Print Signal Masking for Marking Material Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print processes struggle to reduce the amount of marking material used without affecting the information content of the image, particularly in binary image printing, where the receiving material cannot handle the maximum amount of toner or ink, necessitating a method to minimize material usage after the image is transmitted to the print engine for economic and ecological reasons.
Innovation Solution
The method involves associating each image pixel with multiple print pixels and applying a predefined mask to filter the print signal, allowing for selective reduction of marking material application in a regular pattern, ensuring information retention while minimizing material usage, with the option to select different masks for varying levels of reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the maximum amount of marking material is applied to each print pixel according to the binary print signal, then the image quality and information content are maintained, but the amount of marking material consumed increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each image pixel into multiple print pixels (e.g., 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4 matrices). By segmenting the marking task across multiple smaller units, the system can selectively apply marking material to only some of the print pixels while still representing the original image pixel, thus reducing overall material consumption while preserving image information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different marking densities to different regions by using grayscale conversion where each image pixel is converted to a corresponding number of print pixels with varying mark/unmark states. This local variation in marking density allows the system to maintain image quality in critical areas while reducing material usage in less critical areas.
2Quantity of substance
If dot thinning methods are applied to reduce marking material, then the amount of toner is reduced, but the image may become grainy and information may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary conversion of image pixels to print pixels using a defined matrix relationship before the actual printing process. This pre-processing step establishes the exact number of print pixels that should be marked based on the grayscale value, ensuring that material reduction is achieved in a controlled manner that preserves image quality without introducing graininess.
3Productivity
If a binary print signal is used for each print pixel, then the printing process is simple and fast, but control over marking material amount is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion layer between the image data and the binary print signal. The grayscale image is first converted to a print pixel matrix where each image pixel corresponds to multiple print pixels, and then this intermediate representation is converted to binary signals for the printer. This intermediary step enables flexible control over marking material amount while maintaining compatibility with simple binary printing systems.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A method for reducing an amount of marking material to be used for printing a binary image on a receiving material using a printing process that is configured to apply print pixels and to associate each image pixel with at least two print pixels. In the method a print signal is generated that indicates for each print pixel whether marking material is to be applied or not. The print signal is filtered by a predefined mask, that defines for which print pixels no marking material will be applied independent of the pixel value of the associated image pixel. The print pixels that are blocked by the mask define a regular pattern to avoid graininess in the printed image. Depending on the print resolution, the main effect on print quality is a reduction of the contrast in the image. By choosing one of a set of at least two masks, the user selects the amount of reduction that is realized in the print process. Using this method a print system has the possibility of employing materials in an economical way.