Abstract: The invention makes it possible to drive a halftone image device and achieve high halftone reproduction by allowing at least one of the leading and trailing edges of a pulse width-modulated signal applied to a recording head, or forming amplitude- and width-modulated pulses, respectively, as driving pulses for placing one dot under halftone control, and changing pulse width modulation in a stepwise manner, using the pulse width of the amplitude-modulated pulse as a unit pulse width.

Abstract: An apparatus that reads the image on transmission-type originals includes a light source, a photoelectric transducer means for reading image information a necessary number of times in accordance with the image density, a memory for storing information read by the transducer, and an input device for entering the image information into the memory in accordance with image density information.

Abstract: An image processor performs emphasis processings suitable for materials to be copied to produce clear copy outputs. The image processor has a digitizing circuit which outputs a digital signal produced by digitizing an image. The processor further has a first detecting circuit which detects an area of the digital signal including a periodic component, a second detecting circuit which detects a character area of the digital signal, and a smoothing circuit which smoothes the digital signal to output a smoothed signal. Either the digital signal or the smoothed signal is selected and outputted by a changeover circuit according to an output of the first detecting circuit. The output of the changeover circuit is differentiated into a plurality of differentiated signals by a differentiating circuit by use of a plurality of different coefficients. One of the differentiated signals is selected and outputted according to the outputs of the first and second detecting circuits.

Abstract: The dot patterns which may be used to reduce dot gain and moire effects in halftone images involve printing areas which have inwardly curved edges and variable elongation. Colored images having screens which use these patterns may be printed with the screens at 45.degree. relative angular separations. Alternatively the dot patterns may be regarded as reversed variable oval patterns with varying elongation of the generally oval shaped non-printing areas.

Abstract: A digital copying apparatus having an image data memory and an automatic document feeder (ADF). The digital copying apparatus reads an image of an original document placed on a document platen and generates image data to be stored in the memory. When a copy sheet jam occurs during operation of an image forming section, it is determined whether or not the uncopied image data which have been generated but have not yet been copied are stored in the memory based on the detection of discharge of copy sheets from the apparatus. When all uncopied image data are stored in the memory, the copy operation is restarted using the image data stored in the memory. When all uncopied image data are not stored in the memory, the original document is discharged from a document transport path of the ADF to a discharge tray and the number of original documents to be returned to a feed tray is displayed on a display.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an operating panel to input various image-forming conditions, an image processing member for processing an input image signal, an outputting member for outputting an image, and a controller. The controller controls the operating panel, the image processing member and the outputting member so as to print the image forming conditions themselves as part of an image on a piece of paper.

Abstract: In a digital copier, a trim mode may be entered on an operating section and a particular area of a document may be marked on a marking device. As an image scanner reads the document image, the resulting image data are written to a memory unit. A data separating section separates characters lying in the marked area of the document, and then a contour separating section separates the contours of the characters. An approximating section determines whether a continuous contour line is straight or curved on the basis of the angle and length thereof and then approximates contour data to a straight line or a curve. As a result, characters are trimmed and processed such that straight lines appear sharp while curves appear smooth. A drawing section writes the approximated contour data in a memory unit and paints the inside of the contour data to thereby draw an output image in the memory unit.

Abstract: In the electronic sort of a digital copying machine, image data of a document consisting of a plurality of sheets are read and compressed to bi-level data in a memory. The compressed image data are recovered to multi-level data successively. When a plurality of copies of the document are produced, the recovery action is repeated by the number of the copies. In a facsimile machine combined with a digital copying machine, bi-level image data for the automatic reduction transmission are recovered first to multi-level image data, and the density of the multi-level image data is changed for the reduction. Then, the multi-level data are converted to bi-level data for facsimile transmission. In a digital two-color copying machine, multi-level image data of the second color of the two colors to be recorded later has to be synchronized to those of the other in correspondence to the delay of the recording time between the two colors.

Abstract: An engraving head apparatus and method for engraving a gravure cylinder. The engraving head apparatus including a magnetostrictive actuator formed from TERFENOL-D.TM. which elongatably drives a diamond-tipped stylus arm in a reciprocal manner in response to a varying magnetic field created by a bias coil and a drive coil. The bias coil establishes a DC biasing magnetic field which causes an initial expansion of the actuator to approximately one-half the total linear expansion limit of the actuator. The drive coil is concentrically interposed between the actuator and the bias coil and modulates the magnetic field intensity established by the bias coil to cause additional expansion and contraction of the actuator about the initial expansion point.

Abstract: An engraving system for engraving printing cells in a gravure printing cylinder uses a video camera for feedback control of printing cell width. A setup procedure for the engraving system involves engraving an isolated test cell and a series of adjacent test cells, the latter being engraved under steady state engraving conditions. The isolated test cell is located through a search sequence which establishes a strobe control count for a strobe trigger unit. The strobe control count then is adjusted for steady state engraving by acquiring and centering a steady state test cell. Cell width is measured by creating video runtable sets for a plurality of overlapping video boxes and finding a maximum connected run length which meets predetermined acceptance criteria.

Abstract: A recording apparatus wherein an original image is recorded in a matrix of dots by applications of a toner tolocal spots on a recording medium, and which includes a non-toner-save controller for recording the original image in a non-toner-save mode, a toner-save controller for recording a toner-save image in a toner-save mode such that the toner-save image generated on the basis of the original immage has a lower density of image dots than the original image, and a mode selector for activating one of the non-toner-save controller and the toner-save controller to select the corresponding non-toner-save or toner-save recording mode, on the basis of the type of the original image data.

Abstract: A method of registering images on a user interface with a screen display in which separate electronic pages corresponding respectively with the first and second sides of an electronic duplex page are displayed on the user interface screen display simultaneously with a first image on the first side being disposed in a first position and a second image on the second side being disposed in a second position. The second image is moved on the screen display, relative to the first image so that the second image is disposed in the first position and is aligned with respect to the first image in a selected aligned relationship. Each of the separate electronic pages has a transparent background so that substantial portions of the second image are visible on the screen display even when the first image is superposed with respect to the second image.

Abstract: An engraving machine for gravure printing to suppress the adverse effect upon the printed image by overshooting of the stylus. The gravure engraving machine has a stylus in an engraving head and controlled by an engraving signal in accordance with an image signal for engraving a surface in a gravure cylinder. An engraving signal generator is provided for generating a carrier signal to drive the stylus, and a modifying signal generator is provided for generating a modifying signal to modify overshoot waveforms caused when the engraving signal is applied to the engraving head. The gravure engraving machine also includes an adder for adding the modifying signal to the engraving signal to modify the engraving signal applied to the engraving head and thereby suppress overshooting of the stylus.

Abstract: This system and method relates to an engraving system and method for engraving a pattern using a plurality of engraving devices. The engraving system discloses apparatus and method for sequencing and engraving of the plurality of engraving devices such that when the areas engraved by those heads meet to provide a continuous engraved pattern. The system and method utilizes an imaging system for imaging the engraved areas associated with each engraving head so that the heads or signals driving the heads may be adjusted to further facilitate providing engraved areas which appear as if they had been engraved by a single engraving head when, for example, the engraved area of one head meets the engraved area of another head. Also, disclosed is a method for sequencing and transmitting image data associated with an image to be engraved in order to accommodate any cylindrical offset or the angular displacement between, for example, two engraving heads that are positioned in a generally opposed relationship.

Abstract: Transportation of a document (P1), transportation of a recording sheet (P2), activation of a cutter system and simultaneous transportation of the document (P1) and recording sheet (P2) are carried out by a single motor (M) in an image processor (1). A first pendulum gear mechanism (16) selectively transmits the drive force of the motor (M) to a separation roller gear (g12) and a feed roller gear (g14), to a platen roller gear (g20) or to a second pendulum gear mechanism (g17). The second pendulum gear mechanism (17) continues or stops transmission of the rotational force of the motor (M) from the first pendulum gear mechanism (16) to a cutter drive gear (g28). Second and third contact parts (40c, 40d) of a regulating plate (40) regulate movement of the first pendulum gear mechanism (16) and change the transmission destination of the rotational force of the motor (M). The position of the regulating plate (40) and the rotation direction of the motor (M) are controlled by a CPU (50).

Abstract: The engraving method and apparatus provides a method and apparatus for engraving a plurality of cells in a surface of a cylinder. The engraving method and apparatus involves, among other things, processing a plurality of image data; modifying at least a portion of the image data and generating a signal corresponding thereto; and then exciting an engraving device in response to the signal in order to engrave a pattern of engraved areas. The engraving method and apparatus facilitate adjusting a characteristic of at least one of said plurality of engraved areas in order to change a spatial relationship between said at least one of said plurality of engraved areas and another of said plurality of engraved areas to provide, for example, a non-regular or non-periodic spacing of engraved areas.

Abstract: A method for making a plurality of printing press page printing plates using a drum type raster scanning plate making machine involves making a number of separate printing plates from each sheet of plate making material handled by the machine, thereby increasing the number of printing plates capable of being made during a given period of time in comparison to prior methods using similar machines and making only one printing plate from each sheet of plate making material.

Abstract: An automatic self-centering chuck system for use on an engraver. The chuck system includes a plurality of jaws which are slidably mounted for movement in a radial direction toward a central aperture of the chuck to clamp a shaft for an engraving cylinder. Each of the jaws is actuated for movement by a lever pivotally mounted within the chuck. The levers are actuated for pivotal movement by an axially reciprocating drawbar which is energized for movement by a series of pneumatic cylinders. The components of the chuck are accurately machined to provide close tolerance, precise movements of the jaws whereby a cylinder will be accurately positioned at the central rotational axis of the chuck. In order to ensure that the precise level of jaw movement is maintained throughout the life the chuck, a lubricant flushing or purging system is provided for flushing normal wear particles from the precision components internal to the chuck.

Abstract: A facsimile system wherein an original image is recorded in a matrix of dots by application of a toner to local spots on a recording medium, and which includes a non-toner-save controller for recording the original image in a non-toner-save mode, a toner-save controller for recording a toner-save image in a toner-save mode such that the toner-save image generated on the basis of the original image has a lower density of image dots than the original image, and a mode selector for activating one of the non-toner-save controller and the toner-save controller to select the corresponding non-toner-save or toner-save recording mode, on the basis of a degree of importance of the subject matter or content of the original image data.

Abstract: A circuit for enabling the raster display of text or line art in one constant color against a background of another constant color or against a continuous-tone picture, or the display of a continuous-tone picture through an arbitrary shape. The circuit has four channels, one each for constant colors, continuous-tone images, image masks, and instructions. The constant colors are stored in the first channel in the form of two 8-bit colors, one for the text or line art and one for the background. Any color pair can be read from this memory, divided into two 8-bit colors, and presented at two inputs of a final multiplexer. The second channel stores continuous tone color pictures and presents this information at a third input of the multiplexer. The third channel receives masks or outlines in the form of bitmaps and the fourth channel receives instructions which may be run-length encoded. These two channels combine their data, which is then used to control the multiplexer.