Patent ID: 6302521
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A printing device, comprising:means for determining respective densities of each of at least four colors, including three primary colors and a black color, defining a final color space, for producing a desired color in the final color space, colors produced within a dark region of the final color space including a desired density of at least the black color and at least one of the three primary colors for expanding a gamut of the final color space, colors produced within a neutral highlight region of the final color space including a desired density of only the black color, and colors produced within an intermediate region of the final color space including a desired density of any combination of the four colors, the desired densities of the black color and any of the three primary colors in the intermediate region being proportional for achieving a smooth transition from the intermediate region to both the dark region and the highlight region;means for calculating respective amounts of each of at least four printer inks as a function of the respective desired densities determined for each of the four colors, each printer ink corresponding to one of the four colors; andmeans for applying a number of drops for each of the respective printer inks to a printing medium for achieving the calculated amount of each of the respective inks and the desired color, each of the drops having a size less than about 5 pico-liters.