Transparent Substrate Image Generation via Transmission Color Profiling

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Solution Overview

Problem

When printing on transparent or semitransparent substrates, existing technologies fail to accurately reproduce intended colors on both sides of the substrate under varying lighting conditions due to interactions between colors, leading to inconsistencies in the perceived image.

Innovation Solution

The method involves analyzing the first image to identify predominant colors, printing a color patch on one side and a test color pattern on the opposite side, determining the color distribution in transmission geometry, and generating a transmission mode color profile to adjust the color profiles for each side, ensuring color accuracy in the perceived composite image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a color profile is used to reproduce intended colors on a substrate, then color accuracy is improved, but color interactions between different sides of transparent or semitransparent substrates cause inconsistencies in the perceived image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidcolor consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of the first image to identify predominant colors and regions before printing. It pre-determines color profiles for both sides of the substrate based on transmission geometry measurements, allowing the printing system to anticipate and compensate for color interactions that will occur when viewing through the transparent substrate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms by measuring the color distribution in transmission geometry after printing the test color pattern, then using these measurements to generate adjusted color profiles. This feedback loop allows the system to iteratively refine color reproduction by comparing actual transmitted colors with intended colors and adjusting subsequent printing operations accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If color profiles are adjusted for different sides of the substrate, then color accuracy under varying lighting conditions is improved, but the complexity of the printing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidprinting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the color profile adjustment process into distinct components: analyzing the first image to identify predominant colors, printing test color patterns on the second side, measuring color distribution in transmission geometry, and generating separate color profiles for different regions and lighting conditions. This segmentation allows complex color management to be broken down into manageable, systematic steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by generating different color profiles for different regions of the substrate based on the predominant colors identified in the first image. Instead of using a single uniform color profile, the system creates region-specific profiles that account for local color interactions and transmission characteristics, thereby optimizing color accuracy for each specific area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If transmission mode color profiles are generated based on color distribution, then color consistency in the perceived composite image is improved, but the time required for calibration and measurement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor consistencyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calibration measurements and color profile generation before actual printing operations. By pre-determining the color distribution characteristics and generating transmission mode color profiles in advance, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming calibration during production, as the color management parameters are already optimized and ready for use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances color accuracy and consistency in the perceived image by accounting for the contributions of printed images on both sides of the substrate, providing a color accurate composite image under different lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

determining, in a transmission geometry, a color distribution in the color patch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3746303B1Image generation on a transparent or semitransparent substrate
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3746303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3746303B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3746303B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of generating an image on a transparent or semitransparent substrate, the method comprising analyzing a first image to be printed on a first side of the substrate to identify a region associated with a predominant color, printing, on the first side of the substrate a color patch with the identified predominant color, printing, on a second side of the substrate, a test color pattern overlapping with the color patch on the first side of the substrate, determining, in a transmission geometry, a color distribution in the color patch, and generating from the determined color distribution, for the region associated with the predominant color identified in the first image, a transmission mode color profile for printing on the second side of the substrate.