Multidimensional Lookup Tables for Colored Media Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems on colored media often require the use of white colorants to mask the media color, leading to unnecessary ink or toner usage and increased costs, as they do not effectively utilize the natural color of the print media, and existing design tools fail to account for the media color, resulting in inefficient colorant application.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generate multidimensional look-up tables to identify when the output color matches the print media color, allowing for the reduction or elimination of colorant application in those areas, by printing test patterns on various colored media and creating tables that convert input colors to 'no colorant' output values, thereby reducing colorant usage and enhancing the printer's color gamut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If white colorant is used to mask the media color, then the printer can achieve true-to-life colors, but colorant usage increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively applying colorants only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire printable area. The system analyzes the relationship between input color values and media color to determine specific regions where colorants should be applied, leaving other regions blank to utilize the natural media color. This localized approach maintains color accuracy in areas requiring it while eliminating unnecessary colorant usage in areas where the media color suffices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the print media to serve itself by utilizing its natural color as part of the final output. Instead of requiring white colorant to mask the media color, the system allows the media's inherent color to contribute to the printed result, effectively making the media self-sufficient for color production in certain regions. This reduces the burden on the colorant system while maintaining visual fidelity.
2Ease of operation
If graphic design tools assume white background, then design creation is simplified, but the printer applies unnecessary white toner on colored media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the printing system with knowledge of the media color characteristics before the print job is executed. The system预先 establishes the relationship between input color values and the specific media type being used, so that when the printer receives the print job, it can immediately determine which areas should remain blank without requiring manual intervention or document modification. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for designers to manually adjust documents for different media colors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the colorant application parameters based on the detected media color. Instead of using fixed parameters that assume white media, the system modifies its colorant application behavior according to the actual media color characteristics. This allows the same design file to be printed correctly on different media types without changing the document itself, resolving the contradiction between design simplicity and material efficiency.
3Loss of substance
If designer manually specifies media color for blank areas, then colorant usage is reduced, but time consumption increases and adjustments are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the relationship between input color values and media color characteristics, and using this information to automatically adjust colorant application. The system establishes a feedback loop where the printer controller receives information about the media type and input color, processes this information to determine optimal colorant usage, and applies the appropriate amount of colorant. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual specification while maintaining reduced colorant usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of specifying media colors with an automated computational system. Instead of requiring designers to manually identify and specify blank areas for different media colors, the system uses software-based color management and processing to automatically determine the appropriate colorant application. This substitution of manual operation with automated computational logic eliminates time consumption while achieving the same material-saving goal.
4Manufacturing precision
If printer applies colorants over entire printable area, then color gamut is maintained, but cost increases and media color is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the colorant application density and composition across different regions of the printable area based on local color requirements. Instead of applying a uniform layer of colorants throughout, the system analyzes each region's color needs and applies colorants only where necessary to achieve the desired output color. This localized approach preserves the printer's color gamut in areas requiring full color reproduction while eliminating unnecessary colorant application in areas where the media color can be utilized.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided which enable a print media color to be used, as a replacement for a mixture of one or more colorants, in rendering portions of a print job. One or more multidimensional look-up tables are provided. Each table provides for an identified input color, in a device-independent space, to be equated to no colorant, when printed on the respective print media. The identified input color is one of a set of input colors, which, when printed and measured, has an output color that is closest to a measured color of the print media.