White Ink Density Control in Print Data Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printing technologies face issues with excessive use of white ink, leading to increased costs and inability to reproduce gradations in white, as they uniformly apply white ink across the image area and do not consider factors like recording sheet materials and textures when determining ink densities.
Innovation Solution
A print data generating apparatus and method that allow users to adjust the maximum density of white ink, converting image data into colorant-enabled data with adjusted scale values for white pixels to ensure they do not exceed a predetermined maximum, thereby optimizing ink usage and allowing for varied white densities in printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If white ink is applied uniformly across the entire image area to ensure white pixels are reproduced clearly, then image quality is improved, but ink consumption increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different white ink densities to different regions of the image based on local requirements. The maximum density setting unit allows designation of different maximum densities for white pixels in different color ranges (e.g., highlight vs. shadow areas), enabling localized optimization of white ink application rather than uniform coverage across the entire image area.
2Manufacturing precision
If white ink density is increased to improve white pixel reproduction on colored recording sheets, then image quality is improved, but the ability to reproduce white gradation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of white ink density through the maximum density setting unit, which allows the system to adaptively control white ink application based on image characteristics and recording sheet properties. This dynamic control enables the system to maintain white gradation reproduction by adjusting density levels appropriately for different regions while still achieving clear white pixel reproduction where needed.
3Manufacturing precision
If white ink density is determined solely based on recording sheet whiteness measurement, then color appearance uniformity is improved, but other factors affecting image appearance such as material and texture cannot be considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the control parameters beyond simple whiteness measurement by introducing maximum density designation that can account for multiple factors including recording sheet material and texture. The maximum density setting unit enables adjustment of white ink application based on comprehensive consideration of recording sheet characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to different sheet types while maintaining color uniformity.
Data Source
AI summary
A print data generating apparatus to generate print data is provided. The print data generating apparatus includes a maximum density setting unit, through which a maximum allowable density of a white colorant is designated, an image storing unit to store originally inputted image data, a data convertor unit to convert the inputted image data into a colorant-enabled data, which is information concerning pixels composing the image in scale values of the plurality of colors, and a density-adjusted data generating unit to generate white density-adjusted data, in which the scale values of the pixels in the colorant-enabled data are adjusted according to the maximum allowable density of the white colorant. The density-adjusted data generating unit adjusts the scale values of white in the pixels in the colorant-enabled data to be lower than or equal to scale values corresponding to the maximum allowable density.