Image recording apparatus

Claim 2

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means, in which said adjusting means for said first color correction means comprises adjusting means by which the adjustment is based on a hue different from that of the coloring material of said recording medium, and said adjusting means for said third color correction means comprises adjusting means by which the adjustment is based on the same hue as that of the coloring material of said recording medium.

Claim 3

In an image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, the improvement comprising: at least three line buffers and color correction means are provided, wherein three processings of the inputting of an image signal from said image signal source, color correction by said color correction means, and image recording are concurrently performed upon appropriate switching of said line buffers.

Claim 4

In an image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, the improvement comprising: at least three line buffers and color correction means are provided, wherein three processings of the inputting of an image signal from said image signal source, color correction by said color correction means, and image recording are concurrently performed upon appropriate switching of said line buffers.

Claim 5

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means, said second color correction means comprising a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, an output signal of said first color correction means being previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means.

Claim 6

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means, said second color correction means comprising a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, an output signal of said first color correction means being previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means.

Claim 7

The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, in which said first color correction means comprises look-up tables for respective colors and a linear matrix.

Claim 8

The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, in which said look-up tables for the respective colors and said linear matrix comprise look-up tables provided for the respective colors and adders associated therewith.

Claim 9

The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, in which said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means are capable of at least selecting said look-up tables.

Claim 10

The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, in which said look-up tables for the respective colors are downloadable from said image signal source, and the downloaded look-up table data is adjustable by said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means.

Claim 11

The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means for bypassing said second color correction means, and selecting means for activating said bypassing means.

Claim 12

The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, in which said third color correction means comprises look-up tables for the respective colors.

Claim 13

The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 8 or 9, in which an input of said third color correction means has a larger number of gradations than an output of said first color correction means, an output of said first color correction means is constantly normalized to a maximum number of gradations when said bypassing means is activated, and said look-up table for said third color correction means is adjusted for normalized gradations, thereby preventing drop-out of gradations.

Claim 14

The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, in which said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means are capable of adjusting at least hue and saturation.

Claim 15

The image recording apparatus according to claim 11, in which said hue adjustment includes recording achromatic color.

Claim 16

The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, in which said adjusting means for said first color correction means comprises adjusting means by which the adjustment is based on a hue different from that of the coloring material of said recording medium, and said adjusting means for said third color correction means comprises adjusting means by which the adjustment is based on the same hue as that of the coloring material of said recording medium.

Claim 17

The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, in which said adjustment information entering means enters instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, and instructions from said operation panel and said image signal source are capable of making the same adjustment.

Claim 18

The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, in which said adjustment information entering means enters instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, and comprises means for determining the sum of a quantity of adjustment by said operation panel and a quantity of adjustment by an instruction from said image signal source.

Claim 19

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means; means for bypassing said second color correction means; and selecting means for activating said bypassing means, wherein said second color correction means comprises a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, and wherein an output signal of said first color correction means is previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations.

Claim 20

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means; means for bypassing said second color correction means; and selecting means for activating said bypassing means, wherein said second color correction means comprises a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, and wherein an output signal of said first color correction means is previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations.

Claim 21

The image recording apparatus according to claim 16 in which said adjustment information entering means enters instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, and instructions from said operation panel and said image signal source are capable of making the same adjustment.

Claim 22

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means; means for bypassing said second color correction means; and selecting means for activating said bypassing means, wherein said adjustment information entering means enters instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, and includes the sum of a quantity of adjustment by said operation panel and a quantity of adjustment by an instruction from said image signal source.

Claim 23

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means; means for bypassing said second color correction means; and selecting means for activating said bypassing means, wherein said adjustment information entering means enters instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, and includes the sum of a quantity of adjustment by said operation panel and a quantity of adjustment by an instruction from said image signal source.

Claim 24

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means; means for bypassing said second color correction means; and selecting means for activating said bypassing means, said third color correction means comprises look-up tables for the respective colors, wherein an input of said third color correction means has a larger number of gradations than an output of said first color correction means, an output of said first color correction means is constantly normalized to a maximum number of gradations when said bypassing means is activated, and said look-up table for said third color correction means is adjusted for normalized gradations, thereby preventing drop-out of gradations.

Claim 25

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means; means for bypassing said second color correction means; and selecting means for activating said bypassing means, said third color correction means comprises look-up tables for the respective colors, wherein an input of said third color correction means has a larger number of gradations than an output of said first color correction means, an output of said first color correction means is constantly normalized to a maximum number of gradations when said bypassing means is activated, and said look-up table for said third color correction means is adjusted for normalized gradations, thereby preventing drop-out of gradations.

Claim 26

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means, said adjustment information entering means entering instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, including the sum of a quantity of adjustment by said operation panel and a quantity of adjustment by an instruction from said image signal source.

Claim 27

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means, said adjustment information entering means entering instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, including the sum of a quantity of adjustment by said operation panel and a quantity of adjustment by an instruction from said image signal source.

Claim 28

The image recording apparatus according to claim 20, in which said first color correction means comprises look-up tables for respective colors and a linear matrix.

Claim 29

The image recording apparatus according to claim 21, in which said look-up tables for the respective colors and said linear matrix comprise look-up tables provided for the respective colors and adders associated therewith.

Claim 30

The image recording apparatus according to claim 21, in which said second color correction means comprises a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, and wherein an output signal of said first color correction means is previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations.

Claim 31

The image recording apparatus according to claim 21, comprising means for bypassing said second color correction means, and selecting means for activating said bypassing means.

Claim 32

The image recording apparatus according to claim 20, in which said third color correction means comprises look-up tables for the respective colors.

Claim 33

The image recording apparatus according to any of claims 24 or 25, in which an input of said third color correction means has a large number of gradations than an output of said first color correction means, an output of said first color correction means is constantly normalized to a maximum number of gradations when said bypassing means is activated, and said look-up table for said third color correction means is adjusted for normalized gradations, thereby preventing drop-out of gradations.

Claim 34

The image recording apparatus according to claim 25, in which said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means are capable of at least selecting said look-up tables.

Claim 35

The image recording apparatus according to claim 20, in which said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means are capable of adjusting at least hue and saturation.

Claim 36

The image recording apparatus according to claim 28, in which said hue adjustment includes recording achromatic color.

Claim 37

The image recording apparatus according to any of claims 20, 28, or 27, in which said adjustment information entering means enters instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, and instructions from said operation panel and said image signal source are capable of making the same adjustment.

Claim 38

The image recording apparatus according to claim 20, in which said adjusting means for said first color correction means comprises adjusting means by which the adjustment is based on a hue different from that of the coloring material of said recording medium, and said adjusting means for said third color correction means comprises adjusting means by which the adjustment is based on the same hue as that of the coloring material of said recording medium.

Claim 39

The image recording apparatus according to claim 20, in which said look-up tables for the respective colors are downloadable from said image signal source, and the downloaded look-up table data is adjustable by said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means.

Claim 40

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, and second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, said second color correction means comprising a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, an output signal of said first color correction means being previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means.

Claim 41

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to record an image on an image recording medium, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, and second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, said second color correction means comprising a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, an output signal of said first color correction means being previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means.

Claim 42

The image recording apparatus according to claim 33, in which said first color correction means comprises look-up tables for respective colors and a linear matrix.

Claim 43

The image recording apparatus according to claim 34, in which said look-up tables for the respective colors and said linear matrix comprise look-up tables provided for the respective colors and adders associated therewith.

Claim 44

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to display an image on a monitor, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means, said second color correction means comprising a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, an output signal of said first color correction means being previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means.

Claim 45

An image recording apparatus for processing, for color correction, image signals from an image signal source of a host computer and for forming image record signals to display an image on a monitor, said image recording apparatus comprising: color correction means including first color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said image signal source, second color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said first color correction means, and third color correction means coupled to receive image signals from said second color correction means, said second color correction means comprising a three-dimensional look-up table addressed with n higher-order bits of each color and an interpolation unit responsive to m lower-order bits of each color, an output signal of said first color correction means being previously compressed to (2 n+m - 2 m ) gradations; adjusting means provided for at least said first color correction means and said third color correction means; and adjustment information entering means for providing adjustment information to said adjusting means.

Claim 46

The image recording apparatus according to claim 36, in which said first color correction means comprises look-up tables for respective colors and a linear matrix.

Claim 47

The image recording apparatus according to claim 37, in which said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means are capable of at least selecting said look-up tables.

Claim 48

The image recording apparatus according to claim 37, in which said look-up tables for the respective colors are downloadable from said image signal source, and the downloaded look-up table data is adjustable by said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means.

Claim 49

The image recording apparatus according to claim 37, in which said look-up tables for the respective colors and said linear matrix comprise look-up tables provided for the respective colors and adders associated therewith.

Claim 50

The image recording apparatus according to claim 36, comprising means for bypassing said second color correction means, and selecting means for activating said bypassing means.

Claim 51

The image recording apparatus according to claim 41, in which an input of said third color correction means has a larger number of gradations than an output of said first color correction means, an output of said first color correction means is constantly normalized to a maximum number of gradations when said bypassing means is activated, and said look-up table for said third color correction means is adjusted for normalized gradations, thereby preventing drop-out of gradations.

Claim 52

The image recording apparatus according to claim 36, in which said third color correction means comprises look-up tables for the respective colors.

Claim 53

The image recording apparatus according to claim 36, in which said adjusting means and said adjustment information entering means for said first color correction means are capable of adjusting at least hue and saturation.

Claim 54

The image recording apparatus according to claim 44, in which said hue adjustment includes recording achromatic color.

Claim 55

The image recording apparatus according to claim 36, in which said adjusting means for said first color correction means comprises adjusting means by which the adjustment is based on a hue different from that emitted by said monitor, and said adjusting means for said third color correction means comprises adjusting means by which the adjustment is based on the same hue as that of color emitted by said monitor.

Claim 56

The image recording apparatus according to claim 36, in which said adjustment information entering means enters instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, and instructions from said operation panel and said image signal source are capable of making the same adjustment.

Claim 57

The image recording apparatus according to claim 36, in which said adjustment information entering means enters instructions from an operation panel of said image recording apparatus and said image signal source, and comprises means for determining the sum of a quantity of adjustment by said operation panel and a quantity of adjustment by an instruction from said image signal source.