Profile Manager for Image Forming Apparatus Sheet Type Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently updating profiles for various sheet types, particularly for profile-free sheets, as they lack a systematic method to calibrate and maintain accurate color reproducibility across different printing sheets.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an image forming apparatus with a storage device, arithmetic processing device, and printing device that stores profiles for different sheet types, allowing for profile updates by creating an adjustment chart on a reference sheet type and calibrating profiles for other sheet types based on correspondence relation characteristics, eliminating the need for adjustment charts on target sheet types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If profile update processing is performed for each sheet type individually using adjustment charts, then color reproducibility accuracy is improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the profile update process into two distinct modes: a full update mode that uses adjustment charts for accurate colorimetry, and a quick update mode that calibrates target sheet types based on a reference sheet type without requiring adjustment charts. This segmentation allows users to choose between accuracy and speed depending on the situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary colorimetry and profile generation on a reference sheet type, then uses this pre-established reference profile to calibrate other target sheet types through correspondence relation characteristics. This preliminary action eliminates the need to create adjustment charts for every sheet type, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining acceptable accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If adjustment charts are printed and colorimetry is performed for every sheet type, then profile accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reference sheet type's profile serve multiple functions: it acts as both a calibration target for itself and as a reference standard for calibrating all other target sheet types. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment charts for each sheet type, reducing operational complexity while maintaining profile accuracy through the correspondence relation calibration method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the colorimetric characteristics from the reference sheet type and applies this copied information to calibrate target sheet types through correspondence relations. Instead of performing complete colorimetry on each target sheet type, the system copies and adapts the reference profile, significantly simplifying the operational process.
3Productivity
If profiles are generated from known profiles for profile-free sheets, then processing speed is improved, but color reproducibility accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the calibration parameters by using correspondence relation characteristics between reference and target sheet types. Instead of directly copying known profiles, the system adjusts parameters based on the measured correspondence relations, allowing for accurate profile generation even for profile-free sheets while maintaining processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, an arithmetic processing device functioning as a profile manager executes profile update processing: (a) by selecting one of a plurality of sheet types as a reference sheet type, allowing a printing device to print a colorimetric patch on a printing sheet of the reference sheet type to create an adjustment chart, generating a profile on the printing sheet of the reference sheet type based on a colorimetric result of the colorimetric patch, and updating the profile on the printing sheet of the reference sheet type stored in a storage device with the generated profile; and (b) by selecting each of the remaining sheet types as a target sheet type and calibrating the profile on a printing sheet of the target sheet type stored in the storage device, based on respective correspondence relation characteristics before and after the profile on the reference sheet type is updated.