Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-27
2001-05-29
Le, N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Ejector mechanism
C347S003000, C358S003050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239818
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a printing method and apparatus for embedding predetermined pattern signal into color print signals, and printing an image in which the predetermined pattern has been embedded. This invention also relates to a pattern read-out method and apparatus for reading out the embedded pattern from the image having been obtained with the printing method. This invention further relates to a printing method and apparatus for transforming an image signal, in which deep-encrypted subsidiary information has been embedded, into a print signal, and performing a printing operation in accordance with the print signal. This invention still further relates to a recording medium, on which a program for causing a computer to execute the printing method or the pattern read-out method has been recorded and from which the computer is capable of reading the program.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In cases where a photographic original image is to be utilized as an original image for printing, the photographic original image is read out with a scanner, or the like, R, G, and B component digital signals are thereby obtained, and separated plate signals for printing are formed from the digital signals.
As color components of the separated plate signals, four color components, i.e., cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), which are the three primary colors in ordinary printing, and K for reproduction of a character pattern or a shadow area of an object, are often utilized. Also, where a color reproduction range is wide, or such that a bright image may be obtained, six color components further containing green (G) and orange (O) inks, or more color components are often utilized.
When the R, G, and B color signals are transformed into the C, M, Y, and K color signals (or the C, M, Y, G, O, and K color signals), transform parameters are set such that the original image can be reproduced. In such cases, various parameters for optimizing the addition of, particularly, K are utilized by considering printing stability, the ink cost, and the like.
Photographic original images and printed matter are valuable as creative works and therefore have copyrights. Accordingly, it is necessary to prevent illegal duplication. Also, certain kinds of printed matter, such as banknotes, securities, and tickets, are realizable and should be prevented from illegal duplication completely. However, recently, color scanners and printers capable of forming images having good image quality at low costs, widely available, and the duplication technology is advancing rapidly.
In order to prevent the illegal duplication described above, various kinds of special printing methods particularly aiming at prevention of forgery of banknotes have heretofore been utilized. Examples of such special printing methods include marking paper with a watermark, embedding a UV ink or a metal belt into paper, and utilizing micro-characters.
However, the printing methods described above require special techniques, and limitation is imposed upon print shops capable of performing the special printing methods. Also, the cost of special printing methods described above are high. Therefore, for certain lowcost items such as cheap tickets, the special printing methods described above is not economically viable way to protect copyrights. Also there are few other countermeasures for prevention of illegal duplication.
In the cases of printing of merchandise packages, it is necessary for merchandise control information for quality and distribution to be printed. The merchandise control information includes the date of production, a lot number, a price, and the like. Ordinarily, the merchandise control information is printed as a character pattern or a bar code. However, in cases where the merchandise control information is printed as a character pattern or a bar code, the freedom of package design becomes constrained. Therefore, it is desired that the merchandise control information can be printed as imperceptibly as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a printing method, wherein various kinds of information, such as information for prevention of illegal duplication and merchandise control information, are capable of being embedded with a simple technique into a print.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern read-out method, wherein embedded information is read out from a print having been obtained with the printing method.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a printing method, wherein a print is formed from an image signal, in which deep-encrypted subsidiary information has been embedded, such that the printed image has good image quality and the subsidiary information is appended to the print.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the printing method.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the pattern read-out method.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium, on which a program for causing a computer to execute the printing method has been recorded and from which the computer is capable of reading the program.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium, on which a program for causing a computer to execute the pattern read-out method has been recorded and from which the computer is capable of reading the program.
The present invention provides a first printing method, wherein a pattern signal, which represents a predetermined pattern, is embedded into color print signals, and an image, in which the predetermined pattern has been embedded, is printed, the method comprising the steps of:
i) modulating the color print signals such that portions of the color print signals corresponding to a pattern area, into which the pattern is embedded, undergo conditional color matching with portions of the color print signals corresponding to the non-pattern area, modulated print signals being obtained from the modulation, and
ii) printing in accordance with the modulated print signals.
The term “modulating color print signals such that signal components undergo conditional color matching” as used herein for the first printing method the means that the color print signals are modulated such that the color of the pattern area and the color of the non-pattern area are perceived as being identical under an ordinary viewing illuminant and are perceived as being different under a specific viewing illuminant. In other words, conditions are set such that the difference between the color of the pattern area and the color of the non-pattern area cannot be perceived under the ordinary viewing illuminant and can be perceived under a specific viewing illuminant.
The first printing method in accordance with the present invention is preferably modified such that the color print signals are composed of C, M, Y, and K color components, and values of at least the K signal, the four color signals, are altered such that the signal portions of the color print signals corresponding to the pattern area undergo the conditional color matching with the portions of the color print signals corresponding to the non-pattern area.
The present invention also provides a pattern read-out method for reading out the pattern from the image having been obtained with the first printing method in accordance with the present invention, wherein the pattern is read out with detection means, which has spectral sensitivity characteristics different from the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the human eyes.
The present invention further provides a first printing apparatus, wherein a predetermined pattern signal is embedded into color print signals, and an image, in which the predetermined pattern has been embedded, is printed, the apparatus comprising:
i) modulation means for modulating the color print signals such that portions of the color print signals corresponding to a patter
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Le N.
Nguyen Lamson D.
LandOfFree
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