EP0434756A1 - Printing apparatus for varying the response of a print device to an input signal - Google Patents
Printing apparatus for varying the response of a print device to an input signalInfo
- Publication number
- EP0434756A1 EP0434756A1 EP19890911112 EP89911112A EP0434756A1 EP 0434756 A1 EP0434756 A1 EP 0434756A1 EP 19890911112 EP19890911112 EP 19890911112 EP 89911112 A EP89911112 A EP 89911112A EP 0434756 A1 EP0434756 A1 EP 0434756A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- levels
- relationship
- input signal
- control signal
- density
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/41—Bandwidth or redundancy reduction
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/40—Picture signal circuits
- H04N1/407—Control or modification of tonal gradation or of extreme levels, e.g. background level
- H04N1/4072—Control or modification of tonal gradation or of extreme levels, e.g. background level dependent on the contents of the original
Definitions
- Short title Method for varying the response of a print device to an input signal and system and printing apparatus in which this method is applied.
- the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of Claim 1, and also to a system according to the preamble of Claim 9 in which this method is used.
- a method and a system of the abovementioned type is disclosed by the US Patent Specification 4,620,196 in which the writing device is exemplified by an ink jet device with which, as a function of the level of a digital control signal converted into a time interval, a number of droplets corresponding to the level of the control signal can be selectively deposited on every picture element (pixel) of a surface of a substrate divided into picture elements, in order to obtain a corresponding optical density.
- the drawback of the known method is that the density delivered by the writing device in response to the control signal is dependent on the physical operation of the writing device. If the pressure of the ink fed to a nozzle of the device is increased or reduced, the extent of the droplets formed will increase or decrease respectively, the number of droplets per unit time remaining essentially unchanged, as a result of which more or less ink respectively is deposited with a correspondingly higher or lower density respectively on the substrate than was desired or expected on the basis of the level of the control signal.
- the nozzle of the ink jet device has a diameter of 10 micrometres and, to obtain a satisfactory result from the operation of the device, the maximum tolerance in the diameter is 0.1 micrometre.
- the object of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the known method.
- the object of the invention is also to provide an improved method for generating a control signal for a writing device which makes it possible to simulate a printing process, for example offset, to be chosen regardless of the operation of the writing device.
- the relationship can be represented entirely or partially by a function or a table of mutually corresponding signal levels.
- the result delivered by the writing device on the substrate surface will be identical to the result delivered by a standard ⁇ ized writing device without the agency of the relation ⁇ ship on the substrate surface.
- such a relationship can be determined for each writing device and can preferably be stored in a non ⁇ volatile memory (ROM) and concomitantly delivered with the writing device for installation in printing equip ⁇ ment.
- the relationship may comprise two sub-relation- ships of which the first sub-relationship is chosen in a manner such that, if the second sub-relationship is linear, the same result is obtained with the writing device as with a standardized writing device without the agency of the first sub-relationship.
- the second sub-relationship for simulating a printing process may be non-linear.
- the first sub-rela ⁇ tionship may in this case be advantageously stored in a non-volatile memory (ROM) associated with the writing device, while, depending on the printing process to be simulated, the second sub-relationship can be stored in a volatile memory (RAM) from a data processing system.
- the method according to Claim 7 is preferably used.
- the invention also relates to a printing system according to one of Claims 9 to 16 inclusive in which the method according to the invention is used.
- the invention also relates to printing equipment in which such a printing system is installed, so that- load is removed from a data processing system and/or data transmission system and such systems only have to gene ⁇ rate and deliver the input signal which is independent of the operation of the printing equipment.
- the invention is explained by reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
- Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a first embodi ⁇ ment of a printing system according to the invention in which the method according to the invention is used.
- Figure 2 shows a diagram explaining the operation of the system of Figure 1.
- Figures 3, 4 and 5 show block diagrams of second,, third and fourth embodiments of a printing system accord ⁇ ing to the invention in which the method according to the invention is used.
- the printing system shown in Figure 1 comprises a writing device 1 and a conversion circuit 2.
- the conversion circuit 2 receives an input signal i from a data processing system and/or data transmission system 3 and, in response thereto, delivers a control signal c having a level corresponding to the level of the received input signal i to the writing device 1.
- the writing device 1 may be any sort with which a change in the density d of any picture element of a surface of a substrate divided into picture elements can be obtained as a function of the control signal c, with a choice of more than two density levels.
- the writing device may be, for example, a light-emitting element such as a laser or light-emitting diode or a light interrupt ⁇ ing element such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) fitted between a light source and a substrate with which, as a function of the level of the control signal delivered to the element, a photosensitive layer of the substrate can be exposed in order to alter the optical density thereof.
- the writing device may also be an ink jet device for spraying ink droplets selectively onto the substrate surface or a heating element for selectively heating heat-sensitive dyestuffs deposited on a carrier between the writing device and the substrate or deposited on the substrate.
- the density may be, for example, an optical density or a density of an electrical charge provided on a suitable substrate, for example a semiconductor sub- strate. With the electrically charged substrate as starting point, it is possible to obtain a corresponding imprin .
- Figure 2 shows a diagram having four quadrants with an origin 0 in the centre and with the functions d(i), d(c) and c(i) respectively in three quadrants, i corresponding to the levels of the control signal, d to the optical density obtained by means of the writing device 1 on the substrate and c to the levels of the control signal.
- the function d(c) thus indicates the intensity d which is obtained by means of the writing device 1 on a particular substrate if the writing device 1 is controlled by the control signal c.
- the function . d(i) gives the desired density d in response to the input signal i received by the conversion circuit 2.
- the input signal i received by the conversion circuit 2 has to be converted into the control signal c in accordance with the function c(i).
- the corresponding desired density d having level ⁇ x is obtained by means of a control signal c having level c x and this leads to a point i x of the function c(i).
- the corresponding desired density d 2 is obtained by means of a control signal c having level c 2 , and this leads to a point f 2 of the function c(i), and so on for the other levels of the input signal and the control signal c.
- the relationship.thereby obtained between levels of the input signal i and the control signal c may be entirely or partially represented by a function (formula) which, for the relationship shown as an example in Figure 2, may be the following: c(i) - k x i - k 2 sin(k 3 i) in which k 17 k 2 and k 3 are constant.
- the relationship may, however, also be represen ⁇ ted entirely or partially by a table of mutually corresponding levels of the input signal i and the control signal c, and in this case the conversion circuit 2 may comprise a simple memory in which the table is stored.
- the table may advantageously be stored in a non-volatile memory (ROM) .
- ROM non-volatile memory
- the relationship can be determined and stored for each writing device 1 to be manufactured in a manner such that the printing system 1, 2 obtained with said writing device 1 delivers the same result as a standardized writing device without the agency of the relationship.
- the conversion circuit 2 in that case forms a specific conversion circuit 2 associated with the non-standardized writing device 1.
- the part 2" preferably functions as the specific conversion circuit mentioned above, which, together with the writing device 1, should be interpreted as a printing system which delivers the same result as a standardized writing device.
- the part 2' may be used for storing any relationship depending on the printing process, for example offset, to be simulated, it being possible for said relationship to be determined inde ⁇ pendently of the operation of the writing device by the data system 3 and to be used unaltered in any similar printing system 1, 2', 2".
- Figures 4 and 5 show embodiments of the type shown in Figure 1, comprising a memory 4, a buffer register 5 at the input of the memory 4 and a number of adders 6 to 8 inclusive between the data system 3 and the buffer register 5, each of the adders 6 to 8 inclusive receiving a different signal value from the memory 4, the values intended for the adders 7 and 8 being delayed by means of delay circuits 9, 10 by one or two transfer cycles, respectively, of the buffer register 5.
- the embodiment according to Figures 4 and 5 is used if the number of levels chosen for the input signal i is larger than the number of levels with which the control signal c can effectively control the writing device 1.
- the number of locations of the memory 4 is in this case equal to the number of chosen levels of the input signal i and the maxima and minima of the input signal i and of the control signal c then correspond to _each other.
- the locations of the memory 4 contain the level of the control signal c which is proportionally nearest the address thereof and also a difference value which is fed back to the adders 6 to 8 inclusive.
- the next address at the output of the buffer register 5 corresponds to the level, delivered by the data system 3, of the input signal i.
- the memory 4 delivers in response thereto the nearest corresponding level of the control signal c and a dif ⁇ ference value which is equal to the difference between the address of the memory 4 corresponding to the level of the input signal i and an address value corresponding to the control signal without difference value. If, for example, the input signal i has 256 levels 0, 1, 2, ...., 255 and the control signal has 16 levels 0, 1, 2, ,
- the embodiment according to Figure 5 is expanded with respect to the embodiment of Figure 4 in that the difference value is composed of three sections which are each delivered to the respective adders 6 to 8 inclusive with suitable delays.
- this type of weighting of the difference value can be expanded by using more adders and more delay circuits.
- the contents of the locations of the memory 4 can be chosen in a manner such that the section containing the circuits 4 to 6 inclusive or 4 to 10 inclusive, respectively, has the same response as the part 2" of Figure 3 and that an additional con ⁇ version circuit such as the part 2' of Figure 3 may be provided between the data system 3 and the adder 6 or 8 respectively.
- App_The conversion circuits such as 2 may be provided entirely or partially (for example 2") remotely from printing equipment ⁇ -(not_shown) comprising the writing device 1.
- the conversion circuit is entirely provided in the printing equipment, so that the data system 3, which is in general a computer intended for general applications, and the transmission paths thereof to the printing equipment are relieved of load and the printing equipment can be used at any point in time and at any position regardless of the operation and the data file of the data system 3, to deliver the same result as printing equipment having a corresponding number of standardized writing devices.
- a relationship can be concomitantly delivered to a writing device, which relationship compensates for mutual differences between different writing devices.
- the relationship can be concomitantly provided in the form of a chip which is incorporated in the writing device and which is read out by the computer which controls the printing system after the writing device has been plugged in.
- the relationship can be concomitantly delivered with the writing device stored on, for example, a floppy, and in this case the floppy data should also be read in when the writing device is plugged in.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Facsimile Image Signal Circuits (AREA)
- Color, Gradation (AREA)
- Fax Reproducing Arrangements (AREA)
Abstract
L'invention concerne un procédé de production d'un signal de commande (c) pour un dispositif d'écriture (1) adapté pour modifier la densité (d) de chaque élément d'image d'une surface d'un substrat divisée en éléments d'image, en fonction du niveau du signal de commande (c), avec la possibilité de choisir le signal de commande (c) à partir de plus de deux valeurs correspondant à des valeurs particulières de la densité (d), ledit signal de commande étant produit sur la base d'un signal d'entrée (i) dont les niveaux ont une relation (c (i)) préselectionnable, comprenant deux sous-relations, avec les niveaux du signal de commande (c) qui est tel que les niveaux de la densité (d) à déterminer sont obtenus pour les niveaux du signal d'entrée (i). L'invention concerne également un système d'impression comprenant un dispositif d'écriture (1) adapté pour modifier la densité (d) de chaque élément d'image d'une surface d'un substrat divisée en éléments d'image en fonction du niveau d'un signal de commande (c) destiné au dispositif d'écriture (1), avec la possibilité pour le signal de commande (c) d'avoir n'importe quel niveau de plus de deux niveaux correspondant à des valeurs particulières de la densité (d), des moyens de conversion (2; 2', 2'') fournissant des niveaux correspondants du signal de commande (c) sur la base de niveaux d'un signal d'entrée (i) en fonction d'une relation (c (i)) prédéterminée, stockés dans les moyens de conversion et comprenant deux sous-relations, entre des niveaux des signaux (i, c), qui est telle que des niveaux prédéterminés de la densité (d) sont obtenus pour les niveaux du signal d'entrée (i).The invention relates to a method for producing a control signal (c) for a writing device (1) adapted to modify the density (d) of each image element of a surface of a substrate divided into picture elements, depending on the level of the control signal (c), with the possibility of choosing the control signal (c) from more than two values corresponding to particular values of the density (d), said signal control being produced on the basis of an input signal (i) whose levels have a preselectable relationship (c (i)), comprising two sub-relationships, with the levels of the control signal (c) which is such that the density levels (d) to be determined are obtained for the levels of the input signal (i). The invention also relates to a printing system comprising a writing device (1) adapted to modify the density (d) of each picture element of a surface of a substrate divided into picture elements according to the level of a control signal (c) intended for the writing device (1), with the possibility for the control signal (c) to have any level of more than two levels corresponding to particular values of density (d), conversion means (2; 2 ', 2' ') providing corresponding levels of the control signal (c) based on levels of an input signal (i) as a function of a predetermined relation (c (i)), stored in the conversion means and comprising two sub-relations, between levels of the signals (i, c), which is such that predetermined levels of the density (d) are obtained for the input signal levels (i).
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL8802283A NL8802283A (en) | 1988-09-15 | 1988-09-15 | METHOD FOR CHANGING THE RESPONSION OF A WRITING DEVICE ON AN INPUT SIGNAL, AND AN ARRANGEMENT AND PRESSURE DEVICE USING THIS METHOD |
NL8802283 | 1988-09-15 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0434756A1 true EP0434756A1 (en) | 1991-07-03 |
Family
ID=19852909
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19890911112 Withdrawn EP0434756A1 (en) | 1988-09-15 | 1989-09-15 | Printing apparatus for varying the response of a print device to an input signal |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0434756A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH04500748A (en) |
NL (1) | NL8802283A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1990003078A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2378999A (en) * | 1943-06-15 | 1945-06-26 | Rca Corp | Compensation amplifier system |
FR2280274A1 (en) * | 1974-07-25 | 1976-02-20 | Cit Alcatel | Picture transmission system - video signal in sender converted into binary data signal and reconverted in receiver |
JPS56121171A (en) * | 1980-02-27 | 1981-09-22 | Dainippon Screen Mfg Co Ltd | Input device for set item data in picture scanning recorder and filing method for said set item data |
DE3372410D1 (en) * | 1983-04-27 | 1987-08-13 | Hell Rudolf Dr Ing Gmbh | Colour picture manufacturing method and apparatus |
-
1988
- 1988-09-15 NL NL8802283A patent/NL8802283A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1989
- 1989-09-15 JP JP51032589A patent/JPH04500748A/en active Pending
- 1989-09-15 WO PCT/NL1989/000069 patent/WO1990003078A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1989-09-15 EP EP19890911112 patent/EP0434756A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9003078A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH04500748A (en) | 1992-02-06 |
NL8802283A (en) | 1990-04-02 |
WO1990003078A1 (en) | 1990-03-22 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19910221 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE |
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RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: STORK COLORPROOFING B.V. |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19930505 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN |
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18W | Application withdrawn |
Withdrawal date: 19930901 |