US6172771B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image forming system and calibration method for image forming conditions
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1998-04-20
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Granted: 2001-01-09
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Expires: 2018-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A system which utilizes plural image forming apparatus, equalizes gradation characteristics of images commonly output from such plural image forming apparatus. When the system includes three color copying apparatus, at first a test pattern image based on data from a pattern generator is output from the color copying apparatus. The prepared image is read by the reader of the color copying apparatus, and, based on the read data, the correction data of a table (LUT) are calibrated for obtaining density data for a laser beam. The calibration of the correction data of the color copying apparatus are conducted in a similar manner using, however, the reader of the same copying apparatus for reading the test pattern. It is therefore, rendered possible to exclude the influence of the difference in the reader characteristics on the calibration, and to equalize the gradation characteristics when the copying apparatus are used as printers.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuichi Ikeda
- 👤 Nobuatsu Sasanuma
- 👤 Tetsuya Atsumi
- 👤 Yasuhiro Saito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/603; H04N1/6052; H04N1/6055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An image forming system including plural image forming apparatus, comprising: test image forming means for forming a test image on a basis of predetermined data by utilizing each of said plural image forming apparatus; reading means to be commonly used for reading the test image formed by said test image forming means, for each of said plural image forming apparatus; and calibration means for calibrating an image forming condition in each of said plural image forming apparatus, on a basis of the predetermined data and image data of the read test image corresponding to each of said plural image forming apparatus, wherein at least one of said plural image forming apparatus is a copying apparatus including, means for storing the image forming condition calibrated by said calibration means; and means for storing, separately from the image forming condition calibrated by said calibration means, an image forming condition calibrated after reading a test image with a scanner unit provided in said copying apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An image forming system including plural image forming apparatus, comprising: test image forming means for forming a test image on a basis of predetermined data by utilizing each of said plural image forming apparatus; reading means to be commonly used for reading the test image formed by said test image forming means, for each of said plural image forming apparatus; and calibration means for calibrating an image forming condition in each of said plural image forming apparatus, on a basis of the predetermined data and image data of the read test image corresponding to each of said plural image forming apparatus, wherein at least one of said plural image forming apparatus is a copying apparatus including, means for storing the image forming condition calibrated by said calibration means; and means for storing, separately from the image forming condition calibrated by said calibration means, an image forming condition calibrated after reading a test image with a scanner unit provided in said copying apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein each of said plural image forming apparatus is a copying apparatus, and said reading means includes an original reader provided in one of said plural copying apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein each of said plural image forming apparatus is a printer, and said reading means includes a scanner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein said image forming condition relates to correction of gradation characteristics of the image to be formed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
186 words
An image forming apparatus which performs image formation by using a calibrated image forming condition, comprising: means for executing plural calibration functions; selection means for selecting a calibration function to be executed from among the plural calibration functions, on a basis of a user's instruction; and storage means for storing the plural image forming conditions respectively produced by the plural calibration functions, the plural calibration functions including, a first calibration function for calibrating the image forming condition, on a basis of data obtained by measuring a test pattern formed by said image forming apparatus with use of a measurement unit of said image forming apparatus, and a second calibration function for calibrating the image forming condition on a basis of data obtained by measuring the test pattern formed by said image forming apparatus with use of an external measurement device, wherein the first calibration function is a function to maintain image quality of said independent image forming apparatus, and the second calibration functions a function to match image quality of the plural image formation apparatuses to which image forming conditions are calibrated by said measurement device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
186 words
An image forming apparatus which performs image formation by using a calibrated image forming condition, comprising: means for executing plural calibration functions; selection means for selecting a calibration function to be executed from among the plural calibration functions, on a basis of a user's instruction; and storage means for storing the plural image forming conditions respectively produced by the plural calibration functions, the plural calibration functions including, a first calibration function for calibrating the image forming condition, on a basis of data obtained by measuring a test pattern formed by said image forming apparatus with use of a measurement unit of said image forming apparatus, and a second calibration function for calibrating the image forming condition on a basis of data obtained by measuring the test pattern formed by said image forming apparatus with use of an external measurement device, wherein the first calibration function is a function to maintain image quality of said independent image forming apparatus, and the second calibration functions a function to match image quality of the plural image formation apparatuses to which image forming conditions are calibrated by said measurement device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the image forming condition is a gradation correction condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a reader unit for reading an original image, wherein said measurement unit used in said first calibration function is said reader unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
173 words
An image forming method which includes plural calibration functions to calibrate an image forming condition used in a case of performing image formation by an image forming apparatus, said method comprising: a holding step of holding the plural image forming conditions respectively produced by the plural calibration functions, the plural calibration functions including, a first calibration function for calibrating the image forming condition, on a basis of data obtained by measuring a test pattern formed by the image forming apparatus with use of a measurement unit of the image forming apparatus, and a second calibration function for calibrating the image forming condition, on a basis of data obtained by measuring the test pattern formed by the image forming apparatus with use of an external measurement device, wherein the first calibration function is a function to maintain image quality of the independent image forming apparatus, and the second calibration function is a function to match image quality of the plural image formation apparatuses to which image forming conditions are calibrated by the measurement device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
173 words
An image forming method which includes plural calibration functions to calibrate an image forming condition used in a case of performing image formation by an image forming apparatus, said method comprising: a holding step of holding the plural image forming conditions respectively produced by the plural calibration functions, the plural calibration functions including, a first calibration function for calibrating the image forming condition, on a basis of data obtained by measuring a test pattern formed by the image forming apparatus with use of a measurement unit of the image forming apparatus, and a second calibration function for calibrating the image forming condition, on a basis of data obtained by measuring the test pattern formed by the image forming apparatus with use of an external measurement device, wherein the first calibration function is a function to maintain image quality of the independent image forming apparatus, and the second calibration function is a function to match image quality of the plural image formation apparatuses to which image forming conditions are calibrated by the measurement device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
An image forming method which calibrates an image forming condition used in a case of performing image formation by an image forming apparatus connected through a network to an apparatus having an image reading unit, said method comprising the steps of: inputting an instruction to execute calibration processing for calibrating the image forming condition, on a basis of data obtained by reading a test pattern formed by the image forming apparatus with the image reading unit; communicating with the apparatus having the image reading unit, and occupying the apparatus having the image reading unit so as not to receive through the network an instruction from other apparatus; and communicating with the apparatus having the image reading unit and releasing occupation of the apparatus having the image reading unit, according to an execution condition of the calibration processing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
137 words
An image forming method which calibrates an image forming condition used in a case of performing image formation by an image forming apparatus connected through a network to an apparatus having an image reading unit, said method comprising the steps of: inputting an instruction to execute calibration processing for calibrating the image forming condition, on a basis of data obtained by reading a test pattern formed by the image forming apparatus with the image reading unit; communicating with the apparatus having the image reading unit, and occupying the apparatus having the image reading unit so as not to receive through the network an instruction from other apparatus; and communicating with the apparatus having the image reading unit and releasing occupation of the apparatus having the image reading unit, according to an execution condition of the calibration processing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 9 , wherein the apparatus having the image reading unit notifies that the calibration processing is being executed, during the occupation of the apparatus having the image reading unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 9 , wherein the apparatus having the image reading unit is a color copying machine, and the calibration processing is processing to match a tint of an output image from the color copying machine with a tint of an output image from the image formation apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 9 , wherein the image forming condition is a gradation correction condition.
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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) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |