Abstract: When a plurality of image data are to be compressed, an image correlation information extraction unit extracts respective image correlation information of image data, using first image data as reference image data. An encoding unit compresses the extracted image correlation information to produce encoded data. A data output unit outputs the compressed data and the reference image data to a page memory. When the compressed data are to be restored, a data input unit supplies the image correlation data input from the page memory to an image correlation information decoding unit, and supplies the reference image data to an image restoring unit. The image correlation information decoding unit decodes the image correlation data into the respective image correlation information and supplies the image correlation information to the image restoring unit. The image restoring unit restores the plural image data from the respective image correlation information and the reference image data.

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: 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: 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 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 a pattern recognition section of a digital color copying machine, a position analysis section successively selects, in units of a predetermined number, position data of rectangular regions stored in a position information memory, calculates distances between the rectangular regions, and determines whether a combination of the distances coincides with that of a pattern to be detected. If the combination of distances coincides with that of the pattern to be detected, the position analysis section outputs to a rear-stage page memory a control signal for resetting the page memory.

Abstract: An image region discrimination section in an image processing section, a characteristic signal calculation result obtained by hardware is subjected to macro-scoped correction and macro-discrimination by a processor. Further, in the image region discrimination section, a resolution and a signal bit number of a characteristic signals are decreased, the resultant characteristic signals is stored in a memory, and both a macro-discrimination result and the characteristic signals are synthesized to produce a final discrimination signal.

Abstract: Pattern data constituted by a plurality of elements is extracted from input image data. Template data constituted by a plurality of elements and weight data constituted by a plurality of elements and associated with the template data are read from a memory. A calculation is performed on each element using the pattern data, the template data, and the weight data to calculate a similarity value representing the degree of matching between the pattern data and the template data using the sum of calculation results obtained from the calculations on each element. The similarity value is compared with a predetermined threshold to obtain a determination output indicating whether there is a match between the pattern data and the template data or not.

Abstract: An image-area discrimination section in an image processing apparatus improves the accuracy of white-ground-region discrimination by more minutely classifying brightnesses with an edge discrimination section and a combination of the edge discrimination section and a contrast discrimination section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an image file having a color layer and a monochrome layer comprises reading an original image, generating color image data from the read original image, and generating monochrome image data from the read original image. First image processing is performed on the color image data, and a second image processing, different from the first image processing, is performed on the monochrome image data. The processed color image data and the processed monochrome image data are stored in the image file as the color layer and the monochrome layer, respectively.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image inputting unit configured to input image data of an original image, an area specifying unit configured to specify a predetermined area in the input original image as a specified area, and a miniature image creating unit configured to create a miniature image of the original image such that a first image section of the specified area and a second image section of an area other than the specified area specified by the image inputting unit are reduced by different modes from each other. According to the present invention, a thumbnail appropriately indicating the content and the feature of an original image are readily and quickly created even if the original image includes a complex image section.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image inputting unit configured to input image data of an original image, an area specifying unit configured to specify a predetermined area in the input original image as a specified area, a partial image creating unit configured to create a partial image by extracting an image section corresponding to the specified area specified by the area specifying unit, and a miniature image creating unit configured to reduce the partial image and to create a miniature image. According to the present invention, a thumbnail appropriately indicating the content and the feature of an original image are readily and quickly created even if the original image includes a complex image section.

Abstract: In a pattern recognition section of a digital color copying machine, a position analysis section successively selects, in units of a predetermined number, position data of rectangular regions stored in a position information memory, calculates distances between the rectangular regions, and determines whether a combination of the distances coincides with that of a pattern to be detected. If the combination of distances coincides with that of the pattern to be detected, the position analysis section outputs to a rear-stage page memory a control signal for resetting the page memory.

Abstract: In an image segmentation section in an image processing apparatus, a screen dot area judgment result, a line width judgment result, a color judgment result, a first edge detection result and a second edge detection result are respectively substituted by logic values to make judgment, and an image segmentation result is output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of copying a document includes scanning a document and obtaining an image signal from the scanned document. Micro segmentation processing is performed on the image signal, and first data indicative of a type of pixel is output for at least one pixel. Macro segmentation processing is performed on the image signal, and second data indicative of a type of the pixel and a validity flag that indicates whether the second data is valid are output for the at least one pixel. A pixel type determination is made based on the validity flag and at least one of the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A number of character string determination sections determine whether a pixel of interest corresponds to a character or a line drawing. The character string determination sections use mutually different determination methods. A character determination selector section selects a determination result output from the character determination section that uses a determination method most suited to a background sensing result obtained by a background sensing section. In this manner, either the character or the line drawing can be determined using an efficient method in accordance with the background state of a color image.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a first recognition section recognizes a black character portion and a color character portion in CMY color signals input from a color conversion section, and outputs a recognition result to a third recognition section. A second recognition section recognizes a low-density region (including a white portion) and a narrow region surrounded by the low-density region in the CMY color signals input from the color conversion section as a low-density region, and outputs a recognition result to the third recognition section. The third recognition section synthesizes the recognition result from the first recognition section and the recognition result from the second recognition section, and delivers a resultant recognition signal to a filtering section, a black signal generating section and a tone processing section.

Abstract: One or more rectangular regions including image objects are extracted from input document image. The input document image is reduced by a desired scale factor, and the extracted rectangular regions are varied in scale by scale factors greater than the desired scale factor. The input document image varied in scale by the desired scale factor and the rectangular region images varied in scale are synthesized and outputted.

Abstract: When a plurality of image data are to be compressed, an image correlation information extraction unit extracts respective image correlation information of image data, using first image data as reference image data. An encoding unit compresses the extracted image correlation information to produce encoded data. A data output unit outputs the compressed data and the reference image data to a page memory. When the compressed data are to be restored, a data input unit supplies the image correlation data input from the page memory to an image correlation information decoding unit, and supplies the reference image data to an image restoring unit. The image correlation information decoding unit decodes the image correlation data into the respective image correlation information and supplies the image correlation information to the image restoring unit. The image restoring unit restores the plural image data from the respective image correlation information and the reference image data.