Inkjet Raster Image Modification for Flexographic Halftone Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many commercial inkjet printers are unable to produce lower frequency halftone patterns, which are desirable for certain packaging and printing applications traditionally associated with flexographic printing, as their image processing systems do not support these patterns.
Innovation Solution
A new image processing technique for inkjet printing that modifies rasterized image data using halftone screens representing flexographic printing patterns, allowing the simulation of flexographic printing effects by converting contone values and applying them to the halftoning engine, thereby maintaining high-speed image processing and achieving the desired visual effect without altering the original image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If inkjet printers use their native high-frequency halftone patterns, then printing speed and image quality are improved, but the ability to produce desired flexographic-style lower frequency effects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the flexographic halftone pattern and embeds it within the inkjet printer's image processing system. This copied pattern is then applied to the rasterized image data, allowing the inkjet printer to reproduce flexographic-style effects without physically modifying the printing hardware or sacrificing printing speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inkjet printers modify their image processing to support lower frequency halftone patterns, then flexographic effect capability is improved, but processing complexity and speed are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flexographic halftone pattern is pre-calculated and stored in the image processing system before printing operations begin. During actual printing, this pre-prepared pattern is simply applied to the rasterized image data through straightforward pixel manipulation, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations that would slow down processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the flexographic halftone pattern selectively only to portions of the image where such effects are desired, rather than forcing a complete reconfiguration of the entire image processing pipeline. This localized approach maintains efficiency while achieving the desired effect.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the original image data is altered to achieve flexographic effects, then the desired visual effect is improved, but the integrity of the original artwork is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a halftone pattern layer as an intermediary between the original image data and the final printed output. This intermediate layer applies the flexographic effect visually without permanently modifying the underlying original image data, allowing the artwork to remain intact while achieving the desired printing effect.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a method for an inkjet printer that includes: converting original image data to rasterized data for printing with an inkjet printer; performing a first halftoning operation to modify the rasterized data for a visible independent effect, generating modified rasterized data; and performing a second halftoning operation on the modified rasterized data to generate halftone data for printing the image with the visible independent effect.