Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for managing a multi-page document. A plurality of input files are received including digital representations of multiple pages of a document. The content of each entire page is represented in a first representation format. The entire page content is capable of including content of a first content type and second content type. For each page of the document represented in the input files, a determination is made of regions in the page including content of the second content type. Each determined region in the page is processed to generate the content for each region in a second representation format. The content of the entire page in the first representation format and the content of each region in the second representation format is added to at least one output file. The output file is then stored.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modifying printing based upon direct on-the-fly media characteristic parameters is disclosed. The present invention on-the-fly directly measures a media characteristic parameter and performs real-time print modification in response thereto. The measured characteristic parameters include paper texture and composition, as well as adhesion and penetration of print. The modification of print in response to these measured parameters may allow a customer to maintain observed print quality with lower-cost materials. Adjustments may include the addition of coating, hot rolling, or adjustment of toner concentration. Measured parameters may include mottle, paper texture, and bleed through.

Abstract: A digital imaging system and method uses a two-stage sigma filter to de-screen color images. This filter does not assume any a priori knowledge about the screening process using to produce the halftone image. The two-stage sigma filter may therefore be used to convert color halftone images into continuous-tone images irrespective of the screening process used. The two-stage sigma filter may be constructed, or emulated in software, using an O (N) algorithm which performs smoothing and preserves edge information simultaneously in the Red/Green/Blue color space. This system and method outperforms conventional approaches which, for example, use a Gaussian blur, because it satisfies the dual criteria of completely eliminating halftone screens while preserving edge information. When combined with halftone segmentation techniques, a complete document processing algorithm for gray-scale and color documents is created.

Abstract: A method for the complete segmentation of an image into regions of near-uniform color first segments the image into blocks of size N×M and applies color clustering within these blocks. This is done with a sequential color clustering algorithm. Subsequent to this, the color clusters that are spatially adjacent and also have similar color characteristics are merged. This is done through a novel method which combines distance in the feature space with distance in the spatial domain. This results in spatially compact color regions which have similar color information. The result of applying this technique is a complete segmentation of the image according to regions of near-uniform color.

Abstract: A color clustering and segmentation method retains edge. A sigma filter is applied to an input image to generate a smoothed image. The filtered image is divided into a plurality of non-overlapping windows. A sequential clustering algorithm is applied to filtered pixels of each window to generate potential clusters. Generated potential clusters are validated while clusters representing pixels on boundaries are rejected. The result is a generated list of cluster centroids in a chosen color space.

Abstract: A method, system and computer article are presented for smoothing an image calibration signal in order to smooth a reproduced signal, and to identify the presence of any remaining spikes or other significant deviations. The invention recognizes the problems with raw calibration signals, and posits that the calibration signals be filtered by methods and systems described. For example, calibration data may be smoothed by fitting the calibration data to a parametric model employing either linear or non-linear least squares. Alternate techniques implement smoothing using optimal filtering. An aspect of the invention is a method, computer product or article of manufacture for improving an initial calibration profile having an initial profile extent to form an improved calibration profile. The initial profile may be formed for a scanner employing a linear array CCD and having a particular direction of motion.

Abstract: A method, system and computer article are presented for smoothing an image calibration signal in order to smooth a reproduced signal, and to identify the presence of any remaining spikes or other significant deviations. The invention recognizes the problems with raw calibration signals, and posits that the calibration signals be filtered by methods and systems described. For example, calibration data may be smoothed by fitting the calibration data to a parametric model employing either linear or non-linear least squares. Alternate techniques implement smoothing using optimal filtering. An aspect of the invention is a method, computer product or article of manufacture for improving an initial calibration profile having an initial profile extent to form an improved calibration profile. The initial profile may be formed for a scanner employing a linear array CCD and having a particular direction of motion.

Abstract: A method, system and computer article are presented for smoothing an image calibration signal in order to smooth a reproduced signal, and to identify the presence of any remaining spikes or other significant deviations. The invention recognizes the problems with raw calibration signals, and posits that the calibration signals be filtered by methods and systems described. For example, calibration data may be smoothed by fitting the calibration data to a parametric model employing either linear or non-linear least squares. Alternate techniques implement smoothing using optimal filtering. An aspect of the invention is a method, computer product or article of manufacture for improving an initial calibration profile having an initial profile extent to form an improved calibration profile. The initial profile may be formed for a scanner employing a linear array CCD and having a particular direction of motion.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically adjusts watermark strength of a watermarked image based on the content of the image. The described system includes a process by which the correct watermark strength is estimated with a model of preferred watermark strength based upon human perception as measured with a test group. Preferred watermark strength of a watermark within a watermarked reference image is determined and parameter constants associated with measured image texture values for the reference image are then determined. Image texture values are measured for a particular image to be watermarked, and these determined parameter constants are used to predict the strength of the watermark for the particular image. Images are watermarked by modifying the luminance of those pixels that fall within a mask specifying the watermark design. In this way, the chromaticity of the pixel remains constant but the luminance changes.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to descreen a halftoned picture takes into account the actual distribution of black or colors on the print without the need for scanning printed images but, rather, using only the printing decision matrix and the printer characteristics. For the purpose of laser printing, or more generally for reproduction on any printing device with a limited number of printing levels, a color or grayscale image has to be transformed into an array of printing decisions at each pixel of the output image. Sometimes this array is the only available representation of the original image. One may desire to reconstitute a good approximation of the original grayscale image from this array, for instance to print the picture on a printer with different characteristics from the printer for which the array was originally prepared, or to display it on a high resolution monitor. The method and apparatus to solve this problem in a way which take precise account of printer characteristics is described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for matching the print outputs of two printers having different characteristics. For the purpose of laser printing, or more generally for reproduction on any printing device with limited number of printing levels, a color or grayscale image has to be transformed into an array of printing decisions at each pixel of the output image. Sometimes this array is the only available representation of the original image. One may desire to print this array on a printer with different characteristics from the printer for which the array was originally prepared. The method and apparatus solve this problem by generating a printing decision matrix which takes into account the differences between the two printers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to calibrate a printer which do not depend on geometric assumptions on the printed dots. The method takes account of the fundamentally probabilistic nature of the process of printing any dot on some types of printers such as laser printers. It allows estimating the probability distribution of what gets printed at each pixel depending on the local configuration of dots to be printed in such a way that only a limited number of tests need to be done, while no artificial cutoff is introduced on the size of local configurations to be taken into account. The calibration method can be applied to many problems encountered in digital printing, and permits computing printer dependent calibration of a dithering method without need for further direct measurements.

Abstract: An integrated visual defect detection and classification system. The invention includes adaptive defect detection and image labeling, defect feature measures, and a knowledge based inference shell/engine for classification based on fuzzy logic. The combination of these elements comprises a method and system for providing detection and analysis of product defects in many application domains, such as semiconductor and electronic packaging manufacturing.