Back Printing Ink Control for Transparent Media Permeability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies fail to account for the permeability of the printing medium, leading to variations in how the printed matter appears when viewed through the medium, resulting in suboptimal quality.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus and method that adjusts the ink amounts of white and non-white images based on the permeability of the transparent sheet-like medium, using a controller to obtain permeability information and adjust ink amounts accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional printing methods are used without considering permeability, then the printing process is simple, but the printed matter quality varies due to medium permeability differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinted matter qualityVSAvoidprinting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary acquisition of permeability information about the printing medium before the actual printing process. The controller stores this permeability data and uses it to pre-calculate appropriate ink amounts for both white and non-white printers, ensuring consistent printed matter quality regardless of the medium's permeability characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts printing parameters (ink amounts) based on the permeability parameter of the printing medium. The controller modifies the white ink amount and non-white ink amount according to the stored permeability information, allowing the printing process to adapt to different medium properties and maintain consistent output quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If ink amounts are adjusted according to permeability information, then printed matter quality is consistent, but the printing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a database to store permeability information that can be referenced and copied for different printing jobs. Instead of measuring permeability in real-time for each medium, the system copies pre-acquired permeability data from the database, simplifying the control process while maintaining reliable appearance consistency across different printing sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex real-time physical measurement and adjustment mechanisms with a database-based information storage and retrieval system. The controller uses stored permeability information to automatically determine ink amounts, substituting mechanical complexity with information processing that ensures reliable and consistent printed matter appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4309903B1Printing apparatus and printing method
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 SCREEN HOLDINGS CO LTD
  • EP4309903B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4309903B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4309903B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention is directed to a printing apparatus and a printing method for executing so-called back printing. A white image and an non-white image are printed to be superimposed on a transparent sheet-like printing medium. In the invention, at least one of the white ink amount constituting the white image and a non-white ink amount constituting the non-white image is adjusted according to the permeability information relating to the permeability. That is, the printed matter taking the permeability of the printing medium into account is obtained. As a result, an influence by the permeability of the printing medium is suppressed and a high-quality printed matter is obtained in sol-called back printing.