Printing Carriage Colorimetric Feedback for Test-Free Color Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies require test printing for color adjustment, leading to increased costs and time due to consumption of media and inefficient use of resources.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that includes a control unit to correct print data based on density measurements after each pass, using a colorimetric unit to adjust ink ejection on a medium, thereby optimizing print quality without additional test prints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If test printing is performed for color adjustment, then color accuracy is improved, but medium consumption increases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary colorimetric measurements on the medium before actual printing to characterize its light absorption properties. This preliminary action allows the creation of a transfer curve that predicts final print density, eliminating the need for test printing and medium consumption for color adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a colorimetric camera to capture an image of the printed test pattern and creates a digital copy of the density information. This digital representation is then used to generate the transfer curve, replacing the need for physical test printing and manual density measurement.
2Manufacturing precision
If test printing is performed for color adjustment, then color accuracy is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs colorimetric measurements and density calculations during the normal printing process rather than requiring separate test printing steps. The colorimetric camera captures images continuously as the carriage moves, allowing real-time density assessment and transfer curve generation without interrupting production flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where density measurements from the colorimetric camera are used to generate a transfer curve, which then adjusts the printing parameters for subsequent prints. This closed-loop feedback eliminates the need for manual color adjustment and test printing, reducing production time while maintaining color accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If density measurement is performed after each pass, then print quality is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the density measurement function with the existing printing carriage by integrating a colorimetric camera into the carriage assembly. This allows density measurements to be performed during the normal reciprocating motion of the carriage without requiring additional measurement passes or stopping the printing process.
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
The solution enables high-quality print results with reduced material and time consumption by iteratively correcting print data based on real-time density measurements, ensuring accurate color reproduction.
Implementation Method 1
a colorimetric unit (19) that measures density on the medium (30) when the pass is completed
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing head configured to eject ink onto a medium based on print data, a carriage that is mounted with the printing head and that is configured to reciprocate along a main scanning direction, a control unit configured to control the carriage and the printing head and execute a pass corresponding to ink ejection of the printing head along with movement of the carriage, and a colorimetric unit configured to measure density on the medium when the pass is completed.