US6469805B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Post raster-image processing controls for digital color image printing
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1998-12-18
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Granted: 2002-10-22
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Expires: 2018-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A digital color image printing apparatus is disclosed which adjusts image characteristics of a printed image such as lightness/darkness, midtone contrast, highlight emphasis, shadow emphasis, and color cast. An input station generates an input image in a page description language. A raster-image processor decomposes the input image into a post-processing contone image. A user interface provides input signals to adjust at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image. An image control detects the input signals and adjusts at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image. A half-toner converts the adjusted post-processing contone image into a raster image. A printer prints the adjusted post-processing contone image. The invention provides a user with the ability to modify the characteristics of a printed document without having to perform raster image processing again. Further, the adjustments are easily separable from the document to allow the user to return to the original document at a later date.
Inventors
- 👤 Eli J. Behlok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A digital image printing apparatus for adjusting image characteristics of a displayed image comprising: an input station for generating an input image; an image processing station for processing the input image and generating a post-processing contone image therefrom; a user interface for providing input signals to adjust at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image; an image control for detecting the input signals and adjusting at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image; a memory containing data representative of a tone-reproduction curve (TRC), wherein one of the image control and a printer engine accesses the TRC memory for appropriate TRCs and applies them to the post-processed contone image; and a display for displaying the adjusted post-processing contone image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A digital image printing apparatus for adjusting image characteristics of a displayed image comprising: an input station for generating an input image; an image processing station for processing the input image and generating a post-processing contone image therefrom; a user interface for providing input signals to adjust at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image; an image control for detecting the input signals and adjusting at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image; a memory containing data representative of a tone-reproduction curve (TRC), wherein one of the image control and a printer engine accesses the TRC memory for appropriate TRCs and applies them to the post-processed contone image; and a display for displaying the adjusted post-processing contone image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a storage disk for storing the post-processed contone image with an associated tag indicating the desired TRCs for producing the adjusted post-processing contone image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein, upon receiving an appropriate signal from the user interface, the image control determines appropriate TRCs for adjusting the post-processed contone image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the image control determines appropriate TRCs for adjusting the post-processed contone image based on a histogram distribution of one of the input image and post-processed contone image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein, based on only one input signal, the image control generates a plurality of different adjusted post-processed contone images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the image control applies the appropriate TRCs to an object of the post-processed contone image.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for adjusting image characteristics of a input image that is represented in a page description language (PDL image), the method comprising: converting the PDL image into a post-processing contone image; selecting a tone-reproduction curve (TRC) based on a user input; mapping the post-processing contone image into an adjusted post-processing using the TRC; displaying the adjusted post-processing contone image.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for adjusting image characteristics of a input image that is represented in a page description language (PDL image), the method comprising: converting the PDL image into a post-processing contone image; selecting a tone-reproduction curve (TRC) based on a user input; mapping the post-processing contone image into an adjusted post-processing using the TRC; displaying the adjusted post-processing contone image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein: the step of converting includes raster-image processing the PDL image into the post-processing contone image; half-toning the adjusted post-processing contone image into a raster image; and printing the raster image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the step of selecting includes: accessing a memory containing data representative of a tone-reproduction curve (TRC).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 9 further including: storing the post-processed contone image with an associated tag indicating desired TRCs for producing the adjusted post-processing contone image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the step of selecting includes: accessing predefined TRCs based on a user's adjustment to one of a characteristic of the image of lightness/darkness, midtone contrast, highlight emphasis, shadow emphasis, and color cast.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of selecting includes: generating a histogram distribution of a contone representation of the input image; determining an appropriate TRCs for adjusting the post-processed contone image based on the histogram distribution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as set forth in claim 12 further including: selecting a plurality of TRCs to adjust the post-processing contone image to generate a plurality of different adjusted post-processing contone images using the plurality of TRCs based on an input signal from the user; and printing the plurality of different adjusted post-processing contone images.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the step of mapping includes mapping only portion of the post-processing contone image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the TRC is represented by a look-up table.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
A digital image printing apparatus for adjusting image characteristics of a displayed image comprising: an input station for generating an input image in page description language; a raster-image processor for decomposing the input image into a post-processing contone image; a user interface for providing input signals to adjust at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image; an image control for detecting the input signals and adjusting an image characteristic of the post-processing contone image; and a half-toner for converting the adjusted post-processing contone image into a raster image; a digital printer for printing the raster image; and a storage media for storing the post-processed contone image with a separable, associated tag indicating a desired TRC for producing the adjusted post-processing contone image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
A digital image printing apparatus for adjusting image characteristics of a displayed image comprising: an input station for generating an input image in page description language; a raster-image processor for decomposing the input image into a post-processing contone image; a user interface for providing input signals to adjust at least one of the image characteristics of the post-processing contone image; an image control for detecting the input signals and adjusting an image characteristic of the post-processing contone image; and a half-toner for converting the adjusted post-processing contone image into a raster image; a digital printer for printing the raster image; and a storage media for storing the post-processed contone image with a separable, associated tag indicating a desired TRC for producing the adjusted post-processing contone image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-21 | 2006-04-22 | 2006-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-21 | 2010-04-22 | 2010-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-04-22 | 2014-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |