Abstract: A color image reading device having a function of correcting a variation in the color separation characteristic for each device. In the color image reading device, a standard document is read to detect variations in the color separation characteristic, and on the basis of the detected values, the color separation characteristic is corrected by a color correction processing section provided at a stage after the color conversion unit. Thus, even if the color separation characteristic has a slight variation for each device, the variation can be corrected easily by reading the standard document as occasion requires.

Abstract: A picture encoding apparatus and the method in which the quantization step width of the lower hierarchy data having a resolution higher than that of the upper hierarchy data is determined for each predetermined block of respective hierarchy data based on the quantization step width determined by the upper hierarchy data having a low resolution, so that the additional code indicating the characteristics of quantizer can be omitted thereby the compression efficiency can be improved and the deterioration of picture quality can be reduced when picture data is hierarchical-encoded.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an enhanced resolution image from a set of lower resolution pixel image scans uses jitter and cogging errors introduced by the scanner to provide the additional information about the image that is required to produce the high resolution. One of the image scans is selected as a prototype image and is interpolated to produce an image of higher density samples (mixels). Each of the remaining pixel image scans is aligned with the interpolated prototype. The mixel values of the prototype are iteratively adjusted by minimizing an error metric representing the difference between pixel values computed from the prototype and the corresponding pixel values of each of the lower resolution pixel image scans. The method and apparatus are suitable for use in document copying system, high resolution television imaging, facsimile system, and character regeneration systems.

Abstract: An information processing methodology gives rise to an application program interface which includes an automated digitizing unit, such as a scanner, which inputs information from a diversity of hard copy documents and stores information from the hard copy documents into a memory as stored document information. Portions of the stored document information are selected in accordance with content instructions which designate portions of the stored document information required by a particular application program. The selected stored document information is then placed into the transmission format required by a particular application program in accordance with transmission format instructions. After the information has been transmission formatted, the information is transmitted to the application program. In one operational mode, the interface interactively prompts the user to identify, on a display, portions of the hard copy documents containing information used in application programs or for storage.

Abstract: A server machine queues print jobs time-sequentially, NIC takes out the print jobs on the server machine job by each job and transfers each print job to a printer controller, the printer controller executes each of the print jobs, the printer controller generates an appropriate message according to whether a print job has been completed or interrupted, NIC transfers a message to the server machine, the server machine transfers the message to the corresponding client machine, and the client machine automatically displays contents of the message.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for encoding (for example, compressing) image data while at the same time, improving both the compression ratio and the perceptibility of the decoded (for example, decompressed) image using a dynamic band recompression scheme. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, portions of a compressed image are decompressed upon occurrence of a predetermined condition prior to compression of an entire frame of image data, and then recompressed with subsequent portions of the original image. Exemplary embodiments achieve enhanced fidelity in a decompressed image even when the image data is compressed without segregation into its scanned and non-scanned components.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently compressing a digital audio signal, wherein the digital audio signal includes a plurality of samples. Each of the samples are separated into a plurality of subbands. A signal to mask ratio (SMR) for each the subbands is predicted utilizing a model of relationships between energy values within each of the subbands and SMR values based on a predetermined psychoacoustic model. A number of are allocated bits in response to the predicted SMR and a preselected bit-rate. Then, each of the subbands are quantized based on the number of bits allocated, wherein the digital audio signal may be efficiently compressed.

Abstract: A system, which converts a continuous tone value undergoing conversion to an output value, generates first and second errors and an output. The first error is based upon (i) the continuous tone value undergoing conversion, (ii) output values corresponding to previously converted continuous tone values, output values predicted for continuous tone values yet to be converted, and an output value having an assumed first level for the continuous cone value undergoing conversion, and (iii) a matrix value based upon the continuous tone value undergoing conversion. The second error is based upon (i) the continuous tone value undergoing conversion, (ii) the output values corresponding to the previously converted continuous tone values, the output values predicted for the continuous tone values yet to be converted, and an output value having an assumed second level for the continuous tone value undergoing conversion, and (iii) the matrix value based upon the continuous tone value undergoing conversion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for printing multiple original copies from a single transmission of one copy of a document from a document generating source. The invention employs a storage device within an image forming device to make an electronic copy of the document as the document is printed the first time. The image forming device then iteratively prints the desired number multiple original copies by reading successive print jobs from the storage device.

Abstract: FIG. 1 illustrates the construction of an audio signal processor according to the present invention. An audio signal enters from a microphone 1 and a bandpass filter 2 extracts the frequency band of the human voice. The resulting signal is amplified by an amplifier 3. A level detecting circuit 4 detects the level of the amplified signal. A level discriminating circuit 5 determines if the level is greater than the value. If yes, the circuit 5 outputs a switch-on signal. Or else, the circuit 5 outputs a switch-off signal. An A/D converter 6 converts the analog signal entering from the circuit 5 into a digital signal. A pitch detecting circuit 7 detects the pitch of the digital signal. A pitch discriminating circuit 8 determines if the pitch of the signal agrees with a prescribed pitch. If yes, the circuit 8 outputs the switch-on signal to the voice-output control switch 13.

Abstract: An internal drum recorder images a media to a radiation pattern using an image array, which extends along a primary track, such as a helical track, and in a direction essentially perpendicular to the primary track. In one embodiment, the source of radiation is a laser aimed along the longitudinal axis of the drum, deflected and applied through a light modifier within a spinner. The light modifier is a device breaking the single laser beam into a number of sub-beams. Alternately, a number of laser diodes rotating within a translatable spinner may be used to produce the image. A gripper bar rotating about the longitudinal axis of the drum facilitates introducing and removing new sheets into the drum. A focus detector rotating within the spinneris used to correct the radial distance to the media surface from the spinner.

Abstract: An original-detection device includes a pressing member for pressing an original on an original-mount from a side opposite to a surface illuminated by scanning light, an absorption member, provided on an original-pressing surface of the pressing member, for absorbing light of a predetermined wavelength region within an invisible region, a filter for transmitting light of the predetermined wavelength region of reflected light obtained by projecting the scanning light onto the original or the original-pressing surface, a photosensor for sensing light transmitted through the filter, and a detection circuit for detecting the original on the original-mount based on an output from the photosensor.

Abstract: A platenless book scanner with line buffering performs electronic perspective correction to account for rotation of the spine of a non-planar bound document relative to a reference line in a support plane of the platenless book scanner. A pre-scan of the non-planar bound document is performed to provide a geometrical contour map of the bound document. The geometrical contour map, which identifies displacement of the bound document from the support plane, is analyzed to calculate an angular offset between a spine of the bound document and the reference line in the support plane. The angular offset is used to identify a minimum number of scan line buffers for recording image data, from a set of scan line buffers. Once the minimum number of scan line buffers is filled with recorded image data, distortions caused by displacements of the non-planar bound document from the support plane and skew of the bound document relative to the reference line in the support plane are corrected.

Abstract: A raster output scanner data controller reads pixels of an image from an image memory and outputs serially pixel data streams to a raster output scanner. The data controller includes an image memory storing a plurality of pixel data blocks in a scan line order, an image memory controller coupled to the image memory, a plurality of first-in, first-out memories coupled to the image memory controller for storing pixel data blocks corresponding to a plurality of beams, and an image controller coupled to the plurality of first-in, first-out memories. The pixel data blocks are transferred from the image memory to the plurality of first-in, first-out memories. The image controller reads the pixel data blocks from the plurality of first-in, first-out memories, converts the pixel data blocks read from the plurality of first-in, first-out memories into a plurality of pixel data streams and outputs the plurality of pixel data streams to the raster output scanner.

Abstract: A device for scanning an image to create image data to be transmitted to a network to which the device is connected. The scanning device includes an operation panel for selecting each of settings of scan conditions, a scan unit for scanning at least one image to create image data according to the settings of scan conditions, a memory unit for storing the image data, and a network-interface unit for sending the image data stored in the memory unit to the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including first image density signal converter having a first conversion property for converting a multi-valued image density input signal to an image density output signal at a timing synchronizing with an image density signal clock, second image density signal converter having a second conversion property different from the first conversion property for converting a part of the image density input signal corresponding to a low density portion to an image density output signal indicating a value within a range in which an image is not developed, selection signal generator for outputting a selection signal having a period longer than that of the image density signal clock to select the first or second image density signal converter in a predetermined order, a phase of the selection signal being shifted in turn per every one or more main scanning synchronizing signals, pattern signal generator means for generating a pattern signal having a period longer

Abstract: A page printer controller includes an expanding processor for restoring compressed image data, a memory for storing the restored image data, a graphic processor for processing the image data, and a memory access arbitration circuit for concurrently operating both processors.

Abstract: A lossless image compression encoder/decoder system having a context determination circuit and a code generator. The image compressor uses the context of a pixel to be encoded to predict the value of the pixel and determines a prediction error and maps the prediction error to a mapped value having a distribution suitable for Golomb encoding. The image compressor contains a context quantizer that quantizes the context of pixels. The image compressor determines a Golomb parameter based on the context and historical information gathered during the coding of an image. To avoid systematic prediction biases in an image, the image compressor adjusts the distribution of prediction residuals to a distribution suitable for Golomb coding. As it encodes a particular pixel, the encoder uses the Golomb parameter to determine a Golomb code for the prediction error and encodes that value. To decompress an image, the decompressor determines and quantizes the context of each pixel being decoded.

Abstract: A system and method controls logical channel use when ECP negotiation is made between a host computer and a dual mode printer. Namely, specifically defined logical channel functionality is provided for the dual mode printer supporting, for example, Sleek ECP and PCL ECP communications. The method comprises (a) the host computer negotiating with the printer into a first communication mode other than ECP mode, in the event that the computing system is to subsequently enter into Sleek ECP mode; (b) setting a placeholder in a memory of the printer, the placeholder indicating that subsequent negotiation into ECP mode requires logical channel use; (c) terminating the first communication mode; (d) negotiating into ECP mode; (e) reading the placeholder to determine if it is set; and, (f) activating logical channels for use in the event the placeholder is set.

Abstract: A direct color thermal printer is used with color thermosensitive recording sheet (23), and prints a pixel (i, j) to it in accordance with 8-bit digital data g(i, j), namely brightness data (Y) and chrominance data (R-Y, B-Y). The digital data is compensated by use of a second-order differential operator. An integer 128 is added to the digital data g'(i, j) being compensated. A sum of 128 and the compensated digital data is limited to a range of nine bits, so as to heighten halftone of the pixel to be printed.