Print Data Generation Device Ink Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print data generation methods for inkjet printers fail to effectively reduce ink usage when printing colors similar to the background color of the print medium, leading to inefficiencies in ink consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that corrects the ink ejection amount based on the color of the print medium by converting image data from RGB to CMYKW format, using a correction processing program to adjust ink levels, and employing a dot generation ratio table to optimize ink usage, particularly by reducing ink ejection for shade values close to the medium's color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the background color of the color image is set to be transparent when it matches the base color of the print medium, then the amount of background-color ink is reduced, but the amounts of inks for pixels with similar shades are not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the transparency parameter of pixels based on their color distance from the base color. Instead of only setting exactly matching background colors to transparent, the system calculates color differences and adjusts transparency levels continuously based on how close each pixel's color is to the base color, thereby reducing ink consumption across a broader color range while maintaining visual fidelity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different transparency adjustments to different pixels based on their individual color characteristics. Each pixel is evaluated independently against the base color, and the transparency parameter is locally optimized for each pixel rather than applying a uniform transparent setting to entire background regions, allowing precise control over ink usage while preserving color accuracy where needed.
2Loss of substance
If ink ejection amount is reduced for pixels with shade values close to the base color, then overall ink consumption decreases, but print quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by calculating the color difference between each pixel and the base color, then using this information to determine the appropriate transparency adjustment. This closed-loop approach ensures that ink ejection is reduced only when the color difference threshold is exceeded, automatically maintaining print quality by preserving full ink ejection for pixels that require it while reducing consumption for similar shades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively reducing ink ejection only for pixels whose color difference from the base color falls within a specific threshold range. Rather than uniformly reducing ink for all non-background pixels or using excessive ink for all pixels, the system applies the appropriate level of ink reduction only where needed, optimizing the balance between ink consumption and print quality.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a print data generation device (PC) that generates print data to be used in printing color materials onto a print medium on the basis of image data. The print data generation device includes a medium color obtainment portion that obtains color information on the print medium; a color material reduction information obtainment portion that obtains color material reduction information on the basis of predetermined color correction range information including the color information; a corrected color material level generation portion that generates a corrected color material level on the basis of the image data and the color material reduction information; and a print data generation portion that generates the print data on the basis of the corrected color material level.