US4964067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer output printer with plotter emulation
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1989-04-11
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Granted: 1990-10-16
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Expires: 2009-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A computer output printer includes a host computer interface that enables the printer to emulate a color pen plotter. Pen select commands are interpreted to select a halftone dot pattern, and plot commands are interpreted to define an outline of the line to be plotted, and fill the outline with the selected halftone dot pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Aline M. Honickman
- 👤 John L. Steeves
- 👤 Michael A. Higgins
- 👤 Anna M. Frary
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/22; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/0005; G06K2215/0014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
In a computer output printer of the type having a host computer interface capable of emulating a plurality of other manufacturers printers, the improvement comprising: the host computer interface emulating a color pen plotter having a plurality of plotter pens, including, (a) means for generating a plurality of halftone dot patterns, each dot pattern corresponding to a different plotter pen; (b) means for interpreting pen selection commands to select a corresponding halftone dot pattern; (c) means for interpreting a plotting command to define an outline of the line to be plotted; and (d) means for filling the outline of the line with the outline dot pattern corresponding to the selected pen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a computer output printer of the type having a host computer interface capable of emulating a plurality of other manufacturers printers, the improvement comprising: the host computer interface emulating a color pen plotter having a plurality of plotter pens, including, (a) means for generating a plurality of halftone dot patterns, each dot pattern corresponding to a different plotter pen; (b) means for interpreting pen selection commands to select a corresponding halftone dot pattern; (c) means for interpreting a plotting command to define an outline of the line to be plotted; and (d) means for filling the outline of the line with the outline dot pattern corresponding to the selected pen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for generating a plurality of halftone dot patterns comprises a memory for storing said dot patterns in rectangular arrays that cover less than one page, and means for modularly addressing said memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement claimed in claim 2, wherein the dot patterns are 16×16 bit arrays.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of driving a monochrome all-points addressable printer to emulate a color pen plotter having differently colored pens, the color pen plotter commands including commands for selecting pens, and commands for plotting lines with a selected pen, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of bit maps representing halftone dot patterns, each dot pattern corresponding to a different plotter pen; (b) interpreting a pen selection command to select a corresponding halftone dot pattern; (c) interpreting a plot command to produce an outline of the line to be plotted; (d) filling the outline of the line to be plotted with the halftone dot pattern; and (e) driving the all-points addressable printer with the filled dot patterns.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of driving a monochrome all-points addressable printer to emulate a color pen plotter having differently colored pens, the color pen plotter commands including commands for selecting pens, and commands for plotting lines with a selected pen, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of bit maps representing halftone dot patterns, each dot pattern corresponding to a different plotter pen; (b) interpreting a pen selection command to select a corresponding halftone dot pattern; (c) interpreting a plot command to produce an outline of the line to be plotted; (d) filling the outline of the line to be plotted with the halftone dot pattern; and (e) driving the all-points addressable printer with the filled dot patterns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-15 | 1994-04-16 | 1994-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-15 | 1998-04-16 | 1998-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-15 | 2002-04-16 | 2002-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |