Print Color Profile Selection With Base Coating Across Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Creating a color profile for each print medium requires significant time, labor, and cost, and managing multiple profiles necessitates specialized knowledge and experience, especially when the color of the backing paper influences colorimetric data in stickers or labels.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus determines whether to perform a base coating process on the print medium, using a common color profile independent of the print medium type when the process is executed, and outputs this profile for color matching, thereby reducing the need for individual profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a color profile is created for each print medium type, then color matching precision is improved, but the complexity of profile management and the cost, time, and labor required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor matching precisionVSAvoidprofile management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a single color profile that can be universally applied to multiple different print medium types. Instead of creating separate profiles for each medium type, the system uses one profile that works across different media, thereby reducing profile management complexity while maintaining adequate color matching precision for various substrates including stickers and labels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the need for multiple separate color profiles into a single unified profile. By combining the functionality of what would otherwise require multiple profiles into one, the system reduces the burden of profile management while still accommodating different print medium types through the base coating process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If a color profile is created for each print medium type, then color matching precision is improved, but the cost, labor, and time required for creating and managing profiles increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor matching precisionVSAvoidtime and labor for profile management

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a single color profile that can be universally applied to multiple different print medium types. This eliminates the need to create and manage separate profiles for each medium type, significantly reducing the time, labor, and cost associated with profile management while maintaining adequate color matching precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If base coating process is executed before printing, then colorimetric data accuracy is improved by eliminating backing paper influence, but the complexity of the printing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolorimetric data accuracyVSAvoidprinting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies base coating as a preliminary action before the main color printing process. By pre-coating the print medium with a base layer, the system eliminates the influence of the backing paper color on subsequent colorimetric measurements and printing, thereby improving colorimetric data accuracy while managing process complexity through sequential execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple color profiles are maintained for different print medium types, then adaptability to various media is improved, but the difficulty of operation and specialized knowledge required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to various mediaVSAvoidease of profile selection and management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a single universal color profile that can be applied to multiple different print medium types including stickers, labels, and other substrates. This eliminates the need for users to select and manage multiple profiles for different media types, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining adequate adaptability through the base coating process that compensates for varying substrate characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12571682B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 CANON KK

AI summary

In an information processing apparatus, a first obtaining unit obtains, in a case where a setting for executing a base coating process for a print medium before printing on the print medium is made, a first color profile independent of a type of a print medium, and obtains, in a case where the setting for executing the base coating process is not made, a second color profile corresponding to a type of the print medium. An output unit outputs the first color profile for the print medium having undergone the base coating process, and outputs the second color profile for the print medium not having undergone the base coating process.