Halftone Dot Calibration for Ink Ejection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing technologies face challenges in achieving suitable control over printed results, such as colors and colorant quantities, due to limitations in ink amount adjustment and calibration processes.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device with a processor and memory that acquires calibration values from test images printed on a recording medium, calibrates target values for dot formation and color conversion, and generates print data through a halftone process to achieve precise ink ejection amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional color patch calibration is used, then colorimetric values can be obtained, but suitable control over printed results and colorant quantities cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolorimetric measurementVSAvoidprinted result control

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the calibration parameter from colorimetric values to dot area ratios obtained through halftone processing. By measuring the ratio of dot areas in halftone patterns rather than using traditional colorimetric values, the system achieves precise control over printed results and colorant quantities while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If ink amount adjustment is used, then color output can be modified, but suitable control over colorant quantities cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor output adjustmentVSAvoidcolorant quantity control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measured dot area ratios from halftone patterns are used to calculate calibration values that adjust the ink ejection amounts. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise control over colorant quantities while maintaining the ability to adjust color output according to measurement results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If dot formation state calibration is performed, then printed quality can be improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinted image qualityVSAvoidcalibration process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the printing device to perform self-calibration by automatically generating halftone test patterns, measuring their dot areas, calculating calibration values, and applying corrections to ink ejection amounts. This self-service approach improves printed image quality without requiring external calibration equipment or complex manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9538042B2Image processing device calibrating value related to halftone process for determining dot formation state

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image processing device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the image processing device to perform: acquiring a calibration value based on a plurality of test images that are printed on a recording medium, the calibration value indicating an amount of calibration; calibrating a target value by using the calibration value, the target value being used to determine a dot formation state of each pixel of an image in a halftone process; and generating print data by performing the halftone process on each pixel based on the calibrated target value.