US6474766B1
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US
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System and method for color dither matrix creation using human-vision-system gray matrix with cluster radii
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 2001-03-29
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Granted: 2002-11-05
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Expires: 2021-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for creating dither matrices for printing in color. The disclosed method shows how to construct arrays for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black primary color printing for which only a single calculation using the cost function is involved. The disclosed method computes only a single dither array. Once the first array is generated, the computer software program creates the other arrays by translating points of the original array to corresponding points in the secondary array. In one embodiment translation is performed using a random number generator. In alternate embodiments, translation is performed by inversion and shifting of the first array.
Inventors
- 👤 Ted J. Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/405; H04N1/4051; H04N1/46; H04N1/52; G; G06; G06K; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0082; G06K2215/0094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for color printing, comprising: deriving a second dither matrix from a first dither matrix for printing a first color by transforming a first position in said first dither matrix to form a second position in said second dither matrix.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
41 words
A method for color printing, comprising: deriving a second dither matrix from a first dither matrix for printing a first color by transforming a first position in said first dither matrix to form a second position in said second dither matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , where transforming is selected from the group consisting of inverting, shifting, and moving a first random distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said inverting includes inverting across an origin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said inverting across an origin. includes replacing an x coordinate of said first position with −x and a y coordinate of said first position with −y.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said inverting includes reflecting across an axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said axis forms an approximate 45-degree angle with a side of said first dither matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising deriving a third dither matrix from said first dither matrix by shifting, wherein said shifting is in a horizontal direction towards a first edge of said first dither matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising deriving a third dither matrix from said first dither matrix by shifting, wherein said shifting is in a vertical direction towards a third edge of said first dither matrix.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein said shifting includes wrapping around from said third edge to a fourth edge of said first dither matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said first random distance is within two units of visual acuity from said first position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said first random distance lies along a line forming an angle approximately at 45 degrees from a side of said first dither matrix.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said first random distance is determined by a random number generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said random number generator selects said second position within a boundary of a rho function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said rho function includes candidate locations within two units of visual acuity of said first position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising deriving a third dither matrix from said first dither matrix by moving said first position in said first dither matrix a fourth random distance to form a fourth position in said third dither matrix.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first color is magenta and said second color is cyan.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising deriving a third dither matrix from said first dither matrix by transforming a third color with said third dither matrix.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said shifting includes wrapping around from said first edge to a second edge of said first dither matrix.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said third color is yellow.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first dither matrix is determined within a larger overall area including an area of said first dither matrix and a boundary area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said boundary area is approximately 2.5 units of visual acuity wide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing said second location to a database of locations within said first dither matrix used in said printing said first color.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising moving said first position a second random distance to form a third location if said second location matches an element of said database.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
64 words
A system for color printing, comprising: a first dither matrix stored and used for printing a first color; a central processing unit to derive a second dither matrix from said first dither matrix by transforming a first position in said first dither matrix to form a second position in said second dither matrix; and the second dither matrix used for printing a second color.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
64 words
A system for color printing, comprising: a first dither matrix stored and used for printing a first color; a central processing unit to derive a second dither matrix from said first dither matrix by transforming a first position in said first dither matrix to form a second position in said second dither matrix; and the second dither matrix used for printing a second color.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as set form in claim 24 , where transforming is selected from the group consisting of shifting, inverting, and moving a first random distance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein said central processing unit performs inversions by coordinate inversions across an origin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein said central processing unit performs inversions by reflecting about an axis forming an approximate 45 degree angle with a side of said first dither matrix.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 25 , wherein said central processing unit is also used to derive a third dither matrix from said first dither matrix by shifting, said system further comprising a third dither matrix used for printing a third color.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
56 words
A system for color printing comprising: a first dither matrix used for printing a first color; a second dither matrix derived from the first dither matrix by transforming a first position in the first dither matrix to form a second position in the second dither matrix, said second dither matrix used for printing a second color.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
56 words
A system for color printing comprising: a first dither matrix used for printing a first color; a second dither matrix derived from the first dither matrix by transforming a first position in the first dither matrix to form a second position in the second dither matrix, said second dither matrix used for printing a second color.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system set forth in claim 29 , further comprising a third dither matrix derived from the first dither matrix by transforming a first position in the first dither matrix to form a third position in the third dither matrix, said third dither matrix used for printing a third color.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as set forth in claim 29 , wherein transforming is selected from the group consisting of inverting, shifting, and moving a first random distance.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a random number generator to determine said second position within a boundary of a rho function.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 31 , further comprising a database of locations within said first dither matrix used in printing said first color.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 33 , wherein said central processing unit moves said first position a second random distance to form a third location if said second location matches an element of said database.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
56 words
A computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed in a processing system perform a process for color printing comprising deriving a second dither matrix from a first dither matrix used for printing a first color by transforming a first position in said first dither matrix to form a second position in said second dither matrix.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
56 words
A computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed in a processing system perform a process for color printing comprising deriving a second dither matrix from a first dither matrix used for printing a first color by transforming a first position in said first dither matrix to form a second position in said second dither matrix.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 35 , wherein inverting includes inverting across an origin.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer readable medium as set form in claim 35 , wherein said inverting across an origin includes replacing an x coordinate of said first position with −x and a y coordinate of said first position with −y.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
61 words
A system for color printing, comprising: means for printing a first color with a first dither matrix; means for deriving a second dither matrix from said first dither matrix by transforming a first position in said first dither matrix to form a second position in said second dither matrix; and means for printing a second color with said second dither matrix.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
61 words
A system for color printing, comprising: means for printing a first color with a first dither matrix; means for deriving a second dither matrix from said first dither matrix by transforming a first position in said first dither matrix to form a second position in said second dither matrix; and means for printing a second color with said second dither matrix.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as set forth in claim 38 , wherein transforming is selected from the group consisting of inverting, shifting, and moving a first random distance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-04 | 2006-05-06 | 2006-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-04 | 2010-05-06 | 2010-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-04 | 2014-05-06 | 2014-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |