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US5646752A
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US
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Color image processing apparatus which uses private tags to alter a predefined color transformation sequence of a device profile
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-15
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Granted: 1997-07-08
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Expires: 2015-09-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for converting input color image data between a device-dependent color space and a device-independent color space uses a device profile having public tags through which an unalterable series of color transformation operations can be accessed, and private tags through which an alternative series of color transformation operations can be accessed. The apparatus inputs the image data and stores a first private tag and a second private tag. The first private tag stores override information for overriding the unalterable series of color transformation operations, and the second private tag stores, in a hierarchical storage structure, tag element data and references to public tags and other private tags in the device profile. The apparatus determines, based on the override information in the first private tag, whether to access the second private tag, and reads data from the second private tag in a case that it is determined to access the second private tag. The apparatus includes pointers within the hierarchical storage structure to access the tag element data and the references to public tags and other private tags in the second tag. The apparatus performs color transformation operations on the color image data using the data read from the second tag.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy L. Kohler
- 👤 Jonathan Y. Hui
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus for converting input color image data between a device-dependent color space and a device-independent color space using a device profile having both public tags through which an unalterable series of color transformation operations can be accessed and private tags through which an alternative series of color transformation operations can be accessed, said apparatus comprising: inputting means for inputting the color image data; a memory for storing a first private tag and a second private tag, the first private tag for storing override information for overriding the unalterable series of color transformation operations, and the second private tag for storing, in a hierarchical storage structure, tag element data and references to public tags and other private tags in the device profile; and a processing means for (1) determining, based on the override information in the first private tag, whether to access the second private tag, (2) reading data from the second private tag in a case that said processing means determines to access the second private tag, the processing means following pointers within the hierarchical storage structure to access the tag element data and the public tags and other private tags referenced in the second private tags and (3) performing color transformation operations on the color image data using the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus for converting input color image data between a device-dependent color space and a device-independent color space using a device profile having both public tags through which an unalterable series of color transformation operations can be accessed and private tags through which an alternative series of color transformation operations can be accessed, said apparatus comprising: inputting means for inputting the color image data; a memory for storing a first private tag and a second private tag, the first private tag for storing override information for overriding the unalterable series of color transformation operations, and the second private tag for storing, in a hierarchical storage structure, tag element data and references to public tags and other private tags in the device profile; and a processing means for (1) determining, based on the override information in the first private tag, whether to access the second private tag, (2) reading data from the second private tag in a case that said processing means determines to access the second private tag, the processing means following pointers within the hierarchical storage structure to access the tag element data and the public tags and other private tags referenced in the second private tags and (3) performing color transformation operations on the color image data using the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the references to public tags and other private tags in the second private tag define a color transformation sequence which corresponds to an order of color transformation operations to be performed on the color image data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, where the color transformation sequence includes pointers to the color transformation operations, and wherein said processing means accesses the color transformation operations based on the pointers included in the color transformation sequence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said memory stores a list of color transformation operations, and wherein said processing means accesses a color transformation operation in the list of color transformation operations based on the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case that said processing means determines not to access the second private tag, the input color image data is processed in accordance with the series of color transformation operations stored in the public tags.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
223 words
A method for converting input color image data between a device-dependent color space and a device-independent color space using a device profile having public tags through which an unalterable series of color transformation operations can be accessed, and private tags through which an alternative series of color transformation operations can be accessed, said method comprising: an inputting step for inputting the color image data; a storing step for storing a first private tag and a second private tag, the first private tag for storing override information for overriding the unalterable series of color transformation operations, and the second private tag for storing, in a hierarchical storage structure, tag element data and references to public tags and other private tags in the device profile; a determining step for determining, based on the override information in the first private tag, whether to access the second private tag; a reading step for reading data from the second private tag in a case that said determining step determines to access the second private tag, said reading step following pointers within the hierarchical storage structure to access the tag element data and the public tags and other private tags referenced in the second private tag; and a processing step for performing color transformation operations on the color image data using the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
223 words
A method for converting input color image data between a device-dependent color space and a device-independent color space using a device profile having public tags through which an unalterable series of color transformation operations can be accessed, and private tags through which an alternative series of color transformation operations can be accessed, said method comprising: an inputting step for inputting the color image data; a storing step for storing a first private tag and a second private tag, the first private tag for storing override information for overriding the unalterable series of color transformation operations, and the second private tag for storing, in a hierarchical storage structure, tag element data and references to public tags and other private tags in the device profile; a determining step for determining, based on the override information in the first private tag, whether to access the second private tag; a reading step for reading data from the second private tag in a case that said determining step determines to access the second private tag, said reading step following pointers within the hierarchical storage structure to access the tag element data and the public tags and other private tags referenced in the second private tag; and a processing step for performing color transformation operations on the color image data using the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein the references to public tags and other private tags in the second private tag define a color transformation sequence which corresponds to an order of color transformation operations to be performed on the color image data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the color transformation sequence includes pointers to the color transformation operations, and wherein said reading step accesses the color transformation operations based on the pointers included in the color transformation sequence.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said storing step stores a list of color transformation operations, and wherein said processing step accesses a color transformation operation in the list of color transformation operations based on the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein in a case that said determining step determines not to access the second private tag, the input color image data is processed in accordance with the series of color transformation operations stored in the public tags.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
237 words
Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-usable storage medium, said process steps being used to convert input color image data between a device-dependent color space and a device-independent color space using a device profile having both public tags through which an unalterable series of color transformation operations can be accessed and private tags through which an alternative series of color transformation operations can be accessed, said process steps comprising: an inputting step to input the color image data; a storing step to store a first private tag and a second private tag, the first private tag for storing override information for overriding the unalterable series of color transformation operations, and the second private tag for storing, in a hierarchical storage structure, tag element data and references to public tags and other private tags in the device profile; a determining step to determine, based on the override information in the first private tag, whether to access the second private tag; a reading step to read data from the second private tag in a case that said determining step determines to access the second private tag, said reading step following pointers within the hierarchical storage structure to access the tag element data and the public tags and other private tags referenced in the second private tag; and a processing step to perform color transformation operations on the color image data using the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
237 words
Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-usable storage medium, said process steps being used to convert input color image data between a device-dependent color space and a device-independent color space using a device profile having both public tags through which an unalterable series of color transformation operations can be accessed and private tags through which an alternative series of color transformation operations can be accessed, said process steps comprising: an inputting step to input the color image data; a storing step to store a first private tag and a second private tag, the first private tag for storing override information for overriding the unalterable series of color transformation operations, and the second private tag for storing, in a hierarchical storage structure, tag element data and references to public tags and other private tags in the device profile; a determining step to determine, based on the override information in the first private tag, whether to access the second private tag; a reading step to read data from the second private tag in a case that said determining step determines to access the second private tag, said reading step following pointers within the hierarchical storage structure to access the tag element data and the public tags and other private tags referenced in the second private tag; and a processing step to perform color transformation operations on the color image data using the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
Computer-executable process steps according to claim 11, wherein the references to public tags and other private tags in the second private tag define a color transformation sequence which corresponds to an order of color transformation operations to be performed on the color image data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Computer-executable process steps according to claim 12, wherein the color transformation sequence includes pointers to the color transformation operations, and wherein said processing step accesses the color transformation operations based on the pointers included in the color transformation sequence.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
Computer-executable process steps according to claim 11, wherein said storing step stores a list of color transformation operations, and wherein said processing step accesses a color transformation operation in the list of color transformation operations based on the data read from the second private tag.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
Computer-executable process steps according to claim 11, wherein in a case that said determining step determines not to access the second private tag, the input color image data is processed in accordance with the series of color transformation operations stored in the public tags.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus which uses user-definable private tags to alter a predetermined color transformation sequence defined in a standard device profile by unalterable public tags, said apparatus comprising: an inputting means for inputting color image data; a memory for storing a device profile which includes plural public tags and at least (1) proprietary header information, (2) a first private tag which includes override information, and (3) a second private tag which includes a color transformation sequence defined by tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile; and a processing means for (1) determining whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile, (2) reading, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determining whether to access the second private tag based on the override information, (3) reading, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determining whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag, and (4) transforming the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus which uses user-definable private tags to alter a predetermined color transformation sequence defined in a standard device profile by unalterable public tags, said apparatus comprising: an inputting means for inputting color image data; a memory for storing a device profile which includes plural public tags and at least (1) proprietary header information, (2) a first private tag which includes override information, and (3) a second private tag which includes a color transformation sequence defined by tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile; and a processing means for (1) determining whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile, (2) reading, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determining whether to access the second private tag based on the override information, (3) reading, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determining whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag, and (4) transforming the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the public and other private tags in the device profile each define a color transformation operation, and wherein the second private tag includes the public and other private tags in the color transformation sequence.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said memory stores a third private tag which defines a look-up table for transforming color image data between two color spaces; and wherein the second private tag includes a reference to the third private tag, by which the processing means accesses the third private tag in order to transform the input color image data from one color space to another color space.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the proprietary header information comprises CMM data, and wherein the processing means determines whether to access the first private tag by reading the CMM data in the header of the device profile and by searching the first private tag for data corresponding to the CMM data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first and second private tags are created by a user, and wherein said processing means executes an interactive routine by which private tags are created in accordance with a user's input.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said processing means determines which color transformation operation to perform by matching data read from the second private tag to a pre-stored list of color transformation operations.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
249 words
A method which uses user-definable private tags to alter a predetermined color transformation sequence defined in a standard device profile by unalterable public tags, said method comprising: an inputting step for inputting color image data; a storing step for storing a device profile which includes plural public tags and at least (1)proprietary header information, (2) a first private tag which includes override information, and (3) a second private tag which includes a color transformation sequence defined by tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile; a determining step for determining whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile; a first reading step for reading, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determining whether to access the second private tag based on the override information; a second reading step for reading, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determining whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag; and a transforming step for transforming the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
249 words
A method which uses user-definable private tags to alter a predetermined color transformation sequence defined in a standard device profile by unalterable public tags, said method comprising: an inputting step for inputting color image data; a storing step for storing a device profile which includes plural public tags and at least (1)proprietary header information, (2) a first private tag which includes override information, and (3) a second private tag which includes a color transformation sequence defined by tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile; a determining step for determining whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile; a first reading step for reading, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determining whether to access the second private tag based on the override information; a second reading step for reading, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determining whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag; and a transforming step for transforming the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein the public and other private tags in the device profile each define a color transformation operation, and wherein the second private tag includes the public and other private tags in the color transformation sequence.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein said storing step further comprises storing a third private tag, which includes table data for transforming color image data between two color spaces; and wherein the second private tag includes a reference to the third private tag by which the transforming step accesses the third private tag in order to transform the input color image data from one color space to another color space.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein the proprietary header information comprises CMM data, and wherein the determining step determines whether to access the first private tag by reading the CMM data in the header of the device profile and by searching the first private tag for data corresponding to the CMM data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein said transforming step determines which color transformation operation to perform by matching data read in said second reading step to a pre-stored list of color transformation operations.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
260 words
Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium which use user-definable private tags to alter a predetermined color transformation sequence defined in a standardized device profile by unalterable public tags, said process steps comprising: an inputting step to input color image data; a storing step to store a device profile which includes plural public tags and at least (1) proprietary header information, (2) a first private tag which includes override information, and (3) a second private tag which includes a color transformation sequence defined by tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile; a determining step to determine whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile; a first reading step to read, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and to determine whether to access the second private tag based on the override information; a second reading step to read, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the second tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and to determine whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag; and a transforming step to transform the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
260 words
Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium which use user-definable private tags to alter a predetermined color transformation sequence defined in a standardized device profile by unalterable public tags, said process steps comprising: an inputting step to input color image data; a storing step to store a device profile which includes plural public tags and at least (1) proprietary header information, (2) a first private tag which includes override information, and (3) a second private tag which includes a color transformation sequence defined by tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile; a determining step to determine whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile; a first reading step to read, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and to determine whether to access the second private tag based on the override information; a second reading step to read, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the second tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and to determine whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag; and a transforming step to transform the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
Computer-executable process steps according to claim 27, wherein the public and other private tags in the device profile each define a color transformation operation, and wherein the second private tag includes the public and other private tags in the color transformation sequence.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
75 words
Computer-executable process steps according to claim 28, wherein said computer-executable process steps further comprise a storing step to store a third private tag which includes table data to transform color image data between two color spaces; and wherein the second private tag includes a reference to a third private tag by which the transforming step accesses the third private tag to transform the input color image data from one color space to another color space.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
Computer-executable process steps according to claim 27, wherein the proprietary header information comprises CMM data, and wherein the determining step determines whether to access the first private tag by reading the CMM data in the header of the device profile and by searching the first private tag for data corresponding to the CMM data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
Computer-executable process steps according to claim 27, wherein said transforming step determines which color transformation operation to perform by matching data read in said second reading step to a pre-stored list of color transformation operations.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for (1) adding private tags to a predefined device profile which includes proprietary header information, the private tags being used to modify a color transformation sequence defined by unalterable public tags in the device profile, and (2) transforming color image data between different color spaces using the modified color transformation sequence, said apparatus comprising: inputting means for inputting the color image data, override information, tag element data, and references to other tags in the device profile, the tag element data including predefined data used in color transformation operations; storing means for storing the override information in a first private tag in the device profile, and for storing the tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile in a second private tag in the device profile; and a processing means for (1) determining whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile, (2) reading, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determining whether to access the second private tag based on the override information, (3) reading, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determining whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag, and (4) transforming the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for (1) adding private tags to a predefined device profile which includes proprietary header information, the private tags being used to modify a color transformation sequence defined by unalterable public tags in the device profile, and (2) transforming color image data between different color spaces using the modified color transformation sequence, said apparatus comprising: inputting means for inputting the color image data, override information, tag element data, and references to other tags in the device profile, the tag element data including predefined data used in color transformation operations; storing means for storing the override information in a first private tag in the device profile, and for storing the tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile in a second private tag in the device profile; and a processing means for (1) determining whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile, (2) reading, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determining whether to access the second private tag based on the override information, (3) reading, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determining whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag, and (4) transforming the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
284 words
A method of (1) adding private tags to a predefined device profile which includes proprietary header information, the private tags being used to modify a color transformation sequence defined by unalterable public tags in the device profile, and (2) transforming color image data between different color spaces using the modified color transformation sequence, said method comprising: an inputting step for inputting the color image data, override information, tag element data, and references to other tags in the device profile, the tag element data including predefined data used in color transformation operations; a storing step for storing the override information in a first private tag in the device profile, and for storing the tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile in a second private tag in the device profile; and a processing step for (1) determining whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile, (2) reading, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determining whether to access the second private tag based on the override information, (3) reading, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determining whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag, and (4) transforming the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
284 words
A method of (1) adding private tags to a predefined device profile which includes proprietary header information, the private tags being used to modify a color transformation sequence defined by unalterable public tags in the device profile, and (2) transforming color image data between different color spaces using the modified color transformation sequence, said method comprising: an inputting step for inputting the color image data, override information, tag element data, and references to other tags in the device profile, the tag element data including predefined data used in color transformation operations; a storing step for storing the override information in a first private tag in the device profile, and for storing the tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile in a second private tag in the device profile; and a processing step for (1) determining whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile, (2) reading, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determining whether to access the second private tag based on the override information, (3) reading, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determining whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag, and (4) transforming the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
276 words
Computer-executable process steps stored in a computer-readable storage medium, said process steps (1) to add private tags to a predefined device profile which includes proprietary header information and (2) to transform color image data between different color spaces using the modified color transformation sequence, said process steps comprising: an inputting step to input the color image data, override information, tag element data, and references to other tags in the device profile, the tag element data including predefined data used in color transformation operations; a storing step to store the override information in a first private tag in the device profile, and to store the tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile in a second private tag in the device profile; and a processing step to (1) determine whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile, (2) read, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determine whether to access the second private tag based on the override information, (3) read, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determine whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag, and (4) transform the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
276 words
Computer-executable process steps stored in a computer-readable storage medium, said process steps (1) to add private tags to a predefined device profile which includes proprietary header information and (2) to transform color image data between different color spaces using the modified color transformation sequence, said process steps comprising: an inputting step to input the color image data, override information, tag element data, and references to other tags in the device profile, the tag element data including predefined data used in color transformation operations; a storing step to store the override information in a first private tag in the device profile, and to store the tag element data and references to other tags in the device profile in a second private tag in the device profile; and a processing step to (1) determine whether to access the first private tag based on the proprietary header information in the device profile, (2) read, in the case that the first private tag is to be accessed, the override information in the first private tag and determine whether to access the second private tag based on the override information, (3) read, in the case that the second private tag is to be accessed, the tag element data and references to other tags in the second private tag and determine whether and in what order to access public and other private tags in the device profile based on the references to other tags in the second private tag, and (4) transform the input color image data from one color space to another color space using the tag element data and the references to other tags read from the second private tag.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4941039A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-07 | 2001-01-06 | 2001-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-07 | 2005-01-06 | 2005-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-07 | 2009-01-06 | 2009-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |