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US4841377A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Continuous image estimation method

Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
•
Filing: 1987-06-11
•
Granted: 1989-06-20
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Expires: 2007-06-11
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Abstract

Abstract A continuous image estimation method of a binary image wherein only one scanning aperture satisfying a predetermined condition for each picture element of a continuous image to be estimated from a plurality of scanning apertures for each kind in a dither image formed of a dither matrix, and the continuous image is estimated on the basis of the number of white or black picture elements in the scanning aperture selected. The predetermined condition is that a gradation expression is conducted in a lower spatial frequency range by using larger scanning apertures and in a higher spatial frequency range by using smaller scanning apertures, and that for the coincidence between patterns of a dither image in the scanning aperture and a binary image, which is made binary with the dither matrix from a continuous image formed on the bases of the number of the white or black picture elements in the scanning aperture, the patterns being obtained by comparing the dither image and the binary image for each aperture.

Inventors

  • 👤 Seiichiro Hiratsuka
  • 👤 Masahiko Matsunawa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 15:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/405; H04N1/4051

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim 93 words
A continuous tone image estimation method of a binary image, comprising the steps of: setting a plurality of kinds of scanning aperatures and a plurality of scanning apertures to be in different positions from one another for each of said plurality of kinds in the binary image selecting only one of said scanning apertures satisfying a predetermined condition for each picture element of a continuous tone image to be estimated; and estimating said continuous tone image on the basis of the number of white or black picture elements in the selected scanning aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 93 words
A continuous tone image estimation method of a binary image, comprising the steps of: setting a plurality of kinds of scanning aperatures and a plurality of scanning apertures to be in different positions from one another for each of said plurality of kinds in the binary image selecting only one of said scanning apertures satisfying a predetermined condition for each picture element of a continuous tone image to be estimated; and estimating said continuous tone image on the basis of the number of white or black picture elements in the selected scanning aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 44 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined condition is that a gradation expression is conducted in a lower spatial frequency range by using larger scanning apertures and in a higher spatial frequency range by using smaller scanning apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
A continuous tone image estimation method. according to claim 2, wherein said binary image is an ordered binary dither image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 3, wherein said ordered binary dither image is a dot dispersion type binary dither image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 4, wherein said dot dispersion type binary dither image is the Bayer type binary dither image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 46 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 4, wherein the size and shape of that one of said plurality of kinds of scanning apertures, which has the maximum area, are made identical to those of a threshold matrix of said ordered binary dither image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 76 words
A continuous tone estimation method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined condition is that for the coincidence between patterns of a binary image in the selected scanning aperture and a binary image, which is made binary with a dither matrix formed on the basis of the number of the white or black picture elements in the selected scanning aperture, the patterns being obtained by comparing said dither image and said binary image for each aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 3, wherein said binary image is an ordered binary dither image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 8, wherein said ordered binary dither image is a dot dispersion type binary dither image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 25 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 9, wherein said dot dispersion type binary dither image is the Bayer type binary dither image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 46 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 8, wherein the size and shape of that one of said plurality of kinds of scanning apertures, which has the maximum area, are made identical to those of a threshold matrix of said ordered binary dither image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 70 words
A continuous tone image estimation method of a binary image, comprising the steps of: setting a plurality of scanning apertures having an equal area; selecting only one of said scanning apertures satisfying a predetermined condition for each picture element of a continuous tone image to be estimated; and estimating said continuous tone image on the basis of the number of white or black picture elements in the selected scanning aperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 70 words
A continuous tone image estimation method of a binary image, comprising the steps of: setting a plurality of scanning apertures having an equal area; selecting only one of said scanning apertures satisfying a predetermined condition for each picture element of a continuous tone image to be estimated; and estimating said continuous tone image on the basis of the number of white or black picture elements in the selected scanning aperture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 77 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined condition is that for the coincidence between patterns of a binary image in the selected scanning aperture and a dither image, which is made binary with a dither matrix formed on the basis of the number of the white or black picture elements in the selected scanning aperture, the patterns being obtained by comparing said binary image and said dither image for each aperture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 21 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 13, wherein said binary image is a dot dispersion type dither image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 23 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 14, wherein said dot dispersion type dither image is the Bayer type dither image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 30 words
A continuous tone image estimation med according to claim 13, wherein the size of said scanning apertures is made equal to that of a threshold matrix of said binary image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 21 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 12, wherein said binary image is a dot dispersion type dither image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 22 words
A continuous image estimation method according to claim 17, wherein said dot dispersion type dither image is the bayer type dither image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 30 words
A continuous tone image estimation method according to claim 12, wherein the size of said scanning apertures is made equal to that of a threshold matrix of said binary image.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4630125A Cited
US4633327A Cited
US4710823A Cited
US4758897A Cited
US4730221A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-06-19 1992-12-19 1993-06-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-06-19 1996-12-19 1997-06-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-06-19 2000-12-19 2001-06-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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