Abstract: A driver IC device includes a correction function having a unit-block setting unit for dividing pixels of a display panel into preset units so as to set the same as a plurality of unit-blocks; a correction route (LUT) setting unit for setting a LUT having a plurality of sub-regions arranged in the same form in response to an arrangement of the pixels included in the unit-blocks set through the unit-block setting unit; a storage unit for storing the LUT set through the LUT setting unit, and storing respective gain values and offset values for the plurality of unit-blocks set through the unit-block setting unit; a changing unit for changing an input value (input gray) inputted to the pixels of the display panel, by using the gain values and offset values stored in the storage unit; and a correction output unit for generating a correction output value (output gray) of the pixels in the unit-blocks of the display panel by using a change value obtained through the changing unit and a coordinate value of the LUT se

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus, and a storage medium are provided in the technical field of display. The method may include: acquiring pixel data of an image to be processed; acquiring a histogram of the image according to the pixel data, the histogram indicating a pixel number under each grey scale; obtaining a target grey scale set by using in the histogram a grey scale whose pixel number exceeds a preset pixel number; selecting, from the image, a target pixel whose grey scale belongs to the target grey scale set from the image; and performing a color inversion operation to the target pixel. The color inversion operation is performed to the background pixels and character pixels. Thus, the image grey scales may be reduced while maintaining the contrast of the image, and influence to the image definition by the grey scales is reduced.

Abstract: A scanner includes a marked reference plate in which a mark is made on a reference plate, and a non-volatile memory that stores reference data, which is a result of the reference plate disposed facing an image reading sensor being read by the image reading sensor, in which read data is acquired a result of the marked reference plate being read by the image reading sensor, and shading data is calculated by comparing the read data and the reference data.

Abstract: An imaging reader captures and analyzes image data, including raw captured image data, and analyzes that capture image data to decode indicia contained therein. The indicia may be one or more two-dimensional barcodes. A dedicated front-end controller of the imaging reader generates decode data for the indicia and combines the decode data with the image data using a combinational protocol, after which a resulting decode enhanced image data frame is communicated to a host processor for processing.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reference signal output portion, an image sensor, and an analog front end. The reference signal output portion is capable of outputting a first reference signal and a second reference signal, and changing difference in level between the first reference signal and the second reference signal according to a reference level control signal that is inputted. The image sensor outputs a primary image signal that is an analog signal in which a reference level is a level of the first reference signal that is inputted. The analog front end subjects the primary image signal to offset adjustment according to levels of the second reference signal and an offset control signal that are inputted, and further amplifies a signal having been subjected to the offset adjustment, to output a secondary image signal.

Abstract: This image reading device includes an image sensor module, an environment maintaining portion, and a level correction portion. The image sensor module includes a light emitting portion and a plurality of single-channel light amount sensors. The environment maintaining portion maintains, at a constant state, a light receiving environment for a reference portion forming an end portion, of a single-channel light amount sensor, which corresponds to an end portion of the main scanning region. The level correction portion corrects, each time the image sensor module outputs detection data that corresponds to the main scanning region, a level of the detection data from each of all the single-channel light amount sensors in accordance with a deviation between a level of the detection data regarding the reference portion and a reference level set in advance.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a document detecting apparatus includes a light-emitting element, a photoelectric conversion element, a light-emission controller and a detection processor. The light-emitting element projects light onto a detection position of a document. The light-emitting element is not used for reading an image of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts light projected onto the detection position into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. The light-emission controller changes the light quantity of the light emitted by the light-emitting element during a predetermined interval. The detection processor detects the presence or absence of the document at the detection position of the document based on whether a value of the output electric signal during the predetermined interval changes in correspondence to the change of the light quantity caused by the light-emission controller.

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: A host apparatus includes a command-pattern changing unit. A detector includes a detector-communication-parameter changing unit. A motor drive control apparatus includes a communication-parameter changing unit and a control-gain changing unit. The command-pattern changing unit, the detector-communication-parameter changing unit, and the communication-parameter changing unit change, based on determination of detector communication by a communication-abnormality determining unit, plural communication parameters, control gains, and command patterns, which are determined in advance, in synchronization with one another to control drive of a motor.

Abstract: A digital document is generated based on document content information obtained by reading a paper document, and instruction content information for document generation. Explanatory information of the paper document is generated based on the instruction content information. Feed data as data used to notify an external apparatus of generation of the digital document is generated with reference to the explanatory information. The feed data is transmitted to the external apparatus in response to a request from the external apparatus.

Abstract: An image scanning device includes an image sensor obtaining an analog image signal; a variable gain amplifier amplifying the analog image signal; an analog-to-digital converter converting the amplified analog image signal into digital image data; a highest value detection unit detecting the highest value in the digital image data; and an amplifier gain setting unit setting an amplifier gain of the variable gain amplifier. The amplifier gain setting unit initially sets the amplifier gain of the variable gain amplifier such that the highest value in first digital image data of a reference image falls within a predetermined range, and if the highest value in second digital image data of the reference image obtained with the initially-set amplifier gain exceeds the predetermined range, the amplifier gain setting unit decreases the amplifier gain of the variable gain amplifier.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a contact glass having a light control glass part having transmittance changeable by an applied voltage; a scanner part reading an original placed on an original placement surface of the contact glass and outputting image data in a storage part; a projector part projecting image information onto the contact glass from a side opposite to the original placement surface; and a control part controlling the voltage applied to the light controlling glass part. When the scanner part is operated, the control part causes the transmittance of the contact glass to increase and the projector part stops projecting the image information, and when the scanner part is not operated, the control part causes the transmittance of the contact glass to decrease and the projector part projects the image data stored in the storage part onto the contact glass.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a white reference member, an exposure lamp, a CCD sensor including a plurality of linear sensors connected in series, and a plurality of gain amplifiers which amplifies the outputs of the linear sensors, respectively. The apparatus selects one linear sensor, adjusts the gain of the gain amplifier corresponding to the selected linear sensor, adjusts the gain of the gain amplifier corresponding to the linear sensor existing to the left side of the selected linear sensor, and adjusts the gain of the gain amplifier corresponding to the linear sensor existing to the right side of the selected linear sensor. A difference in output at connecting positions among the line sensors is removed by adjusting the gains of gain amplifiers.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: a plurality of light sources that are arranged in a row and emit light; a light guide body that guides the light emitted from the plurality of light sources to a reading portion and transmits light reflected from the reading portion; a carriage having the plurality of light sources and the light guide body; and a reading unit that receives the light reflected from the reading portion and reads an image on the reading portion.

Abstract: A reading apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an image line-by-line and generates an image signal, a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the image signal, a reference clock generation unit that generates a reference clock signal, and a PLL unit that generates a driving clock signal from the reference clock signal to be supplied to one of the image reading unit, the signal processing unit, and the reference clock generation unit. Skew in the synchronization between the reference clock signal and a driving clock signal is detected, and in the case where skew in the synchronization has been detected during image reading operations performed by the image reading unit, the image reading unit is controlled to read the image having returned to a position that is a predetermined number of lines previous to the current reading position.

Abstract: A first clamping unit clamps a base voltage of an input image signal to a predetermined reference voltage. A sampling-and-holding unit samples and holds the image signal after clamping or a reference signal that becomes the base voltage of the image signal. An amplifying unit amplifies the image signal sampled and held by the sampling-and-holding unit. An analog-to-digital converting unit converts the image signal after amplification into a digital image signal. A second clamping unit clamps the reference signal to a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image reading apparatus that includes: a photoelectric sensor including plural reading pixels aligned in one direction and output an electric signal depending on the amount of light from an image on the document; a read control section that reads a document image with the photoelectric sensor in accordance with a read instruction, and obtains image data; a black correction section that performs a black correction to adjust an output under dark condition of each reading pixel to a value within a predetermined range, the output under dark condition being an electric signal output when the amount of light input is zero; and a black correction execution determining section that determines whether to perform the black correction, when the read interval between each two document sheets of the multi-page document is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner part reading an original on a contact glass, and a projector part projecting image information onto the contact glass as first image displaying. The projector part projects thumbnails or an image to have an image processing operation carried out or be printed. The display part carries out second image displaying obtained from reducing the first image displaying in size. At a time of the scanner part being operated, transmittance of the contact glass is increased and the projector part stops projecting the image information, and at a time of the scanner part not being operated, the transmittance of the contact glass is decreased and the projector part carries out the first image displaying. Setting of the image processing operation for the image data is reflected on the first image displaying and the second image displaying.

Abstract: An image scanner and a method for compensating image data are provided. By using both the X-axis calibration gain and the Y-axis calibration gain, the processing time period for compensating image data is reduced. In addition, no initial calibration and no warm-up calibration are required.

Abstract: An embodiment of an image reading device may include a light source, an image reading unit, a drive control unit, a white reference member, a chromaticity detecting unit, a reference value storage unit, a chromaticity change calculating unit, and/or a control unit. An embodiment may include a photoelectric conversion element that reads an image illuminated by the light source. In some embodiments, may measure the chromaticity of a white reference member. In some embodiments, a reference value storage unit may store a reference value representing the chromaticity of an image. In an embodiment, a control unit may control an operation of the device according to the calculated amount of chromaticity change. An embodiment may include measuring the luminous intensity of a light source and storing a reference value representing the luminous intensity of the light source. Some embodiments may include making adjustments to images.

Abstract: A method for text character identification. The method acquires multiple connected components (CCs) in a binary image, and each CC has a pattern property value. The method determines at least one property limit based on the pattern property values, generates a filtering rule according to the property limit, and determines whether each of the CCs is a text character according to the filtering rule.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a light transmissive member extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveying the document; a reference portion provided outside the conveying region where a document is conveyed with respect to the orthogonal direction and having a transmittance lower than a transmittance of in the conveying region of the light transmissive member; and a light source unit. The image sensor further includes: a lens unit converging the light transmitting through the document and the reference portion; a light receiving unit that receives the light transmitted through the lens unit and outputs an electric signal; an amplifying unit that amplifies the electric signal of the document corresponding to the conveying region and outputs an image signal of the document; and a controlling unit configured to control an amplification factor of the amplifying unit based on the electric signal corresponding to the reference portion.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a light transmissive member extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveying the document; a reference portion provided outside the conveying region where a document is conveyed with respect to the orthogonal direction and having a transmittance lower than a transmittance of in the conveying region of the light transmissive member; and a light source unit. The image sensor further includes: a lens unit converging the light transmitting through the document and the reference portion; a light receiving unit that receives the light transmitted through the lens unit and outputs an electric signal; an amplifying unit that amplifies the electric signal of the document corresponding to the conveying region and outputs an image signal of the document; and a controlling unit configured to control an amplification factor of the amplifying unit based on the electric signal corresponding to the reference portion.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus in which cross-talk noise occurring between plural reading units is reduced, an image reading method and an image reading program are provided. There are included plural reading units that respectively operate at different timings, a noise calculation unit that acquires first read data as a result of reading of a first read object as the read object by the plural reading units, acquires an operation state of the plural reading units during the reading of the first read object, and calculates, based on the operation state and the first read data obtained in the operation state, noise information based on the operation state, and a noise removal unit that acquires second read data as a result of reading of a second read object as the read object different from the first read object by the plural reading units, and removes noise from the second read data based on the noise information calculated by the noise calculation unit.

Abstract: An image processing device is provided which comprises an input unit and an analog front end circuit with DC inputs. According to the invention, no capacitor is installed in the input unit and no clamper is installed in the AFE circuit with DC inputs. By appropriately selecting a comparing voltage and adding a level shifter or a compensation circuit, the invention can still generate an accurate digital signal.

Abstract: An efficient method and system to enhance digital acquisition devices for analog data is presented. The enhancements offered by the method and system are available to the user in local as well as in remote deployments yielding efficiency gains for a large variety of business processes. The quality enhancements of the acquired digital data are achieved efficiently by employing virtual reacquisition. The method of virtual reacquisition renders unnecessary the physical reacquisition of the analog data in case the digital data obtained by the acquisition device are of insufficient quality. The method and system allows multiple users to access the same acquisition device for analog data. In some embodiments, one or more users can virtually reacquire data provided by multiple analog or digital sources. The acquired raw data can be processed by each user according to his personal preferences and/or requirements.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a processing circuit having a clamp unit that matches an offset potential of an inputted analog image signal to a predetermined value, a processing unit that subjects an analog image signal obtained from the clamp unit to analog processing, and a converting unit that converts a processed analog image signal to a digital image signal. A control unit for controlling the processing circuit includes a switching unit that switches a main scanning line period of a charge coupled device and outputs analog image signals using a number of reading speeds, and a changing unit that changes a clamp period depending on the main scanning line period.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner part reading an original on a contact glass, and a projector part projecting image information onto the contact glass as first image displaying. The projector part projects thumbnails or an image to have an image processing operation carried out or be printed. The display part carries out second image displaying obtained from reducing the first image displaying in size. At a time of the scanner part being operated, transmittance of the contact glass is increased and the projector part stops projecting the image information, and at a time of the scanner part not being operated, the transmittance of the contact glass is decreased and the projector part carries out the first image displaying. Setting of the image processing operation for the image data is reflected on the first image displaying and the second image displaying.

Abstract: A sheet image scanner of the present invention has plural image sensors to output electric signals by detecting optical image data that are obtained by applying a light from a light source to documents, amplifiers to amplify outputs from the plural image sensors, and a peak detection processing unit to detect a peak value of sensitivity of at least one of the plural image sensors and set a gain value for each of amplifiers for the plural image sensors using the detected peak value.

Abstract: Calibrating a white level in an image scanning device. A target white level is accessed. A high white level is determined for pixel data output by an amplifier. A gain adjustment to the amplifier is determined to correct a portion of an error between the target white level and the high white level. The gain adjustment is applied to the amplifier.

Abstract: An offset adjusting device includes a sample-hold unit that sample-holds an analog image signal obtained by converting reflected light from an original into an electric signal with a photoelectric conversion device to thereby obtain a sample-hold signal; an amplifying unit that amplifies the sample-hold signal to obtain an amplified signal; an analog-digital converter that digitizes the amplified signal to obtain a digital signal; a difference detecting unit that detects a difference between a black-level detection value of the digital signal and a black-level target value; an selecting unit that selects an adjustment coefficient among a plurality of adjustment coefficients based on comparison of the difference and a reference value; and a feedback unit that subjects an offset adjustment value based on the adjustment coefficient selected by the selecting unit to feedback processing.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a buffer circuit capable of suppressing the adverse influence of excessive voltage or current output from a photoelectric converting element on an analog signal processing circuit coupled to the photoelectric converting element, and an image reading apparatus or image forming apparatus incorporating the photoelectric converting element, the buffer circuit, and the analog signal processing circuit.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading device, which comprises a photoreceptor unit having photoreceptors aligned in a line, and a signal output unit having output channels from which output signals of the photoreceptors are outputted. The output channels respectively correspond to regions into which the photoreceptors are divided. The image reading device further comprises an amplifier unit to amplify the output signals from the output channels, and a gain adjustment unit configured to use a maximum level of white signals outputted by the signal output unit as the output signals when the photoreceptor unit receives light from a white object to adjust a gain of amplification of the amplifier unit with respect to the output signals belonging to at least one of the regions other than a first region to which an output signal corresponding to the maximum level belongs.

Abstract: An image signal processing circuit including a gain control circuit capable of performing gain control operation, and an image reading device or an image forming apparatus incorporating the image signal processing circuit.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an analog processing unit configured to perform line-clamping on an analog electric signal representing image data and to output the line-clamped analog electric signal as an analog image signal, and a fixed electric potential supplying unit configured to supply a fixed electric potential. There is also a variable electric potential supplying unit configured to supply a variable electric potential, a first switch configured to start and stop the line-clamping, and a second switch configured to select the fixed electric potential or the variable electric potential. The image processing device is configured to turn on the first switch at such a timing that an influence of a distorted response waveform, which distorted response waveform is generated when the variable electric potential is switched to the fixed electric potential by the second switch, is reduced.

Abstract: A method for removing show-through defects in scanned document images is provided by adjusting the scanner's image sensor calibration gain in the area of a drive roll gap. The method will also compensate for drive roll contamination. The invention uses a modified calibration scheme in conjunction with a document transmission sensor in the document handler to measure radiant energy transmitted through the document, i.e., transmission. The scanner adjusts the calibration gain factors to simulate a uniform background with knowledge of the gap and the input document's transmission thus a uniform scanner response is determined and presented to the image processing. A device for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A reference voltage generating unit generates a plurality of analog reference voltages, and an A/D converting unit converts the analog reference voltages thus generated and an analog input voltage input from an external device to digital reference values. A CPU generates, based on the analog reference voltages and the digital reference values converted from the analog reference voltages, an equation for correcting the analog input voltage to be converted to a digital value falling in a range of the digital reference values. With the equation generated, the CPU calculates the analog input voltage for the digital value obtained by conversion.

Abstract: A method applied in a scanner for selecting and adjusting scanner illuminants including procedures herein below is provided. Start the scanner; determine what type of power supply the scanner is connected to; select suitable illuminant which fits the adopted power supply; and start to scan. Of which, the power supply adopted is either self power or bus power, while the suitable illuminant is either a high power illuminant or a low power illuminant. Another method including procedures herein below is also provided. Start the scanner; determine what type of power supply is adopted in the scanner; adjust the drive setting for the illuminant which fits the adopted power supply; drive the illuminant; and start to scan. Of which, the power supply adopted is either self power or bus power, while the drive setting for the illuminant is either a high power setting or a low power setting.

Abstract: An image forming device has image forming units 3-6, a transfer belt 7, a position detection unit 19, a concentration sensor 23, and an adjustment unit. A toner image is formed on the surfaces of the image forming units 3-6, and transferred onto the transfer belt 7. The position detection unit 19 detects a predetermined position on the surface of the transfer belt 7. On the predetermined position, the concentration sensor 23 detects first information relating to the color of the surface of the transfer belt 7. The concentration sensor 23 detects second information relating to the color of the pattern image that is formed on the predetermined position. The adjustment unit adjusts toner concentration at the time of forming an image based on the first information and the second information detected by the concentration sensor 23.

Abstract: When a monochromatic mode is set, a CPU outputs a SW signal and executes a control to input an output from a monochromatic reading line sensor to a CCD signal processing section. Then, after a black level adjustment period ends and a black reference level reaches a desired value, the CPU starts reading of a black reference signal for shading correction. When a color mode is set, the CPU outputs a SW signal and executes a control to input an output from a color reading line sensor to the CCD signal processing section. After the black level adjustment period ends and the black reference level reaches a desired value, the CPU starts reading of a black reference signal for shading correction.

Abstract: Circuits, devices, and methods for enabling the digitization of scanned images with an Analog Front End (AFE) circuit. The AFE circuit includes a sampler for sampling a signal produced by an image sensor and in response generating analog image samples. The AFE circuit also includes a Programmable Gain Amplifier for generating amplified samples by amplifying the analog image samples. The AFE circuit further includes an Analog to Digital Converter for generating digitized samples from the amplified samples; and a Digital Programmable Gain Amplifier for amplifying the digitized samples which are subsequently presented to a processor for further processing of the scanned image. Accordingly, the scanned image is digitized with amplification taking place both in the analog and in the digital domain, deriving benefits from each. The AFE circuit may be calibrated in two steps, once for each of the domains.

Abstract: An image signal processing circuit including a gain control circuit capable of performing gain control operation, and an image reading device or an image forming apparatus incorporating the image signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A sheet image scanner of the present invention has plural image sensors to output electric signals by detecting optical image data that are obtained by applying a light from a light source to documents, amplifiers to amplify outputs from the plural image sensors, and a peak detection processing unit to detect a peak value of sensitivity of at least one of the plural image sensors and set a gain value for each of amplifiers for the plural image sensors using the detected peak value.

Abstract: A sheet image scanner of the present invention has plural image sensors to output electric signals by detecting optical image data that are obtained by applying a light from a light source to documents, amplifiers to amplify outputs from the plural image sensors, and a peak detection processing unit to detect a peak value of sensitivity of at least one of the plural image sensors and set a gain value for each of amplifiers for the plural image sensors using the detected peak value.

Abstract: A system and method for viewing a fax document includes a fax device which may be configured for transmitting/receiving fax transmissions. When a transmitting fax device with a video camera and a video display transmits a fax transmission to a receiving fax device with a video camera and a video display, and the receiving fax device receives the fax transmission, the transmitting fax device controls the receiving fax device until the fax transmission ends. An image of the fax transmission may then be previewed on the transmitting fax device, the fax transmission may then be electronically released from the receiving fax device, and an image of the fax transmission may then be printed. The video camera of the receiving fax device may then scan the printed image, display the scanned printed image, and physically release the scanned printed document from the receiving fax device.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a CCD which photoelectrically converts optical information and outputs an image signal in an analog form, a PGA which receives an output from the CCD, amplifies the output with a programmable gain, and outputs the output, an ADC which receives an output from the PGA, A/D-converts the output, and outputs an image signal in a digital form, and a CPU which calculates a gain which makes an output from the ADC match a reference value by using an output from the ADC and the reference value, thereby setting a gain for the PGA. This arrangement makes it possible to set a gain in a short period of time and shorten the first copy time in an image forming apparatus or MFP system using the image reading device of this invention.

Abstract: In the present invention, an optical reader image sensor is adapted to clock out image data from an image sensor according to “low resolution” mode of operation in order to reduce a parameter determination delay of the reader. In a low resolution mode, some pixels of the readers image sensor array are clock out at normal clock out speed sufficient to develop electrical signals accurately reflecting the intensity of light at the respective pixel positions, while other pixels of the array are either not clocked out or are clocked out at a higher clock out rate which may be insufficient to allow development of electrical signals that accurately represent light incident on the image sensor's sensor array but which nevertheless, results in a reduction of the overall frame clock out rate of the frame of image data.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image utilizing serial transmission between the analog-to-digital converting means and the processing means (ASIC) is disclosed herein. The image acquiring system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the following devices. The image sensor converts an image to an electrical signal responding to a trigger signal. An amplifier amplifies the power of the electrical signal mentioned above, and the amplified electrical signal is of the analog format. The A/D converting device converts the amplified electrical signal from the analog format to the digital format responding to a reference voltage, wherein the A/D converting device outputs the digitized electrical signal in series. The processing device stores the digitized electrical signal in a memory, wherein the trigger signal is generated by the processing device responding to the digitized electrical signal.

Abstract: A four-line CCD sensor is structured by line sensors R, G, B in which color filters are respectively disposed on surfaces of light receiving elements, and a line sensor BK at which no color filter is disposed. Amplitudes of signals which are outputted from the line sensors R, G, B at a time of reading a color document, and an amplitude of a signal which is outputted from the line sensor BK at a time of reading a monochrome document are adjusted so as to be substantially equal to one another. In a case in which a color document is read, outputs of the line sensors R, G, B are selectively provided, and in a case in which a monochrome document is read, output of the line sensor BK is selectively provided.

Abstract: A four-line CCD sensor is structured by line sensors R, G, B in which color fillers are respectively disposed on surfaces of light receiving elements, and a line sensor BK at which no color filter is disposed. Amplitudes of signals which are outputted from the line sensors R, G, B at a time of reading a color document, and an amplitude of a signal which is outputted from the line sensor BK at a time of reading a monochrome document are adjusted so as to be substantially equal to one another. In a case in which a color document is read, outputs of the line sensors R, G, B are selectively provided, and in a case in which a monochrome document is read, output of the line sensor BK is selectively provided.