US5552810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recording apparatus having head-shading function and head-shading method
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1993-08-23
•
Granted: 1996-09-03
•
Expires: 2013-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A pattern (B) printed by driving only a specific recording element different from a pattern (A) for implementing head-shading is simultaneously formed and the address of density data on the pattern (B) for detecting the position of a recording element in a memory is used to correlate the density data on the pattern (A) for detecting uneven density for each recording element. The implementation of such head-shading and the identification of the position of the recording element of the recording head can thus be carried out with accuracy. As the position of the recording element and the density data thus detected are accurately correlated at all times, improvements in head-shading can be effected accordingly.
Inventors
- 👤 Takayuki Matsuo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:28
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J2/045; B41J2/04501; B41J2/0456; B41J2/0458; B41J2/04593; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16579; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/10; G06K15/102; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A recording apparatus having a head-shading function comprising: means for printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using a recording head, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, means for printing a pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the recording elements, means for detecting the density of the printed pattern for detecting uneven density and the density of the pattern for detecting the positions, memory means for temporarily storing density data on the pattern for detecting the positions obtained from the detection means, and means for correlating density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density with each of the recording elements according to the address location of the pattern for detecting the positions, the pattern for detecting the positions being stored in the memory means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A recording apparatus having a head-shading function comprising: means for printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using a recording head, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, means for printing a pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the recording elements, means for detecting the density of the printed pattern for detecting uneven density and the density of the pattern for detecting the positions, memory means for temporarily storing density data on the pattern for detecting the positions obtained from the detection means, and means for correlating density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density with each of the recording elements according to the address location of the pattern for detecting the positions, the pattern for detecting the positions being stored in the memory means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for preparing head-shading data according to the density data correlated by the correlating means to each of the recording elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for correcting an image recorded by the recording head according to the head-shading data prepared by the means for preparing the data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head comprises a head for performing recording operations using different colors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head comprises a head for ejecting ink.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording head utilizes thermal energy for ink ejection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head comprises a head for performing recording operations by serial scanning.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pattern for detecting uneven density is formed after being scanned a plurality of times by the recording head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has a width equal to that of a recording medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the position is singular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the position is plural.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one specific recording element includes respective recording elements at both ends of the recording head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least one specific recording element further includes a recording element located at the center of the recording head.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
A head-shading method comprising the steps of: printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using a recording head, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, printing a pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the recording elements, reading the printed pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements and storing density data of the pattern for detecting the positions in a memory, detecting the address of the specifically selected recording element within the density data stored in the memory to have the address stored, reading the printed pattern for detecting uneven density, and correlating density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density to each of the recording elements according to the address location of the pattern for detecting the positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
145 words
A head-shading method comprising the steps of: printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using a recording head, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, printing a pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the recording elements, reading the printed pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements and storing density data of the pattern for detecting the positions in a memory, detecting the address of the specifically selected recording element within the density data stored in the memory to have the address stored, reading the printed pattern for detecting uneven density, and correlating density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density to each of the recording elements according to the address location of the pattern for detecting the positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A head-shading method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of preparing head-shading data according to the density data correlated the correlating step with to each recording element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A head-shading method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of correcting an image recorded by the recording head according to the head-shading data prepared in the steps of preparing the data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A head-shading method according to claim 14, wherein the recording head performs recording operations using different colors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A head-shading method according to claim 14, wherein the recording head ejects ink.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A head-shading method according to claim 18, wherein the recording head utilizes thermal energy for ink ejection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A head-shading method according to claim 14, wherein the recording head performs recording operations by serial scanning.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A head-shading method according to claim 20, wherein the pattern for detecting uneven density is formed after being scanned a plurality of times by the recording head.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A head-shading method according to claim 14, wherein the recording head has a width equal to that of a recording medium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A head-shading method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the positions is singular.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A head-shading method according to claim 14, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the position is plural.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A head-shading method according to claim 24, wherein the at least one specific recording element includes respective recording elements at both ends of the recording head.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A head-shading method according to claim 25, wherein the at least one specific recording element further includes a recording element located at the center of the recording head.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of forming a head-shading pattern comprising the steps of: printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using a recording head, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, and printing a pattern for detecting positions of recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the plurality of recording elements, wherein the pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements is recorded at a position for determining a relative position between the pattern for detecting uneven density and the recording elements used for printing the pattern for detecting uneven density.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of forming a head-shading pattern comprising the steps of: printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using a recording head, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, and printing a pattern for detecting positions of recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the plurality of recording elements, wherein the pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements is recorded at a position for determining a relative position between the pattern for detecting uneven density and the recording elements used for printing the pattern for detecting uneven density.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of forming a head-shading pattern according to claim 27, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the positions is singular.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of forming a head-shading pattern according to claim 27, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the position is plural.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of forming a head-shading pattern according to claim 29, wherein the at least one specific recording element includes respective recording head at both ends of the recording element.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of forming a head-shading pattern according to claim 30, wherein the at least one specific recording element further includes a recording element located at the center of the recording head.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of preparing head-shading data comprising the steps of: reading a pattern for detecting the positions of recording elements, the pattern being formed by the use of at least one recording element of plural recording elements of a recording head, and storing density data of the pattern in a memory, detecting an address of at least one specific recording element of the plural recording elements within the density data stored in the memory to have the address stored, reading a pattern for detecting uneven density, the pattern being formed by the use of all the recording elements of the recording head, and correlating density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density to each recording element of the plural recording elements according to the address location of the pattern for detecting the positions.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of preparing head-shading data comprising the steps of: reading a pattern for detecting the positions of recording elements, the pattern being formed by the use of at least one recording element of plural recording elements of a recording head, and storing density data of the pattern in a memory, detecting an address of at least one specific recording element of the plural recording elements within the density data stored in the memory to have the address stored, reading a pattern for detecting uneven density, the pattern being formed by the use of all the recording elements of the recording head, and correlating density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density to each recording element of the plural recording elements according to the address location of the pattern for detecting the positions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of preparing head-shading data according to claim 32, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the positions is singular.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of preparing head-shading data according to claim 32, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the positions is plural.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of preparing head-shading data according to claim 34, wherein the at least one specific recording element includes respective recording head at both ends of the recording element.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of preparing head-shading data according to claim 35, wherein the at least one specific recording element further includes a recording element located at the center of the recording head.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
161 words
A recording apparatus having a head-shading function in correcting density data on each recording element by detecting the unevenness of a pattern formed by a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, the recording apparatus comprising: means for printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using the plurality of recording elements, means for printing a pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the plurality of recording elements, means for detecting the density of the printed pattern for detecting uneven density, means for recognizing the position of the at least one specific recording element according to the printed pattern for detecting the positions, and means for correlating the density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density and each recording element of the plurality of recording elements according to the recognized position of the at least one specific recording element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
161 words
A recording apparatus having a head-shading function in correcting density data on each recording element by detecting the unevenness of a pattern formed by a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, the recording apparatus comprising: means for printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using the plurality of recording elements, means for printing a pattern for detecting the positions of the recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the plurality of recording elements, means for detecting the density of the printed pattern for detecting uneven density, means for recognizing the position of the at least one specific recording element according to the printed pattern for detecting the positions, and means for correlating the density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density and each recording element of the plurality of recording elements according to the recognized position of the at least one specific recording element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising means for preparing head-shading data according to the density data correlated by the correlating means with each recording element of the plurality of recording elements.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising means for correcting an image recorded by the recording head according to the head-shading data prepared by the means for preparing the head shading data.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the recording head performs recording operations using different colors.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the recording head ejects ink.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the recording head utilizes thermal energy for ink ejection.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the recording head performs recording operations by serial scanning.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the pattern for detecting uneven density is formed after being scanned a plurality of times by the recording head.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the recording head has a width equal to that of a recording medium.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
26 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the position is singular.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the position is plural.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the at least one specific recording element includes respective recording elements at both ends of the recording head.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the at least one specific recording element further includes a recording element located at the center of the recording head.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
128 words
A head-shading method comprising the steps of: printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using a recording head, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, printing a pattern for detecting the position of the recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the plurality of recording elements, detecting the density of the printed pattern for detecting uneven density, recognizing the position of the at least one specific recording element according to the printed pattern for detecting the positions, and correlating the density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density and each recording element of the plurality of recording elements according to the recognized position of the at least one specific recording element.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
128 words
A head-shading method comprising the steps of: printing a pattern for detecting uneven density using a recording head, the recording head having a plurality of recording elements arrayed thereon, printing a pattern for detecting the position of the recording elements correlated with the pattern for detecting uneven density using at least one specifically selected recording element of the plurality of recording elements, detecting the density of the printed pattern for detecting uneven density, recognizing the position of the at least one specific recording element according to the printed pattern for detecting the positions, and correlating the density data on the pattern for detecting uneven density and each recording element of the plurality of recording elements according to the recognized position of the at least one specific recording element.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
A head-shading method according to claim 50, further comprising the step of preparing head-shading data according to the density data correlated in the correlating step with each recording element.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
A head-shading method according to claim 51, further comprising the step of correcting an image recorded by the recording head according to the head-shading data prepared in the step of preparing the head-shading data.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
26 words
A head-shading method according to claim 50, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the positions is singular.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
A head-shading method according to claim 50, wherein the at least one specific recording element used for printing the pattern for detecting the positions is plural.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
A head-shading method according to claim 54, wherein the at least one specific recording element includes respective recording elements at both ends of the recording head.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
28 words
A recording apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the at least one specific recording element further includes a recording element located at the center of the recording head.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4723129A
Cited
US4740796A
Cited
JPS5456847A
Cited
US4459600A
Cited
US4345262A
Cited
US4463359A
Cited
US4313124A
Cited
US4558333A
Cited
JPS59123670A
Cited
JPS59138461A
Cited
US4608577A
Cited
JPS6071260A
Cited
US5140429A
Cited
US5353052A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-03 | 2000-03-04 | 2000-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-03 | 2004-03-04 | 2004-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-03 | 2008-03-04 | 2008-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |