Abstract: A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes an image processor to selectively rasterize a plurality of objects, and to determine if a size of a first object is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold perform a single-cell halftone process on the first object if the size of the first object is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold and perform a super-cell halftone process on the first object if the size of the first object is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An image processing method suitable for a printer unit, includes an error diffusion halftoning process arranged for quantizing and diffusing each pixel of an image including a set of subtractive primary colors (C?, M?, Y?), in an image including a quantized printer image including a set of ink drops (DC, DM, DY, Dc, Dm) of respective ink channels to be printed. The method comprises the step of determining, for each pixel, an input variable value (S) representing a measure of solvent quantity that should be ejected by the printer unit for each pixel, the input variable value being computed on the basis of the value of a corresponding pixel of the image including the set of subtractive primary colors (C?, M?, Y?), and of inputting the determined input variable value (S) in the error diffusion halftoning process together with the values of the corresponding pixel. The invention further relates to the apparatus embodying the method.

Abstract: A method of characterizing an imaging system is described includes printing a color chart having a plurality of predetermined color patches; measuring the color patches to obtain colorimetric data; initializing a Neugebauer model with the Neugebauer solids of said colorimetric data; optimizing the global parameters of the Neugebauer model; optimizing the parameters associated with Demichel terms based on the Neugebauer primary associated with the Demichel term; optimizing parameters that vary with device coordinates; and creating a characterization file for the imaging system.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a halftone processing unit configured to apply halftone processing based on a dither matrix to image data, a correction unit configured, with respect to the processed image data, to shift a pixel of the image data in a sub-scanning direction at a correction position in a main scanning direction which is determined based on correction information for correcting a distortion due to a curve of a scanning line for forming an image according to the image data, and a resolution conversion unit configured to apply resolution conversion processing for lowering a resolution of image data to the corrected image data, wherein the dither matrix results in that the image data to which the resolution conversion processing has been applied includes matched portions of halftone dot patterns appearing in regions preceding and following the correction position in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer includes reducing a first plurality of coverage parameters in a first continuous tone (contone) pixel by a predetermined amount if a combination of at least two of the coverage parameters is below a predetermined threshold and reducing a second plurality of coverage parameters in a second pixel by a smaller amount if the combination of coverage parameters in the second pixel is greater than the predetermined threshold. The method further includes generating half-tone image data from the first and second pixels and forming printed marks corresponding to the first and second pixels on an image receiving surface.

Abstract: An image processing device performs: defining determination regions based on image data; executing a first color conversion for the image data using a first type of parameter to generate a first image; determining an estimated amount of colorant for each determination region, the estimated amount indicating an usage amount of colorant to be used for each determination region when the first image is printed; outputting the first image if the estimated amounts of colorant for all determination regions are smaller than or equal to respective threshold values; and executing a second color conversion for the image data using a second type of parameter to generate a second image if the estimated amount of colorant for at least one is greater than the threshold value, the usage amount of colorant for the second image being smaller than the usage amount of colorant for the first image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a change processing unit configured to execute change processing of changing a pixel-number ratio S for distortion-free image data expressing a distortion-free image to acquire distorted image data expressing a distorted image having the pixel-number ratio of p×S; and a halftone processing unit configured to execute halftone processing for generating dot data for the distorted image data having the pixel-number ratio of p×S by using a dither matrix so as to generate distorted dot data expressing a distorted dot image having the pixel-number ratio of p×S, wherein a distortion-free dot image is to be obtained by enlarging the distorted dot data in at least the first direction, the distortion-free dot image having the pixel-number ratio S, and wherein a screen angle of the dither matrix is set to be about arctan((tan ?)/p)) when a screen angle in the distortion-free dot image is ?.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of reading documents includes a reading unit including a light emitting element, a mechanism configured to move the reading unit, and a control unit configured to control the reading unit and the mechanism both to carry out reading by turning on the light emitting element and moving the reading unit and to temporarily stop moving the reading unit upon occurrence of a predetermined factor. The control unit sets a first current value which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when reading is carried out and sets a second current value which is less than the first current value and which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when the reading unit is temporarily stopped.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transcoding continuous tone Run Length Limited (RLL) encoded datastreams for including information for identifying halftone screens within the datastream are disclosed. Sequential packets comprising headers and bitmap data are identified within the datastream. Halftone screens associated with bitmap data within the packets are identified and merged into the packets to generate a modified RLL output.

Abstract: A color measuring device includes a unit configured to calculate a reference-value matrix for converting imaged reference RGB value of a reference color patch a reference colorimetric value of the reference color patch; a unit configured to convert a color-measurement RGB value of a color measurement object into an imaged colorimetric value of the color measurement object by using the corresponding reference-value matrix; a unit configured to select reference color patches of which the reference colorimetric values each have a close distance from the imaged colorimetric value in the predetermined color space; a unit configured to select, as selection RGB values, the imaged reference RGB values of the selected patches; a unit configured to calculate a selection-RGB-value matrix for converting the selection RGB values into the reference colorimetric values; and a unit configured to convert the color-measurement RGB value into a colorimetric value by using the selection-RGB-value matrix.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first unit that obtains a rendering command specifying a combination of at least a thickness and a color of a line; a second unit that converts the rendering command into a converted rendering command by converting the combination specified in the rendering command so that an average darkness of a result of printing the line matches a desired average darkness of a result of printing the line using a target printer; a third unit that generates image data including the rendered line based on the converted rendering command; and a printing unit that executes printing based on the image data.

Abstract: In an image processing device, a processor is configured to perform: (a) acquiring target image data representing an image including a plurality of pixels, where the target image data includes a plurality of sets of pixel data corresponding to the plurality of pixels, where the image includes an object having at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels; (b) detecting the object in the image based on the target image data; (c) determining characteristic data indicating a potential for an occurrence of banding in the object based on the target image data; (d) determining a parameter based on the characteristic data; and (e) executing a halftone process to determine, for each of the plurality of pixels, a dot to be found based on the corresponding set of pixel data by using the parameter.

Abstract: A controlling device may perform an image process on specific image data so as to generate processed image data, select a process mode from a plurality of process modes, including a first process mode and a second process mode, and perform the image process according to the selected process mode. The first process mode may be for performing the image process by performing, in order to compensate variability of discharging amounts of the liquid droplets discharged from the plurality of nozzles, a specific process on a target pixel within target image data using correction data for a target nozzle. The target nozzle may be to form a dot at a position on a print medium corresponding to the target pixel. The second process mode may be for performing the image process by performing the specific process on the target pixel within target image data without using the correction data for the target nozzle.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, the generating unit generates print data indicating whether a dot having one of a plurality of sizes is formed or not, by performing a halftone process on original image data. The correcting unit generates corrected print data by correcting the print data. The dividing unit divides the edge part data of the print data into a plurality of block data. The index value determining unit determines, for each block data, an index value relating to an amount of ink to be used based on the plurality of dot data included in the each block data. The changing unit changes, for each block data, the size information of at least one dot data among the plurality of dot data included in the each block data based on the index value such that the amount of ink to be used becomes reduced.

Abstract: A method including the steps of obtaining an original image, generating a converted image by converting a gradation of a pixel of the original image into a prescribed gradations for an image forming apparatus to express, outputting a dot pattern image through a nozzle based on a predetermined dot pattern signal, generating nozzle characteristic information of the nozzle based on the dot pattern image, generating simulation information based on the converted image and the nozzle characteristic information, generating converted simulation information by converting the simulation information to the same gradation as that of the pixel of the original image, comparing the converted simulation information with the original image, and calculating an error between the original image and the converted simulation information.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus (100) creates a toner pattern on intermediate transfer belt (11) as a preprocessing of gradation correction, and calculates a cycle at which density unevenness is largest. Then, a toner image for gradation correction is formed so as to cancel cyclic unevenness at a cycle at which the largest density unevenness occurs. As a result of this, it becomes possible to suppress the deterioration of density detection accuracy and perform a highly accurate gradation correction even if density unevenness of any cycle occurs.

Abstract: A print control terminal including a user interface to receive a setting of a print command and print options of a document, a screen selection unit to select a halftone screen to be applied to the document, a transparency multiple number selection unit to select a transparency multiple number to correspond to the selected halftone screen, a print data generation unit to generate print data of the document according to the selected transparency multiple number, and a communication interface to transmit the generated print data and the print options to the image forming apparatus. A transparency multiple number is changed according to the characteristics of a halftone screen to improve quality of an output image.

Abstract: A system and method converts pixels of continuous image data to pixels of binary image data using a halftone screen corresponding to a predetermined reduced coverage percentage; determines if a target pixel of binary image data is a non-white pixel; compares a window of pixels of binary image data with a predetermined pattern of pixels of binary image data corresponding to the predetermined reduced coverage percentage; determines that the target pixel is a non-edge pixel; and reduces the number of non-white pixels in the binary image data based upon the determination that the target pixel is a non-edge pixel.

Abstract: Techniques pertaining to printing a document are disclosed. A computer server may receive decoded document metadata and locate a document in a document repository using the document metadata. The server may determine whether the document metadata is indicative of a most recent version of the document and, if not, retrieve the most recent version of the document. The server may also create a tag for the retrieved most recent version of the document comprised of up to date document metadata in which the tag data is embedded in a graphic that is merged with the most recent version of the document. The server may create a print job for the most recent version of the document and send the print job to a network enabled printer over a network connection.

Abstract: A logic module is to identify whether to print a standard printout or an erasable printout. A print module is to print the erasable printout in response to the identifying by the logic module. The erasable printout includes an erasable feature not present in the standard printout.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: an operation pixel arrangement unit to arrange the operation pixels to be inserted or deleted in a staggered form from one end of the image to the other end of the image in the second direction, so as to satisfy a first condition in which a distance in the first direction between the operation pixels adjacent in the second direction is 2 pixels or more and less than the predetermined number of pixels, and a second condition in which a direction in which the operation pixels adjacent in the second direction are apart from each other is reversed at intervals of not more than 2 pixels which are consecutive in the second direction; and an image enlargement/reduction unit to enlarge or reduce the image by inserting or deleting the operation pixels arranged by the operation pixel arrangement unit.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for determining an orientation direction of a color edge at a given pixel location in a binary color image. The orientation direction of the color edge is determined from eight pixel counts with each pixel count being a total number of pixels in each of eight regions of a window centered about a candidate pixel which resides along the color edge. The eight regions are associated with 8 compass points. The orientation of the edge is determined by a 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier control bits which are based upon the pixel counts of each region. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier control bits collectively form a 3-bit word. The 3-bit word defines the orientation direction. The teachings hereof provide an efficient way of performing binary edge orientation detection by making uses of intermediate results to simultaneously encode the edge orientation.

Abstract: A processing condition selecting apparatus, a processing condition selecting method, and a storage medium storing a program therein serve to evaluate the production aptitude of a print under a signal processing condition, based on image forming information with respect to the print and prescribed evaluation criteria, to thereby generate a display image visually representing the production aptitude of the print that has been evaluated.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for performing screen processing on input image data via passes may include a screen processing unit, a detection unit, and a correction unit. The screen processing unit receives image data as received image data and performs screen processing on the received image data to produce screen-processed image data. The detection unit detects a difference of low frequency components between the received image data and the screen-processed image data. The correction unit corrects the screen-processed image data based on a difference detected by the detection unit. On subsequent passes, a process of at least one of the screen processing unit, the detection unit, and the correction unit is repeated to convert the input image data to screen-processed image.

Abstract: An image processing system that facilitates process of color universal design that enables people with color amblyopia to recognize color difference as image pattern without changing characteristic of coloration and gradation and people with no disabilities who look the same image to feel less discomfort. A hue determining unit 102 determines hue of image data, and a selecting unit 105 selects halftone processing in accordance with the determined hue. If the selected halftone processing is dithering process that uses AM dithering, a halftone processing unit 106 executes halftone processing with different line per inch depending on the determined hue.

Abstract: When an image processing apparatus of one aspect of this invention corrects input image data using correction values (misregistration correction amounts ?y), it determines whether or not image data to be corrected using amounts ?y includes a specific pattern which may cause density unevenness in an image to be formed. When the image processing apparatus determines that the image data includes the specific pattern, it modifies amounts ?y corresponding to pixels including the specific pattern of the amounts ?y using any of a plurality of different predetermined modulation amounts (modification values). Furthermore, the image processing apparatus corrects the image data for respective pixels using either the amounts ?y before modification, or the modified amounts ?y when the modification is done.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus and image processing method that are capable of outputting an image wherein seam lines caused by sudden conveyance error are difficult to notice even for a small number of multi passes printing. In order to achieve this, the number of dots that are printed in pixels is adjusted according to the density level so that the number of dots that are printed in pixels corresponding to boundary portions is larger than in pixels corresponding to areas that are not boundary portions, and so that the number of dots that are printed in pixels corresponding to boundary portions increases the higher the density level of the pixels is. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of white stripes in high-density areas without emphasizing black stripes in low-density areas.

Abstract: A method for processing black point compensation parameters for a color image to be printed so as to enhance image quality of the color image is provided.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises: a division unit which divides the input image data into blocks each including a predetermined number of pixels; a determination unit which determines whether the number of colors that is the number of types of colors of the pixels included in the block is not less than a predetermined number; a pseudo halftone processing unit which performs pseudo halftone processing of image data for the block if the number of colors in the block is not less than the predetermined number; an acquisition unit which acquires a color arrangement and color information in each of the block, in which the determination unit determines that the number of colors is less than the predetermined number, and the block having undergone the pseudo halftone processing; and a storage unit which stores the color arrangement and the color information, acquired, for each block.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques and configurations for error diffusion halftoning of an image including receiving a signal that indicates selection of a first implementation or a second implementation of determining a threshold perturbation value for error diffusion halftoning of an image, and determining the threshold perturbation value using a table of programmable values according to the selected one of the first implementation or the second implementation, wherein the second implementation provides fewer threshold perturbation values for a larger region of the image than the first implementation. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising processing a first pixel of a continuous tone image to generate a first error, the first error representative of a difference between an input level and an output level associated with the first pixel; and in response to processing the first pixel, assigning a random error to a second pixel that is neighboring the first pixel, wherein the assigned random error is independent of the first error. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a latent image generating unit and a background image generating unit. The latent image generating unit generates a latent image using both of a first color component to be printed with a first color material and second color components to be printed with second color materials having an optical property different from an optical property of the first color material, or generates the latent image using only the second color components. The background image generating unit generates a background image, which serves as the background of the latent image, using only the second color components when the latent image generating unit uses both of the first color component and the second color components, or generates the background image using both of the first color component and the second color components when the latent image generating unit uses only the second color components.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to this invention performs the first halftone processing for input image data having the first number of gradations, generating halftone image data having the second number of gradations smaller than the first number of gradations. The image processing apparatus evaluates a pixel value difference between input image data and halftone image data, and calculates quantization error data representing a quantization error generated in the halftone image data owing to the first halftone processing. Then, the image processing apparatus performs the second halftone processing for the calculated quantization error data, generating correction data having the second number of gradations for correcting the quantization error generated by the first halftone processing. The image processing apparatus corrects the halftone image data using the correction data.

Abstract: A connection unit receives image data to be printed and image information on a type of the image data from an external device. A pseudo-halftone processing unit converts the image data into pseudo-halftone image data. When the image information received from the external device indicates that the type of the image data is a point-of-purchase advertising image, the pseudo-halftone processing unit performs a pseudo-halftone processing on the image data at a quantization level of three or more bits on a pixel and takes a growth order causing all pixels in a low-density area to grow averagely.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a Continuous Tone Image (CTI) with all pixel values same as a first gray level, generating an initial Half Tone Image (HTI) with all pixel values equal to minimum absorptance level and computing a change in pixel error for a first pixel. The change in pixel error is computed by identifying a first pixel indicated in a valid pixel map, toggling the first pixel with all the possible output states and swapping the first pixel with all neighbor pixels only if the stacking constraint is satisfied, updating the HTI with the maximum error decrease operation and continue to next pixel location till the end criteria is met.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which forms dots, according to dot data generated through comparison of a grayscale value of each of pixels with each of threshold values of a dither mask. The printing apparatus forms the dots through division into a plurality of pixel groups having different printing conditions and performs at least a part of the dot formation by the pixel groups in a common region. The dither mask has a second threshold value disposition, with respect to a first threshold value disposition which is each of dispositions of the respective threshold values set such that distribution of dots formed in the common region has noise characteristics having a peak on a high frequency side, in a case where a relative position of the dots between the pixel groups is formed in a target positional relationship which is a target in at least a part of a printing grayscale region.

Abstract: When dot data indicating whether or not a dot is formed on the basis of the gradation value for each pixel, dots belonging to a plurality of pixel groups having different printing conditions are printed in a common region in an overlapping manner, and the distribution of dots in the common region has a noise characteristic possessing a peak in the spatial frequency region on the high-frequency side. In a case where first and second pixels belonging to two pixel groups are proximal pixels in the common region in a predetermined gradation range in which probabilities k1 and k2 at which a dot is formed in the first and second pixels are such that k1<0.5 and k2<0.5, a probability K of a dot in both of the proximal pixels is set to be close to k1·k2.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which can suppress degradation of an image quality in a recording material save mode processing and obtain an effect of consumption amount reduction of recording material desired by a user at low costs. A recording material consumption amount at the time of applying first color conversion processing unit is predicted corresponding to inputted image data. The setting of a second color conversion processing is changed from a prediction value and a target value of the recording material consumption amount.

Abstract: Images are prepared for blending with a reflection. Angles of incidence and angles or reflection lead to reflections of a viewer appearing to be different than actual size. Accordingly, image preparation can include scaling images of objects to be blended with a reflection to an appropriate size. For a flat specular surface the size is one half the size the object would be if the object were sized to be associated with the feature that is reflected. A viewer will focus on the reflection of the viewer at an object plane. An image associated with the specular surface will be blurred. Accordingly, the preparation can include compensating for the blurring. Preparation can also include reducing an area coverage of the image of the object to no more than about fifty percent of the region of the refection to provide space for the reflection.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a halftone image from an input image is disclosed. The method and system use error distribution and threshold perturbation that is based on the incoming tone value. A threshold bias table may be generated in real time for each incoming tone value. The values of the threshold bias tables are selected so that certain positions are forced to include a dot, in the case of light tone values, or not include a dot, in the case of dark tone values. A halftone process that uses threshold bias tables based on the incoming tone can reduce unnatural patterns in the image apparent to the casual observer, which results in a more pleasing image.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, the generating unit generates print data indicating whether a dot having one of a plurality of sizes is formed or not, by performing a halftone process on original image data. The correcting unit generates corrected print data by correcting the print data. The dividing unit divides the edge part data of the print data into a plurality of block data. The index value determining unit determines, for each block data, an index value relating to an amount of ink to be used based on the plurality of dot data included in the each block data. The changing unit changes, for each block data, the size information of at least one dot data among the plurality of dot data included in the each block data based on the index value such that the amount of ink to be used becomes reduced.

Abstract: A method and computing system are proposed for producing an authenticable security device with two sides. The verso side is covered with an adjustable luminescent emissive layer formed by invisible luminescent ink halftones and possibly a UV absorbing printed layer. The recto side is covered with transmissive non-luminescent ink halftones. The backlit colors resulting from the emissions of the luminescent layer or resulting from illumination by normal white light through the transmissive non-luminescent ink halftones are predicted by a backlighting model. This model enables computing the surface coverages of the luminescent and/or non-luminescent ink halftones in order to obtain a desired color either under excitation light (UV light) or under normal white light. This enable creating authenticable backlit images substantially similar to pre-stored reference images, either under normal white light, under excitation light, or under both the normal white light and the excitation light.

Abstract: To suppress misalignment of a line formation position resulting from main scans being performed with different timings. A printer is made to perform a printing action of acquiring image data, printing a line during an Nth (N being a natural number of 2 or more) main scan between other lines printed during an N?1th main scan and earlier main scans, and printing a print unit made of a plurality of lines in Nmax (Nmax being the maximum value of N) main scans; and print data is created based on the image data, the print data controlling the amount of ink discharged from the print head so that the amount of ink discharged based on the same tone value of the image data is greater in the Nmaxth main scan than in the Nmax?1th main scan and earlier main scans and causing the printer to print an image indicated by the image data, the print data being generated based on the image data.

Abstract: A print apparatus includes an edge detector using attribute information, a screen processor which binarizes each pixel included in image data with a screen processing, a pulse width converter which converts each pixel included in the image data to pulse width data in accordance with an input gradation value, and an output unit which outputs pulse width data from either of the screen processor or the pulse width converter for each pixel. The output unit outputs the pulse width data from the pulse width converter for an edge pixel and outputs the pulse width data from the screen processor for a non-edge pixel.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and program product generates a threshold array that contains at least one halftone cell having overlapping or dissimilar dots.

Abstract: This invention obtains a high-quality output image in which a jaggy or a disconnection of a thin line hardly stands out. An edge detection unit detects whether the pixel of interest is an edge pixel or a non-edge pixel. A screen processing unit performs screen processing for the pixel of interest to determine the output value of the N-level tone. A calculation unit performs filtering processing having a preset visual sense characteristic for an area including the pixel of interest to calculate the target value of the pixel of interest, and corrects the value of the pixel of interest so as to come close to the target value, thereby determining the output value of the N-level tone. The selector selects, according to the detection result by the edge detection unit, either the result from the calculation unit or that from the screen processing unit.

Abstract: By using different conversion patterns from input gradation values to output gradation values for each coordinate inside a continuous region with a predetermined area, an image processing circuit is for halftoning which approximately expresses a number of gradations which is higher than the number of gradations which are output for each dot is optimized for each type of apparatus while being shared between types of devices where the number of gradations in the output gradation values is different. There is an image processing apparatus where the number of indexes is relatively high in a case which corresponds to a low gradation level which is a halftone level where the number of gradations in the corresponding output gradation values is relatively low.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a first halftone processing unit configured to perform halftone processing on multilevel input image data; a first filter unit configured to perform smoothing filter processing on the first halftone image data; a second filter unit configured to perform smoothing filter processing on the multilevel input image data; a first difference evaluation unit configured to calculate a difference between the converted first and second filter-processed data for each pixel as a first moiré intensity; a third filter unit; a fourth filter unit; a second difference evaluation unit configured to calculate a difference between the converted third and fourth filter-processed data for each pixel as a second moiré intensity; and a moiré intensity selection unit configured to select one of the first moiré intensity and the second moiré intensity.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a first screen processing unit which applies screen processing to image data using a first threshold matrix; a second screen processing unit which applies screen processing to the image data using a second threshold matrix different from the first threshold matrix; an edge detection unit which detects an edge portion of an object included in the image data; and an output unit which selects and outputs image data obtained by a logical OR operation between image data obtained by the first screen processing unit and image data obtained by the second screen processing unit for a pixel detected by the edge detection unit as an edge portion, and selects and outputs the image data obtained by the first screen processing unit for a pixel other than the edge portion.

Abstract: An image processing method includes receiving image data including a color lookup table, and rendering the image data without referring to the color lookup table for each pixel when a combination of color values defined in the color lookup table is a predetermined combination.