Multi-resolution halftone tilier
First Claim
1. A method for generating digital halftone images comprising the steps of:
- providing a computational element capable of performing halftoning algorithms;
inputting a digitized version of a continuous toned image into the computational element;
dividing the digitized image into a series of continuous tone macropixels;
determining a density for each macropixel;
converting the series of continuous tone macropixels into a corresponding series of half toned macropixels having one halftone macropixel for each continuous tone macropixel, where each halftone macropixel is made up of N micropixels;
selecting a macropixel pattern depending upon an integer function of the macropixel location when the density designated by the digitized continuous tone macropixel exceeds a predetermined threshold;
converting each of the macropixel patterns to a corresponding micropixel pattern; and
transmitting the converted micropixel patterns to an output device to be display in a visually discernible manner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital halftoning device for converting digitized contoned image data representing an input image into a halftoned image to be displayed in a visually discernible manner comprising: dividing a digitized contoned image data into a plurality of contoned macrocells at predetermined, integrally spaced locations; determining the optical density of each of the macrocells; converting the contoned macropixels to their halftoned representation, including: comparing the optical density of the macrocells against a predetermined threshold; and suppressing chosen macropixels on integer centers in regions of the image where the threshold code value is exceeded; converting the macropixel pattern into a micropixel image pattern; and outputting the micropixel image pattern to be displayed in a visually discernible manner. The result is the creation of a superpixel in areas of high optical density to create a greater number of gray levels at the expense of spatial resolution.
23 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for generating digital halftone images comprising the steps of:
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providing a computational element capable of performing halftoning algorithms; inputting a digitized version of a continuous toned image into the computational element; dividing the digitized image into a series of continuous tone macropixels; determining a density for each macropixel; converting the series of continuous tone macropixels into a corresponding series of half toned macropixels having one halftone macropixel for each continuous tone macropixel, where each halftone macropixel is made up of N micropixels; selecting a macropixel pattern depending upon an integer function of the macropixel location when the density designated by the digitized continuous tone macropixel exceeds a predetermined threshold; converting each of the macropixel patterns to a corresponding micropixel pattern; and transmitting the converted micropixel patterns to an output device to be display in a visually discernible manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for converting a digitized continuous tone image to a digital halftone image comprising:
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a computational element having means for executing digital halftoning algorithms on digitized versions of images; means for inputting a digitized version of a contoned image into the computational means; means for dividing the contoned image into a plurality of contoned macropixels predetermined, integrally spaced macrocells each having an integer centers Xn, Yn ; means for determining the optical density of each of the macrocells; means for converting the contoned macropixels to their halftoned representation including means for suppressing macrocells on the integer centers; means for comparing the optical densities of the macrocells against a predetermined threshold; and means for converting the halftoned macropixels into a corresponding series of micropixels. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A digital halftoning device for converting digitized contoned image data representing an input image into a halftoned image to be displayed in a visually discernible manner comprising:
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means for dividing digitized contoned image data into a plurality of contoned macrocells at predetermined, integrally spaced locations; means for determining the optical density of each of the macrocells; means for converting the contoned macropixels to their halftoned representation means for comparing the optical density of each of the macrocells against a predetermined threshold; means for selecting macropixels based on results obtained from comparing against the predetermined threshold and for suppressing selected macropixels on integer centers in regions of the image where the threshold code value is exceeded; means for converting the macropixels into corresponding set of micropixels; and means for outputting the micropixel image pattern to be displayed in a visually discernible manner. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification