Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method in which a controller is capable of executing image processing of its own are disclosed. The controller has an RF unit for processing image information, a halftone image processor, a density corrector and a patch generator. The engine includes a modulator corresponding to the RF unit, a halftone image processor different from that of the controller, a density controller, modulator and patch generator corresponding to the halftone processor of the engine, a sensor for sensing the density of formed patches, and a control unit for controlling the density of an image on the basis of a signal from the sensor. The engine sends the controller a signal relating to density control.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording image data from an external apparatus is provided, which receives the image data as an image signal from the external apparatus, records the received image signal, and outputs a characteristic signal regarding a recording characteristic of the recording apparatus to the external apparatus.

Abstract: An output apparatus capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a first recording dot density, generating multi-level dot information of a second recording dot density, and transmitting the thus-generated second dot information in a visible way. The output apparatus comprises: a receiving device capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a first recording dot density; a generating device capable of generating multi-level interpolation dot information by applying a predetermined calculation to the thus-received multi-level dot information; and a dot density conversion device capable of generating multi-level dot information of a second, higher recording dot density from said interpolation dot information and the received multi-level dot information, whereby high density image data can be generated from low density image data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method in which a controller is capable of executing image processing of its own are disclosed. The controller has an RF unit for processing image information, a halftone image processor, a density corrector and a patch generator. The engine includes a modulator corresponding to the RF unit, a halftone image processor different from that of the controller, a density controller, modulator and patch generator corresponding to the halftone processor of the engine, a sensor for sensing the density of formed patches, and a control unit for controlling the density of an image on the basis of a signal from the sensor. The engine sends the controller a signal relating to density control.

Abstract: An output apparatus capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a first recording dot density, generating multi-level dot information of a second recording dot density, and transmitting the thus-generated second dot information in a visible way. The output apparatus comprises: a receiving device capable of receiving multi-level dot information of a first recording dot density; a generating device capable of generating multi-level interpolation dot information by applying a predetermined calculation to the thus-received multi-level dot information; and a dot density conversion device capable of generating multi-level dot information of second higher recording dot density from said interpolation dot information and the received multi-level dot information, whereby high density image data can be generated from low density image data.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording image data from an external apparatus is provided, which receives the image data as an image signal from the external apparatus, records the received image signal, and outputs a characteristic signal regarding a recording characteristic of the recording apparatus to the external apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method produce, when 600 dpi image data is generated from 300 dpi image data, interpolated data of a pixel of interest by a two-value logical operation in a case where the image data about the periphery of the pixel of interest appertains to binary representation. When the image data is judged to appertain to an image of multivalued representation, the interpolated data of the pixel of interest is produced by a numerical operation. As a result, a 600 dpi picture of the same size can be printed and recorded in such a manner that outline sharpness and smoothness, which are characteristics possessed by a two-value image, are maintained at portions of the input 300 dpi image data that are two-value images while smoothness of the grayscale is maintained at portions of the input 300 dpi image data that are halftone images.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording image data from an external apparatus receives the image data as an image signal from the external apparatus, records the received image signal, and outputs a characteristic signal regarding a recording characteristic of the recording apparatus to the external apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is structured in such a manner that, when multivalued pixel data which constitutes a multivalued image are supplied, a predetermined number of interpolated pixel data are generated and inserted between the supplied and successive pixels. At this time, the gradient of each of the interpolated pixels is calculated and determined in accordance with the gradient of the supplied neighboring multivalued pixels. Thus, the image is recorded on a recording medium in accordance with image data including the interpolated pixel. As a result, print information processed so as to be printed by a low resolution printer can be printed with the same size and high quality as when printed by a high resolution printer according to the present invention.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording a color image with improved resolving power and image quality is disclosed. Color image data are temporarily stored in a memory and compared with predetermined patterns in a wide reference area. If they coincide, indicating the presence of a contour of a pattern, an object pixel is modified to finer dots, in order to smooth the contour. There are also provided patterns indicating the features of dither images, in order to identify whether the color image data correspond to such dither image, and to avoid erroneous smoothing process that deteriorates the image quality of such dither image.

Abstract: The present invention is structured in such a manner that, when multivalued pixel data which constitutes a multivalued image are supplied, a predetermined number of interpolated pixel data are generated and inserted between the supplied and successive pixels. At this time, the gradient of each of the interpolated pixels is calculated and determined in accordance with the gradient of the supplied neighboring multivalued pixels. Thus, the image is recorded on a recording medium in accordance with image data including the interpolated pixel. As a result, print information processed so as to be printed by a low resolution printer can be printed with the same size and high quality as when printed by a high resolution printer according to the present invention.

Abstract: A half-tone image recorder in which input digital data is represented by a plurality of bit data for each pixel. A data conversion device outputs digital data indicative of a recording-start position and a recording-end position, based on the input digital data. A recording device such as a laser printer records an image in accordance with the output digital data from the data conversion device. The data conversion device controls a first value of the digital data indicative of the recording-start position and a second value of the digital data indicative of the recording-end position so as to change a black-area growing direction within one pixel in the recorded image. This results in the recordation of a high-quality half-tone image without conspicuous vertical stripes and without conspicuous white stripes in the main-scanning direction of the recording device due to pitch irregularity.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes an image data generating section for generating image data, and an interpolation image data forming section for forming and outputting interpolation image data based on the image data generated by the image data generating section. The interpolation image data forming section includes a memory for storing the image data generated by the image data generating section.

Abstract: The present invention is structured in such a manner that, when multivalued pixel data which constitutes a multivalued image are supplied, a predetermined number of interpolated pixel data are generated and inserted between the supplied and successive pixels. At this time, the gradient of each of the interpolated pixels is calculated and determined in accordance with the gradient of the supplied neighboring multivalued pixels. Thus, the image is recorded on a recording medium in accordance with image data including the interpolated pixel. As a result, print information processed so as to be printed by a low resolution printer can be printed with the same size and high quality as when printed by a high resolution printer according to the present invention.

Abstract: On the basis of inputted multivalued image data, direction of growth is decided from a density pattern having a plurality of growth directions and a density pattern is caused to grow based upon the growth direction that has been decided. As a result, character images are formed sharply and high-quality half-tone images exhibiting reduced density irregularity can be produced.

Abstract: Binary data (VDO) developed to a dot pattern are sequentially stored in line memories (1-9). A processing circuit (43) is constituted by a logic calculation circuit, and determines an edge portion of an image or a halftone image on the basis of 11.times.9 pixel data in shift registers (34-43). When the edge portion of an image is determined, data of a pixel of interest is converted to data that can print a smooth edge portion. Changed data (VDOM) is converted again according to the type of toner. The converted signal is supplied to a laser driver of a printer, and a printing operation is performed by scanning a laser. A resolution setting unit (1700) receives a resolution setting command from an external apparatus (1300), and sets a designated resolution in a printer (1200) according to the resolution setting command.

Abstract: A full-color printer which reduces toner consumption by lowering the overall image density without changing the overall image tonality. An invalid data masking unit 31 masks non-printing area of a image signal 39 outputted from a FIFO buffer 30, and outputs the masked image data into a toner-saving image converter 32. The toner-saving image converter 32 zigzag masks the image signal every other pixel in main-scanning and subscanning directions based on a toner-saving mode designation signal A from a CPU 38. The masked image signal density is "00[H]". Thereafter, a .gamma. corrector 35 .gamma. corrects the masked image signal, and a PWM 36 performs pulse-width modulation on the .gamma.-corrected image signal. Image output is made by driving a semiconductor laser 120 with the pulse-width modulated signal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an image forming and processing apparatus having a plurality of storage device capable of forming an image at a high speed by reading image data in parallel. Since a predetermined quantity of image data is stored in a plurality of hard discs, and the image data is read from the hard discs to a double buffer in parallel, an image can be formed continuously at a high speed. Another structure is arranged in a manner such that images are stored in hard discs of an optional number and the images are transmitted to a printer engine by using a FIFO (First In First Out) buffer which corresponds to the hard discs. Therefore, an image can be transmitted continuously at a high speed asynchronously with the printer output.

Abstract: An information processing method includes inputting bit information, temporarily storing at least part of the input bit information, and detecting whether the stored bit information coincides with one predetermined feature of plural such predetermined features. Print information for an object pixel which corresponds to a stored bit is modified in a case where coincidence is detected. Modification may include, for example, contour retention in a case where a rectangular portion is detected, line width discrimination, or white line discrimination. In addition, second feature detection can determine that a right-angled portion is not involved, in which case print information is modified only if coincidence is detected with plural predetermined features and a right-angled portion is not detected.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an image forming and processing apparatus having a plurality of storage devices capable of forming an image at a high speed by reading image data in parallel. Since a predetermined quantity of image data is stored in a plurality of hard discs, and the image data is read from the hard discs to a double buffer in parallel, an image can be formed continuously at a high speed. Another structure is arranged in a manner such that images are stored in hard discs of an optional number and the images are transmitted to a printer engine by using a FIFO (First In First Out) buffer which corresponds to the hard discs. Therefore, an image can be transmitted continuously at a high speed asynchronously with the printer output.