Patent US6804030B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6804030B1
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Method and apparatus for producing print from a bayer image
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 2000-09-11
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Granted: 2004-10-12
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Expires: 2020-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of providing an image for printing at a predetermined bi-level dot resolution which corresponds to a predetermined continuous tone resolution, the method including the steps of: receiving a first data set indicative of the image, the data set being in a Bayer format of a first resolution; converting the first data set into a second data set of the predetermined continuous tone resolution; converting the second data set into a third data set of the predetermined bi-level dot resolution; and making the third data set available to a printer at the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.An apparatus for providing an image for printing at a predetermined bi-level dot resolution which corresponds to a predetermined continuous tone resolution, the apparatus including: input means for receiving a first data set indicative of the image, the data set being in a Bayer format of a first resolution; sampling means for converting the first data set into a second data set of the predetermined continuous tone resolution; processing means for converting the second data set into a third data set of the predetermined bi-level dot resolution; and making the third data set available to a printer for printing at the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.A camera including: a CCD array for providing a Bayer image; a printer for selectively providing a printed image; and an apparatus according to claim 17 for receiving the Bayer image and providing the printer with the third data set such that the printed image is produced.
Inventors
- 👤 Simon Robert Walmsley
- 👤 Paul Lapstun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/60; G06T3/606; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J2/045; B41J2/04501; B41J2/04528; B41J2/04543; B41J2/04563; B41J2/04586; B41J2/04591; B41J29/00; B41J29/38; B41J29/393; G06T3/40; G06T3/4007; G06T3/4015; G06T5/00; G06T5/20; G06T5/73; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/387; H04N1/3877; H04N1/40; H04N1/409; H04N1/4092; H04N1/46; H04N1/48; H04N1/486; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6016; H04N23/00; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N23/843; H04N25/00; H04N25/10; H04N25/11; H04N25/13; H04N25/134; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of providing an image for printing at a predetermined bi-level dot resolution which corresponds to a predetermined continuous tone resolution, the method including the steps of: receiving a first data set indicative of the image, the data set being in a Bayer format of a first resolution; converting the first data set into a second data set of the predetermined continuous tone resolution; converting the second data set into a third data set of the predetermined bi-level dot resolution; and making the third data set available to a printer at the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of providing an image for printing at a predetermined bi-level dot resolution which corresponds to a predetermined continuous tone resolution, the method including the steps of: receiving a first data set indicative of the image, the data set being in a Bayer format of a first resolution; converting the first data set into a second data set of the predetermined continuous tone resolution; converting the second data set into a third data set of the predetermined bi-level dot resolution; and making the third data set available to a printer at the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first resolution matches the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first resolution is greater than the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first resolution is less than the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first data set is in a red, green and blue (RGB) format and the printer is responsive to a cyan, magenta and yellow (CMY) format, and the method includes the additional step of converting the third data set from an RGB format to a CMY format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of sharpening the second data set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of sharpening the first data set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first data set is obtained from a sensor device and the method includes the step of compensating the first data set for non-linearities in the sensor device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the step of compensating includes converting the first data set from a plurality of x bit samples to a plurality of y bit samples, where x>y.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method according to claim 8 where x=10 and y=8.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of planarising the first data set into a red plane, a green plane and a blue plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 1 including the further steps of: determining for the first data set the m % of darkest pixels and the n % of the lightest pixels; adjusting the first data set to equate the m % of darkest pixels; and adjusting the first data set to equate the n % of lightest pixels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 including the additional step of adjusting the first data set to provide a predetermined white balance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 including the additional step of adjusting the first data set to provide a predetermined range expansion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the color resolution of the first data set is increased while maintaining the same spatial resolution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the first data set is selectively adjusted for providing the image in a predetermined rotational orientation.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for providing an image for printing at a predetermined bi-level dot resolution which corresponds to a predetermined continuous tone resolution, the apparatus including: input means for receiving a first data set indicative of the image, the data set being in a Bayer format of a first resolution; sampling means for converting the first data set into a second data set of the predetermined continuous tone resolution; processing means for converting the second data set into a third data set of the predetermined bi-level dot resolution; and making the third data set available to a printer for printing at the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for providing an image for printing at a predetermined bi-level dot resolution which corresponds to a predetermined continuous tone resolution, the apparatus including: input means for receiving a first data set indicative of the image, the data set being in a Bayer format of a first resolution; sampling means for converting the first data set into a second data set of the predetermined continuous tone resolution; processing means for converting the second data set into a third data set of the predetermined bi-level dot resolution; and making the third data set available to a printer for printing at the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the first resolution matches the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the first resolution is greater than the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the first resolution is less than the predetermined bi-level dot resolution.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the first data set is in a red, green and blue (RGB) format and the printer is responsive to a cyan, magenta and yellow (CMY) format, the processing means converting the third data set from an RGB format to a CMY format.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 including the step of sharpening the second data set.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 including the step of sharpening the first data set.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the first data set is obtained from a sensor device and the input means compensates the first data set for non-linearities in the sensor device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the compensation for non-linearities includes converting the first data set from a plurality of x bit samples to a plurality of y bit samples, where x>y.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
10 words
An apparatus according to claim 25 where x=10 and y=8.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the input means planarises the first data set into a red plane, a green plane and a blue plane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the input means: determines for the first data set the m % of darkest pixels and the n % of lightest pixels; adjusts the first data set to equate the m % of darkest pixels; and adjusts the first data set to equate the n % of lightest pixels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the input means adjusts the first data set to provide a predetermined white balance.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the input means adjusts the first data set to provide a predetermined range expansion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 29 or claim 30 wherein the input means increases the color resolution of the first data set while maintaining the same spatial resolution.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the input means selectively adjusts the first data set for providing the image in a predetermined rotational orientation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
47 words
A camera including: a CCD array for providing a Bayer image; a printer for selectively providing a printed image; and an apparatus according to claim 17 for receiving the Bayer image and providing the printer with the third data set such that the printed image is produced.
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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) | 2007-10-12 | 2008-04-12 | 2008-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-12 | 2012-04-12 | 2012-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-12 | 2016-04-12 | 2016-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |