External Control Apparatus for Printer Color Management Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers require manual adjustment of engine and controller settings for each sheet type, which is inefficient and prone to errors, as users must manually set sheets and operate the printer's main panel for each print job.
Innovation Solution
An external control apparatus that remotely manages the color management and adjustment functions of both the printer engine and controller, allowing for centralized control and automation of color adjustments based on pre-defined settings and sheet types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of engine and controller settings is performed for each sheet type, then color accuracy can be achieved, but adjustment time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary color measurement and adjustment data acquisition by printing test charts and measuring them with a colorimeter before actual printing. The measurement results and adjustment values are stored in advance, so when a sheet type is selected, the pre-computed adjustment data can be immediately applied without manual intervention, thus reducing adjustment time while maintaining color accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service color management by automatically acquiring measurement data, computing adjustment values, and applying corrections without requiring user operation of the main panel. The colorimeter automatically measures printed test charts, and the system automatically processes the data and updates adjustment parameters, eliminating the need for manual adjustment operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment operations on the main panel are required for each print job, then color settings can be customized, but operational ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service color management by automatically measuring printed test charts with a colorimeter, computing adjustment values from the measurement data, and applying corrections without requiring user operation of the main panel. This maintains adaptability through automated customization while dramatically improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the colorimeter measures actual printed output, the system processes the measurement data to determine adjustment needs, and then applies corrections. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains color customization adaptability while eliminating manual operations, as the system automatically adjusts based on measured results
3Device complexity
If color management is performed separately on engine and controller, then functional modularity is maintained, but adjustment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the color management functions of the engine and controller into a unified external control system. The external device coordinates both components, consolidating the separate adjustment operations into a single integrated process that can be controlled from one interface, thereby reducing adjustment simplicity while preserving the modular functional architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The external control device acts as an intermediary between the engine and controller, coordinating their color management functions. This mediator integrates the separate adjustment operations into a unified process, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the functional modularity of the underlying system architecture
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an external control apparatus of a printer. The printer includes an engine that performs printing on a sheet and a controller that generates raster data to be provided to the engine. The external control apparatus includes: a hardware processor that controls, from an outside of the printer, a color management and adjustment function of the engine and a color management and adjustment function of the controller.