Virtual Ink Channels for ICC Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial ICC profiler software fails to accurately manage colors involving white ink or media, as it does not account for white spot color or media color, leading to limitations in printing desired colors on certain media types.
Innovation Solution
The creation of virtual ink channels, including a virtual white ink channel, allows for the extension of the color gamut by using colored media and white ink, enabling the use of unsupported media types and inks, and compensating for dot gain and gamut compression through calibration, allowing correct color reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercial ICC profiler software is used for color management, then color conversion between color spaces is enabled, but white ink channel and media color cannot be accurately managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the physical white ink channel and the ICC profiler by creating a virtual ink channel that represents the media color. This virtual channel acts as a mediator that translates the unique properties of white ink and colored media into a format that commercial ICC profilers can process, enabling accurate color management without requiring proprietary software modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the white ink channel into a virtual ink channel by changing its parameter representation. Instead of treating white ink as a special case outside standard ICC processing, the invention converts it into a virtual channel with specific chromaticity and transparency parameters that match the characteristics of the colored media, allowing standard ICC profilers to handle it through conventional color conversion algorithms
2Adaptability or versatility
If white ink is used to cover colored media, then color reproduction on colored media becomes possible, but commercial ICC profiler software cannot process the white ink channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the white ink channel that mimics its visual effect without requiring the profiler to understand the physical white ink properties. This virtual channel copies the essential characteristics (chromaticity and transparency) needed for color management, allowing standard profilers to process it through existing algorithms without adding software complexity
3Ease of operation
If commercial ICC profiler expects brighter media color than inks, then standard color conversion works, but this assumption fails when white ink is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional assumption about media brightness by representing the media color (which is darker than white ink) as the virtual ink channel instead of representing white ink directly. This inversion allows the system to work within the standard ICC framework where the 'ink' (virtual channel) can be darker than the media, reversing the problematic assumption while maintaining compatibility with standard processing
Data Source
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AI summary
Virtual ink channels are created with colored media and white ink to afford multichannel ICC profile creation by using ICC profiling software. The available color gamut is enhanced for an device that defines a color space with a color profiler, e.g. an ICC profiler. Thus, an available color gamut for an input or output device is enhanced or extended by creating virtual ink channels for use with profiling software. This allows the use of media types and/or inks that are otherwise not supported by the profiling software.