US6048117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Network-based system for color calibration of printers
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1998-05-08
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Granted: 2000-04-11
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Expires: 2018-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A printing device is requested to generate a calibration test print. The printer generates a plurality of color patches and identification data which are put in hard copy form by a marker. The identification data includes data such as device identifiers, calibration print identifiers, and calibration statistics for the printing device. The hard copy calibration print is scanned and is transmitted to a calibration server. The calibration server interprets the coded data and determines the originating device, the calibration pattern printed, and an optimal color pattern based on the identification data. The color pattern printed is then compared to the optimal color pattern and their differences are determined. A color correction table is generated based on the differences and transmitted to the network address of the originating printer based on the identification data. The identification data provides for automatic recalibration of printing devices on a network.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin E. Banton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00002; H04N1/00007; H04N1/00015; H04N1/00023; H04N1/00026; H04N1/00031; H04N1/00045; H04N1/00053; H04N1/00058; H04N1/00063; H04N1/00071; H04N1/00074; H04N1/00079; H04N1/00082; H04N1/00962; H04N1/00973; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/603; H04N1/6033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of recalibrating a color printer in data communication with a network of devices, the method comprising the steps of: printing an output color pattern with a color printer based on a predetermined input color pattern; printing identification data in association with the output color pattern for encoding the output color pattern with the identification data; detecting the output color pattern and the identification data with a scanner; selecting a calibration pattern based on the identification data and determining differences between the calibration pattern and the measured output color pattern; generating a color correction table based on the differences determined; and recalibrating the color printer with the color correction table by identifying the color printer and transferring the color correction table to the identified color printer based on the identification data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of recalibrating a color printer in data communication with a network of devices, the method comprising the steps of: printing an output color pattern with a color printer based on a predetermined input color pattern; printing identification data in association with the output color pattern for encoding the output color pattern with the identification data; detecting the output color pattern and the identification data with a scanner; selecting a calibration pattern based on the identification data and determining differences between the calibration pattern and the measured output color pattern; generating a color correction table based on the differences determined; and recalibrating the color printer with the color correction table by identifying the color printer and transferring the color correction table to the identified color printer based on the identification data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the encoding includes encoding a source identifier and a location identifier including a network address of the color printer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the transferring transfers the color correction table to the network address.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the encoding includes encoding properties of the predetermined input color pattern including pattern identification and pattern orientation such that the calibration pattern selected is a desired output pattern which is generated in response to the predetermined input color pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the identification data is encoded in a binary format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the identification data includes alphanumeric characters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of calibrating as set forth in claim 1 further including generating a performance history for the color printer based on the identification data and the differences determined.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of calibrating as set forth in claim 1 wherein the steps of printing and encoding are performed concurrently.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of calibrating a color printing device comprising the steps of: generating, with a color printing device, a color calibration print and coded data, the coded data representing properties of an optimal output for the color calibration print; analyzing the color calibration print, coded data, and the optimal output; generating a color correction table for adjusting the color printing device based on the analyzing; and calibrating the color printing device by transmitting the color correction table to the color printing device in accordance with the coded data.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of calibrating a color printing device comprising the steps of: generating, with a color printing device, a color calibration print and coded data, the coded data representing properties of an optimal output for the color calibration print; analyzing the color calibration print, coded data, and the optimal output; generating a color correction table for adjusting the color printing device based on the analyzing; and calibrating the color printing device by transmitting the color correction table to the color printing device in accordance with the coded data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of calibrating as set forth in claim 9 wherein the analyzing includes: scanning the color calibration print and coded data; interpreting the coded data; and comparing the color calibration print to the optimal output print and determining adjustment values for the color correction table, the optimal output print being selected based on the coded data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of calibrating as set forth in claim 9 wherein the coded data includes a network address and data identifying the color printing device which generates the color calibration print.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of calibrating as set forth in claim 11 further including identifying the color printing device from the coded data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of calibrating as set forth in claim 11 further including verifying a destination of the color correction table prior to the transmitting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of calibrating as set forth in claim 9 wherein the coded data is generated in a binary format.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of calibrating as set forth in claim 9 further including generating a performance history for the color printing device based on the coded data and the adjustment values determined.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a method of generating a calibration print for calibrating a printing device where the printing device generates the calibration print including a color patch pattern based on an input test pattern, the improvement comprising: encoding the calibration print with coded data representative of the color patch pattern such that the calibration print is identifiable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a method of generating a calibration print for calibrating a printing device where the printing device generates the calibration print including a color patch pattern based on an input test pattern, the improvement comprising: encoding the calibration print with coded data representative of the color patch pattern such that the calibration print is identifiable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the coded data includes data identifying the printing device and the color patch pattern.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as set forth in claim 17 further including recalibrating the printing device based on the color patch pattern and coded data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 18 further including generating calibration statistics for the printing device based on the coded data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the recalibrating includes: generating a correction table; and transmitting the correction table to the printing device in accordance with the coded data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the generating includes: selecting an optimal color pattern based on the coded data which identifies the optimal color pattern in accordance with the input test pattern; and determining a drift between the optimal color pattern and the color patch pattern of the calibration print.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 16 further including generating a calibration performance history for the printing device based on the coded data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
83 words
A color printing apparatus comprising: a color printing device for generating a color calibration print and coded data, the coded data representing properties of an optimal output for the color calibration print, a calibration server for analyzing the color calibration print, coded data, and the optimal output and for generating a color correction table for adjusting the color printing device based on the analyzing; and means for transmitting the color correction table to the color printing device in accordance with the coded data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
83 words
A color printing apparatus comprising: a color printing device for generating a color calibration print and coded data, the coded data representing properties of an optimal output for the color calibration print, a calibration server for analyzing the color calibration print, coded data, and the optimal output and for generating a color correction table for adjusting the color printing device based on the analyzing; and means for transmitting the color correction table to the color printing device in accordance with the coded data.
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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) | 2003-04-11 | 2003-10-11 | 2004-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-11 | 2007-10-11 | 2008-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-11 | 2011-10-11 | 2012-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |