Relative Tone Reproduction Curve Calibration for Printing Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Color management in print shops is complex and time-consuming, often requiring extensive calibration and ICC profile creation for each paper and printing device, which is impractical and often results in reduced effort with compromised color quality due to the use of default profiles or paper groups.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for managing color printing resources by calibrating a paper on one printing device, generating tone reproduction curves (TRCs), determining device and paper difference datasets, and using these datasets to relative calibrate other papers and devices, reducing the number of necessary calibrations and improving color management efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If calibration and ICC profile creation is performed for each paper and printing device, then color accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a reference calibration on a first printing device and then copies this calibration data to a second printing device, generating a copied TRC rather than performing a complete new calibration. This copying approach maintains color accuracy while significantly reducing the time and effort required compared to full calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calibration on a first printing device to establish reference TRC data, which is then reused for subsequent printing devices. This preliminary action eliminates the need to repeat the entire calibration process for each device, reducing time consumption while preserving color accuracy through the use of established reference data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If full calibration is performed for each paper and printing device combination, then color quality is improved, but operational complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor qualityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the calibration processes by performing calibration once on a first printing device and then using that calibration data to generate TRCs for a second printing device. This merging approach consolidates multiple calibration operations into a single reference calibration, reducing operational complexity while maintaining color quality through systematic data reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reference TRC data generated from calibration on the first printing device serves multiple functions: it is used directly for that device and also serves as the basis for generating TRCs for the second printing device. This universal application of the reference data reduces operational complexity by eliminating redundant calibration steps across multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If default ICC profiles or paper groups are used to reduce effort, then operational efficiency is improved, but color accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcolor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using generic default ICC profiles or paper groups that apply uniform settings across all devices, the patent generates device-specific TRC data by copying and adjusting reference calibration data for each individual printing device. This local customization ensures color accuracy is maintained for each specific device while still providing operational efficiency through the reuse of reference data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Loss of time

If the number of calibrations is reduced using default profiles, then time consumption is reduced, but color reproduction accuracy worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime consumptionVSAvoidcolor reproduction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system copies reference TRC data from a first printing device to a second printing device, maintaining color reproduction accuracy by preserving the calibrated characteristics while significantly reducing time consumption compared to performing full calibration on each device. This copying mechanism provides an intermediate solution between full calibration and using default profiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11831850B1Management of color printing resources in a printing system

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Relative calibration is used to generate tone reproduction curves (TRCs) at multiple printing devices. A first calibration is performed for a first paper at a first printing device to generate a first TRC. A second calibration is performed for the first paper at a second printing device to generate a second TRC. A third calibration is performed for a second paper at the first printing device to generate a third TRC. A device difference dataset is determined using the first TRC and the second TRC. A paper difference dataset is determined using the first TRC and the third TRC. The device difference dataset and the paper difference dataset are used to determine a fourth TRC for the second paper at the second printing device, thereby eliminating the need for further calibration operations.