Abstract: In order to prevent the appearance of gaps in fine lines when image data undergoes resolution conversion, the image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit that inputs image data, a fine line detection unit 113 that detects fine lines from the image data, a resolution conversion unit 111 that converts the image data to a prescribed resolution, and a fine line restoration unit 114 that restores fine lines in the image data that has undergone resolution conversion.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a system for image processing with a color correction device are provided in which the number of times of automatic execution of calibration is reduced and the performance of an image output apparatus is used adequately. The apparatus includes a color space conversion portion 110 for converting input image data D1 into data D1s of a standard color space and a reproduction range decision portion 111 for deciding whether the input image data D1s that were converted into the standard color space are within a reference range of a color reproduction in an image output. If it is decided that the input image data are out of the reference range, the calibration is performed so that the color reproduction range is made close to the reference range.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus reducing image noise caused at a device which has a stationary reading portion such as a CCD sensor and reads an image of a document by moving the document is structured as follows: the image processing apparatus determines whether full color image data read by the reading portion is out of a predetermined color space; it uses shift resisters to determine that the image data out of the predetermined color space continues in a sub scanning direction; and thus it detects a line-shaped dirt image caused by dirt or the like at the reading portion, and corrects the dirt image.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus and method are provided in which a faithful color reproduction is enabled in the reception side. The data communication apparatus comprises a first communication portion for a first form of image data communication, a second communication portion for a second form of image data communication and a transmission controller for selecting one of the first form and the second form in accordance with information indicating a color reproduction range of image output in the other end. The image data are transmitted to the other end by the first or the second communication portion corresponding to the selected form.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of taking full advantage of each device function and adjusting it even if each device function varies depending on respective machines. The image reading apparatus includes an illumination unit directing light toward an original document, a transducer unit transducing the light directed toward the original document and reflected therefrom to an electric signal, and a controller controlling the amount of light from the illumination unit according to a saturation characteristic and a frequency characteristic of the transducer unit.

Abstract: A document type discriminating apparatus is provided in which discrimination as to whether or not a document is a duplicate is made with high degree of accuracy. The document type discriminating apparatus includes means for discriminating whether a type of a screen pattern used in an image captured by reading a document is a line screen, means for detecting whether a value indicating a change in a period of the screen used in the image exceeds a predetermined value, means for detecting whether a value indicating sharpness of an edge seen in the image is lower than a predetermined value, means for detecting whether a value indicating a blur in an edge color seen in the image exceeds a predetermined value, and means for discriminating that the document is a duplicate when at least two out of the four detection results mentioned above are true.

Abstract: An image output system is realized in which many operations are not required for the color reproduction. As a preprocessor of an output device 20 for reproducing an image, an image processing apparatus 100 is provided that comprises attribution decision portions 152 and 153 for deciding the attribution of input image D1, a color decision portion 151 for deciding whether the input image is an image within a color reproduction range or not, a color range change portion 120 for changing the color range of the input image when it is decided that the input image is not an image within the color reproduction range and a process contents switching portion 123 for switching the change contents of the color range in the color range change portion 120 in accordance with the decisions of the attribution decision portions 152 and 153.

Abstract: To read an image with high resolution via a CCD linear sensor having a limited pixel count, an image reading apparatus includes: a CCD linear sensor having arranged in a main-scanning direction photoelectric conversion elements for receiving a light reflected from an original; a piezoelectric element for providing a relative displacement between a light receiving surface of the CCD linear sensor and an object's image formed on the light receiving surface, according to a predetermined oscillation function and in the main-scanning direction; and a sensor drive circuit timing the CCD linear sensor's charge accumulation. The sensor drive circuit uses a distance from a center of an amplitude of the relative displacement to the CCD linear sensor and a time period of charge accumulation by the CCD linear sensor to determine a time point to start charge accumulation.

Abstract: The amount in offset of toner or the like is used to determine two points sandwiching lattice points of input data and divide the region between the two points equally in N−1. The output values at the two points and each point equally dividing the region are obtained to calculate gradients m1-m8 between any two adjacent ones of the points. Then, difference values dm1-dm7 in gradient between any two adjacent ones of the straight lines are calculated and (N−1) lattice points serving as dividing points are selected from the difference values in descending order. It should be noted that N is smaller than M. Then, the input and output values of the determined (N+1) lattice points N0-N4 are plotted and they are bounded by straight line and thus plotted to linearly interpolate the output data for the input data. Thus, an image processing apparatus can be provided capable of precisely modifying output images with reduced memory capacity.

Abstract: A compact, easy-to-use device is provided which takes in a sample over a shorter distance, the sample introducing time is shortened, and contamination is prevented when the sample is introduced. A burner for generating a plasma, a deflecting portion provided with parallel electrodes for deflecting ions, and an analyzer room for performing mass separation of the deflected ions, these being disposed in a plane in the horizontal direction, and a sample setting portion for setting a sample, a peristaltic pump for aspirating the sample and the burner for introducing and burning the aspirated sample are disposed in a plane in the vertical direction relative to the aforesaid plane. The sample is supplied to the burner from below, and the ions generated by the plasma are made to flow on a horizontal plane.

Abstract: In order to correct chromatic aberration accurately and read out a document original properly, an image reader apparatus includes a chromatic aberration correction chart, a CCD linear sensor, and a correction processing unit. A chromatic aberration correction chart includes a high reflectance portion and a low reflectance portion lower than the high reflectance portion. A CCD linear sensor receives light reflected from the chromatic aberration correction chart. A correction processing unit corrects chromatic aberration of image data according to a light receiving position in the photoelectric conversion unit receiving light of a first wavelength included in the reflected light from the chromatic aberration correction chart and a light receiving position in the photoelectric conversion unit receiving light of a second wavelength included in the reflected light from the chromatic aberration correction chart.

Abstract: A pixel interpolating device using the IM-GPDCT method and capable of preventing noise generation divides an original image into a plurality of blocks and picks up a block to be processed as a target block. Further, an image peripheral to the target block is extracted as a peripheral image. By using the peripheral image as an extension region, DCT transform is carried out. Thereafter, the peripheral image is magnified, and the IM-GPDCT processing is carried by using the magnified image.

Abstract: An ion-deflecting device is located between a mass spectrometer and a detector, and undesired signal sources are prevented from reaching the detector during the ion-trapping period by switching the voltage applied to the detector between the ion-trapping period and the mass-analyzing period. A first voltage is applied to the detector during an ion-trapping period while a second voltage is applied to the detector during a mass-analyzing period. An ion-deflecting device deflects ions such that they do not reach the detector during an ion-trapping period while they do reach the detector during a mass-analyzing period. This way, the life of the detector is increased.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising an ionization means for ionizing sample compounds to be analyzed mass spectroscopically in an atmospheric pressure, a sample solution supply means for supplying a solution containing the sample compounds to the ionization means, means for feeding the ions formed by the ionization means through an aperture disposed in an electrode into a vacuum region, and an ion trap type mass spectroscopic means for mass spectroscopically analyzing ions entered through the aperture into the vacuum region, in which an ion decelerating electric field forming means is disposed between the electrode disposed with the aperture and an electrode disposed with an ion entrance opening for entering the ions into the ion trap type mass spectroscopic means for forming an electric field for decelerating the ions, and the ions injected to the ion trap mass spectroscopic means is lowered.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that can decrease image quality deterioration caused by unsuitable image correction processing performed on a pixel in a halftone-dot area due to a misjudgment of an image type, and an image forming apparatus that utilizes the image processing apparatus. A characteristic of a halftone-dot area is judged by, for example, counting the number of isolated pixels detected by an isolated pixel detection filter with a predetermined size. A parameter such as a threshold for the number of inner edge pixels for use in a judgment of an edge area of a character that is present on a halftone-dot area is switched (between thresholds 503 and 504), based on the characteristic of the halftone-dot area.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus that can decrease image quality deterioration caused by misjudgment of a halftone-dot area when its resolution is beyond an appropriate range etc., in the case where judgment of a halftone-dot area is based on the number of isolated pixels present in a predetermined area, and an image forming apparatus that utilizes the image processing apparatus. A white isolated pixel detection unit 442 (and a black isolated pixel detection unit) includes a plurality of filters 4421 and 4422 that each can detect an isolated pixel in a halftone-dot of a different size. When output is made indicating that a target pixel is an isolated pixel detected by at least one of the filters, the target pixel is judged to be an isolated pixel.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer including a sprayer for spraying a sample solution, a needle electrode for ionizing the sample contained in the sample solution, an aperture for introducing the ions of the sample into a lower pressure region having a pressure lower than the pressure of a region in which the needle electrode is disposed, and a mass spectrometric apparatus for analyzing the ions introduced from the aperture. A direction of a spray caused by the sprayer is almost perpendicular to or at an angle with respect to a center axis of the aperture, and a tip of the needle is disposed facing to an electrode having the aperture.

Abstract: Plasma ion source mass spectrometers or liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometers are provided: wherein photon noises and matrix molecule ions produced by the ion source are decreased, the decrease of the quantity of signal is suppressed, and the apparatus maintenance is improved. The photon noises are decreased with a shielding plate and a 90 degrees deflector. The maintainability in cleaning is improved by a combination of a leading electrode, the shielding plate having a small hole, and a gate valve. The decrease in the quantity of signal is suppressed with the leading electrode, and a double cylindrical type static lens. Position adjustment of the leading electrode is performed with a flat plate having plural holes. Using an ion trap mass analyzer, matrix molecule ions are eliminated by applying a resonance voltage between its end cap electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mass spectrometer having an ion trap type mass spectrometric unit, characterized in that in each of ion storage periods, ions created in an ion source (7) are allowed to enter in a space surrounded by a ring electrode (21) and end cap electrodes (22a and 22b) and are confined in the space, wherein ions are detected with high sensitivities in a wide range of values of m/z (molecular weight of ion/valence number of ion) of the ions by changing the amplitude of a high-frequency voltage applied to the ring electrode (21) in each of the ion storage periods.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising an ionization means for ionizing sample compounds to be analyzed mass spectro-scopically in an atmospheric pressure, a sample solution supply means for supplying a solution containing the sample compounds to the ionization means, means for feeding the ions formed by the ionization means through an aperture disposed in an electrode into a vacuum region and a ion trap type mass spectroscopic means for mass spectroscopically analyzing ions entered through the aperture into the vacuum region, in which an ion decelerating electric field forming means is disposed between the electrode disposed with the aperture and an electrode disposed with an ion entrance opening for entering the ions into the ion trap type mass spectroscopic means for forming an electric field for decelerating the ions, and the ions injected to the ion trap mass spectroscopic means is lowered.