- TIFF File Requirements
- Methods for Creating TIFF Files
- Windows Imaging
- Why TIFF?
- Sources of Information
- A Discussion on Quality
- Configuring Freebird
___________________________Introduction
The USPTO has recently initiated a new
Electronic Filing System (EFS) whereby certain patent applications may be filed
electronically using a program called ePave. In fact, electronic filing is currently
required for redacted specifications, and will most likely see expanded use in the near
future.
Attached drawings must be in
the TIFF image file format. Creating TIFF files that are compatible with the ePave
program has proven to be problematic, however. The objective of this tutorial is to
provide direction on various methods for creating TIFF files, and to suggest tips for
ensuring that images will be compatible with the ePave program.
TIFF File Requirements
In order for TIFF files to
work with the ePave program they must meet the following requirements:
Black and White
300 dpi (exactly)
Uncompressed, or compressed
using Group 4 (G4) compression
Single page (TIFF files,
similar to PDF files, may be multiple pages in length)
As the entire ePave
application may not exceed 10 megabytes, use of the compressed file format is typically
required.
Note that black and white
images are to be distinguished from grayscale images. Also keep in mind that a black
and white photographic image may be inferior to the same image in grayscale format.
However, the submission of photographic images is nonetheless clearly contemplated by the
USPTO. (See USPTO frequently
asked questions, regarding the submission of micrographs.)
Methods for Creating
TIFF Files
There are several methods for
creating TIFF files. The methods outlined below create relatively small files with
good image quality, and should prove satisfactory for a variety of situations (and
budgets). Keep in mind that a properly compressed TIFF file should be about the same
size as a PDF file (typically less than 40 kb).
1. CONVENTIONAL FLATBED
SCANNER
The most common method for
creating TIFF files is to simply scan the drawing using a flatbed scanner, then save the
image as a compressed TIFF file using the scanner software. Most scanners are able
to perform this function, but if yours does not, you may have to shop for one that
does. (Practitioners have cited success using the Paperport Vx and HP scanners.)
It may also be possible to scan the image using the Imaging program that comes with
Windows. The various uses of Windows Imaging are discussed in greater detail below.
2. DOC2PIX PRINTER DRIVER
There is a handy program by
Informatik called Doc2Pix that can convert into TIFF virtually any document sent to the
printer driver from a Windows based application. This is convenient for those who
already have the image file in an electronic file format. The program currently
costs $60. A trial version can be downloaded from the Informatik Web site at www.informatik.com/tiffwork.html.
Note that the program will not work with applications that use their own dedicated
printer driver (e.g., CAD programs).
3. FREEBIRD
Freebird is a plug-in for
Adobe Acrobat 4.0 and converts PDF files into TIFF files. Its primary advantage is
in creating superior quality TIFF images at small file sizes. For those who already
have image files in PDF format, or who are comfortable making PDF files, the program will
prove to be a snap. The main detraction is its cost, at $200. A free trial
version can be downloaded from the BCL Web site, at www.bclcomputers.com.
It is important to note that your computer (and the program itself) may need to be
configured in order to work properly. More assistance can be found at the end of
this tutorial.
4. FAX USING J2.COM
Some practitioners have used
the free service available at www.j2.com to create TIFF
image files. Using this service you can send a fax to yourself (at the ultra-fine
resolution setting) and receive the fax as a TIFF image file via email. Though
highly convenient, the image files are not of particularly good quality.
Windows Imaging
Imaging can be used for a
wide variety of purposes, including resolving compatibility issues, and therefore should
be considered an essential tool for electronic filing.
Even after creating a TIFF
file that ostensibly meets the USPTO requirements, ePave may nonetheless crash with your
attached TIFF files. Fortunately, this problem can be easily rectified using the
Imaging program that automatically comes with most Windows operating systems. Simply
open the TIFF file in Imaging, then save it under another name (alphanumeric only).
This simple process appears to convert the image into a file structure that is compatible
with ePave. (The program can be found in the accessories subfolder
of the programs folder under the start menu.)
To view the attributes of a
TIFF file in Imaging, select convert under the page
menu. (Different versions of Imaging may have this feature located in a different
area.) Here you can view color, compression and resolution
attributes. If you'd like to view the underlying structure of a TIFF file you can
use a program called TiffInfo, available for download here.
As suggested by the proceeding
operation, it is possible to convert image file attributes in Windows Imaging.
However, you cannot convert from one file type to another. This limitation can be
hurdled by opening an image file in Imaging (a JPEG file, for example), using the copy
command, and then pasting the image into a new document created for a TIFF file.
Once pasted into the TIFF document, it can then be converted to the proper attribute
settings using the convert feature. This process is discussed in
more detail at the Bay Patents Web
site.
As previously mentioned, it
may also be possible to use imaging itself to scan in the document. The obvious
advantage here is that TIFF files created by Imaging will automatically be compatible with
the ePave program, and will thus not need to be reopened and saved under a new name.
The use of Imaging may be
problematic for different users in different situations. The best approach is to
simply try using it for various purposes to see what works and what does not. Most
users should at least be able to use it to remedy TIFF files that are incompatible with
ePave--which is its most important function.
If Imaging is not currently
installed on your computer, you may be able to find it on the Windows CD.
Alternatively, it can be downloaded from the Kodak Web site.
Why TIFF?
In light of the problems
related to the use of TIFF files in electronic filing, one naturally questions whether
there isn't a better file format that could be used. Practitioners have, in
particular, wondered why PDF files are not used. The USPTO has addressed this issue
on its Web page. In
choosing a file format the USPTO sought an image file that would be (a) archivable, and
(b) adaptable to new technology environments. In order to be archivable, the file
must be compressible, retrievable and stable. To be retrievable, the file should be
in a non-proprietary format with the viewing program not being controlled by a single
vendor.
When evaluating the various
image file options under these considerations, it becomes evident why the TIFF file format
was chosen--JPEG image files lose data when compressed; PDF is a proprietary file format
whose viewer is controlled by a singe vendor; and GIF files are in a proprietary file
format (see Unisys). TIFF files,
however, are non-proprietary, stable and robust, and are good for the reproduction of
lines and lettering. TIFF is also an extensible file format, meaning that it can
evolve over time to meet changing needs without requiring new software for viewing the
files. However, its flexibility can cause problems, as seen in the ePave
program. One authority has noted that "[i]t is very easy to write a
TIFF-writer, but very difficult to write a fully TIFF compliant reader." (See Niles Ritter's Unofficial TIFF home page.)
Conclusion
The USPTO is currently accepting proposals for
an alternate software program to run its electronic filing system. Future programs
will likely resolve some of the current problems. Until then, we suggest using a
flatbed scanner in tandem with Windows Imaging. For high quality TIFF files, we
recommend use of the Freebird program. Good luck!
S o u r c e s
o f I n f o r m a t i o n
________________________________________
The following sources are
provided for those wishing to obtain additional information about TIFF files, creating
TIFF files for the Electronic Filing System or general information about EFS.
The USPTO Web Site
- www.uspto.gov/ebc/efs
This is the natural starting point for anyone wishing to use the Electronic Filing
System.
The Patens.com Web
Site - www.patents.com/efs
This site, which is maintained by the law firm of Oppedahl & Larson, is a good
source of information regarding the electronic filing system. Visitors may also
subscribe to an EFS email discussion group.
IP Today Article,
January 2001; by Carl Oppedahl
A good general discussion about using the Electronic Filing System.
Bay Patents Web Site
- www.baypatents.com/ePave_howto.asp
How to use Windows Imaging to convert images to the TIFF file format.
Niles Ritter's
Unofficial TIFF Home Page - http://home.earthlink.net/~ritter/tiff
Technical information about the TIFF file format.
A DISCUSSION
ON QUALITY
Although the preceeding material discussed TIFF image quality in general, it may be
useful to discuss in greater particularity the range of quality that can be obtained from
the various methods for creating TIFF files.
FREEBIRD
Our experience is that of the various methods for creating TIFF files, Freebird has the
potential for making the highest quality images. However, the program may have
limited value to practitioners who must scan in their images.
At David Hendrickson & Associates CAD drawings are converted into PostScript (PS)
files, the PS files are converted to PDF files (using Acrobat Distiller), then those PDF
files are converted into TIFF using Freebird. Everything is handled
electronically. This has proven to be the most convenient method, in addition to
rendering high quality TIFF images. However, using Freebird to convert a PDF file
that is generated from a scanner will not render an image any better than the conventional
method (i.e., saving your scanned image as a TIFF file).
A question you might want to ask yourself is "in what form are my drawings?"
If you have hard copies of your drawings that will need to be scanned, Freebird may
serve little purpose and will probably not be worth the $200 investment. If,
however, you receive your drawings as PDF files, and if these PDF files were created
electronically from the original CAD drawings, Freebird may prove to be a convenient way
for you to create high quality TIFF files. Of course, you have the option of asking
your patent drawing service to provide your drawings in the PDF format.
OTHER METHODS FOR CREATING TIFF FILES
--Scanner--
My assessment is that very good quality can be achieved by using a conventional scanner
(assuming you have high quality hard copy drawings). I have had good success using a
variety of scanning programs, and am able to create drawings approximating the size of a
PDF file (almost always less than 40Kb).
--Doc2Pix--
Image quality will depend upon the quality of file from which you are converting, but in
all cases will be of slightly lower quality than the original file. (Interestingly,
by contrast, Freebird will create an image superior to the original PDF file.) If
you want to achieve optimum quality using Doc2Pix, I suggest you ask your patent drawing
service to provide you with the drawings in Post Script (PS) format, and convert from
that.
--Fax Using J2.com--
Some practitioners have cited success with the free service provided by J2.com. I
have also experimented with this method and am not particularly pleased with the quality
of the TIFF file. Nonetheless, others have indicated that such drawings have been
accepted by the USPTO.
CONFIGURING FREEBIRD (and your computer)
_________________________________________
For optimum results using the
Freebird program, we recommend the following settings:
Once you have installed the
program, you can convert an open PDF file by accessing the "plug-ins" menu
option and exporting to BCL Freebird. A dialogue box pops up to configure your
settings. Set the resolution to 300dpi, output to "black and white," and
set compression to TIFF Group 4. Set this as your default.
click to view full
screen
click to view full screen
For best image results, make
the following adjustment to Adobe Acrobat: Go to "file", scroll to
"preferences" and click on "General". Deselect the "Smooth
text and images" box. The on-screen image will not appear as nice, but the
converted TIFF file will be improved.
click to view full screen
Comments and suggestions may be sent
to
David Hendrickson &
Associates, Inc., or
Don Linke (the author)
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