Abstract: A stroke data input unit, of each of input display boards, transmits to a display unit coordinate data for characters or graphics obtained by an input board unit, by attaching identification (ID) information of the input board unit to the coordinate data. A synchronization display controller of the display unit displays the characters or graphics based on the coordinate data received through a receiver, and the ID information of the input display boards, in respective areas of a display panel. When a user makes a stepping display request, the synchronization display controller reads out the data stored in the stroke data storage unit to estimate an input time for strokes of the characters/graphics. The characters/graphics estimated to be input at approximately the same time in the input display boards, may be displayed in the respective areas of the display panel at approximately the same time.

Abstract: The invention provides an image processing device and method to simplify the operations in processing image data of an original color picture. In the case of creating embroidery data using the embroidery data generation device, or the programs stored in the storage medium according to the invention, the image data of an original color picture is first retrieved by an image scanner. Then, the number of colors in the image data is reduced, thereby converting the original picture into image planes. If necessary, a plurality of image planes are combined into one. The image planes are edited and revised, and later, formed into a composite image to be displayed. Finally, the image data of each image plane is processed for creating embroidery data. According to the invention, when an image plane is edited, the other image planes are automatically revised in correspondence with the preceding edit.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording information includes a writing device that can be manually manipulated to record information on at least one sheet. An electronic device receives the information recorded on the at least one sheet. The apparatus therefore substantially simultaneously records information on at least two mediums.

Abstract: A stroke data input unit, of each of input display boards, transmits to a display unit coordinate data for characters or graphics obtained by an input board unit, by attaching identification (ID) information of the input board unit to the coordinate data. A synchronization display controller of the display unit displays the characters or graphics based on the coordinate data received through a receiver, and the ID information of the input display boards, in respective areas of a display panel. When a user makes a stepping display request, the synchronization display controller reads out the data stored in the stroke data storage unit to estimate an input time for strokes of the characters/graphics. The characters/graphics estimated to be input at approximately the same time in the input display boards, may be displayed in the respective areas of the display panel at approximately the same time.

Abstract: A memory 36 previously stores therein a plurality of sets of color combination data indicative of a plurality of desirable combinations of colors. Color of a cloth to be sewn is read by a scanner 28. With referring to the memory 36, an embroidery data editing device selects one combination of colors suited for the color of the cloth. The device displays the selected color combination so that a user can confirm the selected color combination. When color of some sewing region is limited to a certain color as stored in the memory 37, hemming embroidery data is added to the embroidery data at an outer rim of the embroidery pattern if needed.

Abstract: A CPU selects a line segment, whose both endpoints constructing a part of a quilt design are on a periphery, and then selects a line segment, which separates a piece from the quilt design on a piece-by-piece basis so that the separated piece will not have a line segment to become a separation line, from the selected line segments, after separation. When the line segment can be selected, a piece is separated from the quilt design at the selected line segment on a piece-by-piece basis. Then, the CPU determines that the quilt design, whose one piece has been separated, is the object to be determined, and separates pieces from the quilt design on a piece-by-piece basis. When all line segments are used for the separation, an applicability determination flag is set, because all pieces in the quilt design are separated into pieces on the piece-by-piece basis.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a color-information obtaining device which obtains color information relating to a color of a target-area picture-element group consisting of a plurality of picture elements belonging to a target area as one of a plurality of areas present in an object image, a characteristic-information obtaining device which obtains characteristic information which relates to a characteristic of the object image and which is different from the color information, and a target-area determining device for determining the target area in the object image based on the color information and the characteristic information.

Abstract: Before printing, the CPU 12 prescans image data stored in the working memory 14 to determine a location and an image type of each image portion in S3100. The CPU 12 creates image type data for all the image portions (partial images and their constituent image elements), and stores the image type data in the working memory 14. Image type data represent regions of the image portions, a hierarchical relationship between the respective image portions, and image types of the image portions. After manipulating the mouse input device to change a printing characteristic in S3500, the operator selects, in accordance with the hierarchical structure, an image type whose printing characteristic is desired to be changed in S3600. One or more image portions of the selected image type are displayed on an image layout screen. Image data for the displayed image portions is searched from the image type data. The operator selects and designates a printing characteristic desired to be set for the displayed image portions.

Abstract: Printing format display equipment for displaying image data on a CRT display. The image data includes different parts with varying printing formats, and for reading printing formats for different areas of the image data from the image data itself and displaying those printing formats on the CRT display at positions corresponding to the different areas of the image data, which is already being displayed on the CRT display, allowing the user to accurately determine the printing formats without having to actually print the image.

Abstract: Two or more images, which are produced from the same image data but which are adjusted to have different color states, are displayed alternately on the same position of the screen at a predetermined timing. The operator can observe those images while continuously watching the same position on the screen. The operator can compare those images within a short period of time. Accordingly, the operator can easily compare the color states of those images with high accuracy. Because each of the images is displayed entirely over the screen, the operator can observe color states of even the intricate portions in the images.

Abstract: A plurality of uniform density pixel matrices Di are prepared so that each matrix Di will have all pixels of a uniform density i. First, in S110, the pixels of one uniform density pixel matrix Di are converted into binary values (0 or 1) while performing an error diffusion operation. Thus obtained binary value pixel matrix Fi is stored in the working memory 14. Then, while the uniform density value i is repeatedly incremented, the above-described converting-and-storing processes are repeated. Afterward, binary values throughout all the binary value pixel matrices are summed at each pixel position. Thus, in S150, an accumulated value matrix M1 is produced to have a corresponding element constructed from the total value. Next, threshold values of a dither matrix DM are determined based on the elements of the matrix M1. That is, the threshold values are determined one by one using the elements of the matrix M1 from its element having the lowest value.

Abstract: A multi-window display control system includes a display area setting device for setting a first display area in the display area on a physical screen and setting a second display area in another area, different than the first display area. A display controller controls display of an active window or windows selected as application software and all the other inactive windows in the second display area so as not to overlap each other.

Abstract: When the profile data outputted from the external CPU 4 is not consistent with the contents of the memories 40 and 46 (no in S3), data in the first conversion characteristic memory 40 is rewritten with the profile data in S4. In S5, several color signals are generated. Then, in S6, the first color conversion process is attained to convert the several color signals into first intermediate signals. The second color conversion process is attained in S7 to convert the first intermediate signals into the second intermediate signals based on a stored color conversion characteristic. Thus, the third color conversion characteristic is produced in S8. In S11, with using the thus produced third color conversion characteristic, the third color conversion process is attained to convert the actually-inputted color data into control signals.

Abstract: The print head 7 is designed to eject ink onto a recording head with a plurality of resolution degrees. A plurality of kinds of recording papers have different degrees of ink permeability. Accordingly, ink dots of different diameters can be printed on different kinds of papers. There is a possibility that the characteristic of the recording medium will not properly correspond to the resolution with which the print head 7 is controlled to print images on the recording head. In this case, the printed images will have a low quality. Accordingly, it is necessary to perform a trial printing many times. In order to save time and ink, a characteristic of the recording paper is judged, and the resolution, at which the print head 7 is to be controlled to print images on the recording paper, is selected dependent on the judged result. The printer 1 can therefore reproduce a high quality image and is good in its economical view. The CPU 11 receives image data from the external CPU 50.

Abstract: Described is a method and a device for converting a color signal consisting of a plurality of chromatic color components into another color signal consisting of the plurality of chromatic color components and an achromatic color component. Firstly, an achromatic value is obtained, and then an under color addition is executed to obtain a chromatic value for each of the plurality of chromatic color components. Then, whether the chromatic values for the plurality of chromatic color components should be replaced with predetermined values is examined. If it is determined that the chromatic values for the plurality of chromatic color components should be replaced with predetermined values, the chromatic values are replaced with the predetermined values, and the another color signal consisting of the chromatic color components having the chromatic values and the achromatic color component having the achromatic value is output as the converted signal.

Abstract: A color value data conversion device wherein color value data including data for outputting color images is inputted to a CPU. A color conversion characteristic calculation portion calculates a color conversion characteristic values based on the inputted color value data and on a color conversion characteristic values stored in a color conversion characteristic memory provided to a ROM. Afterward, the color conversion portion converts the color value data into a printer control signal based on the calculated color conversion characteristic values.

Abstract: In a CRT calibration device, gradation signals of plural colors displayed on a CRT are determined in a gradation signal calculator based on a .gamma. value input from a keyboard and data from a luminance value storage unit storing a plurality of relative luminance values on the CRT. If a user wants to correct the .gamma. value while seeing the plural colors displayed on the CRT, he inputs a correct .gamma. value through the keyboard.

Abstract: A printing control apparatus having a semiconductor storage device of a reduced capacity allows an inexpensive printer to provide large-sized, high-resolution and high-quality printout. The apparatus comprises a band buffer and a page buffer. The band buffer formed in a semiconductor storage device develops therein part of print bit image data. The page memory formed in an external storage device stores one page of print bit image data. With incoming print bit image data developed in the band buffer, the developed print bit image data are transferred from the band buffer to the page memory for printout.

Abstract: A print control apparatus for use with a printer for forming a print output based on command data generated by a computer. The print control apparatus includes a line segment data conversion unit for converting computer-generated command data to successive pieces of line segment data each having a position and a length in a raster direction, and a raster image data conversion unit for converting the line segment data to raster image data based on which printing is performed by the printer.

Abstract: A copying apparatus including an image-illuminating device for illuminating a surface of an original having images to be reproduced, so that a light produced by the image-illuminating device is reflected by the image-bearing surface of the original. The reflected light includes rays to which a photosensitive paper is sensitive. Latent images are formed on the photosensitive paper by means of selective exposure of local portions of the photosensitive paper to the rays of the reflected light from the image-bearing surface of the original.