Patent EP0622756A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0622756A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for printing an enhanced image
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1994-04-26
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2014-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for enhancing the quality of images printed by dot printers or dot displays are disclosed. Image irregularities caused by quantization are smoothed by using a set of rules to transform an initial pattern (Fig. 2A) into an enhanced pattern (Figs. 2E, 2F) for printing. The initial pattern (Fig. 2A) may consist of a matrix of bits representing an image having X dots per inch along an intended direction of printing. An intermediate pattern (Fig. 2B) is formed by replicating columns of bits from the initial pattern (Fig. 2A). Image enhancement rules (Fig. 2C) are applied to the intermediate pattern (Fig. 2B) to invert (Fig. 2D) one or more bits in the intermediate pattern (Fig. 2B) to create an enhanced pattern (Figs. 2E, 2F). The enhanced pattern (Figs. 2E, 2F) is printed (Fig. 2F) at n*X dots per inch along the direction of printing where n > 1.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy M. Mcdonough
- 👤 Aneesa R. Scandalis
- 👤 J. Erik Blume
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:45
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/36; G09G5/39; G09G5/391; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/004; G06K2215/0054; G06K2215/0057; G06K2215/006; G06K2215/0062; G06K2215/0071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of using a dot printer to print or otherwise display a final image generated from an initial pattern of bits corresponding to an A by B matrix of bits, representing an initial image having X dots per inch along an intended direction of printing, said method comprising the steps of: forming (102) from said initial pattern an intermediate pattern of C by D bits wherein C ≧ A and D > B; determining (103) whether said intermediate pattern matches a rule-pattern, said rule-pattern being one of a plurality of rule-patterns; applying (104) at least one rule-action from a plurality of rule-actions, if said intermediate pattern matches a rule-pattern, to modify said intermediate pattern to create an enhanced pattern of bits, said enhanced pattern of bits corresponding to said final image; and printing (107) said final image, corresponding to said enhanced pattern, at n*X dots per inch along said direction of printing where n > 1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of Claim 1 wherein said step of forming (102) said intermediate pattern comprises duplicating one or more columns of bits in said A by B matrix of bits and wherein n = 2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
The method of Claim 1 wherein said A by B matrix of bits comprises A rows and B columns of bits located in a first memory (303), and wherein said intermediate pattern duplicates one or more of said columns, said enhanced pattern comprising two or more columns of bits, said method further comprising the steps of: storing (105) certain ones of said columns of said enhanced pattern in said first memory (303) and storing certain other ones of said columns of said enhanced pattern in a second memory (305); and multiplexing (306) bits stored in said first memory (303) and said second memory (305) to recreate said enhanced pattern for printing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of Claim 1 wherein said applying step (104) comprises the step of: on finding a match between said intermediate pattern and a rule-pattern in said determining step (103), inverting at least one bit from said intermediate pattern, said bit being indicated by a rule-action paired with said rule-pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of Claim 4 wherein said rule-pattern comprises a matrix of bits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of Claim 1 wherein said step of printing said final image comprises scanning a printhead (308) of an inkjet printer across a recording medium at a density of n*X dots per inch along said direction of printing.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus comprising: an initial pattern memory means (303) for storing an initial pattern of bits corresponding to an A by B matrix of bits, said A by B matrix of bits representing an initial image having X dots per inch along an intended direction of printing; a transforming means (304,403) for detecting said initial pattern and transforming said initial pattern into an intermediate pattern of C by D bits, wherein C ≧ A and D > B; a determining means (304,403) for determining whether said intermediate pattern matches a rule-pattern stored in a memory means (403) along with other rule-patterns; a modifying means (304,403) for applying a rule-action to said intermediate pattern to modify said intermediate pattern to create an enhanced pattern of bits if said intermediate pattern matches a rule-pattern; and a storing means (304,403) for storing said enhanced pattern of bits in a memory means (303,305), said enhanced pattern corresponding to a dot pattern to be printed at n*X dots per inch along said direction of printing where n > 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of Claim 7 wherein said initial pattern is stored in a bit-mapped memory (303) along with a plurality of other initial patterns of bits corresponding to an A by B matrix of bits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said transforming means (304,403) for transforming said initial pattern into said intermediate pattern duplicates one or more columns of bits in said A by B matrix of bits, and wherein n = 2.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said A by B matrix of bits comprises A rows and B columns of bits located in said initial pattern memory means (303), wherein said transforming means (304,403) for transforming said initial pattern into said intermediate pattern duplicates one or more of said columns, and wherein said enhanced pattern comprises two or more columns of bits, said storing means (304,403) for storing said enhanced pattern comprising: a distributing means for storing certain ones of said columns of said enhanced pattern in said initial pattern memory (303) and storing certain other ones of said columns of said enhanced pattern in a second memory means (305), said apparatus further comprising: multiplexer means (306) for multiplexing bits stored in said initial pattern memory means (303) and said second memory means (305) to recreate said enhanced pattern for printing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.