Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for processing image data having a multi-level grey signal (VIDEO) having a first number of grey levels, comprising: threshold means for generating a threshold value ("128"); conversion means (1) for generating an output having a second number of grey levels based on a relationship between the threshold value and the multi-level grey signal, the second number of grey levels being less than the first number of grey levels; and perturbing means (3,5) for perturbing the relationship between the threshold value and the multi-level grey signal according to a grey level of the multi-level grey signal, thereby effecting the output from said conversion means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said perturbing means (3,5) changes the threshold value by a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said perturbing means changes the multi-level grey signal by a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the predetermined value is one of a plurality of values forming a predetermined pattern associated with a particular grey level, the predetermined value added to the threshold value is determined from a pixel location and grey level of the multi-level grey signal being processed by said comparator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the predetermined pattern is a checkerboard pattern or a vertical line pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said perturbing means (A) adds random noise to (i) the threshold value, or (ii) the multi-level grey signal, (B) perturbs the relationship when the grey level is (i) 1/2, (ii) 1/4, and/or (iii) 1/3, and/or (C) administers a distinct perturbation to the relationship for each grey level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for eliminating pattern shifting artifacts in a printed image, comprising: image means for generating image data having a multi-level grey signal (VIDEO); programmable multi-level grey signal modifying means (3,5) for modifying the multi-level grey signal by a predetermined value according to the grey level; and binary means (1) for outputting a binary pixel value according to a relationship between a modified multi-level grey signal from said programmable multi-level grey signal modifying means and a threshold value ("128"), generating an error corresponding to the relationship, and diffusing the error to neighboring pixels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said programmable multi-level grey signal modifying means (3,5) comprises: modifying means (5) for generating a predetermined value according to the grey level of the multi-level grey signal; and adder means (3) for adding the predetermined value and the multi-level grey signal to produce the modified multi-level grey signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of processing image data having a multi-level grey signal having a first number of grey levels, comprising the steps of: (a) generating a threshold value; (b) generating an output having a second number of grey levels based on a relationship between the threshold value and the multi-level grey signal, the second number of grey levels being less than the first number of grey levels; and (c) perturbing the relationship between the threshold value and the multi-level grey signal according to a grey level of the multi-level grey signal, thereby effecting the output of said step (b).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said step (c) changes the relationship by a predetermined value, the method preferably further comprising the steps of: (d) selecting a predetermined value from one of a plurality of values forming a predetermined pattern associated with a particular grey level; and (e) determining the predetermined value from a pixel location and grey level of the multi-level grey signal being processed.