Ink Separation Curves for Controlled Channel Usage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of printing processes involving multiple inks makes it difficult to control ink usage, affecting the gamut and print quality due to incorrect ink control settings.
Innovation Solution
The method involves establishing ink restrictions and generating separation curves to determine how multiple ink channels are used, ensuring controlled and predictable ink usage from zero to full coverage, by considering density and spectral reflectance, and allowing for user-defined settings for starting and ending points of ink transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ink channels are used for each processing channel, then ink usage control becomes more complex, but print quality and gamut are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ink usage control by creating separate processing channels for different ink types (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) with multiple ink options within each channel. This segmentation allows independent control of each ink channel, managing the complexity of using multiple inks per processing channel while maintaining print quality and gamut.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ink channels are used for each processing channel, then ink usage control becomes more complex, but print quality and gamut are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic ink channel selection where the system automatically chooses which ink channels to use based on the specific printing requirements, image data characteristics, and desired output. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt between using single or multiple ink channels per processing channel, maintaining print quality while providing versatility.
3Device complexity
If ink control settings are handled incorrectly, then device complexity is reduced, but gamut and print quality are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service ink control mechanisms where the system automatically manages ink channel selection and usage without requiring complex manual configuration. The system self-adjusts ink parameters, selects appropriate ink channels, and optimizes ink usage based on embedded profiles and algorithms, reducing the burden on users while maintaining high print quality and gamut.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for establishing ink usage of process channels are provided. Separation curves are generated that determine how multiple ink channels are used to render a corresponding process channel of an image. The separation curves are generated using process values and density measurements or estimations. A PVR curve is established to identify target densities. When a combination of ink channels are used, the model is accessed based on one of the ink channels to determine a contribution of the other ink channel to achieve the target density. Each ink channel has a corresponding curve and all of the curves collectively provide a smooth and predictable progression from zero coverage to full coverage for the ink channels.