I think it got its start around 1993 when Apple introduced a Macintosh computer equipped with a color management system called ColorSync. (Yamada)
Can you give me the background on why it was necessary to develop color management technology?
- Yamada
- Color management is not really a new field. I think it got its start around 1993 when Apple introduced a Macintosh computer equipped with a color management system called ColorSync.
It was around that time that Canon started developing a comprehensive color management system covering input to output. We even incorporated it in some products, but it never reached the stage of linking all Canon products.
When did your drive to establish color management start gaining momentum?
- Yamada
- Around 2000, we started a company-wide movement to establish a unified standard for high image quality in all of our products, from input to output, which we called the "concept of Canon's unified high-quality color system." We wanted to achieve consistent color design across the entire Canon lineup, whether it was color design in printers or image design in digital cameras. We started with the achievement of optimal color design in individual devices. After that, we focused our efforts on ensuring the color consistency from one device to the next.
So then, before you started the movement, color design was left to the discretion of the designers of each product? Wouldn't that mean that colors in the same print job might look different when printed on a color LBP and an inkjet printer?
- Kumada
- Yes, that's exactly what happened when color design was done separately for each device. But thanks to the company-wide collaboration, we did achieve uniform color imaging across our entire product lineup.
How did you gear up for this development?
- Kumada
- In 2000, we formed an interdepartmental committee with members from different product groups and headquarter divisions. The members included color experts-mainly from the Visual Information Technology Development Laboratory - and engineers from each product group, and also representatives from the quality evaluation division. Members from our sales companies also participated, providing valuable insight on market trends.
We started with some brainstorming sessions where everyone was free to voice their ideas. Once we sorted out our opinions on the ideas offered, we determined the direction for achieving the consistent, high-quality color management we sought.
An interdepartmental committee drawn from across the company. Did you hold weekly meetings?
- Yamada
- Yes, for a while meetings were held weekly. And once a month, we reported to the committee chief (group executive) and received advice from the standpoint of management.
What did you decide you needed for consistent and high-quality color performance?
- Yamada
- We had to increase reusability and development efficiency by determining our color design policies and measurement/evaluation standards, and then create a database. At the same time, we built the development environment to make these things possible.
After you clarified the direction this color management system would take, what kinds of products did you apply it to?
- Yamada
- Starting with inkjet printers in 2001, we incorporated this system in input and output devices whenever required. Take digital cameras for instance. Canon digital cameras are equipped with an IC chip, which we call DIGIC, that produces images according to our color design concepts. For inkjet printers, the printer drivers were developed based on Canon digital photo color design concepts. We've made refinements over time, but the results of this work have appeared in more than 300 products so far.
