US4626923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image processing apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1984-02-27
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Granted: 1986-12-02
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Expires: 2004-02-27
Abstract
Abstract An image processing apparatus has a decoder for decoding input image data, a pulse width modulation circuit for producing a signal for pulse width modulation of a laser beam from a laser diode in accordance with decoded image data, and latch circuits to delay the output signal from the pulse width modulation circuit. The apparatus produces a half tone image with the center of each dot of each different size coinciding with that of a pixel.
Inventors
- 👤 Tadashi Yoshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/405; H04N1/4055; H04N1/4056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An image processing apparatus for processing image data to produce dots of various sizes to be recorded to reproduce an image, said apparatus comprising: means for inputting image data; and means for forming a pulse-width modulated signal determining the size of a dot to be recorded in accordance with the value of image data input by said input means, said signal forming means including means for producing a plurality of different pulse-width modulated signals with the center of any dot to be recorded at any one location and determined by any one of said pulse-width modulated signals being the same, and means for selecting one of said plurality of pulse-width modulated signals in accordance with the value of the image data input by said input means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An image processing apparatus for processing image data to produce dots of various sizes to be recorded to reproduce an image, said apparatus comprising: means for inputting image data; and means for forming a pulse-width modulated signal determining the size of a dot to be recorded in accordance with the value of image data input by said input means, said signal forming means including means for producing a plurality of different pulse-width modulated signals with the center of any dot to be recorded at any one location and determined by any one of said pulse-width modulated signals being the same, and means for selecting one of said plurality of pulse-width modulated signals in accordance with the value of the image data input by said input means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal forming means includes means for generating a reference pulse signal, means for providing a plurality of pulse signals different in pulse-width from each other based on said reference signal, and means for delaying each of said plurality of pulse signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for producing a transfer clock for transferring said image data from said input means, wherein the frequency of said reference pulse signal is higher than that of said transfer clock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising beam generating means for generating a beam in accordance with one of the pulse-width modulated signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means has decoding means for decoding the image date to a plurality of bits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image processing apparatus for processing image data to produce dots of various sizes to be recorded to reproduce an image, said apparatus comprising: means for inputting image data; and means for forming a pulse-width modulated signal determining the size of a dot to be recorded in accordance with the value of image data input by said input means, said signal forming means including means for producing a plurality of different pulse-width modulated signals with any dot to be recorded at any one location determined by any one of said pulse-width modulated signals encompassing at least the center of the largest dot to be recorded, and means for selecting one of said plurality of pulse-width modulated signals in accordance with the value of the image data input by said input means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image processing apparatus for processing image data to produce dots of various sizes to be recorded to reproduce an image, said apparatus comprising: means for inputting image data; and means for forming a pulse-width modulated signal determining the size of a dot to be recorded in accordance with the value of image data input by said input means, said signal forming means including means for producing a plurality of different pulse-width modulated signals with any dot to be recorded at any one location determined by any one of said pulse-width modulated signals encompassing at least the center of the largest dot to be recorded, and means for selecting one of said plurality of pulse-width modulated signals in accordance with the value of the image data input by said input means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said signal forming means includes means for generating a reference pulse signal, means for providing a plurality of pulse signals different in pulse-width from each other based on said reference signal, and means for delaying each of said plurality pulse signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for producing a transfer clock from transferring said image data from said input means, wherein the frequency of said reference pulse signal is higher than that of said transfer clock.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising beam generating means for generating a beam in accordance with one of the pulse signal-width modulated signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said input means has decoding means for decoding the image data to a plurality of bits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4347523A
Cited
US4384297A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-01 | 1990-06-02 | 1990-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-01 | 1994-06-02 | 1994-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-01 | 1998-06-02 | 1998-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |