Patent Application
20100245385
Embodiments are generally related to rendering devices and customized media. Embodiments also relate in general to the field of computers and similar technologies and in particular to software utilized in this field. In addition, embodiments relate to methods and systems for the rendering of specialty media. Embodiments also relate to raster image processing.
A raster image processor (RIP) provides output data in a format that is suitable for rendering by an output device. One suitable format is binary dot patterns forming a bitmap. Rendering by the output device may include, for example, printing via a printer or display of information on a screen or monitor. The raster image processor receives input of one or more page descriptions. The page descriptions include information about fonts, graphics, and the like that describe the appearance of each page. The page descriptions may be in a high level language or even another bitmap of higher or lower resolution than the output device. Some examples of high level page description languages are PostScript (PS), Portable Document Format (PDF) and Extensible Markup Language (XML) Paper Specification (XPS). The raster image processor may be implemented either as software, firmware, or hardware. Typically, the raster image processor resides in a digital front end (DFE). The raster image processor performs raster image processing (RIPping). Raster image processing is the process of translating the page descriptions into a bitmap for output by the output device (e.g., desktop printer).
Raster image processing for some files may take an unreasonably long time to process. Often, this is true for large files containing color graphics and/or variable data. Files containing color graphics by their nature tend to have large page descriptions and correspondingly large bitmaps. Variable data files allow documents to be customized or personalized. With the increase in demand for color and personalized communications, there has been a noticeable decrease in performance of raster image processors.
Rendering images on specialty media for customized photo applications, for example, can present a particular challenge because of the stringent requirements of the media utilized and also when utilized in the context of raster imaging processing. The majority of retail photo operations, for example, which provide differentiated photo products through specialty photo media such as, for example, FlipPix, may possess unique problems due to the combination of expensive media and high turnover in a retail environment. Note that “FlipPix” is a trademark of IMCOM, Inc. of Salt Point, N.Y.
Media for photo applications, for example, such as that used for FlipPix, is precut with fairly complicated dies that require very tight registration within all areas of the page. The photo content must not only fall in the correct place on the page, but specific images and specific places where images abut must be lined up to specific cut lines or fold lines within the media. This can present a problem when rendering on digital presses, particularly because current approaches only allow an entire page to be shifted, but not a region in the page, which makes it difficult to offset images for enhanced rendering.
Based on the foregoing, it is believed that a need exists for an improved method and system that permits particular regions of a page to be selected and shifted in order to permit specifying an image offset. Such an approach and more are disclosed in greater detail herein.
The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved data-processing method, system and computer-usable medium.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved method and system for rendering customized media via rendering devices, such as printers, scanners, multi-function devices, photocopy machines, and the like.
It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide for improved methods and systems for the rendering of specialty media.
The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. Methods and systems for rendering a raster image are disclosed. A raster image can be analyzed with respect to the specialty media upon which the raster image is rendered, in order to determine if a difference exists between particular sections of the specialty media and the raster image. Thereafter, one or more regions of the raster image can be selected for offsetting, if it is determined that such a difference does exist, in order to thereafter re-render the raster image and thereby provide a non-destructive editing capability with respect to the raster image and a rapid resolution of quality problems associated with rendering the raster image via the specialty media. The identified difference between the particular sections of the specialty media and the raster image may be, for example, a misalignment between such sections of the specialty media and the raster image. The raster image can be then re-rendered after selecting the region(s) of the raster image to offset, wherein the raster image when re-rendered includes the offset. Note that the misalignment can be detected on a printed sheet of paper.
As utilized herein, the term “raster image” can refer to, for example, a ripped image. The term “RIP” or “rip” refers generally to “Raster Image Processor,” which is typically the hardware and/or software which converts data which has been stored in a memory location of a data-processing system/apparatus, such as a computer, into a series of lines of tiny dots which are output on film or photographic paper. In line work, the dots can be grouped to create solid areas.
The approach described herein thus provides for an enhancement to the existing image offset functionality to enable offset of specific portions of the raster image (e.g., RIPped image content). A user can enter an “enhanced” offset mode in which the user can then specify regions of the raster image (e.g., RiPped document) to offset. The user can define offset regions automatically (since photo applications using specialty media place discrete content items on the page) or manually, depending upon design considerations.
Such an approach permits the performance of image shifts (and other operations) on page regions as part of the RiPping and rendering process, along with the ability to create multiple permanent, editable image selections. The disclosed approach also provides for non-destructive editing (note that prior art approaches only offer non-destructive editing that is limited to filters that are applied to the entire image, e.g., adjustment layers). The disclosed approach also provides for the automatic creation of page region areas for sub-page image shift and other operations, along with enabling a media definition capable of comprehending die cuts in addition to other typical media properties. The definitions of image shift (and other operation) areas, for example, can be based on the die cut description. By following such an approach, page region image shifts (and other manipulations) provide a mechanism to resolve typical quality problems associated with printing on specialty media such as, for example, FlipPix media.
The proposed methodology permits a user to specify an image (x, y) offset at the DFE (Digital Front End) for selected regions on a page. Currently an entire page can be shifted, but not a region in the page. A user can then enter an “enhanced” offset mode in which he or she would be able to specify regions of the RiPped document to offset. The regions can be either manually selected by the user or automatically highlighted by the system. Such an approach is particularly useful in printing personalized packaging (e.g., where images are placed on top and sides of a box and need to be adjusted at the printer), or when printing on specialty media that requires precise intra-page registration.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of such embodiments.
As depicted in
Illustrated in
The interface 153, which is preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), also serves to display results, whereupon the user may supply additional inputs or terminate the session. In one particular embodiment, operating system 151 and interface 153 can be implemented in the context of a “Windows” system. In another embodiment, operating system 151 and interface 153 may be implemented in the context of other operating systems, such as Linux, UNIX, etc. Application module 152, on the other hand, can include instructions such as the various operations described herein with respect to the various components and modules described herein such as, for example, the method 500 depicted in
The following description is presented with respect to embodiments of the present invention, which can be embodied in the context of a data-processing system such as data-processing system 100 and computer software system 150 depicted respectively in
Programs defining particular functions/instructions such as those depicted in
Thus, the methods 300, 400, 500 and 600 respectively illustrated in
Note that as utilized herein, a raster image processor (RIP) can provide output data in a format that is suitable for rendering by an output device. Processor 101 may be configured, for example, in the context of a RIP. One suitable format is raw, binary dot patterns forming a bitmap. Rendering by the output device may include rendering such as, for example, printing by a printer, displaying on a screen, and scanning by a scanner. A raster image processor receives input of one or more page descriptions. The page descriptions include information about fonts, graphics, and the like that describe the appearance of each page.
The page descriptions may be implemented in a high level language or even another bitmap of higher or lower resolution than the output device, depending on design considerations. Some examples of high level page description languages are PostScript (PS), Portable Document Format (PDF) and Extensible Markup Language (XML) Paper Specification (XPS). The raster image processor may be implemented either as software, firmware, or hardware. Typically, the raster image processor resides in a digital front end (DFE). The raster image processor performs raster image processing (RIPping). Raster image processing is the process of translating the page descriptions into a bitmap for output by the output device (e.g., desktop printer, photo printer, digital press, etc).
As indicated at block 302 in
If, however, it is determined that a difference does exist, such as a misalignment exists between the die cut elements of the specialty media and the printed image, a user can return to the DFE and specify image shifts for defined regions on the RiPped page, as indicated thereafter at block 310. Before rendering the job, the DFE can then offset the RiPped content in each of the page areas defined in the page region image shift specifications, as illustrated at block 312. The job can then be re-rendered, as indicated at block 314. Following processing of the operation described at block 314, the operation depicted at block 306 can then be processed, followed by processing the operations illustrated at blocks 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, etc., until finally, the entire process ends, as depicted at block 316. Note that the misalignment is capable of being detected on a printed sheet of paper.
A test can then be performed, as illustrated at block 410, to determine if a selection has been made. If a selection has not been made, then as indicated at block 411, a test can be performed to determine if another attempt at a selection is to be made. If so, the operation illustrated at block 408 is repeated and so forth. If not, then the process terminates, as indicated at block 416. If, however, a selection is made with respect to the test depicted at block 410, then once the selection is made, the selection can be saved and the image offset or other manipulation can be specified for the selection as illustrated at block 412. All selections made can be persistent and editable even after rendering the document, as described at block 414. The process can then end, as indicated at block 416.
Note that because specialty media (e.g., specialty photo product media) is designed to produce a relatively small finished product from a sheet that has been peeled, folded and stuck to itself, the input document contains separate images placed against a white background. Detecting these images in the page is a relatively simple process. Furthermore, a 1-1 relationship to the die cuts in the specialty media exists, so specifying page region selections can produce the desired results.
Following processing of the operation illustrated at block 508, a test can then be performed, as illustrated at block 510, to determine if a selection has been made. If a selection has not been made, then as indicated at block 511, a test can be performed to determine if another attempt at a selection is to be made. If so, then operation illustrated at block 508 is repeated and so forth. If not, then the process terminates, as indicated at block 516. If, however, a selection is made with respect to the test depicted at block 510, then once the selection is made, the selection can be saved and the image offset or other manipulation can be specified for the selection as illustrated at block 512. All selections made can be persistent and editable even after rendering the document, as described at bock 514. The process can then end, as indicated at block 516.
Thereafter, as illustrated at block 604, the page region definitions can be based on enhanced media definitions. Such media definitions can contain the typical media properties and/or a description of the die cuts in the media itself, as indicated at block 606. The die cut definitions can then be employed to define image shift areas, as indicated next at block 608. In order to accomplish this, the die perimeter can be calculated, as illustrated at block 610. Thereafter, as described at block 612, an operation can be processed to expand the outline defined by the die perimeter by a user-settable threshold. Such areas would then define the image shift selections as depicted at block 614. The process then terminates, as indicated at block 616.
Note that alternatively, the media definitions can include page regions for offsets instead of a die cut definitions. In this case, the DFE would use the defined areas as they are. In all cases, however, the user would end up with one or more selections of content within the RIPped page. The operations associated with each of these selections are editable either before or after printing the document.
The operations are non-destructive. That is, the system retains the original image data for the document and stores the selection areas and the defined operations for those selection areas. During RiPping, the defined areas as selected and the defined operations are applied to the areas of the document. The resulting image data, however, can be stored as a separate component of the document along with the original input data, region selection definitions, and defined manipulations. The user is thus able to edit the original image's selection areas and manipulations at any time (e.g. after rendering).
Based on the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a number of advantages can result from implementation of the disclosed methods and/or systems. For example, image shifts (and other operations) can be performed on page regions as a part of the RiPping and rendering process. Additionally, another advantage involves the ability to create multiple permanent and editable image selections. Such an approach also has the advantage of providing non-destructive editing and the automatic creation of page regions for sub-page image shift and other operations. Additional advantages include media definition that comprehends die cuts in addition to other typical media properties, along with definitions of image shift (and other operation) areas based on the die cut description. The media definition can also include page region definitions. Finally, page region image shifts and other manipulations can provide a mechanism to resolve typical quality problems associated with rendering on specialty media.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the term “computer” or “system” or “computer system” or “computing device” includes any data processing system including, but not limited to, personal computers, servers, workstations, network computers, main frame computers, routers, switches, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), telephones, and any other system capable of processing, transmitting, receiving, capturing and/or storing data.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the ad which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
