Ink Color Range Determination for Streak Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data processing methods for recording color images face an increased processing load when determining the color range, especially as the number of ink colors grows, leading to inefficiencies in reducing streaks between recording bands.

Innovation Solution

A data processing apparatus and method that acquires and processes data on the amounts of recording agents for unit regions at band boundaries, determining the relation of first-type recording agents and deciding reduction rates for both first-type and second-type recording agents to reduce ink usage and processing load, thereby suppressing streak generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of ink colors for thinning processing is increased, then the color range determination can handle more colors, but the processing load for color range determination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of ink colorsVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the color range determination process by separating the determination of color ranges from the thinning processing. It determines color ranges based on a subset of colors (first-type recording agents) while handling additional colors (second-type recording agents) through a different processing path, thus reducing the processing load for color range determination while maintaining support for multiple ink colors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the color range determination function from the complete thinning processing. By determining color ranges based only on first-type recording agents and excluding second-type recording agents from this determination step, the system reduces processing load while still achieving effective streak prevention through separate handling of different color types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If the color range is determined with more colors, then the accuracy of streak prevention improves, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestreak prevention accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by determining color ranges based on only the first-type recording agents (cyan, magenta, yellow) rather than all available ink colors. This partial determination is sufficient for preventing streaks at band boundaries, achieving the required precision without the time cost of processing all color combinations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9102164B2Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium for effecting recording on a recording medium by applying a plurality of recording agents with relative scanning between a recording unit for applying the recording agents and the recording medium

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 CANON KK

AI summary

A data processing apparatus determines a color range based on a dot counting value of a number of colors smaller than a number of colors subjected to thinning processing. Thus, even if the number of ink colors subjected to the thinning processing is great, a processing load of the determination of the color range can be reduced.