US5440329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems and methods for thermal transfer printing
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1992-12-22
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Granted: 1995-08-08
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Expires: 2012-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for printing a predetermined image onto a substrate includes steps or structure for obtaining pixel data which renders a portion of the predetermined image and relates to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel; determining whether a colorant is specified for any of the predetermined area; and depositing an image-enhancing coating over the subject pixel on the substrate if the above determining step determines that a colorant is so specified, whereby a portion of the image-enhancing coating receiving area is successively determined "on-the-fly" using a minimal physical memory space without sacrificing the system performance. A second aspect of the disclosure involves an efficient method and structure for converting a pixel data relating to the deposition of the image-enhancing coating material format into a compact data format which is acceptable by a printer.
Inventors
- 👤 Adam E. Meggitt
- 👤 Thomas J. Brandt
- 👤 Stephen A. Zimmerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:00
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/325; B41J2/525; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/382; B41M5/38207; B41M7/00; B41M7/0027; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/10; G06K15/102; B41J2202/00; B41J2202/30; B41J2202/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of printing a predetermined image on to a substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining pixel data relating to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, said predetermined area rendering a portion of said image; (b) determining whether a colorant is specified for any of said predetermined area; and (c) depositing an image-enhancing coating over said subject pixel on said substrate if said step (b) determines that said colorant is so specified.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of printing a predetermined image on to a substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining pixel data relating to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, said predetermined area rendering a portion of said image; (b) determining whether a colorant is specified for any of said predetermined area; and (c) depositing an image-enhancing coating over said subject pixel on said substrate if said step (b) determines that said colorant is so specified.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said pixel data includes information on a plurality of colors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said colors include at least cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said pixel data is arranged in rows and columns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said step (b) further comprises the steps of: (i) determining if any of said pixel data on any of said rows specifies a colorant; (ii) determining if any of said pixel data on any of said columns specifies a colorant; and (iii) determining if said subject pixel will receive said image-enhancing coating based upon said steps (i) and (ii).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said colors are organized on a plurality of color planes
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein steps (a) through (c) are repeated for every portion of said predetermined image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a next set of pixel data is obtained during step (a) while said determination in step (b) takes place for a current set of said pixel data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjacent pixels surround said subject pixel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step (b) further comprises the steps of: (i) determining if any of said pixels which are arranged in one direction specifies a colorant; and (ii) determining if any of said pixels which are arranged in another direction specifies a colorant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising the step of: (iii) determining an image-enhancing coating area based upon said steps (i) and (ii), said image-enhancing area including at least said subject pixel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) depositing a colorant over said image-enhancing coating on said subject pixel, said steps (c) and (d) being performed in no particular order.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of rendering a predetermined image on a substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining pixel data in a first format representing a plurality of color planes for a subject pixel and a predetermined number of surrounding pixels, said pixels being arranged in rows and columns, said pixels rendering a portion of said predetermined image; (b) determining if any of said row pixels specifies a colorant by ORing said row pixels; (c) determining if any column of said ORed pixels specifies a colorant by further ORing said ORed pixels; and (d) depositing an image-enhancing coating onto said subject pixel on said substrate based upon step (c).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of rendering a predetermined image on a substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining pixel data in a first format representing a plurality of color planes for a subject pixel and a predetermined number of surrounding pixels, said pixels being arranged in rows and columns, said pixels rendering a portion of said predetermined image; (b) determining if any of said row pixels specifies a colorant by ORing said row pixels; (c) determining if any column of said ORed pixels specifies a colorant by further ORing said ORed pixels; and (d) depositing an image-enhancing coating onto said subject pixel on said substrate based upon step (c).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said step (b) further comprising the step of: (i) converting said pixel data in said first format into a second data format, said second format being more compact than said first format.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said second data format is a printer input format.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as recited in claim 13, wherein steps (a) through (d) are repeated for every portion of said predetermined image, a next set of said pixel data being accessed during step (a) while steps (b) and (c) process a current set of said pixel data.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for printing a predetermined image on to a substrate, comprising: means for obtaining pixel data relating to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, said predetermined area rendering a portion of said image; first means for determining whether said colorant is specified in any of said predetermined area; and coating depositing means for depositing an image-enhancing coating over said subject pixel on said substrate if said first determining means determines that said colorant is so specified.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for printing a predetermined image on to a substrate, comprising: means for obtaining pixel data relating to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, said predetermined area rendering a portion of said image; first means for determining whether said colorant is specified in any of said predetermined area; and coating depositing means for depositing an image-enhancing coating over said subject pixel on said substrate if said first determining means determines that said colorant is so specified.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein said pixel data includes information on a plurality of colors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said colors include at least cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein said pixel data is arranged in rows and columns.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system according to claim 20, wherein said first determining means further comprises: second means for determining if any of said pixel data on said rows specifies a colorant; third means for determining if any of said pixel data on said columns specifies a colorant; and fourth means for determining if said subject pixel will receive said image-enhancing coating in response to said second and said third determining means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein said adjacent pixels surround said subject pixel
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein said first determining means further comprises: second means for determining if any of said pixels arranged in one direction specifies a colorant; and third means for determining if any of said pixels arranged in another direction specifies a colorant.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 17, wherein each of said pixel data includes information on a plurality of color planes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 17, further comprising: colorant depositing means for depositing a colorant on pixels according to said pixel data.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for printing a predetermined image on a substrate, comprising: means for obtaining pixel data in a first format representing a plurality of colors for a subject pixel and a predetermined number of surrounding pixels, said pixels being arranged in rows and columns, said pixels rendering a portion of said predetermined image; first means for determining if any of said row pixels specifies a colorant by ORing said row pixels; second means for determining if any of said ORed pixels in columns specifies a colorant by ORing said ORed pixels; and coating means for depositing an image-enhancing coating onto said subject pixel on said substrate in response to said first or second determining means.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for printing a predetermined image on a substrate, comprising: means for obtaining pixel data in a first format representing a plurality of colors for a subject pixel and a predetermined number of surrounding pixels, said pixels being arranged in rows and columns, said pixels rendering a portion of said predetermined image; first means for determining if any of said row pixels specifies a colorant by ORing said row pixels; second means for determining if any of said ORed pixels in columns specifies a colorant by ORing said ORed pixels; and coating means for depositing an image-enhancing coating onto said subject pixel on said substrate in response to said first or second determining means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 26, further comprising: means for converting said pixel data into a second data format, said second format being more compact than said first data format.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for printing a predetermined image on a substrate, comprising: a plurality of print head elements; means for supporting said substrate relative to said print head elements; a multilayered coating application ribbon positioned between said substrate and said print head elements, said multilayered ribbon comprising a backing layer, a separation layer adjacent to said backing layer which is formulated to separate from said backing layer when heated, and a adhesive layer which is formulated to adhere to said substrate; and means for controlling said printhead elements, said controlling means being constructed and arranged to: (a) obtain pixel data relating to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, said predetermined area rendering a portion of said image; (b) determine whether a colorant is specified for any of said predetermined area; and (c) selectively activate said print head element to apply an image-enhancing coating over said subject pixel on said substrate if step (b) determines that said colorant is so specified.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for printing a predetermined image on a substrate, comprising: a plurality of print head elements; means for supporting said substrate relative to said print head elements; a multilayered coating application ribbon positioned between said substrate and said print head elements, said multilayered ribbon comprising a backing layer, a separation layer adjacent to said backing layer which is formulated to separate from said backing layer when heated, and a adhesive layer which is formulated to adhere to said substrate; and means for controlling said printhead elements, said controlling means being constructed and arranged to: (a) obtain pixel data relating to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, said predetermined area rendering a portion of said image; (b) determine whether a colorant is specified for any of said predetermined area; and (c) selectively activate said print head element to apply an image-enhancing coating over said subject pixel on said substrate if step (b) determines that said colorant is so specified.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of operating a thermal transfer printing apparatus comprising a plurality of heating elements adapted to be juxtaposed to a carrier comprising a colorant and an image-enhancing coating for printing on a substrate, the method comprising the following steps of: (a) obtaining pixel data relating to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, said predetermined area rendering a portion of said image; (b) determining whether a colorant is specified for any of said predetermined area; (c) determining a heating element corresponding to the position of said subject pixel on the substrate; and (d) energizing said heating element to deposit said image-enhancing coating on said substrate if step (b) determines that said colorant is so specified.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of operating a thermal transfer printing apparatus comprising a plurality of heating elements adapted to be juxtaposed to a carrier comprising a colorant and an image-enhancing coating for printing on a substrate, the method comprising the following steps of: (a) obtaining pixel data relating to whether a colorant is to be deposited in a predetermined area comprising at least one subject pixel and at least one adjacent pixel, said predetermined area rendering a portion of said image; (b) determining whether a colorant is specified for any of said predetermined area; (c) determining a heating element corresponding to the position of said subject pixel on the substrate; and (d) energizing said heating element to deposit said image-enhancing coating on said substrate if step (b) determines that said colorant is so specified.
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) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |