Master RIP Color Conversion for Multi-Printer Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a system with multiple Raster Image Processors (RIPs), color conversion issues arise when rasterize processing is replaced by a representative RIP, leading to color changes in print images due to differing printer profiles, which existing techniques cannot effectively address in multi-RIP environments.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a hybrid workflow CMS, where a master RIP and slave RIPs communicate to manage paper-related information and printer profiles, allowing for uniform color conversion and rasterization across multiple printers, ensuring consistent print quality by designating appropriate printer profiles for each paper type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rasterize processing is replaced by a representative RIP in a multi-RIP system, then uniformity of drawing in rasterize processing is secured, but color conversion accuracy deteriorates due to using different printer profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a profile management function that acts as an intermediary between the representative RIP and slave RIPs. This function stores multiple printer profiles (corresponding to different paper types) and selectively provides the appropriate profile to the representative RIP based on the paper type specified in the print job. The representative RIP then performs color conversion using the correct profile, resolving the conflict between maintaining drawing uniformity and ensuring color conversion accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If each RIP conducts independent color conversion with its own printer profile, then color conversion accuracy is maintained, but system complexity increases and management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the profile management function into the representative RIP, consolidating what would otherwise be distributed across multiple slave RIPs. The representative RIP stores all printer profiles corresponding to various paper types and centrally manages profile selection. This reduces system complexity while maintaining color conversion accuracy, as the representative RIP handles both the uniformity of drawing and the appropriate color conversion for different paper types.
3Device complexity
If a single printer profile is used across all RIPs, then system management is simplified, but print quality consistency across different paper types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by storing multiple printer profiles within the representative RIP, each corresponding to a specific paper type. The system selects and applies the appropriate profile locally based on the paper type specified in each print job. This allows the system to maintain simple centralized management while achieving high print quality consistency across different paper types through profile-specific color conversion.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming method using an image forming system including a master RIP and at least one slave RIP is provided. The slave RIP stores a printer profile of every paper to be printed by a printer connected to the slave RIP, registers paper relating information associating the printer profile with the paper and including a storage place for the printer profile, and transmits the paper relating information and the printer profile respectively to the master RIP. The master RIP receives the paper relating information and the printer profile, sets a paper in a print job, acquires the printer profile from the storage place associated with the set paper in the paper relating information, conducts color conversion of the print job by the printer profile instead of the slave RIP, and transmits the print job subjected to the color conversion to the slave RIP.