Appeal No. 1998-2683
Application 08/579,386
or process black. The invention makes a pixel by pixel
determination based on a background color assigned for each
pixel.
Representative claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. In a system which uses electronic signals to
specify black and non black colorants to be used in a printing
process to print a black area over a background area, a method
for determining colorants to be used to print said black area
comprising the steps of:
testing said signals to determine if the background is
to be printed using a non black colorant,
if a non black colorant is to be used to print the
background, generate a signal specifying that said black color
will be printed using a first black color,
if no non black colorants are used to print the
background, generate a signal specifying that said black color
will be printed using a second black color, and
printing said black area.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Nickell et al. (Nickell) 5,113,356 May 12, 1992
Vaughn et al. (Vaughn) 5,475,800 Dec. 12, 1995
The admitted prior art described in appellant’s specification.
Claims 1-19, 32 and 33 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C.
§ 103. As evidence of obviousness the examiner offers the
admitted prior art in view of Vaughn with respect to claims 1-
7, 32 and 33, and the examiner adds Nickell with respect to
2
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