Patent US2932081A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US1911384A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4642681A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4642681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color image processing apparatus for generating color output signals and a black output signal in a mutually exclusive manner
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1983-10-04
•
Granted: 1987-02-10
•
Expires: 2003-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A color image processing apparatus includes a signal generator for generating color signals representative of at least three color components, each having a density level, for one pixel. A detector detects a specific color having a density level exceeding a predetermined density level by detecting the signals representative of the three color components and generates a specific signal representative of that specific color. A first processor is responsive to the color signals to conduct half-tone reproduction processing of the color signals to output color output signals. A second processor is responsive to the specific signal for outputting a signal of a predetermined level. Finally, a prohibiting device prohibits the output of the color output signals by the first processor when the second processor outputs the signal of the predetermined level. In a preferred embodiment, the specific color is black. The apparatus can reproduce an image including a half-tone portion and a character or line portion with excellent halftone reproduction characteristics and excellent sharpness of the character or line portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshinori Ikeda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6016; H04N1/6022; H04N1/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A color image processing apparatus, comprising: signal generating means for generating color signals representative of three color components, each having a density level, for one pixel; detecting means for detecting a specific color having a density level exceeding a predetermined density level by detecting said signals representative of said three color components and for generating a specific signal representative of said specific color; first processing means, responsive to said color signals, for conducting half-tone reproduction processing of said color signals to output color output signals; second processing means, responsive to said specific signal, for outputting a signal of a predetermined level; and prohibiting means for prohibiting the output of said color output signals by said first processing means when said second processing means outputs said signal of the predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A color image processing apparatus, comprising: signal generating means for generating color signals representative of three color components, each having a density level, for one pixel; detecting means for detecting a specific color having a density level exceeding a predetermined density level by detecting said signals representative of said three color components and for generating a specific signal representative of said specific color; first processing means, responsive to said color signals, for conducting half-tone reproduction processing of said color signals to output color output signals; second processing means, responsive to said specific signal, for outputting a signal of a predetermined level; and prohibiting means for prohibiting the output of said color output signals by said first processing means when said second processing means outputs said signal of the predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first processing means includes dither processing means which outputs binary color output signals on the basis of a plurality of threshold levels and levels of said color signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: recording means for recording a color image on a recording medium on the basis of said color output signals output by said first processing means and said signal of the predetermined level output by said second processing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said specific color is black and said specific signal generated by said detecting means is representative of the black color.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claims 1 or 4, wherein said color signals generated by said signal generating means are representative of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) color components.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A color image processing apparatus, comprising: signal generating means for generating color signals representative of first, second, and third color components, each having a density level, for one pixel; and black signal generating means for generating a black signal upon detection of the condition that the color signal representative of said first color component has a higher density level than a first level, that the color signal representative of said second color component has a higher density level than a second level, and that the color signal representative of the third color component has a higher density level than a third level, said first, second and third levels being different from one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
A color image processing apparatus, comprising: signal generating means for generating color signals representative of first, second, and third color components, each having a density level, for one pixel; and black signal generating means for generating a black signal upon detection of the condition that the color signal representative of said first color component has a higher density level than a first level, that the color signal representative of said second color component has a higher density level than a second level, and that the color signal representative of the third color component has a higher density level than a third level, said first, second and third levels being different from one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising changing means for changing said first, second and third levels, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said color signals generated by said signal generating means are representative of Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan) color components.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3109884A
Cited
US3209070A
Cited
US3560757A
Cited
JPS5652770A
Cited
JPS56152370A
Cited
JPS5744825A
Cited
US4415920A
Cited
JPS5779944A
Cited
US4482917A
Cited
JPS58182374A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-09 | 1990-08-11 | 1991-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-09 | 1994-08-11 | 1995-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-09 | 1998-08-11 | 1999-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |