Method for compensating for color variations among multiple printers
A method for compensating for color variations among multiple user printers by providing a target simulation process in each user printer that modifies its default color characteristics so that it has the same color characteristics as a designated target printer. In a WCS implementation, a target CDMP and a user CDMP representing color characteristics of the target printer and the user printer, respectively, are stored and used by the WCS workflow to perform color conversion when printing an image on the user printer. In an ICC implementation, a color simulation profile is generated that matches the color characteristics of the user printer to those of the target printer. The color simulation profile is combined with the default color profile of the printer to generate a combined color profile which is used to perform color conversion when printing an image on the user printer.
1. A method for printing color images by a user printer using a WCS color management system with reduced color variation between the user printer and a designated target printer, the method comprising:
(a) obtaining a target color device model profile representing color characteristics of the target printer, the target color device model profile containing color measurement data to be used to instantiate a model that relates target printer color space coordinates to a device independent color space;
(b) obtaining a user color device model profile representing color characteristics of the user printer, the user color device model profile containing color measurement data to be used to instantiate a model that relates user printer color space coordinates to the device independent color space;
(c) storing the target color device model profile and the user color device model profile in the user printer; and
(d) when printing an image from input digital image data using the user printer, performing color conversion using the target color device model profile and the user color device model profile.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) includes:
(a1) printing a first color measurement chart by the target printer using a default color device model profile of the target printer;
(a2) measuring the first color measurement chart printed in step (a1) to obtain target color measurement values; and
(a3) generating the target color device model profile using the target color measurement values;
wherein step (b) includes:
(b1) printing a second color measurement chart by the user printer using a default color device model profile of the user printer, the second color measurement chart corresponding to the first color measurement chart;
(b2) measuring the second color measurement chart printed in step (b1) to obtain user color measurement values; and
(b3) generating the user color device model profile using the user color measurement values; and
wherein the color conversion in step (d) further uses a color device model profile of the input image and the default color device model profile of the user printer.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) includes:
(a1) printing a first color measurement chart by the target printer with its color management function turned OFF;
(a2) measuring the first color measurement chart printed in step (a1) to obtain target color measurement values; and
(a3) generating the target color device model profile using the target color measurement values;
wherein step (b) includes:
(b1) printing a second color measurement chart by the user printer with its color management function turned OFF, the second color measurement chart corresponding to the first color measurement chart;
(b2) measuring the second color measurement chart printed in step (b1) to obtain user color measurement values; and
(b3) generating the user color device model profile using the user color measurement values; and
wherein the color conversion in step (d) further uses a color device model profile of the input image.
4. A printer, comprising:
a print engine; and
a controller for processing digital image data to be printed and controlling the print engine, the controller including a processor and a memory,
wherein the memory stores a target color device model profile and a user color device model profile,
the target color device model profile having been generated by printing a first color measurement chart by a designated target printer, measuring the first color measurement chart to obtain target color measurement values, and generating the target color device model profile using the target color measurement values, wherein the target color device model profile contains color measurement data to be used to instantiate a model that relates target printer color space coordinates to a device independent color space,
the user color device model profile having been generated by printing a second color measurement chart by the printer, the second color measurement chart corresponding to the first color measurement chart, measuring the second color measurement chart to obtain user color measurement values, and generating the user color device model profile using the user color measurement values, wherein the user color device model profile contains color measurement data to be used to instantiate a model that relates user printer color space coordinates to the device independent color space, and
wherein the processor is programmed to carry out, when printing an image from input digital image data, a color conversion process using the target color device model profile and the user color device model profile.
5. The printer of claim 4 ,
wherein the first color measurement chart is printed by the target printer with its color management function turned OFF,
wherein the second color measurement chart is printed by the printer with its color management function turned OFF, and
wherein the color conversion process further uses a color device model profile of the input image.
6. A printer, comprising:
a print engine; and
a controller for processing digital image data to be printed and controlling the print engine, the controller including a processor and a memory,
wherein the memory stores a target color device model profile and a user color device model profile,
the target color device model profile having been generated by printing a first color measurement chart by a designated target printer, measuring the first color measurement chart to obtain target color measurement values, and generating the target color device model profile using the target color measurement values,
the user color device model profile having been generated by printing a second color measurement chart by the printer, the second color measurement chart corresponding to the first color measurement chart, measuring the second color measurement chart to obtain user color measurement values, and generating the user color device model profile using the user color measurement values,
wherein the processor is programmed to carry out, when printing an image from input digital image data, a color conversion process using the target color device model profile and the user color device model profile,
wherein the first color measurement chart is printed by the target printer using a default color profile of the target printer,
wherein the second color measurement chart is printed by the printer using a default color profile of the printer,
wherein the memory further stores the default color profile of the printer, and
wherein the color conversion process further uses a color device model profile of the input image and the default color profile of the user printer.