Printer Control Unit Optimizing Ink Levels for Distinct Color Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing control devices fail to produce distinct color images when background and color image layers are superimposed, due to inadequate consideration of ink characteristics and increased ink usage.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that includes a control unit to create ink level data for both color and background image layers, using different data formats, and controls nozzle groups to discharge ink based on this data, ensuring appropriate ink quantity and color characteristics for each layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If background image layer and color image layer are superimposed using conventional printing control, then both layers are printed on the printing medium, but specific colors are not distinct and ink usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by converting image data between different color spaces (RGB and CMYK) and adjusting ink level parameters for each layer. The control unit performs color conversion and sets specific ink level data for background and color image layers, optimizing the ink quantity parameters to achieve distinct colors while reducing overall ink usage. This involves changing the parameter representation of color information and ink quantity to resolve the contradiction between color distinctness and ink consumption.
2Productivity
If background image layer and color image layer are superimposed without considering ink characteristics, then printing is completed, but color distinctness deteriorates and ink usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs color conversion between RGB and CMYK color spaces and adjusts ink level parameters for each layer based on ink characteristics. By changing the parameter representation of color and quantity data, the system maintains printing productivity while achieving distinct color reproduction through optimized ink level control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the printing process into separate background image layer printing and color image layer printing operations. Each layer is processed with dedicated ink level data and color conversion, allowing independent optimization of each layer's parameters. This segmentation enables the system to maintain productivity while improving color distinctness through targeted control of each layer's ink characteristics.
3Device complexity
If ink level data is not optimized for each layer, then printing process is simple, but color distinctness and ink usage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs color conversion and optimizes ink level parameters for each layer, transforming the printing process from simple to parameter-optimized. While this increases device complexity, it achieves superior color distinctness and ink usage efficiency. The system manages this complexity through automated color space conversion and ink level calculation algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by calculating optimal ink level data based on image data characteristics and printing conditions. The control unit adjusts ink quantity parameters for each layer based on the analyzed image properties, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes color distinctness and ink efficiency while managing process complexity through intelligent algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a printer for forming an image layer in which the effect of a background image is reduced when a color image layer representing an image and a background image layer superimposed onto the color image layer are printed on a printing medium. The printer includes a control circuit which performs control to cause ink to be discharged from at least one of a first nozzle group and a second nozzle group, on the basis of both first ink level data indicating ink quantity created by color-converting first image data for forming a color image layer representing an image, and second ink level data indicating ink quantity created by color-converting second image data that forms a background image layer superimposed onto the color image layer and has a data format that is different from the data format of the first image data.