Print Processor Dynamic Undercoating Ink Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers that discharge ink onto mediums, such as T-shirts, can result in visual discrepancies between the printed image and the original due to the visibility of the undercoat formed by undercoating ink, especially when the amount of image forming ink is small.
Innovation Solution
A print data generation device that adjusts the amount of undercoating ink based on the amount of image forming ink for each pixel, reducing the undercoating ink when image forming ink is abundant and increasing it when image forming ink is scarce to prevent undercoat visibility, using a configuration that optimizes the ratio of image forming ink to undercoating ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a constant amount of undercoating ink is used regardless of image forming ink amount, then the undercoat provides good color coverage, but the undercoat becomes visible when image forming ink is small, causing visual discrepancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the undercoating ink amount variable rather than constant. The generation section dynamically adjusts the undercoating ink amount based on the image forming ink amount for each pixel, allowing the system to adapt to different printing conditions and prevent undercoat visibility while maintaining color accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of undercoating ink amount from a fixed value to a variable value that depends on the image forming ink amount. By establishing a relationship where undercoating ink amount is adjusted according to image forming ink amount, the system optimizes both color coverage and prevents undercoat visibility.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the amount of undercoating ink is reduced when image forming ink is small, then undercoat visibility is reduced, but the pixel color quality deteriorates due to insufficient undercoat coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of undercoating ink amount dynamically based on image forming ink amount. When image forming ink is small, undercoating ink is reduced to prevent visibility; when image forming ink is large, undercoating ink is increased to ensure coverage. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between preventing visibility and maintaining color quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating different pixels differently based on their image forming ink amount. Each pixel receives an optimized undercoating ink amount tailored to its specific needs, rather than applying a uniform amount across all pixels, thus maintaining color quality where needed while preventing visibility where image forming ink is sufficient.
3Productivity
If the amount of image forming ink is reduced, then productivity is improved, but the undercoat becomes more visible causing visual discrepancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the undercoating ink amount parameter based on image forming ink amount to enable productivity improvement without sacrificing image fidelity. When image forming ink is reduced for efficiency, undercoating ink is proportionally reduced to prevent visibility, maintaining visual accuracy while allowing higher productivity through reduced ink usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a control section that generates print data specifying the amount of image forming ink for forming an image and the amount of undercoating ink for forming an undercoat for each pixel on the basis of color information of pixels included in image data. Also, when the amount of the image forming ink to be used is small in each pixel included in the print data, the control section reduces the amount of the undercoating ink to be used to an amount smaller than that of when the amount of the image forming ink to be used is large.