Measuring image characteristics of output from a digital printer
Assigneei.data International, Inc.
InventorsYigal J. Banker, David E. Monks, Lee E. Phillips, David M. T. Ting
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Measuring the printed image characteristics of printed output from a digital printer by sending test pattern data to a digital printer and generating a printed image of the test pattern data. The printed image is scanned, and digital pattern data is output. The digital pattern data is analyzed to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to one or more printed image characteristics.
Claims53
A method of measuring image characteristics of printed output from a digital printer, comprising:
- sending test pattern data for a test pattern to a digital printer, said test pattern including one or more target objects designed to reveal one or more specific printed image characteristics;
- generating a printed image of said test pattern data at said digital printer;
- scanning said printed image to obtain digital pattern data;
- and
- analyzing said digital pattern data to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to said one or more printed image characteristics, said one or more quantitative ratings being evaluated with respect to historical data.
A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, comprising instructions causing a print analyzer system to:
- produce digital test pattern data for a test pattern, said test pattern including one or more target objects designed to reveal one or more specific printed image characteristics;
- send said digital test pattern data to a digital printer to generate a printed image at said digital printer;
- receive digital pattern data generated from scanning said printed image, said digital pattern data having a higher resolution than said printed image;
- and
- analyze said digital pattern data to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to said one or more printed image characteristics.
A print analyzer system for measuring image characteristics of printed output from a digital printer, comprising:
- a source of digital test pattern data for a test pattern, said test pattern including one or more target objects designed to reveal one or more specific printed image characteristics;
- a digital printer that receives said digital test pattern data as input and outputs a printed image;
- a scanner that receives said printed image as input and outputs digital pattern data having higher resolution than said printed image;
- an image quality analyzer receiving said digital pattern data and analyzing said digital pattern data to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to one or more printed image characteristics;
- and
- a database with historical data for said digital printer.
A test instrument for measuring image characteristics of printed output from a digital printer, comprising:
- an input that receives printed digital pattern data based on scanning an image printed by a digital printer in response to test pattern data for a test pattern, said test pattern including one or more target objects designed to reveal one or more specific printed image characteristics;
- an analyzer to receive said digital pattern data and analyze said digital pattern data to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to said one or more printed image characteristics;
- an output responding to said one or more quantitative ratings;
- and
- a database having historical data for said digital printer.
A method of measuring image characteristics of printed output from a digital printer, comprising:
- sending test pattern data for a test pattern to a digital printer, said test pattern including one or more target objects designed to reveal one or more specific printed image characteristics;
- generating a printed image of said test pattern data at said digital printer;
- scanning said printed image with a scanner to obtain digital pattern data, said scanner having a higher resolution than said digital printer;
- and
- analyzing said digital pattern data to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to said one or more printed image characteristics, and generating a quality rating related to image quality from said one or more quantitative ratings.
A method of measuring image characteristics of printed output from a digital printer, comprising:
- sending test pattern data for a test pattern to a digital printer, said test pattern including one or more target objects designed to reveal one or more specific printed image characteristics;
- generating a printed image of said test pattern data at said digital printer;
- scanning said printed image to obtain digital pattern data;
- and
- analyzing said digital pattern data to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to said one or more printed image characteristics, said step of analyzing producing a plurality of physical measurements of said digital pattern data;
- combining said plurality of physical measurements into a quality rating, said step of combining including the steps of,
- producing a plurality of weights, each weight assigned to one of said plurality of physical measurements,
- normalizing said plurality of physical measurements,
- computing said quality rating by multiplying each of said plurality of weights by a respective one of said normalized physical measurements to generate products, and
- summing the products of said weights and said measurements into one overall quality rating.
A method of measuring image characteristics of printed output from a digital printer, comprising:
- sending test pattern data for a test pattern to a digital printer, said test pattern including one or more target objects designed to reveal one or more specific printed image characteristics;
- generating a printed image of said test pattern data at said digital printer;
- scanning said printed image to obtain digital pattern data;
- and
- analyzing, using a database with historical data unique for the digital printer, said digital pattern data to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to said one or more printed image characteristics.
A computer program, residing on a computer-readable medium, comprising instructions causing a print analyzer system to:
- produce digital test pattern data for a test pattern, said test pattern including one or more target objects designed to reveal one or more specific printed image characteristics;
- send said digital test pattern data to a digital printer to generate a printed image at said digital printer;
- receive digital pattern data generated from scanning said printed image;
- analyze said digital pattern data to generate one or more quantitative ratings with respect to said one or more printed image characteristics;
- read historical data in a database;
- and
- evaluate said one or more quantitative ratings with said historical data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.