Abstract: A method and apparatus for halftoning where at most one halftoned gray, or multi-level, pixel will occur in those halftone cells having a constant area of ink. The method and apparatus includes placing a threshold array and the pixel tonal values within the same range if the threshold array and pixel tonal values are in different ranges. The elements in the threshold array are then compared to the pixel tonal values in order to determine a resulting output value.The preferred apparatus for halftoning includes a memory for storing the threshold array; a multiplier for multiplying one 8-bit value representing the number of pixels in a halftone cell by a second 8-bit value which is a pixel tonal value; a comparator for comparing the results of the multiplier with an element from the threshold array; and a multiplexer for selecting a resulting output value based upon the output generated by the comparator.

Abstract: The digital information encoding apparatus comprises a context generation means for extracting a reference picture element from an inputted picture data, a context storage means for temporarily storing said context, a context table storage means comprising a read address input node, a read/write context table storing portion, a data output node, a write address input node and a data input node, a probability estimating table storage means comprising an address input node for receiving a probability estimation index in a probability estimating data, and a data output node which outputs a probability estimating data, and an arithmetic calculation means for receiving a picture data to be encoded and for outputting a renewal data including both the prediction symbol and the probability estimation index to said context table storage means.

Abstract: An image input apparatus capable of speed-up of image inputting by conducting the image inputting of manuscripts having different sizes with one kind of one-dimensional image sensor, comprising manuscript size setting means for setting a size of a manuscript in a main scanning direction of a one-dimensional image sensor; conveying speed control means for controlling a speed of conveying the manuscript depending upon the size of manuscript being set; driving signal control means for controlling a driving of the one-dimensional image sensor depending upon the size of manuscript being set; shielding means for shielding a predetermined area of the one-dimensional image sensor; and shield area control means for controlling an area to be shielded by the shielding means depending upon the size of the manuscript being set.

Abstract: A system for reducing toner or ink consumption in rendering images, in which a transfer function is used to modify screening of the image to be rendered. Rendering systems including the use of single or multiple colors can employ the present invention. An algorithm is used in the present system to read in an arbitrary halftone dot and for each pixel in the halftone cell the output is a replicate of the threshold, Ta or Tb, surrounded by three pixels of white thresholds, a smooth transition from white to the now reduced maximum area coverage (such as 25%), while creating or maintaining the appearance of image uniformity at this reduced maximum area coverage.

Abstract: There are provided a facsimile apparatus in which fonts of plural languages each including plural characters need not be permanently stored from the beginning, and a control method therefor. A data request from the facsimile apparatus is recognized by an information processing apparatus, which in response transfers data meeting the request of the facsimile apparatus thereto, among the data managed in the information processing apparatus, and the facsimile apparatus is enabled to manage and utilize thus transferred data, whereby the facsimile apparatus can effectively utilize the memory.

Abstract: An image reader includes guide plates for defining an original convey path, a conveying mechanism for conveying an original along the original convey path, an optical reading section for illuminating the original fed by the conveying mechanism and for reading image information on the basis of reflection light from the original, and a mounting member for mounting the conveying mechanism and the optical reading section on the guide plate. In particular, the guide plate has a plurality of openings arranged in a direction of original conveyance, the conveying mechanism has a plurality of rollers protruding into the original convey path through the openings, for rotating to convey the original, and the mounting member has a plurality of supporting portions disposed beside the openings, for rotatably supporting the rollers.

Abstract: An image generation method and an image generation apparatus can execute conversion from edge addresses into dot patterns at a high speed and a low cost. A comparator compares predetermined upper-digit bits of input edge-address information indicating the position of a word of a dot pattern to be output with the value of a word counter for counting the number of words of dot patterns which have been output, and determines if an edge position indicated by the input edge-address information is present within the word currently being processed. A decoder detects the edge position within the word based on predetermined lower-digit bits of the input edge-address information. The detected edge position within the word is held within a flip-flop circuit.

Abstract: A combination printer and scanner comprises a frame and a plurality of rollers mounted in the frame that define a single paper path through the frame. The combination printer and scanner further comprises an automatic sheet feeder and an automatic document feeder mounted to the frame for selectively providing clean paper print sheets and documents having text and/or graphics to be scanned, respectively, to the single paper path. A scanner station is mounted in the frame for scanning documents conveyed through the single paper path. A printer station is mounted in the frame for printing text and/or graphics on print sheets conveyed through the single paper path. A pen door is hingedly connected to the frame for opening and closing a region along the single paper path to allow access to the scanner station to permit the cleaning of a scanner window thereof.

Abstract: An image processor which improves the reproducibility of the color blue, includes an input device which inputs color image data, and a color correction device which performs color correction of the input color image data based on color correction parameters. An output device outputs the color corrected input image data to an image forming device that forms an image by using recording materials corresponding to a plurality of colors including magenta and cyan. The color correction device decreases the amount of magenta used for image formation, and uses the color correction parameters to suppress the elimination of gradation in a color zone formed by cyan.