Print Control Apparatus Clear Toner Surface Effect Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming systems face difficulties in applying multiple types of surface effects to a single page of a recording medium using clear toner, as users find it challenging to generate and set up the necessary image data and print settings to achieve desired surface effects, such as gloss, texture, and protection, without increasing the complexity for users.
Innovation Solution
A print control apparatus and method that includes a Digital Front End (DFE) communicating with a printer and post-processing devices to generate and control clear-toner image data based on CMYK concentration values, presence of post-processing devices, and user specifications, allowing for the application of various surface effects by setting concentration values for each pixel, enabling the integration of multiple surface effects on a single page.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clear toner is used to apply surface effects, then visual and tactile effects can be realized on the recording medium, but it becomes difficult to apply multiple types of surface effects to a single page
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the surface effect application process by introducing a dedicated surface effect specification unit that separates surface effect parameters from standard print data. This allows multiple surface effects to be specified independently for different regions of a single page, enabling diverse surface effects without complicating the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary surface effect specification mechanism between the user input and the printer execution. This intermediary layer translates user-friendly surface effect specifications into detailed control signals for the printer, shielding users from the complexity of generating clear-toner image data while enabling multiple surface effects.
2Manufacturing precision
If clear-toner image data is precisely adjusted to control surface smoothness, then desired gloss can be achieved, but users face difficulty in generating image data and making print settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality by enabling the printer to automatically generate and adjust clear-toner image data based on surface effect specifications provided by the user. The system autonomously calculates the necessary toner concentration values and image data parameters to achieve the desired surface smoothness and gloss, eliminating the need for users to manually generate complex image data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from raw image data generation to surface effect specification. Users simply specify desired surface effects (e.g., gloss level, texture type) as high-level parameters, and the system automatically translates these into the precise toner concentration values and image data settings needed to achieve the target surface properties.
3Illumination intensity
If clear toner concentration is increased to apply gloss, then surface glossiness increases, but glossiness is not increased simply in proportion to concentration due to surface roughness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control approach from direct concentration adjustment to multi-parameter optimization. Instead of simply increasing clear toner concentration, the system simultaneously adjusts toner concentration, image data density, and surface effect specification parameters to achieve the desired glossiness while compensating for surface roughness effects from underlying CMYK toners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system monitors the interaction between clear toner and underlying CMYK toners, and automatically adjusts the clear-toner image data parameters to achieve the target surface glossiness. The system accounts for the non-linear relationship between concentration and glossiness by iteratively optimizing the toner application parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
A print control apparatus (50, 60) includes a generating unit (56) that generates color image data based on gloss-control image data, the gloss-control image data containing a gloss control value for identifying a type of a surface effect being a visual or a tactile effect applied to the recording medium and for identifying a region to which the surface effect is applied in the recording medium, and generates clear-toner image data based on presence or absence of at least one post processing device (80, 90, 100) connected to the printing device (70) and based on a type of the post processing device (80, 90, 100); a post-processing control unit (60) that controls the post processing device (80, 90, 100) in accordance with the presence or absence of the post processing device (80, 90, 100) connected to the printing device (70) and the type of the post processing device (80, 90, 100); and an output unit (57) that outputs the clear-toner image data.