Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for area-dependent image enhancement. These techniques are capable of enabling selection, through a touch-enabled mobile-device display, of an area of a photographic image through movement of a spatially-variable implement, such as brush icon moved over the image. Selected areas can be enhanced differently than other areas, such as to apply sharpening to the selected area and blurring to a non-selected area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a natural media painting application may receive user inputs through tablet stylus gestures, including gestures that are proximity-based and/or context sensitive. The system may also receive user inputs through the touch of a stylus and/or a user touch on a tablet device. Various digital painting and image editing tasks may be invoked and/or controlled using such inputs in response to detecting and recognizing the stylus gestures. Various gestures defined by a combination of touch and stylus manipulation may be mapped to functions or modes of the application. A touch-and-stylus gesture may be used to invoke a change in the work mode, such as an automatic zoom mode, automatic panning mode, steady detail work mode, or snap to grid mode. A touch-and-stylus gesture may trigger adaptation of one or more parameters of the application to assist a user in performing a detected painting operation in progress.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a data converting module, a communicating unit, a differential data obtaining module, and a combining module. The data converting module is configured to convert image data to displayed image data. The communicating unit is configured to send via a network the displayed image, and to receive an edited displayed image via the network which is edited based on the displayed image. The differential data obtaining module is configured to obtain differential data of at least a difference between the image data and the edited image data. The combining module is configured to combine the image data with the differential data into combined image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a pixel extracting unit, a correction quantity calculating unit, a selection image storage unit, a selection receiving unit, and a color correction executing unit. The pixel extracting unit extracts a pixel from predetermined image data. The correction quantity calculating unit calculates a color correction quantity based on a color difference between a color of the pixel extracted by the pixel extracting unit and a target color. The selection image storage unit stores data of a selection image representing an external appearance of each image data obtained by executing color correction on the pixel according to the color correction quantity. The selection receiving unit receives selection of a color correction type. The color correction executing unit executes color correction on the extracted pixel in image data of a correction object according to a color correction quantity corresponding to the color correction type.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for augmenting present methods used for determining the orientation direction automatically being detected of digital pages of a plurality of scanned documents in a digital document processing environment. The present method takes advantage of the observation that pages scanned in data processing centers are often highly correlated. The present method contains five primary steps. 1) Page orientation (i.e., up/down) is detected using a traditional method. 2) Each page is classified as either directional or non-directional. 3) The pages classified as directional are clustered into groups. 4) The direction for each group is determined. 5) The directional group's direction is used to revise the orientation for pages contained in the group. Through the implementation of the teachings hereof, performance, in terms of both speed and accuracy, are very high relative to current methods and detection error rates can be reduced significantly.

Abstract: In a preflight process for digital print systems, color data from print data are analyzed and the results presented in a report. The color data are individually altered in regard to not only a color profile, in which they are encoded, but also in regard to their color values, using a graphic user interface. Results of the alterations are displayed using corresponding screened document pages.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided which performs a correction process in such a manner that a geometrical arrangement of images of a plurality of pages of image data is approximated to a predetermined appropriate geometrical arrangement. The image processing apparatus causes a display to display a list of information indicating degrees of correction on the individual pages to be performed by an image processing portion.

Abstract: Methods and a system for a natural language control interface are provided to enable a user to modify colors in a digital image. A textual interface is provided to select a color to be modified within the image and a direction of change for the modification. A swipe interface is provided to select a magnitude and polarity for the modification. Actions on the textual and swipe interface are converted to natural language commands which are in turn used to derive a color transformation that is applied to relevant portions of the image to yield a modified image. The modifications are displayed in real time for a user to observe as they are inputted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating an electronic document having an enclosed region with a fill colour. The method receives a digital representation of a source document, the source document containing an enclosed region and at least one corresponding background region, the enclosed region overlapping at least a portion of the background region. A fill colour is determined for the enclosed region from the digital representation as is a reference background colour for the enclosed region from the corresponding background region of the digital representation. The method assigns a transparent fill colour to the enclosed region based on a comparison of the determined fill colour for the enclosed region with the reference background colour and stores enclosed region with the transparent fill colour to generate an electronic document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus allows a print unit to print a sheet on which a user handwrites, and combines a handwritten image included in an image obtained by reading out a handwritten sheet with a background image, and prints the combined image. Further, a decor to determine decoration contents for the handwriting image and a painting pattern of a decorated area can be designated by the user, and the handwriting image is decorated according to the determined decoration contents and the painting pattern. Further, the decoration contents are determined according to the designated painting pattern as well as the designated decor. That is, the decor that the user desires may be adjusted to be suitable for the designated painting pattern and the decoration contents may be determined.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a red eye candidate detecting section, a red eye-gold eye separating section, a gold eye converting section, and a red eye correcting section. Herein, the red eye candidate detecting section detects a red eye candidate included in images. The red eye-gold eye separating section judges whether a red eye candidate detected by the red eye candidate detecting section is either red eye or a gold eye respectively specified in a predetermined color range. The gold eye converting section converts a color of the red eye candidate, which was judged as red eye by the red eye-gold eye separating section, into a color, which is judged as a red eye by the red eye-gold eye separating section. The red eye correcting section performs a red eye correction to a color of the red eye candidate converted by the gold eye converting section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, an image forming system including the same, and a control method of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including: an output unit; a scanning unit to scan a damaged bank note and generate image data therefrom; and a controller to calculate an area of the damaged bank note using the generated image data of the scanned damaged bank note and to control the output unit to output damaged bank note information including the calculated area of the damaged bank note and/or an exchangeable value of the damaged bank note corresponding to the area of the damaged bank note.

Abstract: When a subsidiary printout is printed from a printer driver, it is an object to enable a subsidiary print job to be formed without destroying a relationship between the master and the servant in a print process. A first print job formed by a first application program is input through an operating system and a printer driver processes the input first print job. A second application program which forms a second print job different from the first print job and sends to the operating system is provided. The printer driver starts the second application program, transfers settings of the printer driver to the second application program, receives the second print job formed by the second application program through the operating system, processes the second print job, and allows a printer to print the second print job.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention allow for optimization of color and shades of gray documents prior to their conversion to a monochrome format. If color/gray elements are identified in the document, the distance between them and their intensity is determined. If there are elements with the same or similar intensity in close proximity to each other, colors of some of the elements may be replaced with solid monochrome colors, and/or dithered surfaces, and/or monochrome patterns. Further, the elements may be outlined. These improvements make elements in the document more distinguishable after its conversion to a monochrome format. The described color optimization and outlining may have wide applicability in the Internet Fax technology.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention allow for optimization of color and shades of gray documents prior to their conversion to a monochrome format. If color/gray elements are identified in the document, the distance between them and their intensity is determined. If there are elements with the same or similar intensity in close proximity to each other, colors of some of the elements may be replaced with solid monochrome colors, and/or dithered surfaces, and/or monochrome patterns. Further, the elements may be outlined. These improvements make elements in the document more distinguishable after its conversion to a monochrome format. The described color optimization and outlining may have wide applicability in the Internet Fax technology.

Abstract: A method and system for retouching digital images for a motion picture removes semi-transparent artifacts or ‘blotches’ caused by contaminates in the optical path of the camera. This approach provides the benefit of only having to retouch a single average image that is than automatically applied via a correction power map to the entire sequence of images for the affected scene. The formation of an average image tends to reinforce the artifacts making them easier to identify and reduce background detail making it easier to retouch the artifact.

Abstract: In a method and system for display screen-aided generation of an electronic document from rasterized image data in an application computer, the image data are filed in at least one electronic storage. A first group of rasterized image data are provided stored page-by-page and a second group of rasterized overlay image data are provided in a relationship associated such that one page is associated with at least one overlay or one overlay is associated with at least one page. In a first display screen region, symbols of the first group are displayed per page in an ordered structure. In a second display screen region, image data of the first group are displayed. The document is generated an editor computer program loaded on the application computer from the rasterized image data and the rasterized overlay image data.

Abstract: An image processing system connects a plurality of clients to an image processing apparatus via a network. The image processing apparatus includes a reading device that reads an image of an original document and generates a prescribed image signal, an image data generating device that applies prescribed image processing to the image signal to generate image data, and a memory that stores the image data. A format converting device is provided to convert an image format of the image data selected from the memory by one of plurality of client apparatuses into a prescribed format in accordance with a format condition designated by the client apparatus. A delivering device is provided to deliver the image data to the client apparatus in the prescribed format.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically locates a source point within an image for an image-retouching tool. During operation, the system receives an image, wherein the image includes a defective area. Next, the system determines visual characteristics for the defective area. The system then searches around the defective area to identify candidate replacements for the defective area, and also determines visual characteristics for the candidate replacements. Next, the system compares visual characteristics of the defective area with visual characteristics for the candidate replacements to select a candidate replacement to be used as the source point from which pixels can be copied by the image-retouching tool. Note that this system not only improves the usability of image-retouching tools, but can also improve the quality of the result.

Abstract: An information management device 30 receives an object image to be retouched and printed and a specification of retouching to be performed on the object image as a retouching request from one of multiple printing apparatuses 50a and 50b, and transmits the received retouching request to a computer 60a or 60b of a selected retoucher. The information management device 30 receives a resulting image retouched in response to the transmitted retouching request from the computer 60a or 60b of the selected retoucher and transmits the resulting retouched image to the printing apparatus that has sent the retouching request. The information management device 30 also carries out an accounting process to calculate a charge for the retouching request to each of the multiple printing apparatuses 50a and 50b and a payment process to calculate a payment for retouching of the object image to each of the retouchers, based on reception of the retouching request and transmission of the resulting retouched image.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing, storing and displaying digital images includes a processing unit (10), a display controller (30), a display unit (40) and a control panel (50). The processing unit modifies an original image from an original image file (210) according to modifying instructions received from the control panel, saves modifying parameters relating to the modification in an image modification file (220) that corresponds to the original image file. After the modification, if the original image is selected at a later time, the processing unit automatically modifies the original image according to the modifying parameters, thereby producing a modified image to be displayed on the display unit. A relating method for processing, storing and displaying digital image is also provided.

Abstract: A method of document rehabilitation typically includes providing an original document having a set of desirable markings that are substantially achromatic, and a set of undesirable markings, and generating an image file that includes color data corresponding to the original document. A transform filter may be applied to the image file so that the color data for each undesirable marking is mapped to a non-reproduced color, and the color data for each desirable marking is unchanged.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for color-editing capable of simply carrying out color-editing spectral values, such as spectral reflectance, spectral transmittance, spectral radiance and spectral radiant intensity. When color-editing a spectral value of spectral image, the spectral color is transformed into a low-dimensional color space easy for the human to handle in an HLS space transforming section and color-editing and color-correction are carried out in the low-dimensional color space in on HLS color-editing section thereby generating a proper spectral value from a transformed low-dimensional color in a spectral-space inverse-transforming section. Also, a spectral color editing section receives a spectral editing instruction signal and transforms a wavelength width of a spectral color peak to a narrow one, thereby improving saturation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image retouching method including the steps of: detecting a local defect in an original image and distinguishing the type of the defect on the basis of image data representing the original image; displaying the defect detected at the detecting step with a mark corresponding to the type of the defect and receiving a correction to an inaccuracy in the detection of the defect displayed; and retouching the image data representing the original image according to the type of the defect of which any detection inaccuracy is corrected.

Abstract: Provided is photo retouching software which is easy for photo studio personnel to use. Upon opening photo image(s), special photo retoucher 11 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: The invention concerns an image recording apparatus suitable for forming a medical image that is used for a medical diagnosis, and a test pattern for evaluating a quality of the medical image. The image recording apparatus includes a printing section to either the medical image or the test pattern on the recording medium, based on image date; a printing-condition setting section to set a printing condition for printing the test pattern; and a printing-condition displaying section to display the printing condition set by the printing-condition setting section. The printing section prints at least one of a sharpness-evaluating pattern and a granularity-evaluating pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic print inspection method in which photographic prints are scanned to obtain digitized images. The scanned digitized image of the photographic print is compared to digital image data which represents the original captured image. The resulting digital correction data indicates whether or not there are defects in the print media or faults in the printer process, including the digitizing steps. Signal processing transformations may be used to decide how to separate media defects from processing faults and how to correct for the latter. The method of the present invention can be used as a final quality check so that any defective prints can be rejected and remade before orders go out to a customer.

Abstract: A method for copy retouching digital image data which contains a periodic pattern, includes calculating a distance vector D1 from the initially defined starting positions of a read mark and a write mark. The image data are then copied from the image points located under the read mark to the image points located under the write mark. In order to avoid a possible offset of the copied pattern area with respect to the surrounding pattern, a corrected distance vector D2 is calculated in such a way that the read mark and the write mark have the same phase position in relation to the periodic pattern. The method is particularly suitable for copy retouching of screened color separation data.

Abstract: A retouching method for enhancing an appearance of a face located in a digital image involves acquiring a digital image containing one or more faces and detecting a location of facial feature points in the faces, where the facial feature points include points identifying salient features such as skin, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and hair. The location of the facial feature points are used to segment the face into different regions such as skin, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, neck and hair regions. Facially relevant characteristics of the different regions are determined and, based on these facially relevant characteristics, an ensemble of enhancement filters are selected, each customized especially for a particular region, and the default parameters for the enhancement filters are selected. The enhancement filters are then executed on the particular regions, thereby producing an enhanced digital image from the digital image.

Abstract: A method of determining the location of an optical feature in an image projection system, the method comprising: 1) projecting a first image of the feature onto a detector with a lens in a first position; 2) sensing, with the detector, the position of the first image of the feature; 3) projecting a second image of the feature onto a detector with a lens in a second position laterally spaced from the first position; 4) sensing, with the detector, the position of the second image of the feature; and 5) deducing the location of the defect from the difference between the positions sensed in steps 2) and 4).

Abstract: An output device for outputting an image using image data is disclosed. This output device comprises an image quality adjustment unit for adjusting the color of an area within the image data the color of which is close to a preset memory color such that this color comes closer to a preset target color, a target color setting unit for allowing the user to set the target color, and an image output unit for outputting an image in accordance with the color-adjusted image data. A certain image quality adjustment condition can be determined using evaluation results for each of multiple image groups that contain mutually different images and respectively include at least one image from among multiple natural images used for evaluation that each have a different certain image quality.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing customer image orders, comprising the steps of identifying one or more quality features of one or more digital images, printing the one or more digital images thereby creating output format prints and, automatically providing an indicator relating to the one or more quality features with the output format prints.

Abstract: A method of document rehabilitation typically includes providing an original document having a set of desirable markings that are substantially achromatic, and a set of undesirable markings, and generating an image file that includes color data corresponding to the original document. A transform filter may be applied to the image file so that the color data for each undesirable marking is mapped to a non-reproduced color, and the color data for each desirable marking is unchanged.

Abstract: A digital image that includes first and second regions is processed. An intrinsic color of a given pixel located in an area of interest that is adjacent to at least one of the first and second regions is estimated by extrapolating from colors of multiple pixels in one of the first and second regions and multiple pixels in the other of the two regions.

Abstract: Proper lightness correction is unavailable if a determination is unsuccessfully made whether or not an image to be retouched is a backlight image. A distribution ratio of luminance components is obtained from an image whose type is to be determined. The similarity is determined between the distribution ratio and a distribution ratio in the image of a specific type. When the similarity is acknowledged, it is determined that the image under inspection corresponds to the specific type. When a distribution ratio for backlight image is obtained in advance as the distribution ratio for the specific type of image, the above-mentioned determination process makes it possible to accurately determine whether or not the image under inspection is a backlight image.

Abstract: Data containing at least a chroma component is obtained from an image data. Monochrome image data is generated from the chroma component image data. Which hue is to be output as it is specified, for example, by an operator. From the monochrome image data, the monochrome image data that corresponding to a portion of the colored image that has the specified hue is removed to obtain image eliminated data. The image eliminated data and the image data corresponding to a portion of the colored image that has the specified hue are combined to obtain an image processed data. The image processed data is converted into data that can be printed with a color printer.

Abstract: Given an image with an unwanted feature, a collection of pixels (a defined region) entirely containing the unwanted feature is designated, and replacement data values for the defined region are generated, thereby healing the unwanted feature. A selected image region is healed by propagating values in a boundary region into replacement data values for the selected image region by iteratively applying a procedure or algorithm (e.g., iteratively applying one or more kernels), such that values in the boundary region are continuously put back into the iterative calculations. An example of such a function uses kernels to generate replacement data values having multiple orders of continuity at the boundary. Optionally, replacement data values for an image region to be healed are generated based on a difference between existing data values and texture data values, thereby introducing texture (e.g., pattern, noise) components to a resulting healed region in the image.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for tuning a scanned image to a specified printing device for enhanced image quality output. The method generally has the steps of first receiving a scanned image in digitized format and reading a specification of how the image was scanned including the input document format; the output document format, syntax, and parameter semantics. Loading a device profile of the target printing system as input wherein the parameters that define the enhanced print quality for a printing system are specified by the device profile of that system. Producing an output image such that when printed on the target printer, it produces enhanced quality output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying images. The method includes the steps of analyzing a digital image file of an image so as to identify at least one predetermined colorimetric parameter; and automatically modifying that portion of said image having said at least one predetermined colorimetric parameter to a second predetermined colorimetric parameter so as to produce a modified digital image.

Abstract: A method for copy retouching digital image data which contains a periodic pattern, includes calculating a distance vector D1 from the initially defined starting positions of a read mark and a write mark. The image data are then copied from the image points located under the read mark to the image points located under the write mark. In order to avoid a possible offset of the copied pattern area with respect to the surrounding pattern, a corrected distance vector D2 is calculated in such a way that the read mark and the write mark have the same phase position in relation to the periodic pattern. The method is particularly suitable for copy retouching of screened color separation data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for retouching a digital image by replacing a pixel value in a retouching range by a pixel value of a partial image at an initial position of a cursor, for example, by moving the cursor, and drawing the partial image at the cursor portion repeatedly in other parts.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for performing color processes by using spectral characteristics values, namely, spectral information comprises an input unit to input image information shown by spectral information, a color processing unit to color process on the basis of the image information inputted by the input unit, a spectral information display unit to display the spectral information, a spectral information correction unit to correct the spectral information, and a formation unit to form an image on the basis of the image data which was color processed by the color processing means.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for semi-automatic retouching of digital images is provided. The method includes the steps of processing the digital image to obtain a list of candidate defect segments, computing statistics for a list of candidate defect segments and for the segments of the image surrounding the candidate defect segments, selecting a sublist of defect segments in accordance with pre-determined criteria using the computed statistics, displaying the image together with the sublist and amending the values of the sublist of defect segments to obtain a retouched image.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a printer includes the steps or functions of: printing a predetermined color test pattern with the printer by transforming data, representing said predetermined color test pattern, from a device-independent color space to a device-dependent color space associated with the printer by use of a color transform, said predetermined color test pattern including a set of color patches with one of said color patches representing a preferred mid-gray hue; providing a predetermined reference gray surface; comparing said reference gray surface to said set of colored patches of the printed test pattern to find a closest matching one of said patches, if the closest matching one of said patches is the patch representing the preferred mid-gray hue, then ending the method; otherwise determining, for each color channel of the printer, a solution set of correction values as a function of believed gray versus actual gray, said solution set derived from and including a white point, a black poi

Abstract: A method of restoring a color image comprised of one or more colorants and which image may have faded over time, which image is represented by an image signal. The method uses both a restoration model and provides a means which enable a user to readily interact with the restoration process to obtain a final restoration. In a second aspect, the restoration model is used in conjunction with a lightness distribution mapping to provide a high quality restoration. The restoration model is a function of a variable time, and is the inverse of a model representing the fade rate of at least one of the colorants as a function of at least a variable time (and preferably also as a function of the other colorants). An apparatus for performing the method is provided. A computer readable medium has computer readable code means which can execute the method in a suitable computer.

Abstract: Method for generating harmonic color corrections in a color image. The color image is deposited in an image store and is displayed on a monitor. Color samples of the colors that are to be subjected to a selective color correction are taken from the image with a coordinate input means. Color correction values that act on the colors defined by the color samples are input. In order to obtain harmonic transitions at the locations in the image where the selected colors meet non-selected, neighboring colors, the color correction decreases toward the edges of the color correction area. This is achieved by a filtering of the color samples or color correction values. A color computer calculates the corresponding color correction values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying an image defined by data representing the colour component content of each pixel of the image. The method comprises, for each colour component of each pixel,(a) generating unsharp (U) and sharp (S) data and performing an unsharp masking algorithm on the sharp and unsharp data to generate fringe data (F);(b) modifying the fringe data with a weighting function (.phi.) determined in accordance with the values of the sharp or unsharp data for all of the colour components of the pixel; and(c) combining the modified fringe data with the pixel data to generate modified pixel data.By applying a weighting function related to all the unsharp values for the pixel and hence to the input colour component content of the input signals of a particular sample area, the fringe amplitude is varied according to the colour of the region thereby enabling sharpening or smoothing to be appropriate to the part of the image e.g. sharpening hair and smoothing skin colours.

Abstract: A photographic element, is disclosed which includes a support and at least three silver halide emulsion layers, that records exposure information. The exposure information is recorded in three image-recording units and wherein the spectral sensitivities of said image-recording units are chosen such that the average color error, .DELTA.E*.sub.ab, is less than or equal to 3.1. .DELTA.E*.sub.ab is computed for a specified set of test colors of known spectral reflectance, and the light source is specified as D.sub.65. .DELTA.E*.sub.ab is the average CIE 1976 (L*a*b*) .DELTA.E*.sub.ab between the CIE 1976 (L*a*b*)-space coordinates of said test colors and the CIE 1976 (L*a*b*)-space coordinates corresponding to transformed exposure signals.

Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement for electronic retouching of color images is provided. The color signals of at least one color component acquired by pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line, trichromatic scanning of an original are digitized and stored as color values. The pixels of the color values to be retouched in the color image are marked by shifting a correction field that contains at least one dot element over the image region to be retouched, using the marking device of a coordinate acquisition unit. Before the retouch, a correction intensity distribution that achieves the desired retouch effect is declared for the correction field of the marking device. Correction intensity values allocated pixel-by-pixel are identified for the color values of the marked pixels of the color image and the color values to be retouched are modified by the correction intensity values under visual control.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which stochastically binary-converts lower-bit data of a pixel of interest to improve image quality in a highlight portion, as well as in a low-density portion, is provided. In an image processing apparatus for quantizing multi-value image data to binary data, multi-value image data of a pixel of interest is divided into upper- and lower-bit data by a calculator (24). The lower-bit data is binary-converted by a comparator (25) using a normalized uniform random number generated by a random number generator (26) as a threshold value. The binary-converted data is added to the upper-bit data of the image signal of the pixel of interest by an adder (22), and the sum data is binary-converted by a comparator (18) using one of a plurality of weighted average values of a plurality of pixels near the pixel of interest, which values are calculated by a calculator (600), on the basis of binary data of pixels, which have already been binary-converted before the pixel of interest.