US5509085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image processor and printing apparatus which perform binary coding of color components
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
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Filing: 1993-10-05
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2013-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An image processor and a color printing apparatus to which the image processor is applied, the image processor having the function of binary-coding color tone image data so that the image data can be output to apparatuses not having a pixel-based tone control system. The image processor includes a first-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a first color component, a second-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a second color component, a second-color-component threshold controlling means for the second-color-component binary-coding means, the second-color-component threshold controlling means increasing or decreasing a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with a binary-coded result OFF or ON of the first color component, a third-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a third color component, and a third-color-component threshold controlling means for the third-color-component binary-coding means, the third-color-component threshold controlling means increasing or decreasing a third-color-component binary-coding threshold by referring at least to the binary-coded result of the first color component or the binary-coded result of the second color component.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiaki Kakutani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
In an operation of binary-coding respective color components of half-tone color image data consisting of three color components, an image processor comprising: a first-color-component binary-coding means for binary coding a first color component to provide a first binary-coded result; a second-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a second color component to provide a second binary-coded result; a second-color-component threshold controlling means for said second-color-component binary-coding means, said second-color-component threshold controlling means receiving the first binary-coded result and adjusting a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with the first binary-coded result, wherein the first binary-coded result is used directly to adjust the second-color-component binary-coding threshold; a third-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a third color component; and a third-color-component threshold controlling means for said third-color-component binary-coding means, said third-color-component threshold controlling means receiving at least one of the first and second binary-coded results and adjusting a third-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with at least one of the first and second binary-coded results, wherein at least one of the first and second binary-coded results is used directly to adjust the third-color-component binary-coding threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
In an operation of binary-coding respective color components of half-tone color image data consisting of three color components, an image processor comprising: a first-color-component binary-coding means for binary coding a first color component to provide a first binary-coded result; a second-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a second color component to provide a second binary-coded result; a second-color-component threshold controlling means for said second-color-component binary-coding means, said second-color-component threshold controlling means receiving the first binary-coded result and adjusting a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with the first binary-coded result, wherein the first binary-coded result is used directly to adjust the second-color-component binary-coding threshold; a third-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a third color component; and a third-color-component threshold controlling means for said third-color-component binary-coding means, said third-color-component threshold controlling means receiving at least one of the first and second binary-coded results and adjusting a third-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with at least one of the first and second binary-coded results, wherein at least one of the first and second binary-coded results is used directly to adjust the third-color-component binary-coding threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image processor according to claim 1, wherein said third-color-component threshold controlling means refers particularly to the first binary-coded result, and increases or decreases the threshold for the third color component in accordance with only the first binary-coded result.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image processor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said second-color-component binary-coding means and said third-color-component binary-coding means operates in accordance with one of a minimum average error method and an error diffusion method.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processor according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said second-color-component binary-coding means and said third-color component binary-coding means operates in accordance with one of a minimum average error method and an error diffusion method.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
219 words
A printing apparatus for printing dots using inks of four colors including three color components and black, comprising: an image processor comprising: a first-color-component binary-coding means for binary coding a first color component to provide a first binary-coded result; a second-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a second color component to provide a second binary-coded result; a second-color-component threshold controlling means for said second-color-component binary-coding means, said second-color-component threshold controlling means receiving the first binary-coded result and adjusting a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with the first binary-coded result, wherein the first binary-coded result is used directly to adjust the second-color-component binary-coding threshold; a third-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a third color component; a third-color-component threshold controlling means for said third-color-component binary-coding means, said third-color-component threshold controlling means receiving at least one of the first and second binary-coded results and adjusting a third-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with at least one of the first and second binary-coded results, wherein at least one of the first and second binary-coded results is used directly to adjust the third-color-component binary-coding threshold; and a block dot generating means for replacing a target pixel with a single black ink dot if all three color components of the target pixel have been binary-coded to an ON state in a binary-coding operation performed by said image processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
219 words
A printing apparatus for printing dots using inks of four colors including three color components and black, comprising: an image processor comprising: a first-color-component binary-coding means for binary coding a first color component to provide a first binary-coded result; a second-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a second color component to provide a second binary-coded result; a second-color-component threshold controlling means for said second-color-component binary-coding means, said second-color-component threshold controlling means receiving the first binary-coded result and adjusting a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with the first binary-coded result, wherein the first binary-coded result is used directly to adjust the second-color-component binary-coding threshold; a third-color-component binary-coding means for binary-coding a third color component; a third-color-component threshold controlling means for said third-color-component binary-coding means, said third-color-component threshold controlling means receiving at least one of the first and second binary-coded results and adjusting a third-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with at least one of the first and second binary-coded results, wherein at least one of the first and second binary-coded results is used directly to adjust the third-color-component binary-coding threshold; and a block dot generating means for replacing a target pixel with a single black ink dot if all three color components of the target pixel have been binary-coded to an ON state in a binary-coding operation performed by said image processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image processor according to claim 5, wherein said third-color-component threshold controlling means refers particularly to the first binary-coded result, and increases or decreases the threshold for the third color component in accordance with only the first binary-coded result.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image processor according to claim 5, wherein at least one of said second-color-component binary-coding means and said third-color-component binary-coding means operates in accordance with one of a minimum average error method and an error diffusion method.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processor according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said second-color-component binary-coding means and said third-color component binary-coding means operates in accordance with one of a minimum average error method and an error diffusion method.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of binary-coding respective color components of half-tone color image data consisting of three color components, comprising the steps of: binary-coding a first color component to provide a first binary-coded result; adjusting a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with the first binary-coded result, wherein the first binary-coded result is used directly to adjust the second-color-component binary-coding threshold; binary-coding a second color component, utilizing the adjusted second-color-component binary-coding threshold, to provide a second binary-coded result; adjusting a third-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with a least one of the first and second binary-coded results, wherein at least one of the first and second binary-coded results is used directly to adjust the third-color-component binary-coding threshold; binary-coding a third color component, utilizing the adjusted third-color-component binary-coding threshold, to provide a third binary-coded result.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of binary-coding respective color components of half-tone color image data consisting of three color components, comprising the steps of: binary-coding a first color component to provide a first binary-coded result; adjusting a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with the first binary-coded result, wherein the first binary-coded result is used directly to adjust the second-color-component binary-coding threshold; binary-coding a second color component, utilizing the adjusted second-color-component binary-coding threshold, to provide a second binary-coded result; adjusting a third-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with a least one of the first and second binary-coded results, wherein at least one of the first and second binary-coded results is used directly to adjust the third-color-component binary-coding threshold; binary-coding a third color component, utilizing the adjusted third-color-component binary-coding threshold, to provide a third binary-coded result.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of adjusting the third-color-component binary-coding threshold is performed in accordance with only the first binary-coded result.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said steps of binary-coding the first, second and third color components is performed using a minimum average error method.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said steps of binary-coding the first, second and third color components is performed using an error diffusion method.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for printing dots using inks of at least four colors, including three color components and black, comprising the steps of: binary-coding a first color component to provide a first binary-coded result; adjusting a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with the first binary-coded result, wherein the first binary-coded result is used directly to adjust the second-color-component binary-coding threshold; binary-coding a second color component, utilizing the adjusted second-color-component binary-coding threshold, to provide a second binary-coded result; adjusting a third-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with a least one of the first and second binary-coded results, wherein at least one of the first and second binary-coded results is used directly to adjust the third-color-component binary-coding threshold; binary-coding a third color component, utilizing the adjusted third-color-component binary-coding threshold, to provide a third binary-coded result; utilizing the first, second and third binary-coded results to print color dots at a target pixel; and printing a black dot if the first, second and third binary-coded results all correspond to an ON state.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for printing dots using inks of at least four colors, including three color components and black, comprising the steps of: binary-coding a first color component to provide a first binary-coded result; adjusting a second-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with the first binary-coded result, wherein the first binary-coded result is used directly to adjust the second-color-component binary-coding threshold; binary-coding a second color component, utilizing the adjusted second-color-component binary-coding threshold, to provide a second binary-coded result; adjusting a third-color-component binary-coding threshold in accordance with a least one of the first and second binary-coded results, wherein at least one of the first and second binary-coded results is used directly to adjust the third-color-component binary-coding threshold; binary-coding a third color component, utilizing the adjusted third-color-component binary-coding threshold, to provide a third binary-coded result; utilizing the first, second and third binary-coded results to print color dots at a target pixel; and printing a black dot if the first, second and third binary-coded results all correspond to an ON state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of adjusting the third-color-component binary-coding threshold is performed in accordance with only the first binary-coded result.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said steps of binary-coding the first, second and third color components is performed using a minimum average error method.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of said steps of binary-coding the first, second and third color components is performed using an error diffusion method.
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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) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |