Digital Printer Color Profiling With Stored Characteristic Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for printing color images on substrates, such as decorative panels, are time-consuming and require repetitive cycles to achieve color accuracy due to variations in output devices and substrates, leading to high costs and temporary validity of image profiles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the initial printing of color samples with varying tonal values, generating characteristic curves, and storing them for future reference to adapt printer settings or image files to maintain color accuracy across different points in time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If color samples are printed and characteristic curves are generated at each point in time, then color accuracy is maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and repetitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-printing color samples with multiple tonal values and pre-generating characteristic curves at the time of substrate introduction. This preliminary characterization allows the system to store reference data and avoid repetitive manual profile creation in the future, thereby maintaining color accuracy while reducing time consumption for subsequent printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital copy of the substrate's color characteristics through spectrophotometric measurement of printed color samples. This digital copy (characteristic curve) is stored and reused for future printing operations, eliminating the need to physically recreate and remeasure color profiles each time, thus reducing time while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If image data is corrected to compensate for substrate absorbency changes, then color accuracy is improved, but multiple repetitions are required increasing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by measuring the actual color output of the substrate using a spectrophotometer and comparing it against the target color values. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the image data through characteristic curves, allowing one-time correction rather than multiple repetitions, thereby improving both color accuracy and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the image data parameters (RGB values) into adjusted parameters (CMYK or C'MY'K' values) based on the measured characteristic curves of the substrate. This mathematical transformation of parameters allows for accurate color reproduction with a single correction process, eliminating repetitive adjustments and increasing printing speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If new profiles are created for each substrate batch, then color accuracy is maintained, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the color characterization and characteristic curve generation at the time of substrate introduction to the printing system. This preliminary action captures the substrate's color properties once and stores them for reuse, eliminating the need to create new profiles for each batch while maintaining color accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses universality by creating a universal characteristic curve profile that can be applied across multiple printing operations and substrate batches. Once the substrate type is identified and characterized, the same characteristic curve serves multiple functions and printing jobs, reducing the overall time and cost associated with profile creation while maintaining consistent color accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures color-accurate output without repetitive cycles by using stored characteristic curves to adjust printer settings or image files, reducing time and costs, and ensuring consistent color fidelity across production batches.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the sample areas of each color with a spectrophotometer
Data Source
AI summary
A method of printing a color image of an image file onto a substrate using a digital printer may involve, at a first point in time: a) printing a plurality of color samples in a number of different colors on a substrate; and b) generating a first characteristic curve for each color, and storing the first characteristic curves in a primary file. The method may involve, at a second point in time: c) repeating the printing of a) using the same colors and the same type of substrate; d) generating a new characteristic curve for each color, and storing the new characteristic curves in a secondary file; e) adapting the image file using the secondary file, or e′) adapting the printer's settings using the secondary file.