Method and apparatus for halftoning of images in a printer
US5949964A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K2215/0094
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for halftoning an image to be rendered onto a media sheet includes the steps of: classifying data portions of a received data stream into one of plural image types, each image type to be subjected to a particular halftone procedure; assigning to each data portion of a common image type, a common identifier and then converting the data portions into a raster representation; subjecting segments of the raster representation to individualized halftone procedures, each segment of the raster representation that is assigned a common identifier being subjected to an identical halftone procedure; and rendering the raster representation onto a media sheet, subsequent to the halftone process. The apparatus for performing the halftone method places the halftone operation subsequent to the rasterization operation and thereby avoids anomalies which occurred in the prior art. Further, the apparatus enables halftone tables which are utilized during the halftone procedure to be altered so as to enable improvements to the halftone method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.