Patent ID: 6710778
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for halftoning for use in an image forming system having a computer system, said method comprising:(a) providing a first function of a first extent and a second function of a second extent, wherein said first extent is not equal to said second extent, and subtracting said second function from said first function to thereby derive a weighting function; and (b) halftoning input data using said weighting function to create at least one dot cluster, wherein, at each said dot cluster, said weighting function reaches at least one first minima at substantially a center position, then increases to at least one maximum along a path directed away from said center position, and finally decreases toward at least one second minima further along said path; wherein said weighting function: (1) causes locations very close to an existing dot to have an increased chance of being selected: then (2) where said weighting function increases to said at least one maximum, causes such locations to have a smaller chance of being selected; and (3) as said weighting function decreases toward said at least one second minima, causes such locations to have a gradually increasing chance of selection.