Color Gamut Generation for Fluorescent Toner Layering
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a fluorescent toner is used as a special color toner, it can prevent the color gamut from darkening as expected, leading to an inappropriate color gamut generation, especially when layered with base color toners, and the existing methods fail to accurately reproduce colors due to the unique behavior of fluorescent toners in additive and subtractive color mixing processes.
Innovation Solution
A color processing system that acquires toner information regarding the type of special color toner and its printing order relative to the base color toner, and adjusts the color gamut vertices accordingly to generate an appropriate color gamut by switching between using vertices that include or exclude the special color toner based on these conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fluorescent toner is used as a special color toner and layered with base color toners, then the color gamut cannot be generated appropriately because the color does not darken as expected, but using conventional subtractive color mixture methods results in inaccurate color reproduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the color gamut generation method adaptable based on toner layering conditions. The system dynamically switches between two different approaches: using subtractive color mixture methods when toners are layered (where fluorescent toner does not darken as expected) and using additive color mixture methods when toners are not layered. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain reliable color reproduction across different printing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of color mixture model from purely subtractive to a conditional hybrid of subtractive and additive methods. By detecting whether fluorescent toner is layered with base color toners, the system switches the color mixture parameter accordingly. When layering is detected, additive color mixture principles are applied to account for the fluorescent toner's unique behavior of not darkening as expected, thereby achieving accurate color gamut generation.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional subtractive color mixture methods are used for fluorescent toners, then the process is simple, but the color gamut cannot be generated appropriately because fluorescent toners do not darken when layered
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the color processing approach based on whether fluorescent toner layering is detected. When layering is detected, the system switches from simple subtractive color mixture to a more complex additive-based method, accepting the increased processing complexity to achieve accurate color gamut generation. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses colorimetric data obtained from actual printing measurements to create a reference model for fluorescent toner behavior. This copied empirical data is then used to guide the color gamut generation process, allowing the system to replicate accurate color reproduction without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus balancing simplicity and accuracy.
3Productivity
If the color gamut is generated assuming toners will darken when layered, then the process is straightforward, but inappropriate color gamut is generated when fluorescent toner is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of toner layering conditions before generating the color gamut. By determining in advance whether fluorescent toner is layered with base color toners, the system can select the appropriate color mixture method beforehand, avoiding the need for complex real-time adjustments during color gamut generation. This preliminary action maintains efficiency while ensuring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the color mixture model parameter from subtractive to additive based on the detection of fluorescent toner layering. This parameter change allows the color gamut generation to account for the unique optical properties of fluorescent toners, which do not follow conventional subtractive color mixture rules when layered, thereby achieving appropriate color gamut generation without sacrificing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures the generation of an appropriate color gamut when using a fluorescent toner, improving color reproduction accuracy and flexibility by adapting the color gamut outline based on toner type and printing order, thus overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
in a case where a fluorescent toner is used as a special color toner, the color may not darken even in a case where the toners are layered
Data Source
AI summary
A color processing system includes one or plural processors configured to: acquire toner information indicating whether or not both a first condition, in which a special color toner to be added to a base color toner is a fluorescent toner, and a second condition, which is related to a printing order of the base color toner and the special color toner with respect to a recording medium on which an image is formed, are satisfied; and generate a color gamut, which is composed of the base color toner and the special color toner, by using a vertex of an outline of the color gamut corresponding to the toner information.