US4772911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image formation apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1987-06-16
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Granted: 1988-09-20
•
Expires: 2007-06-16
Abstract
Abstract An image formation apparatus such as an ink-jet color printer has a head selection controller, a dither processor, and a selection switch for selecting the head selection controller or the dither processor. Dither processing or analog processing can be selected to reproduce any type of image with excellent quality.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Sasaki
- 👤 Nobuaki Sakurada
- 👤 Hideaki Kawamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/40087; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: dot recording means for forming dots of a plurality of different colors in accordance with input image signals, wherein dots of at least one color may be formed by depositing recording materials of different concentrations; first drive means for driving said recording means so as to modulate dot size; second drive means for driving said recording means while keeping dot size constant; and selecting means for selecting said first drive means when the input image signals correspond to a pictorial image and said second drive means when the input image signals correspond to an artificial image, wherein dots in each of the colors are formed using a recording material of a single concentration when said selecting means selects said second drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: dot recording means for forming dots of a plurality of different colors in accordance with input image signals, wherein dots of at least one color may be formed by depositing recording materials of different concentrations; first drive means for driving said recording means so as to modulate dot size; second drive means for driving said recording means while keeping dot size constant; and selecting means for selecting said first drive means when the input image signals correspond to a pictorial image and said second drive means when the input image signals correspond to an artificial image, wherein dots in each of the colors are formed using a recording material of a single concentration when said selecting means selects said second drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said second drive means is selected, recording materials of the highest concentration are used.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means comprises an ink-jet recording head.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claiam 1, wherein said second drive means comprises a dither processing circuit.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claiam 1, wherein said second drive means comprises a dither processing circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A color image formation apparatus comprising: recording means for forming dots of a plurality of different colors, wherein dots of at least one color may be formed by depositing recording materials of different concentrations; first drive means for driving said recording means so as to change dot size; second drive means for driving said recording means while keeping dot size constant; selecting means for selecting one of said first and second drive means; and control means for controlling said recording means so as to form dots of each color only in the highest available recording material concentration when said selecting means selects said second drive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
A color image formation apparatus comprising: recording means for forming dots of a plurality of different colors, wherein dots of at least one color may be formed by depositing recording materials of different concentrations; first drive means for driving said recording means so as to change dot size; second drive means for driving said recording means while keeping dot size constant; selecting means for selecting one of said first and second drive means; and control means for controlling said recording means so as to form dots of each color only in the highest available recording material concentration when said selecting means selects said second drive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selecting means selects said first drive means when input image signals correspond to a pictorial image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said selecting means selects said second drive means when input image signals correspond to an artificial image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said recording means comprises an ink-jet recording head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second drive means comprises a dither processing circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: recording means for forming dots of a plurality of different colors in response to input image signals, wherein dots of at least one color may be formed by depositing recording materials of a plurality of different concentrations; first drive control means for driving said recording means so as to be able to form dots of each color in a plurality of recording material concentrations; second drive control means for driving said recording means so a to form dots only in the highest available recording material concentration for each of the plurality of colors; and selecting means for selecting one of said first and second drive control means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: recording means for forming dots of a plurality of different colors in response to input image signals, wherein dots of at least one color may be formed by depositing recording materials of a plurality of different concentrations; first drive control means for driving said recording means so as to be able to form dots of each color in a plurality of recording material concentrations; second drive control means for driving said recording means so a to form dots only in the highest available recording material concentration for each of the plurality of colors; and selecting means for selecting one of said first and second drive control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said selecting means selects said first drive means when the input image signals correspond to a pictorial image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said selecting means selects said second drive means when the input image signals correspond to an artificial image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said recording means comprises an ink-jet recording head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said second drive control means comprises a dither processing circuit.
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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) | 1991-09-20 | 1992-03-21 | 1992-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-20 | 1996-03-21 | 1996-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-20 | 2000-03-21 | 2000-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |