Abstract: This invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method capable of generating synthetic image data containing effective image information without being influenced by the variation of the photographing environment. A correcting portion updates (shifts) a “brightness” upper and lower limit range according to a deviation ?E received from a deviation calculating portion. The correcting portion accepts an initial value Emax0 of the “brightness” upper limit and an initial value Emin0 of the lower limit in advance, so that the “brightness” upper limit and lower limit after update is (Emax0+?E) and (Emin0+?E), respectively. The “brightness” upper and lower limit range after the update calculated by the correcting portion is provided to a tone mapping unit.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code publishing program that provides display of beautiful two-dimensional codes with homogeneity and a high sense of design, and a two-dimensional code decoding program that decodes bit strings expressed as two-dimensional codes in various situations. In a display of cells having a color with a low visibility against the blank area surrounding the two-dimensional code, a contrast is set between the gradation of the color component having a gradation close to that of the blank area and/or in a display of cells having a color with a high visibility against the blank area surrounding the two-dimensional code, the contrast is reduced between the gradation of the color component having a gradation far from that of the blank area.

Abstract: An edge code histogram of a model generated in a model image is registered. A target region with respect to the input image is set. An edge code histogram for the target region is generated. A relative positional relationship between the edge code histogram of the model and the edge code histogram for the target region is sequentially changed, and a degree of coincidence between the edge code histograms at each relative position is calculated. A possibility that the region that matches the model is contained in the set target region from the sequentially calculated degree of coincidence between the edge code histograms is evaluated. Then a candidate point having a possibility of matching the model in the input image is specified while sequentially changing the position of the target region with respect to the input image and repeating steps above for each target region.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method capable of performing image processing of higher accuracy using the synthetic image data with enlarged dynamic range. An image processing method including the steps of acquiring a plurality of input image data with pixel information defined with a first tone range by performing imaging over plural times at different exposure conditions using an imaging unit, generating synthetic image data with pixel information defined with a second tone range wider than the first tone range by synthesizing the plurality of input image data, generating processed image data containing pixel information defined with the second tone range by performing image processing on the synthetic image data for facilitating detection or measurement related to an imaged target; and converting the processed image data to output image data containing pixel information defined with a third tone range narrower than the second tone range is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus capable of properly setting a photographing condition in consideration of time allowable for each processing; the image processing apparatus capable of properly setting the photographing condition while referring to an actually generated composite image; the image processing apparatus capable of properly setting the photographing condition even by a user who has no background knowledge; and the image processing apparatus capable of determining whether or not image composition processing is properly executed even by the user who has no background knowledge. A setting mode screen displays a composite image based on generated output image data, together with “processing time”, being expected time required for generating one output image data. The composite image is updated every time the output image data is generated.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade that contacts an image carrier and cleans residual toner remaining on the image carrier; a toner pool forming member that is disposed on an upstream side of the cleaning blade in a rotational direction of the image carrier, collects the residual toner that has been cleaned, and forms a toner pool that contacts the cleaning blade and the image carrier; and a toner amount adjusting component that makes the pressure of the residual toner that acts on the image carrier substantially uniform across an axis-of-rotation direction of the image carrier by adjusting the amount of the residual toner in the toner pool in the axis-of-rotation direction of the image carrier.

Abstract: An edge code histogram of a model generated in a model image is registered. A target region with respect to the input image is set. An edge code histogram, for the target region is generated. A relative positional relationship between the edge code histogram of the model and the edge code histogram for the target region is sequentially changed, and a degree of coincidence between the edge code histograms at each relative position is calculated. A possibility that the region that matches the model is contained in the set target region from the sequentially calculated degree of coincidence between the edge code histograms is evaluated. Then a candidate point having a possibility of matching the model in the input image is specified while sequentially changing the position of the target region with respect to the input image and repeating steps above for each target region.

Abstract: A method for reading and displaying a two-dimensional code is to enable the display of digital information with high cell density and to enable an accurate reading of digital information, while responding to the various conditions. An image pattern that can be distinguished from surrounding cells is detected from an image data containing the two-dimensional code by verifying an image on the image data with a predetermined verification pattern. The detected image pattern includes the image of one or more data marks.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method capable of performing image processing of higher accuracy using the synthetic image data with enlarged dynamic range. An image processing method including the steps of acquiring a plurality of input image data with pixel information defined with a first tone range by performing imaging over plural times at different exposure conditions using an imaging unit, generating synthetic image data with pixel information defined with a second tone range wider than the first tone range by synthesizing the plurality of input image data, generating processed image data containing pixel information defined with the second tone range by performing image processing on the synthetic image data for facilitating detection or measurement related to an imaged target; and converting the processed image data to output image data containing pixel information defined with a third tone range narrower than the second tone range is disclosed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a camera interface section connected to an imaging section, a plurality of arithmetic processing sections that process the image data; a display screen output section to output display image data; an input section that accepts input from an outside; a storage section for storing a plurality of processing units used to process the image data; a processing registration section that registers a processing procedure including a combination of the processing units; a mode selection section that selectably displays a plurality of parallel processing modes indicating kinds of parallel processing and accepts the selection of the parallel processing mode from the input section; and a parallelization section that allocates processing units included in the target processing procedure to one of the plurality of arithmetic processing sections according to the parallel processing mode.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing program and an image processing apparatus that support imaging setting in an imaging apparatus. In a focus value display window, temporal change of a focus value (index value) in an input image is outputted. A user operates the imaging apparatus with reference to graph display in the focus value display window to adjust the focus. The focus value displayed in the focus value display window indicates a relatively high value in a “focused” state to a subject such as a work. In the focus value display window, a maximum focus value indicating bar is displayed in association with a focus value indication. The user adjusts the focus state in the imaging apparatus so that the focus value indication “approaches” or “exceeds” this maximum focus value indicating bar as much as possible.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method capable of generating synthetic image data containing effective image information without being influenced by the variation of the photographing environment. A correcting portion updates (shifts) a “brightness” upper and lower limit range according to a deviation ?E received from a deviation calculating portion. The correcting portion accepts an initial value Emax0 of the “brightness” upper limit and an initial value Emin0 of the lower limit in advance, so that the “brightness” upper limit and lower limit after update is (Emax0+?E) and (Emin0+?E), respectively. The “brightness” upper and lower limit range after the update calculated by the correcting portion is provided to a tone mapping unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that rotates in a predetermined direction so as to carry a toner image, a charging member that charges the image carrier by a discharge operation, a toner holding member that is disposed to be in contact with the image carrier so as to hold toner in a portion being in contact with the image carrier and that removes a discharge product generated on the image carrier, and a holding amount adjusting unit that adjusts a toner holding amount of the toner holding member. The holding amount adjusting unit includes an estimation unit that estimates a current toner holding amount of the toner holding member, and a correction unit that corrects the toner holding amount of the toner holding member on a basis of an estimation result obtained from the estimation unit.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code publishing program that provides display of beautiful two-dimensional codes with homogeneity and a high sense of design, and a two-dimensional code decoding program that decodes bit strings expressed as two-dimensional codes in various situations. In a display of cells having a color with a low visibility against the blank area surrounding the two-dimensional code, a contrast is set between the gradation of the color component having a gradation close to that of the blank area and/or in a display of cells having a color with a high visibility against the blank area surrounding the two-dimensional code, the contrast is reduced between the gradation of the color component having a gradation far from that of the blank area.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus capable of properly setting a photographing condition in consideration of time allowable for each processing; the image processing apparatus capable of properly setting the photographing condition while referring to an actually generated composite image; the image processing apparatus capable of properly setting the photographing condition even by a user who has no background knowledge; and the image processing apparatus capable of determining whether or not image composition processing is properly executed even by the user who has no background knowledge. A setting mode screen displays a composite image based on generated output image data, together with “processing time”, being expected time required for generating one output image data. The composite image is updated every time the output image data is generated.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade that contacts an image carrier and cleans residual toner remaining on the image carrier; a toner pool forming member that is disposed on an upstream side of the cleaning blade in a rotational direction of the image carrier, collects the residual toner that has been cleaned, and forms a toner pool that contacts the cleaning blade and the image carrier; and a toner amount adjusting component that makes the pressure of the residual toner that acts on the image carrier substantially uniform across an axis-of-rotation direction of the image carrier by adjusting the amount of the residual toner in the toner pool in the axis-of-rotation direction of the image carrier.

Abstract: A color image configured by a plurality of pixels is displayed on an image display region, and an arbitrary region of the image displayed in the image display region is specified using a mouse and the like. A two-dimensional specific color map based on hue parameter and chroma parameter and a one-dimensional specific color map based on value parameter are displayed in a specific color map region. The color parameters of each pixel included in the specified region are acquired, and the corresponding position of each pixel included in the specified region is displayed in the specific color map based on the acquired color parameters. The specific range of the specific color is set by adjusting the range of hue, chroma, and value parameters in the specific color map, and the image having the color included in the specific range is extraction-processed according to an instruction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that rotates in a predetermined direction so as to carry a toner image, a charging member that charges the image carrier by a discharge operation, a toner holding member that is disposed to be in contact with the image carrier so as to hold toner in a portion being in contact with the image carrier and that removes a discharge product generated on the image carrier, and a holding amount adjusting unit that adjusts a toner holding amount of the toner holding member. The holding amount adjusting unit includes an estimation unit that estimates a current toner holding amount of the toner holding member, and a correction unit that corrects the toner holding amount of the toner holding member on a basis of an estimation result obtained from the estimation unit.

Abstract: A method for reading and displaying a two-dimensional code is to enable the display of digital information with high cell density and to enable an accurate reading of digital information, while responding to the various conditions. An image pattern that can be distinguished from surrounding cells is detected from an image data containing the two-dimensional code by verifying an image on the image data with a predetermined verification pattern. The detected image pattern includes the image of one or more data marks.

Abstract: An information management method using a managing symbol and an information management server for managing a plurality of electronic contents and automatically performing an action according to each content. Association between a bit string assigned to each content and the storage address of the content is stored, and a managing symbol representing the bit string is published. The association is referred to specify the content correspondent to the bit string. The action to be performed on the content is decided by referring to an action type selected beforehand.