Abstract: An array type inkjet printer system having a print head with a plurality of nozzles formed therein in the horizontal scan direction includes a resolution adjusting unit for reducing a resolution in the horizontal scan direction of print data by a predetermined rate; a rendering unit for rendering the print data according to the resolution adjusted by the resolution adjusting unit; and a scaler for scaling the size of the rendered print data to be in correspondence to a resolution of the array type inkjet printer. Therefore, the number of operative nozzles at one time can be reduced, and therefore power consumption is reduced. This in turn opens up the possibility to use a small-sized, low-cost power supply unit.

Abstract: A bright luminance value, a dark luminance value, and an average luminance value relating to a face image portion included in an image represented by fed image data are calculated in calculating circuits. Further, a target bright luminance value and a target dark luminance value are calculated in a calculating circuit on the basis of a target average luminance value and a dynamic range that are inputted from an input device and the calculated bright luminance value, dark luminance value, and average luminance value. Interpolation processing based on a correspondence between the calculated bright luminance value, dark luminance value, and average luminance value relating to the face image portion and the target bright luminance value, the target dark luminance value, and the target average luminance value respectively corresponding thereto is performed in a corrected value calculating circuit, to create a look-up table.

Abstract: A color image communication device includes a transmission unit which carries out a facsimile transmission of image data of a sYCC-Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) color space, and a control unit which controls a facsimile transmission of the image data of the sYCC-JPEG color space without setting size information in a facsimile communication protocol when the image data to be transmitted by facsimile is the image data of the sYCC-JPEG color space.

Abstract: Document data is constituted of a plurality of objects different in attribution, and layout information of the objects. Each object is associated with size information indicating a relation between an output area size and an object size when the document data is outputted. When the document data is outputted to an output apparatus, the magnification of each object is changed and outputted in accordance with the output area size of the document data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of visualizing a large still picture on a display having a size smaller than the large still picture, said method comprising the steps of dividing the large still picture into a set of pieces, said pieces having a size substantially equal to the display size; ranking the pieces of the large still picture according to a predetermined scanning order; and encoding the set of pieces using a predictive block-based compression technique according to said predetermined scanning order so as to obtain a video sequence.

Abstract: A separating unit determines, for an image data, whether there exists black data, and generates density data from the black data when the black data exists, and generates color data from data other than the black data. A multinarizing unit converts the color data into multinary data. A magnification varying unit varies the density data and the color data multinarized, using a cubic function convolution method. A binarizing unit binarizes the color data varied, based on a predetermined threshold. An image forming unit prints the color data binarized and the density data varied, onto a recording medium.

Abstract: The amount of moiré in halftone printed images is reduced using unique moiré intensity functions and moiré vectors in a halftoner. In various embodiments, moiré phase angle zones are determined over the full field of an image and high addressability units in the full-field moiré phase angle zones of the image are adjusted, including in an iterative manner, until they significantly reduce the moiré. A useful relationship between halftoner memory locations and moiré phase angle zones in a full field image is determined. The moiré that occurs in a halftone image is quantified and moiré compensation values obtained are then used to generate an inverse moire amount which is used to compensate for the moiré.

Abstract: A device and method to render a page in a printing device are described. In an implementation, an object to be rendered onto the pixel map is converted from a description in pixel coordinates to a representation in lower resolution surface units. The lower resolution surface units are compared to a lower resolution map of the page. If the representation does not overlap an object in the lower resolution map, then an indication is formed that the object can be rendered on the pixel map without destination dependent operations.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a display unit capable of displaying image data in a one-image display mode, in which images are displayed one by one, and a multi-screen display mode, in which a plurality of images is displayed at the same time; a selection unit configured to select between the one-screen display mode and the multi-screen display mode; an editing unit configured to edit the image data; and a control unit configured to control the display unit so that when the one-screen display mode is selected by the selection unit, the image data edited by the editing unit is displayed and when the multi-screen display mode is selected by the selection unit, information indicating that the image data is edited is displayed together with the edited image data.

Abstract: Featured are an image processing apparatus, method and a medium including an image processing program. The image processing apparatus includes an image inputting means for inputting an image, a character/line drawing region extracting means for extracting a character/line drawing region from the input image, a pseudo-density region extracting means for extracting a pseudo-density region from the input image, an image contracting means for contracting images in an extracted pseudo-density region, an extracted character/line drawing region, and a region other than the pseudo-density region and the character/line drawing region, by mutually different methods, and an image outputting means for outputting the contracted image.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the reformatting of a digital “ready to print” data file into a continuous tone (32 or 24 bit) file whereby discrete values in the tone range are uniquely assigned to specific binary combinations. The purpose for this transform is to facilitate further manipulation of preprocessed data. One application of the present invention is to exist as a critical piece of proofing workflow for a technology that reduces continuous tone data into a binary form representing droplet selection prior to output.

Abstract: In a disclosed image forming apparatus, an original is scanned and image data of the original are obtained. The data size of the image data corresponding to one page of the original is measured. The image data obtained are stored in or deleted from a memory. A storable number of pages of the original that can be stored in the memory is calculated based on the data size measured and available space in the memory. In response to the storable number of pages calculated being less than a total number of pages of the original, the image data of the original is successively stored in and deleted from the memory.

Abstract: A printer in which difference in color tone or contrast between a picture displayed on a display and a picture printed by the printer device is suppressed to a minimum. The display is preferably integrated with the printer. The printer includes an image data inputting unit for receiving input image information, e.g., by reading image data from a digital storage medium or from film, and providing digital image data based thereupon. Display outputting circuitry outputs an image signal corresponding to the digital image data to the display. A picture printing unit prints an image corresponding to the digital image data on a recording medium. A characteristics correction unit corrects a display setting prescribing display image properties of the display and a printing characteristics setting prescribing printing picture properties of the printing unit, so that color tone and/or contrast of the displayed and printed pictures are equalized.

Abstract: An image processing method of subjecting image data having been supplied to image processing so as to arrange the image data as output image data has the steps of: performing a verification for adjusting image processing conditions when necessary referring to a finished-state anticipating image; and performing an image processing operation, which is not affected by the adjustment of the image processing conditions performed by the verification, is performed regardless of whether or not the verification has been finished.

Abstract: Document data is constituted of a plurality of objects different in attribution, and layout information of the objects. Each object is associated with size information indicating a relation between an output area size and an object size when the document data is outputted. When the document data is outputted to an output apparatus, the magnification of each object is changed and outputted in accordance with the output area size of the document data.

Abstract: Upon scaling input image data and outputting the scaled image data, an address arithmetic processor determines phase information, which indicates the distances between the position of the pixel of interest after scaling and neighboring pixels of an original image, in accordance with the scale of that scaling, a coefficient arithmetic processor calculates filter coefficients in a filter process in accordance with the determined phase information, and a filter processor executes the filter process of the input image data by convolution operations on the basis of the calculated filter coefficients and outputs multi-valued image data. An LUT converts the density of the multi-valued image data in correspondence with the density characteristics of a printer, and a binarization processor binarizes the multi-valued image data and outputs binary image data to an image storage unit.

Abstract: With the present invention, by changing the scanning timing of a CCD line sensor in accordance with the amount of scanning misregistration corresponding to a magnification, misregistration of less than one line can be accurately corrected, thereby eliminating degradation of MTF, which has occurred in conventional apparatuses.

Abstract: In an image processing method, a square submatrix formed from adjacent original pixels is equally divided into small square regions along the X- and Y-coordinate axes. Approximate points are set at the vertexes of the regions. Interpolation coefficients are derived based on a predetermined interpolation function. Interpolation coefficients normalized so as to adjust the sum of the coefficient values of interpolation coefficients used for one interpolation operation to 2k (k is a positive integer) are calculated, and stored in a coefficient buffer in advance. A new pixel position of each pixel constituting a new image is calculated in accordance with magnifications representing enlargement/reduction ratios along the X- and Y-coordinate axes for an original image. An approximate point closest to the new pixel position is selected as the approximate point of the new pixel position. Interpolation coefficients corresponding to the interpolation original pixels are read out from the coefficient buffer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a page printer control method, a page printer therefor, for compressing print data for one page and for storing the compressed data in a memory, so that even when a printing resolution is changed in due to a memory shortage, the resolution can be used for all the pages of a document. According to the present invention, a system for controlling a page printer includes a memory, a controller for drawing print data, a compression circuit for compressing drawing data, an expanding circuit for expanding the compressed data, and a video output circuit for outputting expanded data to the printer engine as a video signal. The controller detects the remaining capacity of the compression data area in the memory, and when a memory shortage is detected, i.e., when insufficient storage capacity is available, the printing resolution is changed and the drawing process is performed, starting at the beginning of the job.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to form an image effectively by reading the image from the same film on which the image and information concerning the image have been recorded in different methods. To attain the object, there is provided an image processing apparatus of the present invention comprising optical read means for optically reading image data from a film and magnetic read means for magnetically reading additional information concerning the image data from the film. Consequently, the image indicated by the image data can be formed effectively by automatically selecting the size of a paper, a zoom ratio of the image or the like on the basis of the additional information.

Abstract: A system CPU checks whether a copying mode is selected. If the copying mode is selected, the system CPU calculates “read area=periphery of original 2?mm×100÷magnification.” If the copying mode is not selected, the system CPU checks whether a resolution conversion is effective or not. If the resolution conversion is not effective, the system CPU calculates “read area=periphery of original?2 mm×100÷magnification.” If the resolution conversion is effective, the system CPU calculates “read area=periphery of original?2 mm.” The system CPU instructs the scanner CPU to start scanning with the calculated read area.

Abstract: A method for performing drop placement by an imaging apparatus includes the steps of defining a matrix that identifies all possible drop locations at an output resolution; defining primary drop locations in the matrix for each color of interest based on predefined criteria; defining secondary drop locations in the matrix for the each color of interest; and establishing rules to assign input data received at an input resolution to particular locations of the primary drop locations and the secondary drop locations in the matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus for scaling an image composed of pixels by a scale factor is described. The apparatus includes a local image analyzer for identifying from among said pixels a target pixel and a set of pixels proximate to said target pixel and determining a type for the target pixel. The apparatus includes a linear interpolation function that is parameterized by a horizontal linear interpolation coefficient and a vertical linear interpolation coefficient. The apparatus includes an interpolation coefficient generator for defining the horizontal and vertical linear interpolation coefficients. The apparatus includes an image scaler for scaling said image in a neighborhood of the target pixel by the scale factor using the linear interpolation function with the horizontal linear interpolation coefficient and the vertical linear interpolation coefficient. A method of scaling a source image.

Abstract: An image processing device for processing input image data includes a correction unit that corrects for image deterioration caused by changes in image magnification; a reduction/enlargement unit that, based on the magnification, thins out the pixel data when reduction is being performed or carries out inflation of the pixel data when enlargement is being performed; and a controller that changes the operation of the correction unit in response to the magnification.

Abstract: Print data received from a host computer is divided into five bands, and expansion time required for expanding the print data is estimated. If it is determined based on the estimated expansion time that a print overrun would occur, grayscale depth during the expansion of the print data is reduced by two bits at a time, in the priority sequence of yellow, cyan, then magenta, until it can be determined that a print overrun will not occur.

Abstract: To develop a vector image to bitmap data having a designated output size and output the bitmap data, developing unit converts the stored rendering data to a designated output size in accordance with reduction designation of the vector image.

Abstract: For preventing the occurrence of disjunction among a plurality of images in the magnification index in the main scanning direction, image data delivered from an external device through an input image data connector are converted by a P/S converter into serial data from parallel data, and then stored into a memory by a write controller. When the image data are cached, a read controller starts reading the image data. At the same time, a computation means starts counting time based on information set at a setting means by an external central processing unit. As soon as it reaches the initial insert interval, the read controller suspends reading of image data out of the memory to insert virtual data pixel. In the same procedure, the read controller inserts virtual data pixel at each of the insert intervals counted by the computation means.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes an original image data input unit 11 for receiving the original low resolution image data; a connection detector 13 for detecting a connection of a target pixel in the original image data and neighboring pixels; a rule application unit 17 for employing a relationship between a coordinate position of a pixel in the original image data and a coordinate position of a resultant pixel in the expansion image data to define a plurality of types into which the relationship can be sorted, and for applying a specific rule for the plurality of types; and a results output unit 19 for determining the value of the resultant pixel in accordance with the rule, and for outputting the expansion image data, wherein, when the connection detector 13 ascertains that the target pixel constitutes a one-pixel width line, the rule application unit 17 applies a rule that will maintain the one-pixel width even in the expansion image data.

Abstract: A color image processing device includes n line sensors which are arranged with a prescribed interval L between one another, an image signal output unit which outputs image signals under a prescribed cycle from the line sensors and a line memory which stores the image signals for a plurality of lines and outputs the image signals with a delay. A control unit is provided for controlling to input one of the image signals of a certain cycle into the line memory, and to output an image signal from the line memory by delaying a certain number of lines, in accordance with a prescribed rate of magnification N.

Abstract: A finely adjustable optical mechanism includes a base, a lens seat mounted on the base, a mirror set mounted on the base. A lens and an image sensor are mounted on the lens seat. A link is provided between the lens seat and the base. It is possible to move the lens seat relative to the base by rotating the link to move the lens seat or the base. Accordingly, the relatively positional relationship between the lens seat and the base can be finely adjusted.

Abstract: An image data interpolation apparatus includes an image data obtaining unit for obtaining image data representing an image as dot-matrix picture elements, a picture element interpolating unit capable of selectively executing one of a plurality of interpolating processes when the image data is interpolated so that the number of constituent picture elements thereof is increased, an interpolating scale factor obtaining unit for obtaining an interpolating scale factor suitable for the image data, and an interpolating process selecting unit for selecting one of the interpolating processes capable of obtaining an optimum result of interpolation according to the interpolating scale factor obtained by the interpolating scale factor obtaining unit and causing the picture element interpolating unit to execute the selected interpolating process.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of contracting an original image consisting of plural pixel data to produce a contracted image; comparing a pixel data of the original image with a corresponding pixel data of the contracted image; registering the pixel data of the original image as a registered data if it is judged in the comparing step that a color difference between the pixel data of the original image and the corresponding pixel data of the contracted image is larger than a predetermined value; and substituting the pixel data of the original image with one of a plurality of registered data only if the color difference is not larger than the predetermined value. An apparatus for performing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a sensor including a plurality of photoelectric converters for reading information on a document, a detecting circuit for detecting movement of a document cover, a drive circuit for supplying driving pulses for driving the sensor, and a control circuit for controlling the drive circuit so that the driving pulses are changed according to a detection result generated by the detecting circuit.

Abstract: A verification screen is displayed using information obtained by a prescan, fine scan conditions are computed on the basis of the print magnification and whether or not the density of an image obtained by the prescan is higher than a predetermined value is determined, so as to determine whether or not it is necessary to move to high density reading mode. If it is not necessary to move to the high density reading mode, a fine scan is carried out according to the fine scan condition. If it is necessary to move to the high density reading mode, an image is read at a slow transporting speed and over a long accumulation time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adapting a sensor aspect ratio to a print aspect ratio in a digital image capture device is disclosed In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for capturing digital images, comprising an image sensor including a plurality of image capture elements, each of the image capture elements configured to capture image data, an input element for communicating print size information to the apparatus, and logic for determining which of the plurality of image capture elements correspond to the print size.

Abstract: A print apparatus which receives image data from a digital camera, PC card, or PC to print an image on a storage medium outputs print data based on image data from the PC to a printer engine via a USB hub, and prints an image. The apparatus has a DSP which receives compressed image data from the digital camera or PC card, decodes the received data, and parallelly executes, for the decoded image data, at least color space conversion processing, size change processing, and color conversion processing. The apparatus generates print data on the basis of the image data processed by the DSP, outputs the generated print data to the printer engine, and prints an image.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for enlarging/reducing digital images, which carries out the image scale conversion processing uniformly and smoothly according to the regional mapping method to create the mutual positional relation within the reference frame between the pixels of an original image and the pixels of a new image. By using this method, each of the new image pixels and the corresponding region of the original image pixels can be determined, moreover, the average method or the interpolation method can be used within this region to achieve the effect of scaling the digital images on a computer display or the device having a LCD display uniformly and smoothly without having the mosaic effect while enlargement and deformity while reduction. The image scale conversion processing can also be achieved at a high speed.

Abstract: A method of compensating for dot gain in printing with stochastic screens comprises obtaining continuous tone CMYK files and screening the files at a resolution that is lower than the resolution of an output device that will be used to print the files. The lower resolution stochasticly screened files are then expanded to the resolution of the output device, thereby effectively increasing the size of the dots by creating a number of subdots for each dot in the lower resolution stochasticly screened files. Subdots within the expanded stochasticly screened files can then be selectively removed to compensate for dot gain. In addition, overlapping dots in the screened CMYK files are removed and additional stochasticly screened files are created that print a dot of a color of the previously overlapping dots and at the location of the previously overlapping dots to prevent colors from running together when printing on certain media.

Abstract: A system and method for high definition video rescaling comprises receiving a source image including source pixels each having an associated amplitude, creating destination pixel locations for a rescaled image in accordance with a resealing factor, providing a normalized filter function, multiplying the normalized filter function with the amplitude of each source pixel to produce a filter function for each source pixel, and summing together the filter functions for the source pixels to generate a reconstructed function. The reconstructed function is sampled at the destination pixel locations to provide amplitudes for destination pixels. The amplitudes of the destination pixels are then incorporated into a rescaled image. The filter function is preferably a sinc product function.

Abstract: A program method of converting a multiple color file to a two-color, or limited color file, so that an image contained therein can be printed upon a receipt, Point Of Sale, or two-color printer. Most multiple color files that contain logos and graphics cannot be successfully reduced in color by automatic or computer generated methods. The programmatic method of this invention contains a second-stage routine that requests viewer participation and input. The resulting printed or displayed image is visually acceptable by reason of this viewer input.

Abstract: An image scanning method used in a scanner. The scanner includes a housing, a transparent platform set on the housing for a document to be placed on, a scanning module installed inside the housing for scanning the document, and a step motor for driving the scanning module step by step so as to scan the document. After completing a first scanning pass, the scanning module moves a predetermined distance, which corresponds to non-integer steps of the step motor so that when the scanning module performs a second scanning pass, sampling positions of the second scanning pass are different from sampling positions of the first scanning pass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing scan resolution without varying scanner hardware specifications is disclosed. In one embodiment, a pre-scan operation is firstly performed in order to provide information for scan ranges and resolutions selections. When the data quantum of the selected scan range accompanied with resolution is still held by scanner hardware, scan operations will be performed according to selected ones. If the data quantum arisen from the selected ones is higher than scanner hardware threshold, the highest scan resolution of the scanner hardware will be employed to scan selected scan ranges. Interpolations are then performed to the scanned images for increasing scan resolution to selected one before displaying to individuals.

Abstract: A pipeline processor for scaling and converting RGB color input images to CMYK at a magnification specifiable in 1 percent increments up to 400% includes a scaler having predefined main scale factors including one at maximum scale. An interim scale factor is selected from the main scale factors as one nearest the specified magnification toward the high end of the range. A pixel transformation is made at the interim scale factor between a subset of the source pixels and a corresponding subset of intermediate pixels using hardware circuits. The intermediate pixels are then interpolated to produce a scaled image by dropping an evenly spaced subset of the intermediate pixels when the magnification is less than the interim scale factor. A set of enhanced pixels is derived from the scaled image by proportionally weighting center pixels against average values of diagonally neighboring pixels.

Abstract: A method for downscaling an image from a sensor color filter array space having the step of determining an initial image size. The method also has steps of determining a set of stride lengths, locating a single color pixel of interest, and generating a full color pixel. An apparatus having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for performing the above steps is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a document size when the width of a document to be scanned is smaller than an effective scan width of a scanner module. One block of a document support plate is scanned before a document to be scanned is fed and a data value of the scanned block is stored as a reference color data value. After pre-scanning a first block of the document, dividing the document block, widthwise, into a predetermined number of slice, determining whether the reference color data value and a color data value of an Nth slice of the document block are equal, where N is initially set to one, increasing N by one, when it is determined that the reference color data value and the color data value of the Nth slice of the document block are not equal and repeating the determining step, setting a value of the document size to be equal to N−1, when it is determined that the reference color data value and the color data value of the Nth slice of the document block are equal.

Abstract: A document containing colored text is reproduced in a way to preserve the color intent if the reproduced document is copied on a black-and-white device. For small text, the fact that it is colored, is conveyed by reproducing it bold, and for medium size text, by reproducing it outlined. For large text, both the fact that it is colored and the color used can be conveyed by filling the interior of the characters with patterns that correspond directly to the color.

Abstract: A face (skin color) area of a person is extracted with minimized error irrespective of different skin colors of the human races. A hue value calculating portion determines a hue value from an input image (RGB signal). A primary discriminating portion extracts pixels having hue value that lies in a specified range defined by limiting values outputted from a control portion. A pixel-counting portion counts the extracted pixels. The control portion selects a threshold value for extracting a face area according to the count of the extracted pixels and outputs the threshold value to a face-area extracting portion which in turn extracts a face area according to the threshold value.

Abstract: A color image reading apparatus comprises: first to N.sup.th (color line image) sensors for receiving respective color images from the projected image and respectively generating first to N.sup.th (color) signals, the first to N.sup.th sensors respectively extending in a main scanning direction and being arranged in a sub-scanning direction SD in order from the first to N.sup.th sensors with different pitches between the first to (N-1).sup.th sensors and the N.sup.th sensor; a receiving circuit for receiving an enlargement ratio and for supplying a scanning pitch according to the enlargement ratio; a scanning unit responsive to the scanning pitch for scanning the image against the first to N.sup.th sensors in the SD at the scanning pitch in the order, wherein lines of the first to (N-1).sup.th sensors deviate from the lines of the N.sup.th sensor according to the enlargement ratio; and a line combining portion for selecting one of lines of each of the first to (N-1).sup.

Abstract: Scanning printheads form a color image as inkdrops in a pixel grid on a print medium. Pixel row spacing equals nozzle pitch. Apparatus holds and provides (or creates in real time) a printmask using location rules that prevent addressing, within each scan, immediately neighboring pixels in any horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. The mask is applied to control the heads. In other aspects of the invention, the rules also prevent addressing, in each scan, horizontally neighboring pixels within the entire width of the mask; or vertically neighboring pixels within its entire height; or immediate neighbors in any direction across a boundary--horizontal, vertical, or either--between abutting masks. Specific masks are set forth implementing these aspects.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading images on films of different sizes and outputting read image data includes a film sensor for sensing the dimension of at least one side of each film and a control module for operating the apparatus so that at least one of the reading process and outputting process is performed under a parameter setting set beforehand in accordance with a signal from the film sensor. When a reading start instruction is issued from a control panel, a film width detecting circuit performs film sensing, thereby determining the film width of each film. Based on the film width, reading parameter values such as a pixel pitch, a density range, and a data transfer destination are selected from among those that are beforehand set through the control panel. Table update is made for a density linear conversion table according to the film width and an interpolation coefficient according to the pixel pitch.