Patent US5706099A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5706099A
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US
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Method and apparatus for generating serpentine halftone images
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1995-06-05
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Granted: 1998-01-06
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Expires: 2015-06-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for producing a halftone image which generates halftone cells based on grayscale image data values. Each of the halftone cells is formed from serpentine dot patterns. The serpentine dot patterns form two separate arcs. The halftone cells are written onto a recording medium to produce the halftone image. Rotation of the halftone cells allows data to be encoded within each of the halftone cells without varying the tone of the image. The tone of the image may be controlled by selectively varying a thickness of the arcs within the halftone
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas N. Curry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for producing a halftone image, comprising: a halftone generator for generating halftone cells based on grayscale image data values, each of the halftone cells comprising serpentine dot patterns forming at least two separate arcs; and an output device for writing the halftone cells on a recording medium to produce the halftone image, wherein each of the halftone cells has four sides, each of the two arcs having two end portions, each of the end portions intersecting a center portion of one of the four sides.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for producing a halftone image, comprising: a halftone generator for generating halftone cells based on grayscale image data values, each of the halftone cells comprising serpentine dot patterns forming at least two separate arcs; and an output device for writing the halftone cells on a recording medium to produce the halftone image, wherein each of the halftone cells has four sides, each of the two arcs having two end portions, each of the end portions intersecting a center portion of one of the four sides.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a tone of the halftone image is independent of rotation of one halftone cell relative to adjacent halftone cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the halftone cells has four sides, each of the arcs has two end portions and each of the end portions contacts end portions of the arcs of an adjacent one of the halftone cells at a center portion of the sides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the halftone generator varies a tone of the image by selectively varying a thickness of the arcs within individual ones of the halftone cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising encoding means for encoding data within each of the halftone cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the halftone image is a polychromatic halftone image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the encoding means comprises a pattern rotating device for rotating the halftone cells based on encoding data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the halftone image is a polychromatic halftone image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a rotational position of each of the halftone cells determines an encoded data value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rotational position of the halftone cells does not affect a tone of the image.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of producing a halftone image, comprising: generating halftone cells based on grayscale image data values, each of the halftone cells comprising serpentine dot patterns forming at least two separate arcs; and writing the halftone cells on a recording medium to produce the halftone image, wherein each of the halftone cells has four sides, each of the two arcs having two end portions, each of the end portions intersecting a center portion of one of the four sides.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of producing a halftone image, comprising: generating halftone cells based on grayscale image data values, each of the halftone cells comprising serpentine dot patterns forming at least two separate arcs; and writing the halftone cells on a recording medium to produce the halftone image, wherein each of the halftone cells has four sides, each of the two arcs having two end portions, each of the end portions intersecting a center portion of one of the four sides.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 comprising rotating one halftone cell relative to adjacent halftone cells without affecting a tone of the halftone image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, wherein each of the end portions contacts end portions of the arcs of an adjacent one of the halftone cells at a center portion of the sides.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising varying a tone of the image by selectively varying a thickness of the arcs within individual ones of the halftone cells.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising encoding data within each of the halftone cells.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the halftone image is a polychromatic halftone image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15, wherein encoding data within each of the halftone cells comprises rotating the halftone cells based on encoding data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15, wherein a rotational position of each of the halftone cells determines an encoded data value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the halftone image is a polychromatic halftone image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the rotational position of the halftone cells does not affect a tone of the image.
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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) | 2001-01-05 | 2001-07-07 | 2002-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-05 | 2005-07-07 | 2006-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-05 | 2009-07-07 | 2010-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |