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US5038208A
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Image forming apparatus with a function for correcting recording density uneveness
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-15
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Granted: 1991-08-06
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Expires: 2008-11-15
Abstract
Abstract An image recording apparatus comprising a plurality of multi-nozzle heads for forming an image according to input image forming signals, a memory means for storing data corresponding to image forming characteristics of each of the multi-nozzle heads, and a corrector means for correcting the image forming signals based on the data stored in the memory means.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroyuki Ichikawa
- 👤 Nobuyuki Watanabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/40; H04N1/401; H04N1/4015; H04N1/6016; H04N1/6022; B; B41; B41J; B41J2202/00; B41J2202/01; B41J2202/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of forming elements for forming an image according to an input image forming signal; (b) memory means for storing data for said forming elements based on non-uniformity of the density of a recorded test image; and (c) correction means for correcting said input image forming signal based on said data stored in said memory means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of forming elements for forming an image according to an input image forming signal; (b) memory means for storing data for said forming elements based on non-uniformity of the density of a recorded test image; and (c) correction means for correcting said input image forming signal based on said data stored in said memory means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a color image recording apparatus, said plurality of forming elements including plural groups of forming elements respectively corresponding to color components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said memory means comprises at least one semiconductor memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising binarization means for binarizing said input image forming signal corrected by said correction means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said correction means corrects a level of said input image forming signal based on the data stored in said memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said binarization means is means for binarizing said input image forming signal in a dither method.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said forming elements is a forming element for ejecting a liquid drop by film-boiling due to heat energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said memory means stores data for each one of said elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: (a) supply means for supplying a color image signal; (b) processing means for processing said color image signal from said supply means to divide said color image signal into a plurality of color components; (c) a plurality of forming element arrays corresponding to each of said color components divided by said processing means, each of said forming element arrays including a plurality of forming elements; (d) memory means for storing data according to image forming characteristics of said plurality of forming elements derived from a test recording; and (e) correction means for correcting said color image signal based on said data stored in said memory means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: (a) supply means for supplying a color image signal; (b) processing means for processing said color image signal from said supply means to divide said color image signal into a plurality of color components; (c) a plurality of forming element arrays corresponding to each of said color components divided by said processing means, each of said forming element arrays including a plurality of forming elements; (d) memory means for storing data according to image forming characteristics of said plurality of forming elements derived from a test recording; and (e) correction means for correcting said color image signal based on said data stored in said memory means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said supply means includes converter means for converting a subject image into electrical signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said processing means is means for dividing said image signal from said supply means into yellow, magenta and cyan color components.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising binarization means for binarizing a signal corresponding to each of said color components divided by said processing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said correction means is means for correcting said color image signal before said color image signal is binarized by said binarization means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said binarization means is means for binarizing said color image signal corrected by said correction means in a dither method.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of said forming elements is a forming element for ejecting a liquid drop by film-boiling due to heat energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each forming includes a plurality of recording elements and the image forming characteristics are individual characteristics of each said recording element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: (a) correction means for correcting non-uniformity of an output characteristic of a plurality of image printing elements; (b) control means for controlling an area in which some of said elements are operative; and (c) converter means for converting a correction characteristic of said correction means according to said area controlled by said control means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: (a) correction means for correcting non-uniformity of an output characteristic of a plurality of image printing elements; (b) control means for controlling an area in which some of said elements are operative; and (c) converter means for converting a correction characteristic of said correction means according to said area controlled by said control means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said image recording apparatus is adapted for magnifying or reducing given image data, said control means being means for controlling said area for said elements according to a multiplication rate of said image data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control means is means for controlling said area for said elements according to a manually operated instruction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said correction means includes: (i) memory means for storing data corresponding to an image forming characteristic for each said element; and (ii) means for correcting non-uniformity of said output characteristic of each of the plurality of said elements based on said data stored in said memory means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said memory means is a semiconductor memory.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said elements are composed of n number of elements, and wherein said control means is means for selecting either all of said n number of said elements or a half said n number of said elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each of said elements is a element for ejecting a liquid drop by film-boiling due to heat energy.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a scanner for scanning an image and generating an image signal representing the image; an ink jet recording head, said recording head having a plurality of recording elements for recording an image; and an image processing unit for producing a corrected image signal, said image processing unit including a head correction unit having a first memory for storing recording characteristics of said plurality of recording elements, wherein the recording characteristics are based on an image signal generated by scanning a sample pattern image recorded by said recording elements, a processor for generating from the recording characteristics at least one correction coefficient for a plurality of said recording elements, and a second memory for storing the correction coefficient for said recording elements to produce from an image signal generated by scanning an original image a corrected image signal used by said recording head to record the original image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a scanner for scanning an image and generating an image signal representing the image; an ink jet recording head, said recording head having a plurality of recording elements for recording an image; and an image processing unit for producing a corrected image signal, said image processing unit including a head correction unit having a first memory for storing recording characteristics of said plurality of recording elements, wherein the recording characteristics are based on an image signal generated by scanning a sample pattern image recorded by said recording elements, a processor for generating from the recording characteristics at least one correction coefficient for a plurality of said recording elements, and a second memory for storing the correction coefficient for said recording elements to produce from an image signal generated by scanning an original image a corrected image signal used by said recording head to record the original image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the recording characteristics and the correction coefficient are addressed in said first and second memories, respectively, by a counter and a selector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said image processing unit further comprises a masking unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said image processing unit further comprises a black extraction unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said image processing unit further comprises a smoothing/edge emphasis unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said image processing unit further comprises a control unit for controlling said head correction unit.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the recording characteristics relate to image recording density.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the correction coefficient is generated by comparing image recording density of a sample image signal with a predetermined recording density.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said head ejects a liquid drop by film-boiling due to heat energy.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 24, wherein one correction coefficient is generated for each recording element.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for recording an image with an image recording apparatus having at least one recording head, said recording head including a plurality of recording elements, and a scanning means for scanning an image, said method comprising the steps of: printing a test pattern using said recording elements; scanning the test pattern with the scanning means to determine non-uniformity characteristics of said recording elements; generating correction data for said recording elements based on the non-uniformity characteristics; scanning an original to produce an input image signal; processing the image signal with the correction data to produce a corrected image signal; and printing the original image with the recording head using the corrected image signal.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for recording an image with an image recording apparatus having at least one recording head, said recording head including a plurality of recording elements, and a scanning means for scanning an image, said method comprising the steps of: printing a test pattern using said recording elements; scanning the test pattern with the scanning means to determine non-uniformity characteristics of said recording elements; generating correction data for said recording elements based on the non-uniformity characteristics; scanning an original to produce an input image signal; processing the image signal with the correction data to produce a corrected image signal; and printing the original image with the recording head using the corrected image signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for recording an image according to claim 34, wherein said head ejects liquid drops by film-boiling due to heat energy.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image recording system comprising: a scanner for scanning an image and generating an image signal representing the image; at least one ink jet recording head, said recording head having a plurality of recording elements for recording an image; and an image processing unit for producing a corrected image signal, said image processing unit including a head correction unit having a first memory for storing recording characteristics of said plurality of recording elements, wherein the recording characteristics are based on an image signal generated by scanning a sample pattern image recorded by said recording elements, a processor for generating from the recording characteristics at least one correction coefficient for a plurality of said recording elements, and a second memory for storing the correction coefficients for said recording elements to produce from an image signal generated by scanning an original image a corrected image signal used by said recording head to record the original image.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image recording system comprising: a scanner for scanning an image and generating an image signal representing the image; at least one ink jet recording head, said recording head having a plurality of recording elements for recording an image; and an image processing unit for producing a corrected image signal, said image processing unit including a head correction unit having a first memory for storing recording characteristics of said plurality of recording elements, wherein the recording characteristics are based on an image signal generated by scanning a sample pattern image recorded by said recording elements, a processor for generating from the recording characteristics at least one correction coefficient for a plurality of said recording elements, and a second memory for storing the correction coefficients for said recording elements to produce from an image signal generated by scanning an original image a corrected image signal used by said recording head to record the original image.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein the recording characteristics and the correction coefficient are addressed in said first and second memories, respectively, by a counter and at least one selector.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein said image processing unit further comprises a masking unit.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein said image processing unit further comprises a black extraction unit.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein said image processing unit further comprises a smoothing/edge emphasis unit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein said image processing unit further comprises a control unit for controlling said head correction unit.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein the recording characteristics relate to image recording density.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein the correction coefficient is generated by comparing image recording density of a sample image signal with a predetermined recording density.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein said head ejects a liquid drop by film-boiling due to heat energy.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image recording system according to claim 36, wherein one correction coefficient is generated for each recording element.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a plurality of ink jet recording elements for forming an image according to an input image signal; means for storing data for said plurality of ink jet recording elements based on non-uniformity of the density of a recorded test image; means for correcting said input image signal based on said data stored by said storing means; and means for half-tone processing of said input image signal corrected by said correcting means and supplying a processed signal to said plurality of ink jet recording elements.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image recording apparatus comprising: a plurality of ink jet recording elements for forming an image according to an input image signal; means for storing data for said plurality of ink jet recording elements based on non-uniformity of the density of a recorded test image; means for correcting said input image signal based on said data stored by said storing means; and means for half-tone processing of said input image signal corrected by said correcting means and supplying a processed signal to said plurality of ink jet recording elements.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said storing means includes a semiconductor memory.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said half-tone processing means includes binarization means for binarizing said input image signal corrected by said correcting means.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said binarization means binarizes said input image signal corrected by said correcting means in a dither method.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said ink jet recording elements eject liquid drops by film-boiling due to heat energy.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 46 further comprising means for generating said input image signal.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said generating means includes a scanner for converting an original image into the input image signal.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said recording elements are divided into a plurality of element arrays corresponding to different color components for color recording.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image recording apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said storing means stores data for each one of said plurality of ink jet recording elements.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image recording device comprising: a plurality of recording elements for forming an image according to an input image signal; and means for storing data for said plurality of recording elements based on variations of the density of a recorded test image.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image recording device comprising: a plurality of recording elements for forming an image according to an input image signal; and means for storing data for said plurality of recording elements based on variations of the density of a recorded test image.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image recording device according to claim 55, wherein said storing means includes a semiconductor memory.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image recording device according to claim 55 further comprising means for generating said input image signal.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image recording device according to claim 57, wherein said generating means includes a scanner for converting an original image into the input image signal.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image recording device according to claim 55, wherein said recording elements are divided into a plurality of element arrays corresponding to different color components for color recording.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image recording device according to claim 55, further comprising means for correcting said input image signal based on said data stored by said storing means.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image recording device according to claim 55, wherein said recording elements are ink jet recording elements.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image recording device according to claim 61, wherein said ink jet recording elements eject liquid drops by film-boiling due to heat energy.
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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) | 1994-08-05 | 1995-02-04 | 1995-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-05 | 1999-02-04 | 1999-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-05 | 2003-02-04 | 2003-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |