Print Control Tone Correction for Surface Effect Gloss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print control systems fail to achieve appropriate gloss levels for different surface effects on a recording medium, as they only create a single gamma curve for all surface effects, limiting the ability to customize gloss levels based on the type of surface effect.
Innovation Solution
A print control device and system that generates image data using gloss control plane data to specify the type and region of surface effects, incorporating a tone correcting unit to perform tone corrections varying with each type of surface effect, allowing for customized gloss levels on a page-by-page basis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single gamma curve is used for all surface effects, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different surface effect types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the tone correction process into multiple segments, each corresponding to a specific surface effect type. Multiple gamma curves are created, with each gamma curve optimized for a particular surface effect (e.g., gloss, matte, textured). The system segments the correction task by surface effect type, allowing each segment to be handled by its specialized gamma curve, thereby achieving high adaptability without requiring a single complex universal correction system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the tone correction system by creating multiple gamma curves with different characteristics. Each gamma curve has specific parameter settings optimized for its corresponding surface effect type. By selecting and applying the appropriate gamma curve based on the desired surface effect, the system achieves adaptability across different surface types while maintaining relatively simple individual correction profiles.
2Manufacturing precision
If tone correction varies by surface effect type, then the manufacturing precision of gloss levels is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating specialized gamma curves tailored to specific surface effect types. Each gamma curve is optimized with local characteristics suited to its target surface effect (e.g., higher contrast for gloss, lower contrast for matte). This local optimization enables precise gloss level control for each surface type without requiring a single complex correction algorithm, as each local correction profile is relatively simple and purpose-built.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple gamma curves before actual printing operations. Each gamma curve is prepared in advance for a specific surface effect type, allowing the system to simply select and apply the appropriate pre-prepared curve during printing. This preliminary preparation enables precise gloss control while keeping the runtime system relatively simple, as the complex correction work is done beforehand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gamma curves are created for different surface effects, then the adaptability to various surface effects is improved, but the loss of information increases due to managing multiple correction profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary component (the surface effect type identifier or selector) that bridges the image data and the appropriate gamma curve. This intermediary receives the image data, determines the desired surface effect type, and selects the corresponding gamma curve from the set of available curves. By using this intermediary, the system achieves versatile surface effect customization while simplifying information management, as the intermediary handles the complexity of matching images to the correct correction profile.
Data Source
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AI summary
A print control device includes a generating unit configured to generate image data, based on gloss control plane data for specifying a type of a surface effect to be given to a recording medium and specifying a region to which the surface effect is to be given in the recording medium; and an output unit configured to output the image data. The generating unit includes a tone correcting unit configured to perform a tone correction on a region in which the surface effect is designated in the gloss control plane data, the tone correction varying with each type of surface effect.