Method and apparatus for calibrating image output from an image generating device
AssigneeSouthwest Software, Inc.
InventorJames M. Burns
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for calibrating images output from an image generating device is provided which produces calibrated output images from uncalibrated input images, for various values of controllable imaging parameters that affect image calibration, such as, image resolution, exposure intensity and screen frequency. Calibration is achieved by programmably selecting a particular calibration set from a plurality of calibration sets in order to programmably adjust uncalibrated input images for various values of the controllable imaging parameters, in order to produce calibrated output images in either positive or negative sense.
Claims6
A method of calibrating images output by an image generating device, comprising:
- providing input images represented in a programmable page description language, each input image including a plurality of requested image densities;
- reproducing said input images onto image bearing media with an image generating device to produce recorded images having a plurality of recorded image densities that are a function of controllable imaging parameters that affect calibration;
- determining a density of each of said recorded images;
- generating a plurality of calibration sets in accordance with said determining step, each said calibration set corresponding to a variation between said requested image densities and corresponding recorded image densities at different values of said controllable imaging parameters;
- and
- programmably selecting a particular calibration set of said plurality of calibration sets to be used to convert one of a subsequent plurality of input images depending upon current settings of said controllable imaging parameters in said image generating device.
An apparatus for generating calibrated output images from an image generating device, comprising:
- means for receiving an input image represented in a programmable page description language, each said input image including a plurality of requested image densities;
- a programmable raster image processor having a channel for receiving said programmable page description language, and for converting said programmable page description language into a raster representation of said input image;
- an image generating device connected to said programmable raster image processor, for reproducing said raster representation of said input image onto an image bearing medium as a recorded image;
- an image density detector for measuring a density of said recorded image;
- and
- a computer for receiving and storing a plurality of calibration sets, said sets reflecting variations between densities of said recorded image measured by said image density detector and corresponding requested image densities at different values of said controllable imaging parameters, said computer controlling said programmable raster image processor to programmably convert programmable page description language representations of subsequent input images, as a function of a selected one of said calibration sets stored in said computer, to programmably adjust said subsequent input images into calibrated output images.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.