Abstract: An original image comprises a printed region on which a predetermined printed matter is realized and a background region on which no printed matter is realized. The shape of a peripheral zone in the original image comprises the shape of the background region, which shape exists particularly at the peripheral region of said original image. It is determined whether or not the original image comprises the special document by detecting the peripheral zone. Further, the original image has an outer-frame region, having a predetermined shape at the peripheral region of the original image. The determination is carried out using a result of measuring the width of the outer-frame region. Further, the width of the outer-frame region comprises a width along a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction extending along the outline of the original image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which can produce improved quality copies by taking into account the effects which normally occur when successive copies of copies are made. When a document is to be copied, image information is input to a processing device relating to certain parameters associated with the image characteristics such as, for example, the toner density, thickness of the image information, type of copier used, amount of toner available at the time of copying, etc. This image information is then stored on the document copy in the form of a bar code which will change as successive copies of copies are made in such a way that the image quality of the copies is not degraded.

Abstract: A specific mark adding unit adds a specific mark to a read-in image and a specific mark detecting unit detects the specific mark present in a read-in image. Further, a control unit changes a mode in which a read-in image is duplicated from an ordinary duplicating mode into a specific duplicating mode, the mode changing being made if the specific mark detecting unit has detected the specific mark present in the read-in image. The specific mode comprises a mode in which the read-in image is invalidated in data before being used in the duplicating operation. A unit is further provided causing the specific-mark adding function of the specific mark adding unit either to be activated or not to be activated. A unit is further provided causing the mode changing function of the mode changing unit either to be activated or not to be activated.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a reader unit for reading original image data, a converting unit for converting the original image data to digital image data, a first magnification changing unit for magnifying/reducing the digital image data, an image data modification unit for modifying the magnification changed data, a second magnification changing unit for magnifying/reducing the modified data and a visualizing unit for visualizing an image on the basis of the second magnification changed data. According to the apparatus, the first magnifying/reducing is executed, and after the modification process, the second magnifying/reducing is executed. As a result, the function is improved in aspects of degrees of freedom of the modification operations.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of detecting units each of which detects whether binary signals derived from picture elements of image data match with one of a plurality of patterns of isolated dots, the detecting units generating a plurality of detection signals which are set based on respective results of the detections with respect to the isolated-dot patterns, wherein the isolated-dot patterns are different from each other in the number of isolated dots included in each pattern, the isolated-dot patterns having respective sizes predetermined for isolated-dot removing function levels. A selecting unit selects one of the isolated-dot removing function levels in response to an operation control signal, the selecting unit generating an isolated-dot signal which is set for each picture element based on the detection signals by the selected isolated-dot removing function level.

Abstract: An original image comprises a printed region on which a predetermined printed matter is realized and a background region on which no printed matter is realized. The shape of a peripheral zone in the original image comprises the shape of the background region, which shape exists particularly at the peripheral region of said original image. It is determined whether or not the original image comprises the special document by detecting the peripheral zone. Further, the original image has an outer-frame region, having a predetermined shape, at the peripheral region of the original image. The determination is carried out using a result of measuring the width of the outer-frame region. Further, the width of the outer-frame region comprises a width along a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction extending along the outline of the original image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a special-document discriminating apparatus used for providing a counterfeit preventing function to a digital copy machine and the like, and to a managing system for an image forming apparatus having a special-document discriminating function. The special-document discriminating apparatus is provided with a ROM for discriminating a special-document such as paper money, which ROM is detachably attached to a controlling circuit board. Data used for determination may be learned from test pattern data input from the image forming apparatus, or the data may be input from an external unit via a communication line. The managing system for an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming apparatus and a managing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. Either the image forming apparatus or the managing apparatus has a special-document discriminating function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a special-document discriminating apparatus used for providing a counterfeit preventing function to a digital copy machine and the like, and to a managing system for an image forming apparatus having a special-document discriminating function. The special-document discriminating apparatus is provided with a ROM for discriminating a special-document such as paper money, which ROM is detachably attached to a controlling circuit board. Data used for determination may be learned from test pattern data input from the image forming apparatus, or the data may be input from an external unit via a communication line. The managing system for an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming apparatus and a managing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. Either the image forming apparatus or the managing apparatus has a special-document discriminating function.

Abstract: A image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises filters for enhancing or smoothing edges of an image signal, magnifier for magnifying the image signal, and controller for changing an order of the filtering means and the magnifying according to magnification ratio. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a size of a filter is used efficiently and therefore a high quality image is achieved.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a first unit for detecting a pixel at which a predetermined local variation of image data occurs, a second unit for detecting a density relating to the above pixel within a predetermined scanning area, and a third unit for determining whether or not the image data forms a dotted-image area on the basis of the density detected by the second unit.

Abstract: A closed-loop area detecting method includes the steps of: reading a dot matrix from bi-level image data, the dot matrix comprising a target dot and two or more contiguous dots contiguous to the target dot; performing a first pattern matching to detect whether a dot matrix coincides with one of a plurality of first patterns so as to set a first flag for each dot; performing a second pattern matching to detect whether a dot matrix coincides with one of a plurality of second patterns so as to set a second flag for each dot; repeating the above mentioned first and second flag setting so that the second flags for all the dots of the image data are set; and detecting a dot of the image data as lying in the inside of a closed-loop area when the second flag is set to a first value, and detecting a dot of the image data as lying on the outside of the closed-loop area when the second flag is set to a second value. An image processing apparatus utilizing the closed-loop area detecting method is also provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image reading unit for reading an original and for outputting image data corresponding to the original, an image processing unit for processing the image data supplied from the image reading unit in accordance with a predetermined method and for outputting printing image data, a printer unit for printing an image corresponding to the printing image data supplied from the image processing unit, and an image adding unit for adding an identification information to the recording sheet on which the image is formed by the printer unit, the identification information identifying the image forming apparatus in order to prevent forgery of securities, confidential documents or backnotes. A detector detects the presence or absence of the image adding unit and disables the copying functions when the image adding unit is absent.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a scanner for inputting image data indicative of an image with a multilevel tone, a multilevel data part for generating multilevel tone data from the input image data through a prescribed error diffusion process, the multilevel data part outputting image data having pixels to which the multilevel tone data is assigned, a storage part for temporarily storing a value of one of two successive pixels included in the image data, and a two-pixel processing part for converting the value of the one pixel stored in the storage part into a first value, and for generating second values of the two successive pixels using the first value of the one pixel, so that output image data is output to a printer, each pixel of the output image data being described by the second values of the two successive pixels.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which a multilevel image signal generated from an original image by a scanner is input and processed so as to produce multilevel image data describing a gray level of each pixel of an output image, includes a detection part for repeatedly detecting a peak of a multilevel image signal generated by a scanner and a valley thereof with respect to pixels of the original image aligned in a scanning direction of the scanner, and for outputting the peak of the multilevel image signal and the valley thereof, and a correction part for correcting a gray level of the multilevel image data with respect to each of the pixels depending on a difference between the peak and the valley, so as to reduce changes in gray level of pixels of the output image.

Abstract: An image recorder for converting input bilevel image data to multilevel data, executing various kinds of image processing with the mutlilevel data, and then recording the processed multilevel data. The image recorder converts input bilevel image data to M-level data (M being equal to or greater than 2), then requantized to N-level data, and then fed to a printer capable of recording data in three or more levels. The bilevel-to-multilevel conversion is effected in matching relation to the pattern of the input bilevel data. A plurality of bilevel-to-multilevel conversion means of different kinds are provided. The bilevel-to-multilevel conversion system is changed on the basis of the kind of input bilevel data. The M-level data is subjected to edge enhancement, magnification change, and gamma correction. Color image data produced by color separation are processed color by color and then fed to a printer.

Abstract: An image recorder for recording an image by reading image data produced by quantizing the image pixel by pixel, subjecting the read image data to image processing, and then manipulating a laser beam modulated by pulse width modulation. A pixel of interest is recorded in a position which is controllable depending on the presence/absence or the densities of pixel data of pixels adjoining the pixel of interest. A laser beam is modulated by pulse width modulation, while the phase or the timing of pulses is controlled to control the recording position, whereby control circuitry is simple and economical.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a comparator which determines whether input gradation levels of pixels included in a predetermined matrix are equal to or higher than a reference gradation level. The apparatus further includes a converter which converts the input gradation levels of the pixels equal to or higher than the reference gradation level into a predetermined gradation level less than the reference gradation level and for passing the input gradation levels of the pixels less than the reference gradation level as they are, and an averaging circuit which averages the predetermined gradation level of each of the pixels having the input gradation levels equal to or higher than the reference gradation level and the input gradation levels of the remaining pixels other than the pixels relating to the reference gradation level to thereby output an averaged gradation level of a pixel of concern.

Abstract: An image area discriminating device for automatically discriminating whether each of the scanned areas of an input image information has been previously subjected to halftone dotting treatment or not. The image area discriminating device may be assembled in a digital copier or like apparatuses. In order to effect better processing of images born on respective areas of the document depending on the characteristics of individual images, the image area discriminating device is used to discriminate precisely and automatically whether the individual images in respective image areas are halftone images or binary-coded images, particularly whether or not the images have been previously subjected to halftone dotting treatment.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has editing modes in which an arbitrary image portion in an arbitrary area of a document image is extracted and outputted as a processed image, which editing modes include at least a trimming mode and a masking mode.

Abstract: A two-dimensional memory unit allowing two-dimensional data to be written and read along different axes. Memory blocks having numerous memory cells arranged along each of the axes, are located at respective memory addresses, and a number of such memory blocks are arranged along the respective axes. All the memory cells of any of the memory blocks are accessed at the same time. The memory cells for actually inputting and outputting data are selected by data input and ouput controls. Data are written or read out of all of the number of memory cells in a two-dimensional small area by one memory access and, therefore, rapidly with no regard to the direction of scanning which occurs along any of the different axes.