Printing Treatment Control Engine for Color Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printing, neglecting color calibration when determining the amount of treatment to apply on a substrate can result in an unsuitable treatment-to-colorant ratio, negatively impacting print quality due to variations in printing conditions such as substrate type, colorant type, or ambient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control engine is used to determine the amount of treatment to be applied on a substrate region by considering color calibration of the printing system for specific conditions, ensuring a suitable treatment-to-colorant ratio is achieved by deriving treatment amounts from CMYK contone ink values and applying color linearization data to correct for the printer's inability to reproduce a straight line of tones from full color to white.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If treatment amount is determined without considering color calibration, then the process is simpler and faster, but the treatment-to-colorant ratio becomes unsuitable affecting print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs color calibration measurements and stores calibration data before actual printing operations. This preliminary action allows the treatment amount determination to quickly reference pre-computed calibration information rather than performing complex calculations in real-time, thus maintaining both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces color calibration data as an intermediary element between the printing conditions and treatment amount determination. This intermediary contains pre-analyzed relationships between colorant properties and optimal treatment amounts, enabling fast lookup and application without complex real-time analysis.
2Device complexity
If treatment amount is determined without considering color calibration, then the process is simpler, but print quality deteriorates due to variations in printing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts treatment amount determination based on detected printing condition parameters such as substrate type, colorant properties, and ambient conditions. By dynamically changing the determination parameters according to actual conditions, the system maintains reliable print quality without requiring overly complex processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where color calibration data from actual printing conditions is used to adjust and refine treatment amount determination. This feedback loop ensures that the system adapts to variations in printing conditions while maintaining consistent print quality.
3Measurement precision
If color linearization data is applied to correct tone reproduction, then color accuracy is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Color linearization data and correction curves are pre-computed and stored during system calibration. This allows the printing system to apply corrections by simple reference to pre-established relationships rather than performing complex tone reproduction calculations during actual printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies color linearization curves that transform non-linear tone relationships into linear ones. These curved correction functions are pre-determined and stored, enabling accurate color reproduction through straightforward application of the correction data without complex real-time mathematical transformations.
Data Source
AI summary
Application of treatments for treating a colorant for printing an image is described herein. In an example, an amount of a treatment to be applied on a substrate portion is determined considering color calibration of a printing system for specific conditions of printing the image. The treatment is for treating the amount of colorant on the substrate portion.