Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a rotary body, an image-forming unit, at least two sensors, and a control device. The image-forming unit performs an image-forming operation. The at least two sensors read an image formed on the rotary body. The control device is configured to: control the image-forming unit to form a test image on the rotary body; control the sensors to read the test image formed on the rotary body to acquire at least two values each relating to one of the at least two sensors; calculate a weighted average value of the at least two values by using weightings that are assigned to the at least two values, respectively, one of the weightings being different from another of the weightings; and correct the image-forming operation using the weighted average value.

Abstract: With this invention, color shifting correction is performed first based on shifting amount information indicating a shifting amount with respect to the scanning direction on an image carrier of each image forming unit, and halftone processing is then performed, thus suppressing generation of moiré due to the color shifting correction, and forming a high-quality image. To this end, an image forming engine has color shifting amount storage units C, M, Y, and K (black) which store actual shifting amounts with respect to ideal scan directions on image carriers C, M, Y, and K in image forming units C, M, Y, and K. Color shifting correction amount arithmetic units C, M, Y, and K calculate color shifting correction amounts for respective color components on the basis of the stored color shifting amounts.

Abstract: A document management apparatus in an embodiment is configured to manage a printer unit which erase image information obtained by printing both characteristic identification information and document information or only the document information with an erasable color material on a printing medium, and a reading unit configured to read the characteristic identification information on the printing medium to be erased by a erasing unit, comprising: an processor unit configured to manage an erasability condition of the document information on the basis of the characteristic identification information and instruct the printer unit to output new document information according to the erasability condition of the document information, the erasability condition being contained in the characteristic identification information read by the reading unit; and an interface unit performs respectively of the transmitting and receiving of information to the reading unit and the printer unit to the processor unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a base value setting unit and a correction value calculating unit. The base value setting unit sets a base value of an image process condition on the basis of the area ratio of an image to be formed. The correction value calculating unit calculates a correction value obtained by correcting the base value set by the base value setting unit on the basis of at least the pattern of the image. The image is formed based on the correction value calculated by the correction value calculating unit.

Abstract: A method comprises computing an activity map for an input image. The activity map indicates an amount of variable spatial activity in the input image. The method further comprises producing an output image based on the activity map, and controlling a printhead to cause the output image to be printed. The output image contains a plurality of color pixels and each such color pixel is represented by at least one of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) in a color space.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a control unit configured to: after an image is formed in a color mode, if an integrated supply amount is larger than or equal to a reference supply amount, cause a supply image with a first amount of developer, otherwise, cause a supply image with a second amount of developer larger that the first amount; and, after an image is formed in the monochrome mode, cause a supply image with a third amount of developer smaller than the first amount, and, to make an interval between recording materials when the supply image with the third amount is formed shorter than an interval between recording materials when the supply image with the first amount or larger is formed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, when correcting image data using correction information, corrects skew of the image in the sub-scanning direction that is formed by the image forming unit by correcting the image data also at an end portion of an area where an image forming unit forms the image.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus and method are provided. The image scanning apparatus includes a scanner that scans a manuscript to generate a scan image, an image processor that calculates a manuscript boundary on the generated scan image as an equation and compensates a distortion of the scan image using the calculated equation, and a storage member that stores the scan image of which the distortion has been compensated.

Abstract: A light source section of the image reading apparatus illuminates a document with light. An image sensor outputs image signals. An operating section accepts input of an enlargement factor and selection of a document scanning mode. An image processing section generates image data, from pixels (lines) in a quantity according to an enlargement factor. A stepper motor moves the document or the light source section. During a quiet mode, a signal generating section inputs to the stepper motor a pulse signal of a fixed frequency within a quiet mode frequency band. The quiet mode frequency band is a frequency band in which vibration of the stepper motor is at or below a predetermined normal vibration level.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit that acquires an image of a subject imaged by an image capturing lens; a face detecting unit that detects face information corresponding to a person's face from the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; an image angle-of-view calculating unit that calculates an angle of view of a portion including the face in the image based on the face information detected by the face detecting unit; and a correction necessity determining unit that determines whether distortion correction of the image is need to be performed, based on the angle of view calculated by the image angle-of-view calculating unit and distortion characteristics of the image capturing lens.

Abstract: In an image reading device, a storing device stores reference dark output data and reference correction data. A control device, after a command receiving unit receives an instruction to read an original document, generates dark output data based on read data while the light source does not emit light. The control device determines whether the dark output data is within a first prescribed range into which the reference dark output data falls. The control device selects the reference correction data as selected correction data, when determining that the dark output data is within the first prescribed range. The control device generate correction data to correct the image data when determining that the dark output data is not within the first prescribed range, and selects the generated correction data as the selected correction data. The control device corrects the image data by using the selected correction data.

Abstract: A light-blocking object processing section produces first and second light-blocking objects to be formed on the front and back surfaces of a print medium, respectively. A first image object is formed on the first light-blocking object and a second image object is formed on the second light-blocking object. If the first and second image objects should be formed in first and second areas, respectively, and the first and second areas defining an overlapping area in which the first image object overlaps the second image object, then the light-blocking object processing section performs one of a first process in which the thickness of the first and second light-blocking objects is smaller in the overlapping area than in a third area outside the overlapping area and a second process in which one of the first and second light-blocking objects is not formed.

Abstract: Techniques for improved image disparity estimation are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and an imaging management module, and the imaging management module may be operable by the processor circuit to determine a measured horizontal disparity factor and a measured vertical disparity factor for a rectified image array, determine a composite horizontal disparity factor for the rectified image array based on the measured horizontal disparity factor and an implied horizontal disparity factor, and determine a composite vertical disparity factor for the rectified image array based on the measured vertical disparity factor and an implied vertical disparity factor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of one aspect of this invention detects a specific pattern corresponding to a fine pattern in the input image data, and detects pixels corresponding to the specific pattern. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus specifies a pixel, which corresponds to the detected specific pattern, and a degree of juxtaposition color mixture of which does not exhibit a value within a predetermined appropriate range, and executes, for the input image data, image processing (blur processing) for adjusting the degree of juxtaposition color mixture, which represents a color mixture state when dots of respective colors formed using pixel values of respective colors included in the input image data are superposed on each other, of the specified pixel to fall within the predetermined appropriate range.

Abstract: In the image processing apparatus, image data is divided into large blocks of a prescribed size and the large blocks are subdivided into small blocks by the dividing unit. The number of isolated points in each large block is then calculated by the large block isolated point calculation unit, and the number of isolated points in each small block is then calculated by the small block isolated point calculation units. It is then determined by the halftone-dot region determination unit whether or not the large block is a halftone-dot region. This determination considers both the number of isolated points in the large block and the number of isolated points in each small block.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for performing perspective correction using a reflection. Reflective properties of a surface being photographed can be used to determine a rotation of the device taking the photograph relative to the surface. Light sourced or produced by the device can be used to create a reflection spot in the picture. A position of the reflection spot within the picture is calculated and used to determine the rotation. The rotation can be used for performing perspective correction on the picture, or on another picture taken by the device.

Abstract: A VDP workflow system and method are disclosed. The system includes an image memory to store a photograph image. The system also includes a VDP document tool to access the photograph image from the image memory and to generate a VDP document comprising the photograph image. The system further includes a red-eye removal tool to process the VDP document to discover red-eye artifacts and to remove the red-eye artifacts from the photograph image on the VDP document based on a programmable red-eye sensitivity value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of this invention determines a correction amount for each image signal so as to correct banding as periodic density unevenness in a sub scanning direction, corrects each pixel value of an n-bit image signal in accordance with the correction amount, generates the first corrected image signal, and quantizes, for each pixel, the first corrected image signal into a second corrected image signal of m bits smaller than n bits. This image forming apparatus diffuses, in a main scanning direction, quantization errors at the time of quantization of the first corrected image signal into the second corrected image signal so as to cancel the quantization errors within a predetermined region including a plurality of continuous pixels on a main scanning line.

Abstract: Provided is an image reading device including: a light source member including light source portions emitting light; a light guide member including: an input section to which the light emitted from the light source portions is input; and an output section from which the input light is output; a support member supporting the light source member and the light guide member and having higher rigidity than the light source member and the light guide member; a retaining member configured to press the light guide member toward the support member and configured to retain the light guide member in a supported state by the support member; and a protrusion-shaped contact section provided on the light guide member and contacting the retaining member, the contact section protruding in a direction perpendicular from the predetermined main scanning direction from the light guide member toward the retaining member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of this invention, when an exposure unit performs exposure, applies, to image data quantized by a first number of bits, compensation data for compensating for unevenness of the exposure intensity occurring on a photosensitive member caused by a lens array used in the exposure unit. This compensation data is obtained by quantizing, by a second number of bits larger than the first number of bits, data corresponding to a change in measurement value obtained by measuring unevenness of exposure occurring on the photosensitive member from a reference value used in the measurement, and requantizing the quantized data by the first number of bits by using sigma-delta modulation.

Abstract: P recording heads are arranged a recording unit. The P recording heads are divided into N (groups in the sub-scanning direction. The N controllers respectively control the recording heads pertaining to corresponding groups. When it is determined that variable data straddles a boundary (M/S boundary line) of recording regions (a master recording region and a slave recording region) of the recording heads, which are controlled by different controllers, the feed quantity of the recording unit is adjusted to a feeding quantity such that the variable data do not straddle the M/S boundary line.

Abstract: A method to generate a histogram matched image in which a portion of a first reference image is partitioned into a plurality of regions. Histogram matching is performed separately on the plurality of regions of the first reference image and corresponding regions in a second image to generate a plurality of first histogram matched reference images. Histogram matching is also performed on the portion of the first reference image and a corresponding portion in the second image to generate a second histogram matched reference image. An area from one of at least a first histogram matched reference image and the second histogram matched reference image is selected to generate a finalized histogram matched reference image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus not having a measuring sensor and an image forming apparatus having a measuring sensor are arbitrarily combined with each other to thereby achieve calibration with respect to the image forming apparatus not having the sensor. A color printer obtains measuring instrument information on measurement of a color in the image forming apparatus having the measuring sensor, and generates a chart image. A measuring printer measures the chart image using measurement chart information including conditions for measuring the chart image transmitted from the color printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compensating for streak defects in images formed by an image forming device, such as a digital printer. The systems and methods include using both modulation of a raster output scanner (ROS actuation) and spatially varying tone reproduction curve (STRC actuation) in a common control system for improving streak correction. Low spatial frequency large amplitude streak defects are corrected using ROS actuation and high spatial frequency streak defects, as well as any residual low frequency defects, are corrected using STRC actuation.

Abstract: This disclosure provides spot color control methods, apparatus and systems. According to one exemplary embodiment, disclosed is a method of generating device dependent color recipes for a plurality of printing devices. The method includes generating a first device dependent recipe for a target color for rendering on a first printing device, and generating a second device dependent recipe for the target color for rendering on a second printing device, whereby the second device dependent recipe is a function of the first device dependent color recipe.

Abstract: A method of forming a screened image includes providing a contone image, a screening tile structure of M by N cells, a dither magnitude curve, a spot function for each of the cells in the screening tile, and a displacement vector for each of the cells in the screening tile. Threshold values for each of the cells are constructed by displacing the center of each cell spot function according to the displacement vectors and according to the dither curve. A halftone image is constructed from the contone image and the screening tile by comparing value of each pixel from the contone image to a corresponding threshold value from the screening tile. If the pixel value exceeds the threshold value set a corresponding pixel in the halftone image to one otherwise set the corresponding pixel in the halftone image to zero.

Abstract: The document creation apparatus includes a planned division region data extraction unit that extracts data of a planned division region from document image data for each of all pages of a double-page spread document; a reference data generation unit that generates reference data for the planned division regions based on the extracted data of the planned division regions of all pages; a division determination unit that, if a difference between the reference data and the data of the planned division region is larger than or equal to a preset determination threshold, determines that division is impossible, and if the difference is smaller than the determination threshold, determines that division is possible; and an image division processing unit that, if the determination result is that division is impossible, prints the document image data without dividing the document image data, and if the determination result is that division is possible, divides and prints the document image data.

Abstract: A virtual displaying method of a three-dimensional image for displaying at least one image of a plurality of images configuring a virtual three-dimensional image providing a three-dimensional visualization through a lens layer having a plurality of lenses includes applying a deterioration processing to the at least one image, and displaying, in a display section, an obtained image by the deterioration processing.

Abstract: A method includes reading an image of a document obtained by a reading unit exposing the document to light with an exposure unit, causing the reading unit to perform first reading processing for reading first information obtained by causing the exposure unit to perform exposure with a first light amount, and second reading processing for reading second information obtained by causing the exposure unit to perform exposure with a second light amount that is smaller than the first light amount while no document is placed at a reading position of the reading unit, and detecting a foreign matter existing at the reading position according to a difference between the first and second information.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for adjusting a light intensity of a printhead are disclosed. For example, the method receives an image comprising a plurality of pixels, calculates a correction factor for each one of a plurality of pixels of the image by applying a filter to each one of the plurality of pixels of the image and summing a contribution of the light intensity of each one of a plurality of surrounding pixels to a pixel being analyzed to calculate an overlap value and comparing the overlap value to a development threshold range and adjusts the light intensity of a light source of the printhead in accordance with the correction factor of each one of the plurality of pixels of the image that require toner.

Abstract: A method for binarizing a scanned document images containing gray or light colored text printed with halftone patterns. The document image is initially binarized and connected image components are extracted from the initial binary image as text characters. Each text character is classified as either a halftone text character or a non-halftone text character based on an analysis of its topology features. The topology features may be the Euler number of the text character; a text character with a Euler number below ?2 is classified as halftone text. The gray-scale document image is then divided into halftone text regions containing only halftone text characters and non-halftone text regions. Each region is binarized using its own pixel value statistics. This eliminates the influence of black text on the threshold values for binarizing halftone text. The binary maps of the regions are combined to generate the final binary map.

Abstract: An image processing unit, includes: an overlap portion detection unit that detects an overlap portion between plural objects from image data configured by objects expressed by geometrical information and color values; a color value calculation unit that for the overlap portion between the plural objects, calculates a color value of the overlap portion from the plural objects according to an overlap processing method of the overlap portion; an object producing unit that produces a new object from the overlap portion between the plural objects detected by the overlap portion detection unit, and the color value calculated by the color value calculation unit; and a control unit that controls the object produced by the object producing unit to be superimposed on the overlap portion between the plural objects with a knock-out method.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation technique is disclosed for use in an image forming device such as a laser printer or a photocopier. The technique implements a pacer to synthesize the frequency of a serializer circuit by stretching (or shrinking) pixel pulse train data. The pacer stretches the pixel pulse train data in accord with increment data that is based upon information about the image forming device, such as the number of bits in the pixel pulse train data, the number of bits in print engine pulse train, the target print engine frequency, and the serializer frequency. The technique can be implemented with digital circuits that provide digital test data.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique which allows high-quality printing. An image processing apparatus for forming an image by executing N printing scans for a single region on a printing medium, comprises: a readout unit configured to read out image data of a region corresponding to a k-th printing scan from input image data; a print data generation unit configured to generate print data from the image data by halftone processing; and an obtaining unit configured to obtain position fluctuation information of dots in a preceding printing scan, wherein the readout unit controls a readout position of the region corresponding to the k-th printing scan in accordance with the position fluctuation information at the time of the preceding printing scan obtained by the obtaining unit.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image output device includes an image processor to receive input image data, and a line screen to represent halftone images and have multiple screen angles respectively allocated to different colors including yellow, magenta, and cyan. The line screen satisfies requirements of (A) a predetermined difference is secured between adjacent two of the multiple screen angles; (B) zero is not allocated to any of the multiple screen angles; and (C) among the multiple screen angles determined by the requirements (A) and (B), a screen angle closest to 90 degrees is allocated to yellow among yellow, magenta, and cyan.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a conversion unit configured to convert image data corresponding to a pixel of interest in an image into color material data corresponding to a color material amount of a chromatic color material, and a generation unit configured to generate color material data corresponding to a color material amount of an achromatic color material at the pixel of interest in such a manner that the color material data corresponding to the color material amount of the achromatic color material at the pixel of interest is different from color material data corresponding to a color material amount of the achromatic color material at a pixel adjacent to the pixel of interest.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a scanner which scans a document and generates a scan image, a sensor which senses vertical streaks, a detector which detects a contents area on the scan image, and a corrector which corrects the vertical streaks on the scan image while protecting the contents area. The sensor may sense pole points in a main scan direction on the scan image, sense vertical streak suspected pixels based on a brightness difference and/or a color difference between the sensed pole points and surrounding pixels of the pole points, and may further sense vertical streaks based on the consecutiveness of the vertical streak suspected pixels toward a sub scan direction.

Abstract: A color gamut of image data is appropriately subjected to a smoothing processing to print an image of favorable color reproduction and gradation reproduction. Specifically, when an average lightness is equal to or lower than a blacking lightness, the object pixel is not subjected to the smoothing processing. This can conserve the signal value of the object pixel to prevent a pixel originally having a signal value higher than the blacking lightness from being converted by the gamut compression to a black point. In this manner, a pixel for which the object pixel has the average lightness equal to or lower than the blacking lightness is blacked and a pixel having a signal value higher than the blacking lightness is not compressed to the black point. The resultant image has no deteriorated gradation characteristic when being macroscopically observed.

Abstract: A control device performs: acquiring an optical measured scan value; setting a measured offset using the measured scan value by reference to predetermined correlations; and determining a control value using the measured offset amount. The control value is used for controlling an amount of colorant to be ejected during printing. In the predetermined correlations, a first pair of scan values is associated with a first pair of offsets. A second pair of scan values is associated with a second pair of offsets. The first and second pair has a first and second scan difference between the scan values, respectively. The first and second pair of offsets has a first and second offset difference between the offsets, respectively. The first scan difference is different from the second scan difference. The first offset difference is same as the second offset difference.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus prints an image without streaks on a medium. A receiving section receives base color image data and non-base color image data. A detecting section detects a boundary between a first area in which the base color image is printed and a second area which surrounds the first area and no image is printed therein. A correction section performs correction on the image data to generate one of a third area defined in a peripheral portion of the first area and a fourth area which is defined in a peripheral portion of the second area and is contiguous to the first area. A smaller amount of base color toner is consumed in the third and fourth area than in the first area. A printing section prints an image on a medium in accordance with the corrected base color image data and the non-base color image data.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods provide for converting an RGB color image to a grayscale image via a lookup table of correction values. The lookup table is generated and used to compensate for errors in converting the color image to the grayscale image. The lookup table is generated by generating a reference image having pixels with color values in the RGB color space, converting a first copy of the reference image to a grayscale reference image via interpolation, and converting a second copy of the reference image to an intermediate image. The intermediate image comprises chrominance and luminance values (e.g., YCbCR or YCgCo). The chrominance values are removed from the intermediate image. The intermediate image is then compared to the grayscale reference image to generate the correction values. The lookup table may then be applied to a grayscale image that has been converted from the RGB color image.

Abstract: A method enables primary color values for pixel to be processed before the pixel is rendered. The method includes allocating non-black primary colors as being under black, secondary colors, or tertiary colors.

Abstract: A cover member is openable and closable with respect to a document table, and has a color reference surface facing the document table, and a partial region provided on a color reference surface and having a predetermined density different from a density of the color reference surface. When a document determination portion determines that a document is a book document, a density correction portion corrects a density in a specific density correction range at a central portion in document image data read from a document by a image reading portion, based on a second density difference which is a density difference between a density of the color reference surface read by a reading control portion when a book document is placed on a document placement surface, and a density of the color reference surface read by the image reading portion when the cover member is closed.

Abstract: A image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises an image generation unit configured to generate image data of one page, a printing unit configured to mount color material on an intermediate transfer member to perform printing, and an obtaining unit configured to obtain a time (a time between print pages) showing a time interval between printing one page and printing next one page by the printing unit, and the printing unit outputs patches for adjusting density to be reproduced in the printing, to the intermediate transfer member in the time between print pages.

Abstract: A cover member is openable and closable with respect to a document table, and has a color reference surface facing the document table, and a partial region provided on a color reference surface and having a predetermined density different from a density of the color reference surface. When a document determination portion determines that a document is a book document, a density correction portion corrects a density in a specific density correction range at a central portion in document image data read from a document by a image reading portion, based on a second density difference which is a density difference between a density of the color reference surface read by a reading control portion when a book document is placed on a document placement surface, and a density of the color reference surface read by the image reading portion when the cover member is closed.

Abstract: In image processing, for a pixel with a density level smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the density level is corrected based on a parameter representing a degree of condensation of ink in a nozzle. For pixel with a density level equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value, the density level is not corrected. This makes it possible to suppress an unevenness in density caused by the condensation of ink while suppressing blur at a contour of a character or a thin line.

Abstract: Image ink data is generated which represents the absence of ejection of ink corresponding to pixels for which text ink data represents the ejection of ink.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a set of points via energy minimization to implement halftone seed pattern.

Abstract: The present invention is an image forming apparatus for interpreting data to generate intermediate data and the image forming apparatus includes: a unit configured to determine whether or not there is a periodic drawing pattern in data; a unit configured to determine whether or not there is a reduction command in data; a unit configured to obtain a ratio between the number of pitches of the period of the drawing pattern and a reduction ratio included in the reduction command; a unit configured to determine whether or not the ratio and a value in a table loaded by the image forming apparatus coincide with each other; and a unit configured to reduce, in the case where it is determined that the ratio coincides with a value in the table, an image by dividing the image into cells and performing thinning processing in units of cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating for pixel distortion while reproducing hologram data includes an extraction unit, a determination and calculation unit, a table, and a compensation unit. The extraction unit extracts a reproduced data image from a reproduced image frame including the reproduced data image and borders. The determination and calculation unit determines position values of edges of the extracted reproduced data image, and calculates average magnification error values of pixels within line data from position values of start and end point pixels thereof, which are based on the determined position values of the edges. The table stores misalignment compensation values for the pixels within the line data, wherein the misalignment compensation values correspond to predetermined references for average magnification error values.