White Ink Level Conversion for Print Data Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink-jet printing technologies using white ink are inefficient in terms of printing speed and cost, as they often require excessive white ink usage and fail to reproduce white scales accurately, leading to pseudo-outlines and deteriorated image quality due to binary control and reliance on human observation for ink levels.
Innovation Solution
A print data generating apparatus and program that converts white image data into white colorant levels, allowing for precise control of white ink usage and integration with CMYK inks to produce high-quality images by using a white density level conversion table and color conversion tables, enabling flexible editing and printing of images independent of the recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If white ink is printed on the entire area of the recording medium, then image quality is improved by covering the base color, but the amount of white ink used increases, reducing printing speed and increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining white ink ejection on a per-pixel basis rather than uniformly across the entire recording medium. The processing unit calculates the degree of similarity between each pixel's color and the recording medium's base color, and selectively ejects white ink only where needed. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining image quality through localized white ink application while minimizing overall white ink consumption.
2Device complexity
If binary control is used to determine whether white ink is ejected on each pixel, then processing is simplified, but white scales cannot be reproduced and pseudo-outlines are generated, deteriorating image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by using multi-level white ink ejection control instead of binary control. The ejection control unit varies the amount of white ink ejected based on the calculated degree of similarity, allowing for gradation representation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reasonable processing complexity while significantly improving image quality through partial white ink application levels.
3Productivity
If white ink is ejected uniformly on each pixel regardless of color closeness to the base color, then processing is simplified, but the amount of white ink used increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a degree of similarity as a variable parameter that controls white ink ejection amount. The processing unit calculates this similarity parameter for each pixel based on color comparison, and the ejection control unit adjusts white ink ejection accordingly. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining processing efficiency through automated calculation while minimizing white ink usage through parameter-based control.
4Measurement precision
If sample printing and human observation are used to determine white ink levels, then accurate color and brightness estimation is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/human process of sample printing and visual observation with an automated computational system. The processing unit automatically calculates the degree of similarity between pixel colors and base color using colorimetric algorithms, eliminating the need for manual sample printing and human observation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision through automated color analysis while significantly reducing the time required.
Data Source
AI summary
A print data generating apparatus to generate print data which is used for printing in a printing apparatus based on image data by using a white colorant and at least one non-white colorant is provided. The print data generating apparatus comprises an image data inputting system, whereby white image data indicating white density levels of an image to be printed is inputted, a colorant data generating system, which generates white colorant data wherein color information of each of a plurality of pixels configuring the white image data is converted into the white colorant level, and a print data generating system, which generates white print data to be used for printing with the white colorant in the printing apparatus based on the white colorant data.