Color Conversion Profile Creation Optimizing Ink Dot Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating color conversion profiles in printing devices fail to effectively control the gradation characteristics of images represented by the combination of light and dark ink dots, lacking an index to optimize light dot formation and resulting in suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
A color conversion profile creation device that defines a correspondence relationship between a first color space and a second color space, using a shading setting unit, provisional color separation unit, light ink setting unit, and ink amount setting unit to optimize the use of shading inks with different densities, prioritizing the use of light inks to maximize ink generation and maintain virtual color space values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If light dots are formed to reduce graininess in low density areas, then image quality is improved, but control over gradation characteristics is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light dot formation promotion index as a new parameter to control the transition from dark dots to light dots. By adjusting this index, the system can optimize gradation characteristics while maintaining image quality. The index modifies the color conversion profile to promote light dot formation in specific density ranges, thereby controlling the gradation transition smoothly without losing quality.
2Measurement precision
If dark dots are used to represent high density areas, then color accuracy is improved, but graininess increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary color separation processing to determine the distribution of dark and light dots before final ink application. By pre-calculating the optimal mix of dark and light dots based on the light dot formation promotion index, the system ensures color accuracy is maintained while controlling graininess through the planned dot distribution strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining both dark dots and light dots in the same color representation. Instead of relying solely on dark dots for high density areas, the system creates a composite dot pattern where light dots are strategically inserted to reduce graininess while dark dots maintain color accuracy. This composite dot structure resolves the contradiction between color fidelity and grain reduction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light inks are prioritized to maximize light dot generation, then graininess is reduced, but ink amount control becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the light dot formation promotion index that monitors and adjusts the distribution of light and dark dots. The system continuously evaluates the current dot pattern and modifies the ink amount allocation to maintain optimal graininess reduction while controlling total ink usage. This feedback loop simplifies the control complexity by providing automated adjustment based on measured outcomes.
Data Source
AI summary
To set a shading relationship between the plurality of shading inks having the same system color and different densities included in a plurality of kinds of inks, to perform provisional color separation processing to decide a color space value in a virtual color space in the second color system for every lattice point that defines a correspondence relationship between the first and second color spaces, to perform first processing of setting a position of the lattice point where a generation amount of the first ink at the lattice point can be maximized and an ink amount at the lattice point for a first ink which is one of light inks from a result of the provisional color separation processing, and then to perform second processing of setting an ink amount of the first ink and an ink amount of a second ink having a higher density by giving priority to a use of the first ink while maintaining a virtual color space value of the provisional color separation processing result for the first ink.