Halftone Pattern Formed On Printing Surface Patents (Class 358/3.3)
  • Patent number: 11446923
    Abstract: A method of improved screening to increase stability in flexographic printing is provided. The method is performed by a flexographic printing system. The flexographic printing system includes a computer system and a flexographic printing device. The method includes analyzing the first proposed graphical input of the printing job to identify at least one highlight area containing a plurality of halftone graphical elements in the first proposed graphical input, determining an amount of white space between the plurality of the halftone graphical elements in the first proposed graphical input, assigning at least one graphical element to be placed in a spatial relationship with each of the plurality of the halftone graphical elements, generating a second proposed graphical input by placing the at least one graphical elements on the first proposed graphical input based on the respective assignment, and instructing the flexographic printing device to print the second proposed graphical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: XITRON LLC
    Inventor: Bret Anthony Farrah
  • Patent number: 11073641
    Abstract: A method for forming a retroreflective prism in a substrate includes inserting and retracting a single point diamond tool through a surface of the substrate while moving the single point diamond tool, the substrate, or both the single point diamond tool and the substrate in a direction of travel along at least one axis to generate a facet in the substrate having a facet face parallel to the direction of travel of at least one of the single diamond point tool or the substrate. The facet face has an angle defined by a chiseling edge of the single point diamond tool. The inserting and retracting is repeated at a plurality of locations on the substrate to form an array of retroreflective microstructures on the surface of the substrate. At least one of the array of retroreflective microstructures is a retroreflective prism having a polygonal projected aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: ORAFOL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Steven Scott, Arthur J. Davis
  • Patent number: 9821546
    Abstract: A digital cliché pad printing system includes a conveyor for conveying a substantially non-elastic support medium, a material deposition jetting device for depositing a curable material onto the support in a desired pattern, the desired pattern having at least one void space, means for curing the material in the desired pattern, the cured material defining a cliché having a top surface, an ink delivery system for depositing ink in the at least one void space and for wiping ink from the top surface and a pad configured to contact the cliché to transfer ink from the void space to the pad the pad also configured to move into contact with an object to which the ink is transferred. A digital cliché media and method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Schaafsma, Christopher J. Sobaszek
  • Patent number: 9415509
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for displaying three-dimensional workcell data includes a hand-held pendant that is provided with 3-D workcell data representing a model of a machine and associated components in a workcell. The hand-held pendant has a display that generates a 3-D visual representation of the workcell data. The pendant can be operated by a user to manipulate the visual representation to change a user viewpoint and to show motion of the machine with associated process information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Fanuc America Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Krause, Bradley O. Niederquell, Gordon Geheb, Ganesh Kalbavi, Claude Dinsmoor, Scott M. Dreslinski, Charles R. Strybis, H. Dean McGee, Glenn Nowak, Judy Evans, Rick E. Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 9036212
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a Continuous Tone Image (CTI) with all pixel values same as the first gray level and an initial Half Tone Image (HTI) with all pixel values equal to minimum absorptance level, computing a change in pixel error by toggling with all the possible output states and swapping with all neighbor pixels only if the stacking constraint is satisfied, updating the HTI with the maximum error decrease operation and continue to next pixel location till the end criteria is met. Once the end criteria is met, the updated HTI is saved as a final halftone screen for that gray level and copied as the initial HTI for the next gray level along with CTI pixel values updated to the next gray level till the final gray value is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Kartheek Chandu, Mikel Stanich, Chai Wah Wu, Barry M. Trager
  • Publication number: 20150092243
    Abstract: A virtual, real-time proofing system and method are shown. The system and method are characterized in that a reconstructed image of a plurality of engraved cells is created using a pixel data signal that is created using a tool path position signal generated by a sensor that senses the movement of a cutter or stylus as it is engraving the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: OHIO GRAVURE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Serenius, Gaurav Bedi
  • Patent number: 8958131
    Abstract: A system and method which allows for a pre-constructed article of clothing to having printing on substantially all of its external surface area. Specifically, an image may be simultaneously printed across multiple components of a clothing article. The method generally provides for transfer of a digital image, such as a digital photograph, to be applied to an article of clothing in a manner that prints an entire two-dimensional surface of the clothing with a coherent image, that maintains coherency when the article of clothing is worn. There is also provided an article of clothing produced using the systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: Sydney Northup, Joseph Werner, II
  • Patent number: 8941887
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus configured to convert input image data into halftone image data by halftone-processing the input image data includes a prediction unit configured to predict a density of a pixel of interest, which is achieved when the halftone image data is printed, based on a group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest according to a prediction method determined according to a halftone-processed pixel value of the pixel of interest, and a control unit configured to control the halftone processing according to the density predicted by the prediction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Fuse
  • Patent number: 8928942
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a density correction unit that corrects density based on a density detection value of the density correction pattern; a first density correction pattern generating unit that generates a first density correction pattern having low resolution; and a second density correction pattern generating unit that generates a second density correction pattern having high resolution. When a first density detection value of the first density correction pattern is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the density correction unit corrects the density by determining a density correction reflection rate, based on the first density detection value. When the first density detection value is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, the density correction unit corrects the density by determining the density correction reflection rate, based on a second density detection value of the second density correction pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8872841
    Abstract: A method of producing a bit-map including rendering a bit-map of a first image using a first stochastic half-tone screen set, rendering a bit-map of a second image using a second stochastic half-tone screen set, wherein the first half-tone screen set and the second half-tone screen set have respectively associated stochastic half-tone screens, and wherein each half-tone screen of the second half-tone screen set is less than 100 percent correlated with, and not an inverse of, the associated half-tone screen of the first half-tone screen set; and merging the bit-map of the first image with the bit-map of the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Meng Yao
  • Patent number: 8867101
    Abstract: Provided is a consumable platemaking material remote administration method which is capable of remotely administrating a consumable platemaking material in each processing device in a fully-automatic platemaking system through a communication network. The consumable platemaking material remote administration method for a processing system for fully-automatic photogravure platemaking includes: providing a central control unit to be connected to the each processing device through a communication line, for receiving status information of a consumable platemaking material in the each processing device; and receiving the status information from the central control unit through a communication network by an external receiving device to remotely administrating the consumable platemaking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Think Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Shigeta
  • Patent number: 8854685
    Abstract: Provided is an image determination device including a sheet detecting unit that detects a sheet on which a code image is printed, a first acquiring unit that acquires information on the code image and an absorption wavelength of the code image, a second acquiring unit that acquires a reading unit necessary for decoding a code portion of the code image, a third acquiring unit that acquires a document image of an electronic document, a dividing unit that divides the document image into plural blocks corresponding to the reading unit, a detecting unit that detects a block in which an image portion of the document image that uses a color having an absorption band at the absorption wavelength of the code image overlaps with the code portion of the code image as an undecodable block, and an output unit that outputs a warning indicating the generation of an undecodable area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suguru Nakaso
  • Patent number: 8848233
    Abstract: A relief print master, such as a flexographic print master or sleeve is created by printing a sequence of intermediate layers on top of each other with an inkjet printing system. The top layer corresponds with the halftoned image that is to be printed by the print master and the lower intermediate layers are supporting layers. The pixels of the intermediate layers that are stacked on top of each other are printed with different nozzles to reduce image quality artifacts. Both a method and a system are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Chris Gullentops, Rudi Lenders
  • Patent number: 8848254
    Abstract: A halftone screen producing apparatus is provided. The halftone screen producing apparatus includes: an input unit to receive screen information, a dot center arrangement unit to arrange dot centers within a screen based on the screen information, a Voronoi calculation unit to calculate a Voronoi value for each dot within the screen in which the dot centers are arranged, a filter calculation unit to calculate a filter value for each dot within the screen in which the dot centers are arranged, and a dot value setting unit to set a dot value within the screen based on the calculated Voronoi value and the calculated filter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-min Hahm, Chang-hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 8817327
    Abstract: A printing system includes a first unit that obtains a rendering command specifying a combination of at least a thickness and a color of a line; a second unit that converts the rendering command into a converted rendering command by converting the combination specified in the rendering command so that an average darkness of a result of printing the line matches a desired average darkness of a result of printing the line using a target printer; a third unit that generates image data including the rendered line based on the converted rendering command; and a printing unit that executes printing based on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kamijima
  • Patent number: 8797560
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus acquires a drawing object included in a page in which drawing is to be performed, updates a threshold value, which is used when one of mask drawing and edge drawing is selected to draw the drawing object according to a relationship between the acquired drawing object and another drawing object included in the page, selects, as a drawing method, one of the mask drawing and the edge drawing to draw the drawing object based on the updated threshold value and the acquired drawing object, and draws the acquired drawing object by the selected drawing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mori
  • Patent number: 8705139
    Abstract: A method for creating a high resolution print media using a display resolution screen image approval process, web-based ordering, web based checkout and payment, by an unskilled user to create a message of pre-process data and a display resolution image for rendering a high resolution image on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Premier Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: LaDonna Snyder, Brandon Snyder, Christopher Hopper, Mitchum Lee Owen, Jeff Rader
  • Patent number: 8705144
    Abstract: A relief print master is created by printing a sequence of layers on top of each other by an inkjet printing system. The top layer corresponds with the binary halftoned image that is to be printed by the print master and the lower intermediate layers are supporting layers. The features in a lower supporting layer have an area that is larger than the corresponding features in a higher supporting layer. A circular spread function is applied on the features of a higher intermediate layer to increase the area of the features in a lower intermediate layer. By using a sequence of two non-circular spread functions, the circular spread function is approximated and the number of required calculations can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Agfa Graphics NV
    Inventors: Chris Gullentops, Rudi Lenders
  • Patent number: 8665487
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer readable media are provided for calibration of at least one half-tone density in a printer. In one approach, a method is provided comprising the steps of acquiring a plurality of half-tone density values from a respective plurality of test patches generated on a belt in the printer over a period of time, each of the test patches embodying an intended half-tone density, generating a mathematically smoothed half-tone density value from the half-tone density values, and calibrating a half-tone density in the printer based upon the mathematically smoothed half-tone density value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Abramsohn
  • Patent number: 8599439
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described for processing and reproducing a document including both text and half-tone images without generating undesirable image artifacts. A band-pass FIR filter with a predetermined frequency response is used to transform pixels in an input image to sharpen text edge and smooth pre-half-toned areas, and perform error diffusion and cluster dot screening methods on the transformed pixels. The FIR filter has unity gain at DC to preserve image brightness. An integrated error diffused cluster-dot screening approach is used to suppress moiré and other image artifacts, while providing a robust, crisp output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: CSR Imaging US, LP
    Inventors: Shenbo Yu, Fred W. Andree, Steven J. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8587836
    Abstract: A 2-pixel averaging unit (101) halves an input image in the subscanning direction, and a multi-level error diffusion unit (102) performs multi-level error diffusion processing. A 2-pixel reconstruction unit (103) replaces each pixel with two pixels adjacent in the subscanning direction. A density value exchange unit (104) exchanges pixel values adjacent in the subscanning direction in each of 2×2 pixel blocks arranged in a checkered pattern in the image after replacement. High-density blocks each serving as a set of high-density dots and low-density blocks each serving as a set of low-density dots can be generated as 2×2 pixel blocks. The exposure region can be concentrated in PWM conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Go Araki, Yuuji Takayama, Tomoyuki Saiki, Hisashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8576449
    Abstract: As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate halftoning using a parametrically controlled spot function based on triangle tessellation, which in turn facilitates dot growth control of periodic halftone using an irregular seed structure. The spot function determines the shape of the halftone dot used to reproduce a given pixel. The spot function is well suited for growing halftone dots arrayed on a non-regular grid and can also be used for grids with regular order. The spot function includes adjustable parameters for controlling its sharpness and slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar A. Bernal, Shen-ge Wang, Robert P. Loce
  • Publication number: 20130201528
    Abstract: A method of halftoning a continuous-tone image includes the step of expressing a transition tone intensity by a maximum population density of halftone dots equal in size and having a transition dot size. Expressing tone intensities darker than the transition tone intensity includes increasing dot sizes beyond the transition dot size of the maximum population. Expressing tone intensities lighter than the transition tone intensity includes using a population density lesser than the maximum population density, and each relatively darker tone includes a relatively smaller dot size and a relatively larger population density than each relatively lighter tone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Esko Software BVBA
    Inventor: Peter Morisse
  • Patent number: 8498013
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes first, second and third nozzle rows for forming first, second and third band images, respectively. The fluid ejection device forms an image in which an edge portion at one side in a prescribed direction in the first band image overlaps an edge portion at the other side in the second band image, and an edge portion at one side in the second band image overlaps an edge portion at the other side in the third band image. The fluid ejection device carries out a halftoning process whereby a center area of a dither mask equal in size to the input data for forming a band image but having a smaller dot generation rate in the edge areas than in the center area is associated with the input data for forming the edge portion to the other side of the first band image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Tanase, Toru Takahashi, Takamitsu Kondo, Hiroshi Wada
  • Patent number: 8462391
    Abstract: A method for producing a pseudo-stochastic master surface for producing a cover or jacket of a cylinder for contacting printing material, includes providing the master surface with a pseudo-stochastic distribution of microsurfaces. The master surface is produced on the basis of a digital master in a jacket preliminary stage and serves for a preferably galvanic production of a microstructured cover, in which structure elevations correlate with the microsurfaces. The pseudo-stochastic distribution helps to avoid disruptive discernible effects, for example the moiré effect and helps to construct the microstructuring in a targeted manner. A master surface, a method for producing a cylinder cover, a cylinder cover, a machine for processing printing material, a method for producing printed products and a method for microstamping printed products, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Ludo Kerz, Wolfram Kolbe, Martin Schmitt-Lewen
  • Patent number: 8456699
    Abstract: A system for creating a data-bearing image can include a reference image generator configured to apply a clustered-dot halftone screen to a continuous-tone image. The resulting reference halftone image includes carrier cells in which a pixel cluster can be shifted to at least two shift positions in the carrier cell. The system also includes a payload encoder configured to segment the data payload and encode data segments into one of the carrier cells by shifting the cluster to one of the shift positions. The system also includes an output device configured to output the resulting data-bearing halftone image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Ulichney, Steven J. Simske, Matthew D. Gaubatz
  • Patent number: 8437046
    Abstract: This presents an image processing apparatus and an image processing method which print and output image data subjected to halftone processing with an appropriate density characteristic. The image processing apparatus generates a halftone image from a multi-value image using a threshold value arrangement, and generates a difference image between the generated halftone image and a second halftone image having the density characteristic different from that of the generated halftone image. The image processing apparatus stores the generated halftone image and the generated difference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahito Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8432563
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a dynamic re-configuration with a DFE imager and caching modules to optimize RIP performance by analyzing pages within the job that collect page with job heuristics and statistics. Enabling the functionality to assess the information, thereby re-configuring a digital printer's imager and caching module dynamically during the job RIP to achieve improved overall RIP performance. Accordingly, a system collects and assesses job statistics across multiple jobs to enable optimum performance over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Eric S. Barnes
  • Patent number: 8427698
    Abstract: A method for forming an image comprising a first halftone image having a first screen angle and a second halftone image having a second screen angle. A recording head forms a plurality of image swaths. Each swath is merged with another swath at a merge line. A row of cells in the first halftone image is selected and a first sub-scan pitch of the cells in the row cells is determined. A first sub-scan spacing between two adjacent merge lines in the first group of swaths is equal to an integer multiple of a first sub-scan pitch. A row of cells in the second halftone image is selected and a second sub-scan pitch of the second cells in the row of second unit cells is determined. The recording head is reconfigured by disabling at least one of the recording channels forms the second halftone image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John Swanson, Aldo Salvestro
  • Patent number: 8405881
    Abstract: An image processing device includes an additional image formation unit configured to form an additional image having a first predetermined density. At least a part of the additional image is overlaid with a main image having a second predetermined density, the main image being formed on an image formation medium. A boundary image formation unit is configured to form a boundary image which is formed in an area defined in the vicinity of an overlaid area where the additional image is overlaid with the main image. A density of the boundary image is lower than both the first predetermined density and the second predetermined density. A synthesized image formation unit is configured to synthesize the main image, additional image and the boundary image to form a synthesized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8363271
    Abstract: A method for controlling an image processing apparatus includes obtaining image data from a detachable memory unit, estimating whether the obtained image data is image data read by a scanner, and in a case where it is estimated that the obtained image data is image data read by the scanner, performing control not to execute predetermined screen processing on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Ikegawa, Koki Shibao
  • Patent number: 8339674
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for compensating for spatial non-uniformities in a printer by deriving a true spatial non-uniformity tone response curve (TRC) that characterizes the printer in terms of color output variation for each addressable pixel location in a spatial range. The “true average” tone response curve is determined for a color channel. A prediction of the true response as a function of the spatial location is derived by printing and scanning a specially designed halftone-independent target of binary patterns. The predicted tone response curve for each color channel and halftone is predicted using a binary printer model, wherein the “predicted tone response curve” provides a model based approximation of the actual response for each addressable pixel location in the spatial range. Also stored is an “average predicted tone response” by averaging the “predicted tone response curve” over the spatial range of the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal Monga, Shen-Ge Wang, Raja Bala
  • Patent number: 8300275
    Abstract: Before image data are screened for the subsequent exposure of a printing form, files needed for the screening step are changed in such a way that the values of individual elements in the data fields are changed. The number of elements whose values are changed is determined by evaluating contiguous regions within the data fields. These can be, for example, threshold value matrices in which individual matrix elements are set to a value corresponding to the color white, or which, for the half-tones, are calibrated to a reduced value of the full-tone density. In the latter case, the full-tone image points are screened with a frequency-modulated screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Dietrich Blum, Andreas Gembe
  • Patent number: 8289574
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the darkness level of image data to assist in output matching between dissimilar rendering devices. Image source information from a source file can be interpreted by a rendering decomposer in order to generate halftone source image data. The decomposition of the image can be repeated in response to a request by an operator for an additional darkening level via a user input file. The additional layers can be shifted in an opposing direction and then a clockwise direction from the original position until the additional darkening level is attained. The required darkening level can be stored in a storage unit or memory so that the required darkening level can be later triggered by a source document name to employ the same darkening approach. The darkening level can be selected from an array of darkening levels to assist in output matching without major modifications to the utilized rendering device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Richard T. Horn
  • Patent number: 8289579
    Abstract: A variable guilloche includes at least two guilloche curves, printed in a common space and having at least one point of overlap. The at least two curves are plotted from equations having variables corresponding to a specified data string of steganographic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven J. Simske, Henry Sang, Philippe Mucher
  • Patent number: 8284452
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for screening color separations of a lenticular image with a lenticular frequency of the lenticular lenses needed for viewing the lenticular image. An amplitude-modulated halftone image is calculated for each of the color separations at a screen angle and at a screen frequency, the tangent of the screen angle being a rational number. For a specific color separation, a screen angle relating to the direction perpendicular to the image strips of the lenticular image is defined, a pair of whole numbers whose ratio is equal to the tangent of the screen angle is determined, and the screen frequency of the color separation is calculated as the product of the lenticular frequency and the square root of the sum of the squares of the two whole numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Dietrich Blum
  • Patent number: 8253974
    Abstract: In performing multi-pass printing by using a printhead having a plurality of nozzles, a print data setting unit sets a printing amount for each nozzle for each main scan of the printhead based on a print data setting LUT. This print data setting LUT reflects the information of the number of passes and the number of nozzles to be used which are arbitrarily set. A halftoning unit generates a dot pattern as a formation target by performing binarization processing for the print amounts set in this manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8248661
    Abstract: A method for creating a differential gloss image includes providing first and second anisotropic halftone structures. The first and second anisotropic structures have different orientations. One of the first and second anisotropic structures is applied to image data in a first region of an image to be halftoned. The other of the first and second anisotropic structures may be applied to image data in a second region of an image to be halftoned. A mixture of the first and second anisotropic structures is applied to image data in a third region of the image to be halftoned, whereby when printed, the three regions each have a gloss characteristic which differs from that of the other two regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Shen-Ge Wang, Reiner Eschbach, William A. Fuss
  • Publication number: 20120188610
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus configured to convert input image data into halftone image data by halftone-processing the input image data includes a prediction unit configured to predict a density of a pixel of interest, which is achieved when the halftone image data is printed, based on a group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest according to a prediction method determined according to a halftone-processed pixel value of the pixel of interest, and a control unit configured to control the halftone processing according to the density predicted by the prediction unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Fuse
  • Patent number: 8189237
    Abstract: A method is employed that represents patterns using a super resolution encoding method that distributes the code value among adjacent pixels. One or more blocks are created, wherein each block is comprised of a plurality of bits, the height of the block is equal to the width of the block. One or more supercells are created by merging at least two adjacent blocks. One or more patterns are defined, wherein each pattern is defined by selecting one or more bits to be one of filled or unfilled within each supercell. Each of the one or more patterns is associated with an SRE code, the SRE code is related to the number and location of bits that are filled within the pattern. A pattern is defined with a plurality of patterns, each pattern is included in the one or more supercells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jon McElvain
  • Publication number: 20120127532
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an information obtainment unit that obtains image information including data regarding a binary image, a plate-information generating unit that generates plate information, an instruction obtainment unit that obtains a first or second generating instruction, a job-file generating unit, and an output unit that outputs a job file to an image forming apparatus. The job-file generating unit generates, for the first generating instruction, a job file for causing the image forming apparatus to form images using data representing blank for a plate for which the plate information indicates that no image information exists, and data included in image information corresponding to a plate for which the plate information indicates that image information exists, and generates, for the second generating instruction, a job file for causing the image forming apparatus to form an image for each plate using data included in image information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi SUGAWARA, Kazunori KUROKAWA
  • Patent number: 8179568
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for minimizing dot visibility in color marking devices capable of dot-on-dot printing. The present method achieves minimum dot visibility for a given dispersed-dot screen by performing a CMYK to CMYKRGB conversion which uses less visible dots as much as possible before more visible dots are introduced. The output color dot coverages are calculated sequentially to minimize the coverage of more visible dots in a decreasing order of brightness. Resulting images have noticeably reduced halftone graininess, particularly in the mid to darker tone areas. The present method is also computationally efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Zhen He
  • Patent number: 8169666
    Abstract: Each of moire elements which are repeat elements of first-order moire appearing by overlaying halftone images of first and second color components is positioned at one of candidate positions arranged at a moire pitch Pm in first and second moire directions orthogonal to each other. In a matrix area of a third color component, dot centers are arranged in a first tilt direction tilted relatively to the first moire direction by an angle of arctan((Pm)/(Pm)) and a second tilt direction orthogonal to the first tilt direction at a pitch of the square root of ((Pm2)+(Pm2)), and a threshold matrix of the color component is generated so that a halftone dot grows from each dot center in accordance with increase of gray level of the color component of the original image. Thus, it is possible to suppress second-order moire appearing in overlaying halftone images of the first to third color components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Asai
  • Patent number: 8149463
    Abstract: A halftone screen which is applicable to a low-resolution electrophotographic printer is created. Hence, dot-lattice points arranged in a predetermined region are displaced using rotation processing, the predetermined region is partitioned into polygons each of which surrounds the dot-lattice point. Then, a threshold matrix used to grow a halftone dot, which is surrounded by each polygon, in a direction of the displacement is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoto Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8144368
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods for using embedded auxiliary signals in documents for copy detection and other applications. In on application, the auxiliary signal is formed as an array of elements selected from a set of print structures with properties that change differently in response to copy operations. These changes in properties of the print structures that carry the embedded auxiliary signal are automatically detectable. For example, the changes make the embedded auxiliary signal more or less detectable. The extent to which the auxiliary data is detected forms a detection metric used in combination with one or more other metrics to differentiate copies from originals. Examples of sets of properties of the print structures that change differently in response to copy operations include sets of colors (including different types of inks), sets of screens or dot structures that have varying dot gain, sets of structures with different aliasing effects, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Digimarc Coporation
    Inventors: Tony F. Rodriguez, Alastair M. Reed, Ravi K. Sharma, Osama M. Alattar, Brett T. Hannigan, Kenneth L. Levy, Hugh L. Brunk, Geoffrey B. Rhoads, Ammon E. Gustafson
  • Patent number: 8134750
    Abstract: Systems and methods of printing to a tangible medium provide for reducing ink penetration via the controlled selection of halftone patterns. One method includes steps of printing to the tangible medium (e.g., via a multicolor ink supply such as CMYK) using a plurality of initial halftone patterns, measuring ink absorption of the tangible medium in response to printing to the tangible medium, and determining a subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns based on the absorption measurement. The method also includes printing a print job to the tangible medium based on the subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns. For example, a print controller may be reprogrammed with the subset of the plurality of initial halftone patterns to print a print job to reduce the amount of ink applied to the tangible medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Kartheek Chandu, James F. Crossland, Joan L. Mitchell, Gary R. Williams
  • Patent number: 8111428
    Abstract: In a halftone image formed on a printing plate for letterpress printing, a minimum halftone dot has a square main cluster consisting of 9 pixels and four sub-clusters located around the main cluster radially, each of which is one pixel. Each sub-cluster contacts with only a vertex of the main cluster. Convex portions corresponding to the minimum halftone dots in the halftone image are formed on the printing plate. A convex portion corresponding to the main cluster is supported by convex portions corresponding to the sub-clusters to increase the strength of relief corresponding to the minimum halftone dot. Reliefs corresponding to the minimum halftone dots are normally formed regardless of a dot area rate of highlight area to thereby improve reproduction in printing of the halftone image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asai, Yuji Kurokawa, Masaru Wakui
  • Patent number: 8089661
    Abstract: In a computer system in which information represented by digital data is output to plural pages of recording medium, and then information on the plural pages of recording medium is read to use digital data representing the read information, authentication information is embedded in information of a start page selected by the computer system; a page number of the start page embedded the authentication information is notified to a user; information on the plural pages of recording medium is read, wherein the start page is positioned so as to be read first; digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is authenticated based on the authentication information embedded in the start page; and a process for the digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is controlled in accordance with a result of the authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuta Mori
  • Patent number: 8072648
    Abstract: The predicted tone response curve for each color channel and halftone is predicted using a binary printer model and stored, wherein the “predicted tone response curve” provides a model based approximation of the actual response for the printer for each addressable pixel location in the spatial range. Also stored is an “average predicted tone response” by averaging the “predicted tone response curve” over the spatial range of the printer. With the “true average” tone response curve, the “predicted tone response curve”, and the “average predicted tone response curve”, an estimate of the true tone response curve for the color channel can then be mathematically obtained, wherein the true tone response curve defines a predicted actual response for the printer for each addressable print location in the spatial range. The “predicted” and “average” tone response curves are obtained using the 2×2 binary printer model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Vishal Monga, Shen-Ge Wang, Raja Bala
  • Patent number: 8045232
    Abstract: An image display medium displays an image including a first region having a first composite image. The first composite image includes a first display image and a first latent image. The first display image includes at least one of a first halftone dot image and a first line image having a first linearity. The first halftone dot image and the first line image have such densities as are not reproduced by copying. The first latent image includes at least one of a second halftone dot image and a second line image having a second linearity. The second halftone dot image and the second line image have such densities as are not reproduced by copying. The first and second linearities produce different moiré patterns when the first display and the first latent images are enlarged by a first common optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Kinoshita