Image-Based Print Mode Selection to Reduce Banding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print defects such as banding can occur in printed images due to various conditions associated with the print apparatus or the print agent, and existing methods lack an efficient mechanism to automatically determine an appropriate print mode to minimize these defects.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is provided to automatically determine an appropriate print mode for a print apparatus based on the image to be printed, by identifying color blocks exceeding a defined threshold area, determining the proportion of print agent colors needed, and selecting a print mode from a lookup table or database that minimizes banding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual testing of print modes is performed to identify defects, then print quality can be improved, but preparation time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the image data before printing to identify color blocks exceeding threshold area. Based on this analysis, the appropriate print mode is determined in advance using a lookup table, eliminating the need for manual testing during the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually testing each print mode, the system uses a pre-populated lookup table that contains the optimal print mode for each combination of color block area and print agent color proportion. This copying of pre-determined settings replaces time-consuming manual testing.
2Loss of time
If print mode is automatically determined without testing, then preparation time is reduced, but print quality may deteriorate due to banding defects
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by analyzing image data to determine color block areas and print agent color proportions, then using this feedback to select the appropriate print mode from the lookup table. This ensures the selected print mode is optimized for the specific printing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes printing parameters by selecting different print modes based on the analyzed image characteristics. The lookup table maps combinations of color block area and print agent color proportion to specific print mode parameters, automatically adjusting settings to prevent banding.
3Device complexity
If a fixed print mode is used for all images, then device complexity is reduced, but print quality deteriorates due to inability to adapt to different image characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the image data and determining the appropriate print mode without requiring manual intervention. The processor autonomously identifies color blocks, calculates print agent color proportions, and selects the optimal print mode using the lookup table.
Solution Approach 2:
The print mode selection is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adapts the print mode based on the specific characteristics of each image being printed, particularly the presence and size of color blocks and the print agent color proportions, allowing optimal quality for varying conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A print mode determination method is disclosed. The method comprises receiving image data defining parameters of pixels of an image to be printed using a print apparatus; identifying, based on the image data, a first fill area in the image that exceeds a defined threshold area, wherein the first fill area is to be printed in a first color; determining, based on the image data, a first proportion of print agent of each of a plurality of colors to be used to print the first color; and determining, based on the determined first proportions of print agent, a print mode to be used by the print apparatus to print the image. An apparatus and a machine-readable medium are also disclosed.