Automated Inkjet Color Profiling for Cost and Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous inkjet printing systems face challenges in automating the adjustment of printing parameters to balance image quality and cost, as existing methods require trial and error and lack flexibility, making it difficult to manage ink usage and prioritize cost effectively.
Innovation Solution
A printer processing control system that allows users to input desired print cost and image quality, generating multiple job profiles and using a spectrophotometer to validate consistency, selecting the most suitable profile based on ink usage and user preference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If trial and error methods are used to set print profiles, then image quality can be adjusted, but time consumption and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-profiling by automatically measuring printed test patches with a spectrophotometer and computing optimal profiles without requiring external third-party tools or manual trial-and-error intervention. The printer system itself gathers the data needed to create accurate color profiles for different paper types and printing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-computes multiple candidate profiles with varying cost-quality characteristics before the actual printing job begins. By preparing these profiles in advance and automatically selecting the optimal one based on user preferences, the system eliminates time-consuming manual adjustment during production.
2Productivity
If fixed profiles are provided to customers, then setup efficiency improves, but flexibility in cost-quality adjustment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts profile characteristics based on real-time user input regarding their cost and quality preferences. Rather than providing static fixed profiles, the system generates and selects from multiple dynamic profile options that adapt to each customer's specific requirements for each printing job.
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies multiple profile parameters simultaneously (ink coverage, color saturation, resolution settings) to create a range of profiles with different cost-quality tradeoffs. This allows flexible adjustment of printing parameters while maintaining automated efficiency.
3Loss of substance
If ink usage is reduced to meet cost goals, then cost efficiency improves, but image quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system systematically varies printing parameters including ink coverage percentage, drop size, and color composition to find optimal settings that minimize ink consumption while maintaining acceptable image quality thresholds. Multiple profiles with different parameter combinations are generated to explore the tradeoff space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different quality levels to different regions or elements of the print job based on their importance. Critical areas receive higher quality treatment with more ink, while less important areas use reduced ink coverage, optimizing the overall cost-quality balance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple profiles are generated with varying costs and qualities, then customer choice increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex profiling task is segmented into distinct automated steps: test patch printing, spectral measurement, data analysis, and profile generation. Each step is handled by a specialized component, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while providing multiple profile options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an automated profile selection intermediary that acts as a mediator between the user's cost-quality preferences and the actual printing parameters. This intermediary automatically selects the optimal profile from multiple candidates based on user input, simplifying the user interface while supporting profile variety.
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 efficient management of inkjet printer parameters to achieve desired image quality while meeting cost objectives, providing flexibility and optimizing ink usage through automated profiling and testing.
Implementation Method 1
determine spectral data of the color patches using a spectrophotometer
Data Source
AI summary
A system, device and method for managing colors of a color printer in accordance with predetermined ink usages and cost objectives. Profiles comprising a corresponding set of job parameters are collected having an ink usage that satisfies a predetermined cost objective for the print job. Sheets are printed out in accordance with these acceptable profiles for proofing by a customer for image quality and selection of a profile to be used for the print job.