Inkjet Edge Pixel Clear Ink Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, often fail to achieve good printing quality due to insufficient wet-spreading of ink droplets on printing media, leading to disorders in character and line outlines in the printed image, especially when clear ink is applied to promote wet-spreading.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that extracts edge pixels from the print image, determines dot formation specifications to reduce the application density of clear ink in regions where ink droplets contact the edge pixels, and generates print data to control the printing process, ensuring that clear ink is not discharged in these areas to minimize the spreading effect on the outline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If clear ink is applied to promote wet-spreading of ink droplets, then printing quality is improved, but disordering of characters and line outlines occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different clear ink densities to different regions of the image. Edge regions (where outlines are located) receive reduced clear ink density compared to non-edge regions, allowing wet-spreading promotion in areas that need it while preserving outline integrity in areas where sharp edges are critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The image is segmented into edge regions and non-edge regions based on gradient analysis. This segmentation allows the clear ink application to be differentiated spatially, with edge pixels identified through gradient magnitude calculation and subsequent masking to prevent excessive clear ink application at outline locations.
2Reliability
If clear ink dots are applied at prescribed dot density to promote wet-spreading, then ink adhesion is improved, but differences in dot spread direction and size occur depending on positional relationship with clear ink dots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies clear ink application density based on local image characteristics. By calculating gradient magnitudes at each pixel location and comparing against a threshold, the system identifies edge regions and applies reduced clear ink density there, while maintaining higher density in non-edge regions where uniform dot spreading is desirable.
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 results in improved printing quality by reducing the disordering of outlines in the printed image, allowing for better visibility of small characters and fine lines, while maintaining the wet-spreading benefits of clear ink in other regions.
Implementation Method 1
second ink that promotes spreading of the first ink on the printing medium
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes an edge extracting unit configured to, based on image data corresponding to a print image, extract edge pixels forming an outline of a partial image, a dot formation specification determining unit configured to, based on the image data, determine dot formation specifications, and a print data generator configured to, based on the dot formation specifications, generate print data for causing execution of printing by a printing apparatus for printing the print image by discharging first ink on a printing medium and second ink that promotes spreading of the first ink on the printing medium to form the plurality of dots.