Abstract: Upon outputting halftone image data to an output device, density transformation is prevalently performed to improve image quality. Density transformation corresponds to linear gamma correction, and cannot correct for color fog and the like that may occur in a photo image. Hence, lightness and color-difference information of halftone image data is acquired on the basis of low-frequency components of frequency data obtained by transforming halftone image data into spatial frequency components, and a lightness and color-difference transform amount of the halftone image data is set on the basis of the acquired lightness and color-difference information.

Abstract: An image processing method and an image processing apparatus capable of correcting with high efficiency a specific part are provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an original photographed image file is acquired. If face region information is added to the original photographed image file, this face region information is acquired. Subsequently, a first decoding region is determined based on the acquired face region information, and the first decoding region is decoded to the original photographed image file to generate first decoded image data. Subsequently, a red-eye region is detected from the generated first decoded image data, and specific part position information about a position of this red-eye region is acquired. Subsequently, the original photographed image file is decoded to generate second decoded image data, and a red-eye is corrected for the second decoded image data, based on the acquired specific part position information.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus and image processing method for formation of high quality image by high-speed error diffusion processing by execution of more complicated threshold condition processing in a simple manner. When error diffusion processing is performed on multivalued image data having plural density components and the result of processing is outputted, upon execution of error diffusion processing on a first density component among the plural density components, a threshold value used in the error diffusion processing is determined based on a density value of a second density component, then the error diffusion processing is performed on the first density component based on the determined threshold value, and the result of execution of the error diffusion processing is outputted.

Abstract: A digital still camera is connected with a printer, a print-target image is selected from among the plural images stored in a memory card, feature data representing a histogram of the selected image and the like is extracted, and the feature data and the image are transferred to the printer in accordance with a print instruction. Then, the printer performs a correction process concerning brightness and color of the received image on the basis of the received feature data.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to receive image data from image sensing apparatuses of various manufacturers and to print a high-quality image by making image data transfer and a printing instruction, which are independent from interfaces. Since an image sensing apparatus such as a digital camera or the like calculates image feature amounts, and transfers the calculation result to a printing apparatus, huge image data need not be transferred from the image sensing apparatus to the printing apparatus again and again, and a high-quality image can be output. Upon printing image data transmitted from a digital camera (DSC) (3012) to a PD printer (1000), after a protocol is established by applications (NCDP) installed in the PD printer and DSC, the PD printer transmits its Capability list to the DSC. The DSC calculates an image feature amount of a selected image to be printed, and transmits the calculation result to the PD printer.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus and image processing method for formation of high quality image by high-speed error diffusion processing by execution of more complicated threshold condition processing in a simple manner. When error diffusion processing is performed on multivalued image data having plural density components and the result of processing is outputted, upon execution of error diffusion processing on a first density component among the plural density components, a threshold value used in the error diffusion processing is determined based on a density value of a second density component, then the error diffusion processing is performed on the first density component based on the determined threshold value, and the result of execution of the error diffusion processing is outputted.

Abstract: An optical fiber, which has a zero-material dispersion wavelength equal to or greater than 2 ?m, and a high nonlinear susceptibility ?3 equal to or greater than 1×10?12 esu, and uses tellurite glass having sufficient thermal stability for processing into a low loss fiber, employs a PCF structure or HF structure having strong confinement into a core region. This enables light to propagate at a low loss. The size and geometry of air holes formed in the core region, and the spacing between adjacent air holes make it possible to control the zero dispersion wavelength within an optical telecommunication window (1.2-1.7 ?m), and to achieve large nonlinearity with a nonlinear coefficient ? equal to or greater than 500 W?1 km?1.

Abstract: An adaptor which mediates between an image supply device and a printer causes the printer to print by selecting either of the first operation mode in which image data from the image supply device is received by wireless communication and before the completion of receiving the image data, a print job is issued to the printer by wired communication, and the second operation mode in which image data from the image supply device is received by wireless communication and after the completion of receiving the image data, a print job is issued to the printer by wired communication.

Abstract: Pixels in a window, which corresponds to the position of an input pixel and has a predetermined size, are extracted from a reduced image obtained by reducing an input image to a predetermined scale. Substitute data used to substitute the value of the input pixel is generated based on the extracted pixels in the window. The difference value between the substitute data and input pixel value is calculated and is compared with a first threshold value. When the difference value is smaller than the first threshold value, the input pixel value is substituted by the substitute data. Thus, low-frequency noise reduction can be attained using a minimum required memory size while suppressing adverse effects such as a resolution drop and the like.

Abstract: In an ink-jet apparatus employing an ink-jet head having a plurality of heaters corresponding to one ink ejection opening and performing printing by ejecting an ink from the ink-jet head, timings of bubble forming are mutually shifted at respective heaters of the plurality of heaters upon application of respective pulses to the plurality of heaters and based on information relating to an ink temperature of the ink-jet head. The ejection amount can be controlled by forming bubbles in the ink to eject the ink through the ink ejection opening.

Abstract: In order to eliminate image deterioration based on the characteristics of an output device upon execution of edge emphasis processing, an image processing apparatus includes a setting unit which sets a print characteristic on the print medium, a region setting unit which sets a region, a brightness value derivation unit which derives brightness values, a first derivative derivation which derives first derivatives of the brightness values, an edge direction determination unit which determines an edge direction of brightness, an emphasis level determination unit which determines an emphasis level of a pixel value based on the first derivatives, and a replacement unit which calculates second derivatives of brightness values and replaces a pixel value of a pixel of interest based on the sign of the second derivative.

Abstract: In order to provide an edge emphasis technique that can eliminate image deterioration of a digital image, an image processing apparatus includes a region setting unit which sets a region including a pixel of interest, a brightness value derivation unit which derives brightness values of the pixels, a first derivative derivation unit which derives first derivatives of the brightness values derived by the brightness value derivation unit, an edge direction determination unit which determines an edge direction of brightness at a position of the pixel of interest based on the results of the first derivatives, a range determination unit which determines a range, and a replacement unit which replaces the pixel value of the pixel of interest.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is configured to apply correction processing to image data having sharpness varying depending on an alignment direction of pixels. The image processing apparatus detects a feature quantity in an edge direction of the image data. The image processing apparatus sets an intensity of the correction processing based on correction intensity which is predetermined based on the sharpness varying depending on the alignment direction of the pixels, according to the detected feature quantity in the edge direction of the image data.

Abstract: An image correction process that suppresses image deterioration in a printed image is provided. An image correction processing apparatus includes an area setting unit which sets an area comprising a plurality of pixels including an interest pixel, a first correction strength setting unit which adaptively sets a first correction strength for at least the interest pixel in the area based on the number of changes and the changing amount, a first correction unit which executes image correction for a pixel, for which the first correction strength is set, by the first correction strength, a second correction strength setting unit which adaptively sets a second correction strength for at least the interest pixel in the area based on the number of changes and the changing amount, and a second correction unit which executes image correction for a pixel, for which the first correction strength is set, by the second correction strength.

Abstract: In an ink-jet printer, when a gray is expressed by mixing ink of a plurality of colors, there is a concentration in which a use amount of the ink is large. If the gray in an edge portion of a character has the concentration of the large ink use amount, a bleeding of the ink occurs and a thin portion of the character is sometimes damaged. If the gray in the character edge portion has the concentration of the large ink use amount, the gray in the character edge portion is changed to the white side by image correction, and the damage of the character thin portion caused due to the ink bleeding is prevented.

Abstract: An increase in energy applied to a heating element can be prevented and the service life of a printhead can be prolonged even when the temperature of the printing element having a negative temperature coefficient rises and the resistance of the heating element decreases upon controlling a switching element for controlling a current flowing through the heating element so as to make energy as constant as possible.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to prevent a false edge phenomenon in quantization processing for a multilevel image. In order to achieve this object, according to the invention, (1) a reference threshold (Cthreshold) to be used for error diffusion for a cyan (C) component is obtained on the basis of a density value M of a magenta (M) component. (2) A threshold modulation amount table is referred to by using a combination of a density value C of the C component and the density value M of the M component. (3) A correction threshold modulation amount Cthreshold? is determined by adding the threshold modulation amount obtained in the second step to the reference threshold Cthreshold to be used for error diffusion for the C component. (4) A density Ct after error diffusion for the C component is compared with the correction threshold Cthreshold?. If the density Ct is higher, a quantization value binDataC of the target pixel is set to 255. If the density Ct is lower, the quantization value is set to 0.

Abstract: A transfer method for transferring data between a digital still camera and a printer in direct communication with each other. The digital still camera stores an image file of an input image and a conversion file including conversion information for carrying out color conversion in a preset color space common to both the digital still camera and the printer. The method includes a first transfer step of transferring from the digital still camera to the printer the conversion file and a second transfer step of transferring the image file from the digital still camera to the printer. The printer carries out color conversion of and outputs the image of the image file transferred in the second transfer step using the conversion information included in the conversion file transferred in the first transfer step.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to prevent an increase in energy applied to a heating element and prolong the service life of a printhead even when the temperature of the printing element having a negative temperature coefficient rises and the resistance of the heating element decreases upon controlling a switching element for controlling a current flowing through the heating element so as to make energy as constant as possible.

Abstract: Upon outputting halftone image data to an output device, density transformation is prevalently performed to improve image quality. Density transformation corresponds to linear gamma correction, and cannot correct for color fog and the like that may occur in a photo image. Hence, lightness and color-difference information of halftone image data is acquired on the basis of low-frequency components of frequency data obtained by transforming halftone image data into spatial frequency components, and a lightness and color-difference transform amount of the halftone image data is set on the basis of the acquired lightness and color-difference information.