US4768101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Half-tone reproduction method employing overlapping scan lines
Assignee: FFEI Ltd
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Filing: 1987-05-21
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2007-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A method of generating a half-tone representation of an image from digital data defining the color content of pixels arranged in a series of substantially parallel, overlapping input scan lines comprises exposing at least one record medium to an exposing beam in a series of substantially parallel, overlapping output scan lines each corresponding to a respective input scan line. The exposing beam is modulated under the control of the digital data and half-tone information. The intensity of the exposing beam, which typically includes a number of subsidiary beams, is such that an area of the record medium will only record a half-tone dot or a portion of a half-tone dot after all output scan lines passing through that area have been exposed.
Inventors
- 👤 Graham Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/40081; H04N1/04; H04N1/06; H04N1/0657; H04N1/0671; H04N1/0678; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/04; H04N2201/0402; H04N2201/0458
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of generating a half-tone representation of an image from digital data defining the colour content of pixels of said image arranged in a series of substantially parallel, overlapping input scan lines, the method comprising exposing at least one record medium to an exposing beam in a series of substantially parallel, overlapping output scan lines each corresponding to a respective one of said input scan lines, said exposing beam being modulated under the control of said digital data and half-tone information, and the intensity of said exposing beam and the nature of said record medium being such that an area of said record medium will only record a half-tone dot or a portion of a half-tone dot after all said output scan lines passing through the said area have been exposed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of generating a half-tone representation of an image from digital data defining the colour content of pixels of said image arranged in a series of substantially parallel, overlapping input scan lines, the method comprising exposing at least one record medium to an exposing beam in a series of substantially parallel, overlapping output scan lines each corresponding to a respective one of said input scan lines, said exposing beam being modulated under the control of said digital data and half-tone information, and the intensity of said exposing beam and the nature of said record medium being such that an area of said record medium will only record a half-tone dot or a portion of a half-tone dot after all said output scan lines passing through the said area have been exposed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said output scan lines include a first and a last output scan line, and wherein each of said output scan lines apart from said first and last output scan lines overlaps only the preceding and succeeding scan lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said exposing beam comprises a number of subsidiary beams which may be modulated together or separately in response to digital data and half-tone information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said digital data is generated by scanning an original image in a series of substantially parallel, overlapping input scan lines, each input scan line being defined by a plurality of pixels; determining the colour content of each said pixel; and representing the determined colour content, possibly after modification, in a digital form.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |