US6411318B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color converting method, density-gradient correction method and color printer using the same
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1998-07-29
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Granted: 2002-06-25
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Expires: 2018-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of color conversion includes preserving a 0% density for a particular color in the pre-conversion state to maintain a 0% density after conversion is provided via a translation table. Density gradation methods include a gradient value structure such that the highlight and shadow regions of the density are more finely represented in comparison to non-highlight and non-shadow regions. A further density correction method includes supplying an amount of energy to a non-image area when printing using a first color, wherein the amount of energy will not produce a dot in the non-image area upon application of a second color. A printer may employ one or more of the above methods in the form of a translation table or a density correction patch.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuru Sawano
- 👤 Shu Shirai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6002; H04N1/6008; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/35; B41J2/355; B41J2/36; H04N1/603
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A color converting method comprising the step of: performing three or more dimensional color conversion such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0% in a state before the conversion, the at least one color keeps a halftone dot percentage of 0% after conversion, wherein first X 1 , second X 2 and third X 3 coordinates correspond to axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein a fourth coordinate X 4 corresponds to a K value and wherein fifth X 5 and sixth X 6 coordinates correspond to reference axes lying in a plane of the Cartesian coordinate system, said conversion applied to at least three of said first through sixth coordinates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A color converting method comprising the step of: performing three or more dimensional color conversion such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0% in a state before the conversion, the at least one color keeps a halftone dot percentage of 0% after conversion, wherein first X 1 , second X 2 and third X 3 coordinates correspond to axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein a fourth coordinate X 4 corresponds to a K value and wherein fifth X 5 and sixth X 6 coordinates correspond to reference axes lying in a plane of the Cartesian coordinate system, said conversion applied to at least three of said first through sixth coordinates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the conversion is applied to at least four of said first through sixth coordinates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the fourth and fifth coordinates correspond to respective planes where one of said first, second and third coordinates equals zero.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A color printer comprising: a translation table with which color conversion is performed such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0%, the energy for 0% gradient of the at least one color is fixed, wherein first X 1 , second X 2 and third X 3 coordinates correspond to axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein a fourth coordinate X 4 corresponds to a K value and wherein fifth X 5 and sixth X 6 coordinates correspond to reference axes lying in a plane of the Cartesian coordinate system, said color conversion applied to at least three of said first through sixth coordinates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A color printer comprising: a translation table with which color conversion is performed such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0%, the energy for 0% gradient of the at least one color is fixed, wherein first X 1 , second X 2 and third X 3 coordinates correspond to axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, and wherein a fourth coordinate X 4 corresponds to a K value and wherein fifth X 5 and sixth X 6 coordinates correspond to reference axes lying in a plane of the Cartesian coordinate system, said color conversion applied to at least three of said first through sixth coordinates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The color printer according to claim 4 , further comprising a thermal head for printing images based on energy levels supplied by said translation table.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the conversion is applied to at least four of said first through sixth coordinates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the fourth and fifth coordinates correspond to respective planes where one of said first, second and third coordinates equals zero.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printer comprising: a halftone-dot area converting means for converting a first image information into a second image information having a set of halftone-dot areas which provide a gradation information of said first image information; a gradation correction table for correcting said gradation information in which a difference in energy corresponding to a solid gradient of a shadow portion is larger than that corresponding to other gradients.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A printer comprising: a halftone-dot area converting means for converting a first image information into a second image information having a set of halftone-dot areas which provide a gradation information of said first image information; a gradation correction table for correcting said gradation information in which a difference in energy corresponding to a solid gradient of a shadow portion is larger than that corresponding to other gradients.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The printer according to claim 8 , wherein said gradation correction table is defined in such a way that the difference in energy of a black color is larger than the differences of other colors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
A density gradient correction method comprising the step of: performing density calibration by using a density calibration patch having a structure such that calibrations in a vicinity of a highlight portion and in a vicinity of a shadow portion are finely spaced in comparison with a non-highlight portion and a non-shadow portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A density gradient correction method comprising the step of: performing density calibration by using a density calibration patch having a structure such that calibrations in a vicinity of a highlight portion and in a vicinity of a shadow portion are finely spaced in comparison with a non-highlight portion and a non-shadow portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A color printer comprising: a density-calibration patch having a structure such that calibrations in a vicinity of a highlight portion and in a vicinity of a shadow portion are finely spaced in comparison with a non-highlight portion and a non-shadow portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A color printer comprising: a density-calibration patch having a structure such that calibrations in a vicinity of a highlight portion and in a vicinity of a shadow portion are finely spaced in comparison with a non-highlight portion and a non-shadow portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A printer according to claim 11 , further comprising: a translation table with which color conversion is performed such that when at least one of color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0%, the energy for a 0% gradient of the at least one color is fixed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The color printer according to claim 11 , further comprising a thermal head for printing images based on energy levels corresponding to density levels read from said density-calibration patch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
A density gradient correction method comprising the step of: providing a margin width for a highlight portion and a margin width for a shadow portion, wherein the margin width for the highlight portion includes a first number of gradient values between a minimum gradient value and a gradient value corresponding to production of a 0% density, and wherein the margin width for the shadow portion includes a second number of gradient values between a maximum gradient value and a gradient value corresponding to production of a 100% density.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
A density gradient correction method comprising the step of: providing a margin width for a highlight portion and a margin width for a shadow portion, wherein the margin width for the highlight portion includes a first number of gradient values between a minimum gradient value and a gradient value corresponding to production of a 0% density, and wherein the margin width for the shadow portion includes a second number of gradient values between a maximum gradient value and a gradient value corresponding to production of a 100% density.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The density gradient correction method according to claim 14 , wherein the margin width for the highlight portion is wider than that for the shadow portion.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
53 words
A method according to any of claims 10 and 14 - 15 further comprising: performing three or more dimension color conversion such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0% in a state before the conversion, the at least one color keeps 0% after conversion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
A density gradient correction method comprising the step of: supplying weak energy to a head corresponding to a non-image portion in a case of a primary color such that the intensity of a weak energy also does not cause a dot to be printed in the non-image portion in a case of a secondary or color.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
56 words
A density gradient correction method comprising the step of: supplying weak energy to a head corresponding to a non-image portion in a case of a primary color such that the intensity of a weak energy also does not cause a dot to be printed in the non-image portion in a case of a secondary or color.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
29 words
A method according to any of claims 1 , 10 , 14 , 15 , and 17 , further comprising forming an image using a thin-film thermal transfer method.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 17 further comprising: performing three or more dimensional color conversion such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0% in a state before the conversion, the at least one color keeps a halftone dot percentage of 0% after conversion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
A color printer comprising: a density gradient translation table for supplying weak energy to a head corresponding to a non-image portion in a case of a primary color such an intensity of the weak energy also does not cause a dot to be printed in the non-image portion in a case of a secondary color.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
A color printer comprising: a density gradient translation table for supplying weak energy to a head corresponding to a non-image portion in a case of a primary color such an intensity of the weak energy also does not cause a dot to be printed in the non-image portion in a case of a secondary color.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The printer according to any one of claims 4 , 11 and 20 further including a thin-film thermal transfer imaging device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
A printer according to claim 20 further comprising a translation table with which color conversion is performed such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0%, the energy for a 0% gradient of the at least one color is fixed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
81 words
A color converting method comprising: performing three or more dimensional color conversion such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0% in a state before the conversion, the at least one color keeps a halftone dot percentage of 0% after conversion, wherein a multidimensional coordinate correspond to X 1 , X 2 , . . ., and Xn axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, said n being an integer no less than three.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
81 words
A color converting method comprising: performing three or more dimensional color conversion such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0% in a state before the conversion, the at least one color keeps a halftone dot percentage of 0% after conversion, wherein a multidimensional coordinate correspond to X 1 , X 2 , . . ., and Xn axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, said n being an integer no less than three.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
75 words
A color printer comprising: a translation table with which multidimensional color conversion is performed such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0%, the energy for 0% gradient of the at least one color is fixed, wherein multidimensional coordinates correspond to X 1 , X 2 , . . ., and Xn axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, said n being an integer no less than three.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
75 words
A color printer comprising: a translation table with which multidimensional color conversion is performed such that when at least one color of coloring materials has a halftone dot percentage of 0%, the energy for 0% gradient of the at least one color is fixed, wherein multidimensional coordinates correspond to X 1 , X 2 , . . ., and Xn axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, said n being an integer no less than three.
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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) | 2005-06-24 | 2005-12-24 | 2006-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | 2010-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-24 | 2013-12-24 | 2014-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |