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US6624909B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image file format for storing graphical matter and related information

Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1999-05-27
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Granted: 2003-09-23
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Expires: 2019-05-27
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Abstract

Abstract Provided are a method, system, and program for processing graphics input. The graphics input may include a first and second types of graphics matter, such as line art and continuous tone. At least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter are provided. An object is generated to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures. The object is then processed to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.

Inventors

  • 👤 Joseph Stanley Czyszczewski
  • 👤 Nenad Rijavec
  • 👤 James Thomas Smith
  • 👤 Mikel John Stanich

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 21:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00244; H04N1/00209; H04N1/41; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0065; H04N2201/0067; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0082; H04N2201/0087

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim 170 words
A method for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input includes a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: transforming a data structure in a first format representing the graphics input to a transformed data structure in a second format representing the graphics input; determining the second type of graphics matter in the graphics input; generating at least one data structure in the first format representing the determined second type of graphics matter; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures, wherein the information in the generated object comprises information on the transformed data structure in the second format and each generated data structure in the first format, wherein the information relates each generated data structure with the transformed data structure, and wherein each generated data structure includes representations of a same graphics matter of the second type included in the related transformed data structure; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 170 words
A method for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input includes a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: transforming a data structure in a first format representing the graphics input to a transformed data structure in a second format representing the graphics input; determining the second type of graphics matter in the graphics input; generating at least one data structure in the first format representing the determined second type of graphics matter; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures, wherein the information in the generated object comprises information on the transformed data structure in the second format and each generated data structure in the first format, wherein the information relates each generated data structure with the transformed data structure, and wherein each generated data structure includes representations of a same graphics matter of the second type included in the related transformed data structure; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first format is a device independent data structure and the second format is a device dependent format.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphics matter of the first type is comprised of line art and the graphics matter of the second type is comprised of continuous tone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 132 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein multiple data structures in the first format representing the graphics input are transformed to multiple data structures in the second format, wherein determining the second type of graphics matter comprises determining instances of the second type of graphic matter in the graphics input, further comprising generating, for each determined instance of the second type of graphic matter, a data structure in the first format representing the instance of the determined second type of graphics matter, wherein generating the information in the object further includes generating information to relate each generated data structure in the first format with one of the transformed data structures in the second format, wherein the related data structures include representations of the same instance of the second type of graphics matter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two data structures include representations of the same graphics matter of the second type.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each generated data structure represents different graphics matter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 44 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the device independent format represents the graphics matter in one of a first color space and gray scale format and the second format represents the graphics matter in one of a second color space and bi-level format.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 91 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the processing of the object to produce graphics output further comprises: processing the object information to determine for each transformed data structure in the second format any related generated data structures in the first format, wherein the related data structures include representations of the same instance of the second type of graphics matter; transforming the determined data structures in the first format to related data structures in the second format; and merging the related data structures in the second format to form graphics output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 49 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein generating the object further comprises generating in the information, for at least one of the transformed data structures in the first format, first pointer information indicating a location in the object of information for another transformed data structure in the first format.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 57 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising generating second pointer information in the information for at least one of the transformed data structures indicating a location in the object of information on one of the generated data structures representing the instance of the second type of graphics matter that is related to the transformed data structure.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 196 words
A system for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input includes a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: a processing unit; program logic implemented by the processing unit, comprising: (i) means for transforming a data structure in a first format representing the graphics input to a transformed data structure in a second format representing the graphics input; (ii) means for determining the second type of graphics matter in the graphics input; (iii) means for generating at least one data structure in the first format representing the determined second type of graphics matter; (iv) means for generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures, wherein the information in the generated object comprises information on the transformed data structure in the second format and each generated data structure in the first format, wherein the information relates each generated data structure with the transformed data structure, and wherein each generated data structure includes representations of a same graphics matter of the second type included in the related transformed data structure; and (v) means for processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 196 words
A system for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input includes a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: a processing unit; program logic implemented by the processing unit, comprising: (i) means for transforming a data structure in a first format representing the graphics input to a transformed data structure in a second format representing the graphics input; (ii) means for determining the second type of graphics matter in the graphics input; (iii) means for generating at least one data structure in the first format representing the determined second type of graphics matter; (iv) means for generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures, wherein the information in the generated object comprises information on the transformed data structure in the second format and each generated data structure in the first format, wherein the information relates each generated data structure with the transformed data structure, and wherein each generated data structure includes representations of a same graphics matter of the second type included in the related transformed data structure; and (v) means for processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 25 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the first format is a device independent data structure and the second format is a device dependent format.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 32 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the graphics matter of the first type is comprised of line art and the graphics matter of the second type is comprised of continuous tone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 33 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the object comprises a TIFF file and wherein the information on the transformed data structure and generated data structure are maintained in image file directories (IFDs).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 128 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the program logic further comprises: means for transforming multiple data structures in the first format representing the graphics input to multiple data structures in the second format; means for determining instances of the second type of graphic matter in the graphics input; means for generating, for each determined instance of the second type of graphic matter, a data structure in the first format representing the instance of the determined second type of graphics matter; and means for generating information in the object to relate each generated data structure in the first format with one of the transformed data structures in the second format, wherein the related data structures include representations of the same instance of the second type of graphics matter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 44 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the device independent format represents the graphics matter in one of a first color space and gray scale format and the second format represents the graphics matter in one of a second color space and bi-level format.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 55 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the program logic for generating the object further comprises means for generating in the information, for at least one of the transformed data structures in the first format, first pointer information indicating a location in the object of information for another transformed data structure in the first format.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 61 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the program logic further comprises generating second pointer information in the information for at least one of the transformed data structures indicating a location in the object of information on one of the generated data structures representing the instance of the second type of graphics matter that is related to the transformed data structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 59 words
The system of claim 18 , wherein the object comprises a TIFF file, wherein the information on the transformed data structures in the second format and generated data structures in the first format is implemented in image file directories (IFDs), and wherein the first pointer is maintained in an offset field of the IFD of the transformed data structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 60 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein the second pointer is maintained in a private tag of the IFD of the transformed data structure, and wherein the IFD including information on the generated data structure addressed by the second pointer includes an offset indicating a location of the IFD for another generated data structure related to the transformed data structure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 100 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein the program logic for processing of the object to produce graphics output further comprises: means for processing the object information to determine for each transformed data structure in the second format any related generated data structures in the first format, wherein the related data structures include representations of the same instance of the second type of graphics matter; means for transforming the determined data structures in the first format to related data structures in the second format; and means for merging the related data structures in the second format to form graphics output.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 172 words
An article of manufacture for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input includes a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: transforming a data structure in a first format representing the graphics input to a transformed data structure in a second format representing the graphics input; determining the second type of graphics matter in the graphics input; generating at least one data structure in the first format representing the determined second type of graphics matter; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures, wherein the information in the generated object comprises information on the transformed data structure in the second format and each generated data structure in the first format, wherein the information relates each generated data structure with the transformed data structure, and wherein each generated data structure includes representations of a same graphics matter of the second type included in the related transformed data structure; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 172 words
An article of manufacture for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input includes a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: transforming a data structure in a first format representing the graphics input to a transformed data structure in a second format representing the graphics input; determining the second type of graphics matter in the graphics input; generating at least one data structure in the first format representing the determined second type of graphics matter; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures, wherein the information in the generated object comprises information on the transformed data structure in the second format and each generated data structure in the first format, wherein the information relates each generated data structure with the transformed data structure, and wherein each generated data structure includes representations of a same graphics matter of the second type included in the related transformed data structure; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 27 words
The article of manufacture of claim 22 , wherein the first format is a device independent data structure and the second format is a device dependent format.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 44 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the device independent format represents the graphics matter in one of a first color space and gray scale format and the second format represents the graphics matter in one of a second color space and bi-level format.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 35 words
The article of manufacture of claim 22 , wherein the object comprises a TIFF file and wherein the information on the transformed data structure and generated data structure are maintained in image file directories (IFDs).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 34 words
The article of manufacture of claim 22 , wherein the graphics matter of the first type is comprised of line art and the graphics matter of the second type is comprised of continuous tone.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 134 words
The article of manufacture of claim 22 , wherein multiple data structures in the first format representing the graphics input are transformed to multiple data structures in the second format, wherein determining the second type of graphics matter comprises determining instances of the second type of graphic matter in the graphics input, further comprising generating, for each determined instance of the second type of graphic matter, a data structure in the first format representing the instance of the determined second type of graphics matter, wherein generating the information in the object further includes generating information to relate each generated data structure in the first format with one of the transformed data structures in the second format, wherein the related data structures include representations of the same instance of the second type of graphics matter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 22 , wherein each generated data structure represents different graphics matter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 51 words
The article of manufacture of claim 26 , wherein generating the object further comprises generating in the information, for at least one of the transformed data structures in the first format, first pointer information indicating a location in the object of information for another transformed data structure in the first format.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 59 words
The article of manufacture of claim 29 , further comprising generating second pointer information in the information for at least one of the transformed data structures indicating a location in the object of information on one of the generated data structures representing the instance of the second type of graphics matter that is related to the transformed data structure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 93 words
The article of manufacture of claim 27 , wherein the processing of the object to produce graphics output further comprises: processing the object information to determine for each transformed data structure in the second format any related generated data structures in the first format, wherein the related data structures include representations of the same instance of the second type of graphics matter; transforming the determined data structures in the first format to related data structures in the second format; and merging the related data structures in the second format to form graphics output.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 153 words
A memory storing an object including information on graphics input, wherein the graphics input includes a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: information on a transformed data structure created by transforming a data structure in a first format representing graphics input including the first and second types of graphics matter to a transformed data structure in a second format representing the graphics input; information on at least one generated data structure in the first format representing the second type of graphics matter in the graphics input; information relating the data structures, wherein the information relating the data structures comprises information relating each generated data structure with the transformed data structure, wherein each generated data structure includes representations of a same graphics matter of the second type included in the related transformed data structure, and wherein the object is processed to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 153 words
A memory storing an object including information on graphics input, wherein the graphics input includes a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: information on a transformed data structure created by transforming a data structure in a first format representing graphics input including the first and second types of graphics matter to a transformed data structure in a second format representing the graphics input; information on at least one generated data structure in the first format representing the second type of graphics matter in the graphics input; information relating the data structures, wherein the information relating the data structures comprises information relating each generated data structure with the transformed data structure, wherein each generated data structure includes representations of a same graphics matter of the second type included in the related transformed data structure, and wherein the object is processed to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 25 words
The memory device of claim 32 , wherein the first format is a device independent format and the second format is a device dependent format.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 44 words
The memory of claim 33 , wherein the device independent format represents the graphics matter in one of a first color space and gray scale format and the second format represents the graphics matter in one of a second color space and bi-level format.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 89 words
The memory of claim 32 , wherein the object further includes: information on multiple transformed data structures in the first second format representing the graphics input; and information on multiple data structures in the second format representing instances of the second type of graphic matter in the graphics input; information to relate each generated data structure in the first format with one of the transformed data structures in the second format, wherein the related data structures include representations of the same instance of the second type of graphics matter.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 15 words
The memory of claim 32 , wherein each generated data structure represents different graphics matter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 31 words
The memory of claim 33 , wherein the object comprises a TIFF file and wherein the information on the transformed and generated data structures are maintained in image file directories (IFDs).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 47 words
The memory of claim 35 , wherein the object further includes first pointer information in the information for at least one of the transformed data structures in the first format indicating a location in the object of information for another transformed data structure in the first format.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 58 words
The memory of claim 38 , wherein the object further comprises second pointer information in the information for at least one of transformed data structures indicating a location in the object of information on one of the generated data structures representing the instance of the second type of graphics matter that is related to the transformed data structure.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 60 words
The memory device of claim 39 , wherein the object comprises a TIFF file, wherein the information on the transformed data structures in the second format and generated data structures in the first format is implemented in image file directories (IFDs), and wherein the first pointer is maintained in an offset field of the IFD of the transformed data structure.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 64 words
The memory device of claim system of claim 40 , wherein the second pointer is maintained in a private tag of the IFD of the transformed data structure, and wherein the IFD including information on the generated data structure addressed by the second pointer includes an offset indicating a location of the IFD for another generated data structure related to the transformed data structure.
Claim 46
Independent Claim 95 words
A method for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input is capable of including a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: providing at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter wherein at least one of the data structures represent graphics matter in a first format and wherein one data structure represents graphics matter in a second format; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 47
Independent Claim 95 words
A method for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input is capable of including a first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: providing at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter wherein at least one of the data structures represent graphics matter in a first format and wherein one data structure represents graphics matter in a second format; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein each data structure in the second format includes representations of the same graphics matter included in the related data structure in the first format.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 109 words
An article of manufacture for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input is capable of including a first and second types of graphics matter, the article of manufacture comprising computer usable media including at least one computer program embedded therein that causes the computer to perform: providing at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter, wherein the at least two data structures include representations of the same graphics matter of the second type; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 109 words
An article of manufacture for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input is capable of including a first and second types of graphics matter, the article of manufacture comprising computer usable media including at least one computer program embedded therein that causes the computer to perform: providing at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter, wherein the at least two data structures include representations of the same graphics matter of the second type; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 118 words
An article of manufacture for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input is capable of including a first and second types of graphics matter, the article of manufacture comprising computer usable media including at least one computer program embedded therein that causes the computer to perform: providing at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter wherein at least one of the data structures represent graphics matter in a first format and wherein one data structure represents graphics matter in a second format; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 118 words
An article of manufacture for processing graphics input, wherein the graphics input is capable of including a first and second types of graphics matter, the article of manufacture comprising computer usable media including at least one computer program embedded therein that causes the computer to perform: providing at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter wherein at least one of the data structures represent graphics matter in a first format and wherein one data structure represents graphics matter in a second format; generating an object to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures; and processing the object to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 33 words
The article of manufacture of claim 45 , wherein each data structure in the second format includes representations of the same graphics matter included in the related data structure in the first format.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 61 words
A memory storing an object including information on graphics input that is capable of including first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: information on at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter, wherein the at least two data structures include representations of the same graphics matter of the second type; and information relating the data structures.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 61 words
A memory storing an object including information on graphics input that is capable of including first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: information on at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter, wherein the at least two data structures include representations of the same graphics matter of the second type; and information relating the data structures.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 70 words
A memory storing an object including information on graphics input that is capable of including first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: information on at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter, wherein at least one of the data structures represent graphics matter in a first format and wherein one data structure represents graphics matter in a second format; and information relating the data structures.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 70 words
A memory storing an object including information on graphics input that is capable of including first and second types of graphics matter, comprising: information on at least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter, wherein at least one of the data structures represent graphics matter in a first format and wherein one data structure represents graphics matter in a second format; and information relating the data structures.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 31 words
The memory of claim 48 , wherein each data structure in the second format includes representations of the same graphics matter included in the related data structure in the first format.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-09-22 2007-03-24 2007-09-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-09-22 2011-03-24 2011-09-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-09-22 2015-03-24 2015-09-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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