Abstract: An image processing method, for receiving an input image and separating pixels having text characteristics and pixels having figure characteristics, includes: applying a first filtering processing for the input image to derive a first image processing result; applying a second filtering processing for the first image processing result to derive a second image processing result, wherein a distribution of filtering parameters of the first filtering processing is different from a distribution of filtering parameters of the second filtering processing; deriving a set of first reference values according to the first image processing result and the second image processing result; and determining whether each pixel within the input image is a text pixel or a figure pixel according to at least the set of the first reference values and a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An image processing method for deriving text characteristic images from an input image includes: performing a plurality of edge detecting processes upon the input image to generate a plurality of edge images, respectively, and deriving a first text characteristic image according to the edge images. The image detecting processes include: performing a first edge detecting process upon the input image to derive a first edge image according to a first upper threshold and a first lower threshold, and performing a second edge detecting process upon the input image to derive a second edge image according to a second upper threshold and a second lower threshold.

Abstract: An image processing method, for receiving an input image and separating pixels having text characteristics and pixels having figure characteristics, includes: applying a first filtering processing for the input image to derive a first image processing result; applying a second filtering processing for the first image processing result to derive a second image processing result, wherein a distribution of filtering parameters of the first filtering processing is different from a distribution of filtering parameters of the second filtering processing; deriving a set of first reference values according to the first image processing result and the second image processing result; and determining whether each pixel within the input image is a text pixel or a figure pixel according to at least the set of the first reference values and a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An image processing method for deriving text characteristic images from an input image includes: performing a plurality of edge detecting processes upon the input image to generate a plurality of edge images, respectively, and deriving a first text characteristic image according to the edge images. The image detecting processes include: performing a first edge detecting process upon the input image to derive a first edge image according to a first upper threshold and a first lower threshold, and performing a second edge detecting process upon the input image to derive a second edge image according to a second upper threshold and a second lower threshold.

Abstract: An image processing method for reducing jaggy effect, which is applied in an image output device, is provided. Firstly, a continuous tone image is generated, and continuous tone pixels are defined according to a first addressing space. Then, a halftone image is generated. After that, the continuous tone image is low-pass filtered to generate a low-pass filtered image. Next, determine whether a position of the low-pass filtered image whose density is approximate to a pre-determined density. If so, generate a set of second addressing space co-ordinates of a key point corresponding to the position. Then, a moving vector corresponding to the key point is generated so as to regulate the position of a display point of the halftone pixel. Afterward, output the display point according to the position after regulation.

Abstract: A method for processing an image to increase sharpness of the image without changing hue characteristics. The method includes performing a transformation process to transform an original image signal into CIE XYZ colorimetric channels, forming a luminance channel Y, applying a filter on the luminance channel Y to obtain a processed luminance channel Y?, computing processed colorimetric channels X? and Z? based on the processed luminance channel Y?, and performing an inverse transformation process to transform the processed colorimetric channels X?Y?Z? into a processed image signal.

Abstract: An image processing system and method using the technique of halftoning. It first inputs into a second printer the image color scale data of a standard color test chart, on which the second printer performs halftoning using its built-in halftone table, in order to output a set of second image color level data. Next, it obtains a host printer function according to the image color scale data and the second image color level data and then establishes a correlation function between the host printer function and the standard function, according to which the halftone table is modified to become a dithered halftone table, bringing the subsequent print quality of the second printer closer to that of the standard function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of image processing method and systems to be used in printers with asymmetrical-resolution printing mode. The asymmetrical-resolution is defined as having an aspect ratio of n=X:Y. The system first picks up a symmetrical-resolution halftone table and then, by making use of an algorithm such as an interpolation such as a B-spline method, expand the symmetrical-resolution halftone table by n times along the width direction to obtain an asymmetrical-resolution halftone table, in accordance with which the system will subsequently do the necessary pre-print processing of halftoning in order to print out the corresponding image(s).

Abstract: A method of adjusting positions of dots in an original halftone image for improving quality of printed images, the original halftone image including a plurality of pixels containing either dots to be printed or blank spaces. The method includes selecting a pixel in the original halftone image containing a selected dot to be printed, analyzing pixels in the original halftone image neighboring the selected pixel to determine if the neighboring pixels contain dots to be printed, adjusting the position of the selected dot in the selected pixel to increase an average distance between the selected dot and the dots in the neighboring pixels, and creating a modified halftone image in which the position of selected dot has been adjusted.

Abstract: An image processing method for reducing jaggy effect, which is applied in an image output device, is provided. Firstly, a continuous tone image is generated, and continuous tone pixels are defined according to a first addressing space. Then, a halftone image is generated. After that, the continuous tone image is low-pass filtered to generate a low-pass filtered image. Next, determine whether a position of the low-pass filtered image whose density is approximate to a pre-determined density. If so, generate a set of second addressing space co-ordinates of a key point corresponding to the position. Then, a moving vector corresponding to the key point is generated so as to regulate the position of a display point of the halftone pixel. Afterward, output the display point according to the position after regulation.

Abstract: A method of adjusting positions of dots in an original halftone image for improving quality of printed images, the original halftone image including a plurality of pixels containing either dots to be printed or blank spaces. The method includes selecting a pixel in the original halftone image containing a selected dot to be printed, analyzing pixels in the original halftone image neighboring the selected pixel to determine if the neighboring pixels contain dots to be printed, adjusting the position of the selected dot in the selected pixel to increase an average distance between the selected dot and the dots in the neighboring pixels, and creating a modified halftone image in which the position of selected dot has been adjusted.

Abstract: A method for processing an image to increase sharpness of the image without changing hue characteristics. The method includes performing a transformation process to transform an original image signal into CIE XYZ colorimetric channels, forming a luminance channel Y, applying a filter on the luminance channel Y to obtain a processed luminance channel Y?, computing processed colorimetric channels X? and Z? based on the processed luminance channel Y?, and performing an inverse transformation process to transform the processed colorimetric channels X?Y?Z? into a processed image signal.

Abstract: A method for allowing a layman user to visually calibrate a user display is provided. First, a standard display model is predefined with (i) a standard display colorimetric transformation matrix, (ii) a standard display luminance response function, and (iii) three standard display human perception response (HPR) curves in dim, average, and bright environments, respectively. Second, a user display model is created, also including (i) a user display colorimetric transformation matrix, which is not fully defined, (ii) a user display luminance response function, which is also not fully defined, and (iii) a user display human perception response (HPR) curve in dim, average, or bright surrounding environment, as specified by the user. Third, the user display luminance response function is estimated. Fourth, the user display colorimetric transformation matrix is estimated. Finally, based on the above estimation, a lookup-table (LUT) is created for converting standard display signals to user display signals.