Abstract: A method for estimating high frequency components of a compressed image normally lost during a data compression stage and an encoder and a decoder for carrying out same. The image is compressed to obtain unquantized and quantized frequency domain coefficients. An inverse quantization is performed on the quantized coefficients to obtain lossy frequency domain coefficients. Loss characteristics of the high frequency components are then determined based on the unquantized frequency domain coefficients and the lossy frequency domain coefficients according to one of several methods. Finally, the loss characteristics are coded to obtain encoded loss data corresponding to the lost high frequency components.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an integral image element, comprising (a) a processor, (b) a printer to print an integral composite image on a carrier, the printer being capable of printing the image at a magnification which is under the control of the processor, (c) a positioning unit connected to the processor to position the printed image under control of the processor so that it can be viewed through an integral lens sheet, (d) a sensor unit connected to the processor to provide an indication of the magnification of the printed integral composite image with respect to the integral lens sheet, and (e) a magnification adjuster connected to the processor, which can vary the magnification in response to the indication. A method which can be carried out by the above apparatus, is also provided.

Abstract: In a digital image forming apparatus, a document image is read as digital data, and an image type of bi-level image or multi-level image is discriminated from the digital data. For a bi-level image, an intensity of laser beam for exposing a photoconductor is modulated according to the image data with a duty ratio of 100%. On the other hand, for a multi-level image such as a photograph image, the intensity of laser beam is modulated with a duty ratio in the unit of two or more dots according to the image data. The duty ratio and the laser output power are changed according to a type of document image or according to sensitivity characteristic of the photoconductor.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of judging a dotted image area using a small-capacity memory. Image data corresponding to one line out of image data representing an original image are stored in a line memory. On the line corresponding to the image data stored in the line memory, a target pixel is successively set along the main scanning direction. Image data corresponding to the target pixel is compared with image data corresponding to pixels around the target pixel. It is judged whether or not the target pixel is a peculiar point pixel on the basis of the result of the comparison. Further, the distance between peculiar point pixels is operated. The operated distance between the peculiar point pixels is referred to a predetermined judgment basis, to judge whether or not a judging area including the finite number of pixels is a dotted image area.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for generating N-bit per pixel output signals in response to M-bit per pixel image input signals, where M is greater than N. The invention employs a halftone cell threshold memory that stores a single threshold for each cell element. During real-time processing of the video image signals, multiple thresholds are calculated based upon the stored thresholds, and the image signals are compared to the thresholds. The threshold calculation process is simplified by using equally spaced constants and any desired variation from the resulting equally spaced thresholds is accomplished through a remapping of the video image signals using a look-up table. The output of the plurality of comparisons carried out for each halftone cell element is then encoded to produce a digital gray-scale output signal.

Abstract: A document processing system is provided for processing a job having one or more electronic pages with at least one of the electronic pages including a set of pixels defining a halftone image. Each pixel is disposed in one of a first state and a second state, and the set of pixels includes a plurality of dots with each dot including a group of one or more pixels disposed in the first state. The document processing system includes an image examination system for determining whether a first dot and a second dot exist within a selected subset of one of the one or more sets of pixels. When the image examination system determines that the first and second dots exist in the selected subset, the image examination system determines whether the first dot includes more or less pixels disposed in the first state than the second dot.

Abstract: A profile detector in a scanning system measures spacing of an original non-planar image from a reference image plane of the scanning system. The spacing is measured by projecting a spot of light, with a collimated light source, onto a scan line of the original non-planar image at an angle that is oblique with respect to the fast scan direction of the scanning system. A first photosensor converts optical information reflecting off of the original non-planar image at a first slow scan position into electrical profile data. A position along the fast scan direction is identified for the first slow scan position by locating the spot of light in the electrical profile data. The located position is compared with a pre-recorded position along the fast scan direction for the first slow scan position. The pre-recorded position defines a position where the first photosensor would have detected the spot of light if it reflected off of a planar image.

Abstract: In a data communication apparatus, the baud rate and the bit rate of a modem thereof are set independently of each other according to the condition of data communication. Thus, optimum data communication suited to the line condition can be performed.

Abstract: An original reading device reads an image on an original in response to a read command, to produce image data, which is stored into an image memory. An output device performs an output process in which copying onto a sheet is effected based on the image data stored in the image memory and the copied sheet is discharged. A control device supplies the read command to the original reading device, and outputs an output command to the output device at such a timing that the output process of the output device is completed at a time point when the reading of the original by the original reading device is also completed.

Abstract: A method of and system for rendering a halftone image of a gray scale image by utilizing a pixel-by-pixel comparison of the gray scale image against a blue noise mask is disclosed in which the gray scale image is scanned on a pixel-by-pixel basis and compared on a pixel-by-pixel basis to an array of corresponding data points contained in a blue noise mask stored in a PROM or computer memory in order to produce the desired halftoned image. Both digital and optically implemented halftone methods are disclosed. Application specific modifications of the blue noise mask as well as its use for producing halftoned color images are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is constructed by: an input device to input a command; a first communicating unit to communicate with a first external device; a second communicating unit to communicate with a second external device; a managing unit to manage the communicating units in correspondence to the external devices; a storage unit to store a plurality of image data in correspondence to image types of the image data; a color space converting unit to automatically color space convert on the basis of the image type corresponding to the image data stored in the storage unit and the external device which is set on the basis of the command; an output unit to output the image data whose color space was converted by the color space converting unit to the external device set on the basis of the command; and an automatic recognizing unit to automatically recognize the external devices by communicating with each of the first and second external devices by using the first and second communicating units.

Abstract: The tonal resolution of an image scanner is improved by adjusting the dynamic range of an analog-to-digital converter of the scanner. A preview scan of the image is made. The image data from the preview scan is then analyzed to determine a maximum intensity and a minimum intensity. The value of the maximum intensity is used to set a white intercept of the image scanner such that a maximum digital value of the analog-to-digital converter corresponds to the maximum intensity present in the image data from the preview scan. The minimum intensity is used to set a black intercept of the image scanner such that the minimum intensity in the image data from the preview scan corresponds to the minimum digital number output by the analog-to-digital converter. Tonal resolution of the image scanner is optimized then by performing a final scan of the image with the analog-to-digital converter programmed to reflect the new white intercept and black intercept values.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is provided in which, when communication management data stored in a communication management-data storage unit and prescribed communication image data that has been stored in an accumulating memory are combined and outputted, required zoom processing is executed by a system controller and the communication management data and prescribed communication image data are combined and outputted in such a manner that the data will fit on one page.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, a color document read by image inputting means is converted to RGB data and then to L*a*b* data. The L*a*b* data are subjected to image processing and then transformed to RGB data. Further, the RGB data are transformed to YMCK data. Image outputting means sequentially superposes color materials on a paper on the basis of the YMCK data, thereby reproducing the color document. Recognizing means recognizes a color rendering range for the L*a*b* data and a color reproducible range available with the outputting means. Data representative of the color rendering ranges of the inputting means and outputting means are stored in a data storage and supplied to the recognizing means.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of generating multivalue image data to be reproduced by a laser printer and the like as a hard copy having high visual quality. A first character/line drawing data is separated from an input multivalue image data to be subjected to an image data processing for removing jaggies appearing in curved or straight lines of characters and lines, and then is synthesized with a patter data having data indicative of edge directions to generate an output multivalue image data, so as to provide the hard copy having high visual quality.

Abstract: The CiMiYi signals of input CiMiYiKi signals are converted into CoMoYo signals of CoMoYoKo signals by using three-dimensional LUT color converting devices. The Ki signal of the input CiMiYiKi signals is subjected to gradation conversion to obtain the Ko signal of the CoMoYoKo signals by using a one-dimensional LUT.

Abstract: A color image processing system in which image data generated in other systems can be commonly used is disclosed. In the color image data processing system, an image processing unit processes color image data represented in a uniform color space system under illumination by a first light source, and the image data includes information relating to the first light source. An image output unit receives color image data represented in a uniform color space system under illumination by a second light source and produces color images according to the color image data. A correction control unit in the image processing unit judges whether or not the first light source coincides with the second light source. A correction formula calculating unit calculates a correction formula corresponding to the difference in characteristics between the first light source and the second light source. A light source difference correction unit corrects the color image data according to the correction formula.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid delivery of facsimile or other data sets to a massive number of recipients is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, the data set is distributed and delivered by a number of general purpose computers. A scheduling computer defines the paths for communicating the data set via a plurality of general purpose computers. A broadcasting job comprising the fax to be delivered and the distribution instructions for a first GP computer and the other GP computers in its assigned path is delivered to a first general purpose computer. The first general purpose computer communicates a portion of its fax broadcast job to a second GP computer. The broadcast job is distributed in an exponential tree having at least two, and preferably many, levels. Through the use of an exponential distribution tree, the fax is delivered quickly through the use of many general purpose computers.

Abstract: A color image is by an optical scanner for conversion into three primary color data corresponding to the respective densities of the three primary colors. An edge detector detects a pixel of an edge based on the three primary color data. A pixel color judging device judges a color of a target pixel based on the three primary color data of the target pixel and its adjacent pixels. Based on edge detection results of the edge detector and pixel color judgment results of the pixel color judging device, detected is a pixel of a black edge. Judgement conditions for the pixel color judgement are established based upon characteristics that depend upon the order of arrangement of color filters in a scanner.

Abstract: A method of and system for rendering a halftone image of a gray scale image by utilizing a pixel-by-pixel comparison of the gray scale image against a blue noise mask is disclosed in which the gray scale image is scanned on a pixel-by-pixel basis and compared on a pixel-by-pixel basis to an array of corresponding data points contained in a blue noise mask stored in a PROM or computer memory in order to produce the desired halftoned image. Both digital and optically implemented halftone methods are disclosed. Application specific modifications of the blue noise mask as well as its use for producing halftoned color images are also disclosed.