Printer Media Profile Calibration System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing devices are inflexible and require multiple adjustments to optimize print quality for different applications and environments, leading to suboptimal performance across various media types and conditions, and managing printing supplies is cumbersome due to variations in quality and expiration.
Innovation Solution
Generating profiles for specific media types and printers that include preferred printing parameters to achieve target print quality, with adjustments based on energy, speed, and environmental conditions, using a reference printer and non-reference printer offsets, and incorporating identification methods like barcodes and RFID tags for automatic parameter adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional printing devices are optimized for one particular printing application, then print quality for that application is improved, but print quality for other applications becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of printing parameters through automated calibration systems that adapt the printing device settings based on the specific media type and application requirements. The system uses feedback from test prints and media identification to dynamically modify printing parameters, enabling the device to optimize print quality for different applications without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying printing parameters such as print density, speed, and media feed rate during calibration processes. The system automatically determines optimal parameter sets for different media types and applications, storing these as profiles that can be automatically selected, thereby resolving the contradiction between optimized performance and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional printing devices are configured to handle a wide variety of supplies, then adaptability is improved, but print quality becomes less than optimal due to trade-offs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wide variety of supplies into distinct media types with specific characteristics. The system creates separate calibration profiles for different media categories (e.g., thermal paper, labels, cards), allowing each segment to have optimized printing parameters. This enables the device to maintain high print quality across diverse supplies by treating each category with dedicated settings rather than using generic trade-off configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality through a multi-functional calibration system that can identify and optimize for multiple media types using a single integrated approach. The system incorporates media identification capabilities, automated calibration routines, and profile management that work across all supply types, enabling the printing device to universally handle various materials while maintaining optimal print quality for each.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustments and on-site calibration are required to optimize print quality, then print quality for specific applications is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated calibration systems that perform optimization without requiring operator intervention. The system automatically identifies media types, executes calibration routines by printing test patterns and analyzing results, and configures optimal printing parameters. This eliminates the need for manual adjustments and on-site calibration while maintaining high print quality, thereby reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system prints test patterns, automatically analyzes the output quality using sensors or image processing, and uses this feedback to adjust printing parameters. This closed-loop control system continuously optimizes print quality without manual intervention, replacing complex manual calibration procedures with automated feedback-driven adjustment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustable printer settings are provided to compensate for print quality variation, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calibration system that acts as a mediator between the user and the multiple printing parameters. Instead of requiring users to directly adjust numerous settings, the system automatically determines optimal parameter combinations based on media type and print requirements. This intermediary layer simplifies the user interface while maintaining the capability to optimize multiple parameters, reducing perceived device complexity without sacrificing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, computer readable media and other means for generating a profile for a particular type of media are provided. The profile represents a set of preferred printing parameters to be used to achieve a target print quality for a reference printing device. The profile may be used by other non-reference printing devices in order to optimize printing for that type of media. For each non-reference printing device, an offset may be established that represents the differences between the non-reference and the reference printing devices. A processor of the non-reference printing device may identify the type of media and the profile for that media and then adjust the printing parameters for the non-reference printing device based on the profile and the offset in order to optimize the print quality. The profile may also include a parameter that is based on a temperature coefficient associated with the type of printer.