Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An image processing apparatus for resolution enhancing a gray-scale digital image input thereto, the image including text and line art represented as a plurality of digitized gray-scale values, comprising: a first channel (A), including a binarization circuit (72) to binarize the gray-scale digital image and produce a binary image, and a pattern matcher (78) for receiving the binary image and producing both a tag signal, active only when a segment of the binary image matches one of a set of template patterns, and a first high-addressability enhanced output signal; a second channel (B), parallel to the first channel (A), for receiving the gray-scale digital image and producing a second high-addressability enhanced output signal; and a selector (88), responsive to the tag signal generated by the first channel pattern matcher, for selecting the high-addressability enhanced output signals from the first or second channels (A,B) and outputting the selected output signals to a marking engine to produce a resolution enhanced output print.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second high-addressability output signals represent an N-bit value for N sub-pixel elements of the output image, the N-bit value determining the exposure state for a flying spot marking engine employed to produce the output print; or wherein each of the first and second high-addressability enhanced output signals represent an N -bit code that is subsequently interpreted to produce a pulse-width, position modulated signal to control a pulsed imaging marking engine, thereby controlling the generation of individual elements of the output image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, whereinthe binarization circuit (72) of said first channel (A) includes a dinary data buffer (74), the binary data stored in said binary data buffer forms a binary vector and said pattern matcher comprises an application specific integrated circuit operating on said vector to produce the first high-addressability enhanced output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first high-addressability enhanced output signal is an N-bit digital signal and said pattern matcher further includes logic circuitry for ORing each of the N bits of the first high-addressability enhanced output signal to generate the tag signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the binarization circuit (72) of said first channel (A) includes a binary data buffer (74), the binary data stored in said binary data buffer (74) forms a binary vector and said pattern matcher comprises a look-up table operating on said vector to produce the high-addressability enhanced output signal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for resolution enhancing a gray-scale digital image, the image including text and line art represented therein as a plurality of gray-scale values, comprising the steps of: (a) thresholding the gray-scale digital image to produce a binary image; (b) comparing a segment of the binary image to the set of template patterns and producing a first high-addressability enhanced output signal in response to a match between the segment and one of the set of predefined patterns; (c) producing an active tag signal whenever the segment of the binary image matches one of the set of predefined patterns; (d) producing, in response to the gray-scale digital image, a second high-addressability enhanced output signal representing a screened value for a plurality of sub-pixel elements of the output image; and (e) selecting, in response to the active tag signal generated in step (c) the first high-addressability output signals for output as resolution enhanced high-addressability output, otherwise selecting the second high-addressability output signals for output .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein steps (b) and (d) are executed concurrently.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the segment comprises a 5×5 window within the binary image.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the step of producing an active tag signal is accomplished by logically ORing individual bits of the first high-addressability enhanced output signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A digital printing apparatus, comprising: an image processor apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4.