US7167278B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program for implementing the method
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 2003-03-17
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Granted: 2007-01-23
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Expires: 2023-03-17
Abstract
Abstract There is provided an image processing apparatus that can reduce the overlap of dots to thereby enable achievement of favorable visual characteristics, and reduce the amount of pseudo outlines in half tone and reduce the quantity of inks to be shot to thereby suppress an increase in the running cost. When performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, a threshold to be used for the error diffusion is determined based on a density value of at least one second density component of the plurality of density components. The error diffusion on the first density component is executed based on the determined threshold. A result of the executed error diffusion is outputted.
Inventors
- 👤 Akitoshi Yamada
- 👤 Masao Kato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An image processing apparatus that performs error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components comprising: a determination device, operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on a density value of a second density component of the plurality of density components; an executing device that executes the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output device that outputs a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image processing apparatus that performs error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components comprising: a determination device, operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on a density value of a second density component of the plurality of density components; an executing device that executes the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output device that outputs a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image processing apparatus that performs error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination device operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components; an executing device that executes the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output device that outputs a result of the executed error diffusion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image processing apparatus that performs error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination device operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components; an executing device that executes the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output device that outputs a result of the executed error diffusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the first density component and the second density components are different from each other in at least one of color, coloring density, and discharge rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
An image processing apparatus that performs error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination device operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on at least one of a sum of and a maximum value of density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components; an executing device that executes the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output device that outputs a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
An image processing apparatus that performs error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination device operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on at least one of a sum of and a maximum value of density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components; an executing device that executes the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output device that outputs a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination step of determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on a density value of at least one second density component of the plurality of density components when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components; an executing step of executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output step of outputting a result of the executed error diffusion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination step of determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on a density value of at least one second density component of the plurality of density components when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components; an executing step of executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output step of outputting a result of the executed error diffusion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image processing method according to claim 5 , wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of color, coloring density, and discharge rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination step of determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components; an executing step of executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output step of outputting a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
An image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination step of determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components; an executing step of executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output step of outputting a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
135 words
An image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination step of determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on at least one of a sum of and a maximum value of density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components; an executing step of executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output device of outputting a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
An image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, comprising: a determination step of determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on at least one of a sum of and a maximum value of density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components; an executing step of executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output device of outputting a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, the program comprising: a determination module operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components; an executing module for executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output module for outputting a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, the program comprising: a determination module operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components; an executing module for executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output module for outputting a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
150 words
A computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, the program comprising: a determination module operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on at least one of a sum of and a maximum value of density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components; an executing module for executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output module for outputting a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
150 words
A computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method of performing error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of density components, the program comprising: a determination module operable when performing the error diffusion on a first density component of the plurality of density components, for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on at least one of a sum of and a maximum value of density values of at least two second density components of the plurality of density components; an executing module for executing the error diffusion on the first density component based on the determined threshold; and an output module for outputting a result of the executed error diffusion; wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in at least one of coloring density and discharge rate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
An image processing apparatus that performs error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel includes a plurality of color components respectively corresponding to different color systems, wherein at least one color component includes at least a first density component and a second density component within the same color system, said apparatus comprising: a determination device for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on at least a density value of the second density component of a first color component; an executing device that executes the error diffusion on the first density component of the first color component based on the determined threshold; and an output device that outputs a result of the executed error diffusion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
126 words
An image processing apparatus that performs error diffusion on multivalued image data composed of a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel includes a plurality of color components respectively corresponding to different color systems, wherein at least one color component includes at least a first density component and a second density component within the same color system, said apparatus comprising: a determination device for determining a threshold to be used for the error diffusion based on at least a density value of the second density component of a first color component; an executing device that executes the error diffusion on the first density component of the first color component based on the determined threshold; and an output device that outputs a result of the executed error diffusion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first density component and the second density component have a different color density within a first color system corresponding to the first coloring density component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the first density component and the second density component respectively correspond to a dark ink and a light ink of the first color system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the first density component and the second density component respectively correspond to a light ink and a dark ink of the first color system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first density component and the second density component have a different discharge rate density.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the first density component and the second density component respectively correspond to a large ink drop and a small ink drop of the first color system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the first density component and the second density component respectively correspond to a small ink drop and a large ink drop of the first color system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the determination device further determines the threshold based on a density value of the second density component and the first density component of a second color component that corresponds to a second color system that is different from a first color system that corresponds to the first color component.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the first density component and the second density component of the first color component have a different color density within the first color system, and wherein the first density component and the second density component of the second color component have a different color density within the second color system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the first density component and the second density component of the first color component respectively correspond to a dark ink and a light ink of the first color system, and wherein the first density component and the second density component of the second color component respectively correspond to a dark ink and a light ink of the second color system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the first density component and the second density component of the first color component respectively correspond to a light ink and a dark ink of the first color system, and wherein the first density component and the second density component of the second color component respectively correspond to a light ink and a dark ink of the second color system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the first density component and the second density component of the first color component have a different discharge rate density, and wherein the first density component and the second density component of the second color component have a different discharge rate density.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the first density component and the second density component of the first color component respectively correspond to a large ink drop and a small ink drop of the first color system, and the first density component and the second density component of the second color component respectively correspond to a large ink drop and a small ink drop of the second color system.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the first density component and the second density component of the first color component respectively correspond to a large ink drop and a small ink drop of the first color system, and the first density component and the second density component of the second color component respectively correspond to a large ink drop and a small ink drop of the second color system.
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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) | 2010-01-22 | 2010-07-24 | 2011-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-01-22 | 2014-07-24 | 2015-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-01-22 | 2018-07-24 | 2019-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |