Clear Ink Image Processing for Uniform Gloss Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers using pigment-based inks face challenges with uneven gloss due to the coloring material remaining on the surface of the printing medium, and existing methods do not effectively control the application of clear ink to address this issue.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that controls the application of clear ink by processing image data to apply it only to regions corresponding to white pixels and not to other colors, using specific application modes to manage clear ink usage based on print settings and paper type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If clear ink is applied to the entire printable region (full-surface application mode), then uniform glossiness is improved, but ink consumption increases and printing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies clear ink selectively only to regions where it is needed to achieve uniform glossiness, rather than applying it to the entire printable region. The control unit determines specific application regions based on image data analysis, applying clear ink only to areas where the underlying printing medium does not provide sufficient glossiness, thereby reducing overall clear ink consumption while maintaining gloss uniformity in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by applying clear ink only to necessary regions rather than the full surface. The system analyzes image data to identify regions where clear ink application is needed and applies it partially only to those regions, avoiding excessive application to the entire printable region and thus reducing ink consumption while maintaining adequate glossiness where required.
2Stability of the object's composition
If clear ink is applied to white regions within the image, then gloss uniformity is improved, but the appearance of the printed image deteriorates due to visible clear ink layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies clear ink selectively based on the underlying image content and printing medium properties. The control unit analyzes image data to identify regions where clear ink application would improve gloss uniformity without creating visible defects. Clear ink is applied locally to regions where the printing medium lacks sufficient glossiness, while avoiding application to white regions where it would create visible clear ink layers and deteriorate the printed image appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from image data analysis to determine optimal clear ink application regions. The control unit processes image data to identify regions where clear ink application is beneficial for gloss uniformity while avoiding regions where it would create visible defects. This feedback mechanism ensures that clear ink is applied only where it improves quality without creating harmful visual effects.
3Quantity of substance
If clear ink is not applied to the margin region, then printing cost is reduced, but gloss uniformity at the image margin deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies clear ink selectively based on local requirements determined by image data analysis. The control unit identifies regions within the printable area where clear ink application is necessary for gloss uniformity, including certain margin regions where the printing medium lacks sufficient glossiness. By analyzing the specific characteristics of different regions, the system applies clear ink to margin areas only where needed, rather than uniformly across the entire margin, thus balancing cost reduction with maintaining adequate gloss uniformity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus, accepts a print setting operation for making a print setting for printing that is based on image data; executes predetermined processing on the image data on the basis of the print setting made by the print setting operation including content indicating that the printing is to be executed using clear ink, the predetermined processing being processing of, among pixels included in the image data, changes at least a pixel value of a pixel corresponding to white, and not changing a pixel value of a pixel included in a margin region provided around the image data and corresponding to white; and sends, to a printing apparatus, a print job for causing the printing apparatus to execute printing that is based on the image data on which the predetermined processing has been executed.