EP0359463A2 — Dot image data output apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 158 words

An image data output system comprising: first signal-receiving circuit means capable of receiving binary dot image information; first processing circuit means capable of signal-processing said binary dot image information received by said first signal receiving circuit means, said processing circuit means being arranged to be a module individually contained in a first individual unit; second signal-receiving circuit means capable of receiving multi-level dot information; second processing circuit means capable of signal-processing said multi-level dot information received by said second signal receiving circuit means, said processing circuit means being arranged to be a module individually contained in a second individual unit; and a coupling circuit means capable of coupling said first individual unit containing said first processing circuit means and said second individual unit containing said second processing circuit means for the purpose of processing an output signal from said second processing circuit means and an output signal from said second processing circuit means in either of said units.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 158 words

An image data output system comprising: first signal-receiving circuit means capable of receiving binary dot image information; first processing circuit means capable of signal-processing said binary dot image information received by said first signal receiving circuit means, said processing circuit means being arranged to be a module individually contained in a first individual unit; second signal-receiving circuit means capable of receiving multi-level dot information; second processing circuit means capable of signal-processing said multi-level dot information received by said second signal receiving circuit means, said processing circuit means being arranged to be a module individually contained in a second individual unit; and a coupling circuit means capable of coupling said first individual unit containing said first processing circuit means and said second individual unit containing said second processing circuit means for the purpose of processing an output signal from said second processing circuit means and an output signal from said second processing circuit means in either of said units.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 65 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second individual unit integrates and includes said first and second signal receiving circuit means, and said coupling circuit means comprises transferring circuit means capable of transferring said binary dot information received by said first signal receiving circuit means in said second individual unit to said first processing circuit means in said first individual unit.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 103 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coupling circuit means includes third signal receiving circuit means capable of making said first individual unit receive said multi-level processed signal which has been processed by said second processing circuit means from said second individual unit, and said first individual unit includes circuit means capable of selecting either said multi-level processed signal received by said third signal receiving circuit means or said binary dot information processed by said first processing circuit means in said first individual unit, said circuit means then transmitting the selected one as an output signal for visual output.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 52 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first individual unit comprises said first signal receiving circuit means, said first processing circuit means, and means capable of disabling said transferring circuit means on said first individual unit side when said second individual unit is not included in the system.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 107 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: first signal-receiving means capable of receiving binary dot information; second signal-receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information; second processing means capable of signal-processing said multi-level dot information received by said second signal-receiving means; generating means capable of generating binary dot information from said multi-level dot information received by said second signal receiving means; synthesizing means capable of synthesizing said binary dot information generated by said generating means and said binary dot information received by said first signal-receiving means; and first processing means capable of signal processing said synthesized binary dot information so as to be transmitted as a visible image.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 107 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: first signal-receiving means capable of receiving binary dot information; second signal-receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information; second processing means capable of signal-processing said multi-level dot information received by said second signal-receiving means; generating means capable of generating binary dot information from said multi-level dot information received by said second signal receiving means; synthesizing means capable of synthesizing said binary dot information generated by said generating means and said binary dot information received by said first signal-receiving means; and first processing means capable of signal processing said synthesized binary dot information so as to be transmitted as a visible image.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 55 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said generating means is capable of making a comparison between the level of the density of said multi-level dot information which has been received and a predetermined threshold, said generating means then transmitting a binary logical signal in accordance with a result of the comparison.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said threshold is a value near the maximum density value or a value near the minimum density value.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 97 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: signal receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information from outside; first half tone processing.means capable of dither-processing said multi-level dot information which has been received, said first half tone processing means then transmitting a first half tone signal; second half tone processing means capable of pulse width modulation processing said multi-level dot information, said second half tone processing means then transmitting a second half tone signal; and output means capable of selecting either said first or second half tone signal, said output means then transmitting it as a visible image.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 97 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: signal receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information from outside; first half tone processing.means capable of dither-processing said multi-level dot information which has been received, said first half tone processing means then transmitting a first half tone signal; second half tone processing means capable of pulse width modulation processing said multi-level dot information, said second half tone processing means then transmitting a second half tone signal; and output means capable of selecting either said first or second half tone signal, said output means then transmitting it as a visible image.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 55 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 8, wherein resolution of the output signal resulted from said first half tone processing means in accordance with said dither processing is low, while resolution of the output signal resulted from said second half tone processing means in accordance with said pulse width modulation processing is high.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising communication means capable of receiving an instruction to select either first or second half tone signal from an external device.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 49 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second half tone processing means further comprises third half tone processing means capable of dither-processing said received multi-level dot information and then capable of transmitting a third half tone signal, said output signal being pulse width modulation processed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 75 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: dot information receiving means capable of receiving dot information; density changing means capable of density changing processing said received dot information in accordance with a predetermined data interpolation logic selected from a plurality of data interpolation logics provided, wherein said density changing means has a plurality of said data interpolation logics, whereby said plurality of data interpolation logics can be selectively assigned from an external device via communication means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 75 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: dot information receiving means capable of receiving dot information; density changing means capable of density changing processing said received dot information in accordance with a predetermined data interpolation logic selected from a plurality of data interpolation logics provided, wherein said density changing means has a plurality of said data interpolation logics, whereby said plurality of data interpolation logics can be selectively assigned from an external device via communication means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 25 words

An image data output apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said interpolating processing in accordance with said interpolation logic also serving as a smoothing processing.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 66 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: first signal-receiving means capable of receiving binary dot information; and data conversion means capable of data-converting said received binary dot information in accordance with a predetermined data conversion logic, wherein said data conversion means has a plurality of said data conversion logics whereby said plurality of data conversion logics can be selectively assigned from an external device via communication means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 66 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: first signal-receiving means capable of receiving binary dot information; and data conversion means capable of data-converting said received binary dot information in accordance with a predetermined data conversion logic, wherein said data conversion means has a plurality of said data conversion logics whereby said plurality of data conversion logics can be selectively assigned from an external device via communication means.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 61 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: second signal-receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information; and generating means capable of generating binary dot information from said multi-level dot information in accordance with a predetermined logic, wherein said generating means has a plurality of said logics whereby said plurality of logics can be selectively assigned from an external device via communication means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 61 words

An image data output apparatus comprising: second signal-receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information; and generating means capable of generating binary dot information from said multi-level dot information in accordance with a predetermined logic, wherein said generating means has a plurality of said logics whereby said plurality of logics can be selectively assigned from an external device via communication means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 111 words

An image output apparatus capable of transmitting an image in a visible manner, said apparatus comprising: first input means capable of inputting a multi-level image signal; second input means capable of inputting a binary image signal; gradation converting means capable of converting said input multi-level image signal into a binary type image signal so as to expressed by a gradation which corresponds to said multi-level image signal; selection/synthesizing means capable alternately selecting either said binary type image signal or said binary image signal or synthesizing both said binary type image signal and said binary image signal; and means capable of visibly recording or displaying an output signal from said selection/synthesizing means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 111 words

An image output apparatus capable of transmitting an image in a visible manner, said apparatus comprising: first input means capable of inputting a multi-level image signal; second input means capable of inputting a binary image signal; gradation converting means capable of converting said input multi-level image signal into a binary type image signal so as to expressed by a gradation which corresponds to said multi-level image signal; selection/synthesizing means capable alternately selecting either said binary type image signal or said binary image signal or synthesizing both said binary type image signal and said binary image signal; and means capable of visibly recording or displaying an output signal from said selection/synthesizing means.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

An image output apparatus according to claim 16, wherein an instruction of said selection or synthesizing is controlled from an external instruction device via communication.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 59 words

An image output apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said gradation converting means comprises means capable of making a comparison between the density of said input multi-level image signal and a predetermined cyclic pulse signal and transmitting the result of the comparison in a binary manner, the gradation conversion being realized by converting said density into the pulse width.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 31 words

An image output apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a half of the cycle of said cyclic pulse signal is substantially the same as the pixel of said output image signal.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 112 words

An output apparatus capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a first recording dot density, generating multi- level dot information of a second recording dot density from said received dot information, and transmitting said generated second dot information in a visible manner, said output apparatus comprising: signal receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information of said first recording dot density; generating means capable of generating multi-level interpolation dot information by subjecting said received multi-level dot information to a predetermined calculation; and dot density converting means capable of generating multi-level dot information of a second recording dot density of higher level from said interpolation dot information and said received multi-level dot information.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 112 words

An output apparatus capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a first recording dot density, generating multi- level dot information of a second recording dot density from said received dot information, and transmitting said generated second dot information in a visible manner, said output apparatus comprising: signal receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information of said first recording dot density; generating means capable of generating multi-level interpolation dot information by subjecting said received multi-level dot information to a predetermined calculation; and dot density converting means capable of generating multi-level dot information of a second recording dot density of higher level from said interpolation dot information and said received multi-level dot information.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 47 words

An output apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said generating means makes a reference with the dot of a pixel disposed at a predetermined position of said received dot information, said generating means then generating a multi-level interpolation dot at a specific position from said reference pixel.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 46 words

An output apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said generating means utilizes, as said reference pixel, a plurality of said received multi-level dot information in the main scanning direction at recording, said generating means then calculating the arithmetic mean of said densities as interpolation dot information.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 45 words

An output apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said generating means utilizes, as said reference pixel, a plurality of said received multi-level dot information in the sub-scanning direction at recording, said generating means then calculating the arithmetic mean of said densities as interpolation dot information.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 30 words

An output apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising modulation means capable of conducting pulse width modulation in accordance with multi-level dot information generated by said dot density converting means.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 114 words

An image forming apparatus capable of inputting image data of a certain recording dot density and forming an image of a higher recording dot density with respect to said certain recording dot density, said apparatus comprising: storage means capable of storing input image data; determination means capable of determining a fact that image data of a plurality of reference pixels surrounding a subject pixel to be interpolated is contained in an image of a binary expression or in an image of a multi-level manner expression; and data interpolating means capable of generating data for interpolating said subject pixel by a calculation method defined by the result of the determination made by said determining means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 114 words

An image forming apparatus capable of inputting image data of a certain recording dot density and forming an image of a higher recording dot density with respect to said certain recording dot density, said apparatus comprising: storage means capable of storing input image data; determination means capable of determining a fact that image data of a plurality of reference pixels surrounding a subject pixel to be interpolated is contained in an image of a binary expression or in an image of a multi-level manner expression; and data interpolating means capable of generating data for interpolating said subject pixel by a calculation method defined by the result of the determination made by said determining means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 85 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said data interpolating means generates interpolation data for said subject pixel by a binary logical calculation when said determining means determines that said image data for said reference pixel is contained in said image of said binary expression, while said data interpolating means generates interpolation data for said subject pixel by numeric calculation when the said determining means determines that said image data for said reference pixel is contained in said image of said multi-level expression.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 27 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said binary logical calculation replaces the density of said subject pixel by the density of said reference pixel.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 32 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said numerical logical calculation conducts a calculation by making the arithmetic means of the density of said reference pixel as interpolation dot information.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 46 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said determining means determines a fact that said image data is contained in an image of said binary expression when all of the densities of said reference pixels is the minimum or maximum level of the density.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 178 words

An output apparatus capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a firs recording dot density, generating multi-level dot information of a second recording dot density from said received information, and transmitting, in a visible manner, second dot information which has been thus generated, said output apparatus comprising; signal receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a first recording dot density; a plurality of types of interpolation dot generating means a plurality of types of interpolation dots capable of making a reference with the dot of a pixel disposed at a predetermined position of said received dot information, said generating means capable of generating a plurality of types of interpolation dots then generating a multi-level interpolation dot at a specific position from said reference pixel; density difference detection means capable of detecting the difference in the density between dots of the reference pixel when said interpolation dot is generated; and switch means capable of selectively switching said plurality of interpolation dot generating means in accordance with the result of detection made by said density difference detection means.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 178 words

An output apparatus capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a firs recording dot density, generating multi-level dot information of a second recording dot density from said received information, and transmitting, in a visible manner, second dot information which has been thus generated, said output apparatus comprising; signal receiving means capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a first recording dot density; a plurality of types of interpolation dot generating means a plurality of types of interpolation dots capable of making a reference with the dot of a pixel disposed at a predetermined position of said received dot information, said generating means capable of generating a plurality of types of interpolation dots then generating a multi-level interpolation dot at a specific position from said reference pixel; density difference detection means capable of detecting the difference in the density between dots of the reference pixel when said interpolation dot is generated; and switch means capable of selectively switching said plurality of interpolation dot generating means in accordance with the result of detection made by said density difference detection means.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 97 words

An output apparatus according to claim 30 further comprising means capable of determining whether or not edge portion is present in an image in accordance with the result of detection made by said density difference detection means, wherein, in the interpolation for said edge portion, an interpolation dot having the same density as the density of said first recording dot density information in said detected edge portion is generated, while, in the interpolation in the portions other than said edge portion, an interpolation dot is generated at the average value of the density of said reference dot.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 63 words

An image forming apparatus capable of inputting multi-level data and forming a half tone image, said apparatus comprising: conversion means capable of converting the number of gradation of input multi-level image data to correspond to the number of gradations of said image forming apparatus; and image forming means capable of forming an image in accordance with image data whose gradation has been converted.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 63 words

An image forming apparatus capable of inputting multi-level data and forming a half tone image, said apparatus comprising: conversion means capable of converting the number of gradation of input multi-level image data to correspond to the number of gradations of said image forming apparatus; and image forming means capable of forming an image in accordance with image data whose gradation has been converted.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 44 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said conversion means eliminate the lower bits of the gradation of said input multi-level image data when the number of gradations of input multi-level image data is larger than that of said image forming apparatus.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 46 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said conversion means insert zero into the lower bits of the gradation of said input multi-level image data when the number of gradations of input multi-level image data is smaller than that of said image forming apparatus.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 48 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said conversion means insert a random value into the lower bits of the gradation of said input multi-level image data when the number of gradations of input multi-level image data is smaller than that of said image forming apparatus.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 58 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said conversion means insert the lower bit of the average value of image data of surrounding pixels into the lower bits of the gradation of said input multi-level image data when the number of gradations of input multi-level image data is smaller than that of said image forming apparatus.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 104 words

An image forming apparatus capable of forming a half tone image by inputting multi-level image data, said apparatus comprising: conversion means capable of converting the number of gradation of input multi-level image data to correspond to the number of gradations of said image forming apparatus; gradation correction means capable of correcting the gradation of said image data whose gradation has been converted by said conversion means; changing means capable of changing the correction characteristics of said gradation correction mean; and image forming means capable of forming an image in accordance with a multi-level image data whose gradation has been corrected by said changing means.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 104 words

An image forming apparatus capable of forming a half tone image by inputting multi-level image data, said apparatus comprising: conversion means capable of converting the number of gradation of input multi-level image data to correspond to the number of gradations of said image forming apparatus; gradation correction means capable of correcting the gradation of said image data whose gradation has been converted by said conversion means; changing means capable of changing the correction characteristics of said gradation correction mean; and image forming means capable of forming an image in accordance with a multi-level image data whose gradation has been corrected by said changing means.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 31 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said changing means includes storage means capable of storing a plurality of correction characteristics; and means capable of selecting any correction characteristic.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 15 words

An image forming apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said storage means comprises a ROM.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 82 words

An image output apparatus comprising: signal receiving means capable of receiving N-bit multi-level image signal from outside; gradation correction means capable of conducting non-linear gradation correction of said N-bit multi-level image signal and transmitting M-bit (M > N) multi-level image signal which expresses a gradation exceeding 2 N ; modulation means capable of modulating the density of said M-bit multi-level image signal at a resolution of 2 M ; and output means capable of transmitting said modulation signal as a visible image.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 82 words

An image output apparatus comprising: signal receiving means capable of receiving N-bit multi-level image signal from outside; gradation correction means capable of conducting non-linear gradation correction of said N-bit multi-level image signal and transmitting M-bit (M > N) multi-level image signal which expresses a gradation exceeding 2 N ; modulation means capable of modulating the density of said M-bit multi-level image signal at a resolution of 2 M ; and output means capable of transmitting said modulation signal as a visible image.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 37 words

An image output apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said modulation means comprises means for conducting said modulation by the dither method, the threshold of a dither matrix having at least a value of 2 M .

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 45 words

An image output apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said modulation means comprises means capable of conducting pulse width modulation by making a comparison between the density of said M-bit multi-level image signal and a cyclic threshold signal having a value within 2 M .

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 80 words

An image processing apparatus including forming means capable of forming a half tone image signal in accordance with input image signal, said apparatus comprising: output means capable of transmitting an image signal having a predetermined level of density; comparison means capable of making a comparison between the value of the level of said input image signal and a predetermined threshold; and selection means capable of selecting either said image signal having said predetermined density and said half tone image signal.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 80 words

An image processing apparatus including forming means capable of forming a half tone image signal in accordance with input image signal, said apparatus comprising: output means capable of transmitting an image signal having a predetermined level of density; comparison means capable of making a comparison between the value of the level of said input image signal and a predetermined threshold; and selection means capable of selecting either said image signal having said predetermined density and said half tone image signal.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 129 words

An image processing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said predetermined threshold consists of a first and second value (said first value < said second value),said image signal of a density of a predetermined level consists of a first density level and a second density level (said first density level < said second density level), and said selection means selects said image signal of said first density level when the level of said input image signal is lower than said first value, it selects said image signal of said second density level when the level of said input image signal is higher than said second value, and it selects said half tone image signal when the level of said input image signal is between said first and second values.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 62 words

An image output apparatus capable of expressing half tone by area modulation means on the basis of an image signal which has been changed to an electric signal, said output apparatus comprising: means capable of changing the area of expression unit at the time of expressing the half tone image in accordance with the level of the density of said image signal.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 62 words

An image output apparatus capable of expressing half tone by area modulation means on the basis of an image signal which has been changed to an electric signal, said output apparatus comprising: means capable of changing the area of expression unit at the time of expressing the half tone image in accordance with the level of the density of said image signal.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 68 words

An image output apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said area modulation means is capable of modulating the density of said image signal by the dither processing in which a dither matrix is used, and the way of fatting of the matrix component having a smaller threshold level is further dispersed than the way of fatting of the matrix component having an intermediate value of the threshold level.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 65 words

An image output apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said area modulation means modulates the density of said image signal by the dither processing in which a dither matrix is used, and the way of fatting of the matrix component having a larger threshold level is further dispersed than the way of fatting of the matrix component having an intermediate value of the threshold level.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 76 words

An image output apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said area modulation means conducts pulse width modulation by making a comparison between a signal having a predetermined cyclic pattern and said image signal and transmits the result of said modulation as an output signal, and said predetermined cyclic pattern has a partial pattern which is rapidly changed in the portion in the vicinity of the portion at which the maximum value or minimum value is displayed.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 74 words

A recording apparatus capable of generating a pulsated half tone image by means of a data input portion thereof to which multi-level image data is input and modulation means capable of pulse width modulating said multi-level image data, said recording apparatus comprising: means capable of receiving a predetermined command from an external device; and means capable of shifting position at which generation of said pulsated half tone image starts upon receipt of said command.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 74 words

A recording apparatus capable of generating a pulsated half tone image by means of a data input portion thereof to which multi-level image data is input and modulation means capable of pulse width modulating said multi-level image data, said recording apparatus comprising: means capable of receiving a predetermined command from an external device; and means capable of shifting position at which generation of said pulsated half tone image starts upon receipt of said command.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 79 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said modulation means is capable of conducting said pulse width modulation by means of means capable of generating a pulse signal of a patten having a predetermined cyclic amplitude and means capable of making a comparison between said pulse signal and said multi-level image data, and said changing means shifts timing of generation of said pulse signals by the quantity of change in the starting point included in said predetermined command.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 28 words

A recording apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said means capable of generating said pulse signal comprises means for generating a plurality of types of said pulse signals.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 50 words

An image data output apparatus which includes means for receiving multi-level dot information of a first dot density, means for generating from that first dot density information multi-level dot information of a second recording dot density and means for transmitting the thus-generated second dot density information in a visible way.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 50 words

An image data output apparatus which includes means for receiving multi-level dot information of a first dot density, means for generating from that first dot density information multi-level dot information of a second recording dot density and means for transmitting the thus-generated second dot density information in a visible way.

Dot image data output apparatus

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