Color Conversion Data Management for Image Printers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Color printers face challenges in maintaining image quality due to mechanically unstable elements causing color bleeding and gradation jumps when converting between chromatic and achromatic colors, as existing systems fail to simultaneously adjust color conversion data for both paths effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a color-conversion-data holding unit, a color converting unit, and a color-conversion-data rewriting unit that stores and adjusts color conversion data for both chromatic and achromatic colors, allowing for simultaneous rewriting and copying of data to manage the conversion process, ensuring consistent hue and brightness across different print mediums and modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the first color conversion path is used for chromatic colors, then color conversion accuracy is improved, but color bleeding occurs due to mechanical instability in the printing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the color conversion process into two separate paths: one for chromatic colors (first color conversion path) and one for achromatic colors (second color conversion path). This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently, preventing color bleeding in achromatic regions while maintaining color accuracy in chromatic regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically selects which color conversion path to use based on the characteristics of the input image signal. The system determines whether each pixel or region contains chromatic or achromatic colors and applies the appropriate conversion path, making the color conversion process adaptive rather than static.
2Adaptability or versatility
If color conversion data is rewritten to adjust hue and brightness, then user preferences are satisfied, but gradation jumps occur between chromatic and achromatic conversions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different conversion parameters (color conversion data) to chromatic and achromatic regions separately. By maintaining independent parameter sets for each path and selecting the appropriate path based on image content, the system preserves gradation continuity while still allowing user preference adjustments through parameter modification.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the second color conversion path is used for achromatic colors, then color bleeding is prevented, but the path is ineffective for chromatic colors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color conversion functionality into specialized paths: the second color conversion path handles achromatic colors to prevent color bleeding, while the first color conversion path handles chromatic colors. This segmentation ensures each path is used only where it is effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the appropriate color conversion path based on the input image signal characteristics. When achromatic colors are detected, the second path is used; when chromatic colors are present, the first path is used, making the system adaptable to different color content.
Data Source
AI summary
Color conversion data used in converting an image signal into color information represented by color materials is saved in a color-conversion-data saving unit and, when the color conversion data is rewritten, before rewriting of the color conversion data, the color conversion data is copied to an area different from an area in which the color conversion data is rewritten in the color-conversion-data saving unit.