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Method and circuit arrangement for producing color picture signals for color reproduction

Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1983-06-16
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2003-06-16
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Abstract

Abstract Three primary color signals derived from an original color picture are processed to produce six or seven signals indicative of six or seven hues. These six or seven signals are then modified or corrected by a plurality of correction factors so as to produce three color picture signals which may be used for producing three driving signals respectively applied to three ink-jet print heads via which three primary color inks are applied to a print sheet. The correction factors may be manually adjusted so as to achieve accurate color reproduction by optimally controlling the amount of inks to be applied on the surface of the print sheet. In addition to the primary color inks a black ink may also be used where the amount of the black ink may also be controlled by using other correction factors. The present invention is applicable to not only an ink-jet color reproducing system but also to color printing systems of other types.

Inventors

  • 👤 Masayoshi Miura

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 16:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6016

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim 146 words
A method of producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproductioin, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, comprising the steps of: (a) processing said input signals for producing the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min(Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min(Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min(Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min(Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" by correction factors α 1 to α 7 , β 1 to β 7 , and γ 1 to γ 7 as follows for producing said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU8##
Claim 2
Independent Claim 146 words
A method of producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproductioin, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, comprising the steps of: (a) processing said input signals for producing the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min(Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min(Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min(Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min(Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" by correction factors α 1 to α 7 , β 1 to β 7 , and γ 1 to γ 7 as follows for producing said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU8##
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 86 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of producing a color picture signal Bk 0 with which the amount of a black ink will be controlled, said color picture signal Bk 0 being produced by modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" in accordance with the following formula: Bk.sub.0 =δ.sub.1 y+δ.sub.2 m+δ.sub.3 c+δ.sub.4 r+δ.sub.4 r+δ.sub.5 g+δ.sub.6 b+δ.sub.7 Bk wherein δ 1 through δ 7 are correction factors for respective hues "y", "m", "c", "r", "g", "b" and Bk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of producing three driving signals by using said color picture signals so as to drive at least three ink-jet print heads through which said primary color inks are respectively applied to a print sheet.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 160 words
A method of producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, comprising the steps of: (a) processing said input signals for producing the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (YI, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=M-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) modifying said input signals Yi, Mi and Ci by said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" and also by correction factors α' 1 to α' 7 , β' 1 to β' 7 , and γ' 1 to γ' 7 as follows for producing said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU9##
Claim 6
Independent Claim 160 words
A method of producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, comprising the steps of: (a) processing said input signals for producing the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (YI, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=M-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) modifying said input signals Yi, Mi and Ci by said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" and also by correction factors α' 1 to α' 7 , β' 1 to β' 7 , and γ' 1 to γ' 7 as follows for producing said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU9##
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 86 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the step of producing a color picture signal Bk 0 with which the amount of a black ink will be controlled, said color picture signal Bk 0 being produced by modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" in accordance with the following formula: Bk.sub.0 =δ.sub.1 y+⊕.sub.2 m+δ.sub.3 c+δ.sub.4 r+δ.sub.5 g+δ.sub.6 b+δ.sub.7 Bk wherein δ 1 through δ 7 are color correction factors for respective hues "y", "m", "c", "r", "g", "b" and Bk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 45 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the step of producing three driving signals by using said color picture signals so as to drive at least three ink-jet print heads through which said primary color inks are respectively applied to a print sheet.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 159 words
A method of producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, comprising the steps of: (a) processing said input signals for producing the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) modifying said input signals Yi, Mi and Ci by said hue signals "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" and also by correction factors α' 1 to α' 6 , β' 1 to β' 6 , and γ' 1 to γ' 6 as follows for producing said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU10##
Claim 10
Independent Claim 159 words
A method of producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, comprising the steps of: (a) processing said input signals for producing the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) modifying said input signals Yi, Mi and Ci by said hue signals "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" and also by correction factors α' 1 to α' 6 , β' 1 to β' 6 , and γ' 1 to γ' 6 as follows for producing said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU10##
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 86 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of producing a color picture signal Bk 0 with which the amount of a black ink will be controlled, said color picture signal Bk 0 being produced by modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" in accordance with the following formula: Bk.sub.0 =δ.sub.1 y+δ.sub.2 m+δ.sub.3 c+δ.sub.4 r+δ.sub.5 g+δ.sub.6 b+δ.sub.7 Bk wherein δ 1 through δ 7 are color correction factors for respective hues "y", "m", "c", "r", "g", "b" and Bk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 45 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of producing three driving signals by using said color picture signals so as to drive at least three ink-jet print heads through which said primary color inks are respectively applied to a print sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 188 words
A circuit arrangement for producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, said circuit arrangement comprising: (a) first means for processing said input signals so as to produce the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) second means for selecting correction factors α 1 to α 7 , β 1 to β 7 , and γ 1 to γ 7 and (c) third means for modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" by said correction factors α 1 to α 7 , β 1 to β 7 , and γ 1 to γ 7 as follows so as to produce said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU11##
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 188 words
A circuit arrangement for producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, said circuit arrangement comprising: (a) first means for processing said input signals so as to produce the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) second means for selecting correction factors α 1 to α 7 , β 1 to β 7 , and γ 1 to γ 7 and (c) third means for modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" by said correction factors α 1 to α 7 , β 1 to β 7 , and γ 1 to γ 7 as follows so as to produce said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU11##
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 92 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 10, further comprising: (a) fourth means for selecting another correction factors δ 1 to δ 7 for respective hues "y", "m", "c", "r", "g", "b" and Bk; and (b) fifth means for producing another color picture signal Bk 0 with which the amount of a black ink will be controlled, said color picture signal Bk 0 being produced by modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" in accordance with the following formula: Bk.sub.0 =δ.sub.1 y+δ.sub.2 m+δ.sub.3 c+δ.sub.4 r+δ.sub.5 g+δ.sub.6 b+δ.sub.7 Bk.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 84 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first means comprises a first selector for producing said hue signal Bk, a combination of a second selector and a first adder for producing said hue signal "r", a combination of a third selector and a second adder for producing said hue signal "g", a combination of a fourth selector and a third adder for producing said hue signal "b", and fourth to sixth adders for producing said hue signals "y", "m", and "c".
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 28 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second means comprises seven variable resistors respectively responsive to said signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c".
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 33 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein said third means comprises three adders each provided for each of said color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 and C 0 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 94 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein said each of said adders comprises seven input circuits each responsive to each of said hue signals, and an operational amplifier responsive to output signals from said input circuits, at least one of said input circuits having an operational amplifier, a variable resistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the operational amplifier, an inverter responsive to an output signal from said operational amplifier, a switch for selecting the output signal from said operational amplifier or an output signal from said inverter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 198 words
A circuit arrangement for producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, said circuit arrangement comprising: (a) first means for processing said input signals so as to produce the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) second means for selecting correction factors α' 1 to α' 7 , β' 1 to β' 7 , and γ' 1 to γ' 7 and (c) third means for modifying said input signals Yi, Mi and Ci by said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" and also by said correction factors α' 1 to α' 7 , β' 1 to β' 7 , and γ' 1 to γ' 7 as follows so as to produce said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU12##
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 198 words
A circuit arrangement for producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, said circuit arrangement comprising: (a) first means for processing said input signals so as to produce the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) second means for selecting correction factors α' 1 to α' 7 , β' 1 to β' 7 , and γ' 1 to γ' 7 and (c) third means for modifying said input signals Yi, Mi and Ci by said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" and also by said correction factors α' 1 to α' 7 , β' 1 to β' 7 , and γ' 1 to γ' 7 as follows so as to produce said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU12##
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 92 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: (a) fourth means for selecting another correction factors δ 1 to δ 7 for respective hues "y", "m", "c", "r", "g", "b" and Bk; and (b) fifth means for producing another color picture signal Bk 0 with which the amount of a black ink will be controlled, said color picture signal Bk 0 being produced by modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" in accordance with the following formula: Bk.sub.0 =δ.sub.1 y+δ.sub.2 m+δ.sub.3 c+δ.sub.4 r+δ.sub.5 g+δ.sub.6 b+δ.sub.7 Bk.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 84 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first means comprises a first selector for producing said hue signal Bk, a combination of a second selector and a first adder for producing said hue signal "r", a combination of a third selector and a second adder for producing said hue signal "g", a combination of a fourth selector and a third adder for producing said hue signal "b", and fourth to sixth adders for producing said hue signals "y", "m", and "c".
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 28 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second means comprises seven variable resistors respectively responsive to said signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c".
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 33 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein said third means comprises three adders each provided for each of said color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 and C 0 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 94 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein said each of said adders comprises seven input circuits each responsive to each of said hue signals, and an operational amplifier responsive to output signals from said input circuits, at least one of said input circuits having an operational amplifier, a variable resistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the operational amplifier, an inverter responsive to an output signal from said operational amplifier, a switch for selecting the output signal from said operational amplifier or an output signal from said inverter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 198 words
A circuit arrangement for producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, said circuit arrangement comprising: (a) first means for processing said input signals so as to produce the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) second means for selecting correction factors α' 1 to α' 6 , β' 1 to β 6 , and γ' 1 to γ' 6 and (c) third means for modifying said input signals Yi, Mi and Ci by said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" and also by said correction factors α' 1 to α' 6 , β' 1 to β' 6 , and γ' 1 to γ' 6 as follows so as to produce said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU13##
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 198 words
A circuit arrangement for producing color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 , and C 0 for color reproduction, in response to input signals indicative of three primary color components, said circuit arrangement comprising: (a) first means for processing said input signals so as to produce the following hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" which are given by Bk=Min (Yi, Mi, Ci) r=Min (Yi, Mi)-Bk g=Min (Yi, Ci)-Bk b=Min (Ci, Mi)-Bk y=Yi-g-r-Bk m=Mi-r-b-Bk c=Ci-b-g-Bk wherein Min represents a function which assumes the smallest value among the values listed in the following parentheses; (b) second means for selecting correction factors α' 1 to α' 6 , β' 1 to β 6 , and γ' 1 to γ' 6 and (c) third means for modifying said input signals Yi, Mi and Ci by said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" and also by said correction factors α' 1 to α' 6 , β' 1 to β' 6 , and γ' 1 to γ' 6 as follows so as to produce said color picture signals each of which represents the amount of each primary color ink to be used in an additive process; ##EQU13##
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 92 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 22, further comprising: (a) fourth means for selecting another correction factors δ 1 to δ 7 for respective hues "y", "m", "c", "r", "g", "b" and Bk; and (b) fifth means for producing another color picture signal Bk 0 with which the amount of a black ink will be controlled, said color picture signal Bk 0 being produced by modifying said hue signals Bk, "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c" in accordance with the following formula: Bk.sub.0 =δ.sub.1 y+δ.sub.2 m+δ.sub.3 c+δ.sub.4 r+δ.sub.5 g+δ.sub.6 b+δ.sub.7 Bk.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 84 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 22, wherein said first means comprises a first selector for producing said hue signal Bk, a combination of a second selector and a first adder for producing said hue signal "r", a combination of a third selector and a second adder for producing said hue signal "g", a combination of a fourth selector and a third adder for producing said hue signal "b", and fourth to sixth adders for producing said hue signals "y", "m", and "c".
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 27 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 22, wherein said second means comprises six variable resistors respectively responsive to said signals "r", "g", "b", "y", "m", "c".
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 33 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 22, wherein said third means comprises three adders each provided for each of said color picture signals Y 0 , M 0 and C 0 .
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 94 words
A circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 26, wherein said each of said adders comprises six input circuits each responsive to each of said hue signals, and an operational amplifier responsive to output signals from said input circuits, at least one of said input circuits having an operational amplifier, a variable resistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the operational amplifier, an inverter responsive to an output signal from said operational amplifier, a switch for selecting the output signal from said operational amplifier or an output signal from said inverter.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3600505A Cited
US4349835A Cited
US4458265A Cited
US4463373A Cited
US4454536A Cited
US4481532A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

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