Optical Code Color Transformation for Print Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The quality of barcodes and QR codes suffers during the color transformation process in printing, leading to reduced readability, especially when printed on product packaging with spot colors.
Innovation Solution
A method where the digital print data for machine-readable optical codes undergo a different color transformation than the remaining printed image, with a reduction in the number of printing colors for the codes, using a high area covering proportion and high contrast colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If color transformation is applied to digital print data for machine-readable optical codes using the same method as for the remaining printed image, then color consistency across the entire printed image is maintained, but the readability and contour accuracy of the codes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the digital print data into two distinct parts: machine-readable optical code data and remaining printed image data. Different color transformation methods are applied to each segment - a simplified method for codes that preserves readability, and a standard method for the image that maintains color consistency. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing optimized processing for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different color transformation approaches for different regions of the printed output. The machine-readable codes receive a specialized transformation that prioritizes contour accuracy and readability, while the surrounding image receives standard color transformation. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall color consistency and local code readability.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple printing colors are used for machine-readable optical codes to achieve color mixing, then color accuracy for spot colors is improved, but print register susceptibility increases and contour accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the machine-readable optical code color requirements from the overall spot color color management system. Instead of applying complex multi-color spot color mixing to the codes, it extracts and applies a simplified single-color or reduced-color transformation that prioritizes contour definition and readability, while the surrounding image maintains full color accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the color parameters for machine-readable codes by reducing the number of printing colors from multiple spot colors to a simplified color scheme. This parameter change trades some color accuracy for significantly improved contour accuracy and reduced print register susceptibility, resolving the contradiction between color fidelity and code reliability.
3Reliability
If high contrast colors with high area covering proportion are used for machine-readable optical codes, then contour accuracy and readability are improved, but color fidelity to the original design may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing the machine-readable code color data before the final printing process. It transforms the code colors into high-contrast, high-area-coverage colors that are optimized for machine readability, while maintaining a record of the original design colors for reference. This preliminary transformation ensures optimal readability without completely abandoning the original design intent.
Data Source
AI summary
A method prints a printed image containing at least one machine-readable optical code. During a color space transformation, the digital data of the code within the printed image are transformed according to a different method to the remainder of the printed image, with the number of printing colors of the code being reduced during the transformation.