CN1094429C - Color printing system and printing method therewith - Google Patents
Color printing system and printing method therewith Download PDFInfo
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- CN1094429C CN1094429C CN98120162A CN98120162A CN1094429C CN 1094429 C CN1094429 C CN 1094429C CN 98120162 A CN98120162 A CN 98120162A CN 98120162 A CN98120162 A CN 98120162A CN 1094429 C CN1094429 C CN 1094429C
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and a system for color printing, which is characterized in that the correction of color printers is completed to enable each printer to generate an individual color switching table at the time of manufacture; each color switching table can be stored in a write-in non-volatile memory. The present invention has another selection that each color switching table can be stored in a CD-ROM along with the driver software of each printer, the individual color switching tables can be directly read when the printers are set. The individual color switching table is usually stored at an initialization program of a printer, such as the initialization program of 'use as long as insertion', so a computer causing the printer to be in operation can directly access the individual color switching table during the initialization of the printer. If an individual color switching table is used, the manufacturing tolerance of each printer needs to be noticed.
Description
Technical field
The present invention is meant a kind of system and method for conversion chromatic printer output color representation, with a kind of color printer with unique color conversion profile.The present invention more refers in particular to and a kind ofly can be indivedual color laser printers, produces the method for unique color conversion profile, with color printer with unique transformed profile, but the aberration on this unique transformed profile collocation structure, and respond other printer.
Background technology
Most computer system, and major part is especially little or " individual " computer system, uses color to show information hardly.Along with complicated day by day application program is used widely, rely on the utilization of color more, to show the porcelain news effectively.The use of color on the PC in the world at present, mainly be reflected in PC on more intrepid microprocessor faster and obtaining easily on the color monitor at a low price.On the PC screen, in the time of the high development of information color display technology, in the printing of the colored information of PC, faint progress is only arranged but.And " copying firmly " output that the technology that provides printing color to export, meaning are promptly enameled and printed as paper, plastic cement or other materials does not also follow the step of information color display technology improving.
At present, alternative colour is copied output firmly, is not the output that higher quality can't be provided, and is expensive for family or the unusual ground of small office exactly.For instance, the colored export technique that this type of is commonly used comprises inkjet printing, no matter is to use liquid state or solid ink, and the different application of some electrophotographic colors printings all belongs to this type of.Inkjet printing is more not expensive when using liquid ink at least, but speed is slower, and can't produce high-quality output reliably, unless SC before using comprises the use special paper.Electrophotographic color is printed on and commercially can obtains, and is still very slow except costliness.For instance, multiple-pass electrophotographic color print routine utilizes multiple optical conductor, and the multiple developing programs that exposes can produce the image of a multi-color on the surface of a paper.Basically, multiple-pass electrophotographic color commonly used is printed, and utilizes different color with each continuous action, or passes through the mode of multiple-pass printer, is combined by monochromatic electronic imaging print routine repeated application.Because between the program of continuous operation, need accurate localization, so the multiple-pass electronic imaging prints to a kind of not only costliness but also unusual complicated process slowly.
The desirable of electronic imaging colour print because it is most likely under the higher print speed, provides reliable high-quality output.For background of the present invention is discussed definitely, reach because the present invention has excavated the application of special desirable on electronic imaging is printed, this detail specifications will be browsed the electronic imaging printing technique earlier.The black and white electronic imaging at first is discussed is printed, with some basic principle of diagram and operation.The one-stroke electrophotographic color printer Design of one suggestion is discussed again, with some demand of diagram, and the performed operation sequence of this color printer.
Monochrome (black and white) electronic imaging commonly used is printed, and utilize a laser or together wait the high strength light source, as the display of light-emittingdiode (LED), with the optical conductor exposure, can be in the optical activity surface imaging of an optical conductor.Before the exposure, on the surface of optical conductor, be provided with a uniform distribution of charges.After the exposure, on the surface of optical conductor, the sub-image of corresponding charge pattern, can convert the entity image to via a developer, this developer is with the pattern of corresponding sub-image, and the carbon powder particles of adhesion charging is to the charge pattern of optical conductor, utilize a static printing program again, the carbon dust image is passed on the paper, carries out at last and deciding program, the carbon dust image is fixed on the paper.
Shown in Figure 1, the electronic imaging apparatus of one-stroke monochrome commonly used for the ease of discussion, and is assumed to be a laser printer.The laser printer of Fig. 1 comprises a photosensitive drums 10, and with the cloth electrical equipment 14 that can produce even distribution of charges in photosensitive drums 10 surface, and a laser beam scanning means 16, the surface of the photosensitive drums that is used to expose becomes an optical image.20 of developing apparatus are used to develop and are formed at the sub-image of photosensitive drum surface.This printer also comprises that one is used to apply the transfer printing cloth electrical equipment 30 of a transfer electric field, and one is used for fixing an image to deciding device 40 just like the recording medium 32 of paper.Photosensitive drums 10 is a metal cylinder haply, covers an optically active material 12 that is called optical conductor outward.Optical conductor has high-insulation in the dark haply, yet under the light irradiation electric conductivity is to a certain degree arranged but.Therefore, optical conductor 12 can be caught an electric charge from the teeth outwards in dark, but under the light irradiation, can discharge this electric charge again on the surface.
In operation, when monochromatic print routine scans beginning each time, apply the surface of an even electric charge, and each stroke is only printed a piece of paper to optical conductor 12.The cloth electricity on optical conductor surface can be finished by a cloth electrical equipment 14, is to utilize corona cloth electricity or similar techniques on the typical case, provides electric charge to optical conductor 12 surfaces.After the cloth electricity operation, has a uniform distribution of charges on the surface of optical conductor 12, a corresponding voltage range ± 600～± 800 volt.When optical conductor 12 was exposed by laser beam scanning means 16, a laser beam 18 by scanning means 16 guides was according to the image modulation pattern that a controller (not shown) is produced, a specific region of irradiates light conductor 12.Under laser beam 18 irradiations, the voltage at optical conductor 12 surperficial positions is discharged to 0～± 150 volt approximately, forms a latent charge image on the surface of optical conductor 12.
After optical conductor 12 is by the latent charge image exposure, utilize a developing apparatus 20 these images of development, on the optical conductor surface, to provide carbon dust.Developing apparatus roughly is to transmit a developer to optical conductor 12 surfaces of carrying the charge latent image picture, and this developer carries bead by magnetic to be formed with plastic cement or other carbon powder particles.Substantially upload bead and remain in the developing apparatus 20, and the autography device provides carbon powder particles to the surface of optical conductor.Carbon powder particles adheres to the optical conductor surface with the carbon dust image pattern, the then corresponding electric charge image that is produced by the laser beam exposure pattern on the optical conductor surface of this carbon dust image pattern.Behind developing programs, the carbon dust image is at transfer printing cloth electrical equipment 30, is passed on the surface of a recording medium 32 (as paper) the carbon dust image from the optical conductor surface and deciding to recording medium 32 deciding device 40.Deciding in order to finish, recording medium 32 is being decided 44 of the heating roller 42 of device 40 and pressure rolls by composition.In the heating roller 42, be provided with the heater just like based on halogen bulb, with the default high temperature in surface to of heating roller, when in conjunction with 44 applied pressures of pressure roll, this high temperature is enough to softening developer at least.High temperature between two rollers and high pressure will cause carbon powder particles fusing, and the fixed toner particle is to recording medium 32, imaging on recording medium by this.
On the typical case, colour print is to finish by four kinds of different hue components, i.e. cyan C on the type face, magenta M, yellow Y, black K etc.As a result, electrophotographic color is printed four times of numbers of repetition that need aforementioned monochromatic print routine, to produce four independently electric charge images, reaches these four electric charge images that develop, and produces four independently carbon dust images on type face.The profile of Fig. 2 diagram one one-stroke color printer provides the colour output of fair speed.The laser printer of Fig. 2 comprises that one has the photosensitive drums 10 of four stamp pads, and each stamp pad comprises a cloth electrical equipment 50-56, and a laser beam scanning means 58-64 and a developing apparatus 66-72 are all along the photosensitive drums circumferential arrangement.At first stamp pad, photosensitive drums 10 is by the initial evenly voltage of cloth electrical equipment 50 cloth electricity to, and according to first composition exposure of image, so that one first sub-image composition to be provided.The first sub-image composition developing apparatus 66 develops, and produces the first carbon dust pattern on the surface of photosensitive drums.Second stamp pad utilizes one second cloth electrical equipment 52 to repeat this program, produces an even distribution of charges once more on the surface of photosensitive drums 10, and comprises the photosensitive drums position that has been covered by the first carbon dust image.One second carbon dust image results from the surface of photosensitive drums, and covers the first carbon dust image.When the 3rd and the 4th development station was passed through in the photosensitive drums rotation, the 3rd and the 4th chromatic image composition resulted from the surface of photosensitive drums 10, so that the carbon dust image of one or four kinds of compositions, four kinds of colors to be provided on the surface of photosensitive drums.The carbon dust image of four kinds of colors is passed on the recording medium 32 by transfer printing cloth electrical equipment 30 when the time comes, and is deciding device 40, and four kinds of color image are anchored on the recording medium 32.
The various different components of one electronic imaging printer have the characteristic of nonlinear response.Therefore, in laser printer, be provided with the compensation technique of each element on the typical case.For instance, in the monochrome printers of Fig. 1, must be provided with a compensation technique,, make laser beam 18 have suitable intensity, with discharging light conductor 12 to select to be suitable for the driving electric power of LASER Light Source 16.When using an element, may be compensated at the variation of this element characteristic.For instance, if the printer of Fig. 1 is used to print grey-tone image, then when the surface is passed through in printer scanning, may need to adjust the intensity of laser beam 18, to deal with the geometrical factor of image intensity.Consider system quite complicated in Fig. 2 printer again, may need to merge more compensation technique on the typical case.On the other hand, this demand not only is limited to the electronic imaging program, utilizes other technologies printing color image, comprises inkjet printing, no matter aspect correction or color produce and mix the aspect, also need the using compensation technology haply.
Arbitrary aforesaid colour print, and colored application of xeroxing must comprise that all one produces the technology of printing color.For instance, in the colored copying machines of a digital type, be to utilize scanning one color file to import the image that desire is printed.To be the two dimension display of color-values on the typical case as a result of this scan operation, color-values has three kinds (red, green, blue, " RGB "), and each all is positioned at the two dimension display.This color-values display can be stored in one or more memories, and reads data from these memories, to drive a colour print engine, prints a colored copy as shown in Figure 2.Rgb color value display from the scanning colour image is obtained will have absolute and relative value, depend on the response characteristic of scanner basically, with the color-separated technology that is used in the chromoscan operation.In order to print this color data in the mode of former Color reproduction, must be by a conversion, the color data that mapping measures is to produce a new color data set.
Color conversion must be considered the characteristic of employed print engine, and the consciousness characteristic of the employed toner color of print engine.As aforementioned, typical case's printer of enameling uses four kinds of carbon dusts: cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK), so must change the CMYK value of rgb value to a correspondence of each input.In fact, this mapping also is a non-linear process.In addition,, may need an interpolation, import rgb value to the CMYK value with mapping because the chromatic image machine stores the quantitative restriction of color map data.
Except the application of aforementioned colored copying machines, the application of colour print also needs similarly conversion.Application program in the personal computer system can produce output and show on colored screen such as CRT basically, and CRT also produces show image based on rgb value.As shown in Figure 2, the receptance function of CRT must be different from the receptance function of color print engine.Emphasize once more, must be when an image produce, the conversion of access one color, conversion one is suitable for the RGB data set of CRT, to a corresponding CMYK data set that is suitable for as the specific print engine of data output.Generally speaking, can provide a color conversion table at arbitrary color printing, be the thing of a desirable.As a result, suitable color transformation table that just must the development print engine, and develop a kind of in major applications the actual program of carrying out.
For instance, at people's such as Rolleston United States Patent (USP) number 5,305,119, and in people's such as Rolleston the United States Patent (USP) number 5,483,360, all generations of diagram one color conversion table all are referred to as the Rolleston patent at this.For the purpose of convenience, in these patents of Fig. 3 diagram, produce the program of color conversion.For an electrophotographic color printer that utilizes four kinds of colored outputs of carbon dusts generation of CMYK, the bearing calibration of these Rolleston patents is described with reference to the generation of a color conversion table.For instance, by on printer, printing a standard testing pattern 80, begin to produce a color conversion table.At first import an initial data set C
O, M
O, Y
OTo colourity printer or device with individual color value, can describe one is of value to the test pattern that measures colour mixture usefulness, GTG and other generation color table known standards.Colour output 80 to the one dynamical scanners 82 of input through printing, this scanner 82 can measure the color and the density of output 80, and produces one scan data set R
S, G
S, B
S, representative output 80.This scanning data set is revised in one scan device correction district 84, and scanner correction district 84 typical cases upward refer to the back scanning processor in the scanner 82, with the measurement in the response characteristic correction output 80 that utilizes scanner 82.This correction produces once the data set R that revises, scans
C, G
C, B
C86, represent printer with initial data set C
O, M
O, Y
OProduce output 80 through printing.
Data set R
C, G
C, B
C86 represent that printer is initial, the output of unmodified.So far, can determine to revise the color table of this data set, with the approximate acceptable degree of this color table to one.Color table with the group one suitable conversion 88 of giving information, makes that applying this is converted to once scanning or initial data set that computer produced as calculated, and when printing via a printer 90, the output C through printing
P, M
P, Y
P, K
P92 can be similar to a desirable data set.Described in the Rolleston patent of reference, the calculating of conversion 88 is to add by setting GTG balance, decision black K, removes with color, and determines color correction or color conversion to finish.The GTG balance is carried out via the measurement on " look lattice ", and the CMYK ink of many different densities and various combination is arranged on the look lattice.Under the combination of three kinds of hue component CMY, the look lattice of every generation GTG balance all can provide a neutral gray.The identification of GTG balance is of value to understanding and whether the effect of ink absorption characteristic and printer response characteristic is made compensation.From the measurement of many GTG balances, can produce a conversion table, this conversion table is provided with the Linear Mapping of color scheme, is suitable for predicting the Heisui River combination that needs generation, and is suitable for predicting different neutral graies.
Interpolation black is a kind of program in printing, and can be used for reducing when producing difference printing color the total amount of required ink.The black content that desire is added can change to some extent along with the image density of desire printing.Under the power-assisted of adding black, how many inks utilize color to remove decision after adding black has to remove, to recover image to predetermined color.After decision GTG balance, interpolation black and color were removed, Transformation Computational Program was by determining color correction conversion to continue to carry out.This can set up color conversion and correction chart the most finally.
The result of measurement and tediously long calculation procedure is the color transformation table of this printer Design.As discussing in the Rolleston patent, after producing color transformation table, this conversion table is stored in the read-only storage, as mask-type ROM.This mask-type ROM when the time comes is applicable to all printers of this same design.As long as printer and the original print machine that produces color transformation table have enough similar performance features, the method just can provide acceptable colored product.
With the method that is described in the Rolleston patent is example, desires from color transformation table strategy commonly used, obtains acceptable performance and is not easy.Each printer is with a single color conversion table that is stored in mask-type ROM.For the printer that hope can provide acceptable color rendition, the feature of this printer need closely meet one group of standard performance feature.The actual effect of this demand must have accurate tolerance for making the printer that this utilizes a default color transformation table, and needs careful adjustment.The tolerance that these are strict will increase the manufacturing cost of printer undoubtedly.Therefore, wish to develop a kind of color conversion strategy, can loosen the strict manufacturing tolerance that printer is used always to be needed, and lower manufacturing cost.
Summary of the invention
The method of purpose of the present invention for providing a kind of color printer to produce color transformation table has simple and characteristic cheaply, and can lower the impact when making, and can use more loose manufacturing tolerance.
Another object of the present invention is for providing a kind of method of printing, and wherein a host computer system can be during the printer initial setting program, other color compensation table of access.
A viewpoint of the present invention is for providing the method for a kind of manufacturing one color printer, and from providing a color data set to indivedual color printers.One test chromatic image is printed from color test data group, and is analyzed this test chromatic image by individual other color printer.Then, produce indivedual color transformation tables of the indivedual color printers of a contrast, and format ground stores this other color transformation table, and this form is in a printer initialization action, can be by a host computer access.
A different viewpoints of the present invention may further comprise the steps for a kind of color printing is provided: a color test data to other color printer is provided; Utilize this other color printer, print a test chromatic image from color test data group; With the analytical test chromatic image, to produce the data set feature that test chromatic image one measures.Then, the data set that response measures, produce indivedual color transformation tables of the indivedual color printers of a contrast, and format ground stores this other color transformation table, and this form is in the printer initialization action, can be by a host computer access, wherein this other color transformation table can be taken turns in the profile program from the host computer access in one.
Another viewpoint of the present invention has one and prints engine for a kind of color printing system is provided, and can print to have numerous images.This color printing system comprises indivedual color transformation tables of the indivedual color printers of a contrast.This other color transformation table comes from: provide a color test data to this other color printer; Utilize this other color printer, print a test chromatic image from color test data group; The analytical test chromatic image is to produce a test data group; With foundation test data group, calculate other color transformation table.
Description of drawings
For the people who knows this technology, in the description of the following preferred embodiments of thinking the present invention, and behind the accompanying drawing of following, whole purposes of the present invention, feature and advantage will be clear increasingly.
Fig. 1 is diagram monochrome printers commonly used;
Fig. 2 may be located in a stand alone printer or the colored copying machines for diagram one-stroke colour print engine commonly used;
Fig. 3 is diagram colour print engine correction program commonly used, with depending on of a conversion in this program;
Fig. 4 is according to a preferred embodiments of the present invention, diagram one correction program;
Fig. 5 is diagram one first a printer initialization consecutive steps;
Fig. 6 is another printer initialization consecutive steps of diagram;
Fig. 7 is for using the good printer profile of spy of the present invention.
The specific embodiment
Though main color transformation table, be used in each many different printer according to the manufacturing of printer particular design, but preferred embodiments of the present invention is carried out a correction program, but not is produced a main color transformation table when making each printer.When each indivedual printer was made, this correction was used to produce each indivedual printer other color transformation table.But color transformation table can be stored in the nonvolatile memory of an individual programsization, as an EEPROM or a flash memory.The another kind of selection be, color transformation table can be stored among the CD-ROM together with the printed driver software, but make access other color transformation table when setting printer.Individual other color transformation table can give access in the printer initialize routine, for instance, as one " plug and play " initialize routine, make to cause the computer that printer moves, can be during the printer initialization, and access other color transformation table.Utilize one according to indivedual color transformation tables that preferred embodiments of the present invention produced, will lower manufacturing tolerance commonly used in each printer manufacturing.
In order to help to carry out the discussion of preferred aspect of the present invention, at first consider printer arrangement and program that some must careful control, almost be similar to ideal state to obtain, and allow different printers only to use the performance characteristic of a color conversion table.In order to simplify argumentation.Be reference with black and white print routine shown in Figure 1 earlier.Must be cognitive be that the problem that the color printer that Fig. 2 is complicated is discussed will be more complicated and more thorny more than the monochrome printers of Fig. 1 institute reference.Print routine for instance, applies-700 volts by corona cloth electrical equipment 14 by applying a uniform electric charge accurate position beginning.Corona cloth electrical equipment 14 provides the high potential of photosensitive drums 10 pacts-4000 volt of a relative ground connection, can cause the induction cloth of optical conductor 12.This cloth is electronic highly rely on corona cloth electrical equipment and photosensitive drums between the interval.Interval between corona cloth electrical equipment and the photosensitive drums if the difference slightly of several percentages is arranged, can cause the accurate position of electric charge of the preceding optical conductor of imaging, claims design load-700 volt variation 5% (± volt) from standard.This variation attracts can have the effect of essence on the speciality at the carbon dust of device, and the result exerts an influence on color mixture.For a color conversion table of the various different printers that are indicated as being same model with being of value to whole nominals, the printer that must make each be indicated as being same model, at the interval of 10 of corona cloth electrical equipment 14 and photosensitive drums much at one.In the framework of Fig. 2 color printer, if must guarantee four cloth electrical equipment 50-56, the designed distance that each is all identical at interval with photosensitive drums 10, difficulty more will become.
The interval of laser or LED exposure device 16 and performance characteristic, also quite important to the printer capability of Fig. 1.The light beam 18 that exposure device 16 is exported on the typical case passes through parallelization or focuses on long-focus.But, exposure device 16 and optical conductor 12 variation at interval can change the intensity of light beam on the optical conductor surface.In addition, the variation of drive current also is easy to change the intensity of output beam.The variation of beam intensity can change light beam 18 caused discharge capacities, and this discharge capacity writes the optical conductor gray scale, has a noticeable especially effect.In order to obtain as the acceptable performance level of the printer of Fig. 2, be tending towards locating each exposure device 58-64 traditionally, and drive these devices, make the 1-3% of the intensity of its output beam between nominal design level.
Still have another group tolerance and control the feature of developing apparatus 20,, all must cater to this group tolerance, to hold the use of a single color conversion table according to many printers that a printer designing institute is produced.Carbon dust image density to type face is provided, can profoundly influences the density and the color of an image on the final type face.Because carbon dust autography device 20 claims that going to optical conductor is a static program, so the gap of 12 of developing apparatus 20 and optical conductors has deep influence on the performance of printer.In addition, the cloth electricity of developing apparatus also is another program parameter, and must keep intimate optimization, to reach mode performance.
Furthermore, for carbon dust, paper and different factory's specifications such as other hardware parameters, also may further worsen the distortion factor of final chromatic image.The combination of these changes can obtain a relatively poor image.Even logotype all can influence the quality of hard copy in the paper type of colour print.No matter whether paper has overlay film, all can influence color rendition.Be usually used in the not overlay film paper of black and white office machinery, have a rough surface, be easy to scattering light source, dimming and absorption Heisui River, result's image of can making dirty.On the other hand, it is more smooth-going that the paper that is covered with thin oil of one deck or wax can make ink use, and when withered and can reflect more incident light, the result can get an image more clearly.Already present bearing calibration commonly used at present, and can't these other features of compensate for color laser printer.
As using in the aforementioned Rolleston patent and instruction, use a single color conversion table to need very strict manufacturing tolerance, to reach acceptable output quality.Adopt this type of strict manufacturing tolerance to cause very high manufacturing cost and disqualification rate, make the printer cost up.Even after using strict manufacturing tolerance, the printer that does not also have wantonly two same models is similar fully, and reaches very high print quality.Printer produces the common method of color transformation table, increases the totle drilling cost of making high-quality electrophotographic color printer, and suppresses the performance of this type of printer.Therefore, be desirable to provide a kind of method and can individually highlight the required color conversion of color printer, and in the middle of the printer manufacture process, provide the color conversion profile to printer.
For a corresponding ad hoc structure of printers individually and the color transformation table of performance characteristic can be provided, preferred embodiment of the present invention is carried out the correction of a uniqueness to each printer when printer is finished fabrication schedule.Correction program is used to produce the individually color transformation table of corresponding indivedual electronic imaging printers.This individually the uniqueness of corresponding color transformation table proofread and correct, be stored in printer can memory according to customer requirements in.For instance, color transformation table can be stored among an EEPROM or the quickflashing EEPROM, and is installed in the printer.This nonvolatile memory is connected with printer control program, makes that printer control program at least can be during an initialize routine, and the access nonvolatile memory is to carry out this color transformation table.More preferably, this initialize routine can cause that color transformation table is stored in the random-access memory (ram), and wherein the color conversion data can be with the speed that is higher than EEPROM or quickflashing EEPROM access in addition.Nonvolatile memory preferably can write once at least, and the memory on the production line can be write fast to obtain maximal efficiency.Certainly, also wish that memory can repeat to write, color transformation table can be adjusted at the printer life period, hold the old China of printer element with letter.
Fig. 4 describes the correction program that is used to determine the color conversion table.It should be noted that this program can carry out when each color printer is made, the program that contrast is commonly used, wherein graphic correction program is only carried out once at arbitrary specific printer Design.One benefit of this diagram procedure is the printer tolerance compared to the common technology manufacturing, can be more lax according to the printer manufacturing tolerance of graphic technique manufacturing.Manufacturing technology commonly used is illustrated printer and must be manufactured suitable standard and tolerance, to allow printer convergence one pattern printer profile.
With reference to Fig. 4, if be not but that whole acceptance performance tests is suitable for printer 100, then printer 100 will begin to proofread and correct after will detecting in assembling and by major part.In this discusses, must be noted that printer may be the colour print engine or a color printer of a colored copying machines.Though the part viewpoint of this method also is applicable to ink-jet printer and other forms of color printer, technology described herein preferably is applied to the electronic imaging printer.This technology is applicable to laser printer, LED printer and other similar exposure sources.In the preferred aspect of uniqueness of the present invention, operate by the control initial print to I haven't seen you for ages for a host computer.According to these examples, a generation of printing data set is to be executed in the host computer, but not in the middle of printer itself.
The generation of one color conversion table can be printed a standardized test pattern from printer 100 for instance.Input one initial data set C
O, M
O, Y
O, perhaps preferable C
O, M
O, Y
O, K
OTo the colourity printer, the device of a testing image individual color value maybe can be described, the same way as that is beneficial to be discussed in the Rolleston patent as described above measures the colour mixture performance.This initial data set C
O, M
O, Y
O, K
OPreferably level off to the average color conversion table of the average printer that is suitable for this mode line, the structure that makes printer and performance characteristic nominal the printer of this pattern of convergence.Make the printer of structure and performance characteristic nominal ground this pattern of convergence of printer.Printer 100 is with this initial data set C
O, M
O, Y
O, K
OProduce to print color output 102, and import this and print color and export a high-performance scanner 104 to, measure the color and the density of output 102, and produce the scanning data set R of a representative output 102
S, G
S, B
SScanner can adopt various type, and very easily obtains commercial.One suitable scanner will have the resolution of about 10 bits of the every color of the every pixel of scan-image.This scanning data set is revised in one scan device correction district 106, and is better than most in the scanner 104, with the measurement in the response characteristic correction output that utilizes scanner 104.Scanner output one measure data set R
C, G
C, B
C108, represent printer with initial data set C
O, M
O, Y
O, K
OProduce output 102 through printing.
Comparison between initial data set and idealized output data set allows a corrected Calculation to obtain average or nominal data set.This one revises preferable reason and is that it guarantees to calculate and can carries out hurry up.The calculating of one conversion table needs various data The Fitting Calculation; One relatively approaching initial data set is provided, can allows to calculate and converge to the conversion table that solves apace.On the other hand, even if can find, also do not guarantee to obtain the required specific correction of converting data group since an average data rate group.Under this environment, the utmost point needs the data set of construction one specific purposes, is suitable for the size of certificates handling target type and data correction.If from then on the data set of a particular design begins, be more suitable for calculating the absolute value of color conversion, but not the converting data group is revised.
Refer again to Fig. 4, data set R
C, G
C, B
C86 represent that printer is initial, the output of unmodified, so far, can revise the color table of this data set, with the approximate acceptable degree of this color table to one.Color table with the group one suitable conversion 110 of giving information, makes that applying this is converted to once scanning or initial data set that computer produced as calculated, and when printing via a printer 100, the output C through printing
P, M
P, Y
P, K
P92 can be similar to a desirable data set.Described in the Rolleston patent of reference, the calculating of conversion 110 is to add by setting GTG balance, decision black (K), removes with color, and determines color correction or color conversion to finish.The data set of input can be tristimulus data set known in arbitrary technology, with arbitrary known transition that can be used for this program.Particularly, this conversion program can utilize many methods to be finished, as the interpolation of coupling color table, according to the conversion of matrix etc.Please refer to the United States Patent (USP) number 4 of Schreiber, 500,919, the United States Patent (USP) number 2 of Neugebauer, 790,844, the United States Patent (USP) number 4,275 of Sakamoto, 413, " Method And System For Analyticgeneration of Multi-Dimensional Color Lookup Tables (resolving the method and system that produces multidimensional color question blank) " with United States Patent (USP) number 5,612,901 grades of Stokes.Each list of references is all merged into reference in full because of in this respect instruction at this.In addition, arbitrary known technology and being discussed at below with reference to the specific color correction bearing calibration in the document, may be relevant: " Smooth Colorimetric Calibration Technique Utilizing The EntireColor Gamut of CMYK Printers is used for the level and smooth chromaticity correction technology of gamut CMYK printer " with the program that is used for the present invention, Po-Chieh Hung, the electronic imaging periodical, 3 (4), 415-424 (1994); " A Flexible GCR Based On CIEL*a*b* flexible GCR based on CIEL*a*b ", Hitoshi Ogatsu, SPIE Vol 2413,123-133; " New AlgorithmFor UCR Using Direct Color Mapping utilizes the brand-new algorithm of the UCR of direct color map ", SPIE Vol 2413,365-374; People's such as Rolleston United States Patent (USP) number 5,305,119, " Color Printer Calibration Architectureu color printer alignment technique "; People's such as Dundas United States Patent (USP) number 5,604,567, " Printer Color Gray Balance Adjustment System printer color and GTG balance regulation system ".These documents are also merged into reference in full.
On the typical case make with proofread and correct calculate a suitable conversion table in the computer after, available conversion table produces a brand-new testing image.Pattern data set C
O, M
O, K
OOr another suitable data set, utilize this data set printing color to copy output 112 firmly through changing 100.When the time comes, then carry out the one scan operation again, with the degree of assessment correction and the degree of color conversion process simulation printer.Yet, though hope can be in the degree of carrying out this process simulation printer.Yet,, in fact need not carry out this monitoring programme though wish when this program of execution, to accomplish the quality keyholed back plate.
Behind the correction program of Fig. 4, final indivedual color transformation tables accessible mode when setting printer stores.Fig. 5 diagram summarily one utilizes the setting operation of the printer 116 of color transformation table 110, and the mode that this color transformation table 110 is discussed as described above produces, and is stored in the interior nonvolatile memory as EEPROM or flash memory of printer.This diagram printer is the type that can produce the printed information group in printer itself; That is host computer does not produce the printed information group.In the printer initialize routine, can read color transformation table from nonvolatile memory, use in order to printing generating routine.Though color transformation table can produce the operating period direct access in printed information, on the typical case program slowly.More typically be, color transformation table reads and is stored from nonvolatile memory, and a kind of mode is to be stored among the RAM, in order to the access in the printed information generating routine, another kind of mode is to revise color transformation table by printing generating routine, and access in the same manner.After the initialization, host computer 114 produces a data R
O, G
O, B
O, the data set of representing desire to print, and export this data set to printer.Printer utilizes color transformation table 110 converting datas, to produce a C
T, M
T, Y
T, K
TPrinter data set, and printout page or leaf 118.
The configuration of printer is out of favour among Fig. 5, prints data set C because produce one
T, M
T, Y
T, K
TTroublesome calculation, be confined in printer 116 processors.Constant is that printer processor is weaker than the processor in the host computer more slowly and, produces the printed information group in the host computer so be better than most.For this configuration, hope can provide color transformation table to host computer.This still can be passed to host computer with data from the EEPROM or the flash memory of printer 116 by in the initialize routine, and utilizes the nonvolatile memory in the printer to finish.Color transformation table will be stored on the Hard Disk Drive in the host computer when the time comes, and by the in addition access when producing the printed information group of host computer processor.
More preferably, color transformation table need not be stored in the printer in this uses.On the contrary, color transformation table will be stored in CD-ROM or the disk, transport together with printer.To during the printer initial setting, provide CD-ROM or disk or similar memory or storage device when the time comes to host computer.Host computer can be general computer in this, and utilizes the application program that comprises the desktop publishing software, produces the image that various different desires are printed.Comprise a color monitor on this host computer typical case, and be connected to printer via a cable.When host computer stored and set the driver of printer, host computer can be imported color transformation table on the Hard Disk Drive during the initialization degree.Similar program is known by general person skilled in the art, and refers to " plug and play " installation under the Microsoft's Window operating environment haply.As shown in Figure 6, in one embodiment, color transformation table resides permanently in host computer.Printer provides a CD-ROM or other storage devices to host computer 120 during setting." plug and play " installed is to utilize color transformation table 110, is carried out with the printed driver that is written on the host computer Hard Disk Drive.When the time comes, printer interface whole use of getting off all will be carried out to memory by being written into color transformation table and printed driver, print data set C to produce one
T, M
T, Y
T, K
TProvide this printed information group to printer 122, and printer directly prints this data set, copy output 124 firmly so that the colour that is intended to be provided.
Fig. 7 diagram one is beneficial to the employed specific color printer configuration of aforementioned manufacturing technology especially.This electrophotographic color printer is a device of imitating the u.s. patent application serial number 08/887,743 of application on July 3rd, 1997, and merges into the preferable particular instance of description printer according to integral body of the present invention.As shown in the figure, the electrophotographic color device comprises flexible lightguide body 130, extends to an endless band around a set of rollers, and this set of rollers comprises one first roller 132 and one second roller 134.Roller 132 and the enough distances of 134 each intervals make that defined plane is enough big by optical conductor 130 on one side, locate along the plane print surface to allow various stamp pad.The stability of plane print surface can be maintained by location one tension force flat board another side of optical conductor between roller.The lateral attitude of optical conductor 130 then can be maintained by one or more stop latches that are positioned on one or more rollers 132 and 134, to prevent optical conductor 130 moving during rotation.In graphic example, drive whole rollers or one of them, advance towards down direction continuously by print zone with the translation optical conductor.The execution sequence of each element in four diagram stamp pads of translation direction definition.
Stamp pad comprises cloth electrical equipment 136-142, and its position becomes first element of each stamp pad.Four developing apparatus 144-150 insert between cloth electrical equipment 136-142.Four exposure device 160-168 are provided in four stamp pads, and may comprise the semiconductor laser that is used to scan, sending laser beam, and arrive the smooth printing surface of flexible lightguide body 130 by slit between cloth electrical equipment 136-142 and corresponding developing apparatus 144-150.The another kind of selection be, exposure device 160-168 may comprise independent separately controllable LED display, or is fixed in the light source that LCD simulated of a single rigid frame, makes the relation that optical exposure device 160-168 is maintained fixed each other.More preferably, so the LED display can be utilized the cylindrical optic eyeglass (as the fiber camera lens) that extends through the whole LED display, and imaging is to the smooth printing surface of optical conductor 130.Graphic electronic imaging system also comprises a transfer printing cloth electrical equipment 138 commonly used, and for instance, commonly used is deciding device 170, comprises a heating roller 172 and a pressure roll 174.Cloth electrical equipment, four different stamp pads of laser beam scanner and the common composition of developing apparatus provide carbon dust image compositions such as (with the order of direction of rotation) yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, black K to optical conductor.
According to the present invention's one specific preferable example, flexible lightguide body 130 comprises a banded flexible ground, covers an organic photoconductor outward.Banded ground typical case goes up and selects material with high conductivity, and may comprise the plastic cement that a wire netting or woven wire or are covered with metal film, makes the end just can be used as the ground plane of optical conductor.When banded ground is made with plastic cement,, also wish to select the plastic cement of a tool electric conductivity certainly as long as the flexibility that is intended to can be provided.The strip-shaped conductive ground covers an optical conductivity material outward, as a semiconductor or an organic photoconductor of not having a solid shape.Usually, preferable with organic photoconductor, bigger flexible because it tends to, and have long service life.Optical conductor is preferably insulation haply, as long as optical conductor remains in the dark, can make the electric charge that provides to the optical conductor surface keep time enough, to pass through a stamp pad.Simultaneously, also wish to discharge apace under the condition of optical conductor based on optical wavelength application and exposure device output intensity.Organic photoconductor can be obtained from commercial, lifts row as Eastman Kodak and mitsubishi chemical industry.Certainly, other have similar flexible and optical conductor photoconductivity matter and also can use.
The various viewpoint of the present invention is described according to a certain existing preferred embodiment.For the people of known this technology, can be consistent as long as will understand with basic instruction of the present invention, can revise and change this preferred embodiments.Therefore, scope of the present invention not only is defined in aforementioned specific example.On the contrary, scope of the present invention should be decided by following claim.
Claims (20)
1, a kind of color printing is characterized in that comprising following steps:
One color test data group to an other color printer is provided;
Utilize this indivedual color printers, print the test chromatic image that this color test data group is produced;
Analyze the chromatic image of this test;
Produce an individual color transformation table of these indivedual color printers of contrast; With
In a printer initialization operation,, store this individual color transformation table with the accessible form of a host computer;
Produce an experimental data group by colour scanner, and export this experimental data group to proofreading and correct computer;
Color test data group is proofreaied and correct computer by one and is produced, and provides to these indivedual color printers.
2, the method for claim 1 is characterized in that: this analytical procedure utilizes a colour scanner to carry out.
3, the method for claim 1 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is calculated by proofreading and correct an initial conversion data set.
4, the method for claim 1 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is stored among the CD-ROM.
5, the method for claim 1 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is stored in the video disc.
6, the method for claim 1 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is stored in the interior semiconductor non-volatile memory of printer.
7, the method for claim 1 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table stores together with a printer initialize routine, and this initialize routine can be by a host computer access when setting indivedual color printer.
8, the method for claim 1, it is characterized in that: the step of the configuration program of these indivedual printer associations, wherein during an initialize routine, this configuration program can be by the host computer access, and causes that this host computer stores the data of represent interior these the indivedual color transformation tables of host computer.
9, a kind of method of colour print is characterized in that comprising following steps:
One color test data group to an other color printer is provided;
Utilize this indivedual color printers, print the test chromatic image that this color test data group is produced;
Analyze the chromatic image of this test, to produce a metrology data group characteristic of this test chromatic image;
Produce an individual color transformation table of these indivedual color printers of contrast, to respond this metrology data group; With
In a printer initialization operation, with the accessible form of a host computer, store this individual color transformation table, this individual color transformation table can be from this host computer access in a configuration and setting program;
Produce an experimental data group by colour scanner, and export this experimental data group to proofreading and correct computer;
Color test data group is proofreaied and correct computer by one and is produced, and provides to these indivedual color printers.
10, method as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that: further comprise the step that a configuration program related with these indivedual printers is provided, wherein during an initialization degree, this configuration program can be by the host computer access, and causes that this host computer stores the data of represent interior these the indivedual color transformation tables of host computer.
11, a kind of color printing system is characterized in that comprising;
One prints engine, prints image with multiple color; And
One individual color transformation table contrasts other color print engine, and this individual color transformation table is to produce by the following step; Provide a color test data group to this other color print engine; Utilize this other color print engine, print the test chromatic image that this color test data group is produced; Analyze the chromatic image of this test, to produce a test data group; With according to this test data group, calculate this individual color transformation table.
12, system as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: this print engine is an electrophotographic color print engine, and this individual color transformation table provides one between a conversion of importing between a color data set and a CMYK printed information group.
13, system as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: further comprise a host computer that is linked to this print engine, wherein this individual color transformation table is printed in the engine initialize routine in one, can be by the in addition access of this host computer.
14, system as claimed in claim 11, it is characterized in that: further comprise a host computer that is linked to this print engine, wherein, the data of this individual color transformation table or this individual color transformation table acquisition certainly is stored in the host computer in the printer initialization procedure.
15, system as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is stored in the nonvolatile memory.
16, system as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is stored in the semiconductor nonvolatile memory.
17, system as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is stored in a Portable and stores in the video disc.
18, system as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is stored in the memory laser disc.
19, system as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: this individual color transformation table is stored in the CD-ROM memory laser disc.
20, system as claimed in claim 11, it is characterized in that: further can comprise a host computer that is linked to this print engine and a printer initialize routine, this printer initialize routine, can be during setting this print engine, by host computer access in addition, this printer initialize routine can cause this individual color transformation table of this host computer access.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN98120162A CN1094429C (en) | 1998-10-13 | 1998-10-13 | Color printing system and printing method therewith |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN98120162A CN1094429C (en) | 1998-10-13 | 1998-10-13 | Color printing system and printing method therewith |
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| CN1250721A CN1250721A (en) | 2000-04-19 |
| CN1094429C true CN1094429C (en) | 2002-11-20 |
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| CN98120162A Expired - Fee Related CN1094429C (en) | 1998-10-13 | 1998-10-13 | Color printing system and printing method therewith |
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Cited By (2)
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| CN100361497C (en) * | 2003-12-16 | 2008-01-09 | 富士施乐株式会社 | Image processing device, image processing method, image processing program and recording medium |
| CN101121345B (en) * | 2006-08-08 | 2010-06-09 | 佳能株式会社 | Profile forming method and printing system |
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| JP3919587B2 (en) * | 2002-04-15 | 2007-05-30 | キヤノン株式会社 | Recording apparatus and recording apparatus control method |
| JP4656598B2 (en) * | 2003-12-02 | 2011-03-23 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Image forming apparatus, calibration method, and program thereof |
| US9229406B2 (en) * | 2011-03-31 | 2016-01-05 | Eastman Kodak Company | Compensating for printing non-uniformities using a two dimensional map |
| CN104363389A (en) * | 2014-11-11 | 2015-02-18 | 广东中星电子有限公司 | Lens vignetting compensation method and system |
| CN108648227B (en) * | 2018-03-21 | 2020-09-15 | 深圳市印点点科技有限公司 | Printing cost calculation method and device and printing system |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
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| CN1250721A (en) | 2000-04-19 |
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