Offline Ink Estimation Using Configured Raster Image Processor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ink and toner estimation methods in production printing are either time-consuming and operator-dependent when done inline with the digital front end (DFE) or do not accurately consider device calibration and color management when done offline, leading to inaccurate consumable usage estimates.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that select a target printing device, retrieve DFE information, and configure a raster image processor (RIP) with specific settings to estimate consumable usage, ensuring accurate ink and toner estimation by matching the printing device's configuration and settings, allowing for real-time configuration and accurate ink use calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ink and toner estimation is done inline with the digital front end (DFE), then the estimation can be performed using device-specific settings and calibration, but it takes away time from production printing and requires operator involvement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs ink and toner estimation before the actual printing operation by creating a preview or simulation of the print job. The DFE processes the print job data to calculate consumable usage in advance, allowing sales and operators to review estimates without committing production time to the estimation process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or representation of the print job data to perform estimation calculations. Instead of running the actual printing process to measure consumable usage, the system uses the print job metadata and specifications to generate an accurate estimate of ink and toner requirements.
2Productivity
If ink and toner estimation is done offline using PDF image data, then the process is faster and does not interrupt production, but it does not consider device calibration and color management factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer between the offline PDF data and the final estimation result. The DFE acts as a mediator that receives print job specifications, applies device-specific calibration and color management parameters, and generates accurate consumable estimates without requiring actual printing or operator intervention.
3Device complexity
If offline RIP is used for estimation, then the process is simplified, but it rasterizes content without considering device calibration and color conversion matching
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts estimation parameters based on device-specific calibration data and color management settings. Instead of using fixed or generic estimation parameters, the DFE modifies the calculation parameters to match the actual printing device configuration, ensuring accurate consumable estimates while maintaining process simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system includes an offline estimation device that provides estimates for ink or toner use for a print job at a target printing device. The offline estimation device retrieves digital front end (DFE) version information, configuration setting information, and color printing resources from the target printing device. Using the DFE version information, the offline estimation device selects a raster image processor (RIP) from a plurality of RIPs of software versions available within the printing system. The offline estimation device configures the RIP with configuration settings of the configuration setting information. The color printing resources also are pushed to the RIP. The offline estimation device provides the ink or toner use estimate using the configured RIP.