US5642203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of enlarging and processing image data
Assignee: Nagano Japan Radio Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-11-08
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Granted: 1997-06-24
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Expires: 2014-11-08
Abstract
Abstract In obtaining image data of an enlargement factor α by which the image data is enlarged and processed by multiplication with a non-integer number, the image data are firstly contracted and processed to a contraction factor β=α/γ, wherein γ is an integer satisfying α<γ. Then, the contraction-processed image data are subjected to pseudo half tone processing. Thereafter, the pseudo half tone processed image data are enlarged and processed by a factor γ times. The contraction factor β is selected as a value equal to or more than 50%. Thereby, even for an enlargement factor which requires multiplication by a non-integer number, visual image quality is upgraded, processing data amount is reduced and memory capacity is lowered, thus resulting in a lower cost.
Inventors
- 👤 Yukio Sawano
- 👤 Shuzo Hanaoka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/387; H04N1/393; H04N1/3935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of enlarging and processing image data to obtain image data having an enlargement factor α, by which the image data are enlarged and processed by multiplication with the enlargement factor which is a non-integer number, comprising the steps of: contracting and processing the image data with a contracting factor β=α/γ to contract the image, wherein γ is an integer number satisfying α<γ; and enlarging and processing the contraction processed image data by γ times to enlarge the image, wherein γ is an integer number.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of enlarging and processing image data to obtain image data having an enlargement factor α, by which the image data are enlarged and processed by multiplication with the enlargement factor which is a non-integer number, comprising the steps of: contracting and processing the image data with a contracting factor β=α/γ to contract the image, wherein γ is an integer number satisfying α<γ; and enlarging and processing the contraction processed image data by γ times to enlarge the image, wherein γ is an integer number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of enlarging and processing image data as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of enlarging and processing comprises pseudo half tone processing the contraction processed image data and thereafter enlarging the pseudo half tone processed data by γ times.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of enlarging and processing image data as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contraction factor β is selected as a value equal to or greater than 50%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of enlarging and processing image data as claimed in claim 1, applied to an enlarging copy machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
A copying apparatus comprising: image sensing means for reading an image and outputting image data corresponding to the read image; contraction means for contracting the image data to reduce a size of the image by a contraction factor β=α/γ, wherein γ is an integer number greater than α<γ and α is a target non-integer enlargement factor; enlargement means for enlarging the contracted image data by γ to enlarge the size of the image by the target non-integer enlargement factor; and printing means for printing the enlarged image using the enlarged image data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A copying apparatus comprising: image sensing means for reading an image and outputting image data corresponding to the read image; contraction means for contracting the image data to reduce a size of the image by a contraction factor β=α/γ, wherein γ is an integer number greater than α<γ and α is a target non-integer enlargement factor; enlargement means for enlarging the contracted image data by γ to enlarge the size of the image by the target non-integer enlargement factor; and printing means for printing the enlarged image using the enlarged image data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The copying apparatus of claim 5, wherein said enlargement means performs pseudo half tone processing on the contracted image data prior to enlarging.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The copying apparatus of claim 5, wherein β is greater than 50%.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of copying images comprising the steps of: optically sensing an image to provide image data corresponding to the sensed image; contracting the image data to reduce a size of the image by a contraction factor β=α/γ, wherein γ is an integer number greater than α<γ and α is a target non-integer enlargement factor; enlarging the contracted image data by γ to enlarge the size of the image by the target non-integer enlargement factor; and printing the enlarged image using the enlarged image data.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of copying images comprising the steps of: optically sensing an image to provide image data corresponding to the sensed image; contracting the image data to reduce a size of the image by a contraction factor β=α/γ, wherein γ is an integer number greater than α<γ and α is a target non-integer enlargement factor; enlarging the contracted image data by γ to enlarge the size of the image by the target non-integer enlargement factor; and printing the enlarged image using the enlarged image data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of copying images of claim 8, wherein said step of enlarging the contracted image data comprises performing pseudo half tone processing on the contracted image data prior to enlarging.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of copy images of claim 8, wherein β is greater than 50%.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
223 words
A copying apparatus comprising: image sensing means for reading an original image and outputting image data corresponding to the read image; selection means for selecting a target enlargement factor; first processing means, coupled to said image sensing means and said selection means, for a) contracting the image data to reduce a size of the image by a contraction factor β=α/γ when a non-integer target enlargement factor is selected by said selection means to output contracted image data, wherein γ is an integer number greater than α<γ and α is the non-integer target enlargement factor, and b) outputting the image data provided from said image sensing means when an integer target enlargement factor is selected by said selection means; second processing means, coupled to said selection means and said first processing means, for a) enlarging the contracted image data output from said first processing means by γ upon selection of the non-integer target enlargement factor to enlarge the image by the non-integer target enlargement factor, to output enlarged image data and b) enlarging the image data output from said first processing means by the integer target enlargement factor to enlarge the image upon selection of the integer target enlargement factor, to output enlarged image data; and printing means, coupled to said second processing means, for printing the enlarged image using the enlarged image data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
223 words
A copying apparatus comprising: image sensing means for reading an original image and outputting image data corresponding to the read image; selection means for selecting a target enlargement factor; first processing means, coupled to said image sensing means and said selection means, for a) contracting the image data to reduce a size of the image by a contraction factor β=α/γ when a non-integer target enlargement factor is selected by said selection means to output contracted image data, wherein γ is an integer number greater than α<γ and α is the non-integer target enlargement factor, and b) outputting the image data provided from said image sensing means when an integer target enlargement factor is selected by said selection means; second processing means, coupled to said selection means and said first processing means, for a) enlarging the contracted image data output from said first processing means by γ upon selection of the non-integer target enlargement factor to enlarge the image by the non-integer target enlargement factor, to output enlarged image data and b) enlarging the image data output from said first processing means by the integer target enlargement factor to enlarge the image upon selection of the integer target enlargement factor, to output enlarged image data; and printing means, coupled to said second processing means, for printing the enlarged image using the enlarged image data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The copying apparatus of claim 11, wherein said second processing means performs pseudo half tone processing on the contracted image data and the image data prior to enlargement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The copying apparatus of claim 11, wherein β is greater than 50%.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of copying images comprising the steps of: a) optically sensing an original image to provide image data corresponding to the sensed image; b) selecting a target enlargement factor; c) contracting the image data to reduce a size of the image by a contraction factor β=α/γ when a non-integer target enlargement factor is selected in said step b) to provide contracted image data, wherein γ is an integer number greater than α<γ and α is the non-integer target enlargement factor; d) enlarging the contracted image data of said step c) by γ upon selection of the non-integer target enlargement factor to enlarge the image by the non-integer target enlargement factor to provide enlarged image data; e) enlarging the image data of said step a) by an integer target enlargement factor to enlarge the image upon selection of the integer target enlargement factor in said step b) to provide enlarged image data; and f) printing the enlarged image using the enlarged image data.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of copying images comprising the steps of: a) optically sensing an original image to provide image data corresponding to the sensed image; b) selecting a target enlargement factor; c) contracting the image data to reduce a size of the image by a contraction factor β=α/γ when a non-integer target enlargement factor is selected in said step b) to provide contracted image data, wherein γ is an integer number greater than α<γ and α is the non-integer target enlargement factor; d) enlarging the contracted image data of said step c) by γ upon selection of the non-integer target enlargement factor to enlarge the image by the non-integer target enlargement factor to provide enlarged image data; e) enlarging the image data of said step a) by an integer target enlargement factor to enlarge the image upon selection of the integer target enlargement factor in said step b) to provide enlarged image data; and f) printing the enlarged image using the enlarged image data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of copying images of claim 14, wherein said steps d) and e) comprise performing pseudo half tone processing on the contracted image data and the image data respectively prior to enlargement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of enlargement of claim 15, wherein β is greater than 50%.
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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) | 2000-06-23 | 2000-12-23 | 2001-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-23 | 2004-12-23 | 2005-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-23 | 2008-12-23 | 2009-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |