Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for predicting high dynamic range (HDR) image blocks with block-specific prediction data, where the systems and methods may comprise low dynamic range (LDR) image data and HDR image data for a target image block, where a scaled, offset LDR image block may be combined with HDR residual image block to form an HDR image block corresponding to the target image block.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for setting a setting value for print data to be transmitted to a printer, includes a selection unit configured to select a purpose from a plurality of printing purposes, and a display unit configured to display a screen for setting the setting value for the print data including a variable setting item for setting a setting value from a plurality of setting values associated with the printing purpose selected by the selection unit, and a fixed wherein setting values for the variable setting item and the fixed setting item are set by using different setting ways on the displayed screen.

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: A control device mounted in an image forming apparatus includes a region searching for unit searching for a region adapted to measure colors in an image; a color measurement unit configured to measure colors of the superimposed color toner image in the region; a storage unit storing measured colors and densities proportional to area ratios of primary color toner images in the superimposed color toner image in the region; and a correction amount determination unit determine correction amounts corresponding to the setting values expressing the tone reproduction curves to minimize the difference between the measured colors and the reference colors.

Abstract: The software on the host machine examines a pixel, either alone or in relation to adjacent pixels. Based on the image data contained in the pixel or group of pixels, a multi-bit value is generated that can be used by the printing device to easily reproduce the necessary detail of the original pixel. The multi-bit value also contains print engine control parameters to handle items such as toner miser mode, toner explosion, edge roll off, etc. The multi-bit value can be generated algorithmically by using a lookup table or by some combination of these methods.

Abstract: A control is performed so that only an image processing setting(s) (correction value setting(s)) corresponding to a determination level of blank sheet detection set by the user can be chosen. A control is performed so that image processing correction is set within a correction range of an image processing setting(s) corresponding to a determination level of blank sheet detection set by the user.

Abstract: A device, method, and computer-readable medium for printing an image on an edible media. The method including receiving from an external device associated with a consumer the image, determining whether the image is of suitable quality to be printed on the edible media, transmitting a message to the external device, in response to a determination that the image is not of suitable quality to be printed on the edible media, and performing an image processing technique on the image to enhance the image for printing on the edible media, in response to a determination that the image is of suitable quality to be printed on the edible media. The method further including transmitting a request to a printer to print the enhanced image on the edible media, and transmitting a request to the printer to print a shipping label to ship the printed edible media to the consumer.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first determination unit configured to determine whether a pixel included in image data belongs to an edge, a second determination unit configured to determine whether a pixel included in the image data is achromatic, and a processing unit configured to perform process for forming a pixel only with an achromatic color material on a pixel determined as belonging to an edge and being achromatic. In a case where the pixel has been determined as belonging to an edge and being achromatic, the processing unit determines whether the process is to be performed on a pixel adjacent to the pixel which has been determined as belonging to an edge and being achromatic, and, in a case where it has been determined that the process is to be performed, performs the process on the adjacent pixel.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling the width of one or more image objects in a digital image are provided which determine if one or more image objects include a line or an edge. If the image includes a line, it is processed using a line width control algorithm to modify its width. If the image includes an edge, it is processed using an edge growth control module which processes it differently than a line to modify the edge in the image object.

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: The image forming apparatus includes a PDL analysis unit, a DL generation unit, an edge enhancement determination unit configured to determine whether or not to perform edge enhancement processing for each image, an edge enhancement unit configured to perform edge enhancement processing, and a development processing unit configured to develop a DL into a bitmap. The DL generation unit generates a DL for image data within PDL data on which edge enhancement processing is not performed in the case where the edge enhancement determination unit determines not to perform edge enhancement processing, and generates a DL for image data within PDL data on which edge enhancement processing is performed in the case where the edge enhancement determination unit determines to perform edge enhancement processing.

Abstract: A method for contrast enhancement for digital images, including filtering an original image having original color values, to generate a filtered image, receiving parameters for a response curve, the response curve being a function of color value that is user-adjustable, deriving local multipliers by applying the response curve to the filtered image, multiplying the original color values by the local multipliers, thereby generating a contrast-enhanced image from the original image. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described.

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: A print control device includes a generating unit configured to generate image data, based on gloss control plane data for specifying a type of a surface effect to be given to a recording medium and specifying a region to which the surface effect is to be given in the recording medium; and an output unit configured to output the image data. The generating unit includes a tone correcting unit configured to perform a tone correction on a region in which the surface effect is designated in the gloss control plane data, the tone correction varying with each type of surface effect.

Abstract: Application of treatments for treating a colorant for printing an image is described herein. In an example, an amount of a treatment to be applied on a substrate portion is determined considering color calibration of a printing system for specific conditions of printing the image. The treatment is for treating the amount of colorant on the substrate portion.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: a light irradiation unit that irradiates an object with light; a reading unit that reads an image in accordance with reflected light of the light irradiated to the object; and an enhancement unit that enhances a predetermined spatial-frequency component of the image.

Abstract: A method and system for determining an optical waveform based on a plurality of print features of a selected marking of a document. The method and system comprise obtaining optical image data representing the print features of the selected marking. The optical image data is corrected for at least one of print contrast or reflectance of the print features in the optical image data using respective print contrast thresholds or reflectance thresholds to produce a converted pixel map of the selected marking, the pixel map containing an ordered sequence of values. Also included is a generation module to transform the print features represented in the converted pixel map to a plurality of corresponding waveform features to produce the optical waveform of the selected marking, the corresponding waveform features including a plurality of spaced apart peaks representing respective optical signal levels of the print features.

Abstract: Motion picture scenes to be colorized/depth enhanced (2D?3D) are broken into separate elements, backgrounds/sets or motion/onscreen-action. Background and motion elements are combined into composite frame which becomes a visual reference database that includes data for all frame offsets used later for the computer controlled application of masks within a sequence of frames. Masks are applied to subsequent frames of motion objects based on various differentiating image processing methods, including automated mask fitting/reshaping. Colors and/or depths are automatically applied to masks throughout a scene from the composite background, translucent, motion objects.

Abstract: A method for detecting gloss non-uniformities on printed documents is provided. The method includes printing a test pattern using a print engine, the test pattern having gloss; directing one or more light beams, using an illuminator, onto the test pattern to produce at least generally specular reflectance; scanning the test pattern, using a linear array sensor, to obtain image data, the image data corresponding to the generally specular reflectance from the test pattern; and enhancing contrast of the image data to facilitate detection of image quality non-uniformities in the gloss in the test pattern.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads image data, a drawing data storage unit that stores object data comprising the read image data so as to allow the stored object data to be distinguished between a vector object and a raster object, a vector gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored vector objects is formed of an achromatic color, a raster gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored raster objects is formed of an achromatic color, and an output data creation unit that converts the stored object data into multicolor when the stored object data includes a chromatic color and converts the stored object data into monochrome when the stored object data is formed only of achromatic colors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus discriminates between a first region, which is a consecutive region existing on a region exceeding a predetermined area in an input image, and a second region, which is other than the first region, performs smoothing processing of differing strengths on the first region and the second region, and performs image transformation processing on the image on which smoothing processing was performed.

Abstract: An image processor includes a color conversion unit that generates color converted image data by converting color data and an error diffusion process performing unit that generates print data by performing an error diffusion process on the color converted image data. The error diffusion process performs a first error diffusion process on remaining data and performing a second error diffusion process on edge data such that an amount of ink used in the edge region by performing the second error diffusion process on the edge data is less than an amount of ink used in the edge region by performing first error diffusion process on the edge data.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method comprising receiving a continuous tone (contone) image, wherein each pixel of a plurality of pixels of the contone image comprises pixel data associated with a plurality of color planes; forming a pixel group that includes a target pixel and one or more pixels that are neighboring to the target pixel; for each pixel in the pixel group and for each of one or more color planes of the plurality of color planes, comparing pixel data of the corresponding pixel for the corresponding color plane with one or more threshold levels to generate threshold pixel data; generating one or more color plane pixel windows for the pixel group corresponding to the one or more color planes; and generating a pixel window for the pixel group.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products for processing digital images captured by a mobile device are disclosed. Myriad features enable and/or facilitate processing of such digital images using a mobile device that would otherwise be technically impossible or impractical, and furthermore address unique challenges presented by images captured using a camera rather than a traditional flat-bed scanner, paper-feed scanner or multifunction peripheral.

Abstract: An image revising method, an image forming apparatus, and a method for revising image spreading are provided. The image revising method includes regulating a black color level in a black area of an input image; adjusting a color level of at least one other color excluding the black color in the black area; and revising the image by applying the regulated black color level and the adjusted color level of the at least one other color. Thus, in copying a document, the black color with the enhanced legibility can be serviced.

Abstract: Methods and systems for color conversion used in image-processing. In one approach, a caching strategy can be employed rather than a direct computation or a precomputed table. To improve the hit frequency and reduce storage requirements, a hash calculation in addition to comparison operations can be processed as a “near match” rather than an exact match. In another approach, “fuzzy match” caching can be implemented to reach the proper vicinity in the n-dimensional space, and then interpolation (or extrapolation) can refine the result.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a step detecting unit which detects a first step pixel and a second step pixel in the binary image and step directions of the first step pixel and the second step pixel; and an enlargement processing unit which inverts pixel values of pixels from the first pixel value to the second pixel value in a pixel area corresponding to the first step pixel in the enlarged image, and inverts pixel values of pixels from the second pixel value to the first pixel value in a pixel area corresponding to the second step pixel. The pixels of which pixel values are inverted are located at positions corresponding to its step direction. The number of the pixels of which pixel values are inverted corresponds to its step length in the binary image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus extracts a line segment included in an image, and includes a density gradient direction determining section that determines a direction, in which density changes, of each processing unit composed of a predetermined number of pixels of an image, and an line segment extracting section that regards a couple of processing units whose density gradient direction are opposite each other as a processing unit pair and extracts a processing unit group including a plurality of processing unit pairs allocated in a row in a direction perpendicular to the density gradient directions as a line segment.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus causes a printing executing section to perform a printing process using color-materials, the image processing apparatus includes: a first processing unit that performs a first image-processing by processing original image data in order to generate first processed image data; and a supplying unit, wherein the first processing unit includes: a calculating unit that calculates an index value relating an edge-intensity about a target pixel in object image data; and a correcting unit that corrects a value of the target pixel based on the index value of the edge-intensity, wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel increase if the target pixel is a first pixel, and wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel decrease if the target pixel is a second pixel.

Abstract: The blocking unit generates first block property data having a first value if all pixels in the block image do not have a color of the color plane, and generates first block property data having a second value if at least one pixel in the block image has the color. The gamma correction unit performs gamma correction for the block image having the second value and does not perform gamma correction for the block image having the first value. The screen process unit generates a block dot image by performing a screen process for the block image after the gamma correction. The toner adhesion amount calculating unit identifies values of the first block property data of block images adjacent to an objective block image, and identifies the toner adhesion amount of the object block as a value changed correspondingly to the identified values of the first block property data.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a scanner for scanning a document image, and a controller for controlling the image forming device. The controller determines whether or not a loss detection image for determining presence or absence of data loss has been superimposed on a first document image scanned by the scanner, and when it is determined that the loss detection image has been superimposed on the first document image, extracts the loss detection image from the first document image and determines presence or absence of data loss in the extracted loss detection image, and notifies a user of presence or absence of data loss based on a result of the determination of presence or absence of data loss in the extracted loss detection image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for generating a pattern of a recording material to be overlapped on an original image for forming an image of a target region extracted from the original image, includes an arithmetic unit calculating a feature amount of an image data included in a boundary region of the target region; a determination unit determining a degree of change of color in the boundary region based on the feature amount; and a pattern generation unit determining a gradation of the pattern of the recording material for the boundary region in accordance with the degree of change of color in the boundary region.

Abstract: An information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes an attribute acquisition step of acquiring an attribute of a print medium, a reference information acquisition step of acquiring reference information corresponding to the attribute of the print medium, and an image outputting step of outputting a plurality of images having different total colorant amounts on the basis of the reference information.

Abstract: A method for image processing executed by an image processing apparatus includes sequentially receiving PDL data and transferring a figure included in the PDL data to processing in a subsequent stage, assigning edge extraction processing as a unit of processing for extracting edge information for each transferred figure, merging the edge information extracted from each figure, spooling the merged data in a tile format as intermediate data, and reading out the intermediate data in the tile format from spooling process and performing processing on each tile to generate a pixel from the intermediate data.

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: An image comprising varying illumination is selected. Patches of pixels from among the plurality of pixels with the image are identified. Similarities between pairs of patches of pixels based on pixel intensities associated with the pairs of patches of pixels are calculated. Illumination values for the plurality of pixels within the image based on the calculated similarities between the pairs of patches of pixels is calculated. The illumination variation from the image is removed based on the calculated illumination values for the plurality of pixels within the image.

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 correcting method for an image processing apparatus that reads a bound document and corrects a shadow in a bound portion in obtained document image data includes extracting shadow image data from the document image data, generating a grid with which a ratio of changes in luminance between the grid lines in directions perpendicular to each other is smaller than in a square grid and which has grid points within a capacity of a memory for correction values, calculating first correction values that corrects luminance of pixels in the shadow image data corresponding to grid points, storing the first correction values in the memory, calculating second correction values for luminance of the pixels in the shadow image data based on first correction values of grid points close to each pixel, and correcting luminance of the document image data using the first and second correction values.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image-processing designating unit that allows a user to designate predetermined image processing to be applied to image data for generating a preview image that represents a state of an output image before image output; a preview-image generating unit that generates a preview image in accordance with the designated image processing; a preview-image display unit that displays the preview image generated by the preview-image generating unit; and a display-mode switching control unit that, when the preview image is displayed, switches to a display mode with an enhanced viewability relative to a power-saving display state in accordance with a content of the designated image processing.

Abstract: Image boundary detection devices and methods include processes. Processes include setting an image recording mode to a second recording mode. First and second recording modes utilize first and second density values, respectively. Second density values are less than corresponding first density values. Processes include reducing first density values to second density values when the second recording mode is set. Processes include setting an image boundary determination threshold to one of a first and second threshold value when a respective one of the first and second recording mode is set. The second threshold value is less than the first threshold value. Processes include calculating density gradient values based on one of the first and second density value when the respective one of the first and second recording mode is set. Processes include determining whether pixels are image boundaries using density gradient values and the image boundary determination threshold.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus causes a printing executing section to perform a printing process using color-materials, the image processing apparatus includes: a first processing unit that performs a first image-processing by processing original image data in order to generate first processed image data; and a supplying unit, wherein the first processing unit includes: a calculating unit that calculates an index value relating an edge-intensity about a target pixel in object image data; and a correcting unit that corrects a value of the target pixel based on the index value of the edge-intensity, wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel increase if the target pixel is a first pixel, and wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel decrease if the target pixel is a second pixel.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for enhancing the visibility of features of an image. The method comprises the steps of acquiring image data corresponding to at least one image feature using sensing means; processing the image data to identify changes in adjacent data points corresponding to a boundary of the at least one image feature; and, generating modified image data corresponding to the processed image data.

Abstract: A video processor includes a spatio-temporal noise reduction controller to determine current and previous image edge slopes and adaptively control a spatio-temporal noise reduction processor to blend current and previous images dependent on the current and previous image edge slope values.

Abstract: According to the present invention, to perform double-sided printing or marginless printing, overall image data consonant with an area that includes an area on a print medium and an overrun area are generated based on information concerning the size of the print medium and information concerning the overrun distances. To generate image data, the image data are prepared for both one side of the print medium and the other side of the print medium, so that, relative to the print medium, the position of the image data corresponding to one side matches the position, relative to the print medium, of the image data corresponding to the other side.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for print production sheet identification. The method discloses: receiving a set of calibration sheets; collecting an array of pixel samples from at least one of the calibration sheets according to a set of pixel sampling rules to generate at least one reference sample array; capturing an image of a set of physical sheets generated from the set of calibration sheets; collecting an array of pixel samples from at least one of the imaged physical sheets according to the set of pixel sampling rules to generate at least one post-processing sample array; and comparing the post-processing sample array to the reference sample array to determine if the two arrays have less than or equal to a predetermined number of differences. The system discloses: a sampling module, operated by a processor, a scanner, and a comparison module, operated by a processor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether a repetitive object is appropriate for being measured for density correction, a decision unit configured to decide, from pages including the repetitive object determined as appropriate for being measured for the density correction, a plurality of measurement pages to be measured for the density correction and a measurement position in the measurement pages, a measurement unit configured to measure density of the measurement position in the printed measurement pages, and a density correction unit configured to perform the density correction according to the measured density in the measurement pages for a page different from the measurement pages.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, if a foreign substance that was initially present on a document plate is removed by motion of a document being conveyed, a correct read luminance value is employed, instead of a value calculated by interpolation, for a pixel at which there was initially the foreign substance but there is no longer foreign substance thereby preventing degradation due to the interpolation. If a foreign substance on the document plate is detected after the conveying of the document by the conveying unit is started, correcting by a correcting unit is performed. In a case where the foreign substance on the document plate disappears during the conveying of the document by the conveying unit and the foreign substance is no longer detected, the correcting by the correcting unit is not performed, but image data is produced according to the image of the document read by the reading unit.

Abstract: An image processing device performs: setting a focal pixel among a plurality of pixels in an original image that is represented by original image data; setting a pixel near the focal pixel as a near pixel; acquiring a degree of difference in luminance for the focal pixel and the near pixel; determining, based on the degree of difference, at least one of: a size of a supplemental image; a shape of the supplemental image; color of the supplemental image; and luminance of the supplemental image; and generating edited image data by editing the original image data, the edited image data representing an edited image obtained by superimposing the supplemental image on the original image, the supplemental image being superimposed on an area around the focal pixel in the original image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a job receiving unit that receives a job for executing printing; an image-quality-adjustment execution unit that executes a normal image-quality adjustment at an image-quality adjustment time and a prior image-quality adjustment before the image-quality adjustment time; an image-quality-setting receiving unit that receives an image-quality setting; a reply request unit that, within a specific state before the image-quality adjustment time since the job is received by the job receiving unit, requests a reply indicating whether to execute a prior image-quality adjustment if a specific condition for the reception of the image-quality setting is satisfied; and a printing execution unit that, if the reply indicates that the prior image-quality adjustment is to be executed, prints an image on a recording medium by executing the job after the image-quality-adjustment execution unit executes the prior image-quality adjustment.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing apparatus which applies an adjusting process to an image that includes a pixel to be processed. The image processing apparatus extracts an image area with a predetermined size including the pixel to be processed. The apparatus calculates a variation associated with the pixel to be processed from signal values of pixels included in the image area. The apparatus calculates a variation time count in the image area from the signal values of the pixels included in the image area. The apparatus calculates adjusting levels Fz1, Fz2, and Fe from the variation time count and the variation using a definition unit which defines correspondence among the variation time count, the variation, and the adjusting levels, and applies an adjusting process to a signal value of the pixel to be processed by the calculated adjusting levels.