Patent US7650009B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5777656A
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Tone reproduction maintenance system for an electrostatographic printing machine
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for maintaining tone reproduction for printing of a final halftoned image in a printer, including scanner for generating a continuous tone image. A halftoner is provided for generating pixel data based on the continuous tone image, each pixel data having pixel position parameters and desired pixel darkness parameters. A developer unit is provided for marking representative halftone targets on an imageable surface with toner. A sensor is provided for sensing an amount of toner on each of the representative halftone targets. A tone control system is provided for generating a representative tone reproduction curve based on the amount of toner sensed on the representative halftone targets. A monitoring system is provided for producing a feedback signal by comparing the representative tone reproduction curve to a setup calibration tone curve, and wherein the halftoner being responsive to the monitor system, adjusts pixel data of each pixel of the final halftone image to compensate for deviation between representative tone reproduction curve and the setup calibration tone curve during printer operation to achieve the desired tonality of the final halftone image.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas A. Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/407; H04N1/4076; H04N1/4078
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of maintaining tone reproduction for printing of a final halftoned image in a printer, comprising the steps of: marking representative halftone targets on an imageable surface with toner; sensing an amount of toner on each of the representative halftone targets, said sensing step includes the step of adjusting the amount of toner sensed to compensate for deviation in said imageable surface; generating a representative tone reproduction curve base on the amount of toner sensed on the representative halftone targets; producing a feedback signal by comparing the representative tone reproduction curve to a setup calibration tone curve; and adjusting pixel data of each pixel of the final halftone image to compensate for deviation between representative tone reproduction curve and the setup calibration tone curve during printer operation to achieve the desire tonality of the final halftone image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of maintaining tone reproduction for printing of a final halftoned image in a printer, comprising the steps of: marking representative halftone targets on an imageable surface with toner; sensing an amount of toner on each of the representative halftone targets, said sensing step includes the step of adjusting the amount of toner sensed to compensate for deviation in said imageable surface; generating a representative tone reproduction curve base on the amount of toner sensed on the representative halftone targets; producing a feedback signal by comparing the representative tone reproduction curve to a setup calibration tone curve; and adjusting pixel data of each pixel of the final halftone image to compensate for deviation between representative tone reproduction curve and the setup calibration tone curve during printer operation to achieve the desire tonality of the final halftone image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said sensing step comprises: illuminating the imageable surface with infrared light; and using an optimized color densitometer to measure an intensity of specular and diffuse light reflected off of the imageable surface and the representative halftone targets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 2, further comprising: detecting non-uniformity in smoothness on the imageable surface; and determining a signature of the imageable surface from the non-uniformities detected on the imageable surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said adjusting step comprises compensating for the signature of the imageable surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting step comprises generating a look-up table based upon deviation between representative tone reproduction curve and the setup calibration tone curve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said generating step comprises using a smoothing spline fit to determine the end points of the representative tone reproduction curve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the continuous tone image is generated by using a tone reproduction curve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the printer is a color printer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the feedback signal contains information to adjust for a plurality of colors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the imageable surface is a copy sheet.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for maintaining tone reproduction for printing of a final halftoned image in a printer, comprising: means for generating a continuous tone image; halftoner means for generating pixel data based on the continuous tone image, each pixel data having pixel position parameters and desired pixel darkness parameters; means for marking representative halftone targets on an imageable surface with toner; a sensor for sensing an amount of toner on each of the representative halftone targets, said sensor including means for adjusting the amount of toner sensed to compensate for deviation in said imageable surface; means for generating a representative tone reproduction curve base on the amount of toner sensed on the representative halftone targets; and means for producing a feedback signal by comparing the representative tone reproduction curve to a setup calibration tone curve, said halftoner responsive to said producing means, and adjusting pixel data of each pixel of the final halftone image to compensate for deviation between representative tone reproduction curve and the setup calibration tone curve during printer operation to achieve the desired tonality of the final halftone image.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for maintaining tone reproduction for printing of a final halftoned image in a printer, comprising: means for generating a continuous tone image; halftoner means for generating pixel data based on the continuous tone image, each pixel data having pixel position parameters and desired pixel darkness parameters; means for marking representative halftone targets on an imageable surface with toner; a sensor for sensing an amount of toner on each of the representative halftone targets, said sensor including means for adjusting the amount of toner sensed to compensate for deviation in said imageable surface; means for generating a representative tone reproduction curve base on the amount of toner sensed on the representative halftone targets; and means for producing a feedback signal by comparing the representative tone reproduction curve to a setup calibration tone curve, said halftoner responsive to said producing means, and adjusting pixel data of each pixel of the final halftone image to compensate for deviation between representative tone reproduction curve and the setup calibration tone curve during printer operation to achieve the desired tonality of the final halftone image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sensor comprises: an infrared light source illuminating the imageable surface; and an optimized color densitometer for measuring an intensity of specular and diffuse light reflected off of the imageable surface and the representative halftone targets and producing signals representative of toner amounts thereon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: means for detecting non-uniformities of smoothness on the imageable surface; and means determining a signature of the imageable surface from the non-uniformities detected on the imageable surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said halftoner means comprises means for compensating for the signature of the imageable surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said halftoner means includes means for generating a look-up table based upon deviation between representative tone reproduction curve and the setup calibration tone curve.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the continuous tone image is generated by using a tone reproduction curve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the printer is a color printer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the feedback signal contains information to adjust for a plurality of colors.
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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) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |