Logo data generating method and system

• US 7,292,369 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Yokoyama, Kazuyuki, Horiuchi, Yukiharu, Kitahara, Katsuhito
• Primary Examiner(s): GRANT II, JEROME
• Application Number:
  US10/017,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20020097436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,154 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.8, 358/1.2, 358/2.1, 358/3.3, 358/1.18, 358/1.9, 358/537, 358/527, 358/521, 358/530, 358/451
• US Class Current: 358/1.9
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/622 with simulation on a subsidiary picture reproducer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/644 using a reduced set of representative colours, e.g. each representing a particular range in a colour space

Abstract

A logo generating system and method allow a user to specify colors and adjust an image according to the particular printing purpose. Source data of image elements with two or more colors is obtained and displayed so that the user can view an image of the source data while freely adjusting the colors of the logo data according to the colors that can be used by the printer. The source data is processed and output according to the input parameters as the colors are assigned. An image of the data processed according to the color assignments is also displayed so that the user can adjust the color assignments while viewing the effect on the actual data.

Claims

1. A logo data generating method for creating printable logo data to be printed by a printer having a first number of printable colors define by the printer'"'"'s color depth, comprising:

a step for obtaining original source data having a second number of colors, said second number being greater than said first number;

a display step for displaying a first image representation of said original source data;

wherein

if said second number of colors is greater than a predefined intermediate number of colors, then applying a first color changing step for changing the number of colors of said original source data from said second number of colors to said intermediate number of colors, and then applying a second color changing step different from said first color changing step for changing the number of colors of said original source data from said intermediate number to a number not greater than said first number.

2. The logo data generating method of claim 1, wherein the original source data is displayed after said first color changing step and prior to said second color changing step.

3. The logo data generating method of claim 2, wherein the original source data is displayed as said first image representation after said first color changing step.

4. The logo data generating method of claim 1, wherein said intermediate number is smaller than said first number of printable colors.

5. The logo data generating method of claim 4, wherein each of said intermediate number of colors is defined by an m-bit number and each of said first number of printable colors is defined by an in-bit number, wherein m is greater than n so as to provide an upward color-bit-conversion in said second color changing step following a downward color-bit-conversion in said first color changing step.

6. The logo data generating method of claim 4, wherein:

said printer prints pixels consisting of a set number of printable dots, each printable dot being assigned a color defined by a number of ink sources available to said printer and by a color of a printing medium on which said printer prints;

said first number of printable colors being defined by the number of distinct color combinations assignable to the printable dots comprising one pixel, as limited by the number of said ink sources and the color of said printing medium.

7. The logo data generating method of claim 6, wherein said second color changing step includes separately assigning each of said intermediate number of colors any one of the first number of printable colors.

8. The logo data generating method of claim 7, wherein said printable colors are assigned to each intermediate number of colors on a sliding scale defining a density of any one color over another.

9. The logo data generating method of claim 1, wherein said intermediate number is greater than said first number of printable colors.

10. The logo data generating method of claim 9, wherein the first number of printable colors is defined by the printer'"'"'s number of ink sources plus a color of the printer'"'"'s printing medium.

11. The logo data generating method of claim 10, wherein said second color changing step assigns one of said printable colors to each of the intermediate number of colors.

12. The logo data generating method of claim 10, wherein said intermediate number is eight and said first number is 3.

13. A logo data generating method for creating printable logo data, comprising:

a step for obtaining original source data;

a display step for displaying a first image representation of said original source data;

a first user-submitted image processing step for requesting a change in the number of colors of said original source data;

a second user-submitted image processing step for requesting a change in the size of said original source data;

wherein in response to said first and second user-submitted image processing steps, the request for a change in the size of said original source data is executed prior to execution of the request for a change in the number of colors of said original source data.

14. The logo data generating method of claim 13, wherein the requested change in the number of colors of said original source data is a request for a reduction in the number of colors of said original source data, and the requested change in the size of said original source data is a request for a reduction in the size of said original source data.

15. A logo data generating system for creating printable logo data to be printed by a printer having a first number of printable colors defined by the printer'"'"'s color depth, comprising:

a source data capture means for obtaining original source data having a second number of colors, said second number being greater than said first number;

a display for displaying a first image representation of said original source data;

wherein

if said second number of colors is greater than a predefined intermediate number of colors, then said system applies a first color changing routine for changing the number of colors of said original source data from said second number to said intermediate number, and then applies a second color changing routine different from said first color changing routine for changing the number of colors of said original source data from said intermediate number to a number not greater than said first number.

16. The logo data generating system of claim 15, wherein the original source data is displayed after said first color changing routine and prior to said second color changing routine.

17. The logo data generating system of claim 16, wherein the original source data is displayed as said first image representation after said first color changing routine.

18. The logo data generating system of claim 15, wherein said intermediate number is smaller than said first number of printable colors.

19. The logo data generating system of claim 18, wherein each of said intermediate number of colors is defined by an n-bit number and each of said first number of printable colors is defined by an m-bit number, wherein m is greater than n so as to provide an upward color-bit-conversion in said second color changing routine following a downward color-bit-conversion in said first color changing routine.

20. The logo data generating system of claim 18, wherein:

said printer prints pixels consisting of a set number of printable dots, each printable dot being assigned a color defined by a number of ink sources available to said printer and by a color of a printing medium on which said printer prints;

said first number of printable colors being defined by the number of distinct color combinations assignable to the printable dots comprising one pixel, as limited by the number of said ink sources and the color of said printing medium.

21. The logo data generating system of claim 20, wherein said second color changing routine includes separately assigning each of said intermediate number of colors any one of the first number of printable colors.

22. The logo data generating system of claim 21, wherein said printable colors are assigned to each intermediate number of colors on a sliding scale defining a density of any one color over another.

23. The logo data generating system of claim 15, wherein said intermediate number is greater than said first number of printable colors.

24. The logo data generating system of claim 23, wherein the first number of printable colors is defined by the printer'"'"'s number of ink sources plus a color of the printer'"'"'s printing medium.

25. The logo data generating system of claim 24, wherein said second color changing routine assigns one of said printable colors to each of the intermediate number of colors.

26. The logo data generating system of claim 24, wherein said intermediate number is eight and said first number is 3.

27. A logo data generating system for creating printable logo data, comprising:

a source data capture means for obtaining original source data;

a display for displaying a first image representation of said original source data;

a first parameter input means for receiving a first user-submitted image processing request for a change in the number of colors of said original source data;

a second parameter input means for receiving a second user-submitted image processing request for a change in the size of said original source data;

wherein in response to said first and second user-submitted image processing requests, the request for a change in the size of said original source data is executed prior to execution of the request for a change in the number of colors of said original source data.

28. The logo data generating system of claim 27, wherein the requested change in the number of colors of said original source data is a request for a reduction in the number of colors of said original source data, and the requested change in the size of said original source data is a request for a reduction in the size of said original source data.

29. A logo data generating system for creating printable logo data, comprising:

a parameter capture means for identifying a width dimension of a printable medium on which said printable logo data is to be printed;

a source data capture means for obtaining original source data;

an automatic size adjustment means for automatically resizing said source data to a predefined maximum width not greater than the width dimension of said printable medium prior to accepting any user-submitted image processing steps;

display for displaying a first image representation of said original source data.