Abstract: The present invention, as evidenced from the drawings and descriptions provided herein, can be characterized in various, different, through unifying, ways. For example, from a methodologic point of view, the invention may be seen as providing a method which (1) procedurally engages a PDF data stream that is en route to printing, (2) determines whether, in that data stream, there is an image-only data file, and (3), if the answer to that determination is Yes, channels that data file into a novel PDF image-only pipeline for expedited pre-printing preparation (image decoding, resizing, rendering, etc.). From a systemic point of view, the invention proposes an interactive and cooperative assembly of structures, as illustrated in the drawing figures, which are constructed specifically to perform the methodologic functions just described.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes an input optical system having an input optical element, for projecting a light beam from a light source device onto a deflecting surface of an optical deflector, and an imaging optical system having an imaging optical element, for imaging the light beam scanningly deflected by the deflecting surface of the optical deflector, on a surface to be scanned, wherein the light beam is obliquely incident on the deflecting surface in a sub-scan section, wherein the imaging optical element has at least one optical surface which is decentered in the sub-scan section, wherein the input optical element has at least one optical surface having an asymmetric and aspherical surface shape, wherein the input optical element has a thickness dm1 in the sub-scan section and at a position where a first marginal light ray of the light beam passing through the input optical system, which first marginal light ray is closer to an optical reference axis than the principal ray of that light beam is, p

Abstract: A method for contrast enhancement for digital images, including filtering an original image having original color values, to generate a first filtered image corresponding to bright color values, and a second filtered image corresponding to dark color values, deriving local highlight multipliers by applying a highlight response curve to the first filtered image, the highlight response curve being a function of color value that increases from a response value of one, corresponding to a color value of zero, to a response value greater than one, corresponding to a maximum color value, deriving local shadow multipliers by applying a shadow response curve to the second filtered image, the shadow response curve being a function of color value that decreases from a response value greater than one, corresponding to a color value of zero, to a response value of one, corresponding to a maximum color value, deriving local offset values by applying an offset curve to the first filtered image, and processing the original i

Abstract: When executing a color conversion process, a CPU determines whether a CMYK conversion indication flag Fc has been set. If the flag Fc has been set, then the CPU reads data of an RGB-CMYK conversion table and performs a cube interpolation process by using the RGB-CMYK conversion table. On the other hand, if the flag Fc has not been set, then the CPU reads data of an RGB-RGB conversion table and performs a triangular pyramid interpolation process by using the RGB-RGB conversion table.

Abstract: In image processing according to the prior art, the important part of photographic image data (referred to herein as the object) could not be determined and therefore required human participation. A computer 21 which is the core of image processing calculates an edginess which is an image variation from a differential value of data for adjacent picture elements in a step SA110, and determines object picture elements by selecting only images with a large variation in steps SA120, SA130. As optimum parameters for contrast correction and lightness compensation are calculated from image data for object picture elements in steps SA310-SA330, image processing indicators based on object picture elements are determined, and optimum image processing can be performed automatically.

Abstract: A method for avoiding objectionable moiré in a color image can include identifying a problematic excitation angle associated with a problematic excitation in a marking process or in the color image and selecting a set of at least two halftone screens for rendering at least two separations of the color image wherein the set of screens is selected to avoid including significant screen fundamental, harmonic and beat frequencies at angles closer than about 1 degree of the identified problematic excitation angle. Halftoning the color image according to the selected set of screens avoids objectionable moiré associated with the problematic excitation.