US5856876A — Image processing apparatus and method with gradat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 93 words

An image processing apparatus comprising: reading means for reading an original image to generate image data, said reading means having a filter; image processing means for performing image processing on the image data, according to an image processing condition; and output means for outputting the image data subject to the image processing, to an image forming unit, wherein a pattern image formed by said image forming unit is read by said reading means through said filter to generate pattern data, and the image processing condition is set based on the generated pattern data.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 93 words

An image processing apparatus comprising: reading means for reading an original image to generate image data, said reading means having a filter; image processing means for performing image processing on the image data, according to an image processing condition; and output means for outputting the image data subject to the image processing, to an image forming unit, wherein a pattern image formed by said image forming unit is read by said reading means through said filter to generate pattern data, and the image processing condition is set based on the generated pattern data.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said filter removes a wavelength range where transmission characteristics of plural color filters provided in said reading means are superposed on each other.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 114 words

An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium comprising: first feedback adjustment means for adjusting gradation characteristics; second feedback adjustment means for adjusting color reproduction characteristics after the adjustment by said first feedback adjustment means; pattern forming means for forming a test pattern consisting of at least one color on the recording medium; and reading means for reading the test pattern formed on the recording medium by said pattern forming means, wherein said first and second feedback adjustment means set an image processing parameter on the basis of information obtained by forming the test pattern by said pattern forming means and reading the formed test pattern by said reading means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 114 words

An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium comprising: first feedback adjustment means for adjusting gradation characteristics; second feedback adjustment means for adjusting color reproduction characteristics after the adjustment by said first feedback adjustment means; pattern forming means for forming a test pattern consisting of at least one color on the recording medium; and reading means for reading the test pattern formed on the recording medium by said pattern forming means, wherein said first and second feedback adjustment means set an image processing parameter on the basis of information obtained by forming the test pattern by said pattern forming means and reading the formed test pattern by said reading means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 67 words

An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when a non-adjustable region where the gradation characteristics cannot be adjusted is detected in the adjustment of the gradation characteristics by said first feedback adjustment means, said second feedback adjustment means does not use the information of the test pattern, a gradation level of which is included in the non-adjustable region, in the setting operation of the image processing parameter.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 60 words

An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when a non-adjustable region where the gradation characteristics cannot be adjusted is detected in the adjustment of the gradation characteristics by said first feedback adjustment means, said second feedback adjustment means does not form a test pattern, a gradation level of which is included in the non-adjustable region, using said pattern forming means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 125 words

An image recording apparatus comprising: reading means for reading an original image; processing means for processing the image read by said reading means; recording means for recording the image processed by said processing means on a recording medium; and setting means for setting an image processing condition of said processing means, wherein said setting means sets a first image processing condition of said processing means on the basis of a first predetermined image read by said reading means, and reference data associated with the first predetermined image, and thereafter sets a second image processing condition of said processing means on the basis of a second predetermined image which is recorded on a recording medium by said recording means and is read by said reading means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 125 words

An image recording apparatus comprising: reading means for reading an original image; processing means for processing the image read by said reading means; recording means for recording the image processed by said processing means on a recording medium; and setting means for setting an image processing condition of said processing means, wherein said setting means sets a first image processing condition of said processing means on the basis of a first predetermined image read by said reading means, and reference data associated with the first predetermined image, and thereafter sets a second image processing condition of said processing means on the basis of a second predetermined image which is recorded on a recording medium by said recording means and is read by said reading means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 43 words

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pattern of a predetermined density is formed on the first predetermined image, and the first image processing condition is used for correcting reading characteristics of said reading means and is determined by an interpolation calculation.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 51 words

An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said reading means separates light reflected by the original image into three primary color components using color separation filters and outputs luminance signals of the color components, and the first image processing condition is used for correcting spectral characteristics of the color separation filters.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 49 words

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pattern of a predetermined density is formed on the first predetermined image, and the first image processing condition is used for converting a luminance or density value of the pattern read by said reading means into a predetermined luminance or density.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 37 words

An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pattern of a predetermined density is formed on the second predetermined image, and the second image processing condition is used for correcting gradation recording characteristics of said recording means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 100 words

An image forming apparatus for performing a print operation on a recording medium on the basis of data subjected to image processing, comprising: image processing means for performing the image processing; print means for performing the print operation; print control means for controlling said print means to perform a plurality of print-out operations on the basis of identical print data; and condition setting means for calculating and setting an image processing condition of said image processing means on the basis of print results output from said print means under the control of said print control means, and the print data.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 100 words

An image forming apparatus for performing a print operation on a recording medium on the basis of data subjected to image processing, comprising: image processing means for performing the image processing; print means for performing the print operation; print control means for controlling said print means to perform a plurality of print-out operations on the basis of identical print data; and condition setting means for calculating and setting an image processing condition of said image processing means on the basis of print results output from said print means under the control of said print control means, and the print data.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image processing condition corresponds to masking coefficients in masking processing.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 185 words

An image forming apparatus for performing a print operation on a recording medium on the basis of data subjected to image processing, comprising: image processing means for performing the image processing; print means for performing the print operation; error detection means for comparing a print result output from said print means on the basis of predetermined print data with the predetermined print data, and checking if an error not less than a predetermined value is present; print control means for, when said error detection means determines that an error not less than the predetermined value is present, controlling said print means to perform a print-out operation on the basis of print data in the neighborhood of print data, which caused the error, of the predetermined print data; and condition setting means for calculating and setting an image processing condition of said image processing means on the basis of a print result output from said print means under the control of said print control means, the print result output from said print means on the basis of the predetermined print data, and the predetermined print data.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 185 words

An image forming apparatus for performing a print operation on a recording medium on the basis of data subjected to image processing, comprising: image processing means for performing the image processing; print means for performing the print operation; error detection means for comparing a print result output from said print means on the basis of predetermined print data with the predetermined print data, and checking if an error not less than a predetermined value is present; print control means for, when said error detection means determines that an error not less than the predetermined value is present, controlling said print means to perform a print-out operation on the basis of print data in the neighborhood of print data, which caused the error, of the predetermined print data; and condition setting means for calculating and setting an image processing condition of said image processing means on the basis of a print result output from said print means under the control of said print control means, the print result output from said print means on the basis of the predetermined print data, and the predetermined print data.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 140 words

An image forming apparatus for performing a print operation on a recording medium on the basis of data subjected to image processing, comprising: image processing means for performing the image processing; print means for performing the print operation; error detection means for comparing a print result output from said print means on the basis of predetermined print data with the predetermined print data, and checking if an error not less than a predetermined value is present; and control means for, when said error detection means determines that an error not less than the predetermined value is present, interrupting the processing, and for, when said error detection means does not determine that an error not less than the predetermined value is present, calculating and setting an image processing condition of said image processing means on the basis of the comparison result.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 140 words

An image forming apparatus for performing a print operation on a recording medium on the basis of data subjected to image processing, comprising: image processing means for performing the image processing; print means for performing the print operation; error detection means for comparing a print result output from said print means on the basis of predetermined print data with the predetermined print data, and checking if an error not less than a predetermined value is present; and control means for, when said error detection means determines that an error not less than the predetermined value is present, interrupting the processing, and for, when said error detection means does not determine that an error not less than the predetermined value is present, calculating and setting an image processing condition of said image processing means on the basis of the comparison result.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 113 words

An image forming apparatus for performing a print operation on a recording medium on the basis of data subjected to image processing, comprising: image processing means for performing the image processing; print means for performing the print operation; print control means for controlling said print means to perform print-out operations on the basis of a plurality of data, which are obtained by spatially changing a position of identical print data; and condition setting means for calculating and setting an image processing condition of said image processing means on the basis of a plurality of print results output from said print means under the control of said print control means, and the print data.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 113 words

An image forming apparatus for performing a print operation on a recording medium on the basis of data subjected to image processing, comprising: image processing means for performing the image processing; print means for performing the print operation; print control means for controlling said print means to perform print-out operations on the basis of a plurality of data, which are obtained by spatially changing a position of identical print data; and condition setting means for calculating and setting an image processing condition of said image processing means on the basis of a plurality of print results output from said print means under the control of said print control means, and the print data.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 91 words

An image processing method comprising: a reading step of reading an original image to generate image data; an image processing step of performing image processing on the image data, according to an image processing condition; and an output step of outputting the image data subjected to the image processing, to an image forming unit, wherein a pattern image formed by the image forming unit is read in said reading step through a special filter to generate pattern data, and the image processing condition is set based on the generated pattern data.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 91 words

An image processing method comprising: a reading step of reading an original image to generate image data; an image processing step of performing image processing on the image data, according to an image processing condition; and an output step of outputting the image data subjected to the image processing, to an image forming unit, wherein a pattern image formed by the image forming unit is read in said reading step through a special filter to generate pattern data, and the image processing condition is set based on the generated pattern data.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 127 words

An image recording method comprising: the first pattern forming step of forming a first test pattern on a recording medium; the first reading step of reading the first test pattern formed on the recording medium in the first pattern forming step; the first adjustment step of adjusting gradation characteristics on the basis of information of the first test pattern read in the first reading step; the second pattern forming step of forming a second test pattern on a recording medium; the second reading step of reading the second test pattern formed on the recording medium in the second pattern forming step; and the second adjustment step of adjusting color reproduction characteristics on the basis of information of the second test pattern read in the second reading step.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 127 words

An image recording method comprising: the first pattern forming step of forming a first test pattern on a recording medium; the first reading step of reading the first test pattern formed on the recording medium in the first pattern forming step; the first adjustment step of adjusting gradation characteristics on the basis of information of the first test pattern read in the first reading step; the second pattern forming step of forming a second test pattern on a recording medium; the second reading step of reading the second test pattern formed on the recording medium in the second pattern forming step; and the second adjustment step of adjusting color reproduction characteristics on the basis of information of the second test pattern read in the second reading step.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 86 words

An image recording method for reading an original image, processing the read image, and recording the processed image on a recording medium, comprising: the first setting step of setting a first image processing condition on the basis of a read first predetermined image and reference data associated with the first predetermined image; the recording step of recording a second predetermined image on a recording medium; and the second setting step of setting a second image processing condition on the basis of the read second predetermined image.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 86 words

An image recording method for reading an original image, processing the read image, and recording the processed image on a recording medium, comprising: the first setting step of setting a first image processing condition on the basis of a read first predetermined image and reference data associated with the first predetermined image; the recording step of recording a second predetermined image on a recording medium; and the second setting step of setting a second image processing condition on the basis of the read second predetermined image.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 107 words

An image processing method, which comprises the steps of: outputting a test pattern by image output means on the basis of test pattern data; reading the output test pattern by image reading means and inputting the test pattern read data; and generating a processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern and the test pattern read data, said method further comprising the steps of: performing a plurality of test pattern output operations on the basis of the test pattern data; and generating the processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern read data obtained as a result of the plurality of test pattern output operations.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 107 words

An image processing method, which comprises the steps of: outputting a test pattern by image output means on the basis of test pattern data; reading the output test pattern by image reading means and inputting the test pattern read data; and generating a processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern and the test pattern read data, said method further comprising the steps of: performing a plurality of test pattern output operations on the basis of the test pattern data; and generating the processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern read data obtained as a result of the plurality of test pattern output operations.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method according to claim 19, wherein the test pattern is output a plurality of number of times on the basis of identical test pattern data.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 116 words

An image processing method, which comprises the steps of: outputting a test pattern by image output means on the basis of test pattern data; reading the output test pattern by image reading means and inputting the test pattern read data; and generating a processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern and the test pattern read data, said method further comprising the steps of: comparing an error between the test pattern data and the test pattern read data with a predetermined value; and outputting an image by said image output means on the basis of image data in the neighborhood of the test pattern when the comparison result is not less than a predetermined value.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 116 words

An image processing method, which comprises the steps of: outputting a test pattern by image output means on the basis of test pattern data; reading the output test pattern by image reading means and inputting the test pattern read data; and generating a processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern and the test pattern read data, said method further comprising the steps of: comparing an error between the test pattern data and the test pattern read data with a predetermined value; and outputting an image by said image output means on the basis of image data in the neighborhood of the test pattern when the comparison result is not less than a predetermined value.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 116 words

An image processing method, which comprises the steps of: outputting a test pattern by image output means on the basis of test pattern data; reading the output test pattern by image reading means and inputting the test pattern read data; and generating a processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern and the test pattern read data, said method further comprising the steps of: comparing an error between the test pattern data and the test pattern read data with a predetermined value; and inhibiting generation of the processing parameter when the comparison result is not less than a predetermined value, and generating the processing parameter when the comparison result is less than the predetermined value.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 116 words

An image processing method, which comprises the steps of: outputting a test pattern by image output means on the basis of test pattern data; reading the output test pattern by image reading means and inputting the test pattern read data; and generating a processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern and the test pattern read data, said method further comprising the steps of: comparing an error between the test pattern data and the test pattern read data with a predetermined value; and inhibiting generation of the processing parameter when the comparison result is not less than a predetermined value, and generating the processing parameter when the comparison result is less than the predetermined value.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 94 words

An image processing method, which comprises the steps of: outputting a test pattern by image output means on the basis of test pattern data; reading the output test pattern by image reading means and inputting the test pattern read data; and generating a processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern and the test pattern read data, said method further comprising the steps of: outputting identical test patterns at different positions by said image output means; and generating the processing parameter on the basis of the test patterns output at the different positions.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 94 words

An image processing method, which comprises the steps of: outputting a test pattern by image output means on the basis of test pattern data; reading the output test pattern by image reading means and inputting the test pattern read data; and generating a processing parameter on the basis of the test pattern and the test pattern read data, said method further comprising the steps of: outputting identical test patterns at different positions by said image output means; and generating the processing parameter on the basis of the test patterns output at the different positions.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-01-04	2002-07-06	2003-01-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-01-04	2006-07-06	2007-01-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-01-04	2010-07-06	2011-01-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Image processing apparatus and method with gradation characteristic adjustment

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