Abstract: A method for editing image data includes segmenting input image data into a plurality of discrete objects, wherein each of the objects is defined by a plurality of input pixels that are spatially grouped and that relate to a common content type and feature of the input image data so as to define an objectized input image from the input image data. The objectized input image and a holding area image are generated and simultaneously displayed. Editing input is received from a user by user selection of an object of the objectized input image that the user desires to be moved from the objectized input image to the holding area image based upon the user's visual inspection of the objectized input image.

Abstract: A system for generating a security mark includes a data reception component that receives information. A security mark generation component in communication with the data reception component generates at least one security mark configuration based at least in part upon the received information. The at least one security mark configuration includes at least one simulation mark which resembles a natural feature. An application component applies one configuration of the at least one security mark configurations to a recipient. The applied security mark configuration obeys at least one rule whereby the security mark is distinguishable from the natural feature which it resembles by a system for detection of security marks.

Abstract: A method is provided for embedding miniature security marks within documents and images, utilizing a mark parameters database, graphical user interface, and detection simulator. The method includes predicting detection error rates for each pixel location of a host image, defined as a digital representation of at least one recipient of the miniature security marks. The detection error rates for each pixel are displayed with the host image on a graphical user interface and the desired miniature security mark locations are selected. At least one set of miniature security mark parameters is identified, with the parameters being mark parameters that enable determination of an optimized balance between detectability and visibility of the miniature security marks. The host image with the miniature security mark is displayed on the graphical user interface for review and adjustment by an operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the segmentation of an image into a main area and a image segment for variable data differential gloss image control. A single color is selected. Two or more different color definitions are created by combining the selected single color with two or more halftones having anisotropic structure characteristics which are significantly different in orientation to each other while remaining identical in density. By alternatively assigning the color definitions to the image segment in accord with the variable data content, a variable data differential gloss image may be superimposed within an image having reduced data processing and storage requirements.

Abstract: A method for editing image data includes segmenting input image data into a plurality of discrete objects, wherein each of the objects is defined by a plurality of input pixels that are spatially grouped and that relate to a common content type and feature of the input image data so as to define an objectized input image from the input image data. The objectized input image and a holding area image are generated and simultaneously displayed. Editing input is received from a user by user selection of an object of the objectized input image that the user desires to be moved from the objectized input image to the holding area image based upon the user's visual inspection of the objectized input image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the expedient supply of differential gloss text into a document image, particularly as when desired in the employ of rendering variable data. A font character is selected and sub-sampled. The sub-sampled result is then scaled up into a full size result. A first halftone cell having a first anisotropic structure orientation is selected and applied to the full size scaled font result while a second halftone cell having a second anisotropic structure orientation is applied to the surrounding background around the full size scaled font result to create a gloss font character. This full gloss font character is then stored as a font representation as callable by the digital front end of a printing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the expedient supply of differential gloss or other correlation mark text into a document image via a font definition, particularly as when desired in the employ of rendering variable data. A font character is selected and sub-sampled. The sub-sampled result is then scaled up into a full size result. A first halftone cell having a first anisotropic structure orientation is selected and applied to the full size scaled font result while a second halftone cell having a second anisotropic structure orientation is applied to the surrounding background around the full size scaled font result to create a gloss font or other correlation mark character. This full gloss font character or correlation mark character is then stored as a font representation as callable by the digital front end of a printing apparatus.

Abstract: An artifact removal and quality assurance method and system for digital images, wherein a document comprising at least one printed page is scanned or the original image data are otherwise input. The input digital image data are segmented into components as to content type. The components are classified as either information or noise components. An information component image defined by the information components and a noise component image defined by the noise components are generated and displayed to the user. The user inputs quality assurance input data to indicate zero or more improperly classified components and any improperly classified component is reclassified. The component images are then regenerated and displayed to account for the reclassified component(s). The reclassified component is moved as a unit in real time as viewed by the user from an original location in one of the component images to a corresponding location in the other of the component images.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to providing a user interface for the effective generation of differential gloss images. The user is instructed to indicate the base primary image data, and the desired gloss image data. This data may be displayed for verification and position adjustment by superimposition of the gloss image data upon the base image data. In an alternative, the placement information may be inferred from the position of originals upon the scanner or copier platen and the result may or may not be displayed. By selectively applying halftones with different anisotropic structure orientation characteristics to the base primary image data as directed by the desired gloss image data, a differential gloss image file or hardcopy may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the segmentation of an image into a main area and a image segment for variable data differential gloss image control. A single color is selected. Two or more different color definitions are created by combining the selected single color with two or more halftones having anisotropic structure characteristics which are significantly different in orientation to each other while remaining identical in density. By alternatively assigning the color definitions to the image segment in accord with the variable data content, a variable data differential gloss image may be superimposed within an image having reduced data processing and storage requirements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for segmenting an image using a combination of image segmentation techniques. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved image segmentation technique for use in an image processing system that performs at least two distinct image segmentation processes on an image and combines the results to obtain a combined multi-layer representation of the image that can be suitably processed. In a specific example, a block based segmentation technique is performed on an image to generate a MRC (mixed raster content) representation—having foreground, background and selector layers. A pixel based segmentation technique is also performed on the image to generate rendering hints. The MRC representation and the rendering hints are then combined to obtain a four (4) layer representation of the image. The four layer representation is subsequently processed as required by the image processing system, e.g. compressed and stored.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adding identifying keywords to images stored within a database. A new image is compared to other images stored in a database using content based image retrieval methods. A user is automatically offered a set of keywords associated with stored images that most closely match the new image based on the comparison. The user can accept keywords contained in the offer or enter alternative keywords for the new image.

Abstract: An anticounterfeit detector (ACD) apparatus and method scans an object to be printed and has a validation code or “ticket” added to the resulting video signal at a first location, e.g., a personal computer, only a selected image, e.g., currency or negotiable securities are not detected. Alternately, or in addition to, when the selected image is detected, the video signal is invalidated. A printer located at a second location separate from the first location prints only when the ticket is present or prints the invalidated video signal. The printer can be a stand alone one or part of some other machine. Further, the printer can be of any type, e.g. xerographic, ink jet, etc.

Abstract: An image processing method and system compensates for artifacts in scaling operations of mixed raster content data representations. In such data representations, a document is segmented into data portions generally segregated by data types. At least one of the segments is dilated so that upon scaling reconstruction, there are additional pixels available for interpolation operations, thereby avoiding artifacts caused by discontinuity.

Abstract: An image editing system and method provides a user with edit commands based on edit-related features for a raster image to be edited. The edit-related feature used to determine which edit commands are provided to the user can include DIR-type rendering hints, a compression ratio for the image or portion of the image, a compression scheme used to compress the image or portion of the image and other raster image features. The edit commands presented to a user can be user customized. Thus, an intelligent set of edit commands can be provided that is related to the raster image being edited.

Abstract: An anticounterfeit detector (ACD) does both a high and low resolution scan of a document. The video signal resulting from the low resolution scan is used to detect a selected type of image, e.g., currency, negotiable securities, etc., by using ACD hardware or software. A corrective action is taken, e.g., preferably even partial printing from the high resolution scan is prevented, the video signal is invalidated, etc., if the selected image is detected. The low resolution signal can also be obtained by decimating or low pass filtering the high resolution signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for segmenting an image using a combination of image segmentation techniques. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved image segmentation technique for use in an image processing system that performs at least two distinct image segmentation processes on an image and combines the results to obtain a combined multi-layer representation of the image that can be suitably processed. In a specific example, a block based segmentation technique is performed on an image to generate a MRC (mixed raster content) representation—having foreground, background and selector layers. A pixel based segmentation technique is also performed on the image to generate rendering hints. The MRC representation and the rendering hints are then combined to obtain a four (4) layer representation of the image. The four layer representation is subsequently processed as required by the image processing system, e.g. compressed and stored.

Abstract: An anticounterfeit detector (ACD) apparatus and method scans an object to be printed and has a validation code or “ticket” added to the resulting video signal at a first location, e.g., a personal computer, only a selected image, e.g., currency or negotiable securities are not detected. Alternately, or in addition to, when the selected image is detected, the video signal is invalidated. A printer located at a second location separate from the first location prints only when the ticket is present or prints the invalidated video signal. The printer can be a stand alone one or part of some other machine. Further, the printer can be of any type, e.g. xerographic, ink jet, etc.

Abstract: An anticounterfeit detector (ACD) apparatus and method scans an object to be printed and has a validation code or “ticket” added to the resulting video signal at a first location, e.g., a personal computer, only a selected image, e.g., currency or negotiable securities are not detected. Alternately, or in addition to, when the selected image is detected, the video signal is invalidated. A printer located at a second location separate from the first location prints only when the ticket is present or prints the invalidated video signal. The printer can be a stand alone one or part of some other machine. Further, the printer can be of any type, e.g. xerographic, ink jet, etc.

Abstract: A new and improved method for mapping out-of-gamut colors into an output gamut in a manner which results in an output image created by an image output terminal which is aesthetically pleasing and faithful to the original input image. A plurality of input pixel color values IPV comprising an input gamut IG are respectively mapped to a corresponding plurality of output pixel color values OPV so that the dynamic lightness range of the input gamut IG is compressed to that of the output gamut OG. This is accomplished by inverting at least one of the gray values defining the input pixel value IPV, applying a gamma function thereto, and then reversing the inversion step. The value of gamma &ggr; controls the amount of lightness compression and is selected based upon either the darkest actual or the darkest expected color in the input gamut IG as compared to the darkest color in the output gamut OG.