Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a line width detection unit detects a line width from attribute data inputted from an attribute data input unit, an edge detection unit detects an edge from image data inputted from an image data input unit, and an AND calculation unit calculates an AND of results of these detections. A coefficient storage unit stores a coefficient set for each line width. A line width correction coefficient multiplication unit acquires a correction coefficient corresponding to the detected line width with regard to an edge and the detected pixel and performs a multiplication to thereby correct the line width.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for xerographic Dmax control based upon measurements made on the printed paper using an inline spectrophotometer (ILS) or similar device. The disclosed method is based upon directly measuring the color to actuator sensitivity. Each of the separations is controlled independently using an actuator specific to that color separation. The present method is effective at controlling the color of the solid primaries. The fact that the vector of change is highly correlated with solid color variation seen in the field suggests that the teachings hereof effectively increase the solid color stability. Increased solid color stability increases the color stability throughout the printer gamut and the stability of the gamut boundaries, which increases the robustness of gamut mapping algorithms. Advantageously, the present method can be combined with existing ILS-based maintenance architectures.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for improved image forming quality is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a storage unit to store image data representing a colored image, an extracting unit to selectively extract objective data representing an object to be formed on a recording medium in a specific color, a modifying unit to modify the extracted objective data to enlarge an area represented by the extracted objective data, and a composition unit to combine the modified objective data with the image data stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A document administration system includes a server connecting document storing apparatuses via a network. Each document storing apparatus includes a plurality of boxes, and a document storing portion for making the document storing apparatus store a document in one of the boxes. The server includes a storing destination deciding portion for deciding one of the document storing apparatuses and one of the boxes thereof for storing the document, based on one or more of information including information on the document corresponding to the storing request, information on the document storing apparatuses registered in a document storing registering portion, and information on the boxes obtained by a box information obtaining portion, and a controller for transmitting the document to the document storing apparatuses having the one of the boxes selected by the storing destination deciding portion and making the document storing portion store the document in the one of the boxes.

Abstract: Provided are a displacement/distortion measuring method and a displacement/distortion measuring apparatus for easily and highly accurately measuring displacement or distortion of an object. An image of the surface of the measuring object is picked up by a line scanner apparatus adhered or brought close to the surface of the measuring object. The image is taken, displacement or distortion is measured by image analysis of the image of the measuring object surface prior to time lapse and that after time lapse, and displacement or distortion measuring results are outputted.

Abstract: A raster image processor (RIP) can process data for one page for each of a plurality of small areas, and handles each individual small area as a display list. Each individual display list holds information required to determine a rendering resolution. The RIP renders a small area including a text object with a high resolution, and a small area which does not include any text object with a low resolution. The RIP renders the respective small areas with the designated resolutions, and temporarily holds the rendering results in a memory for respective small areas. Upon generating a page image, the RIP directly transfers the high-resolution rendering result to a page memory. The RIP transfers the low-resolution rendering result to the page memory with applying an enlarging pixel process to the rendering result.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for rendering graphical objects in a printing system. According to one aspect of the present invention a graphic list may be partitioned, and the graphic-list partitions may be rendered “out-of-order” or concurrently.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for processing character data is provided, which selects a format of the character data to be used for generating print data. When a user instruction for printing character data according to character command data specifying the output of the character data is received, the format of the character data is selected based on the character command data.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing system and image processing method, which can acquire a document such as a paper document or the like as data of a format that allows easy re-use and re-edit processes. Image information is acquired by scanning a document, and its features are recognized. The image information is converted into character codes, vector data, or a predetermined image format in accordance with the recognized features. In this case, parameters used upon recognizing the features of the image information are variably set, and the operations of the character process, vectorization, and image conversion are controlled in accordance with the set parameters.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for rendering graphical objects in a printing system. According to one aspect of the present invention a graphic list may be partitioned, and the graphic-list partitions may be rendered “out-of-order” or concurrently.

Abstract: An image processing method for executing edge enhancement for an original image includes: extracting edge components based upon the original image; correcting the extracted edge components by attenuating the individual edge components so that a frequency distribution related to intensity of the edge components approximates a Gaussian distribution assuming a specific width; and executing edge enhancement for the original image based upon the corrected edge components.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for rendering graphical objects in a printing system. According to one aspect of the present invention a graphic list may be partitioned, and the graphic-list partitions may be rendered “out-of-order” or concurrently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image are provided that can suppress blur edges at an edge portion of a character so that sharpness and quality of the image can be improved. The apparatus comprises an inside and outside edge discrimination portion for discriminating whether a target pixel to be processed belongs to an inside edge or to an outside edge, a threshold value generating portion for selecting a threshold value from plural threshold values for error diffusion process in accordance with an area discriminated by the inside and outside edge discrimination portion to output the selected threshold value and an error diffusion process portion for performing the error diffusion process for multilevel input data concerning the target pixel by utilizing the threshold value generated by the threshold value generating portion so as to produce output data whose gradation steps are reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for image processing are disclosed, each of which obtains a mark from image data, detects additional information in the mark, determines whether the mark is detected in the mark to generate a determination result, and controls processing performed by an image processing apparatus with respect to the image data based on the determination result.

Abstract: An LD switch is turned ON to output image data outputted from an image processing section to a laser diode, and to irradiate a laser light to a photosensitive drum. The number of pixel dots included in the image data outputted from the image processing section is computed by line basis to detect an image density based on the total sum of the pixel dots of each color at a timing when the image data of Nth line is outputted from the image processing section. The detected image density is compared with a threshold value to turn OFF the LD switch at a timing when the image data of (N+?)th line is outputted when the image density is greater than the threshold value. This suppresses a variation in a rear-end-void length due to sheet slippage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate generating a ready-to-print binary dual-plane HLC image for output to an HLC device. A print-ready highlight color (HLC) image can be generated without digital front end (DFE) processing. For example, according to one or more aspects, a color scanner can be employed to produce a two-plane binary TIFF image. One plane contains black (e.g., achromatic) content, while the other contains highlight color content. Black pixels are identified and/or determined using neutral pixel and neutral window detection. Background pixels are mapped to white for both planes. Pixels that are non-neutral and non-background are designated as color pixels. After separation into a neutral plane and an HLC plane, the planes are processed into binary data for printing.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for rendering graphical objects in a printing system. According to one aspect of the present invention a graphic list may be partitioned, and the graphic-list partitions may be rendered “out-of-order” or concurrently.

Abstract: A test pattern containing plurality of patches recorded using small dot patterns and large dot patterns is printed. The dot sizes arranged in the patches are different between patches. Then the test patterns are read. The detection rate and average density of additional information embedded in each large dot pattern are obtained. A large dot pattern whose detection rate and average density fall within a reference range and are closest to ideal values is determined. The average density of each small dot pattern is obtained. A small dot pattern whose average density falls within a reference range and is closest to the average density of the determined large dot pattern is determined. A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is generated using these dot patterns and combined with a print target image.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a print image data generator and a density adjuster. The print image date generator generates print image data for each of colors to be used to print a document image from image data of the document image including a barcode image and a background image overlapped on the barcode image as a background. The density adjuster performs at least one of processing to reduce the density of the barcode image in at least any one of pieces of the print image data of colors including the barcode image and processing to reduce the density of the background image within a neighboring region that neighbors a bar of the barcode image in at least any one of pieces of the print image data of colors including the background image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus shifts dots of a recording dot pattern by half of a dot pitch in a main scanning direction to generate a shift dot pattern, corrects a jagged outline of the shift dot pattern caused by shifted dots using correction dots to generate a corrected shift dot pattern, and determines an increased number of ink droplets to be additionally ejected from one or more of a plurality of nozzles to form the shifted dot or the correction dot of the corrected shift dot pattern with an increased dot size, based on an estimated shift value indicating the displacement in landing position of ink droplets forming the dot of the recording dot pattern.

Abstract: A printer driver in a host computer (PC/WS) instructs an image input/output apparatus to perform clear toner printing in which color-toner data printed by using a plurality of color toners and clear-toner data printed by using a clear toner are printed in a superimposed relation. Upon accepting an instruction for a test print of the clear toner printing, the printer driver defines a first color and a second color, which differ from each other and which are discernible relative to colors designated in the color-toner data, and issues a printing instruction to the image input/output apparatus such that a portion designated in the clear-toner data where the clear toner is coated by the clear toner printing is printed in the first color, and a portion designated in the clear-toner data where the clear toner is not coated by the clear toner printing is printed in the second color.

Abstract: A method and system modify a rasterized digital image to reduce registration artifacts, the image having a black plane and a color plane by determining if a pixel is part of a connected black region and if the pixel is part of a connected color region. It is determined if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous. A dilation operation is performed on the color plane value of the pixel if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous.

Abstract: A generation unit is configured to generate a black color material data and the plurality of pieces of chromatic color material data, for a color positioned at a surface of a dark portion in a color gamut that can be reproduced using a black color material and the plurality of chromatic color materials, in such a way as to arrange dots of the black color material and respective dots of the plurality of chromatic color materials exclusively on a recording medium and set a rate of the arranged dots of the black color material to be greater as the color positioned at the surface is closer to black.

Abstract: An image display apparatus, and an apparatuse for and a method of image processing are provided that can reduce in real time a quantization noise in an image signal received by the image display apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing at least one document comprising color data. Color data in the document in a first color space is inspected to determine if a color space conversion operation for a portion of the color data is specified using a color space dictionary or a transformation matrix, wherein the color space conversion operation converts the color data from the first color space to an intermediate standard color space. An input profile corresponding to the color conversion operation is generated, wherein the input profile comprises information to convert color data from the first color space to the intermediate standard color space; and color space conversion operations are performed on the color data using the generated input profile to convert the color data from the first color space to the intermediate standard color space.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes: a memory that stores the location and pixel values that compose graphical images; a calculation unit that calculates the difference between a target location to which the graphical images is aligned in binary image data and an initial location designated in the graphical images; an output unit that outputs pixel values at locations distanced from the locations of the pixel values by an amount equivalent to the calculated difference; a first multiplier that multiplies the output pixel value with the pixel value included in the binary image data; an inverter that inverts the pixel value in the binary image data; a second multiplier that multiplies the pixel values in the binary image data or the pixel values included in background image data with the inverted pixel values; and an adder that adds the result of the multiplications performed by the first and second multipliers.

Abstract: An image printing system which determines dot forming condition when printing an image containing a plurality of pixels by using dots of a plurality of sizes includes: a fine drawing detecting unit which detects a dot color fine drawing pixel having a dot color used for printing the image and positioned on a fine drawing portion having a drawing width equal to or smaller than a predetermined value; an edge area detecting unit which detects a dot color edge area pixel having a dot color used for printing the image and positioned at a distance equal to or shorter than a predetermined value from an edge of the image; a first dot allocating unit which allocates dots such that a dot of predetermined size in the dots of the plural sizes can be formed for the dot color fine drawing pixel during printing the image; and a second dot allocating unit which allocates dots such that a dot of a size determined according to the distance from the edge of the image in the dots of the plural sizes can be formed for the dot col

Abstract: There are cases in which an effective search index cannot be provided to an image data only by extracting character codes from a character object in PDL data. An image processing apparatus of the present invention obtains image data by rendering PDL data, and extracts a character object from the image data. The image processing apparatus performs character recognition processing on the extracted character object to obtain character code information, and provides metadata including the character code information to the image data.

Abstract: Image data including color separation data and gloss data of an image is input. The color separation data is quantized to generate a color signal. The gloss data of the image is quantized on the basis of the color signal and gloss data related to a recording medium, a color material, and a gloss control material to generate a gloss signal. An image is formed on the recording medium on the basis of the color signal and the gloss signal using the color material and the gloss control material.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, includes an image input unit which inputs main image information defined by first, second and third color component information corresponding to at least three colors, a modulation unit which modulates a color difference grid pattern by sub information, a superposing unit which superposes the modulated color difference grid pattern on each of the first, second and third color component information after the modulated color difference grid pattern and each of the first, second and third color component information are rotated relative to each other through a predetermined angle, and a composition unit which composites the first, second and third color component information to generate color image information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a quadrangular or polygonal area setting unit that sets a quadrangular or polygonal area that surrounds a group of pixels that has predetermined characteristics for image data; a background setting unit that measures frequency distribution of tone values outside the quadrangular or polygonal area, measures a brightest tone value B in a margin range, which is a range of tone values in which the image data is distributed significantly, measures a most frequent value M in the margin range, and sets a background range, which is a range that includes the most frequent value M as a median point and further includes the brightest tone value B as one end of the range; a black edge statistics unit that measures frequency distribution of tone values of black edge inside the quadrangular or polygonal area and measures a greatest brightness value b in a black edge range, which is a range of tone values in which the black edge is distributed significantly.

Abstract: Density adjustment performed by a user to obtain a desired tint by a density adjustment function has been difficult because of the difficulty in determining which density region of which color needs to be adjusted. An image processing apparatus displays a print preview image corresponding to an image to be printed, causes a user to select a position on the displayed print preview image, and acquires color information of the selected position. The image processing apparatus further determines, from among a plurality of density regions, at least any one of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black density regions corresponding to the acquired color information, and displays an adjustment screen for adjusting a density in the determined density regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus able to shorten the processing time for automatic tone correction. The image processing apparatus includes: printing unit for conducting tone correction for bitmapping a print job, and then printing the tone-corrected bitmap data; automatic tone correcting unit for conducting automatic tone correction while the printing unit is processing the print job; and configuring unit for configuring an image quality mode for printing by the printing unit. Depending on the image quality mode configured by the configuring unit, the automatic tone correction conducted by the automatic tone correcting unit while the print job is being processed may not be conducted.

Abstract: A color adjustment apparatus comprises an input unit for receiving an input operation, a color adjustment display segment for displaying orthogonal coordinate systems between a pre color adjustment hue axis and an adjustment target axis indicative of a degree of adjustment of a hue, saturation, or lightness and an adjustment line indicative of a relationship between before color adjustment and after color adjustment on the orthogonal coordinate systems, an adjustment line changing unit for changing the adjustment line in response to an operation by the input unit, and a color adjustment unit for adjusting a hue, saturation, and lightness of a target image in correspondence with the adjustment line changed by the adjustment line changing unit.

Abstract: A method for identifying one or more spot colors in a full color multi-bit image data, and processing the identified spot colors for output on an image printing system is provided. The method includes inputting the full color image data, wherein the full color image data includes a plurality of pixels; analyzing the inputted image to identify the pixels with a spot color from the pixels with a non-spot color, wherein each pixel with a spot color is within a predetermined threshold from a desired color value; processing the identified spot color pixels; and combining the processed spot color pixels with non-spot color pixels to form a data structure.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus that, in a case where the light amount of light illuminated from an image reading lamp has decreased, maintains the quality of a read image without decreasing productivity, and a method for controlling that image reading apparatus, are provided. To accomplish this, this image reading apparatus is provided with RGB line sensors that read a color image, and a monochrome line sensor that reads a monochrome image and has a faster horizontal transfer speed than the RGB line sensors. Further, this image reading apparatus reads a monochrome image using the RGB line sensors even in a monochrome mode in a case where the light amount of the lamp for illuminating an original decreases and so an output level for reading an image with good quality cannot be obtained from the monochrome line sensor.

Abstract: A method and system of making a book formed of a plurality of booklets having a plurality of sheets including receiving a paper value from an input device which corresponds to a sheet thickness. A maximum number of sheets per booklet based on the paper value is determined. The minimum number of sheets which will contain all pages of the book pages and the least number of booklets required responsive to the maximum number of sheets required are determined. The number of sheets in each booklet is determined and is stored. The sheets are distributed among the number of booklets. The creep for each sheet based on the paper value is determined. An image transfer device is controlled responsive to the determination of the creep.

Abstract: A determination is made, throughout one page, of whether a unit region is to be printed chromatically or achromatically, or nothing is to be printed; a determination is made of whether or not, in the one page, there is at least one unit region determined to be printed achromatically between two unit regions where nothing is to be printed; when it is determined that there is at least one such unit region, a determination is further made of whether or not there is at least one unit region determined to be printed chromatically between the two unit regions where nothing is to be printed; when it is determined that there is at least one such unit region, the determination results of the unit region determined to be printed achromatically are changed to chromatic printing; and printing is performed according to the changed results.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an image to optimize print time of the image by a print apparatus based on the size of the image to be printed and the print pass thresholds of the print apparatus. A dimension of the image corresponding to the dimension along the sub-scanning axis of the image as it will be printed by the print apparatus is obtained, along with the corresponding number of print passes required to print the image. An analysis is performed to determine whether the size of the image could be reduced to require one less print pass by the print apparatus in printing the reduced image based on the proximity of the determined dimension to the range of dimensions that will result in one less print pass by the print apparatus.

Abstract: An image-processing system for printing an image based on original image data. The storing unit stores at least one look-up table in association with at least one printing condition. The at least one look-up table is used to convert a color value in original image data into a limited color value that limits a total quantity of ink to be used in printing. The detecting unit detects, as a printing condition, at least one of a type of color material and a type of recording medium which are used for printing operation. The converting unit converts the color value data into the limited color value by using a look-up table that is assigned with a printing condition corresponding to the detected printing condition.

Abstract: A segmentation process section classifies signals of pixels in input image data into respective signals of a black text/low density area, a black text/high density area, a color text area, and an area other than a text area. A black generation and under color removal section performs an under color removal process with respect to the signal of the black text/low density area so that an amount of UCR is a middle value (C, M, Y) of signals indicative of color component density levels. Consequently, it is possible to prevent color fringing and a white spot at a time when chromatic aberration occurs in the input image data.

Abstract: An image generating device comprises an acquisition unit which acquires an image drawing instruction for drawing an elliptical radial gradation from accepted target data, an extraction unit which extracts elliptical shape parameters and gradation pattern parameters from the acquired image drawing instruction, a transformation matrix generating unit which generates a transformation matrix for transforming an elliptical shape specified by the elliptical shape parameters into a perfect circular shape based on the elliptical shape parameters, an inverse matrix calculating unit which calculates an inverse matrix of the transformation matrix, a transformation unit which transforms the gradation pattern parameters using the transformation matrix, a drawing unit which draws a gradation for the perfect circular shape based on the transformed gradation pattern parameters, and a gradation generating unit which generates the elliptical radial gradation by inversely transforming the perfect circular shape (including the g

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods related to a printer are disclosed.

Abstract: An image processing controlling unit calculates an image processing parameter to reduce an image quality difference between image data read by a first reading unit and a second reading unit depending on a reading characteristic of a reading unit indicated by attached information (reading-unit information) received together with the calculating request and a writing characteristic of a printer. The calculated image processing parameter is stored in a memory. Next, when printing the image data, a middleware unit causes a printer to print the image data based on the image processing parameter held in the memory.

Abstract: A specified specific color is input, and a patch pattern that contains a large number of patches corresponding to a color adjacent to the specific color is read by a front-side scanner and a back-side scanner. The color difference between read values for the front side and read values for the back side is corrected.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the darkness level of image data to assist in output matching between dissimilar rendering devices. Image source information from a source file can be interpreted by a rendering decomposer in order to generate halftone source image data. The decomposition of the image can be repeated in response to a request by an operator for an additional darkening level via a user input file. The additional layers can be shifted in an opposing direction and then a clockwise direction from the original position until the additional darkening level is attained. The required darkening level can be stored in a storage unit or memory so that the required darkening level can be later triggered by a source document name to employ the same darkening approach. The darkening level can be selected from an array of darkening levels to assist in output matching without major modifications to the utilized rendering device(s).

Abstract: A method and system modify a rasterized digital image to reduce registration artifacts, the image having a black plane and a color plane by determining if a pixel is part of a connected black region and if the pixel is part of a connected color region. It is determined if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous. A dilation operation is performed on the color plane value of the pixel if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous.

Abstract: The maximum number of scaled images formed for one document and the scaling ratio set for each of scaled images are accepted by an operation panel, the basic scaling ratio is read from a table defining the scaled image arrangement information and the like, the scaling ratio of the original image data obtained by an image reading section is changed, and scaled images laid out on one sheet are generated. The generated plurality of scaled images are arranged according to the arrangement information defined by the table, and image formation is performed by an image forming section, thereby obtaining a multi-shot copy in which a plurality of images of different scaling ratio are laid out on one sheet.

Abstract: A print or logo data generating system and method in which a width dimension of a printable medium is identified and original source data obtained. The processing further involves automatically resizing the source data to a predefined maximum width not greater than the width dimension of the printable medium prior to executing any user-requested changes, and displaying a first image representation of the original source data. Upon receipt of a user-requested change in the size of the original source data and a user-requested change in the number of colors of the original source data, the size change request is executed first.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a character identifying unit configured to identify character data of black from color image data; a character data generating unit configured to add character data of a color other than black to the character data of black as additional character data to generate combined character data; and a character data correcting unit configured to perform thinning process of making a line of a character of the additional character data thinner than a line of the character data of black.