System and method for enhancing edges and the like for engraving

Abstract

A method and apparatus for engraving wherein the engraver includes a merge system for merging image data to be engraved in a manner which will reduce or eliminate "halo" and/or "ghost" images. The method utilizes a processor in an engraver for creating image data comprising continuous tone data and line work data. The method further involves the steps of locating transition data corresponding to where the continuous tone data and line work data meet; and processing at least some of the image data to provide processed image data using the transition data located in the locating step. The engraver has an engraving bed; a headstock and a tailstock located on the engraving bed for rotatably supporting a cylinder to be engraved; an engraving head located on the engraving bed for engraving the cylinder; an image data generator coupled to the engraving head, the image data generator being capable of creating image data comprising continuous tone data, line work data and transition data. The image data generator comprises a locator for locating the transition data and a processor associated with the locator for processing at least some of the image data to provide processed image data using the transition data located by the locator. The system and method facilitate selectively enhancing at least one edge or area within a data set, such as either a line work data set or a continuous tone data set, while selectively avoiding enhancing other areas, such as an area between a line work area and continuous tone area of an image.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.