US5809366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for calibrating a color copier
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-03-25
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Granted: 1998-09-15
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Expires: 2016-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for adjusting or calibrating the colors output by an image processing system such as a full-color digital copier. After the copier is calibrated, the color balance standard within the copier is set using the calibration information. A portion of the image is printed by the copier in various tones, adjusted relative to the color balance standard. The user then selects the color balance of the image having the most acceptable color balance. Calibration of the copier can be performed by scanning a gray-scale image and adjusting the parameters controlling RGB data within the copier based on the gray-scale image which was scanned. In order to adjust the color balance for specific colors contained within an image, the user manually selects points on the image and frames having the selected color are printed, scanned, and the scanned information compared to stored color information in order to adjust the color balance to accurately reproduce the color selected by the user. As an alternative manner of performing color balance adjustment for colors of a user selected image, points on the image are sampled and a mosaic-type image printed having the sampled points. The mosaic image which has been printed is then scanned in order to perform a color adjustment process.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinji Yamakawa
- 👤 Kazuhisa Otsubo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6011; H04N1/40; H04N1/407; H04N1/603; H04N1/6033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for adjusting a color balance of an image processing device, comprising the steps of: performing a color calibration of the image processing device; setting a standard color balance based on results of the color calibration; printing a plurality of images having different color balances which are changed with respect to the standard color balance; selecting, by a user, a color balance of one of the plurality of images to be used by the image processing device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for adjusting a color balance of an image processing device, comprising the steps of: performing a color calibration of the image processing device; setting a standard color balance based on results of the color calibration; printing a plurality of images having different color balances which are changed with respect to the standard color balance; selecting, by a user, a color balance of one of the plurality of images to be used by the image processing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: manually adjusting the color balance to be different from the standard color balance after the standard color balance is set and before printing out a plurality of images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of printing the plurality of images comprises: printing the plurality of images along with an indication of how a color balance of each of the plurality of images is changed, relative to the standard color balance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of printing the plurality of images further comprises: printing the plurality of images to each have a corresponding identification, wherein the selecting step comprises: selecting one of the identifications in order to select the color balance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: printing subsequent images by the image processing device using the color balance which has been selected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of performing the color calibration comprises: printing test images; scanning the printed test images; and determining a color balance by comparing image data from the test images which have been scanned with stored color information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of selecting the color balance comprises: adjusting at least one of a gamma compensation and parameters controlling a red-green-blue to cyan-yellow-magenta conversion process of the image processing device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of printing a plurality of images comprises: printing a plurality of images of equal size.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of printing a plurality of images comprises: printing a plurality of images which have been magnified.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: scanning an original image, wherein the step of printing a plurality of images comprises: printing a plurality of images which include a portion from the original image which has been scanned.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for adjusting a color balance of an image processing device, comprising the steps of: placing a sheet having a plurality of densities of black on a scanner; scanning the sheet; comparing color image data from the sheet which has been scanned with information which has been previously stored; adjusting parameters controlling a processing of RGB color data using a result of the comparing step.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for adjusting a color balance of an image processing device, comprising the steps of: placing a sheet having a plurality of densities of black on a scanner; scanning the sheet; comparing color image data from the sheet which has been scanned with information which has been previously stored; adjusting parameters controlling a processing of RGB color data using a result of the comparing step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: generating the sheet having the plurality of densities, before the scanning step.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein the adjusting step comprises: adjusting parameters controlling a RGB gamma compensation process.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for adjusting a color balance in an image processing device, comprising the steps of: scanning an original document; storing color information of at least one point of the original document; printing a page including a region of color corresponding to a color of the at least one point which is printed to have a different size and shape of the at least one point of the original document; scanning the page which has been printed; comparing the color information which has been stored of the at least one point with color information from the page which has been printed and scanned; and adjusting color processing parameters using a result of the comparing step.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for adjusting a color balance in an image processing device, comprising the steps of: scanning an original document; storing color information of at least one point of the original document; printing a page including a region of color corresponding to a color of the at least one point which is printed to have a different size and shape of the at least one point of the original document; scanning the page which has been printed; comparing the color information which has been stored of the at least one point with color information from the page which has been printed and scanned; and adjusting color processing parameters using a result of the comparing step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: selecting, by a user, the at least one point of the document, wherein the printing step comprises: printing the region of color as a frame which surrounds a location of the at least one point of the document.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
98 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein: the storing step comprises storing color information of a plurality of points, the printing step comprising printing a plurality of regions of color having shape of a frame, each corresponding to a color of one of the plurality of selected points, each of the plurality of regions being printed to have a different size and shape of the corresponding point of the original document, and the comparing step compares the color information which has been stored of the plurality of points with color information of the page which has been printed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the comparing step comprises: comparing the color information which has been stored with color information which is obtained using a plurality of points of the region of color on the page which has been printed and scanned.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: displaying a warning message indicating the step of scanning the page which has been printed is erroneous when the step of comparing determines that the color information of the at least one point is not similar to the color information from the page which has been printed and scanned.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein: the selecting step comprises selecting a plurality of points, and the printing step comprises printing a plurality of regions of color in rectangular shapes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the selecting step further comprises: selecting the plurality of points without a user choosing the plurality of points.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the printing step comprises: printing the plurality of regions of color in square shapes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the printing step comprises: printing the rectangular shapes in positions corresponding to the positions of the selected points.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the printing step comprises: printing the rectangular shapes in an order determined by a color of the rectangular shapes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of: designating a region of the scanned image to be sampled, wherein: the selecting step comprises selecting a plurality of points within the region which has been designated, and the printing step comprises printing the plurality of regions of color in a mosaic pattern.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein: the selecting step comprises selecting a plurality of points, and the printing step comprises printing the plurality of regions of color in a mosaic pattern.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for adjusting a color balance of an image processing device, comprising: means for performing a color calibration of the image processing device; means for setting a standard color balance based on results of the color calibration; a printer for printing a plurality of images having different color balances which are changed with respect to the standard color balance; means for selecting, by a user, a color balance of one of the plurality of images to be used by the image processing device.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for adjusting a color balance of an image processing device, comprising: means for performing a color calibration of the image processing device; means for setting a standard color balance based on results of the color calibration; a printer for printing a plurality of images having different color balances which are changed with respect to the standard color balance; means for selecting, by a user, a color balance of one of the plurality of images to be used by the image processing device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 26, further comprising: means for manually adjusting the color balance to be different from the standard color balance after the standard color balance is set and before printing out a plurality of images.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 26, wherein: the printer is further for printing the plurality of images along with an indication of how a color balance of each of the plurality of images is changed, relative to the standard color balance.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 28, wherein the printer comprises: means for printing the plurality of images to each have a corresponding identification, wherein the means for selecting comprises: means for selecting one of the identifications in order to select the color balance.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 26, further comprising: means for printing subsequent images by the image processing device using the color balance which has been selected.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 26, wherein the means for performing the color calibration comprises: means for printing test images; means for scanning the printed test images; and means for determining a color balance by comparing image data from the test images which have been scanned with stored color information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 26, wherein the means for selecting the color balance comprises: means for adjusting at least one of a gamma compensation and parameters controlling a red-green-blue to cyan-yellow-magenta conversion process of the image processing device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 26, wherein the printer for printing a plurality of images comprises: means for printing a plurality of images of equal size.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 26, wherein the printer for printing a plurality of images comprises: means for printing a plurality of images which have been magnified.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 26, further comprising: means for scanning an original image, wherein the printer for printing a plurality of images comprises: means for printing a plurality of images which include a portion from the original image which has been scanned.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
68 words
A system for adjusting a color balance of an image processing device, comprising: means for scanning a sheet having a plurality of densities of black; means for comparing color image data for the sheet which has been scanned with information which has been previously stored; means for adjusting parameters controlling a processing of RGB color data using a result of a comparing performed by the means for comparing.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
68 words
A system for adjusting a color balance of an image processing device, comprising: means for scanning a sheet having a plurality of densities of black; means for comparing color image data for the sheet which has been scanned with information which has been previously stored; means for adjusting parameters controlling a processing of RGB color data using a result of a comparing performed by the means for comparing.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 36, further comprising: means for generating the sheet having the plurality of densities.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 36, wherein the means for adjusting comprises: means for adjusting parameters controlling a RGB gamma compensation process.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for adjusting a color balance in an image processing device, comprising: means for scanning an original document; means for storing color information of at least one point of the original document; a printer for printing a page including a region of color corresponding to a color of the at least one point which is printed to have a different size and shape of the at least one point of the original document; means for scanning the page which has been printed; means for comparing the color information which has been stored of the at least one point with color information from the page which has been printed and scanned and generated an output using a result of the comparing; and means for adjusting color processing parameters using the output from the means for comparing.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for adjusting a color balance in an image processing device, comprising: means for scanning an original document; means for storing color information of at least one point of the original document; a printer for printing a page including a region of color corresponding to a color of the at least one point which is printed to have a different size and shape of the at least one point of the original document; means for scanning the page which has been printed; means for comparing the color information which has been stored of the at least one point with color information from the page which has been printed and scanned and generated an output using a result of the comparing; and means for adjusting color processing parameters using the output from the means for comparing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 39, further comprising: means for selecting, by a user, the at least one point of the document, wherein the printing comprises: means for printing the region of color as a frame which surrounds a location of the at least one point of the document.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
107 words
A system according to claim 40, wherein: the means for storing comprises means for storing color information of a plurality of points, the printer comprises means for printing a plurality of regions of color having a shape of a frame, each corresponding to a color of one of the plurality of selected points, each of the plurality of regions being printed to have a different size and shape of the corresponding point of the original document, and the means for comparing comprises means for comparing the color information which has been stored of the plurality of points with color information of the page which has been printed.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 39, wherein the means for comparing comprises: means for comparing the color information which has been stored with color information which is obtained using a plurality of points of the region of color on the page which has been printed and scanned.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system according to claim 39, further comprising: a display for displaying a warming message indicating the a scanning of the page which has been printed is erroneous when the means for comparing determines that the color information of the at least one point is not similar to the color information from the page which has been printed and scanned.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 39, wherein: the means for selecting comprises means for selecting a plurality of points, and the printer comprises means for printing a plurality of regions of color in rectangular shapes.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 44, wherein the means for selecting further comprises: means for selecting the plurality of points without a user choosing the plurality of points.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 44, wherein the printer further comprises: means for printing the plurality of regions of color in square shapes.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 44, wherein the printer further comprises: means for printing the rectangular shapes in positions corresponding to the positions of the selected points.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 44, wherein the printer further comprises: means for printing the rectangular shapes in an order determined by a color of the rectangular shapes.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 44, further comprising: designating a region of the scanned image to be sampled, wherein: the means for selecting comprises means for selecting a plurality of points within the region which has been designated, and the printing step comprises printing the plurality of regions of color in a mosaic pattern.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 44, wherein: the means for selecting comprises means for selecting a plurality of points, and the printer comprises means for printing the plurality of regions of color in a mosaic pattern.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |