Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus using an input unit for inputting image data, a processing unit for quantizing error-correction data obtained by adding error data to the image data input by the input unit so that data having at least two levels are generated, and an allocation unit for allocating the error data generated when the quantization is performed to image data which are not quantized. In response to a predetermined level of the error-correction data, the processing unit outputs, as a result of quantization, a different level from a level resulting from fundamental processing for the predetermined level so as to prevent a pseudocontour from being generated.

Abstract: For M (magenta) and C (cyan), in a case of generating, e.g., ternary data of C0 to C2 and M0 to M2 respectively by using a look-up table on the basis of an error diffusion method, in a highlight portion of input M and C data (to which errors Ce and Me have been added respectively), a conversion space of correlating these data is used, while in a high-density portion, a conversion space equivalent to ordinary error diffusion is used. Thus, in a case of converting multivalued color image data into data of a lesser number of bits than the number of bits of color components constituting the multivalued color image data, it is possible to maintain excellent tonality on the entire image, and particularly to control graininess by preventing image quality deterioration in the highlight area.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a first black generating unit for generating a black component from input image data of signals representative of a plurality of color components, a color correcting unit for correcting the colors of the signals representative of the plurality of color components and a signal representative of the black component and outputting the color corrected signals representative of the plurality of color components, and a second black generating unit for generating a signal representative of a black component from the color corrected signals.

Abstract: An image processor includes an input unit which inputs color image data, and a color correction unit which effects under color removal processing and black generation processing on the color image data conforming to the characteristic of a recording medium, and outputs data indicative of a plurality of color components including a black component. The color correction unit effects the under color removal processing and the black generation processing so that the total output level of the data indicative of the plurality of color components including the black component may assume a value conforming to the color image data.

Abstract: For M (magenta) and C (cyan), in case of generating, e.g., ternary data of C0 to C2 and M0 to M2 respectively by using a look-up table on the basis of an error diffusion method, in a highlight portion of input M and C data (errors Ce and Me have been added respectively), a conversion space of correlating these data is used, while in a high-density portion, a conversion space of equivalent to ordinary error diffusion is used. Thus, in case of converting multivalued color image data into data of a less number of bits than the number of bits of color components constituting the multivalued color image data, it is possible to maintain excellent tonality on an entire image, and particularly to control graininess by preventing image quality deterioration in the highlight area.

Abstract: In case of managing image data among plural image processing apparatuses, an object of the present invention is to suppress or restrain, as much as possible, that the image data is illegally or unfairly used. In order to achieve the object, e.g., it is provided an image processing apparatus which is connected to an external apparatus being an output destination of the image data, the image processing apparatus comprises an input means for inputting the image data representing an image, an addition means for adding additional information capable of specifying the external apparatus to the image data inputted by the input means, in a state that the additional information is difficult to be perceived by human eyes, and an output means for outputting the image data to which the additional information was added by the addition means, to the external apparatus.

Abstract: An image processor converts an input signal into first and second color components and a component. A plurality of output device dependent color-component data is read from a look-up table on the basis of the first and second color components and the brightness component. Interpolation processing is performed on the basis of the read plurality of color component data to generate output device dependent color-component data corresponding to the input signal.

Abstract: In a situation where information indicating whether or not a color is capable of being reproduced by an output device which is to output the entered image data is held by a three-dimensional LUT, information indicative of a color incapable of being reproduced is held on at least the boundary surfaces of the LUT. By referring to the LUT, it is judged whether or not a color expressed by the entered image data is capable of being reproduced by the output device.

Abstract: An image formed by a predetermined image device is previewed by an image processor. Information of a processing condition of the image forming is entered, and a stored profile according to a processing condition and a type of image forming device is read-out. The profile according to the processing condition corresponds to the information and the type of the predetermined image forming device, and the image processor performs preview processing in accordance with the read-out profile.

Abstract: A solid area and edges are detected from original data to be printed. An arbitrary raster of the solid area is shifted by a unit of dot-to-dot distance corresponding to a resolution having twice the dot density of the resolution of the original data, while preserving the data representing the edges so that the edges remain unchanged. Printing is performed on the basis of the above shifted data. The shifting of the dot data prevents the generation of mist and makes it possible to print a high-quality image at a high speed. Thus, the invention provides a printing method and apparatus capable of forming a high-quality image at a high speed.

Abstract: An image processor which improves the reproducibility of the color blue, includes an input device which inputs color image data, and a color correction device which performs color correction of the input color image data based on color correction parameters. An output device outputs the color corrected input image data to an image forming device that forms an image by using recording materials corresponding to a plurality of colors including magenta and cyan. The color correction device decreases the amount of magenta used for image formation, and uses the color correction parameters to suppress the elimination of gradation in a color zone formed by cyan.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is constructed by a C signal multi-level forming circuit, an M signal multi-level forming circuit, and a Y signal multi-level forming circuit for receiving multi-level color image data and multi-level black image data of a low resolution, converting the inputted multi-level color image data into data of at least three levels consisting of two bits, and converting into data of a higher resolution than the input data; a K signal binarization circuit and a smoothing processing unit for converting the inputted black image data into the binary data and converting into data of a higher resolution than the input data by a smoothing process, and a print unit for forming a color image on the basis of the binary C, M, Y and K data converted into the high resolution data. The multi-level color data and black image data are doubled and a multi-level memory to store the doubled data is unnecessary. The recording can be performed at a high resolution.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises an inputting unit for inputting image data, a processing unit for quantizing the image data, and a distributing unit for weighting error data which occurs at the time of the quantizing process and for distributing the error data to a plurality of image data, wherein the distributing unit sets a value of a round error which occurs by the weighting process to a value which lies within a range from 0 to less than 1.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing system including a first memorizing means for storing information according to input data, a second memorizing means for storing output signals obtained by performing processes of a plurality of procedures for input data, comparison means for comparing new input data with immediately preceding input data which has been stored in the first memorizing means, and switching means for switching in accordance with the output from the comparison means if the processes of the plurality of procedures are performed to output data, or if the data stored in the second memorizing means are output.

Abstract: A video data processing system includes a CPU, a video memory, video data shift registers, a ternary counter, an octal counter, a blanking counter, and a flip-flop. Video data is shifted in the shift registers in response to an output from the ternary counter. The outputs from the ternary counter are counted by the octal counter, and an output from the octal counter is counted by the blanking counter so as to count down a blanking parameter. A borrow output from the blanking sets the flip-flop to hold video data which is then stored in the video memory. This operation is repeated up to the last H along the main scanning direction. The initial value of the blanking parameter is incremented by one by one to repeat main scanning inputs along a subscanning direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method and, more particularly to a technique which controls color correction in accordance with the features of an input image. Especially when the input image is a specific value, the present invention speeds up the process, and improves the color reproducibility without performing color correction.

Abstract: There are provided a pattern generating method and apparatus for generating a character/symbol pattern. The apparatus comprises a font memory to store outline font data of characters, symbols, and the like, an image memory to store image data based on the outline font data stored in the font memory, storing means for storing the font image based on the outline font data into the image memory, a color data generating circuit to generate color data in accordance with the designated color information, and a painting circuit to paint the inside of the stored font image by the color data. The color data generating circuit executes a masking operation on the basis of the color information which was designated and input and generates the color data. Thus an accurate color image can be reproduced.

Abstract: An image-forming element comprises a transparent base film, an aluminum film deposited on the base film, and a photosensitive layer formed on the aluminum film and which can be developed with an alkali aqueous solution developer. The photosensitive layer comprises of (a) 20 to 60% by weight of a copolymer of a vinyl toluene and a monoester of an unsaturated dibasic acid, (b) 10 to 70% by weight of an addition-polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomer which is an acrylate or a methacrylate of a fatty polyhydroxy alcohol having at least two terminal ethylene groups and at least one hydroxyl groups, and (c) 0.5 to 30% by weight of a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: A photosensitive coating composition for printing plate comprises a mixture containing a copolymer, prepared by polymerizing from 10 to 70% by weight of a monomer (A) having the general formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, with from 90 to 30% by weight of at least one monomer (B) selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate together with a diazo resin; and, optionally, a dye; a pigment; and/or other additives.