Abstract: A technique that can realize acquisition of a proper white reference value in shading correction is provided. It includes plural line sensors arranged at different positions from each other in a sub-scanning direction and configured to read reflected light from a reading target surface, guided by a scanning optical system that moves in the sub-scanning direction, and a reading control unit configured to control image reading timing in each line sensor so that, when reading a predetermined white reference board by the plural line sensors in order to perform shading correction, the plural line sensors have substantially the same reading area on the white reference board.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus capable of converting the resolution of an image read by a color line sensor by using an image read by a monochrome sensor, a technique that realizes proper use of resolution conversion processing in accordance with the type of the image on the reading target is provided.

Abstract: An image correction section in an image processing section performs a resolution-enhancing process for an input R signal from a RED photodiode array 9R1, an input G signal from a GREEN photodiode array 9G1 and an input B signal from a BLUE photodiode array 9B1, using an input K signal from a BLACK photodiode array 9K1. The image correction section outputs four signals: an Rc1 signal, a Gc1 signal and a Bc1 signal, which are subjected to the resolution-enhancing process, and the K signal that is used for the resolution-enhancing process.

Abstract: An image correction section in an image processing section performs a resolution-enhancing process for an input R signal from a RED photodiode array 9R1, an input G signal from a GREEN photodiode array 9G1 and an input B signal from a BLUE photodiode array 9B1, using an input K signal from a BLACK photodiode array 9K1. The image correction section outputs four signals: an Rc1 signal, a Gc1 signal and a Bc1 signal, which are subjected to the resolution-enhancing process, and the K signal that is used for the resolution-enhancing process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus applies a shading correction to an image read from a white reference board 18, and determines presence or absence of stripe-like noise in the image read therefrom after applying the shading correction. The apparatus exposes an area at which there is no noise in the white reference board 18 to create a white reference value for a shading correction for reading a document after that time.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes three color line sensors for outputting red, green, and blue color signals, a monochrome line sensor for outputting a monochrome signal having a higher resolution than the color signals, and a resolution-enhancement processor. The resolution-enhancement processor enhances a resolution of a pixel signal of the color signals, based on a monochrome smoothed value obtained by smoothing a signal of an arbitrary pixel of the monochrome signal and signals of pixels around the arbitrary pixel and a color smoothed value obtained by smoothing a signal of a pixel of each color signal and signals of pixels around the pixel of the color signal, the pixel of the color signal corresponding to the position of the arbitrary pixel of the monochrome signal. The image scanning apparatus can perform high-luminance and high-resolution scanning with a 4-line configuration and can reduce color-misalignment phenomenon due to motor drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of forming an image includes reading an original with a first resolution. An original is read with a second resolution which is different from said first resolution. The image information read with the first resolution and the second resolution is converted into image information of a third resolution for image forming. An image is formed with the third resolution based on the image information converted by the conversion.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, the invention provides a method for detecting foreign matter which may adhere to a white reference plate, and correcting a reference value when foreign matter is detected. The method includes computing an average of read values, comparing an absolute value of difference between the computed average value and data of the next read position to a predetermined threshold, and when a determining unit determines that foreign matter adheres to the reference plate, replacing the average value used for the determination of whether or not the foreign matter adheres to the reference plate with the read data.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus capable of converting the resolution of an image read by a color line sensor by using an image read by a monochrome sensor, a technique that realizes proper use of resolution conversion processing in accordance with the type of the image on the reading target is provided.

Abstract: A technique that can realize acquisition of a proper white reference value in shading correction is provided. It includes plural line sensors arranged at different positions from each other in a sub-scanning direction and configured to read reflected light from a reading target surface, guided by a scanning optical system that moves in the sub-scanning direction, and a reading control unit configured to control image reading timing in each line sensor so that, when reading a predetermined white reference board by the plural line sensors in order to perform shading correction, the plural line sensors have substantially the same reading area on the white reference board.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus applies a shading correction to an image read from a white reference board 18, and determines presence or absence of stripe-like noise in the image read therefrom after applying the shading correction. The apparatus exposes an area at which there is no noise in the white reference board 18 to create a white reference value for a shading correction for reading a document after that time.

Abstract: An image correction section in an image processing section performs a resolution-enhancing process for an input R signal from a RED photodiode array 9R1, an input G signal from a GREEN photodiode array 9G1 and an input B signal from a BLUE photodiode array 9B1, using an input K signal from a BLACK photodiode array 9K1. The image correction section outputs four signals: an Rc1 signal, a Gc1 signal and a Bc1 signal, which are subjected to the resolution-enhancing process, and the K signal that is used for the resolution-enhancing process.

Abstract: An image correction section in an image processing section performs a resolution-enhancing process for an input R signal from a RED photodiode array 9R1, an input G signal from a GREEN photodiode array 9G1 and an input B signal from a BLUE photodiode array 9B1, using an input K signal from a BLACK photodiode array 9K1. The image correction section outputs four signals: an Rc1 signal, a Gc1 signal and a Bc1 signal, which are subjected to the resolution-enhancing process, and the K signal that is used for the resolution-enhancing process.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes three color line sensors for outputting red, green, and blue color signals, a monochrome line sensor for outputting a monochrome signal having a higher resolution than the color signals, and a resolution-enhancement processor. The resolution-enhancement processor enhances a resolution of a pixel signal of the color signals, based on a monochrome smoothed value obtained by smoothing a signal of an arbitrary pixel of the monochrome signal and signals of pixels around the arbitrary pixel and a color smoothed value obtained by smoothing a signal of a pixel of each color signal and signals of pixels around the pixel of the color signal, the pixel of the color signal corresponding to the position of the arbitrary pixel of the monochrome signal. The image scanning apparatus can perform high-luminance and high-resolution scanning with a 4-line configuration and can reduce color-misalignment phenomenon due to motor drive.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, the invention provides a method for detecting foreign matter which may adhere to a white reference plate, and correcting a reference value when foreign matter is detected. The method includes computing an average of read values, comparing an absolute value of difference between the computed average value and data of the next read position to a predetermined threshold, and when a determining unit determines that foreign matter adheres to the reference plate, replacing the average value used for the determination of whether or not the foreign matter adheres to the reference plate with the read data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology by which a fairly good monochromatic image without any picture quality deterioration can be obtained from a color image original. An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a luminance information acquiring portion adapted for acquiring luminance information of pixels forming an image; a color information acquiring portion adapted for acquiring color information of pixels forming the image; and a luminance information correcting portion adapted for executing a correction of said luminance information of pixels acquired by said luminance information acquiring portion based on said color information of pixels acquired by said color information acquiring portion.

Abstract: An image correction section in an image processing section performs a resolution-enhancing process for an input R signal from a RED photodiode array 9R1, an input G signal from a GREEN photodiode array 9G1 and an input B signal from a BLUE photodiode array 9B1, using an input K signal from a BLACK photodiode array 9K1. The image correction section outputs four signals: an Rc1 signal, a Gc1 signal and a Bc1 signal, which are subjected to the resolution-enhancing process, and the K signal that is used for the resolution-enhancing process.