US7102791B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mask producing method, image outputting device and computer readable recording medium
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 2002-03-14
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Granted: 2006-09-05
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Expires: 2022-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A mask is produced for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image through comparison with a threshold for each pixel. For this purpose, a dot pattern is determined on each of predetermined gray scale levels, and, the mask is created by the dot patterns obtained at the step, where the respective dot patterns are determined independently for every gray scale level.
Inventors
- 👤 Masanori Hirano
- 👤 Satoshi Ohuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/405; H04N1/4051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of producing a mask comprising threshold data for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image through comparison with a threshold for each pixel, comprising the steps of: a) determining a dot pattern on each of predetermined gray scale levels; and b) creating the mask by the dot patterns obtained at the step a), wherein said step a) determines the respective dot patterns independently for every gray scale level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of producing a mask comprising threshold data for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image through comparison with a threshold for each pixel, comprising the steps of: a) determining a dot pattern on each of predetermined gray scale levels; and b) creating the mask by the dot patterns obtained at the step a), wherein said step a) determines the respective dot patterns independently for every gray scale level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein: dot patterns on gray scale levels other than the predetermined gray scale levels are determined by interpolation processing based on the dot patterns on the predetermined gray scale levels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein: the interpolation processing is such that difference between the dot patterns on the gray scale levels at both ends of the relevant interpolation section is cancelled in sequence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the interpolation processing such that difference between the dot patterns on the gray scale levels at both ends of the relevant interpolation section is cancelled in sequence is performed between neighboring dots according to a predetermined order
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the interpolation processing such that difference between the dot patterns on the gray scale levels at both ends of the relevant interpolation section is cancelled in sequence is performed in such an order that a dot arrangement having the best evaluation result be obtained after performing predetermined evaluation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the evaluation is of evaluating at least one of graininess and equal direction characteristic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the interpolation processing such that difference between the dot patterns on the gray scale levels at both ends of the relevant interpolation section is cancelled in sequence comprises the step of inserting a dot pattern comprising an on-dot which is not turned on in any of the dot patterns on the gray scale levels at both ends of the relevant interpolation section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the minimum interval between the predetermined gray scale levels is not less than 1/32 of the total number of gray scale levels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the minimum interval between the predetermined gray scale levels is changed according to an image region of the image data to be processed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising the step of sequentially determining dot patterns for each gray scale levels on the predetermined gray scale levels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said step a) comprises the step of determining dot patterns for the predetermined gray scale levels according to a Bayer-type dithering.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the Bayer-type dithering is also applied for determining dot patterns on gray scale levels other than the predetermined gray scale levels on which the dot patterns are determined according to the Bayer-type dithering.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein dot patterns on gray scale levels other than the predetermined gray scale levels on which the dot patterns are determined according to the Bayer-type dithering are determined by halftone processing according to at least one of respective functions on a gray scale characteristic, a resolution and a pixel reproducibility of a device outputting the halftone image converted according to the method.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein dot patterns on gray scale levels other than the predetermined gray scale levels on which the dot patterns are determined according to the Bayer-type dithering are determined by halftone processing according to an image mode applied in a device outputting the halftone image converted according to the method.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of producing a mask comprising threshold data for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image through comparison with a threshold for each pixel, comprising the steps of: a) determining a dot pattern on each of predetermined gray scale levels; and b) creating the mask by the dot patterns obtained at the step a), wherein said step a) comprises the step a1) of evaluating a distance between on-dots in the dot pattern, wherein said step a1) performs the evaluation on a specific direction with a weight applied thereto.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of producing a mask comprising threshold data for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image through comparison with a threshold for each pixel, comprising the steps of: a) determining a dot pattern on each of predetermined gray scale levels; and b) creating the mask by the dot patterns obtained at the step a), wherein said step a) comprises the step a1) of evaluating a distance between on-dots in the dot pattern, wherein said step a1) performs the evaluation on a specific direction with a weight applied thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said step a) determines the respective dot patterns independently for every gray scale level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said specific direction comprises approximately vertical direction and approximately horizontal direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said specific direction comprises a range of approximately 8° through 16° on each of both sides of a predetermined direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said step a1) is performed in such a manner that the weight be reduced gradually from a predetermined direction toward both sides thereof within a predetermined range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image outputting device outputting a halftone image obtained from multi-level image data by using a mask produced according to claim 1 , by one of an electro-photographic scheme, an ink-jet scheme and a thermal transfer scheme.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image outputting device outputting a halftone image obtained from multi-level image data by using a mask produced according to claim 15 , by one of an electro-photographic scheme, an ink-jet scheme and a thermal transfer scheme.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A computer readable recording medium storing therein a software program for causing a computer to perform the method claimed in claim 1 , so as to produce a mask for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A computer readable recording medium storing therein a software program for causing a computer to perform the method claimed in claim 15 , so as to produce a mask for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer readable recording medium storing therein a software program for causing a computer to use mask data for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image produced according to the method claimed in claim 1 .
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer readable recording medium storing therein a software program for causing a mask data for converting multi-level image data into a halftone image produced according to the method claimed in claim 15 .
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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) | 2009-09-04 | 2010-03-06 | 2010-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-09-04 | 2014-03-06 | 2014-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-09-04 | 2018-03-06 | 2018-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |