Abstract: An image processing apparatus having parallel line conversion circuits for inputting, in parallel, image data for plural lines, line selection circuits for selecting plural sets of image data consisting of image data for at least one line from supplied image data for the plural lines, and sub-scanning interpolation circuits for interpolating each of the selected plural sets of image data.

Abstract: An illumination device for a film image scanning device is provided. The illumination device is small in size compared to a size of the image to be scanned. Light emitted by a point light source at one end of the image scanning device is reflected back toward the point light source by first and second mirrors at an opposite end of the image scanning device. A third mirror reflects the light to a pair of condenser lenses that evenly transmit the light toward a film slide to be scanned. The light passes through one of the condenser lenses perpendicular to an optical axis of the condenser lens, thereby making the image scanning device compact. Fresnel lenses are also provided as condenser lenses.

Abstract: A device for scanning an image to create image data to be transmitted to a network to which the device is connected. The scanning device includes an operation panel for selecting each of settings of scan conditions, a scan unit for scanning at least one image to create image data according to the settings of scan conditions, a memory unit for storing the image data, and a network-interface unit for sending the image data stored in the memory unit to the network.

Abstract: A system, which converts a continuous tone value undergoing conversion to an output value, generates first and second errors and an output. The first error is based upon (i) the continuous tone value undergoing conversion, (ii) output values corresponding to previously converted continuous tone values, output values predicted for continuous tone values yet to be converted, and an output value having an assumed first level for the continuous cone value undergoing conversion, and (iii) a matrix value based upon the continuous tone value undergoing conversion. The second error is based upon (i) the continuous tone value undergoing conversion, (ii) the output values corresponding to the previously converted continuous tone values, the output values predicted for the continuous tone values yet to be converted, and an output value having an assumed second level for the continuous tone value undergoing conversion, and (iii) the matrix value based upon the continuous tone value undergoing conversion.

Abstract: An original-detection device includes a pressing member for pressing an original on an original-mount from a side opposite to a surface illuminated by scanning light, an absorption member, provided on an original-pressing surface of the pressing member, for absorbing light of a predetermined wavelength region within an invisible region, a filter for transmitting light of the predetermined wavelength region of reflected light obtained by projecting the scanning light onto the original or the original-pressing surface, a photosensor for sensing light transmitted through the filter, and a detection circuit for detecting the original on the original-mount based on an output from the photosensor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus reads an image and synthesizes it with another, broadcast standardized image signal supplied from outside the apparatus and stored in a memory provided in the apparatus.

Abstract: An image scanner has a reflecting mirror for reflecting a light beam from an original, a one-dimensional image sensor for scanning the original in a main scanning direction with the reflected light beam from the reflecting mirror to produce a partial image of the original, and an auxiliary scanning mechanism for angularly moving the reflecting mirror to cause the reflected light to scan the original in an auxiliary scanning direction transverse to the main scanning direction, thereby to enable the one-dimensional image sensor to produce in main scanning cycles respective partial images of the original which may be combined into a two-dimensional image of the original. An image converter converts the partial images depending on changes in an optical path length from the original to the one-dimensional image sensor. The image scanner thus constructed is relatively small in size and simple in structure, prevents produced two-dimensional images from being distorted, and is capable of reading images at high speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of reliably detecting a very small dotted image area. A detecting area including a predetermined number of pixels including a target pixel is set. It is judged whether or not the detecting area belongs to a dotted image area on the basis of the number of edge pixels in the detecting area. Consequently, it is possible to detect edges peculiar to the dotted image area on the basis of a leading edge portion or a trailing edge portion of the density, to detect the very small dotted image area on the basis of the number of edge pixels.

Abstract: A system for generating a binary representation signal, which is suitable for outputting on an output device, from a continuous toned image signal that is adapted insure local correspondence between the average value of the input signal and the output being representation signal for local spatial areas comprises a processor, an input device, an image adaptor, a summer, a dither signal generator, and a pixel activator. The image adaptor receives a reference image signal, determines the number of pixels in local areas that are to be activated and generates an adaptive signal. The summer sums a dither signal from the dither signal generator and a continuous toned image signal to generate a ditherized signal. The pixel activator receives the adaptive signal and the ditherized signal. The pixel activator generates a signal to activate the pixels in each local area that have the highest sum according to the adaptive signal.

Abstract: A compressing method consisting of generating a predicted value for the pixel of the digitized image to be compressed based on the values of at least two neighboring pixels is provided. After calculating the difference between the predicted value and the current pixel value, a prediction error is defined by a one-on-one mapping on the difference obtained. According to an advantageous feature of the mapping relationship, the required number of bits for representing the prediction error is less than that required for the difference per se. Afterwards, a parameter K is generated which is in proportion to the difference between the neighboring pixels used in prediction. According to the respective values of the parameter K, the next step is to encode each prediction error by assigning a variable-length Rice code to the prediction error of each pixel.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method which can be selectively used in a variable mode and a fixed mode. In the variable mode, the quantizing values and thresholds for converting high valued image gradation into low valued image gradation can be changed so as to vary the surface gray levels of a printable image at a fixed laser gradation value. In the fixed mode, constant thresholds and quantizing values are used. The use of selectable operation modes enables easy printing operation with increased quality. Also, constant quality of printable images despite environmental changes may be realized by sensing and comparing currently read reference data with initially stored reference data and subsequently correcting quantizing values and thresholds in accordance with the compared result.

Abstract: A CPU performs color space compression of an input image, and also performs masking processing associated with image formation. A plurality of images having undergone different color space compression processes are sent to a monitor via a video interface. The monitor displays a plurality of images on one screen. The user selects an image having a desired color appearance from the plurality of images displayed on the monitor. The CPU converts the color reproduction range of the input image into the color reproduction range of the selected image, and supplies the resultant data to a printer via a printer interface. With this processing, a preview function is provided for forming an image having a desired color appearance.

Abstract: A fuzzy device for image noise reduction, includes an interface adapted to retrieve the gray level of a pixel to be processed of an image and of neighbouring pixels; a difference circuit connected to the interface and adapted to generate a difference of the gray levels between said neighbouring pixels and said pixels to be processed; a fuzzy flat area smoothing circuit connected to the difference circuit and adapted to perform a low-pass smoothing of an almost homogeneous region defined by said pixel and by said neighbouring pixels; an edge preserving smoothing circuit connected to the difference circuit and adapted to perform low-pass filtering on a high-frequency information region defined by the pixel and by the neighbouring pixels; a region voter circuit connected to the interface and adapted to give a measure for considering whether the region defined by the pixel and the neighbouring pixels is almost homogeneous; and a soft switching circuit connected to the outputs of the smoothing circuit and adapted

Abstract: An image gradation setting device includes a control density level determining portion for determining based on received image data a control density level indicative of a light amount for each of the first to n-th imaging areas of one imaging element.

Abstract: An image read-out and processing apparatus comprises an image read-out section, which carries out a preliminary readout and a final readout, and an image processing section. In the final readout, the amount of light irradiated to an image storage sheet, on which an image has been recorded, and/or the light accumulation time of a photoelectric conversion device is adjusted appropriately in accordance with preliminary read-out image information obtained from the preliminary readout. The image processing section is provided with a color and density correcting device for correcting the final read-out image information such that the color and the density of the image may become appropriate, and for determining the degree of correction, which is carried out on the final read-out image information, in accordance with a parameter, which is set in accordance with the preliminary read-out image information. A parameter correcting device corrects the parameter in accordance with the final read-out image information.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a light source a range gauge, which refracts the light emitted from the light source at a fixed angle and a filter gauge that projects the light passing through the range gauge in different amounts to the circumference and center of the panel. The exposure further includes a reflection member fixed outside the panel which re-directs the light that passes through the panel so that it can be used again for exposure.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which improves data compression efficiency and reduces communication time. If the number of colors of information included in an original image is small, i.e., if an original image is an image including one or two fundamental colors of a color system on white ground, the apparatus transmits only the corresponding color component data. Further, the transmission is made in accordance with a recording order which the receiving side notifies to the transmitting side. As a result, time from reception of the image information to the end of recording can be reduced.

Abstract: The shift register 43Y is written with four bits of data for recording dots of yellow color, the shift register 43M is written with four bits of data for recording dots of magenta color, the shift register 43C is written with four bits of data for recording dots of cyan color, and the shift register 43Bk is written with four bits of data for recording dots of black color. The recording head 29 is scanned relative to the recording paper 33 in dot intervals D in a scanning direction. In the recording head 29, the recording units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30Bk for recording the four colors are aligned in the scanning direction with an interval P equal to a sum of one dot interval D and a multiple of four dot intervals 4D. With this arrangement, the shift registers 43 are supplied with the four bits of data at timings shifted from one another by an amount corresponding to one recording timing period T.

Abstract: A photographed Image printing apparatus includes an image sensor operable to optically read a photographed image on a recording medium; an information reader operable to read photographic information on the recording medium, the photographic information indicative of photographing conditions of the photographed image; an image quality correction manager in responsive to the information reader and operable to judge based on the read photographic information whether image quality correction is necessary, and determine a proper image quality correction, if necessary; an image corrector in responsive to the image quality correction manager and operable to correct the read photographed image in accordance with the determined image quality correction; and a printer operable to print a corrected image on a printing medium.

Abstract: When illuminating light from a fluorescent light is illuminated toward photo film being conveyed, the transmitted image light of the illuminated photo film is reflected by a mirror and focused on a CCD line sensor through a taking lens. Then, the electric signals converted by photoelectric conversion elements of the CCD line sensor are image-processed by an image processing system, and then outputted to a TV monitor as image signals. The fluorescent light is arranged on the side of the base surface of the film such that the illuminating light illuminates the base surface of the film first and then passes through the emulsion surface of the film so that this image light is focused on the CCD line sensor, so that the film image can be reproduced clearly.