color (C, M, Y, K) separately first, establishing a foundation for the subsequent multi-color calibration that corrects composite color characteristics. This sequential preliminary action ensures that when multi-color calibration is performed, the base single-color characteristics are already optimized, improving overall correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the calibration process into two distinct phases: single-color calibration and multi-color calibration. Each phase focuses on specific correction objectives - single-color for individual color gradation and multi-color for composite color reproduction. This segmentation allows systematic correction of different color characteristics separately, preventing interference between correction processes and enabling targeted optimization of each calibration aspect.
2Manufacturing precision
If single-color calibration is re-executed when image quality is insufficient, then correction accuracy is improved, but working time greatly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by evaluating single-color reproduction characteristics after single-color calibration using measured values compared against target values. This feedback mechanism determines whether single-color calibration was successful and guides the decision to proceed with or re-execute single-color calibration before multi-color calibration. The feedback loop prevents unnecessary re-execution of calibration processes while ensuring image quality requirements are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system performs self-service by automatically evaluating calibration results and determining the appropriate calibration pathway without requiring external intervention. The system measures reproduction characteristics, compares them with targets, and autonomously decides whether to re-execute single-color calibration or proceed to multi-color calibration, reducing manual working time and enabling the system to self-optimize its calibration process.
3Loss of time
If multi-color calibration is performed without successful single-color calibration, then processing time is reduced, but correction accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback evaluation of single-color reproduction characteristics to determine whether to proceed with multi-color calibration. By measuring and comparing single-color reproduction results against target values, the system provides feedback on calibration success, preventing multi-color calibration from being executed on improperly calibrated single-color bases, thus maintaining correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires preliminary successful completion of single-color calibration as a prerequisite for multi-color calibration. This preliminary action ensures that individual color gradation characteristics are properly corrected before attempting composite color correction, preventing degradation of correction accuracy that would occur if multi-color calibration were performed on poorly calibrated single-color characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an image-forming unit configured to form an image, a measuring unit configured to measure the image, a control unit configured to control execution of single-color calibration to correct reproduction characteristics of a single-color formed by the image-forming unit based on a measuring result of a single-color image formed with a single-color recording agent, and execution of multi-color calibration to correct reproduction characteristics of a multi-color formed by the image-forming unit based on a measuring result of a multi-color image formed with a plurality of color recording agents, and an evaluation unit configured to evaluate single-color reproduction characteristics with reference to a target value usable to evaluate the single-color reproduction characteristics by measuring the single-color image after execution of the single-color calibration. The control unit is configured to correct reproduction characteristics of a multi-color by performing the multi-color calibration after the evaluation unit has completed the evaluation.