Selective Extended Gamut Colorant Application for Print Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customer usage of extra colorants in printing systems is limited due to their higher cost and the complexity of setting up additional color options, leading to inefficient usage and reliance on document creators for color selection.
Innovation Solution
The system automatically generates electronic images using base and extended color sample images, comparing error values to identify benefited pixels that exceed a threshold, allowing for seamless selection and utilization of extended gamuts, reducing toner usage, and providing users with visual and cost-related information for informed decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If extended gamut colorants are used, then image quality and color accuracy are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies extended gamut colorants selectively only to specific pixels that benefit from them, rather than applying them universally. The image processor identifies benefited pixels by comparing base color sample images with extended color sample images, and only applies the expensive extended colorants to those specific areas where they provide measurable color accuracy improvement, thereby reducing overall cost while maintaining quality where needed.
2Manufacturing precision
If extended gamut colorants are used, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic analysis and selection of extended gamut usage without requiring user intervention. The image processor automatically generates base and extended color sample images, compares them to identify benefited pixels, and makes the decision to use extended gamut colorants autonomously based on the comparison results, eliminating the need for manual setup and simplifying the user experience.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual color selection is required, then color accuracy can be optimized, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-generates both base color sample images and extended color sample images before the user makes a decision. By having both options prepared in advance and automatically comparing them to identify benefited pixels, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming manual trial and error, allowing users to quickly see the benefits and make informed decisions without manual setup time.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems automatically generate electronic images of the printed appearance of a multi-color image using first print processing to generate a first sample image, and using second print processing to generate a second sample image. Pixels in the first sample image and the second sample image are compared to a color standard to generate a first error value and a second error value. The first error value is compared to the second error value for each pixel to produce an error value reduction associated with the second print processing for each pixel of the multi-color image. The error value reduction for each pixel of the multi-color image is compared to a threshold to identify benefited pixels. The benefited pixels can be displayed on a contrasting background, and/or the electronic image can be automatically printed using the second print processing if the benefited pixels exceed a minimum value.