Abstract: With the present invention, an inputted color image is separated to image signals for three colors of Red, Green and Blue, determination is made as to whether a remarked pixel is for a specified color or not according to the image signals for the separated three colors, brightness data for the inputted color image is detected, determination is made as to whether a remarked pixel is for a white color or a black color depending on the detected brightness data, a pixel determined as for a specified color is converted to a specified color, and a pixel determined as not for a specified color is converted to a white color or a black color according to a result of determination as to whether the remarked pixel is for a white color or a black color, so that a separation area for a specified color can clearly be defined.

Abstract: A technique and structure is used for producing high resolution color images using a monochrome area charge-coupled device (CCD) 64 and a sequential color illumination scheme. The monochrome CCD 64 comprises a plurality of semiconductor storage cells 76, the semiconductor storage cells 76 being configured in an array having vertical columns 74 and horizontal rows 79. The entire CCD 64 is exposed to a first color image. The charge packets 82 stored in two adjacent horizontal rows as a result of the exposure are then shifted into a third horizontal row. The CCD 64 is then exposed to a second color image. The charge packets 82 stored in the first horizontal row as a result of the second exposure are then shifted into the second horizontal row. The CCD 64 is then exposed to a third and final color image. The CCD output is digitized and stored in a frame. The color information of a particular location on the CCD array 64 is derived by utilizing a simple set of equations.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a plurality of light sources for illuminating an original, a photoelectric conversion device for converting light from the original illuminated by each of the plurality of illuminating means, and a discriminating circuit for discriminating whether or not any image exists on the original, based on image signals output from the photoelectric conversion device at least when the original is illuminated with light from one of the light sources, which possesses spectral characteristics including green. A control circuit controls the apparatus so that, when the discriminating circuit has determined that no image exists on the original, the manner of reading of the image with the light sources other than the light source employed in the discrimination performed by the discriminating circuit is changed from the manner of reading of the image with the light source employed in the discrimination.

Abstract: A copying apparatus is connected to active and stand-by sections (11, 12) each of which has a specific data signal. The active section has a memory unit (14) for memorizing a plurality of data signals and an accessing unit (13) for accessing the memory unit to read one of the data signals as the specific data signal out of the memory unit in a readout operation. The accessing unit produces readout information which is representative of the readout operation. The copying apparatus comprises a memory section (23) of a first-in-first-out fashion that successively memorizes the specific data signal of the active section as a copied data signal up to a predetermined data number. A monitoring section (24) monitors the memory section to produce a monitored signal when the number of the copied data signals is equal to the predetermined data number.

Abstract: When an original image of a full color is reconstructed by two colors, it is intended to prevent that a part of the original image is not reconstructed. An image of a full color original is read by a CCD, thereby forming signals of R, G and B. In an image processing unit, the R, G, and B signals are converted into red and black signals. The red and black signals are sent to a printer unit and an image is formed in red and black.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for the synchronization of the image recording of monochrome recordings and color recordings with photosensitive line sensors. A line-scanning pattern is generated by a programmable counter arrangement, wherein the timer measures the phase position of the line-scanning pattern, generated by the counter arrangement, with the aid of the computer and the programmable counter arrangement at the point in time of the impinging of a pulse of the incremental transmitter, wherein the timer compares these with a coordinated calculated or tabulated reference value, and wherein the timer employs the thus obtained phase difference in order to influence a counter, preconnected to the line counter CT2, in its count volume (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: An averaging circuit for sequentially calculating an average of an original pixel data and a delayed pixel data to output a correction data and a multiplexer for selecting one of the pixel data and the correction data cooperate with each other, under control of a timing generator for generating a control signal, to output a pixel data on a contracted picture with a reduced distortion, permitting use of a relatively small-scale circuit.

Abstract: An automatic facsimile signal analyzing system includes a switch unit, a service trunk, a signal identification trunk, a facsimile communication determination unit, and a control unit. The signal identification trunk restores a facsimile control signal from a modulated and encoded facsimile signal on the set speech path and performs collection of communication state information and detection of a start of facsimile communication on the basis of the restored facsimile control signal. The facsimile communication determination unit permits an operation of the signal identification trunk when the classification result from the service trunk represents a type other than the voice signal and analyzes the communication state information from the signal identification trunk.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning and digitizing image objects includes a conventional scanning unit for processing individual image objects with the aid of a first electro-optical scanning unit. Furthermore, an optional roll-film unit is provided for processing roll-film objects. The roll-film unit is optionally usable in combination with the conventional scanning unit. The roll-film unit too utilizes at least the first electro-optical scanning unit of the conventional scanner to digitize the roll-film object. The apparatus is especially suited for use for digitizing aerial images in individual image form or in roll-film form in the area of photogrammetry.

Abstract: An electronic imaging system is disclosed which is capable of transmission and reception of image data and/or data stored in recording media with a small size modem and taking a great amount of picked-up image, and filing and taking them for a personal computer network host at a desired timing. Data communication means transmits image data obtained through by an image means and/or data stored in a mounted information storage medium in a system conforming to an inter-personal computer communication system fitted for network organization.

Abstract: Binary data corresponding to respective lattice point data addresses of a direct look-up table and indicating an inside or outside of a color reproduction range of an output device are retained. Based on the binary data, a judgment is made of whether an input color signal is located inside or outside the color reproduction range of the output device. A lattice point data address that is generated from the input color signal is compressed based on a result of the above judgment. The judging and compressing operations are repeated to generate lattice point data addresses so that they are located inside the color reproduction range of the output device.

Abstract: A prepress command sheet capable of prepress efficiently without errors. Magnetic disk 54 are stored electronic data for corresponding image components, corresponding text components, and corresponding linework components. The Disk 54 are also stored electronic data for layout papers for the prepress command sheets. A CPU 42 lays out the corresponding image components, corresponding text components, and corresponding linework components on the layout paper according to instruction by an operator. CPU 42 reads identifiers for the respective image components and lays them out in the vicinity of associated corresponding image components. Printer 47 records the corresponding image components, corresponding text components, corresponding linework components, and identifiers associated with respective image components on the layout paper, and outputs the prepress command sheet.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus for forming a binarized image upon adding on additional information without degrading image quality, a mode signal assumes an "H" or "L" level. When the mode signal is at the "H" level, a pattern in which a binarized output attains the "H" level for two successive pixels appears in a low-density area of the image formed, thereby indicating the start of data representing additional information. When the mode signal is at the "L" level, additional information is represented by the level of a control signal f. The binarized output is controlled in such a manner that the spacing of black pixels becomes an odd number of pixels in a low-density area of the formed image in a case where the control signal f is at the "L" level and an even-number of pixels in the low-density area of the formed image in a case where the control signal f is at the "H" level.

Abstract: An image of an original mounted on a platen is converted into image data by a CCD. An original region detection unit detects the region of the original mounted on the platen from the image data. According to this detection, the writing address of the image memory is controlled so that image data of the center of the original mounted region is written into an address matching the center of the sheet. As a result, various image editorial processes can easily be carried out in a digital copy machine.

Abstract: A thermal printer for forming an image on a sheet, with the image having a plurality of line image data. The thermal printer includes a thermal head having a plurality of linearly arranged thermal elements for forming the image. The total number of the thermal elements to be driven is determined. The thermal elements are driven for a predetermined time period in accordance with the line image data if the number of thermal elements to be driven is not greater than a predetermined value. If the total number of the thermal elements to be driven is greater than the predetermined value, then the predetermined time period is divided into a number of fractional time periods and the thermal elements are intermittently driven for each of the fractional time periods. The predetermined value is determined to avoid sticking between the thermal head and a thermosensitive sheet due to excess heat.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus generate, and use in printing, a dither matrix that incorporates a vivid-response function, that follows a generally S-shaped response curve. Printing with this pregenerated dither cell is just as fast as with a conventional cell, but printed color has a slightly exaggerated vividness, more pleasing to most users than more-accurately reproduced color. Color printed with this curve alone, however, is found unsatisfactorily dark; the invention also encompasses including in the overall response another function to lighten the colors--particularly at the low end of the brightness range. We define both functions as so-called "gamma functions", but with different arguments and exponents, and construct the S-shaped curve as two separate sections blended at a generally central point. Preferably the argument of the first (low-brightness) section is an expression that is proportional to an input color signal; the function raises this argument to a power greater than unity (ideally 1.6).

Abstract: A resolution conversion system for real-time expansion and reduction of a first plurality of input pixels into a second plurality of output pixels. The resolution conversion system comprises a base-n counter for counting input pixels as each pixel is captured. The base-n counter has a plurality of carry out signals. Also, there is a control register for selectively enabling the carry out signals of the base-n counter based on a predetermined resolution ratio between the first plurality of input pixels and the second plurality of output pixels. The control register uses a mode bit to select either one of inserting and removing operations. An inserting logic unit is used for inserting, as indicated by the mode bit, a pixel into the plurality of input pixels upon a transition of one of the carry out signals if the carry out signals have been enabled by the control register.

Abstract: Data processing method and apparatus for converting data such as character data or image data of a resolution X into data of a resolution Y which are effective for use in, particularly, a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screen assembly wherein measures are taken to prevent slack produced in a lenticular lens sheet due to temperature changes and gaps created between a Fresnel lens sheet and the lenticular lens sheet due to temperature changes, thereby enabling the display of images free of inconsistencies in color. The structure of the screen assembly has the lower parts of a lenticular lens sheet and a Fresnel lens sheet comprising a screen fixed together, the upper part of the light radiant side of the lenticular lens sheet fixed to the upper part of a framework, the lower part of the screen, where the Fresnel lens sheet and the lenticular lens sheet are put together not being fixed to the lower part of the framework and a specified clearance created between the lower part of the screen and the lower part of the framework.

Abstract: A dispersed-dot stochastic dither array is provided for rendering halftone images having excellent visual quality and are created by a minimum density variance method. The minimum density variance method considers the statistical distribution of the pixels in the image, and is unrelated to previous techniques based on either spatial frequencies or spatial distances, such as the blue noise mask and the void and cluster algorithm. By minimizing the variance in the number of dots within each local region of the image, a smooth and dispersed distribution of dots may be obtained. The method of the present invention also offers the flexibility to accommodate particular design considerations, through the selection of the size and shape of the image regions, the weighting of the cost function, and the option of guiding the selection of dots with "target" dot profile images.