Patent US5764867A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5764867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image recording with variable number of tones
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1993-08-17
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2013-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an image recording apparatus which records received printing data as n-tone image data under ordinary conditions but which is capable also of recording the data as m-tone (m<n) image data. When the tone image based upon the received printing data is recorded on a recording medium, the memory capacity usable for recording the image is compared with the memory capacity needed for recording, and it is decided, based upon the comparison, whether to record the image in n tones or m tones.
Inventors
- 👤 Nobuhiko Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/64; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32358; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/0005; G06K2215/0014; G06K2215/0082; G06K2215/0094; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3285; H04N2201/3298
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: means for inputting input information from an external apparatus; memory means for storing image data including a plurality of pixel data, each representing a gradation of one pixel of an image; selection means for selecting either a first mode or a second mode; and image data generating means for generating and storing in said memory means image data including a plurality of n-bit pixel data in the first mode, each of the pixel data corresponding to a gradation of one pixel represented by n bits, and a plurality of m-bit (m<n) pixel data in the second mode, each of the pixel data corresponding to a gradation of one pixel represented by m bits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: means for inputting input information from an external apparatus; memory means for storing image data including a plurality of pixel data, each representing a gradation of one pixel of an image; selection means for selecting either a first mode or a second mode; and image data generating means for generating and storing in said memory means image data including a plurality of n-bit pixel data in the first mode, each of the pixel data corresponding to a gradation of one pixel represented by n bits, and a plurality of m-bit (m<n) pixel data in the second mode, each of the pixel data corresponding to a gradation of one pixel represented by m bits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is arranged to select either the first mode or the second mode on the basis of the capacity of the memory means available for storing the generated image data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image generating means includes a font memory to generate character patterns in accordance with character codes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising comparing means for comparing an amount of memory usable for storing the image data and an amount of memory needed for storing the image data using n bits to represent each pixel, wherein said image data generating means generates the image data in the second mode, when the amount of memory needed for storing the image data using n bits for each pixel is greater than the usable amount of memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount of memory usable for storing the image data is decided by calculating memory capacity required as a working area in the memory means and subtracting the calculated working area memory capacity from the total capacity of the memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount of memory needed for storing the image data is decided on the basis of the size of a recording medium on which the image data is to be recorded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image data generating means comprises means for reducing the number of bits used to represent each pixel from n bits to m bits (m<n).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising informing means from informing a comparison result of said comparing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operating panel for selecting either the first mode or the second mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising comparing means for comparing an amount of memory usable for storing the image data and an amount of memory needed for storing the image data using n bits to represent each pixel, and informing means for informing about a comparison result of said comparing means, when the amount of memory needed for storing the image data using n bits for each pixel is greater than the usable amount of memory.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an operating panel, wherein the second mode can be selected using the operating panel, when said informing means informs about the comparison result.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising recording unit for recording an image in accordance with the image data stored in said memory means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said recording unit is adapted to record an image using an electrophotographic method.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim wherein said image processing apparatus processes image data having a plurality of color components, and each of the n-bit pixel data corresponds to a gradation of one color component pixel in the first mode and each of the m-bit pixel data corresponds to a gradation of one color component pixel in the second mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image processing apparatus comprises a color printer for recording color image in accordance with the image data stored in said memory means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising informing means for informing about a use of a comparison result of said comparing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operating panel for selecting either the first mode or the second mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit for recording an image in accordance with the image data stored in said memory means.
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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) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |