Patent US5528386A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5528386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Color printer calibration architecture
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-01-10
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2014-01-10
Abstract
Abstract In a printer which produces images as a function of the combination of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K) colorants on an output color print, responsive to device independent colorimetric description of an image, there is provided a method of calibrating the response of the printer to an image described in terms of colorimetric values, including the steps of first, gray balancing or linearizing colorant signals; secondly, adding black to an ideal device dependent description of a color image in accordance with a predetermined black addition process, and thirdly, providing a color correction transformation process, where the color correction transformation is accomplished via a method of interpolating printer responses from a look-up table indexing colorimetric descriptions of measured real responses, which take into account subsequent black addition and signal linearization.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Rolleston
- 👤 Martin S. Maltz
- 👤 Judith E. Stinehour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6016; H04N1/6022; H04N1/603; H04N1/6033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
A method of calibrating a color printer so that color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render color prints with a set of three primary colorants and black on a substrate, the calibration method comprising the ordered steps of: a) linearizing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding test pattern set of varying density samples of each of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the density of each printed density sample, and iii) generating a printer linearization table for each of the three primary colorants and black, whereby a linear increase in a colorant signal produces a linear increase in a printer colorant signal; b) determining, for a given density characteristic of a combination of primary colorant signals to generate a color on the substrate, a black colorant signal, to add black to a color print; c) producing a color transform and correction table by: i) producing a second set of printer colorant signals of colors from combinations of the three primary colorants, with black colorant signals added in accordance with the determined density characteristic of the combination of primary colorant signals, to print a corresponding second test pattern set of color samples from combination of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the color of each printed color sample in terms of colorimetric color signals, and iii) generating a color transformation table mapping measured colors in terms of the three primary colorants used to generate the color samples to colorimetric color signals; d) storing an addressable mapping of colorimetric color signals to colorant signals in a printer memory.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
292 words
A method of calibrating a color printer so that color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render color prints with a set of three primary colorants and black on a substrate, the calibration method comprising the ordered steps of: a) linearizing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding test pattern set of varying density samples of each of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the density of each printed density sample, and iii) generating a printer linearization table for each of the three primary colorants and black, whereby a linear increase in a colorant signal produces a linear increase in a printer colorant signal; b) determining, for a given density characteristic of a combination of primary colorant signals to generate a color on the substrate, a black colorant signal, to add black to a color print; c) producing a color transform and correction table by: i) producing a second set of printer colorant signals of colors from combinations of the three primary colorants, with black colorant signals added in accordance with the determined density characteristic of the combination of primary colorant signals, to print a corresponding second test pattern set of color samples from combination of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the color of each printed color sample in terms of colorimetric color signals, and iii) generating a color transformation table mapping measured colors in terms of the three primary colorants used to generate the color samples to colorimetric color signals; d) storing an addressable mapping of colorimetric color signals to colorant signals in a printer memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 1, and including the further step, after determining the black colorant signal, and prior to producing a color transform and correction table, determining an amount by which each colorant can be correspondingly reduced for under color removal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A method as defined in claim 1, and including the further step, after linearizing the printer response, and prior to producing a color transform and correction table, of: gray balancing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding set of varying density samples of combinations each of the three primary colorants; ii) determining which of the samples printed in combination provide a neutral gray; iii) generating a printer gray balance table, whereby printer colorant signals are varied in accordance with a function that defines three equal colorant signals as gray; iv) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print varying density samples of black on a substrate; v) measuring the density of each printed sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 3, and including the further step, after determining the black colorant signal, and prior to producing a color transform and correction table, determining an amount by which each colorant can be correspondingly reduced for under color removal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
336 words
A method of calibrating a color printer so that color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render color prints with a set of three primary colorants and black on a substrate, the calibration method comprising the ordered steps of: a) gray balancing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding set of varying density samples of combinations each of the three primary colorants; ii) determining which of the samples printed in combination provide a neutral gray; iii) generating a printer gray balance table, whereby printer colorant signals are varied in accordance with a function that defines three equal colorant signals as gray; iv) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print varying density samples of black on a substrate; v) measuring the density of each printed sample, and vi) generating a printer linearization table for black, whereby a linear increase in the colorant signal for black produces a linear increase in the black printer colorant response; b) determining, for a given density characteristic of a combination of primary colorant signals to generate a color on the substrate, a black colorant signal, to add black to a color print; c) producing a color transform and correction table by: i) producing a second set of printer colorant signals of colors from combinations of the three primary colorants, with black colorant signals added in accordance with the determined density characteristic of the combination of primary colorant signals, to print a corresponding set of color samples from combination of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the color of each printed color sample in terms of colorimetric color signals, and iii) generating a color transformation table mapping measured colors in terms of the three primary colorants used to generate the color samples to colorimetric color signals; d) storing an addressable mapping of colorimetric color signals to colorant signals in a printer memory.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
336 words
A method of calibrating a color printer so that color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render color prints with a set of three primary colorants and black on a substrate, the calibration method comprising the ordered steps of: a) gray balancing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding set of varying density samples of combinations each of the three primary colorants; ii) determining which of the samples printed in combination provide a neutral gray; iii) generating a printer gray balance table, whereby printer colorant signals are varied in accordance with a function that defines three equal colorant signals as gray; iv) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print varying density samples of black on a substrate; v) measuring the density of each printed sample, and vi) generating a printer linearization table for black, whereby a linear increase in the colorant signal for black produces a linear increase in the black printer colorant response; b) determining, for a given density characteristic of a combination of primary colorant signals to generate a color on the substrate, a black colorant signal, to add black to a color print; c) producing a color transform and correction table by: i) producing a second set of printer colorant signals of colors from combinations of the three primary colorants, with black colorant signals added in accordance with the determined density characteristic of the combination of primary colorant signals, to print a corresponding set of color samples from combination of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the color of each printed color sample in terms of colorimetric color signals, and iii) generating a color transformation table mapping measured colors in terms of the three primary colorants used to generate the color samples to colorimetric color signals; d) storing an addressable mapping of colorimetric color signals to colorant signals in a printer memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 5, and including the further step, after determining the black colorant signal, and prior to producing a color transform and correction table, determining an amount by which each colorant can be correspondingly reduced for under color removal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of calibrating a color printer so that color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render color prints with a set of three primary colorants on a substrate, the calibration method comprising the ordered steps of: a) linearizing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding test pattern set of varying density samples of each of the three primary colorants on a substrate, ii) measuring the density of each printed density sample, and iii) generating a printer linearization table for each of the three primary colorants, whereby a linear increase in a colorant signal produces a linear increase in a printer colorant signal; b) producing a color transform and correction table by: i) producing a second set of printer colorant signals of colors from combinations of the three primary colorants, with black colorant signals added in accordance with the determined density characteristic of the combination of primary colorant signals, to print a corresponding test pattern set of color samples from a combination of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the color of each printed color sample in terms of colorimetric color signals, and iii) generating a color transformation table mapping measured colors in terms of the three primary colorants used to generate the color samples to colorimetric color signals; c) storing an addressable mapping of colorimetric color signals to colorant signals in a printer memory.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of calibrating a color printer so that color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render color prints with a set of three primary colorants on a substrate, the calibration method comprising the ordered steps of: a) linearizing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding test pattern set of varying density samples of each of the three primary colorants on a substrate, ii) measuring the density of each printed density sample, and iii) generating a printer linearization table for each of the three primary colorants, whereby a linear increase in a colorant signal produces a linear increase in a printer colorant signal; b) producing a color transform and correction table by: i) producing a second set of printer colorant signals of colors from combinations of the three primary colorants, with black colorant signals added in accordance with the determined density characteristic of the combination of primary colorant signals, to print a corresponding test pattern set of color samples from a combination of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the color of each printed color sample in terms of colorimetric color signals, and iii) generating a color transformation table mapping measured colors in terms of the three primary colorants used to generate the color samples to colorimetric color signals; c) storing an addressable mapping of colorimetric color signals to colorant signals in a printer memory.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
257 words
A method of calibrating a color printer so that color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render color prints with a set of three primary colorants on a substrate, the calibration method comprising the ordered steps of: a) gray balancing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding set of varying density samples of combinations each of the three primary colorants; ii) determining which of the samples printed in combination provide a neutral gray; iii) generating a printer gray balance table, whereby printer colorant signals are varied in accordance with a function that defines three equal colorant signals as gray; iv) measuring the density of each printed sample, and b) producing a color transform and correction table by: i) producing a second set of printer colorant signals of colors from combinations of the three primary colorants, with black colorant signals added in accordance with the determined density characteristic of the combination of primary colorant signals, to print a corresponding set of color samples from a combination of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the color of each printed color sample in terms of colorimetric color signals, and iii) generating a color transformation table mapping measured colors in terms of the three primary colorants used to generate the color samples to colorimetric color signals; c) storing an addressable mapping of colorimetric color signals to colorant signals in a printer memory.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
257 words
A method of calibrating a color printer so that color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render color prints with a set of three primary colorants on a substrate, the calibration method comprising the ordered steps of: a) gray balancing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding set of varying density samples of combinations each of the three primary colorants; ii) determining which of the samples printed in combination provide a neutral gray; iii) generating a printer gray balance table, whereby printer colorant signals are varied in accordance with a function that defines three equal colorant signals as gray; iv) measuring the density of each printed sample, and b) producing a color transform and correction table by: i) producing a second set of printer colorant signals of colors from combinations of the three primary colorants, with black colorant signals added in accordance with the determined density characteristic of the combination of primary colorant signals, to print a corresponding set of color samples from a combination of the three primary colorants and black on a substrate, ii) measuring the color of each printed color sample in terms of colorimetric color signals, and iii) generating a color transformation table mapping measured colors in terms of the three primary colorants used to generate the color samples to colorimetric color signals; c) storing an addressable mapping of colorimetric color signals to colorant signals in a printer memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method as defined in claim 8, and including the further step, prior to producing a color transform and correction table, of gray balancing the printer response by: i) producing a set of printer colorant signals to print a corresponding set of varying density samples of combinations each of the three primary colorants; ii) determining which of the samples printed in combination provide a neutral gray; iii) generating a printer gray balance table, whereby printer colorant signals are varied in accordance with a function that defines three equal colorant signals as gray; iv) measuring the density of each printed sample.
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) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-12-18 | 2000-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-18 | 2003-12-18 | 2004-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-12-18 | 2008-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |