Printing System Calibration Using Reference Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of color calibration for printing devices is tedious and resource-intensive, requiring the printing of numerous color targets for each media type and periodic recalibration to maintain color fidelity, which can be burdensome for end users and costly in terms of resources like ink or toner.
Innovation Solution
A method where a reference printing device of a given type is calibrated for multiple media types, allowing other devices of the same type to leverage this calibration by printing only a subset of color targets, and subsequently calibrating for new media types without printing any color targets, utilizing the similarity in color reproduction between the reference and other devices of the same type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a printing device performs full color calibration for each media type, then color fidelity is maintained, but resource consumption (ink/toner) and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration on a reference printing device for multiple media types before actual use. The measured color values from this preliminary calibration are stored and reused when the same printing device or other devices of the same type need calibration, eliminating the need to perform full calibration repeatedly for each media type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the calibration data from a reference printing device and applies it to other printing devices of the same type. Instead of performing independent calibration on each device, the system copies the calibration characteristics from the reference device, significantly reducing calibration time and resource consumption while maintaining color fidelity.
2Measurement precision
If a printing device performs full color calibration for each media type, then color fidelity is maintained, but resource consumption (ink/toner) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration on a reference printing device for multiple media types before actual use. The measured color values from this preliminary calibration are stored and reused when the same printing device or other devices of the same type need calibration, eliminating the need to perform full calibration repeatedly for each media type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the calibration data from a reference printing device and applies it to other printing devices of the same type. Instead of performing independent calibration on each device, the system copies the calibration characteristics from the reference device, significantly reducing calibration time and resource consumption while maintaining color fidelity.
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed frequently to maintain color fidelity, then color accuracy is improved, but device complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages calibration by selecting appropriate pre-measured color values from stored data based on the printing device type and media type. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually perform repetitive calibration tasks, reducing user burden while maintaining color accuracy through automated selection of appropriate calibration data.
4Measurement precision
If full calibration is performed on every printing device, then color consistency across devices is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the calibration data from a reference printing device and applies it to other printing devices of the same type. Instead of performing independent calibration on each device, the system copies the calibration characteristics from the reference device, significantly reducing calibration time and resource consumption while maintaining color fidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes universality by creating a single reference calibration that can be applied to multiple printing devices of the same type across different media types. This multi-functional calibration data serves all devices in the type, eliminating the need for device-specific calibration while maintaining color consistency across the entire device family.
Data Source
AI summary
Color values are measured for a set of color targets printed by a reference printing device on a medium of a reference media type. A different printing device prints a subset of the set of color targets on another medium of this reference media type. The color values of the subset of color targets printed by the different printing device are measured, and the different device calibrated based on the measured color values for both the set that the reference printing device printed and the subset that the different device printed. The different printing device can then also be calibrated for a different media type, based on a transformation of the set of color targets printed by the reference printing device on a medium of the different media type relative to the set of color targets printed by the reference device on the medium of the reference media type.