Mixed Color Groups for Cost-Effective Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems require multiple expensive spot inks to achieve a range of desired colors, making it economically inefficient for creating a broad spectrum of colors, as they often rely on individual ink application rather than mixing process inks.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for creating and managing mixed color groups by combining spot inks and process inks, allowing users to define and modify color swatches using initial amounts, increment values, and repeat values, enabling the creation of a spectrum of mixed colors without the need for separate inks for each desired color, using halftone dot patterns to replicate colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple expensive spot inks are used to achieve a range of desired colors, then color accuracy is improved, but printing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple process inks (CMYK) in varying proportions to create a wide spectrum of colors, replacing the need for multiple expensive spot inks. The system merges the capabilities of standard process inks to achieve color accuracy previously requiring costly spot inks, thereby reducing printing costs while maintaining color precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of color creation by using variable proportions of process inks instead of fixed spot inks. By adjusting the percentage composition of CMYK inks, the system can generate diverse colors cost-effectively, transforming the approach from using multiple ink types to using varying amounts of standard inks.
2Quantity of substance
If process inks are used to achieve a range of desired colors, then printing cost is reduced, but color accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using process inks selectively in optimized proportions rather than requiring full saturation of each color. By carefully controlling the partial application of CMYK inks, the system achieves sufficient color accuracy for most applications while maintaining the cost benefits of using process inks instead of spot inks.
3Measurement precision
If spot inks are applied individually to match specific colors, then color precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the printing system universal by enabling a single printer equipped with standard process inks to produce a broad spectrum of colors through computational control. The system allows one printing device to perform the function of multiple specialized spot ink systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining color precision through software-based color management.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implemented for creating and manipulating groups of color swatches that represent the results obtained by mixing multiple inks, such as multiple spot inks or spot inks and process inks. A mixed color group is defined based on data representing two or more colors, representing inks, and color parameters for each of the colors. The mixed color group includes mixed color swatches that each represent a mixture of amounts of two or more colors. The amounts of colors for each of the mixed color swatches are defined according to a function of the color parameters of the colors. The invention allows a user to create and modify swatches representing a spectrum of mixed colors from a combination of spot colors and/or process colors.