Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes an image reading section configured to read an original document and generate image data, the image data corresponding to the original document or a part of the original document. The image processing apparatus further includes a control panel including a document area for displaying a plurality of images, the plurality of images including an image which corresponds to the image data. The control panel is configured to receive input designating the image corresponding to the image data and at least one other image from the plurality of images. The image processing apparatus also includes a controller, which in response to an instruction, generates an aggregation image including the image corresponding to the image data and the at least one other image from the plurality of images.

Abstract: A multi-resolution imaging device (10) for a high-speed multi-color printer includes at least one high-resolution sensor array (23), wherein an output of the high-resolution sensor array is transmitted to a controller (19); at least one low-resolution sensor array (24); wherein the controller calculates a correction for stitch; wherein the controller, based on the calculated correction, adjusts a timing of image data provided to individual print elements comprising print stations (12) to aligned an output of the print elements; and wherein the low-resolution sensor array provides full page viewing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a color chart condition setter for setting colorimetric values of a designated color as a reference color, and an image data generator for generating image data of pixel values calculated such that a plurality of color patches are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern on a print medium around the reference color set by the color chart condition setter, and color differences in an equal color space between adjacent ones of the color patches are represented by a substantially equal interval along a row or column of color patches.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods (900) and apparatuses (600) for determining a location of a graphical object (2220) printed onto a print medium (230), said graphical object comprising a plurality of object marks, the method comprising the steps of superposing a two-dimensional reference pattern (710) having a pre-defined degree of accuracy over the printed graphical object, the two-dimensional reference pattern comprising a plurality of pattern marks (770); scanning the superposed printed graphical object and reference pattern to produce a scanned image (2400); determining a location coordinate (2923) of the graphical object in the scanned image (2400); and refining the location coordinate dependent upon the scanned reference pattern to determine a reference pattern coordinate (2904?) associated with the location coordinate (2923). Also disclosed are methods (1800), apparatuses, and computer program products for determining a head size (420) of a print head (3110) of a printer (3100) using the aforementioned method.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprises: a plurality of color image forming units each forming an image for correction for each different color on a different paper to output a correction chart; an operation unit for accepting an input of density correction instruction information corresponding to each of the plurality of color image forming units based on the correction chart; a control unit for setting color of the image for correction according to the density correction instruction information input by the operation unit, generating the image for correction for the set color, and causing the image for correction to be formed on the paper by the color image forming unit in order to output the correction chart; and a density unevenness correction unit for correcting density unevenness of each pixel in a main scanning direction for each of the plurality of color image forming units based on the density correction unevenness information input by the operation unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. A first cleaning unit is configured to collect a particle deposited on an object. An applying unit is configured to apply a voltage to the first cleaning unit. A first detector is configured to detect a first current flowing between the first cleaning unit and the object. A controller is configured to control the applying unit. When the detected first current becomes equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, the controller controls the applying unit to reduce the voltage applied to the first cleaning unit so as to make the first current smaller than the first predetermined value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a color adjustment apparatus, including: a color information storage section configured to store color information regarding an arbitrary region designated through a pointer in an editing image region; and a color coordinate explicitly displaying section configured to explicitly display a mark, which specifies color coordinates corresponding to the color information, at a pertaining position on a hue ring or a hue bar chart prepared for color adjustment.

Abstract: A test pattern printed by a printer is assessed—without colorimetric equipment—to provide data used in recalibrating the printer. The assessment may be made by an unskilled operator, and can include discerning whether a particular pattern is visible in the printed test pattern, or whether a feature in the test pattern is relatively wider or narrower. From such assessment, needed changes to the printer's calibration data are inferred and implemented. A variety of other printer calibration techniques are disclosed. The technology is illustrated in the context of dye sublimation printers, and is particularly useful in optimizing printing of digitally-watermarked graphics.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for creating a preview image of an object. The apparatus includes an object type detecting unit for detecting an object to be previewed for determining whether the type of the object is text, graphics, and image, a color matching unit for converting a color signal of the detected object into an image forming color signal by using a color profile corresponding to the detected object according to the detection result of the object type detecting unit, and a preview image creating unit for creating and displaying a preview image for the object converted into the image forming color signal. Therefore, because the preview image is displayed on a monitor according to the type of object (text, graphics, or image), a user can predict the image forming result more accurately. Further, because the colors of objects can be adjusted, a printout with desired color characteristics can be obtained.

Abstract: A color-drift correcting method in an image forming apparatus includes a first and a second color-drift correcting. The first color-drift correcting includes correcting the color-drift amount in a sub scanning direction and a skew relative to the reference color image being based on each color-drift amount of at least three mark-patterns, each of which mark-pattern is formed each color image, so as to decide a corrected-image line as a virtual image line for each color, assumed when the color images are superposed onto a transfer media. A second color-drift correcting includes correcting the color-drift amount in the sub scanning direction so that the virtual image lines corresponding to each of the colors other than the reference color intersect with the virtual image line of the reference color at at least two points.

Abstract: A scanning lens for an optical scanner includes a specific adjusting axis and a curved surface. The specific adjusting axis makes a rotating center of the scanning lens and center of the curved surface. The scanning lens is disposed on a holding member having a receiving surface, so that the curved surface is in contact with the receiving surface. A position of the scanning lens is adjusted by a rotating mechanism that rotates the scanning lens.

Abstract: A system and processes for the accurate measurement and control of image color values on a printing press with or without the presence of a color bar. More particularly, a barless color control system and processes for controlling the color quality of color images printed on a substrate online or offline, with or without a color bar printed on the substrate. The system provides an efficient and inexpensive method for barless closed loop color control and the processes are conducted without pixel-by-pixel comparisons.

Abstract: A two-color print generating apparatus generates two-color print data based on color-converted image data in which the color of each pixel of full-color bit depth in an image is converted to a print color comprising a background color, a main color, or a secondary color. A color-reduced image data generator converts full-color image data to image data reduced to a specific number of colors. A color conversion unit generates color-converted image data in which the specified colors of the reduced-color image data are converted to colors that can be printed by the printer. A print data conversion unit converts the color converted color-converted image data to two-color print data. A color conversion selection unit sets the color conversion method and sets specific color conversion parameters based on the selected color conversion method. The processing of the invention can also be embodied as a method and/or specified as program instructions.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, printing information on a hardcopy medium includes the acceptance of data representing a first information and the acceptance of data representing a second information. Second information is printed in regions on the medium where first information data is not printed. Second information data is encoded into a grayscale or color data representation such that necessary or maximum data density is achieved. First information is printed using black (K) ink (or alternatively using a different color gamut than that used for printing the second information) such that first information can be filtered out in a straightforward manner upon scanning of the printed medium by a digital scanning apparatus, and second information can then be recovered and utilized to advantage.

Abstract: A forensic marking system and method for identifying the printing device on which a medium was printed. Encoded forensic markings which identify the device but are of low perceptibility to the human eye are superimposed on the printed image. The markings have a color, size, density, and repetition pattern that only minimally affect print quality while providing highly accurate identification of the printing device, even if the printed medium contains high-density image content.

Abstract: An image information changing part is added to correct image information of respective colors to be recorded according to information of errors among images to be combined so that color images may be combined exactly. An image recording method and an image recording apparatus having a high-speed, high-resolution and highly stable image combining method can be obtained.

Abstract: An image read from a document is analyzed to check whether the image includes a guide information at a predetermined position of the image. The guide information represents, for example, a layout of the document on the paper. The direction of a paper on which the image read is to be formed on a paper is adjusted based on the guide information included in the image. Thus, an operator is not required to adjust the direction of the paper. The guide information may include information such as whether the image is to be formed on both sides of the paper.

Abstract: Image information is re-calibrated based on the type of marking process and materials by which the image corresponding to the image information was marked on a substrate. The marking process is automatically detected by using, for example, at least one spatial characteristic obtained from the image information.

Abstract: A method and system for an approximation of a filter function for computing a characteristic value of an output pixel based on characteristic values of a plurality of input pixels is provided. A filter response curve adjustment value is obtained, preferably from a lookup table, based on a distance interval between coordinates of the output pixel and coordinates of a selected input pixel. A normalized filter response curve input value is computed based on the distance interval and the filter response curve adjustment value, preferably by adding the values together. The characteristic values at a plurality of input pixels are obtained. A linearly interpolated value for the characteristic value of the output pixel is then computed based on the characteristic values of the plurality of input pixels and the normalized filter response curve input value.

Abstract: A digital still camera using a progressive image sensor includes an image sensor for capturing images and for generating image signals corresponding to the images, an image processor for generating image data corresponding to the image signals from the image sensor, and a memory for storing the image data from the image processor line by line. The invention further includes an image compression/decompression unit for compressing the image data and for decompressing the compressed image data, and a controller for controlling the image sensor, the image processor, and the image compression/decompression unit. Since the digital still camera uses a progressive image sensor which simultaneously generates analog image signals corresponding to an entire image, frame memories are not necessary for storing images.

Abstract: Images of film that has been developed are captured by image sensing. The original digital image data is converted to reduced digital image data representing images that are reduced in size and stored on a user's disk, and the original digital image data is stored on a laboratory recording medium together with an identification code identifying the roll of film. The identification code is applied to the film and to the user's disk on which the reduced digital image data has been stored. The original digital image data is read out of the laboratory recording medium and photographs of the images represented by this data are printed. Image data, information IX1 per each roll of film and information IX2 per each frame are read from photographic film having information recording zones, and the image data and information are recorded on a user's disk. A video component and an audio component are also recorded on the user's disk in advance.

Abstract: Periodic inking artifacts are reduced by randomness introduced into an image-processing stage. This goes beyond providing a fixed pattern earlier derived through random processing; rather the system literally introduces randomness or at least pseudorandomness into the image-processing stage. Preferably a superpixel is selected, essentially at random, from a plurality of superpixels—at least for points with an intermediate tonal level, which is the part of the tonal range where dot-placement error is most conspicuous. If image scaling or some other reason for using superpixels (and starting with a coarse grid) is not present, the randomness-introduction approach preferably includes preparing the image using a pixel grid that is coarser than the available printer resolution. The selected superpixel is applied at the coarser grid to define a set of individual pixels at printer resolution.

Abstract: The improved color image recording apparatus comprises a raster image processor to create scan image data; a color management system to correct the color/density of the scan image data; an exposing device with which a photosensitive material is scan exposed by multi-channel exposure to record a latent image in accordance with the corrected scan image data; a developing device with which the photosensitive material having the latent image formed thereon is subjected to a development process so as to create a hard copy having the image reproduced thereon; an instrument to measure the color/density of the image in the hard copy; and a system for revising the conditions of exposure in the exposing device and/or the conditions of correction in the color management system in accordance with the result of measurement with the instrument.

Abstract: An image sampling and color shift correction system in a multiple image forming apparatus forms a multiple image by providing a plurality of image output units along a transfer belt. An image control unit applies image data to the image output units. A pattern generator repeatedly generates a register shift measurement pattern in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the respective image output units. The register shift measurement pattern is formed outside of the largest paper area. A sampling unit samples an image formed by the respective image output units at both sides of a paper on the transfer belt in the main scanning direction of the transfer belt. A processing unit takes data sampled by the sampling unit and processes the amount of register shift. A control unit controls the image output and image sampling correction.

Abstract: A color printer arranges respective printing mechanisms for printing yellow, magenta, cyan, black and rotatably arranges below the respective printing mechanisms a carrier belt attaching a recording medium thereto and moving it. The carrier belt is formed with timing marks, and photointerrupters are provided to read the timing marks. DIP switches are formed for setting positional errors of the respective printing mechanisms. Printing timings of the respective printing mechanisms are controlled on the basis of the read outputs of the timing marks from the photointerrupters and the set values in the DIP switches.

Abstract: In a device for processing color images preparatory to printing, there is provided a method of reducing marking material coverage in text and line art areas of secondary colors including the steps of: a) determining the locations of text and line art color pixels having excessive marking material coverage; b) upon determining the locations of color pixels having excessive marking material coverage, processing separation pixels to turn OFF a predetermined portion of the separation pixels corresponding to color pixels having excessive marking material coverage; and c) to prevent artifacts from occurring in the pixel reduction step, processing a given area of separation pixels in an order which tends to randomize the turn OFF effect.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of extracting independent spectral image records from an imagewise exposed photographic element that contains superimposed silver halide exposure recording layer units each containing a latent image derived from a selected region of the spectrum. The photographic element contains N+1 superimposed silver halide exposure recording units. Photographic processing is conducted to produce a silver image in N+1 of the exposure recording units and a dye image distinguishable from other dye images in at least N exposure recording layer units. The photographic element is in one instance scanned in a spectral region of silver absorption and minimal image dye absorption to provide a first image density record, and the photographic element is also in N spectral regions wherein maximum density of a different image dye occurs to provide N additional image density records.