Ink Estimation Mechanism Using Histograms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink usage estimation methods in printing systems are computationally intensive and inefficient, requiring recalculations with even slight changes in printer settings, leading to excessive time and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that uses histograms generated for each color plane to estimate ink usage, combined with ink deposition curves and print job settings, allowing for efficient ink estimation without the need for full rasterization, enabling multiple estimations from a single set of histograms and accommodating various printer settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ink estimation methods using full rasterization and halftoning are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to excessive computational time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex rasterization and halftoning process into separate independent modules. The rasterization module generates initial bitmap data, while the halftoning module processes it separately. This allows the estimation system to use pre-generated raster data combined with halftone algorithms, significantly reducing computational time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing halftone algorithms and settings before the actual ink estimation process. The system prepares halftone lookup tables and pre-processed reference data that can be quickly applied during estimation, eliminating the need to perform full rasterization and halftoning from scratch for each estimation query.
2Productivity
If down sampling is used to speed up ink estimation, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to degraded bitmap resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from spatial down-sampling to parameter-based estimation. Instead of reducing image resolution, the system modifies estimation parameters by using halftone algorithm parameters and pre-processed raster data. This allows maintaining full original image resolution while achieving faster processing through optimized computational parameters.
3Productivity
If printer settings are modified to optimize printing conditions, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple independent controllable settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal ink estimation mechanism that can handle multiple different printer settings and configurations through a single integrated system. The estimation module is designed to work with various Digital Front End settings, print engine parameters, and halftone algorithms simultaneously, allowing one system to perform multiple estimation tasks across different printing configurations without requiring separate estimation systems for each setting combination.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed. The system at least one physical memory device to store ink estimation logic and one or more processors coupled with the at least one physical memory device, to execute the ink estimation logic to receive a histogram for each of a plurality of color planes, receive one or more printer system settings and generate estimated ink usage data for each of the plurality of color planes based on the histograms and the one or more printer system settings.