Image Processing Device Managing Ink Usage to Prevent Media Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing techniques fail to effectively manage the amount of color material used in printing, leading to issues such as curling or cockling of printing media with excessive ink and insufficient toner fixation or light images with insufficient toner.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that acquires image data, defines determination regions, performs color conversions using different parameters to estimate and optimize the usage of colorants, and adjusts the conversion process to ensure the usage of the minimum necessary amount of colorants, thereby reducing the risks associated with excessive ink or toner usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large amount of ink is used, then the printed image becomes darker and more saturated, but the printing medium deforms due to curling or cockling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple determination regions and performs color conversion independently for each region based on local ink usage characteristics. By analyzing the ink usage amount in each region and applying appropriate color conversion parameters selectively, the system achieves dark and saturated images where needed while controlling overall ink usage to prevent medium deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple types of color conversion parameters (first type, second type, third type) with different characteristics. By dynamically selecting and switching between different parameter types based on the ink usage amount in each determination region, the system optimizes the balance between image quality and ink usage control to prevent printing medium deformation.
2Illumination intensity
If a large amount of toner is used, then the printed image becomes darker and more saturated, but the toner fails to be sufficiently fixed on the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs region-specific color conversion by dividing the image into determination regions and analyzing ink usage characteristics in each region. This localized approach ensures that toner is applied at optimal amounts for fixation while maintaining image quality, preventing the problem of insufficient toner fixation that occurs with excessive toner usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent calculates the ink usage amount for each determination region and uses this feedback information to dynamically select appropriate color conversion parameters. This closed-loop control ensures that toner usage remains within optimal fixation ranges while achieving the desired dark and saturated image output.
3Shape
If small amounts of color materials are used, then the printing medium remains stable, but the printed image becomes light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different color conversion parameters to different determination regions based on their specific characteristics. This allows the system to use smaller amounts of color materials in regions where it prevents medium deformation while maintaining adequate image darkness and saturation in regions where it is critical, achieving a balanced overall image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
By switching between multiple types of color conversion parameters (first type for high saturation, second type for medium saturation, third type for low saturation), the patent dynamically adjusts color output to maintain image quality while controlling overall color material usage to preserve printing medium stability.
4Productivity
If conventional color conversion is used without region-specific analysis, then the processing is simple and fast, but the ink usage cannot be optimized leading to deformation or quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple determination regions and performs color conversion independently for each region. This segmentation enables region-specific ink usage optimization while maintaining efficient processing through automated analysis and parameter selection, resolving the contradiction between processing simplicity and ink usage precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automated analysis of image characteristics and automatic selection of appropriate color conversion parameters for each determination region. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual intervention while achieving precise ink usage control, maintaining high processing speed alongside improved manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device performs: defining determination regions based on image data; executing a first color conversion for the image data using a first type of parameter to generate a first image; determining an estimated amount of colorant for each determination region, the estimated amount indicating an usage amount of colorant to be used for each determination region when the first image is printed; outputting the first image if the estimated amounts of colorant for all determination regions are smaller than or equal to respective threshold values; and executing a second color conversion for the image data using a second type of parameter to generate a second image if the estimated amount of colorant for at least one is greater than the threshold value, the usage amount of colorant for the second image being smaller than the usage amount of colorant for the first image.