Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for processing an input image including a plurality of input pixels each
having a first number of possible input levels of optical density to form an output image including a
plurality of separations each including a plurality of output pixels each having a second number of
possible output levels of optical density, the method comprising: generating a first threshold reference signal as a function of the output levels of optical
density of a plurality of corresponding pixels each being selected from one of the plurality of
separations; modifying a current one of the plurality of input pixels in a current one of the plurality of
separations in accordance with an error signal derived by processing previous ones of pixels in the
current one of the plurality of separations; generating a second threshold reference signal; and forming one of the output pixels by comparing the modified current one of the plurality of
input pixels to the generated first threshold reference signal and the generated second threshold
reference signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the second threshold reference signal is
generated according to the output levels of optical density of previously processed pixels in the
current one of the plurality of separations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first threshold reference signal is
generated as a function of a threshold adjustment signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the threshold adjustment signal is
generated as a function of a plurality of threshold imprint signals, each threshold imprint signal
corresponding to one of the plurality of corresponding pixels from each of the plurality of
separations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the threshold adjustment signal is
generated by summing the plurality of threshold imprint signals and multiplying the sum by an
adjustment factor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the adjustment factor is set to a value of
one-half.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said the threshold adjustment signal is
generated by multiplying each of the plurality of threshold imprint signals by an adjustment factor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein each threshold imprint signals is multiplied
by a different adjustment factor.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
42 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the output
pixels is formed by comparing the modified current one of the plurality of input pixels to the
generated threshold adjustment signal and the generated second threshold value.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
32 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one of the output pixels is
formed by summing the generated threshold adjustment signal to the generated second threshold
value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first threshold reference signal is
generated as a function of the output levels of optical density of the corresponding pixel selected
from a cyan, magenta, and yellow separation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first threshold reference signal is
generated as a function of the output levels of optical density of the plurality of corresponding pixels
selected from a red, green, and blue separation.