Soft Proofing Apparatus for Monitor-Printer Color Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing methods without graphic editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Correl Draw, cannot perform fine color adjustments for matching colors displayed on a monitor with those printed on a medium, lacking a soft proof function and requiring expensive software for color matching.
Innovation Solution
An image processing method and apparatus that captures screen data, adjusts colors using a color adjustment unit, and outputs the adjusted image to a printer, allowing for fine soft proofing without the need for graphic editing software by displaying a preview window for color adjustment and converting image data between color spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional image processing methods without graphic editing software are used, then device complexity is reduced, but color adjustment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary soft proofing system that acts as a mediator between the monitor and printer. This system includes a soft proofing unit with color conversion capabilities that translates monitor colors to printer colors through a dialogue box interface, enabling color matching without requiring complex graphic editing software. The intermediary converts device-dependent color spaces to device-independent color space and back, resolving the color mismatch problem while keeping the overall system complexity low.
2Manufacturing precision
If graphic editing software with soft proof function is used, then color adjustment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential soft proofing functionality from complex graphic editing software and implements it as a standalone, simplified system. The soft proofing unit is separated from the main image processing application, providing color matching capabilities through a dedicated dialogue box without requiring the full functionality of expensive graphic editing software. This extraction maintains color adjustment precision while significantly reducing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If hard proof method is used to confirm reproduced colors, then color matching accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the printed output on the monitor screen through soft proofing. Instead of requiring physical hard proofing to verify colors, the system generates a simulated preview that replicates the printed colors on the display device. This virtual copying allows users to verify color matching accuracy digitally, eliminating the need for iterative physical printing and significantly improving productivity while maintaining color matching accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing method of reproducing an image displayed on a screen of a display unit on a printing medium used by an image forming device includes displaying a preview window on the screen of the display unit, displaying the image in the preview window, and printing the image having the same colors as those displayed in the preview window using the image forming device. In addition, an image processing apparatus usable with a display unit and an image forming device includes a data capture unit to capture data of at least a portion of an image displayed on a screen of the display unit, and a color adjustment unit to convert the image displayed on the screen of the display unit to an image having the same colors as those of an image displayed in a preview window by adjusting the colors of the image displayed on the screen of the display unit based on the image data captured by the data capture unit, and to output the converted image to the image forming device.