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US4733306A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Methods of discriminating and copying an image

Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
•
Filing: 1987-02-03
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Granted: 1988-03-22
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Expires: 2007-02-03
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Abstract

Abstract A method of discriminating an image by scanning an original image with a photoelectric conversion device, quantizing an image signal obtained through the photoelectric conversion device, preparing a density histogram corresponding to the quantized image signal, detecting a peak density value corresponding to the peak present on the low-density side of the density histogram and a density width of the density histogram, and discriminating the original image according to both the peak density value and the density width.

Inventors

  • 👤 Masahiko Matsunawa
  • 👤 Yoshinori Abe

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 20:12
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5025; G03G15/04; G03G15/043; G03G15/06; G03G15/065

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 116 words
A method of discriminating a density characteristic of an image which comprises: scanning an original image with a photoelectric conversion device, quantizing an image signal based upon the output obtained through the photoelectric conversion device, preparing a density histogram representing effective reflection density on one axis and frequency on another axis corresponding to said quantized image signal, detecting a peak density value corresponding to a peak present on said density histogram relative to the effective reflection density axis of said histogram, and detecting a density width value for a range of reflection density values covered by said density histogram, and discriminating said original image according to both said peak density value and said density width value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 116 words
A method of discriminating a density characteristic of an image which comprises: scanning an original image with a photoelectric conversion device, quantizing an image signal based upon the output obtained through the photoelectric conversion device, preparing a density histogram representing effective reflection density on one axis and frequency on another axis corresponding to said quantized image signal, detecting a peak density value corresponding to a peak present on said density histogram relative to the effective reflection density axis of said histogram, and detecting a density width value for a range of reflection density values covered by said density histogram, and discriminating said original image according to both said peak density value and said density width value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of discriminating an image of claim 1, wherein a quantization level of said quantizing is finely set on a low-density side in said image signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of discriminating an image of claim 2, wherein said low-density side range is selected to cover densities not more than about 0.8.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of discriminating an image of claim 2, wherein said scanning is made with the spot area selected to be not less than 0.1 mm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of discriminating an image of claim 2, wherein said quantizing is made by sampling at constant time intervals the image signal from said photoelectric conversion device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of discriminating an image of claim 2, wherein said peak frequency value of said density histogram is provided for said image discrimination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of discriminating an image of claim 2, wherein as said density width of said density histogram a width at a given offset frequency is used.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of discriminating an image of claim 1, wherein said detecting step includes detecting a peak density value on a low density side of the histogram when plural peaks are present.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 134 words
A method of copying an image which comprises: scanning an original image with a photoelectric conversion device, quantizing an image signal based upon the output obtained through said photoelectric conversion device, preparing a density histogram representing effective reflection density on one axis and frequency on another axis corresponding to said quantized image signal, detecting a peak density value corresponding to a peak present on said density histogram relative to the effective reflection density axis of said histogram, and detecting a density width value for a range of reflection density values covered by said density histogram, and controlling at least one of, or a combination of, the setting values of the conditions of the charging, exposure, and developing processes according to both said peak density value and said density width value of the density histogram.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 134 words
A method of copying an image which comprises: scanning an original image with a photoelectric conversion device, quantizing an image signal based upon the output obtained through said photoelectric conversion device, preparing a density histogram representing effective reflection density on one axis and frequency on another axis corresponding to said quantized image signal, detecting a peak density value corresponding to a peak present on said density histogram relative to the effective reflection density axis of said histogram, and detecting a density width value for a range of reflection density values covered by said density histogram, and controlling at least one of, or a combination of, the setting values of the conditions of the charging, exposure, and developing processes according to both said peak density value and said density width value of the density histogram.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 57 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein said setting value of the condition of at least one of said charging, exposure, and developing processes is selected from a plurality of setting values in advance prepared, said selection being made with use of both said peak density value and said histogram density width as parameters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of copying an image of claim 10, wherein said condition of said charging process is set with a value of charge current.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of copying an image of claim 10, wherein said condition of said exposure process is set with the quantity of light in exposure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of copying an image of claim 10, wherein said condition of said developing process is set with a developing bias voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein said copying of an image is performed in accordance with the conditions of said charging and exposure processes determined according to said peak density value and said density width.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein said copying of an image is performed in accordance with the conditions of said exposure and developing processes determined according to said peak density value and said density width.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein said copying of an image is performed in accordance with the condition of said exposure process determined according to said peak density value and said density width.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein said copying of an image is performed in accordance with the condition of said developing process determined according to said peak density value and said density width.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein said copying of an image is performed in accordance with the conditions of said charging and developing processes determined according to said peak density value and said density width.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein a quantization level of said quantizing is finely set on a low-density side in said image signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of copying an image of claim 19, wherein said low-density side range is selected to cover densities of not more than about 0.8.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein said scanning is made with the spot area selected to be not less than 0.1 mm 2 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of copying an image of claim 9, wherein said quantizing is made by sampling at constant time intervals the image signal from said photoelectric conversion device.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4578712A Cited
US4556916A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-03-22 1991-09-21 1992-03-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-03-22 1995-09-21 1996-03-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-03-22 1999-09-21 2000-03-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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