Printer Driver Automatic LUT Selection via Ink Chromaticity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multicolor printing machines, users face the burden of needing new ink-color detecting means whenever ink colors are changed or added, as existing systems require manual selection of color conversion look-up tables (LUTs) that correspond to specific ink colors and their printing order.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and printer driver that automatically select an appropriate color conversion LUT from a plurality of stored LUTs based on the chromaticities of ink colors and their printing order, using a color space data storage section and a color conversion LUT storage section to divide the chromaticity surface into zones and convert multivalued pixel values from the original color space to the ink color space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If ink-color detecting means are set up for each ink color to automatically select color conversion LUT, then the automatic selection of appropriate LUT is achieved, but new detecting means must be provided whenever ink colors are changed or added
Solution Approach 1:
The printing machine controller is designed to universally identify ink colors by obtaining chromaticity data from ink color information stored in the storage unit, rather than using dedicated detecting means for each ink color. This allows the same controller to handle multiple ink colors and their combinations without requiring additional detecting hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical detecting means for each ink color, the system uses stored chromaticity data (digital representation) of ink colors to identify and match the actual ink colors being used. This digital copy approach eliminates the need for physical detecting hardware while maintaining automatic identification capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple kinds of color conversion LUTs are prepared for different ink color combinations, then comprehensive color conversion is achieved, but user burden increases in selecting the appropriate LUT
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the LUT selection process by having the controller identify the ink colors being used, determine the appropriate ink color combination, and automatically select the corresponding color conversion LUT from the storage unit. This eliminates the need for users to manually select LUTs while maintaining comprehensive color conversion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the identified ink color chromaticities to automatically determine which LUT to use. The controller continuously monitors the ink colors being used and adjusts the LUT selection accordingly, ensuring the most appropriate color conversion is applied without user intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ink colors are changed or added to meet diverse printing requirements, then printing versatility is improved, but the system requires new detecting means for each new ink color
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit stores chromaticity data for multiple ink colors, and the controller uses this universal data structure to identify any ink color by comparing its chromaticity characteristics. This allows new ink colors to be added simply by storing their chromaticity data without requiring new detecting hardware or system reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device has a color-space data storage section storing a*b*-plane division data concerning a dividing method of an a*b*-plane in a L*a*b* color space; a LUT storage section storing LUTs, each of which combines color zones, those into which the a*b*-plane is divided, and a printing order of ink colors used for multicolor-printing with a relationship between multivalued pixel values in an original color-space and those in an ink color-space; a controller obtaining a*b*-values of the ink colors from a printer; a LUT selector discriminating which of the color zones the obtained a*b*-values belong to, and selecting a LUT corresponding to a combination of the discriminated color zones and the printing order of the ink colors from the LUTs; a color converter converting multivalued pixel values of a multicolor original image in the original color-space into multivalued pixel values in the ink color-space, based on the selected LUT.