US6281984B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Enhanced system, method and program for converting an externally defined four dimensional colorant (CMYK) into an equivalent four dimensional colorant defined in terms of the four inks (C′M′Y′K′) that are associated with a given printer
Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1997-03-25
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Granted: 2001-08-28
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Expires: 2017-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A unique combination of four colorants (C′M′Y′K′) of a given printer that is equivalent to an externally defined four colorant combination (CMYK) by having the same color values (e.g., L*a*b* values). A fourth colorant, e.g., black, (K) of the externally defined four colorant combination is mapped to an equivalent fourth colorant (K′) of the printer by matching optical density, reflectance, L* or similar color value. The L* value is found for various percentages of the fourth colorant of the printer by printing varying percentages of the fourth component and measuring its L*a*b* values and, assuming a* and b* are near zero, using the L* value. These values are inputted into an interpolation program. Then, patches of varying percentages of each one of the three color components of the printer (CMY) are printed out at varying percentages. The L*a*b* values for each patch are measured and inputted into an inversion/interpolation program along with the corresponding percentages of colorants of each patch. The externally defined four component colorant having L*a*b* values also used in the inversion/interpolation program, which creates a color transform table from CMY with various percentages of K of the externally defined four dimensional colorant to C′M′Y′ with various percentages of K′ of the four dimensional colorant of the printer by matching L*a*b* values.
Inventors
- 👤 William Chesley Decker
- 👤 Ho Chong Lee
- 👤 Jack Louis Zable
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:36
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41B; B41B15/00; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6016; H04N1/6022; H04N1/6025; H04N1/603; H04N1/6033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for converting externally defined four dimensional colorants into equivalent four dimensional colorants printed by a printer, comprising: printing a plurality of instances of a fourth component of a four dimensional colorant; first correlating each of a plurality of fourth components of the externally defined four dimensional colorants to one of the printed fourth components, wherein a first three components of the externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants involved in the first correlation each have zero color value; printing a plurality of instances of four dimensional colorants having fourth component color values that correlate to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation; second correlating each externally defined four dimensional colorant with one of the printed four dimensional colorants, wherein the fourth components of each pair of correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants correlate according to the first correlation; and using the second correlation to transform any externally defined four dimensional colorant into one printer four dimensional colorant for use by the printer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for converting externally defined four dimensional colorants into equivalent four dimensional colorants printed by a printer, comprising: printing a plurality of instances of a fourth component of a four dimensional colorant; first correlating each of a plurality of fourth components of the externally defined four dimensional colorants to one of the printed fourth components, wherein a first three components of the externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants involved in the first correlation each have zero color value; printing a plurality of instances of four dimensional colorants having fourth component color values that correlate to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation; second correlating each externally defined four dimensional colorant with one of the printed four dimensional colorants, wherein the fourth components of each pair of correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants correlate according to the first correlation; and using the second correlation to transform any externally defined four dimensional colorant into one printer four dimensional colorant for use by the printer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first correlation is determined by matching a measured color value of one printed fourth component and a color value of one externally defined fourth component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the measured color value of the printer fourth component comprises a measured L* value of the printed; fourth component when the first three components have zero color value and the color value of the externally defined fourth component comprises a L*a*b* value when the first three components have zero color value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the first correlation further comprises inputting each L* value of the externally defined fourth component and printed; fourth components into an interpolation program, wherein the interpolation program determines an equivalent printer fourth component for each externally defined fourth component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the second correlation of each externally defined and printer four dimensional colorants further comprises: determining a measured color value of one printed four dimensional colorant that matches a color value of the externally defined four dimensional colorant, wherein the fourth components of each pair of second correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants that match correlate according to the first correlation, and wherein the second correlation of the printed and externally defined four dimensional colorants is based on the determined matches of the color values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein an interpolation program receives as input the measured color values of the printed four dimensional components and the color values for the externally defined four dimensional components, and determines a correlation therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the fourth component is black.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first three components are cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second correlation of externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants forms a color transform table for use by the printer in transforming externally defined four dimensional colorants into four dimensional colorants for use by the printer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein printing a plurality of instances of the fourth component of a four dimensional colorant further comprises printing a series of greyscale fourth colorant patches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein printing a plurality of instances of the four dimensional colorants further comprises: for each printed fourth component that correlates to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation, printing a plurality of patches at different percentages of the first three components of the four dimensional colorant.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for converting externally defined four dimensional colorants into equivalent four dimensional colorants printed by a printer, comprising: means for printing a plurality of instances of a fourth component of a four dimensional colorant; means for determining a first correlation for each of a plurality of fourth components of the externally defined four dimensional colorants to one of the printed fourth components, wherein a first three components of the externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants involved in the first correlation each have zero color value; means for printing a plurality of instances of four dimensional colorants having fourth component color values that correlate to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation; means for determining a second correlation for each externally defined four dimensional colorant with one of the plurality of printed four dimensional colorants, wherein the fourth components of each pair of correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants correlate according to the first correlation; and means for using the second correlation to transform any externally defined four dimensional colorant into one printer four dimensional colorant for use by the printer.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for converting externally defined four dimensional colorants into equivalent four dimensional colorants printed by a printer, comprising: means for printing a plurality of instances of a fourth component of a four dimensional colorant; means for determining a first correlation for each of a plurality of fourth components of the externally defined four dimensional colorants to one of the printed fourth components, wherein a first three components of the externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants involved in the first correlation each have zero color value; means for printing a plurality of instances of four dimensional colorants having fourth component color values that correlate to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation; means for determining a second correlation for each externally defined four dimensional colorant with one of the plurality of printed four dimensional colorants, wherein the fourth components of each pair of correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants correlate according to the first correlation; and means for using the second correlation to transform any externally defined four dimensional colorant into one printer four dimensional colorant for use by the printer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the means for determining the first correlation comprises matching a measured color value of one printed fourth component and a color value of one externally defined fourth component.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the measured color value of the printed fourth component comprises a measured L* value of the printed fourth component when the first three components have zero color value and the color value of the externally defined fourth component comprises a L*a*b* value when the first three components have zero color value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein the means for determining the first correlation further comprises means for inputting each L* value of the externally defined fourth component and printed fourth components into an interpolation program, wherein the interpolation program determines an equivalent printed fourth component for each externally defined fourth component.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the means for determining the second correlation of each externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants further comprises: means for determining a measured color value of one printed four dimensional colorant that matches a color value of the externally defined four dimensional colorant, wherein the fourth components of each pair of second correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants that match correlate according to the first correlation, and wherein the second correlation of the printed and externally defined four dimensional colorants is based on the determined matches of the color values.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising interpolation program means for receiving as input the measured color values of printed four dimensional components and the color values for the externally defined four dimensional components, and determines a correlation therefrom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the fourth component is black.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the first three components are cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the second correlation of externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants forms a color transform table for use by the printer in transforming externally defined four dimensional colorants into printed four dimensional colorants.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the means for printing a plurality of instances of the fourth component of a four dimensional colorant further comprises printing a series of greyscale fourth colorant patches.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the means for printing the plurality of instances of the four dimensional colorants further comprises: for each printed fourth component that correlates to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation, printing a plurality of patches at different percentages of the first three components of the four dimensional colorant.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
203 words
An article of manufacture for use in programming a printing system to convert externally defined four dimensional colorants into equivalent four dimensional colorants printed by a printer, the article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium including at least one computer program that causes the printing system to perform: printing a plurality of instances of a fourth component of a four dimensional colorant; first correlating each of a plurality of fourth components of the externally defined four dimensional colorants to one of the plurality of printed fourth components, wherein a first three components of the externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants involved in the first correlation each have zero color value; printing a plurality of instances of four dimensional colorants having fourth component color values that correlate to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation; second correlating each externally defined four dimensional colorant with one of the plurality of printed four dimensional colorants, wherein the fourth components of each pair of correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants correlate according to the first correlation; and using the second correlation to transform any externally defined four dimensional colorant into one printer four dimensional colorant for use by the printer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
203 words
An article of manufacture for use in programming a printing system to convert externally defined four dimensional colorants into equivalent four dimensional colorants printed by a printer, the article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium including at least one computer program that causes the printing system to perform: printing a plurality of instances of a fourth component of a four dimensional colorant; first correlating each of a plurality of fourth components of the externally defined four dimensional colorants to one of the plurality of printed fourth components, wherein a first three components of the externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants involved in the first correlation each have zero color value; printing a plurality of instances of four dimensional colorants having fourth component color values that correlate to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation; second correlating each externally defined four dimensional colorant with one of the plurality of printed four dimensional colorants, wherein the fourth components of each pair of correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants correlate according to the first correlation; and using the second correlation to transform any externally defined four dimensional colorant into one printer four dimensional colorant for use by the printer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article of manufacture of claim 23 , wherein the first correlation is determined by matching a measured color value of one printed fourth component and a color value of one externally defined fourth component.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
The article of manufacture of claim 24 , wherein the measured color value of the printed fourth component comprises a measured L* value of the printed fourth component when the first three components have zero color value and the color value of the externally defined fourth component comprises a L*a*b* value when the first three components have zero color value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
The article of manufacture of claim 25 , wherein the first correlation further comprises inputting each L* value of the externally defined fourth component and printed fourth components into an interpolation program, wherein the interpolation program determines an equivalent printed fourth component for each externally defined fourth component.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
96 words
The article of manufacture of claim 23 , wherein determining the second correlation of each externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants further comprises: determining a measured color value of one printed four dimensional colorant that matches a color value of the externally defined four dimensional colorant, wherein the fourth components of each pair of second correlated externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants that match correlate according to the first correlation, and wherein the second correlation of the printed and externally defined four dimensional colorants is based on the determined matches of the color values.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The article of manufacture of claim 27 , wherein an interpolation program receives as input the measured color values of the printed four dimensional components and the color values for the externally defined four dimensional components, and determines a correlation therefrom.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The article of manufacture of claim 23 , wherein the fourth component is black.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of manufacture of claim 23 , wherein the first three components are cyan, magenta, and yellow.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
The article of manufacture of claim 23 , wherein the second correlation of externally defined and printed four dimensional colorants forms a color transform table for use by the printer in transforming externally defined four dimensional colorants into four dimensional colorants for use by the printer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The article of manufacture of claim 23 , wherein printing a plurality of instances of the fourth component of a four dimensional colorant further comprises printing a series of greyscale fourth colorant patches.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
article of manufacture of claim 23 , wherein printing a plurality of instances of the four dimensional colorants further comprises: for each printed fourth component that correlates to one externally defined fourth component according to the first correlation, printing a plurality of patches at different percentages of the first three components of the four dimensional colorant.
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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) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |