Method for combining direct binary search halftoning with ink saving

摘要

A method for printing an image with colour pixels is disclosed. This method optimizes the print quality for a selected level of ink usage by maximizing a dot-off-dot strategy and separating between direct binary search dot patterns for a number of selected colorants in a printer comprising black colorant. Ink usage is controlled by determining the fraction of coinciding printer colorants that may be substituted by black colorant. The perceived error between the image pixels and the image dot pattern is minimized according to a human visual system model that excludes non-homogeneous patterns that affect the quality of the halftone textures. Dots for other colorants are processed independently and added to the obtained halftone dot pattern for the selected colorants.