Printer Color Profile Partitioning for Uniform Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers face challenges in generating uniform colors across a page due to hardware limitations and precision issues in machine parts, leading to color variations, especially in larger format printing.
Innovation Solution
The method involves printing a full-size engine test chart, measuring color values, partitioning the page into multiple image areas, generating and storing color profiles for each area, and using these profiles to process and print digital image data, ensuring consistent color output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single color profile is used for the entire page, then the printing process is simple and fast, but color uniformity across the page deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the printing page into multiple image areas (e.g., top, bottom, left, right sections) and assigns a separate color profile to each area. This segmentation allows each region to be corrected for its specific color characteristics, achieving uniform color output across the entire page while managing complexity through organized profile storage and selection based on image area identification.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple color profiles are implemented, then color uniformity improves, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-generates multiple color profiles during setup or calibration phases and stores them in the printer's memory. During actual printing operations, the system quickly identifies which image areas are present and applies the corresponding pre-computed profiles, avoiding the need for real-time profile generation and reducing processing time while maintaining color consistency.
3Manufacturing precision
If the printer hardware and assembly precision are improved, then color uniformity would improve, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the printer by implementing multiple color profiles that compensate for hardware limitations. Instead of improving the physical hardware (which would increase manufacturing cost), the system adjusts the printing parameters through software-based color correction, achieving uniform color output by modifying how the existing hardware operates rather than upgrading the hardware itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for compensating for color variations introduced by printer hardware limitations and other factors is described. First, the extent of color variation throughout a printed page is determined. Based on this determination, each page is partitioned into a plurality of image areas. A color profile is generated for each image area. The partition and the multiple color profiles are stored in the printer. In an actual printing process, the page of image to be printed is divided into a plurality of image areas based on the paper size and the stored partition, and the respective stored color profiles for the image areas are retrieved and used to process the digital image for printing.