Scan Calibration Method for Color Chart Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Color inaccuracies in printed color charts used for scan calibrations of color printers and multi-function peripherals arise due to reduced photoconductor drum effectiveness with age, leading to poor print quality and subsequently poor color correction tables.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the need for print calibration before scan calibration, executing it if necessary, and printing a calibration chart after determining the calibration status, ensuring accurate color correction tables are generated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If scan calibration is performed using a printed color chart, then scan calibration can be executed, but color inaccuracies occur due to reduced photoconductor drum effectiveness with age

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan calibration accuracyVSAvoidprinted color chart quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a print calibration check before executing scan calibration. The controller determines whether print calibration is needed based on printed page counts and calibration history, and performs print calibration in advance if necessary. This preliminary action ensures the photoconductor drum is in optimal condition before printing the color chart, eliminating color inaccuracies in the printed chart and improving scan calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If print calibration is performed before scan calibration, then color correction table accuracy is improved, but calibration process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor correction table accuracyVSAvoidcalibration process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs only a print calibration check (not a full print calibration) before scan calibration. The controller determines whether print calibration is needed based on printed page counts and calibration history, and performs print calibration in advance only if necessary. This partial action approach ensures color correction table accuracy while minimizing additional calibration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from print calibration status (determined by printed page counts and calibration history) to decide whether to perform print calibration before scan calibration. The controller continuously monitors print usage and calibration history, and only performs additional print calibration when the feedback indicates it is necessary, thereby avoiding unnecessary time consumption while maintaining color correction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9531918B2Scan calibration method that eliminates the color inaccuracy of printed color charts used on scan calibrations

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 KONICA MINOLTA SYSTEMS LABORATORY INC

AI summary

A method is disclosed of executing a scan calibration program on multi-function peripherals, the method includes: receiving a request for initiation of a scan calibration program on a multi-function peripheral; determining whether or not a print calibration should be performed on the multi-function peripheral before printing a calibration chart on the multi-function peripheral, wherein the determination of whether or not to execute the print calibration is based on a predetermined condition of the multi-function peripheral; executing the print calibration on the multi-function peripheral, if the predetermined condition exists on the multi-function peripheral; and printing the calibration chart on the multi-function peripheral after the determination of whether or not the print calibration should be performed.