Image Data Apparatus Reproducing Metallic Sparkle and Gloss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing techniques can reproduce glossiness but fail to replicate the 'sense of sparkle' or glittering material appearance of metallic objects, which is distinct from glossiness.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that includes a gloss level obtaining unit, a sparkle level obtaining unit, and a deriving unit to generate image data for an image forming device, allowing it to reproduce the material appearance by obtaining and deriving parameters for ink usage based on both gloss and sparkle levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gloss level control is used to reproduce material appearance, then glossiness can be reproduced, but sense of sparkle cannot be reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the material appearance into two distinct components: glossiness (measured by specular gloss level) and sense of sparkle (measured by non-specular reflection). By separating these two properties and measuring them independently, the system can reproduce both characteristics without one compromising the other. This segmentation allows for targeted control of each property through specific ink parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new parameter (sense of sparkle level) alongside the existing gloss level parameter. By changing the parameter set from single-dimension (gloss only) to multi-dimension (gloss + sparkle), the system gains the capability to reproduce both types of material appearance. The deriving unit then translates these parameters into appropriate ink usage settings.
2Ease of manufacture
If only specular gloss level is measured, then glossiness control is achieved, but metallic material appearance is incompletely reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the measurement space by introducing non-specular reflection measurement alongside the existing specular gloss measurement. This dimensional expansion transforms the single-value gloss level into a two-dimensional parameter space (gloss level + sparkle level), enabling more complete reproduction of metallic material appearance while maintaining the simplicity of the original gloss measurement approach.
3Device complexity
If conventional printing techniques are used, then production process is simple, but metallic texture and sparkle effect cannot be reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing image forming device multi-functional by enabling it to handle both gloss level and sparkle level parameters through a unified deriving unit. Rather than requiring separate specialized equipment, the system integrates multiple functions (gloss measurement, sparkle measurement, parameter derivation, and print control) into a single workflow, maintaining device simplicity while expanding reproduction capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to reproduce glossiness and sense of sparkle on a printed material. The present invention is an apparatus for generating image data for reproducing material appearance of an object to be rendered on a printed material, the apparatus including: a gloss level obtaining unit configured to obtain a gloss level that evaluates glossiness of the object to be rendered; a sparkle level obtaining unit configured to obtain a sparkle level that evaluates sense of sparkle of the object to be rendered; and a deriving unit configured to derive a parameter relating to use of ink for reproduction of the material appearance by an image forming device, the image forming device receiving and printing the image data based on the obtained gloss level and sparkle level.