Digital Printer Color Management via Stationary Measurement Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital printers face challenges in color management due to complexity, error susceptibility, and inefficiencies in data capture, profile selection, wet-dry issues, and optimal color usage, which hinder consistent color output and user support.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a spectral or colorimetric measurement head at a fixed position within the digital printer, allowing for one-row measurement of test fields, automatic profile selection, verification, and optimization of color usage, along with mathematical correlation of wet and dry measurements to ensure accurate ICC profile generation and output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a calorimetric measurement head is mounted parallel to the movable print head for movement therewith, then data capture for color management is automated, but system cost increases and error susceptibility increases due to increased moved mass and high soiling by color mist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of data captureVSAvoiderror susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into two separate stages: (1) The print head deposits test fields on the substrate during normal printing operations, and (2) A stationary measurement head measures the printed test fields after the substrate has been transported. This segmentation separates the moving printing function from the measuring function, eliminating the need to move the measurement head with the print head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The test fields are printed in advance on the substrate by the print head before measurement occurs. This preliminary action allows the measurement to take place on stationary, already-printed test fields rather than requiring simultaneous movement of both print and measurement heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If a calorimetric measurement head is mounted parallel to the movable print head, then data capture is automated, but system cost increases due to increased moved mass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of data captureVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement head is extracted from the moving assembly and positioned as a stationary component. Only the print head remains movable, while the measurement head stays fixed at a predetermined position, reducing the moved mass and simplifying the drive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate itself serves as an intermediary carrier that transports the test fields from the movable print head to the stationary measurement head. This eliminates the need for a complex mechanism to physically connect or同步 the movement of both heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If test fields are measured during printing with a movable measurement head, then color management data is captured, but measurement precision deteriorates due to high soiling by color mist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata capture during printingVSAvoidmeasurement quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement of test fields is delayed until after the printing process has completed passage over that location. This timing allows the ink to set and reduces color mist interference during measurement, protecting measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of measuring during the printing process (simultaneous operation), the patent inverts the sequence by measuring after printing is complete for each location. The print head passes first, then the stationary measurement head measures the printed test fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Significantly reduces system costs and error susceptibility, enhances user support by automating data capture and profile selection, and ensures consistent color output by addressing wet-dry issues and optimizing color usage, resulting in improved print quality and reduced complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a spectral or colorimetric measurement head (6) for data capture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectColorimetric measurement: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS8995010B2Digital printer

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 X RITE EUROPE GMBH

AI summary

A digital printer is equipped with a built-in color measurement device in the form of a colorimeter or spectral photometer, as well as with color management support. The built-in color measurement device is used for control and optimization of the print output, especially for the simplification, optimization and automation of the work processes and for the verification of the output results.