Patent US5075779A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5075779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for interpreting image data for use in a raster plotter
Assignee: ECRM Inc
•
Filing: 1990-04-27
•
Granted: 1991-12-24
•
Expires: 2010-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for efficiently generating on a raster line plotter an image that is made up of a plurality of characters, or other objects, based on an opaque ink model. Information relating to the characters is run length encoded, so as to form tone run records corresponding to the raster lines. The tone run records contain information relating to tone value, starting location, length and screen selection. The information is then processed so as to delete, or overwrite, tone value and screen selection information of the portions of characters that underlie other characters. After the appropriate information has been deleted, the remaining screen selection and tone value information is used to create a halftone image.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Brett Lefebvre
- 👤 Glenn E. Cabana
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16579; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/002; G06K2215/0028; G06K2215/0031; G06K2215/004; G06K2215/0042; G06K2215/0051; G06K2215/0062; G06K2215/0065; G06K2215/0082; G06K2215/0094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for converting information, including tone value information, regarding a page described in a page description language to be re-created in halftone so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the method comprising the steps of: run length encoding the page information, so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; deleting information relating to the tone values of those portions of the inferior objects that underlie superior objects, while preserving information relating to the tone values of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects; and screening the page based on the preserved tone value information so as to generate beam control commands.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for converting information, including tone value information, regarding a page described in a page description language to be re-created in halftone so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the method comprising the steps of: run length encoding the page information, so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; deleting information relating to the tone values of those portions of the inferior objects that underlie superior objects, while preserving information relating to the tone values of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects; and screening the page based on the preserved tone value information so as to generate beam control commands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein each tone run record further includes information relating to (d) screen selection, and, as the tone value information is being deleted and preserved, information relating to the screen selection of those portions of inferior objects that underlie superior objects is deleted, and information relating to the screen selection of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects is preserved, and wherein the screening is based on the preserved screen selection information.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
243 words
A method for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language to be re-created in halftone so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line and that can be controlled on a pixel by pixel basis, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the method comprising the steps of: run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; listing the tone run records so that records relating to superior objects are listed before records relating to inferior objects; sorting the list of tone run records so as to (i) eliminate tone run records relating to tone runs that are in their entirety inferior to one or more other tone runs and (ii) modify tone run records relating to tone runs only part of which are inferior to one or more other tone runs; and screening the tone runs relating to the sorted tone run records, such that the sorted tone run records are converted into pixel records representing pixels in a raster line and containing beam control information.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
243 words
A method for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language to be re-created in halftone so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line and that can be controlled on a pixel by pixel basis, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the method comprising the steps of: run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; listing the tone run records so that records relating to superior objects are listed before records relating to inferior objects; sorting the list of tone run records so as to (i) eliminate tone run records relating to tone runs that are in their entirety inferior to one or more other tone runs and (ii) modify tone run records relating to tone runs only part of which are inferior to one or more other tone runs; and screening the tone runs relating to the sorted tone run records, such that the sorted tone run records are converted into pixel records representing pixels in a raster line and containing beam control information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein each tone run record further includes information relating to (d) screen selection, and wherein the screening is based on the screen selection information.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language that is made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line and that can be controlled on a pixel by pixel basis, the method comprising the steps of: run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; storing the information from the tone run records relating to tone values in a memory representing pixels in a raster line, so that tone value information for a pixel that is inferior to other tone value information for the same pixel is overwritten by the superior tone value; and converting the tone value information into beam control information.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language that is made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line and that can be controlled on a pixel by pixel basis, the method comprising the steps of: run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; storing the information from the tone run records relating to tone values in a memory representing pixels in a raster line, so that tone value information for a pixel that is inferior to other tone value information for the same pixel is overwritten by the superior tone value; and converting the tone value information into beam control information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein each tone run record further includes information relating to (d) screen selection, and wherein converting the tone value information into beam control information includes screening, based on the screen selection information, the tone value information stored in the raster line memory.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for converting information, including tone value information, regarding a page described in a page description language to be re-created in halftone so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the system comprising: means for run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; means for deleting information relating to the tone values of those portions of the inferior objects that underlie superior objects, while preserving information relating to the tone values of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects; and means for screening the page based on the preserved tone value information so as to generate beam control commands.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for converting information, including tone value information, regarding a page described in a page description language to be re-created in halftone so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the system comprising: means for run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; means for deleting information relating to the tone values of those portions of the inferior objects that underlie superior objects, while preserving information relating to the tone values of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects; and means for screening the page based on the preserved tone value information so as to generate beam control commands.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein each tone run record further includes information relating to (d) screen selection, and the means for deleting and preserving information includes means for deleting information relating to the screen selection of those portions of inferior objects that underlie superior objects, while preserving information relating to the screen selection of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects is preserved, and the means for screening screens the page based on the preserved screen selection information.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
248 words
A system for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language to be re-created in halftone so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line and that can be controlled on a pixel by pixel basis, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the system comprising: means for run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; means for listing the tone run records so that records relating to superior objects are listed before records relating to inferior objects; means for sorting the list of tone run records so as to (i) eliminate tone run records relating to tone runs that are in their entirety inferior to one or more other tone runs and (ii) modify tone run records relating to tone runs only part of which are inferior to one or more other tone runs; and means for screening the tone runs relating to the sorted tone run records, such that the sorted tone run records are converted into pixel records representing pixels in a raster line and containing beam control information.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
248 words
A system for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language to be re-created in halftone so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line and that can be controlled on a pixel by pixel basis, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the system comprising: means for run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; means for listing the tone run records so that records relating to superior objects are listed before records relating to inferior objects; means for sorting the list of tone run records so as to (i) eliminate tone run records relating to tone runs that are in their entirety inferior to one or more other tone runs and (ii) modify tone run records relating to tone runs only part of which are inferior to one or more other tone runs; and means for screening the tone runs relating to the sorted tone run records, such that the sorted tone run records are converted into pixel records representing pixels in a raster line and containing beam control information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 9, wherein each tone run record further includes information relating to (d) screen selection, and wherein the means for screening screens the tone runs based on the screen selection information.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language that is made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line and that can be controlled on a pixel by pixel basis, the system comprising: means for run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; means for storing the information from the tone run records relating to tone value in a memory representing pixels in a raster line, so that tone value information for a pixel that is inferior to other tone value information for the same pixel is overwritten by the superior tone value; and means for converting the tone value information into beam control information.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
188 words
A system for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language that is made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line and that can be controlled on a pixel by pixel basis, the system comprising: means for run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; means for storing the information from the tone run records relating to tone value in a memory representing pixels in a raster line, so that tone value information for a pixel that is inferior to other tone value information for the same pixel is overwritten by the superior tone value; and means for converting the tone value information into beam control information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 11, wherein each tone run record further includes information relating to (d) screen selection, and wherein the means for converting the tone value information into beam control information includes means for screening, based on the screen selection information, the tone value information stored in the raster line memory.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language, so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the method comprising the steps of: run length encoding the page information, so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; overwriting information relating to the tone values of those portions of inferior objects that underlie superior objects with information relating to the tone values of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects; and screening the page based on the tone value information so as to generate beam control commands.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language, so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the method comprising the steps of: run length encoding the page information, so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; overwriting information relating to the tone values of those portions of inferior objects that underlie superior objects with information relating to the tone values of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects; and screening the page based on the tone value information so as to generate beam control commands.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein each tone run record further includes information relating to (d) screen selection, wherein the overwriting includes overwriting information relating to the screen selection of those portions of inferior objects that underlie superior objects with information relating to the screen selection of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects, and wherein the screening is further based on the screen selection information.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language, so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the system comprising: means for run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; means for overwriting information relating to the tone values of those portions of inferior objects that underlie superior objects with information relating to the tone values of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects; and means for screening the page based on the tone value information so as to generate beam control commands.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for converting information regarding a page described in a page description language, so that the information may be read by a plotter using a beam that can plot raster line by raster line, the page being made up of superior and inferior objects based on an opaque ink model, the system comprising: means for run length encoding the page information so that the page is essentially divided into tone runs corresponding to the raster lines, and the page information is organized into tone run records, each tone run record containing information relating to (a) tone value of the tone run, (b) starting location of the tone run and (c) length of the tone run; means for overwriting information relating to the tone values of those portions of inferior objects that underlie superior objects with information relating to the tone values of those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects; and means for screening the page based on the tone value information so as to generate beam control commands.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
71 words
A system according to claim 15, wherein each tone run record further includes information relating to (d) screen selection, wherein the means for overwriting includes means for overwriting the screen selection information of those portions of inferior objects that underlie superior objects with information relating to those portions of objects that do not underlie superior objects, and wherein the means for screening screens the page based on the screen selection information.
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) | 1994-12-23 | 1995-06-24 | 1995-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-06-24 | 1999-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-23 | 2003-06-24 | 2003-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |