Printing Apparatus Custom Color Gamut Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color processing apparatuses face challenges in reproducing input colors within the gamut of output devices, leading to suboptimal image reproducibility when custom colors are required to improve print quality.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that utilize a custom color selection process based on evaluation values, where the controller acquires imaging and printing color gamuts, determines the suitability of custom colors, and displays a ranked order of options to enhance reproducibility by selecting the most suitable custom colors for printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color conversion is performed based on predetermined gamut evaluation, then color accuracy within gamut is improved, but color reproduction quality for out-of-gamut colors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the color conversion approach based on whether colors are within or outside the predetermined gamut. For in-gamut colors, standard conversion is applied; for out-of-gamut colors, custom color selection from multiple candidates is employed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by applying different strategies to different color ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the color space parameters by introducing custom colors defined in a broader color space that extends beyond the standard gamut. By allowing parameter expansion in specific directions (out-of-gamut areas) while maintaining standard parameters for in-gamut colors, the system achieves both color accuracy and enhanced reproduction quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard color gamut is used for printing, then device compatibility is improved, but image reproducibility for wide-gamut images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color reproduction process into two distinct paths: one for in-gamut colors using standard conversion tables ensuring device compatibility, and another for out-of-gamut colors using custom color selection from multiple candidates to maximize image reproducibility. This segmentation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of color gamut coverage before printing, identifying which colors require custom color treatment. By pre-calculating and presenting multiple custom color options for out-of-gamut colors, the system prepares ahead of time to ensure optimal reproduction without compromising device compatibility during actual printing.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus having a head having first nozzles for inks in basic colors and second nozzles for an ink in a custom color, first flow paths for supplying the inks to the first nozzles, a second flow path for supplying the ink to the second nozzles, a display, and a controller, is provided. The controller is configured to acquire an imaging color gamut in a predetermined color space including color values included in image data, for each of a plurality of option colors, one of which is selectable as the custom color, acquire a printing color gamut, acquire an evaluation value for each of the option colors based on a comparison between the printing color gamut and the imaging color gamut, and before loading the second flow path with the ink in the custom color, display a ranked order of the option colors based on the evaluation values.