Printer Tone Correction Patch Segmentation for Sheet Size Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing systems face challenges in accurately adjusting image quality due to limitations in printing tone correction patches on sheets of varying sizes, leading to reduced adjustment accuracy when patches overlap or are printed on sheets that cannot accommodate the necessary region.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that utilize a printer engine and color measuring sensor to print first and second sets of tone correction patches on sheets of predetermined sizes, allowing for real-time color measurement and data correction, even when sheets of different sizes are used, enabling accurate image quality adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tone correction patches are printed on sheets with limited margin area, then the patches may overlap or be unable to accommodate the necessary region, but this reduces the number of gradations and lowers adjustment accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tone correction patches into multiple sets (first tone correction patches and second tone correction patches) that are printed on separate sheets. This segmentation allows each sheet to have sufficient margin area for its designated patches without overlap, while collectively providing comprehensive tone correction across different gradations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from printing all patches on a single sheet (two-dimensional space constraint) to using multiple sheets in sequence (temporal dimension). By printing the first set of patches on one sheet and the second set on another sheet, the system overcomes the margin area limitation while maintaining all necessary gradations for accurate adjustment.
2Manufacturing precision
If patches are printed on sheets that cannot accommodate the necessary region, then the patches must be reduced in size or number of gradations, but this compromises adjustment accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that adapts the printing process based on sheet size characteristics. The controller determines whether to print all tone correction patches on a single sheet or divide them across multiple sheets based on the available margin area, ensuring optimal use of each sheet's capacity while maintaining adjustment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tone correction patches into multiple sets that can be distributed across different sheets. This segmentation strategy allows the system to work effectively with sheets of varying sizes, as each sheet only needs to accommodate a portion of the total patches required for comprehensive tone correction.
3Manufacturing precision
If the number of gradations in patches is reduced to fit on smaller sheets, then the patches can be printed without overlap, but the adjustment accuracy of image quality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tone correction patches into multiple sets (first and second tone correction patches) with different numbers of gradations. This allows the system to print patches with sufficient gradations on smaller sheets without overlap, while maintaining overall printing efficiency by distributing the printing workload across multiple sheets.
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
Enables accurate and efficient image quality adjustment by using color measurement results from both sheets to correct image data, improving adjustment accuracy even when sheets of different sizes are used, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that performs color measuring of tone correction patches printed on a sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus causes a printer engine to print first tone correction patches of a first color on a first sheet and to print second tone correction patches of a second color being different from the first color on a second sheet, generate correction information based on a color measurement result of the first tone correction patches and the second tone correction patches printed on the first sheet and the second sheet, respectively, as measured by a sensor, and correct image data using the correction information. In the generation of the correction information, in a case where there are more than a predetermined number of sheets of a size being different from a predetermined size between the first sheet and the second sheet, the correction information using the color measurement result of the first tone correction patches and the second tone correction patches is not generated.