US5602572A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thinned halftone dot patterns for inkjet printing
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1994-08-25
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2014-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A set of thinned halftone dot patterns useful in inkjet printing comprises a plurality of halftone cells corresponding to respective shade values. Each of the halftone cells includes a plurality of addressable points, with at least some of the points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern, and at least some of the "on" points defining a core component of the halftone dot pattern being selectively turned "off", thereby producing a thinned halftone dot pattern. The thinned halftone dot patterns enable the use of higher addressability in an inkjet printing system to achieve a wider range of shade values while avoiding undesirable over-inking of printed halftone dot patterns due to excessive overlap between printed ink spots. The thinned halftone dot patterns prevent significant overlap between adjacent ink spots in the core, or "interior", component when the halftone dot pattern is printed by the inkjet printing system, but preserves the entire edge component to maintain desired halftone cell definition. Thinned halftone cells can be stored in a memory as "glyphs" and retrieved by an inkjet printing system to print higher addressability halftone images with enhanced quality and a wider range of shade values.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Rylander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:38
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/205; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/10; G06K15/102; B41J2/21; B41J2/2132; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for generating a thinned halftone dot pattern for inkjet printing, the method comprising the steps of: generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern; selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern; selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining an edge component of said halftone dot pattern; selectively turning "off" at least some of said "on" points of said core component; and combining said core component and said edge component to produce the thinned halftone dot pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for generating a thinned halftone dot pattern for inkjet printing, the method comprising the steps of: generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern; selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern; selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining an edge component of said halftone dot pattern; selectively turning "off" at least some of said "on" points of said core component; and combining said core component and said edge component to produce the thinned halftone dot pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selectively turning "off" at least some of said points of said core component includes the step of: performing a logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component and a mask cell, said mask cell being defined by a plurality of second, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said second points being turned "on" to define a mask pattern, wherein said logical AND operation produces an intermediate cell defined by a plurality of third, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said third points being turned "on" as a result of said logical AND operation to define an intermediate pattern, and said step of combination said core component and said edge component includes the step of: performing a logical OR operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said edge component of said halftone dot pattern and said intermediate cell to produce the thinned halftone dot pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2, wherein one in every two of said second points of said mask cell is turned "on".
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2, wherein one in every four of said second points of said mask cell is turned "on".
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said step of performing said logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component and said mask cell includes the step of performing a logical AND operation on said halftone cell and said mask cell to produce said intermediate cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of printing a representation of said thinned halftone dot pattern on a printing substrate using an inkjet printer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for generating a thinned halftone dot patterns for inkjet printing, the system comprising: means for generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern; means for selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern; means for selectively plurality of said "on" points defining an edge component of said halftone dot pattern; means for selectively turning "off" at least some of said "on " points of said core component; and means for combining said core component and said edge component to produce the thinned halftone dot pattern.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for generating a thinned halftone dot patterns for inkjet printing, the system comprising: means for generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern; means for selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern; means for selectively plurality of said "on" points defining an edge component of said halftone dot pattern; means for selectively turning "off" at least some of said "on " points of said core component; and means for combining said core component and said edge component to produce the thinned halftone dot pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said means for selectively turning "off" at least some of said "on" points of said core component includes: means for performing a logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component and a mask cell, said mask cell being defined by a plurality of second, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said second points being turned "on" to define a mask pattern, wherein said logical AND operation produces an intermediate cell defined by a plurality of third, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said third points being turned "on"0 as a result of said logical AND operation to define an intermediate pattern, and said means for combining said core component and said edge component includes: means for performing a logical OR operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said edge component of said halftone dot pattern and said intermediate cell to produce the thinned halftone dot pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 7, wherein one in every two of said second points of said mask cell is turned "on".
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 7, wherein one in every four of said second points of said mask cell is turned "on".
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said means for performing said logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component and said mask cell includes means for performing a logical AND operation on said halftone cell and said mask cell to produce said intermediate cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7, further comprising means for printing a representation of said thinned halftone dot pattern on a printing substrate using an inkjet printer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
236 words
An inkjet printing method employing a set of thinned halftone dot patterns, the method comprising the steps of: storing in a memory a plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; receiving image data representing a plurality of image dots, each of said image dots having one of a plurality of shade values; matching each of said image dots with one of a plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns stored in said memory based on the shade value of a respective one of said image dots, wherein each of said thinned halftone dot patterns in said memory corresponds to a respective one of said shade values, wherein each of the thinned halftone dot patterns is formed by the following steps: generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern, wherein said halftone dot pattern corresponds to the respective one of said shade values, selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern, and selectively turning "off" of at least some of said "on" points of said core component to produce one of said plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; and printing, for each of said dot images, a representation of a respective one of said thinned halftone dot patterns matched with each of said image dots on a printing substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
236 words
An inkjet printing method employing a set of thinned halftone dot patterns, the method comprising the steps of: storing in a memory a plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; receiving image data representing a plurality of image dots, each of said image dots having one of a plurality of shade values; matching each of said image dots with one of a plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns stored in said memory based on the shade value of a respective one of said image dots, wherein each of said thinned halftone dot patterns in said memory corresponds to a respective one of said shade values, wherein each of the thinned halftone dot patterns is formed by the following steps: generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern, wherein said halftone dot pattern corresponds to the respective one of said shade values, selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern, and selectively turning "off" of at least some of said "on" points of said core component to produce one of said plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; and printing, for each of said dot images, a representation of a respective one of said thinned halftone dot patterns matched with each of said image dots on a printing substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
184 words
The inkjet printing method of claim 13, wherein said selective turning "off" of at least some of said points of said core component includes: performance of a logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component and a mask cell, said mask cell being defined by a plurality of second, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said second points being turned "on" to define a mask pattern, wherein said logical AND operation produces an intermediate cell defined by a plurality of third, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said third points being turned "on" as a result of said logical AND operation to define an intermediate pattern; selection of a plurality of said "on" points of said halftone dot pattern defining an edge component of said halftone dot pattern; and performance of a logical OR operation on the selected plurality of said "on " points defining said edge component of said halftone dot pattern and said intermediate cell to produce said one of said plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13, wherein one in every two of said second points of said mask cell is turned "on".
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13, wherein one in every four of said second points of said mask cell is turned "on".
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said performance of said logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on " points defining said core component and said mask cell includes performance of a logical AND operation on said halftone cell and said mask cell to produce said intermediate cell.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
240 words
An inkjet printing system employing a set of thinned halftone dot patterns, the system comprising: a memory storing a plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; means for receiving image data representing a plurality of image dots, each of said image dots having one of a plurality of shade values; means for matching each of said image dots with one of a plurality of said thinned halftone dot patterns stored in said memory based on the shade value of respective one of said image dots, wherein each of said thinned halftone dot patterns in said memory corresponds to a respective one of said shade values, wherein each of the thinned halftone dot patterns is formed by: generating means for generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern, wherein said halftone dot pattern corresponds to one of said shade values, selecting means for selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern, and selective means for selectively turning "off" of at least some of said "on" points of said core component to produce one of said plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; and means for printing, for each of said dot images, a representation of one of said thinned halftone dot patterns matched with each of said image dots on a printing substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
240 words
An inkjet printing system employing a set of thinned halftone dot patterns, the system comprising: a memory storing a plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; means for receiving image data representing a plurality of image dots, each of said image dots having one of a plurality of shade values; means for matching each of said image dots with one of a plurality of said thinned halftone dot patterns stored in said memory based on the shade value of respective one of said image dots, wherein each of said thinned halftone dot patterns in said memory corresponds to a respective one of said shade values, wherein each of the thinned halftone dot patterns is formed by: generating means for generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern, wherein said halftone dot pattern corresponds to one of said shade values, selecting means for selecting a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern, and selective means for selectively turning "off" of at least some of said "on" points of said core component to produce one of said plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; and means for printing, for each of said dot images, a representation of one of said thinned halftone dot patterns matched with each of said image dots on a printing substrate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
176 words
The inkjet printing system of claim 18, wherein said selective turning "of" of at least some of said "on" points of said core component includes: performance of a logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component and a mask cell, said mask cell being defined by a plurality of second, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said second points being turned "on"0 to define a mask pattern, wherein said logical AND operation produces an intermediate cell defined by a plurality of third, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said third points being turned "on" as a result of said logical AND operation to define an intermediate pattern; selection of a plurality of said "on" points of said halftone dot pattern defining an edge component of said halftone dot pattern; and performance of a logical OR operation on the edge component of said halftone dot pattern and said intermediate cell to produce said one of said plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 18, wherein one in every two of said second points of said mask cell is turned "on".
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 18, wherein one in every four of said second points of said mask cell is turned "on".
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said performance of said logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component of said halftone dot pattern and said mask cell includes performance of a logical AND operation on said halftone cell and said mask cell to produce said intermediate cell.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
159 words
A set of thinned halftone dot patterns for inkjet printing, the electronic representation of the set comprising: a plurality of halftone cells, each of said halftone cells corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of shade values; a plurality of addressable points within each of said halftone cells, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern; and a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern being selectively turned "off", wherein the "off" points of said core component represent a result of: selection of the plurality of said "on" points defining the core component; selection of a plurality of said "on" points defining an edge component of said halftone dot pattern: selective turning "off" of at least some of said "on" points of said core component, and combination of said core component and said edge component to produce one of the thinned halftone dot patterns.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
159 words
A set of thinned halftone dot patterns for inkjet printing, the electronic representation of the set comprising: a plurality of halftone cells, each of said halftone cells corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of shade values; a plurality of addressable points within each of said halftone cells, at least some of said points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern; and a plurality of said "on" points defining a core component of said halftone dot pattern being selectively turned "off", wherein the "off" points of said core component represent a result of: selection of the plurality of said "on" points defining the core component; selection of a plurality of said "on" points defining an edge component of said halftone dot pattern: selective turning "off" of at least some of said "on" points of said core component, and combination of said core component and said edge component to produce one of the thinned halftone dot patterns.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
160 words
The memory of claim 23, wherein the "off" points of said core component represent a result of: performance of a logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component of said halftone dot pattern of each of said halftone cells and a mask cell, said mask cell being defined by a plurality of second, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said second points being turned "on" to define a mask pattern, wherein said logical AND operation produces an intermediate cell defined by a plurality of third, addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said third points being turned "on" as a result of said logical AND operation to define an intermediate pattern; and performance of a logical OR operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said edge component of said halftone dot pattern and said intermediate cell to produce the thinned halftone dot pattern.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
The memory of claim 24, wherein said performance of said logical AND operation on the selected plurality of said "on" points defining said core component of said halftone dot pattern of each of said halftone cells and said mask cell includes performance of a logical AND operation on said halftone cell and said mask cell to produce said intermediate cell.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
227 words
An inkjet printing method employing a set of thinned halftone dot patterns, the method comprising the steps of: storing in a memory a plurality of thinned halftone dot pattern; receiving image data representing a plurality of image dots, each of said image dots having one of a plurality of shade values; matching each of said image dots with one of plurality of said thinned halftone dot patterns stored in said memory based on the shade value of a respective one of said image dots, wherein each of said thinned halftone dot patterns in said memory corresponds to a respective one of said shade values, wherein each of the thinned halftone dot patterns is formed by the following steps: generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points turned "on" to define a halftone dot respective one of said shade values, and pattern, wherein said halftone dot pattern corresponds to a respective one of said shade values, and selectively turning "off " of at least some of said addressable points of said halftone cell to produce one of said plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; and printing, for each of said dot images, a representation of a respective one of said thinned halftone dot patterns matched with each of said image dots on a printing substrate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
227 words
An inkjet printing method employing a set of thinned halftone dot patterns, the method comprising the steps of: storing in a memory a plurality of thinned halftone dot pattern; receiving image data representing a plurality of image dots, each of said image dots having one of a plurality of shade values; matching each of said image dots with one of plurality of said thinned halftone dot patterns stored in said memory based on the shade value of a respective one of said image dots, wherein each of said thinned halftone dot patterns in said memory corresponds to a respective one of said shade values, wherein each of the thinned halftone dot patterns is formed by the following steps: generating a halftone cell defined by a plurality of addressable points arranged in a matrix, at least some of said points turned "on" to define a halftone dot respective one of said shade values, and pattern, wherein said halftone dot pattern corresponds to a respective one of said shade values, and selectively turning "off " of at least some of said addressable points of said halftone cell to produce one of said plurality of thinned halftone dot patterns; and printing, for each of said dot images, a representation of a respective one of said thinned halftone dot patterns matched with each of said image dots on a printing substrate.
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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) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |