Printer Density Control via Virtual Transfer Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring and controlling optical density (OD) in printing systems are inefficient, leading to wasted resources and inaccurate measurements, as they require additional printed pages and human intervention, and do not accurately reflect OD across entire printed media.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates uncalibrated and calibrated ink deposition data to create a transfer function, allowing for non-optical estimation of OD and calibration of the printer to maintain consistent printing without the need for additional test pages or offline measurements, using a print controller and ink measurement module to compute ink deposition curves and update transfer functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods use additional printed pages for OD measurements, then OD measurement capability is achieved, but paper and ink waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the OD measurement function from physical test pages and relocates it to a digital/virtual domain. By using a virtual color chart and software-based colorimetric analysis, the system separates the measurement capability from material consumption, allowing OD measurements without printing additional test pages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the color chart that mirrors the physical test page design. This virtual color chart contains the same colorimetric information and structural layout, enabling digital measurements that replicate physical measurement outcomes without requiring physical materials.
2Measurement precision
If test pages are removed and measured offline using spectrophotometer, then accurate OD measurements are achieved, but human resources and measuring device costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the production printer itself multi-functional by enabling it to perform both printing and colorimetric measurement functions. The printer's existing imaging system is utilized for creating test patterns, and the same system captures and analyzes the printed colors, eliminating the need for separate spectrophotometers and manual measurement processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the printer to measure its own output by integrating colorimetric analysis capabilities directly into the printing workflow. The printer generates test patterns, captures images of its own printed output, and performs automated colorimetric calculations, making the system self-measuring without external devices or human intervention.
3Loss of substance
If small patches are printed near edge of sheets for measurement, then no additional paper is used, but OD measurement accuracy for entire medium deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the colorimetric analysis into multiple discrete color patches arranged in a structured virtual color chart. Each patch represents specific colorimetric properties, and the combination of these segmented measurements provides comprehensive OD analysis across the entire printed medium, ensuring accurate representation without requiring full-page test patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed. The system at least one physical memory device to store density control logic and one or more processors coupled with the at least one physical memory device, to execute the density control logic to generate first uncalibrated ink deposition data, receive first calibrated ink deposition data, generate a first transfer function based on the first uncalibrated ink deposition data and the first calibrated ink deposition data and transmit the first transfer function.