Abstract: A method of generating a bitmap representative of an original image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying an image defined by data representing the colour component content of each pixel of the image. The method comprises, for each colour component of each pixel,(a) generating unsharp (U) and sharp (S) data and performing an unsharp masking algorithm on the sharp and unsharp data to generate fringe data (F);(b) modifying the fringe data with a weighting function (.phi.) determined in accordance with the values of the sharp or unsharp data for all of the colour components of the pixel; and(c) combining the modified fringe data with the pixel data to generate modified pixel data.By applying a weighting function related to all the unsharp values for the pixel and hence to the input colour component content of the input signals of a particular sample area, the fringe amplitude is varied according to the colour of the region thereby enabling sharpening or smoothing to be appropriate to the part of the image e.g. sharpening hair and smoothing skin colours.

Abstract: The invention relates to scanning apparatus including a transparency support (12) and scanning means (3,4,5) for scanning a transparency (1) on the support to generate an electronic representation of an image defined by the transparency (1). The surface (24) of the support (12) which carries a transparency (1) in use has a surface profile with irregular undulations (25) such that any Newton's rings formed between the transparency (1) and the surface (24) of the support (12) cannot be resolved by the scanning means in use. Methods of producing the irregular undulations are also described.

Abstract: A scanner comprises apparatus for scanning an image in a series of scanlines with a beam. Beam splitters split the modulated beam into a number of subsidiary beams which are fed to respective detectors. In one example (FIG. 2), a set of masks are provided to divide the subsidiary beam spatially such that different portions of the beams are fed to respective detectors. In another example (FIG. 4 ), a color filter splits the modulated beam into its respective color components and, after this beam has been split into subsidiary beams, the individual color components are filtered by filters and fed to detectors.

Abstract: In order to provide an accurate sort into many different classes, objects are dropped through a viewing zone and viewed in the same instant by a number of viewers. Each viewer provides electronic signals representative of three basic shape features, namely blockiness, symmetry and convex hull deviance, together with a total count of edge-breakthroughs. For each basic shape feature, the maximum, minimum and mean are obtained for all the viewers, except the minimum convex hull deviance signal. These signals, together with the edge-breakthrough count, are each subjected to a linear transformation to provide a normalized shape parameter which is then assigned a value of 0 to 15 for each class being sorted on the basis of the expected occurrence of that parameter in that class. Each pair of secondary shape parameters so determined is used to derive from a respective table a decision value. The shape class of the object is ascertained on the basis of a majority vote for all the shape decision values.

Abstract: A rapid succession of objects such as sweets are sorted according to shape by being fed through a viewing zone, flash illuminated in the viewing zone, and viewed by a number of fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone through just under 180.degree., the edges of the images produced by the viewers being examined for approximation to a spherical shape, approximation to symmetry and reentrants, and one of a number of air jet nozzles being thereby automatically energised to direct the object into an appropriate bin.

Abstract: A method of detecting the position of a feature, such as a register mark, in a color separation comprises printing the color separation on a substrate with an ink containing a pigment corresponding to the color of the separation and a dye which is detectable only when exposed to radiation outside the visible range. The printed color separation is exposed to the said radiation and the position of the feature in the printed color separation is determined by detecting radiation, such as fluorescence, from the dye.