Color separation of graphic image files

• US 6,556,308 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2000
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Imagex.Com Inc.
• Original Assignee: ImageX Inc. (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Laverty, Timothy A., Krum, Brent A., Klatt, Cory E.
• Primary Examiner(s): GARCIA, GABRIEL I
• Application Number:
  US09/481,007
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/1.9, 358/1.1, 358/1.16, 358/1.17, 358/1.13, 358/1.14, 358/500, 358/515, 358/518, 358/523, 358/524, 358/527, 358/537, 358/1.2, 358/1.3, 358/1.4, 358/1.7, 358/1.8, 707/526, 707/527, 709/217, 345/601, 382/294
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

The color separation subsystem provides an automated hosted environment to perform the pre-press application of color separation upon a suitable file to produce a resultant plate file. The color separation subsystem is coupled to an image logic information database which includes job color separation parameters for the job and a client application such as a plater service or product setup module that wishes to perform automated color separation. Gateway service and queue processor service are software processes running on a dedicated server computer that assist with automated color separation. The module accepts requests for color separation of a file, retrieves one or more color separation parameters from the image logic information database and transfers one or more color separation parameters. A color separation software tool then accepts the file and performs color separation of the file, using the retrieved color separation parameters, all without user intervention.

Claims

1. A method of color separating a file within an automated printing system for producing printed materials, said method comprising:

storing said file in a first database in communication with said automated printing system, said file including instructions for printing said printed materials;

storing one or more color separation parameters in a second database;

requesting of a color separation software module that color separation of said file be performed;

retrieving automatically said one or more color separation parameters from said second database;

transferring said one or more color separation parameters to a color separation software tool;

executing said color separation software tool under control of said color separation software module, said color separation software tool inputting said file and performing color separation of said file using said one or more color separation parameters without user intervention; and

outputting the resulting file from said color separation software tool, whereby color separation of said file is performed automatically.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

requesting of a master service that color separation of said file be performed.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

setting one or more default parameters for performing said color separation, thereby allowing said one or more default parameters to be set differently for various clients that make requests.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more color separation parameters are entered manually.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of executing further comprises:

initializing said color separation software tool, thereby allowing said color separation software tool to be executed automatically in said automated printing system.

6. A color separation subsystem within an automated printing system for producing printed materials, said color separation subsystem comprising:

a server computer in communication with said automated printing system;

a master service hosted on said server computer and being arranged to accept requests for color separation of a file from within said automated printing system, said file including instructions for printing said printed materials;

a database in communication with said automated printing system and suitable for storing said files and one or more color separation parameters;

a color separation software module arranged to;

accept said request for color separation of said file;

retrieve automatically said one or more color separation parameters from said database; and

transfer said one or more color separation parameters; and

a color separation software tool arranged to accept said file and to perform color separation of said file, using said one or more color separation parameters, thereby allowing said color separation of said file to be performed without user intervention.

7. A color separation subsystem as recited in claim 6, wherein said software module is further capable of initializing said software tool, thereby allowing said software tool to be executed automatically in said automated printing system.

8. A color separation subsystem as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of said one or more parameters can be entered manually.