Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method in the invention include a scanner unit, an image forming unit, and a discarding unit. When time during which a recording medium having an image formed thereon is discharged to a paper discharge tray has exceeded a set time set in advance, the recording medium is discarded to the discarding unit to prevent the recording medium from being inspected by a third party and secure confidentiality.

Abstract: When a monochromatic copy mode is to be executed, a control section sets a read mode in a scanner section so as to enable the scanner section to read an image at high speed by means of only a line sensor K, sets in an image processing section an image process that can print monochromatic image information, which is sent from the scanner section, with a single black color in the printer section, and sets in the printer section a monochromatic print mode that can print a black image at high speed, thereby controlling a monochromatic copy operation.

Abstract: There is provided a decoding apparatus and a decoding method which are for using compressed data efficiently by making the resolutions of the individual components differ from one another. A decoding apparatus decodes compressed data that represents an image signal composed of a plurality of components as a compressed code by making the resolutions of the individual components differ from one another. The decoding apparatus basically comprises input sections 5-Y, 5-I, 5-Q which decode compressed data and take in the individual components independently, a reduction circuit 5-Y-1 which reduces and changes a size corresponding to the processing unit and resolution of any one of the components, and a conversion section 5-6 which converts into a decoded image signal in a specific format by using reduced components and uncompressed components.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a function selection unit configured to acquire an operation function of the image forming apparatus by selection of a user, a first distortion detection and correction unit configured to detect and correct distortion of an input image by a first method when a first operation function is selected, a second distortion detection and correction unit configured to detect and correct the distortion of the input image by a second method different from the first method when a second operation function is selected, and an image output unit configured to output the input image of which the distortion is corrected.

Abstract: In an image encoding apparatus, pattern image cut-out means cuts out partial regions of an image of image data and generates pattern images. At the same time, the pattern image cut-out means outputs position information that is representative of positions on the image data, from which the pattern images are cut out. Rearrangement means receives the generated pattern images, rearranges the pattern images, and outputs the rearranged pattern images. Dictionary generating means generates list information in which the rearranged pattern images are put together in the form of, e.g. a list. Pattern image synthesis means generates a single image (“pattern image synthesis image”) in which the pattern images are combined in order. Encoded data generating means generates and outputs final encoded data, on the basis of the generated pattern image synthesis image and the generated pattern image position information.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a high-speed and high-image-quality image decoding method and apparatus for a compressed signal including plural components or a block code in which different compression systems are combined. In an image decoding method in which compressed data of an image signal including plural components including a resolution component expressed by the n-th power of 2 (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 0) and processed by a frequency conversion system is decoded by inverse frequency conversion of each component, a resolution component of each compressed data for each component is individually set and decoded when decoding resolution at the time of decoding is lower than the highest resolution of the compressed data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of an embodiment of the invention includes a character region characteristic determination unit to identify a character region of an image and to output a character region characteristic determination signal, a character region image separation unit to separate, based on the character region characteristic determination signal, the image into at least two attribute regions, that is, plural character region images and an other region image, and a separated image processing unit to process each of the plural character region images and the other region image, and in at least the separated image processing unit, according to a characteristic of each of the plural character region images, at least one process of a compression method, a compression ratio, a resolution, and a multi-value number for at least one of the character region images is different from a process of the other region image or the other character region image.

Abstract: In a watermark process section in an image processing apparatus, a visible watermark pattern read-out section reads out a visible watermark pattern that is stored in a memory. An invisible watermark generating section draws an invisible watermark on the read-out visible watermark pattern. Image data, which includes both the visible watermark and drawn invisible watermark, is multiplied by an overlay ratio. An adder section adds the visible/invisible watermark image data, which is multiplied by the overlay ratio, and input image data. Thus, watermark-overlaid image data is generated.

Abstract: An image data decoding apparatus decoded synthesized-compressed data in which image data with a plurality of resolutions is compressed in block units by different compression systems, respectively, and each compressed data is synthesized to a single piece of compressed data. The image data decoding apparatus comprises a separating section 1005-1 for separating the synthesized-compressed data to compressed data with every resolution, decoding sections 1005-2, 1005-3 for decoding separated and compressed data with a first resolution to obtain first high-resolution data and also decoding compressed data with a second resolution obtained from the separating section to obtain first low-resolution data, a conversion section 1005-4 for converting the first low-resolution data into second high-resolution data, and an image synthesis section 1005-5 for synthesizing the first and the second high-resolution data to obtain a decoded image signal.

Abstract: An image-sorting apparatus includes a feeding unit to feed printed sheets sequentially carried in from an external print unit, in which an electronic watermark is added to an important printed sheet. Particularly, the image-sorting apparatus includes a read unit to read the electronic watermark from the printed sheet fed by the feeding unit, and a control unit to control the feeding unit to feed the printed sheets to one of a first and a second transfer position based on a read result of the electronic watermark.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises an operation unit configured to set an input resolution, an image input unit configured to input image information at the input resolution, and an appropriate resolution determination unit configured to determine whether the input resolution is appropriate or not on the basis of the input image information inputted by the image input unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method in the invention include a scanner unit, an image forming unit, and a discarding unit. When time during which a recording medium having an image formed thereon is discharged to a paper discharge tray has exceeded a set time set in advance, the recording medium is discarded to the discarding unit to prevent the recording medium from being inspected by a third party and secure confidentiality.

Abstract: In a digital multiple apparatus, at least two different jobs are processed by at least two job processing units, and while job processing by one job processing unit, if there is an interruption by job processing by the other job processing unit, an end time of the job processing by the one job processing unit is predicted on the basis of job processing time required for the job processing by the other job processing unit.

Abstract: In order to provide an automatic job template generating apparatus capable of making operations simpler by reducing the steps in the user interface operation to match a frequently used capability of an MFP, an automatic job template generating apparatus of the invention is formed of an operation history acquisition unit configured to acquire an operation history of a multi function peripherals for each user according to information accessed to the multi function peripherals on the Web, an operation frequency analysis unit configured to analyze an operation frequency at regular timing according to the operation history acquired by the operation history acquisition unit, and a job template generation unit configured to newly generate a job execution parameter having a high operation frequency on an operation screen as a job template button according to an analysis result of the operation analysis unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the invention has an object to provide an image processing apparatus enabling the user to improve the operation ability even when furnished with a wide variety of capabilities, and a method for supporting an operation of the image processing apparatus, which is formed by including: an instruction unit configured to provide plural operation instructions to a user by displaying one of plural operation screens and plural operation items; an operation skill level calculation unit configured to calculate a level of skill of the user for an operation instructed by the instruction unit for one of each operation screen and each operation item displayed by the instruction unit according to an operation by the user; and an operation support unit configured to support the operation instructed by the instruction unit according to the level of skill calculated by the operation skill level calculation unit.

Abstract: In an image encoding apparatus, pattern image cut-out means cuts out partial regions of an image of image data and generates pattern images. At the same time, the pattern image cut-out means outputs position information that is representative of positions on the image data, from which the pattern images are cut out. Rearrangement means receives the generated pattern images, rearranges the pattern images, and outputs the rearranged pattern images. Dictionary generating means generates list information in which the rearranged pattern images are put together in the form of, e.g. a list. Pattern image synthesis means generates a single image (“pattern image synthesis image”) in which the pattern images are combined in order. Encoded data generating means generates and outputs final encoded data, on the basis of the generated pattern image synthesis image and the generated pattern image position information.

Abstract: In an image encoding apparatus, pattern image cut-out means cuts out partial regions of an image of image data and generates pattern images. At the same time, the pattern image cut-out means outputs position information that is representative of positions on the image data, from which the pattern images are cut out. Rearrangement means receives the generated pattern images, rearranges the pattern images, and outputs the rearranged pattern images. Dictionary generating means generates list information in which the rearranged pattern images are put together in the form of, e.g. a list. Pattern image synthesis means generates a single image (“pattern image synthesis image”) in which the pattern images are combined in order. Encoded data generating means generates and outputs final encoded data, on the basis of the generated pattern image synthesis image and the generated pattern image position information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a four line CCD which produces RGB data and K data that are read out selectably, and a selector which selects whether to output the RGB data that is provided from the four line CCD. The image forming apparatus also includes a storage part which stores a plurality of patterns, and a judgment part that produces a judgment signal based on a comparison of the RGB data and the plurality of patterns stored in the storage part.

Abstract: There is provided a decoding apparatus and a decoding method which are for using compressed data efficiently by making the resolutions of the individual components differ from one another. A decoding apparatus decodes compressed data that represents an image signal composed of a plurality of components as a compressed code by making the resolutions of the individual components differ from one another. The decoding apparatus basically comprises input sections 5-Y, 5-I, 5-Q which decode compressed data and take in the individual components independently, a reduction circuit 5-Y-1 which reduces and changes a size corresponding to the processing unit and resolution of any one of the components, and a conversion section 5-6 which converts into a decoded image signal in a specific format by using reduced components and uncompressed components.

Abstract: After an image compressed by a compressing portion is stored in a page memory, it is decoded by a decoding portion. A sub-scanning enlargement portion carries out sub-scanning direction enlargement processing upon the image decoded by the decoding portion and a printer prints out the enlarged image. At this time, the printer generates a printer synchronous signal each time when it scans an image formation object surface. A control portion provides the page memory, the decoding portion and the magnification changing portion with control signals so as to synchronize reading out of the image from the page memory, the decoding of the decoding portion and enlargement processing of the sub-scanning enlargement portion.