Digital Print Image Color Separation and Greyscale Bitmap Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital printing lacks the color precision and control of offset printing while maintaining the flexibility, leading to suboptimal color quality in digital prints.
Innovation Solution
Deconstructing print images into color separations based on characteristic color curves of the printing apparatus, storing them as greyscale bitmap images, and associating color codes and values with each separation for transparent superimposition and precise color control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital printing is used to maintain flexibility in printing different images in succession, then printing flexibility is improved, but color precision and control deteriorate compared to offset printing
Solution Approach 1:
The print image is deconstructed into separate color separations (CMYK channels), with each color component stored as an independent greyscale bitmap image in the data unit. This segmentation allows precise control over each color channel while maintaining the flexibility of digital printing, as each separated color can be independently managed and adjusted.
Solution Approach 2:
Color separations are performed in advance before the actual printing process, with characteristic color curves of the printing apparatus applied during the deconstruction phase. This preliminary color separation and curve application ensures that color precision is established before printing, eliminating the need for color corrections at the printing apparatus while maintaining digital printing's flexibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If color separations are deconstructed according to characteristic color curves, then color correctness is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standardized color spaces (CMYK, RGB, LAB) as a copy layer between the print data and the printing apparatus characteristic color curves. Rule-based color corrections are applied in the preflight method to convert standardized colors into print colors, creating a reproducible color management pipeline that maintains precision while managing complexity through standardization.
3Reliability
If preflight software is used to check and correct digital print data, then data formatting and color space assignment are improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Color separations and color curve applications are performed during the preflight processing phase, before the actual printing occurs. By completing color management tasks in advance, the system ensures data formatting correctness and color space assignment without adding significant processing time during the printing operation itself.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method or system for processing a color print image for digital printing at a predetermined printing apparatus, the print image is deconstructed into color separations according to characteristic color curves of the printing apparatus. The color separations are stored in a data unit as greyscale bitmap images and at least one of a color code and color values are associated with each color separation in the data unit. The print image encoded in the data unit is presented at a display device for monitoring or management before printout at the printing apparatus, the print image being presented at the display device by means of at least one of the color code and color values associated with the respective color separations such that the individual color separations are transparently superimposed.