Image Processing Apparatus Reactive Liquid Control for Print Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing methods struggle to control surface smoothness effectively on non-absorbable print media, which affects the color developability and concealability of images, particularly when using reactive liquids with varying reactivities.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that generates color separation data for printing, using different reactive liquids with varying reactivities to control surface smoothness by separating regions for color development and concealment, allowing for precise ink and reactive liquid discharge to achieve desired image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a reactive liquid with high reactivity is used to improve color developability, then the color developability is improved, but the surface smoothness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different reactive liquids with different reactivities to different regions of the print medium. High-reactivity reactive liquid is used in regions requiring good color developability, while low-reactivity reactive liquid is used in regions requiring smooth surface. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have optimized properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the print medium into multiple regions with different surface smoothness requirements. By dividing the printing area into regions that need color development versus regions that need smoothness (such as white background areas), the system can apply appropriate reactive liquids to each segment, thereby resolving the contradiction between color developability and surface smoothness.
2Shape
If a reactive liquid with low reactivity is used to maintain surface smoothness, then the surface smoothness is maintained, but the color developability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different reactive liquids with different reactivities to different regions of the print medium. High-reactivity reactive liquid is used in regions requiring good color developability, while low-reactivity reactive liquid is used in regions requiring smooth surface. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have optimized properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the print medium into multiple regions with different surface smoothness requirements. By dividing the printing area into regions that need color development versus regions that need smoothness (such as white background areas), the system can apply appropriate reactive liquids to each segment, thereby resolving the contradiction between color developability and surface smoothness.
3Device complexity
If a single reactive liquid is used for all regions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different printing requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different reactive liquids with different reactivities to different regions of the print medium. High-reactivity reactive liquid is used in regions requiring good color developability, while low-reactivity reactive liquid is used in regions requiring smooth surface. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have optimized properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the print medium into multiple regions with different surface smoothness requirements. By dividing the printing area into regions that need color development versus regions that need smoothness (such as white background areas), the system can apply appropriate reactive liquids to each segment, thereby resolving the contradiction between color developability and surface smoothness.
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 enables improved color developability in color development regions and enhanced concealability by adjusting surface smoothness in concealed regions, resulting in better image formation on non-absorbable print media.
Implementation Method 1
a reactive liquid that reacts with the coloring material contained in the ink
Implementation Method 2
aggregating the coloring material contained in the ink by bringing the reactive liquid and the ink containing the coloring material into contact with each other on the print medium
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire data of an image; and a generation unit configured to generate color separation data as data of a printing image including a first region and a second region based on the data of the image, wherein the generation unit generates the color separation data including first data for discharging, to the first region, first ink and a first reactive liquid that reacts with the first ink, and second data for discharging, to the second region, second ink and a second reactive liquid that has reactivity higher than reactivity of the first reactive liquid and reacts with the second ink.