Print Control Apparatus Scheduling Color Corrections by Job Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print control systems unnecessarily consume consumable materials and time by performing color corrections for all print jobs, regardless of the required color accuracy, leading to inefficient use of resources and increased waste.
Innovation Solution
A print control apparatus and method that analyzes the required color accuracy level of each print job, predicts color accuracy degradation, and schedules color corrections based on the printing apparatus's color accuracy level, optimizing the output order and timing of print jobs to minimize unnecessary color corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If color correction is executed for all print jobs, then color accuracy is maintained, but consumable materials and time are unnecessarily consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating color correction based on the specific requirements of each print job. Instead of uniformly applying color correction to all jobs, the system identifies jobs that actually require high color accuracy (such as those with color correction flags set or specific color profiles) and applies correction only to those, while skipping correction for jobs where it is not needed, thus reducing unnecessary consumable material usage while maintaining color accuracy where required
2Manufacturing precision
If color correction is executed for all print jobs, then color accuracy is maintained, but time is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by selectively applying color correction only to print jobs that have specific characteristics indicating a need for high color accuracy, such as jobs marked with color correction flags, jobs using specific color profiles, or jobs with color-critical content types. This selective approach reduces the time spent on unnecessary color corrections while ensuring that color-critical jobs receive the required attention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying which print jobs require color correction before the actual printing process begins. The control apparatus examines job attributes, color profiles, and user settings in advance to determine color correction requirements, allowing the system to schedule and execute color corrections only when necessary, thereby reducing overall time consumption without compromising quality
3Reliability
If color correction is executed automatically before each job, then image quality abnormalities are prevented, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by automatically applying color correction only to specific types of jobs that are prone to image quality abnormalities, such as jobs with color-critical settings, jobs using certain color spaces, or jobs marked by users as requiring high quality. For other job types where color accuracy is less critical or where the printing apparatus is known to maintain stable color output, the system skips automatic correction, thereby maintaining reliability for critical jobs while improving overall operational efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus that calculates the amount of change between a designated color and a color measured, and is capable of executing a color accuracy verification, and a color correction includes: a job management unit that analyzes a print job and acquires a required color accuracy level, and calculates and manages a required time of the print job; an apparatus management unit that acquires a result of the color accuracy verification, predicts the degradation of the color accuracy, and calculates and manages a color correction effective time; and an output management unit that sets the output order of print jobs waiting to be output and the execution timing of the color correction, the required time of the print job, and the color correction effective time, and instructs the printing apparatus to execute the processing of the print job and the color correction.