Color printer technology

• US 20070127062A1
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corporation
• Inventors: Mount, Jeffrey, Kavis, Mike, Greenfield, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 8,363,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0018 Constructional details, e.g. of drawer, printing means, input means
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/14 Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit data transmission in general H04L; telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/60 Colour correction or control H04N1/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6097 depending on the characteristics of the output medium, e.g. glossy paper, matt paper, transparency or fabrics

Abstract

The invention provides a method of printing at a POS of register receipts and marketing information in which the required network bandwidth and quantity of ink are both reduced. SVG files are used to specify communications, associated modified image objects are stored locally to the POS, and associated modified image objects are modified version of original objects in which color values are replaced with other color values that result in the same print image, but with printing of less ink.

Claims

1. A network CS comprising:

a central CS remote from a first RS;

a plurality of local CSs including a first local CS;

said first local CS logging transactions occurring at POS in said first RS;

said central CS storing a first set of image objects associated with marketing SVG files previously transmitted from said central CS to said first local CS;

said central CS designed to associate with a set of first local CS CIDs a set of marketing SVG files, thereby forming a first CID/SVG targeting set for said first local CS;

said central CS designed to determine from image objects associated with marketing SVG files in said first CID/SVG targeting set and said first set of image objects, a second set of image objects not previously transmitted to said first local CS; and

said central CS configured to transmit said second set of image objects to said first local CS.

2. The network CS of claim 1 further comprising determining those marketing SVG files not previously transmitted to said first local CS;

and

transmitting firm said central CS to said first local CS those marketing SVG files not previously transmitted to said first local CS.

3. The network CS of claim 1 wherein said a set of marketing SVG files transmitted from said central CS to said first local CS reference a specified image object.

4. The network CS of claim 1 wherein said first local CS comprises a POS computer, a POS terminal, and a POS color printer.

5. The network CS of claim 4 wherein said first local CS further comprises an incentive computer;

6. The network CS of claim 5 wherein said incentive computer stores an SVG code library.

7. The network CS of claim 6 wherein said incentive computer either SVG files in association with CIDs, and stores image objects in association with SVG files.

8. The network CS of claim 7 wherein said incentive computer is configured to receive a CID read by said POS terminal, determined an SVG associated with said CID, render said SVG to a marketing communication image file, and transmit said marketing communication image file to said POS color printer.

9. A method of using a network CS comprising:

providing a central CS remote from a first RS;

providing a plurality of local CSs including a first local CS;

logging in said first local CS transactions occurring at POS in said first RS;

storing in said central CS a first set of image objects associated with marketing SVG files previously transmitted from said central CS to said first local CS;

associating in said central CS with a set of first local CS CIDs a set of marketing SVG files, thereby forming a first CID/SVG targeting set for said first local CS;

determining in said central CS from image objects associated with marketing SVG files in said first CID/SVG targeting set and said first set of image objects, a second set of image objects not previously transmitted to said first local CS; and

transmitting from said central CS said second set of image objects to said first local CS.

10. A computer implemented method of reducing a quantity of ink used by a color printer in printing a colored image, comprising:

reading from computer memory a first color value for a first color of a pixel of an original colored image object, said color printer designed to print a first quantity of ink for said first color value;

determining a second quantity of inks sufficient for said color printer to print said first color, said second quantity of inks less than said first quantity of inks;

determining a second color value for which said color printer prints approximately said second quantity of inks, said second color value different from said first color value; and

generating a modified colored image object from said original image object in which at said second color value is associated with said pixel.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said first color value and said second color value specify values for red, green, and blue colors.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said color printer converts red, green, and blue color values to at least cyan, magenta, and yellow color values.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of reading first color values for all pixels of said original colored image object, determining quantities of inks required for said color printer to print said first color values for all pixels of said original colored image object, determining second quantities of inks sufficient for said color printer to print said first colors for all pixels of said original colored image object, determining second colors values for which said color printer prints approximately said second quantities of inks for all pixels of said original colored image object, and generating said modified image object from said original image object in which said second color values are associated with all pixels.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said determining a second quantity of inks depends upon one or more of the following properties of the print paper:

basis weight;

caliper;

thickness;

density;

tensile strength;

smoothness;

brightness/whiteness;

gloss;

opacity, tearing strength;

porosity;

air permeance;

elasticity;

ink bleed; and

abrasion.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said determining a second quantity of inks depends upon printer driver for said printer.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein said determining a second quantity of inks depends upon at least one dimension of said original colored image object.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein said determining a second quantity of inks depends upon whether said original colored image object has a property indicating it is printed as foreground.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein said determining a second quantity of inks depends upon whether said original colored image object has a property indicating it is printed as background.

19. The method of claim 10 wherein said determining a second quantity of inks depends upon whether said original colored image object defines text.

20. The method of claim 10 further comprising printing said colored image by printing including said modified colored image object.

wherein said modified image object

21. A computer system for reducing a quantity of ink used by a color printer in printing a colored image, comprising:

a central processor;

a memory;

a color printer;

wherein said memory stores code for reading a first color value for a first color of a first pixel of an original colored image object;

wherein said color printer is designed to print a first quantity of ink for said first color value;

wherein said memory stores code for determining a second quantity of inks sufficient for said color printer to print said first color, said second quantity of inks less than said first quantity of inks;

wherein said memory stores code for determining a second color value for which said color printer prints approximately said second quantity of inks, said second color value different from said first color value; and

wherein said memory stores code for generating a modified colored image object from said original image object in which at said second color value is associated with said first pixel.