Abstract: The gray axis is adjusted such that an optimal representation can be achieved for low saturation colors close to the gray axis. A test pattern including a plurality of images, which have different color tones is printed, and a user selects a most desirable image. The gray axis of an image recording system is adjusted depending on which image is selected. Each of the plurality of images of the test pattern is a photographic color image represented mainly by low saturation colors close to achromatic colors along the gray axis. In accordance with the selected image, the gradation adjustment is performed for each ink color of the image recording system thereby adjusting the gray axis and the tone of colors close to the gray axis.

Abstract: In a multi-valued printer that uses discontinuous index patterns, if a tone correction table is generated using sampled density patches, a table which is different from a table to be obtained and has no inflection point is obtained, and the print density characteristics after tone correction suffer discontinuity. To solve this problem, an output gamma table used to output measurement patches is set to linearly correct the printer print characteristics. Patches are output and their densities are measured. A reverse table of a “signal value—density” table is generated, and is smoothed using a recursive curve. The smoothed reverse table is finely adjusted to generate an intermediate output gamma table. The generated table undergoes index component correction, thus generating a tone correction table.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, after a current band of an image has been read, an original is fed at a distance of the upper half band width of the current band. When the next band is read, the current band at the lower half band width is overlappingly read. The band data at the lower half band width of the current band is stored in a memory, and the next band is read. Averaging processing or function processing is applied to the band data which has been overlappingly read.

Abstract: In reading an original by mounting reading means (scanner unit) on a recording apparatus, the advancing width of the original is so reduced that the reading bands k, k+l, . . . , are partially overlapped. For example in the color image reading, in generating the data of the (k+1)-th band, the data of a range overlapped with the k-th band are corrected by the data of the k-th band (for example by simple averaging), thereby achieving image reading without bandwise density fluctuation regardless of the reading mode and the original size.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image reading apparatus in which the band width for reading by one scanning is variable in accordance with the original size, the reading mode, etc. R, G, and B image data of the k-th band is successively read in one-band width to store image data R1, G1, and B1 of pixel coordinates X(n, m). Then, the original is fed so as to cause partial overlapping of the (k+1)-th band with a lower predetermined pixel region of the k-th band, and R, G, and B image data of the (k+1)-th band is read in one-band width to successively store image data R2, G2, and B2 of pixel coordinates X(n, m′). The image data obtained through overlap reading of the k-th band and the (k+1)-th band is averaged to calculate correction image data, which is transferred to a host computer along with along other image data which has not been averaged as read image data. And, it is possible to optimize reading time according to the kind of original, reading mode, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information reading/printing apparatus in which a carriage supports and moves a printing unit for printing information on a printing medium and a reading unit for reading information. The position of the carriage moved in each of left-to-right and right-to-left directions is detected.

Abstract: A scanner head cartridge is constituted by a lower case which houses optical parts required for reading and electrical parts required for image processing, and an upper case which can engage with the lower case to cover the open surface of the lower case, and a positioning guide means used upon inserting the cartridge into the carriage is formed on the surface of the upper case, that is opposite to the lower case. A scanner head cartridge is held on a carriage that moves an ink head cartridge of an ink-jet printer for performing recording on a recording medium, in place of the ink head cartridge, and can be commonly used using a common base unit even in carriages which mount different ink head cartridges and have different shapes. In addition, the scanner head cartridge allows easy adjustment of the optical system.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus which can implement high-precision, high-resolution image scanning, and can prevent disturbance of the scanned image, when it mounts a scanner unit. To achieve this object, an image processing apparatus which has a recording head detachable from a main body and/or a scanner unit detachable from the main body, has a carriage for supporting and moving the recording head or scanner unit, an encoder for measuring the moving position of the carriage, and outputting a signal indicating that the carriage is located at a predetermined moving position, and a signal generation circuit for generating a scanning time signal of the scanner unit in accordance with the signal output from the encoder upon scanning an image by the scanner unit.

Abstract: A scanner head cartridge is constituted by a lower case which houses optical parts required for reading and electrical parts required for image processing, and an upper case which can engage with the lower case to cover the open surface of the lower case, and a positioning guide means used upon inserting the cartridge into the carriage is formed on the surface of the upper case, that is opposite to the lower case. A scanner head cartridge is held on a carriage that moves an ink head cartridge of an ink-jet printer for performing recording on a recording medium, in place of the ink head cartridge, and can be commonly used using a common base unit even in carriages which mount different ink head cartridges and have different shapes. In addition, the scanner head cartridge allows easy adjustment of the optical system.

Abstract: All of reference data are stored into a memory of a device main body and the reference data according to a condition at that time is written into a reference data memory built in an image processing IC of a scanner cartridge. By correcting an image signal by using the reference data, an image can be read at a high quality without increasing a memory capacity in the cartridge.

Abstract: A scanner head cartridge, which can be mounted exchangeably with an ink head cartridge on a carriage capable of moving the ink head cartridge of an information processing apparatus for recording on a recording medium, includes a lower case containing therein optical parts required for reading, an upper case structured to be coupled with the lower case for covering the open face of the lower case and guiding means arranged on the upper surface of the upper case for positioning when being inserted into the carriage. With the structure thus arranged, it is possible to mount the scanner head cartridge on the carriage by a simple mounting operation with a highly precise positioning simultaneously.