# US 10,121,097 B2 · Method for efficient fan-out control

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- Number: US 10,121,097 B2
- Document ID: US10121097B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/279,769
- Filed: 2016-09-29
- Published: 2017-04-06
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-10-06
- Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
- Applicants: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
- Inventors: Andreas Gembe; Martin Mayer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10121097B2

## CPC

- G06K 15/027: {Test patterns and calibration (arrangements for controlling or analysing printing mechanisms of typewriters or selective printing units B41J29/393 takes precedence; colour correction using test pattern analysis in general H04N1/6033)}
- B41F 33/0081: {Devices for scanning register marks}
- H04N 1/60: Colour correction or control {(H04N1/54 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/6002: {Corrections within particular colour systems}
- H04N 1/6008: {with primary colour signals, e.g. RGB or CMY(K)}
- H04N 1/6033: {using test pattern analysis (H04N1/6055 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/6055: {using test pattern analysis}
- B41J 19/147: {Colour shift prevention}
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- B41F: PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES (manifolding devices or office printing machines B41L)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

A printing method with fan-out control minimizes register deviations by using a computer. The method includes printing a test print including various color separations. The register deviations that have occurred relative to a reference color are measured. The absolute total of the register deviations of all color separations relative to one another is calculated. At least one color separation to be adapted is selected as a function of the calculated absolute total of all color separations. The at least one selected color separation is adapted. Finally, the register deviations that have occurred are compensates for by creating and using at least one printing plate for the adapted at least one color separation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A printing method for a printing process with fan-out control for minimizing register deviations by using a computer, the method comprising the following steps:
printing a test print of a layout including different color separations;
measuring the register deviations that have occurred relative to a reference color;
using the computer for calculating an absolute total of the register deviations of all color separations in a transverse direction and a circumferential direction relative to one another;
using the computer for calculating a total deviation, from transverse direction values and circumferential direction values, for every color;
using the computer for selecting at least one color separation to be adapted as a function of the calculated absolute total of the register deviations of all color separations;
using the computer for adapting the at least one selected color separation;
compensating for the register deviations that have occurred by creating and using at least one printing plate for the adapted at least one color separation;
using the computer for calculating remaining register deviations of non-adapted color separations when the at least one adapted color separation is used;
using the computer for evaluating the remaining register deviations in terms of maximum acceptable tolerances;
using the computer for implementing further measures if the remaining register deviations are outside of the maximum acceptable tolerances; and
executing the printing process by using the created at least one printing plate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, which further comprises selecting and adapting at least one further color separation as the further measures.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, which further comprises predefining the maximum tolerances for remaining register deviations, by an operator or in an automated way by the computer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, which further comprises predefining a maximum number of color separations to be adapted, by an operator or in an automated way by the computer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, which further comprises:
using a reference color as one of the color separations;
adapting only the color separation of the reference color; and
choosing a new reference color among remaining color separations.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, which further comprises adapting at least two color separations being predefined by an operator or by a computer in an automated way.

### Claim 7

A method for a printing process with fan-out control for minimizing register deviations by using a computer, the method comprising the following steps:
printing a test print of a layout including different color separations;
measuring the register deviations that have occurred relative to a reference color;
using the computer for calculating an absolute total of the register deviations of all color separations in a transverse direction and a circumferential direction relative to one another;
using the computer for selecting a color separation to be adapted having the greatest deviation of the calculated absolute total of the register deviations of all color separations relative to one another;
using the computer for calculating a total deviation, from transverse direction values and circumferential direction values, for every color;
using the computer for adapting the selected color separation;
compensating for the register deviations that have occurred by creating and using at least one printing plate for the adapted color separation; and
executing the printing process by using the created at least one printing plate.

### Claim 8

A method for a printing process with fan-out control for minimizing register deviations by using a computer, the method comprising the following steps:
printing a test print of a layout including different color separations;
measuring the register deviations that have occurred relative to a reference color;
using the computer for calculating an absolute total of the register deviations of all color separations in a transverse direction and a circumferential direction relative to one another;
using the computer for calculating a total deviation, from transverse direction values and circumferential direction values, for every color;
using the computer for selecting at least one color separation to be adapted as a function of the calculated absolute total of the register deviations of all color separations;
using the computer for implementing the adaptation of the selected at least one color separation by calculating a register deviation based on a difference of the register deviations of the at least one color separation and a mean value of all other color separations;
using the computer for adapting the at least one selected color separation;
compensating for the register deviations that have occurred by creating and using at least one printing plate for the adapted at least one color separation; and
executing the printing process by using the created at least one printing plate.