Abstract: A method of performing a descreening process with high accuracy by separating a first region from which a gradation area is to be derived and a second region from which a monotone area is to be derived from each other in a screened image with high accuracy is provided. Halftone dot positions and halftone cells are specified at an output resolution level based on the angle dependence of a distribution obtained by counting recorder grids constituting each halftone dot in one direction. By extracting edges of halftone dots and counting them in one direction, the position of deformed halftone dots positioned on a boundary between first regions having different gradation levels is detected at the output resolution level, whereby the position of picture-originated pixels is specified with high accuracy.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus calculates a deformation direction and a deformation ratio of halftone dots, based on a printing condition including a printing direction, a printing speed and the like. Then, the image processing apparatus deforms halftone data, based on the calculated deformation direction and deformation ratio, and generates a halftone image by using the halftone data subjected to the deformation. The generated halftone image is composed of halftone dots deformed in accordance with the printing condition. Thus, the halftone dots are satisfactorily recorded on a printing sheet, and the density gradation of an image is accurately reproduced.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention compares a first proof image and a second proof image, to detect a different portion, and displays the different portion on a display part. Therefore, an operator can check the second proof image after subjected to an automatic trap processing in respect to only the different portion between the first proof image and the second proof image, and perform a trap edit processing as needed. Hence, the trap edit processing to the second proof image can be performed efficiently, and the operator's workload can be reduced.

Abstract: A hash value generation section at a plate making site, which is a first site, generates a hash value based on edit layout data. A reference image data output section outputs reference image data to a folder named after the hash value. The reference image data is transmitted from the plate making site to a press plate site, which is a second site, while being kept contained in the folder. A hash value generation section at the press plate site generates a hash value based on the edit layout data transmitted from the plate making site. Based on the hash value, a plate inspection process section retrieves a folder containing reference image data that is to be used for a plate inspection process.

Abstract: A prepress system comprises a raster image processor for developing first print image data to display resolution to create first raster image data, and for developing second print image data to the display resolution to create second raster image data. A plate image inspection processor executes a plate image inspection process by comparing the first and second raster image data, and displays on a display device the result of the plate image inspection process.

Abstract: A conversion computation section acquires the original color density value of a single process color in a given image region and the original color density value of a spot color from raster data, and acquires a pseudocolor conversion rate for conversion from the spot color to the process color from spot color information. Then, the conversion computation section calculates a proof color density value Hi of each process color on a pixel-by-pixel basis in each image region by using a conversion computation expressed by Hi=Pi+s·Gi?Pi·s·Gi where Pi (i=C, M, Y or K) is the original color density value of the single process color, s is the original color density value of the spot color, and Gi is the pseudocolor conversion rate for conversion from the spot color to the process color. The proof color density value reflects a change in gradation of the process color and a change in gradation of the spot color without the saturation of the color density.

Abstract: A sharpness conversion part is provided in a print inspection apparatus and performs an average-masking operation to weaken a sharpness of object image data to be inspected and that of reference image data. After that, a differential value between these data is acquired. With this operation, an inspection for printing is performed by using image data of which the difference is distinguishable by human's visual property, not considering an invisible differential value which is caused by pixel displacement in subpixel order, and it is therefore possible to efficiently obtain a print inspection result with an accuracy almost as high as that by visual inspection. Thus, a print inspection apparatus can be provided, which is capable of correctly extracting difference to be detected by visual check.

Abstract: A technique of inspecting an input print data file to determine whether or not a printed image has good reproducibility is provided. A content type identification module 321 identifies a content type of each object contained in the input print data file PD0. A characteristic value calculator 322 calculates a characteristic value relating to reproducibility of each object which is pre-selected according to the content type of the object. A characteristic value judgment module 323 determines based on the calculated characteristic value whether or not each object meets a judging condition relating to reproducibility of image portion represented by the object.

Abstract: Image features of a plurality of RGB images arranged for layout are extracted, and the RGB images are classified into image categories determined by the commonality of the image features. Recipe information previously set in accordance with the image features is added to layout data while being associated with RGB images for each image category. This enables an output device to perform an optimization process by reference to the added recipe information, thereby outputting good-quality printed matter excellent in color reproduction and the like if information for the process of optimizing RGB image data is not previously provided during the generation of the layout data.

Abstract: In an RIP processing apparatus, layout information of each of objects arranged in original data is obtained to generate initial attribute information. In a print inspection apparatus, the initial attribute information is transformed in accordance with an inspection object image to generate attribute information and a print inspection parameter reflecting the attribute information is set. In performing a print inspection, an area in object image data which is intended for the print inspection is specified by the attribute of image element. With this operation, even when image areas of different attributes are mixed, an optimum print inspection for each image area can be performed and it is therefore possible to efficiently obtain a significant inspection result by one operation on the whole of object image data.

Abstract: A sharpness conversion part is provided in a print inspection apparatus and performs an average-masking operation to weaken a sharpness of object image data to be inspected and that of reference image data. After that, a differential value between these data is acquired. With this operation, an inspection for printing is performed by using image data of which the difference is distinguishable by human's visual property, not considering an invisible differential value which is caused by pixel displacement in subpixel order, and it is therefore possible to efficiently obtain a print inspection result with an accuracy almost as high as that by visual inspection. Thus, a print inspection apparatus can be provided, which is capable of correctly extracting difference to be detected by visual check.

Abstract: A method of performing a descreening process with high accuracy by separating a first region from which a gradation area is to be derived and a second region from which a monotone area is to be derived from each other in a screened image with high accuracy is provided. Halftone dot positions and halftone cells are specified at an output resolution level based on the angle dependence of a distribution obtained by counting recorder grids constituting each halftone dot in one direction. By extracting edges of halftone dots and counting them in one direction, the position of deformed halftone dots positioned on a boundary between first regions having different gradation levels is detected at the output resolution level, whereby the position of picture-originated pixels is specified with high accuracy.

Abstract: Plate-image-inspection RIP data CD2, CD3 are prepared using the same RIP processing conditions from two print image data prepared in different steps of the prepress process, and inspection results are obtained by comparing these data CD2, CD3. Plate-image-inspection RIP data CD2, CD3 can be prepared in several methods: (1) a method for RIP processing respective non-RIP data using standard RIP processing conditions; (2) a method for respectively converting two RIP data to standard RIP processing conditions; and (3) a method for converting one of two RIP data such that it conforms to the RIP processing conditions of the other.

Abstract: A prepress system comprises a raster image processor for developing first print image data to display resolution to create first raster image data, and for developing second print image data to the display resolution to create second raster image data. A plate image inspection processor executes a plate image inspection process by comparing the first and second raster image data, and displays on a display device the result of the plate image inspection process.

Abstract: A workflow creating apparatus stores rules (311) for creating workflows and environmental information (312) relating to execution of each process constituting the workflow in advance in an auxiliary storage. When output requirements (310) constituted by attribute values for an image recording media such as film, press plates, or printed matter etc. taken as finally resulting matter are designated by user operations, the processes required to make an image recording media satisfying the output requirements (310) are decided upon and the parameter values for each of the required processes are set by applying workflow creation rules (311) to each of the attribute values of the output requirements (310). A workflow is then created taking into consideration environmental information (312) based on results of applying these rules and tickets (321 to 323) corresponding to this workflow is created.

Abstract: A printing machine provided allows even unskilled operators to perform ink and water supply control according to the contents of an image. While a reference image to be printed is segmented into a plurality of regions similar in contents, image data is obtained from printed matter and a color difference between the reference image and a print image is calculated. Ink and water (I/W) supplies are determined based on regional color difference data obtained by summing the color differences for each region. At this time, by adding correction of the regional color difference data based on the characteristics of each region and the contents of the image, and correction of the I/W supplies based on external factors and variables, even unskilled operators can perform rapid I/W supply control based on the contents of the image.

Abstract: A printing machine provided allows even unskilled operators to perform ink and water supply control according to the contents of an image. While a reference image to be printed is segmented into a plurality of regions similar in contents, image data is obtained from printed matter and a color difference between the reference image and a print image is calculated. Ink and water (I/W) supplies are determined based on regional color difference data obtained by summing the color differences for each region. At this time, by adding correction of the regional color difference data based on the characteristics of each region and the contents of the image, and correction of the I/W supplies based on external factors and variables, even unskilled operators can perform rapid I/W supply control based on the contents of the image.

Abstract: Responsive to input of an instruction for use of at least one feature of a managed apparatus 610, a usage management apparatus 110 investigates to determine the amount or amounts of a ticket balance or balances authorizing use of such feature or features, and if such amount or amounts is or are sufficient for the use for which such instruction was input, then the managed apparatus 610 may be made to execute such feature or features. If the ticket balance or balances is or are less than the required amount or amounts, a request may be made by way of, for example, the Internet 700 for a server 200 to issue one or more tickets for such feature or features in accordance with one or more ticket acquisition instructions from a user. Responsive to issuance of such ticket or tickets, one or more ticket balances for such feature or features may be increased, permitting use of such feature or features at the managed apparatus 610 in accordance with the instruction for use thereof.

Abstract: Average density values are calculated from a pixel group which contains an objective pixel and neighboring pixels around the objective pixel, and an image filter to use for processing of the objective pixel is specified in accordance with the average density values. Using the specified image filter, filter computation is performed on a main signal which represents the density of the objective pixel, whereby an output signal is generated. The main signal which represents the objective pixel is smoothed out in an area which is larger than the size of halftone dots. In accordance with the average density values, a reference value is acquired. A set of weighting factors is selected based on the reference value, thereby determining an effective size of the image filter. The determined effective size is large in a density range where moires are noticeable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of and an apparatus for applying predetermined processing to an original image pixel by pixel. A main signal (S) regarding an objective pixel which is a pixel which is to be processed is supplied to an average density value extracting portion (10), a multiplier (51), and a filter computation portion (30). The filter computation portion (30) executes computation based on an image filter which has a larger size than the size of halftone dots, to thereby generates a filtered signal (S′). The average density value extracting portion (10) extracts an average density value (D) in an area which is larger than the size of the halftone dots, and supplies the average density value (D) to a table reference portion (20). The table reference portion (20) identifies a mixing rate (M) for mixing in the main signal (S) and a mixing rate (1−M) for mixing in the filtered signal (S′), in accordance with the average density value (D).