Abstract: An image processing device and method for convert multi-value image data having light and dark information per pixel into binary data for pseudo half-tone representation. A binarization results delay unit holds binarized data near the pixel of interest obtained by a binarizing unit, a slice value control unit calculates the amount of change in the slice value based on the concentration of the image or the binarized data pattern thereof, and determines the binarized slice value S based on the amount of change in slice value. The binarizing unit binarizing input image signals using the binarized slice value S. Thus, control of the amount of dot concentration in an arbitrary concentration area, and accurate control of texture can be realized.

Abstract: There is provided a service providing system that is capable of preventing personal information on a user who has used a service from being leaked to other users without spoiling the convenience for the user, and increasing the frequency with which the user uses the service. The service providing system includes a service providing apparatus that provides a service for the user, and a password issuing device that issues a password with an expiration date that is made to correspond to identification information held by the user in response to the payment of a fee by the user. The service providing apparatus includes a memory that stores setting data used for simplifying operations relating to the service provided for the user, and a CPU. The CPU authenticates the user according to the identification information on the user, the password issued to the user, and the expiration date thereof, and gives the authenticated user a permission to perform operations on the setting data stored in the memory.

Abstract: An error compression circuit compresses an error component E/2 and stores it in a line buffer. An error reconstruction circuit expands the compressed error component. The error compression circuit uses two pixels as a unit, adds error components E/2 for pixels belonging to each unit, and stores the sum as a compressed error component E′. The error reconstruction circuit divides by 2 the compressed error component E′ read out from the line buffer, and outputs the resultant component for the period of two pixels to reconstruct the error component E/2.

Abstract: When input N-bit multi-valued image information having density information is converted into M-bit (N≧M) image information and the converted image information is output, information (S signal) indicating whether or not an image conversion process is executed for one line including a pixel of interest of the multi-valued image information is generated on the basis of the multi-valued image information. Only when the S signal indicating that the image conversion process is to be skipped successively appears for a number of times equal to or larger than “the number of lines required for the process”+1, the control is made to forcibly set the processing result of the image conversion process to be a predetermined value, and to inhibit execution of the image conversion process for one line including the pixel of interest of the multi-valued image data.

Abstract: An image processor includes spatial filters which execute parallel processing in units of component data of image data made up of a plurality of component data, and an original image color determination unit selects if input image data from a color image input unit is to be processed as a monochrome or color image. When it is selected that the input image data is to be processed as a monochrome image, the processing operations of the spatial filters for the image data are controlled to be executed stepwise.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes a first cassette for stacking recording sheets each having a protruding portion, a second cassette for stacking recording sheets having no protruding portion, a detecting unit for detecting a protruding portion of an original to be copied, and a copy unit for copying an image of an original onto the recording sheet fed from the first cassette in the case where the protruding portion of the original is detected by the detecting unit and for copying the image of the original onto the recording sheet fed from the second cassette in the case where the protruding portion of the original is not detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: Upon gradation converting input m-bit image information into n-bit image information (m and n are integers; m>n), random numbers, the maximum values of which are changed in accordance with the input values of the m-bit image information, are generated at periods of two or more pixels, and the random numbers are selectively output while switching their signs to positive/negative within the period of two or more pixels. The output signal values and the input values of the m-bit image information are added to each other, and the sum signal values are converted into n-values by a density preservation type quantization method. With this control, the problems of sweeping, texture, and the like of the conventional density preservation type quantization method can be solved without emphasizing the granularity of an image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input unit for inputting image information, and a conversion unit for comparing the input image information with a plurality of threshold values and converting the input image information into data of three or more levels, wherein the conversion unit converts the input image information so as to form a dot at the central area of a screen mask if the input image information is low in density, and converts the input image information so as to form dots at the whole area of a screen mask if the input image information is middle and high in density.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an image processing apparatus capable of two-color output representation in high accuracy even with a full-colored original.A color original is entered by an input means for prescan, a density distribution with respect to a hue is obtained for each electric signal of color image information, and a characteristic point of the color original image is obtained from the result of the density distribution. The two-color separation means separates a full-colored original to two colors free from the same color representation according to the information of the characteristic point obtained.

Abstract: A two-color separating circuit separates an input image signal into two color signals R and K. In conformity with a color signal indicating the maximum value of the separated color signals, a color-mixture correcting circuit corrects the other color signal. The density of the color pixel formed by the corrected color signal is predicted, and the difference between the result of prediction and the color signal before correction is distributed among pixels of the same color surrounding this pixel. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus for supplying an image forming apparatus, which collectively forms images of two colors, with an image signal subjected to processing capable of performing excellent color mixing without lowering the density of whichever of the two color-component images is formed last.