Master Color Profile for Batch Printing Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color management systems fail to ensure consistent color reproduction across batches of printed objects, particularly in color-critical applications like décor printing, due to variability in measurement data, printing system stability, and calibration errors, leading to inaccuracies and mismatches.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and workflow system that uses a master color profile and characterization setting to convert images between color spaces, ensuring consistent color conversion for batches, with the same characterization setting applied across all batches, and incorporating spectral measurements and k-means clustering for dominant color extraction to enhance color consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional color management systems are used, then printing flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but color consistency and manufacturing precision deteriorate across batches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms color data between different color spaces (input colorant space to master colorant space using master output color profile) to decouple the printing process from device-specific color variations. This parameter transformation approach allows flexible printing operations while maintaining consistent color reproduction across batches by relying on mathematical color space conversions rather than physical measurement references.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual master copy of color data in a standardized master colorant space that serves as a reference for all batch productions. Instead of requiring physical reference measurements for each batch, the system uses this digital master color profile to guide color conversion, enabling consistent reproduction without repeated physical calibration.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated data exchange and reference measurements are used, then color accuracy is improved, but process complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential color information into a standardized master colorant space representation, separating the critical color data from device-specific measurement procedures. This extraction eliminates the need for complex dedicated data exchange protocols and reference measurement workflows, as the master color profile contains all necessary information for accurate color conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The master output color profile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a color conversion target, a standardization reference, and a batch consistency guide. This universal color space transformation approach replaces multiple specialized processes (dedicated measurements, calibration procedures, data exchanges) with a single multi-functional color management workflow.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional density calibration is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but color matching precision for solids deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical density calibration mechanisms with a mathematical color space transformation system. Instead of relying on mechanical or physical calibration standards that require dedicated measurements and complex setup, the system uses computational color conversion between colorant spaces, dramatically simplifying the calibration process while improving color matching precision for solid colors.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for enhancing color consistency between batches of printed objects representing a same image by using a master output profile, having a master color gamut, with master color characterizing setting wherein said setting is also used for the batch output profile, having a batch color gamut. The image is converted between said master color gamut and the said batch color gamut.