Abstract: In an image processing apparatus and an image processing method according to the present invention, a gradation correction table creation unit prints stored chart data on a print paper by an image forming device, determines a target color from the color measuring result of the printed chart by a color measuring device, and creates a gray reproduction estimation model function according to the measured color result of the chart. Next, after the gradation correction table is created such that the gray of each gradation is adequately close to the target color, the gradation correction table is changed such that the color difference of neighboring gradations is included in a predetermined range.

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: The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for measuring response curve of an image sensor. The method comprises: taking at least one photograph of a Grey Scale card with an image sensor to be measured, wherein the photograph comprises a plurality of greyscale image blocks; calculating relative exposure values for each greyscale image block respectively corresponding to the greyscale blocks of the Grey Scale card; plotting a plurality of reference points based on pixel values of pixel points within each greyscale image block and the relative exposure values, and executing an interpolation calculation based on the reference points to obtain a response curve of the image sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically rendering labeling service prints with print engine parameters. An auto-labeling application can be configured in association with a print engine controller for labeling the service prints with the print engine parameters via a built-in marker integrated with a fault multi-function device. A portable inline marker can also be separately attached to a baffle assembly of the fault device and connected to the print engine controller via a connector in order to receive the print engine parameters from the print engine controller. A setup routine configured with the auto-labeling application can be employed to customize the service print labels in a modular format and the parameters can be appended to each other based on the information required to troubleshoot the fault multi-function device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for facsimile requirements monitoring during facsimile transmission of a form. In an embodiment of the invention, a method of facsimile requirements monitoring during facsimile transmission of a form is provided. The method includes loading a document directed for facsimile transmission by a facsimile data processing system, identifying within the document a facsimile requirement that a particular location within the document include end user supplied data, determining whether or not the particular location specified by the facsimile requirement includes end user supplied data, and generating an error message in the facsimile device responsive to a determination that the particular location lacks any end user supplied data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a light amount adjustment portion which performs light amount adjustment on a light source such that the maximum value of the analog output of an image sensor does not exceed the upper limit value of an input voltage range of an A/D conversion portion but approaches the upper limit value; a temperature sensor which measures a temperature; and a storage portion which stores a temperature at the time of the light amount adjustment. When an absolute value of a temperature difference between a temperature stored in the storage portion and the current temperature is less than a threshold value, the light amount adjustment portion does not perform the light amount adjustment whereas when the absolute value is equal to or more than the threshold value, the light amount adjustment portion performs the light amount adjustment.

Abstract: Devices and methods calibrate an optical scanner by having the scanner scan a calibration surface. The scanner includes a lens causing a distortion of items scanned. During the calibration process, such devices and methods perform a compensation process to remove the distortion from signals output by the scanner when performing the scanning to identify at least one surface irregularity on the calibration surface. After performing the compensation process, the devices and methods adjust the calibration process (using the processor) to apply correction for pixels affected by the surface irregularity. Then, after adjusting the calibration settings, such devices and methods finalize the calibration process and store the scanner settings, again using the processor.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a printer is disclosed. The printer prints a plurality of patches using know color values. At least two patches of each color are printed. The patches are measured to determine a measured color value for each patch. The measured color values are checked for validity. The printer is calibrated using only the valid measured color values.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus and systems of characterizing a color rendering performance of a printing system. According to one exemplary method, a user operated UI provides instructions to a printing system to automatically execute a color validation swatch process during the execution of a print job. The user provided instructions provide the parameters necessary to configure the execution of the color validation process.

Abstract: A method of signaling or indicating a coloration condition upon a change of an operating condition in a printing press having a control unit, includes the steps of specifying a target ink density for a print job, storing the specified target ink density in the control unit, calculating an actual ink density using the control unit based on an actual operating condition of the printing press, comparing the actual ink density to the target ink density in the control unit, and emitting a first signal using the control unit when the actual ink density is within a range of tolerance about the target ink density stored in the control unit.

Abstract: A component of a color printing system, such as lookup tables for converting requested marking-agent coverages to corresponding half-tone screen sizes, is calibrated. The calibration can be effected off an arbitrary image and involves making reflectance spectrum measures of the printed image at multiple locations. Expected reflectance measures for each measurement location are computed based on the requested coverage value for each of the marking agents printed there. The computed measures may be dependent on a parameter. A value of the parameter is determined that minimizes the aggregate differences between the sensed and expected reflectance-spectrum measures, and this value is then used in calibrating the component.

Abstract: An original reading apparatus including: a light source configured to illuminate an original; a line image sensor configured to convert light reflected from the original into an analog output signal; an AD converter configured to convert the analog output signal output from the line image sensor into a digital output signal; a control device configured to control the line image sensor and the AD converter; and a variable gain amplifier provided inside the line image sensor, for adjusting a signal range of the analog output signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having density correction characteristic data and a section to execute density conversion on input image data includes a section to generate detecting patterns with multiple area ratios, a section to create images of the patterns on an image bearing member, a section to detect the images of the patterns created on the image bearing member, a section to hold detected values corresponding to the images of the patterns detected from the image bearing member, a section to obtain fixed values or previously detected values as target values for correction, and correction coefficients, a section to calculate a correction characteristic corresponding to the detecting patterns from the obtained target values, the detected values, and correction coefficients, and a section to synthesize new density correction characteristic data from the density correction characteristic data and the correction characteristic corresponding to the patterns.

Abstract: An image reading device is provided with a waveform memory that stores correction waveform data generated based on a digital image signal output from an image signal processing circuit when a light source of the image reading device is turned off, and an image signal correcting circuit that corrects an image signal of an original image using the correction waveform data stored in the waveform memory.

Abstract: Standard positional information is acquired about a plurality of regions of interest to be quantified, which are designated in a standard image region. An image magnification which represents a size ratio of measurement image region represented by the image data to the standard image region is calculated. Positional information of a plurality of regions of interest depending on the measurement image region is calculated based on the acquired standard positional information and the calculated image magnification.

Abstract: Imaging device analysis systems and imaging device analysis methods are described. According to one embodiment, an imaging device analysis system includes a light source configured to generate a plurality of light beams for analysis of an imaging device, wherein the light beams comprise light of a plurality of different spectral power distributions, processing circuitry coupled with the light source and configured to control the light source to generate the light beams, and an optical interface optically coupled with a light receiving member of the imaging device and configured to communicate the plurality of light beams to the light receiving member of the imaging device.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a light amount adjustment portion which performs light amount adjustment on a light source such that the maximum value of the analog output of an image sensor does not exceed the upper limit value of an input voltage range of an ND conversion portion but approaches the upper limit value; a temperature sensor which measures a temperature; and a storage portion which stores a temperature at the time of the light amount adjustment. When an absolute value of a temperature difference between a temperature stored in the storage portion and the current temperature is less than a threshold value, the light amount adjustment portion does not perform the light amount adjustment whereas when the absolute value is equal to or more than the threshold value, the light amount adjustment portion performs the light amount adjustment.

Abstract: There is provided an image inspection system. An image reading unit reads a formed image which is formed on a recording medium based on original image data to generate read image data. A determination unit compares the read image data and the original image data to determine whether or not the formed image includes a defective region. An extraction unit extracts an image of characters present around the defective region from the read image data. An image display device displays the image of the characters and an image of the defective region such that both the images overlap with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradation correction device in which the control strip has white or light-colored end patches and has at least one reference point at each of both ends of the control strip, which is defined by two straight lines including a fine line drawn on at least a part of a peripheral edge of each end patch except a border between the end patch and an adjacent patch which is adjacent to the end patch, and in which the gradation correction device detects the reference point at each of the both end portions of the control strip in the read image data, and obtains the density data of each patch by specifying a position of each patch in the control strip in the read image data in accordance with the detected reference point.

Abstract: Provided is photo retouching software which is easy for photo studio personnel to use. Upon opening photo image(s), special photo retoucher converts photo image data thereof to working color space image data. At such time(s), if working ICC profile(s) is/are set which is/are different from ICC profile(s) previously embedded in such photo image file(s), color perceptual matching is carried out on the photo image data thereof based on such embedded ICC profile(s) and working ICC profile(s) when such photo image file(s) is/are opened. Furthermore, when such photo image(s) is/are displayed at monitor(s), such image data is converted to monitor color space image data through color matching using working ICC profile(s) and monitor ICC profile(s).

Abstract: An image inspection apparatus obtains a threshold value indicating an allowable range of offset differences between an output target inspection image and a pre-provided inspection image, and determines whether to inspect a read image obtained by reading an output target image formed on a recording sheet having a pre-provided image, using the threshold value.

Abstract: A print engine for producing printed output according to image data in a print job includes in its user interface an activation element for printing a part of the image data in a selected print job using currently applicable calibration data. After inspection of the printed output the selected print job may be finished without further calibration or it may be finished after a calibration is performed. This calibration of the intensity of the process colors is performed for a job control value that occurs within the selected print job. Therefore the effect of the calibration is directly visible to the user of the print engine.

Abstract: Capturing a sequence of images of a multi-page printed document is performed by a handheld device, such as a Smartphone. The device has one or more processors, memory, and a digital image sensor. The device monitors preview images of a first printed page of the multi-page printed document, where the preview images are generated by the digital image sensor. Without user indication of when to capture an image, the device captures a still image of the first printed page when a first quality metric of the preview images exceeds a first quality threshold. The device repeats the monitoring and capturing of additional pages until receiving indication from the user that capturing images is complete. In response to receiving indication from the user that capturing images is complete, the device concatenates the captured still images into a single digital document and stores the single digital document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a gradation correction method for the same are provided. An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms a plurality of patch bands in a plurality of positions in a main scanning direction on an image bearing member, each of the plurality of patch bands having a plurality of gradation patches disposed in a sub-scanning direction; a density detection section that detects densities of the plurality of patch bands; and a control section that performs gradation correction based on detection results from the density detection section. The plurality of patch bands differs from each other.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image forming section, a CPU and memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the CPU, cause the image forming device to provide functions including a data acquisition section, a mismatch correction section and a control section. The data acquisition section is configured to acquire a variation in factor that causes a mismatch of a parameter. The control section is configured to estimate an amount of mismatch of the parameter based on the variation and to send a request for measuring the amount of mismatch to the mismatch correction section when the estimated amount is equal to or larger than a reference value. The control section is also configured to alter at least one of calculation factors used for estimating the amount of mismatch and the reference value according to the measured amount.

Abstract: Banding can be prevented and image-quality degradation can be reduced. An image processing apparatus includes first creation means configured to distribute density of image data to a pixel on another scanning line on the basis of a difference between an actual print position of the image data and a reference position and to create position-corrected image data, second creation means configured to correct the image data using a correction value corresponding to a position of the image data and to create density-corrected image data, and generation means configured to generate output image data using the position-corrected image data created by the first creation means and the density-corrected image data created by the second creation means.

Abstract: A system and method for inserting an advertisement for a document to be faxed. In this embodiment, a processor may be configured to determine a category associated with content in a document being faxed. The processor may select at least one advertisement that is related to the associated category. A determination may be made for a location within the document being communicated for one or more advertisements to be positioned. The processor may be further configured to place one or more selected advertisement into the determined location in the document being communicated.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a detecting unit, a storing unit, a threshold determining unit, and a control unit. The detecting unit detects an ambient brightness level at an arbitrary time zone. The storing unit stores information indicating the brightness level detected by the detecting unit. The threshold determining unit determines a threshold serving as a criterion for switching into a low-power-consumption mode according to the information indicating the brightness level stored in the storing unit. The control unit controls switching into the low-power-consumption mode using the threshold determined by the threshold determining unit.

Abstract: Provided is a display device with photosensors that can achieve a scanner function without increasing the memory capacity for images. A display device with photosensors includes a visible light source and an invisible light source. The display device with photosensors further includes: a first photosensor that detects the amount of received light in a pixel region when the invisible light source is on; a second optical sensor that detects the amount of received light in the pixel region when the invisible light source is off; and a third photosensor that detects the amount of received light reflected from an object to be scanned, causing only display pixels respectively nearest to the third photosensors within a prescribed range in the pixel region to be in a display state, and causing other pixels in the prescribed range to be in a non-display state.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading part reading front and back sides of an original; a storage part storing the thus read images and plural processing parameters to be used for image processing; and an image processing part carrying out the image processing on the read images using the plural processing parameters. The image processing part analyzes an image transfer instruction that is an instruction to transmit the read image from the first storage part to the image processing part, and determines which of the processing parameters is to be used for the read image; and transfers the determined processing parameter by a direct memory access transfer method. The processing parameter concerning the read image is transferred from the first storage part to the image processing part by the direct memory access transfer method prior to the image processing of the read image by the image processing part.

Abstract: An image test apparatus includes an image generating unit acquiring an output target image with which an image is formed and output by an image forming apparatus, and generating a test image for testing the read image, an image test unit determining a defect of the read image based on a difference between the test image and the read image, a defect number determining unit determining number of defects contained in the read image based on a determination result of the defect of the read image, a frequency distribution generating unit accumulating defect numbers of multiple read images, each of the defect numbers being the number of defects detected in one read image, and generating a frequency distribution of the defect numbers, and an abnormality determination unit determining an abnormality of the image forming apparatus based on a change in the frequency distribution generated for each predetermined period.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus connected via a network to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that implement a first gradation correction, or a second gradation correction. The image processing apparatus includes a selection unit configured to select the first gradation correction or second gradation correction, for each of the connected plurality of image forming apparatuses, an instruction unit configured to send an instruction to an image forming apparatus for which a first gradation correction has been selected by the selection unit, a reading unit configured to read out patch patterns that have been printed by the image forming apparatus for which the second gradation correction has been selected, and a transmission unit configured to transmit data for correcting readout values of the patch patterns to the image forming apparatus for which the second gradation correction has been selected.

Abstract: A method, programmed medium and system are disclosed which provide for an in-line scanner used to dynamically scan a document or image, real-time as it is being printed within a printer unit and before the printed document exits the printer. The scanned image is compared to a stored electronically-generated image of the file being printed. When the comparison is determinative that there is a printing problem, the printing operation may be stopped quickly before the partially printed document or image has exited the printer. An error message may then be displayed, and the user is enabled to take appropriate action. A resume function enables a user to resume a print job at exactly the place where it had left off before detecting a print problem. In another embodiment, when the system detects a problem with a print job, the entire print job of the remainder of the print job is sent from the faulting printer to another printer where either the remainder of the print job or the entire print job is completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating scanning devices are described. The method comprises dividing a dark scan image of a calibration strip into one or more regions. The dark scan image is further analyzed to obtain at least one data point from each of the one or more regions. Further, calibration values for each of the one or more regions are computed based on the at least one data point for calibrating the scanning device. The calibration values include mean and standard deviation of the data points for each of the one or more regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image information processing apparatus that determines, based on image information, a region suitable for inspecting image forming performance of an image forming apparatus in an entire region of an image represented by the image information. The image information processing apparatus includes a segment region extraction unit that extracts a segment region having a predetermined size from the entire region of the image; a color reproducibility prediction unit that predicts a result of color reproducibility of the entire image by using an algorithm in a case where the image forming performance is adjusted based on a color measurement result of the extracted segment region; and an object region determination unit that determines, as an object region, the segment region showing a best one of the plural results obtained by repeatedly performing extraction processing by the segment region extraction unit and prediction processing by the color reproducibility prediction unit.

Abstract: A method of determining calibration test patterns to be utilized to calibrate a model for simulating the imaging performance of an optical imaging system. The method includes the steps of defining a model equation representing the imaging performance of the optical imaging system; transforming the model equation into a plurality of discrete functions; identifying a calibration pattern for each of the plurality of discrete functions, where each calibration pattern corresponding to one of the plurality of discrete functions being operative for manipulating the one of the plurality of discrete functions during a calibration process; and storing the calibration test patterns identified as corresponding to the plurality of discrete functions. The calibration test patterns are then utilized to calibrate the model for simulating the imaging performance of an optical imaging system.

Abstract: An inspection method for an image reading apparatus where image information of an original is imaged on light receiving element lines arranged in a main scanning direction to read the information on different colors. The method includes: acquiring a first color misregistration from image information based on a first striped pattern located at a position optically equivalent to a surface of the original with respect to the light receiving element lines, the first pattern having white and black lines aligned, and having longitudinal directions of the white and black lines aligned in a sub-scanning direction; acquiring a second color misregistration from image information based on a second striped pattern having white and black lines aligned, and having longitudinal directions of the white and black lines aligned at an angle from the main scanning direction; and calculating a color misregistration in the sub-scanning direction based on the measured color misregistrations.

Abstract: A print control unit 118 that, once it receives a datacasting automatic activation notification or a datacasting manual activation notification, determines whether or not datacasting is present for a currently selected channel. In a case in which datacasting is present, the print control unit 118 acquires maintenance information acquired from a printer 200 through a maintenance information acquisition process. Based on the acquired maintenance information, the print control unit 118 determines whether or not to issue a command to the printer 200 requesting execution of a maintenance process.

Abstract: At least one color patch, which is extracted as a candidate patch from within a color chart, is colorimetrically measured and a color value is acquired. Based on a color value of a designated color to be reproduced on a print and a color value of the candidate patch, a corresponding position on the color chart responsive to the color value of the designated color is calculated. Instruction mark images indicative of the calculated corresponding position are displayed respectively, together with a simulating image, in which a layout of multiple color patches on the color chart is simulated.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of controlling a scanning unit and a method to control the scanning unit, the image forming device including a rate error calculator to calculate a rate error from a difference between a practical rotation rate and a target rate of a motor that drives the scanning unit, a position error calculator to calculate a position error from a difference between a current position and a target position of the motor, and a rate/position controller to output a control pulse to control a rate and a position of the motor by applying the rate error and the position error.

Abstract: There is provided a multifunction peripheral which comprises a first storage unit configured to store a relationship between a state change and at least one function expected to be used in relation to the state change, a detection unit configured to detect the state change, a function extraction unit configured to firstly extract at least one function which is expected to be used in relation to the state change detected by the detection unit in accordance with the relationship stored in the first storage unit and to secondly extract at least one function for which a predetermined condition concerning availability of each function is satisfied from among the firstly extracted at least one function, and a warm-up operation control unit configured to execute a warm-up operation of at least one device used to execute the at least one function secondly extracted by the function extraction unit.

Abstract: A scanner and process for detecting a scan lid open condition. The scan lid open condition is detected by aligning two scan bars with one another, illumining one of the scan bars with a predetermined illumining pattern and during the illumining, scanning the illumined scan bar with the other scan bar. The response of the scanning scan bar is compared with an expected response for the illumining pattern with the scan lid closed. If a positive comparison occurs, the scan lid is closed. If a negative comparison occurs, the scan lid is open.

Abstract: A control method of an image forming apparatus which is connected to an external apparatus, supports a resource saving mode, and outputs document data is provided. The control method includes: selecting the document data to be output, selecting an output option to be applied to the selected document data, comparing a resource saving value corresponding to the output option to be applied to the document data and a resource saving set value which is pre-set in the image forming apparatus, displaying at least one suggestion option to save resources of the document data according to a result of comparison, and selecting one of the displayed suggestion option and outputting the document data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for streak detection in an image scanning system. The disclosed systems and methods may be particularly applicable to constant velocity transport (CVT) digital scanning systems by comparing multiple scans of a simply-produced test pattern passed over the sensor in multiple orientations. Image information from each pass of the test pattern through the image scanning system may be compared to image information from other passes in which the orientation of the test pattern is changes. The data may be normalized and compared to discern image quality defects introduced by the image scanning system including image defects presented in the form of streaks in an output image based on the scanned data. Cumulative data regarding detected image defects and defect correction measures applied in the image scanning system may be collected and stored for a user to access.

Abstract: A document scanner (10) includes an input tray (30) for holding documents (20) and an input image capture device (40) for capturing images of the documents (20)in the input tray (30) prior to transporting the document for imaging; an output tray (150) for holding documents (20) after the documents (20) exit the scanner; an output image capture device (140) for capturing images of the output tray; an image processor for determining characteristics of the output tray or characteristic of the documents (20) before imaging and after the documents (20) exit the scanner; and scanner functions are modified based on the output tray characteristics or the document characteristics.

Abstract: A system for verifying accuracy of a raster scanned image of a document (20) includes an input tray (30) that holds documents prior to imaging; an input imaging device (40) that captures an image of a document in the input tray; transmitting the captured input tray image to an image processor (100); transporting the document through a document scanner (10); a raster capture device for capturing a raster scanned image of the document with; transmitting the raster scanned image to the image processor; and verifying the accuracy of the raster scanned image by comparing the raster scanned image of the document to the input tray image of the document.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a first reader member that receives light from a medium to read an image recorded on a surface thereof; a second reader member that separates the light from the medium and reads a color of the recorded image based on the separated light; a deriving unit that derives associating information that associates a first read result with a second read result based on the first read result and the second read result, the first read result being obtained by the first reader member, the second read result being obtained by the second reader member; and a measuring unit that measures the color of the image on the medium for performing color calibration by reading the medium by using the first reader member so as to determine a color corresponding to the second read result based on the first read result and the associating information.

Abstract: Devices and methods calibrate an optical scanner by having the scanner scan a calibration surface. The scanner includes a lens causing a distortion of items scanned. During the calibration process, such devices and methods perform a compensation process to remove the distortion from signals output by the scanner when performing the scanning to identify at least one surface irregularity on the calibration surface. After performing the compensation process, the devices and methods adjust the calibration process (using the processor) to apply correction for pixels affected by the surface irregularity. Then, after adjusting the calibration settings, such devices and methods finalize the calibration process and store the scanner settings, again using the processor.

Abstract: An image registration method to register a target image with a reference image is provided, including to determine a target set of features present in the target image, to determine a reference set of features present in the reference image, to generate respective signatures for each feature in the target and reference sets, to match features from the target set to corresponding features in the reference set using the signatures, to generate respective transformations to map pairs of features in the target set to corresponding pairs of features in the reference set, and determine a similarity transformation for the target image using a measure of the accuracy of the transformations.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a controlling unit and a changing unit. The reading unit receives a reflected light from a sheet onto which a light is irradiated from a light source, converts the received light into an image signal, and accumulates a charge corresponding to the image signal in accordance with a reading time of the sheet. The controlling unit controls the light source to be turned off in accordance with a reading mode of the sheet so that an amount of the accumulated charge does not reach a saturated amount. The changing unit changes an amplification factor of an amplifying unit in accordance with a turn-off time of the light source to amplify the image signal to a predetermined level when the controlling unit controls the light source to be turned off. The amplifying unit amplifies the image signal at a predetermined amplification factor.