Patent US5818960A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5818960A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Characterization calibration
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1995-03-20
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2015-03-20
Abstract
Abstract The output response of an image processing system having a color printer and a color printer characterization is linearized by printing a target image having target patches of differing color densities. After measuring printed patches, a calibration transform is generated that incorporates the relationship between requested and measured color densities. The calibration transform is then composed with the characterization, calibrating the printer characterization.
Inventors
- 👤 H. Scott Gregory, Jr.
- 👤 Robert Franklin Poe
- 👤 Douglas George Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/603; H04N1/6052; H04N1/6055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for adapting a color printer characterization, comprising: defining a reference printer from among a family of printers and having a reference aim response; characterizing the reference printer across channels of the reference printer to produce a reference characterization; determining a calibration for each printer of the family against the reference aim response using each channel separately by: printing a sequence of patches; measuring responses of printed colors from the printed sequence of patches; and generating a calibration relationship between the measured responses and the reference aim response; and modifying the reference characterization using the calibration to produce an adapted characterization for each printer of the family by incorporating the calibration relationship into the characterization transform definition to form the adapted printer characterization; wherein said printer characterization includes 1) input table data, 2) grid table data, 3) output table data, 4) size data specifying a size of one of the grid table's dimensions, and 5) identification data identifying the characterization as a transform definition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for adapting a color printer characterization, comprising: defining a reference printer from among a family of printers and having a reference aim response; characterizing the reference printer across channels of the reference printer to produce a reference characterization; determining a calibration for each printer of the family against the reference aim response using each channel separately by: printing a sequence of patches; measuring responses of printed colors from the printed sequence of patches; and generating a calibration relationship between the measured responses and the reference aim response; and modifying the reference characterization using the calibration to produce an adapted characterization for each printer of the family by incorporating the calibration relationship into the characterization transform definition to form the adapted printer characterization; wherein said printer characterization includes 1) input table data, 2) grid table data, 3) output table data, 4) size data specifying a size of one of the grid table's dimensions, and 5) identification data identifying the characterization as a transform definition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the calibration incorporation step includes a step of composing a calibration function with a characterization function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the calibration incorporation step includes a step of modifying a channel-independent table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the calibration incorporation step includes a step of replacing a channel-independent table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the calibration relationship generating step includes a step of fitting a curve to measured responses for a plurality of printed colors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the calibration relationship generating step includes a step of fitting a curve represented as a combination of basis functions to measured responses for a plurality of printed colors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the calibration relationship generating step includes a step of fitting a curve represented as a combination of B-spline curves to measured responses for a plurality of printed colors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the printing step includes a step of printing a target having a plurality of color patches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the calibration relationship generating step includes steps of: fitting a curve represented as combination of basis functions to measured responses for a plurality of printed colors; and evaluating the curve for colors other than those to which the curve was fit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for adapting a printer characterization transform representing a color printer characterization, said printer characterization transform generating output values in response to input values, said adapting method comprising: defining a reference printer from among a family of printers and having a reference aim response; characterizing the reference printer across channels of the reference printer to produce a reference characterization; determining a calibration for each printer of the family against the reference aim response using each channel separately by: printing a target image having multiple target patches, differing target patches commanded to have different color densities; measuring color densities of printed target patches; and generating a calibration transform having a one-dimensional table for each color channel, each table incorporating a relationship between the aim response and measured color densities; and modifying the reference characterization using the calibration to produce an adapted characterization for each printer of the family by composing the calibration transform with the printer characterization transform to generate a single transform; wherein said composing step includes steps of: 1) transforming printer characterization output values in accordance with said calibration transform to generate modified output values; and 2) generating a single transform relating printer characterization input values to said modified output values, thereby adapting the printer characterization.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for adapting a printer characterization transform representing a color printer characterization, said printer characterization transform generating output values in response to input values, said adapting method comprising: defining a reference printer from among a family of printers and having a reference aim response; characterizing the reference printer across channels of the reference printer to produce a reference characterization; determining a calibration for each printer of the family against the reference aim response using each channel separately by: printing a target image having multiple target patches, differing target patches commanded to have different color densities; measuring color densities of printed target patches; and generating a calibration transform having a one-dimensional table for each color channel, each table incorporating a relationship between the aim response and measured color densities; and modifying the reference characterization using the calibration to produce an adapted characterization for each printer of the family by composing the calibration transform with the printer characterization transform to generate a single transform; wherein said composing step includes steps of: 1) transforming printer characterization output values in accordance with said calibration transform to generate modified output values; and 2) generating a single transform relating printer characterization input values to said modified output values, thereby adapting the printer characterization.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the calibration transform generating step includes a step of fitting a curve to measured responses for a plurality of colors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the calibration transform generating step includes a step of fitting a curve represented as a combination of basis functions to measured responses for a plurality of colors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the calibration transform generating step includes a step of fitting a curve represented as a combination of B-spline curves to measured responses for a plurality of colors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the calibration transform generating step includes a step of fitting a curve represented as a combination of piecewise polynomials to measured responses for a plurality of colors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the calibration transform generating step includes steps of: fitting a curve to measured responses for a plurality of colors; and evaluating the curve for colors other than those to which the curve was fit.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
247 words
A system, comprising: means for defining a reference printer from among a family of printers and having a reference aim response; means for characterizing the reference printer across channels of the reference printer to produce a reference characterization; an input for receiving an electronic representation of an image; processing means for processing values of the electronic representation of the image; an adapted printer generating a hardcopy of the electronic representation of the image, said adapted printer having a relationship between electronic command values and print density; a plurality of transform definitions in a shared format; a printer characterization and an adapted characterization, said printer characterization and said adapted characterization having the format of a transform definition and generating output electronic command values from input electronic command values prior to printing; and means for composing the characterization transform with a calibration transform to calibrate said printer characterization to produce the adapted characterization; wherein said composing means includes: 1) means for transforming printer characterization output command values in accordance with a calibration transform to generate modified output command values for the adapted characterization, wherein said means for transforming includes: means for determining a calibration for the adapted printer against the reference aim response of the reference printer using each channel separately; and means for modifying said printer characterization using the calibration to produce said adapted characterization for said adapted printer; and 2) means for generating a single transform relating adapted characterization input command values to said modified output values.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
247 words
A system, comprising: means for defining a reference printer from among a family of printers and having a reference aim response; means for characterizing the reference printer across channels of the reference printer to produce a reference characterization; an input for receiving an electronic representation of an image; processing means for processing values of the electronic representation of the image; an adapted printer generating a hardcopy of the electronic representation of the image, said adapted printer having a relationship between electronic command values and print density; a plurality of transform definitions in a shared format; a printer characterization and an adapted characterization, said printer characterization and said adapted characterization having the format of a transform definition and generating output electronic command values from input electronic command values prior to printing; and means for composing the characterization transform with a calibration transform to calibrate said printer characterization to produce the adapted characterization; wherein said composing means includes: 1) means for transforming printer characterization output command values in accordance with a calibration transform to generate modified output command values for the adapted characterization, wherein said means for transforming includes: means for determining a calibration for the adapted printer against the reference aim response of the reference printer using each channel separately; and means for modifying said printer characterization using the calibration to produce said adapted characterization for said adapted printer; and 2) means for generating a single transform relating adapted characterization input command values to said modified output values.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the characterization calibration means includes means for generating a calibration transform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 17 further including means for sequentially applying the characterization and the calibration transform to an image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the characterization calibration means includes means for fitting a curve to measured responses for a plurality of colors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the characterization calibration means includes: means for fitting a curve to measured responses for a plurality of colors; and means for generating a calibration transform by evaluating the curve.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of adapting a color printer characterization, comprising: defining a reference first printer having a reference aim response; characterizing the first printer across channels of the reference printer to produce a reference characterization; determining a calibration of a second printer against the reference aim response using each channel separately by: printing a sequence of patches; measuring responses of the patches; and generating a calibration relationship between the measured responses and the reference aim response; and incorporating the calibration relationship into a characterization transform definition of the characterization modifying the reference characterization using the calibration to produce an adapted characterization for the second printer.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of adapting a color printer characterization, comprising: defining a reference first printer having a reference aim response; characterizing the first printer across channels of the reference printer to produce a reference characterization; determining a calibration of a second printer against the reference aim response using each channel separately by: printing a sequence of patches; measuring responses of the patches; and generating a calibration relationship between the measured responses and the reference aim response; and incorporating the calibration relationship into a characterization transform definition of the characterization modifying the reference characterization using the calibration to produce an adapted characterization for the second printer.
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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) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |