Abstract: A method of registering a print between print stages in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: printing a first part of a digital image on a substrate with a first print engine, wherein the first part of the digital image includes a plurality of reference features; scanning image content on the substrate as it is readied for the second print engine; determining the actual positions of the reference features; using the actual positions of the reference features to determine desired adjustments for the second part of the digital image; applying electronic registration according to the desired adjustments to modify image content of the second print to be aligned with content already on the substrate; and printing a second part of the digital image on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a scanning method and system in which the colored information as well as the black & white information appearing on the individual page or upon multiple pages of a document are initially scanned in a full color, 24-bit per pixel, mode; after which, the black & white wording and/or images are then selectively identified and electronically downsized to a single bit per pixel value. This sequence of selective identification and electronic downsizing of the black & white scanned contents effectively preserves the original printed information, while retaining the accuracy and integrity of the characters forming the colored written text and illustration portions of the scanned page or document in their original 24-bit per pixel format. Via this method and system, the entirety of the scanned image is maintained as a single electronic file of markedly reduced size.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printing system for processing an electronic document with an original stream having at least two printing related instructions. Responsive to reading the at least two printing related instructions with a controller; the original stream is split into two or more streams. A printer produces (1) one or more sets of prints from one or more of the two or more streams for storage in one or more inserters, and (2) a final set of prints from another one of the two or more streams, the final set of prints corresponding to a hardcopy stream with at least one gap. The one or more sets of prints are automatically stored in the one or more inserters and, pursuant to printing the final set of prints; the one or more inserters are used to insert at least one print from the one or more sets of prints into the at least one gap of the hardcopy stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-forming apparatus capable of reducing the amount of toner at a position at which the trapping is carried out. The apparatus has an image-deformation processing unit where input image data is processed to deform the image shape or the trapping or overprinting is carried out on the respective color plates. The apparatus determines whether or not the trapping should be carried out to the target pixels on the boundary between color plates in the adjacent different objects, determines the color plate having the trap color, obtains the amount of toner of the trap color, determines based on the amount of toner of the trap color and the target pixels whether or not the total amount of toner of the trap exceeds the limit value, and reduces the total amount of toner if the total amount of toner of the trap exceeds the limit value.

Abstract: A system and method for pixel and object level neutral detection. An image is scanned into a plurality of pixels. A local pixel of interest is identified along with a neighborhood of pixels around the local pixel. The chroma value of the current pixel as well as the average local chroma of the neighborhood are calculated. An adjusted chroma is determined based on the average local chroma. A luminance value can also be measured for the current pixel and for each of the neighbor pixels and a luminance variation determined. The adjusted chroma can be further modified based on the determined luminance variation. The adjusted chroma is compared against a threshold to determine a neutral pixel detection tag for the current pixel. The pixel tags can be utilized to control an adjustment of pixels in a device independent L*a*b* or a device independent CMYK domain.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a recording head having plural recording elements; a characteristics information acquisition device; a correction calculation device which corrects image data using recording point positional deviation information within acquired characteristics information, and generates image data suppressing a non-uniformity streak in an output image; a nearest recording point specifying device specifying, when image density is outside an output image density range, a second recording element concerning a recording position nearest to a recording position of a first recording element corresponding to first image data outside the output image density range; a sum density calculation device calculating sum density of the first image data and second image data; an image data modification device which preserves the calculated slim density; and a drive control device controlling driving of the recording head in accordance with the corrected image data and modified image data.

Abstract: A control section 11 of an image data generation apparatus 1 of a thermal transfer recording apparatus S performs resolution conversion processing, gradation conversion processing, CMYK separation processing, contour expansion processing, image sift processing, dot processing, and image reverse shift processing for entered image data 5 stored in an image memory 33 of a storage section 12. The control section 11 sends the produced image data to a printing section 2, prints it on an intermediate transfer medium, and transfers it onto a polycarbonate film or the like. Through contour expansion processing, contours of color images masked by a black background are expanded by numbers of pixels which differ among the colors, and masked by the black background.

Abstract: A printing device includes a controlling section that converts visible information, expressed using biaxial orthogonal coordinate data, into polar coordinate data, and binarizes the polar coordinate data to generate binarized polar coordinate data. Next, the controlling section performs landing position correction on the binarized polar coordinate data, and generates ink discharge data in which displacements of landing positions of ink drops, caused by the order in which the ink drops are discharged from discharge nozzles, are corrected.

Abstract: Combining section 21 creates the composite image data by combining the image data of the original image and the additional image, and log management section 22 stores the condition of composite images at the time of image combining as log information 40. Printer section 18 prints the composite image based on the composite image data, and a scanner section 16 optically reads the printed composite image. Judgment section 23 judges the condition of adding the additional image in the composite image (presence or absence of overlapping, etc.,) based on stored log information 40 and on the image data obtained by reading out the composite image, and notification control section 24 notifies the user of the judgment result either by displaying or by printing out.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a decision unit which decides a color selection threshold based on received compressed data from external apparatus, and a determination unit which determines according to the color selection threshold if a pixel included in the compressed data is a chromatic color pixel or an achromatic color pixel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of accurately compensating an increase or decrease of a toner area coverage resulting from shifting that is performed to correct skew is provided. A color density of image data represented by a correction target pixel is corrected such that the increase or decrease in the toner area coverage on the correction target pixel is compensated excluding a toner area coverage on the correction target pixel covered by a toner image that would be formed based on a color density of image data to be represented by a neighboring pixel of the correction target pixel. This effectively reduces banding noise on an output of the image data and prevents degradation in image quality.

Abstract: A method for correcting gray balance of a printing process includes imaging printing forms assigned to color separations with a test form, printing a printing material using the printing forms in a printing press and calorimetrically measuring the test form printed onto the printing material. It is undesirably possible to produce a new color error in other tonal value ranges due to changing the layer thickness of a process ink to correct the gray balance. In order to perform a gray balance correction without disruptive secondary effects, a test form is imaged with colored gray areas, after their colorimetric measurement, at least two of the colored gray areas are selected and, based on their color values, a corrected tonal value of a non-black chromatic process ink is determined, and this corrected tonal value is recorded as a corrected set point of the process ink for imaging following printing forms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus and an image processing program for dealing with inverted characters (outlined characters) constituted by white pixels on a black ground in a tree structure same as that of normal characters constituted by black pixels on a white ground. In the present invention, black pixel blocks and white pixel blocks are sampled recursively from a binary image, tree structure data indicating a positional relation between the sampled black pixel blocks and white pixel blocks is created, an inverted image is created by white-black-inverting the insides of black pixel blocks that can include inverted characters, of black pixel blocks included in the tree structure data, white pixel blocks and black pixel blacks are sampled from the created inverted image, and data regarding the sampled white pixel blocks and black pixel blocs is added to corresponding nodes of the tree structure data.

Abstract: The present invention claims and discloses an image forming device for generating color data contained in a second color gamut of a second device based on color data contained in a first color gamut of a first device. The image forming device comprises a color data generation unit that divides the first color gamut into two or more layers based on a grid point coordinate of a color conversion lookup table; a color gamut compression unit that generates a chroma value of each layer of the second color gamut based on a chroma value of each layer of the first color gamut; and an LUT generation unit that generates the color conversion lookup table based on the generated second color gamut.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating color corrected digital image data from a document image according to personal preferences of an identified user of the digital image copy. A color correction profile is provided defining color correction parameters for a particular identified user. The digital image copy is generated in accordance with the color correction profile by replacing problematic colors with alternate presentations as defined by the color correction parameters. The alternate presentations may include corrections to compensate for colorblindness of an identified user. The document image may be logically segmented to identify objects associated with each of a plurality of segments of the document image such as text, graphics, photographic images, etc. The color correction profile may define different color correction parameters to be associated with each defined type of segment.

Abstract: An image processing device includes plural image processing units that perform image processing on print data; a delivery unit that delivers a whole set of print data formed of plural segments to the plural image processing units; and a sending unit that sends a processing request command that specifies which segment of print data should be subjected to image processing to the plural image processing units, respectively, each of the plural image processing units including a conversion unit that converts print data for a segment specified by the processing request command sent by the sending unit into image information as bitmap data for primary colors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (800) partitions (101) an image into a plurality of blocks. For a selected one of these blocks, the apparatus then uses a given available range of grayscale level values to determine (102) grayscale level values for image data in the selected block to provide corresponding determined grayscale level values. At least some of these determined grayscale level values are then transformed (103) to thereby use an altered amount of the given available range of grayscale level values to thereby provide rescaled grayscale level values for the selected block.

Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method of automatically aggregating multiple print jobs. The method includes: storing, in memory, a first print job group complying with a first set of print job aggregation criteria and a second print job group complying with a second set of print job aggregation criteria. A print job is received and at least a part of the received print job is aggregated with the first print job group to form a first aggregated print job set if the received print job complies with the first set of print job aggregation criteria and one of a set of release criteria is met. At least a part of the received print job is aggregated with the second print job group to form a second aggregated print job set if the received print job complies with the second set of print job aggregation criteria and one of a set of release criteria is met.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for mapping an out-of-gamut spot color to a surface boundary of a target color gamut of a color marking device in a color management system. The present method accurately detects the intersection of a point at the boundary surface of a ray traced between the out-of-gamut color and color point along a neutral axis of the target gamut. The ability to map an out-of-gamut color accurately to the gamut surface provides many advantages as one skilled in the art would appreciate. Various embodiments are provided.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can be connected to an image-forming apparatus, a method, and a program used for the information processing apparatus are disclosed. The information processing apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling print-setting information set for document data to be printed, a recognition unit for recognizing information about a first function specified by the print-setting information by translating the print-setting information controlled by the control unit, an obtaining unit for obtaining information about a second function of the image-forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether or not the image-forming apparatus can perform the first function recognized by the recognition unit based on the second-function information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a modification unit for modifying the print-setting information controlled by the control unit based on the determination result.

Abstract: Restriction information on a total colorant amount for a medium is obtained. Patches at grid points in a color space corresponding to a plurality of colorants at which the total colorant amount falls within a restriction represented by the restriction information, and a patch at a point surrounded by the patches are generated. Color values are obtained by measuring the colors of the patches printed on the medium. It is determined based on a color prediction value between the grid points whether the measured color values are appropriate, and if so, a color value at a grid point at which the total colorant amount exceeds the restriction is estimated based on the measured color values. A color separation table is created based on the measured color values and the estimated value.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for characterizing color separation misregistration associated with marking a substrate. The method includes providing an input image having a plurality of patches, each patch having a pattern using a first and second color; marking a substrate with a copy of the input image using a first and second color separation to correspond to the first and second colors, respectively; and measuring a color characteristic of markings of respective copied patches of the copied plurality of patches and generating corresponding colorimetric values. Misregistration of the first color separation markings relative to the second color separation markings is characterized based on the measured calorimetric values.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit; an edge detecting unit; a transparency setting unit; an image data generating unit; and an instruction unit. The acquisition unit acquires print data, the print data indicating an object image and a background image, a region of the object image being located at least partly inside a region of the background image. The edge detecting unit detects at least a part of an edge of the object image. The transparency setting unit sets an edge region that is located inside the region of the object image and that extends along the at least a part of the edge detected by the edge detecting unit, the transparency setting unit setting a transparency degree to the edge region of the object image. The image data generating unit generates image data based on the print data and on the transparency degree for the edge region of the object image.

Abstract: A method for processing a print job includes: a) analyzing printer description language (PDL) image data for a print job; b) determining a raster image processor (RIP) orientation for the print job based at least in part on the analysis of the PDL image data, the RIP orientation being selected from a landscape orientation and a portrait orientation; and c) processing the PDL image data for each page of the print job to form raster image data for each page in the RIP orientation and storing the raster image data in the RIP orientation. A printing platform associated with the method includes a parser module, a controller module, a storage device, and a RIP module.

Abstract: A method receives, at a processor of a printing apparatus, a variable information print job. The variable information print job is processed into upper planes of the record-specific objects, upper planes of the reusable objects, lower planes of the record-specific objects, and lower planes of the reusable objects. The method stores such objects within a storage medium of the printing apparatus. The method combines ones of the compressed upper planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed upper planes of the reusable objects corresponding to the record of the variable information print job using the processor to create a single compressed upper plane for the record within an output buffer of the printing apparatus and creates an ordered list (corresponding to the record) of lower plane tiles by assembling the compressed lower planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed lower plane reusable objects.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods for using embedded auxiliary signals in documents for copy detection and other applications. In on application, the auxiliary signal is formed as an array of elements selected from a set of print structures with properties that change differently in response to copy operations. These changes in properties of the print structures that carry the embedded auxiliary signal are automatically detectable. For example, the changes make the embedded auxiliary signal more or less detectable. The extent to which the auxiliary data is detected forms a detection metric used in combination with one or more other metrics to differentiate copies from originals. Examples of sets of properties of the print structures that change differently in response to copy operations include sets of colors (including different types of inks), sets of screens or dot structures that have varying dot gain, sets of structures with different aliasing effects, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for structure enhancement and noise reduction of medical images using adaptive filtering is disclosed. The method utilizes feature estimation methods to determine multiple feature values for each pixel in an input image. Each pixel is then filtered using a filter type selected based on the feature values for that pixel.

Abstract: The color printing control device outputs color material reduction processed data generated by applying a color material reduction process to each pixel of bitmaps converted to color material colors to be used in printing, when it is judged that the color material reduction printing mode is specified. The color material reduction process includes chroma conversion that reduces chroma and under-color removal/black generation that replaces at least a portion of achromatic components generated by overlaying of a plurality of color materials.

Abstract: There is described an image forming system, which makes it possible to speedily implement the reprinting operation, and to alleviate the burden of the printer controller. The system includes a printer controller to parse a print job described in a Page Description Language so as to generate image data; and an image forming apparatus, configured separately from the printer controller, to implement a printing operation based on the image data. The printer controller applies a first processing to the print job so as to generate multi-value image data and transmits the multi-value image data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus applies a second processing to the multi-value image data, received from the printer controller, so as to generate processed image data, serving as printable image data based on which a reproduced image can be directly printed, and implements the printing operation based on the processed image data.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing the processing of print data at a printing device based upon available consumable resources. A printing device includes a print process configured to determine consumable resources that are currently available at the printing device. The print process is further configured to determine which print data is to be processed based upon the consumable resources currently available at the printing device and the consumable resources required to completely process each of the print data. Print data that can be completely processed using the currently available consumable resources are selected for processing. The print process may also be configured to cause a notification to be provided to a client device to indicate the consumable resources currently available at a printing device and/or that insufficient consumable resources were available to process particular print data and to recommend other consumable resources to process the particular print data.

Abstract: A color document is scanned using sensors of two color components, and monochrome image data is generated by performing a color conversion process on color image data made up of two color components obtained through the scanning.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an input unit that receives specifications of a color, a type of a surface effect that is a visual or a tactile effect, and a region to which the surface effect is applied, with respect to input image data; a generating unit that generates color data and gloss control data based on the specifications, the gloss control data being data which is used for generating clear toner data and in which a gloss control value is specified for identifying the type of the surface effect applied to the recording medium and for identifying a region to which the surface effect is applied in the recording medium; and a sending unit that sends the color data and the gloss control data to a print control apparatus.

Abstract: A method of processing a print job in a document production environment includes receiving a job ticket having job ticket parameters, identifying a process plan template having processing instructions for processing the print job and performing a parameter value resolving process for each job ticket parameter. The resolving process may include identifying candidate values, identifying the source associated with each of the candidate values and determining whether a candidate value has a source having precedence. If a source has precedence, the corresponding candidate value may be selected as a resolved parameter value. A user may be presented with a representation of a set of the resolved parameter values and may be permitting to modify at least one of the resolved parameter values. A first portion of the print job may be processed using the identified process plan template, the resolved parameter values, and any user-modified parameter values.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for optimizing submission of output jobs to a network of output devices, using an output job manager to assign jobs to devices. The assignments are done automatically, based on policies associated with users, output devices, organizations responsible for the output devices, and the system as a whole. User output preferences are expressed as one or more user policies. System and organizational constraints associated with users and output devices and the managing of groups of output devices are also expressed as policies. An optimizing scheduler calculates tradeoffs between user preferences, and factors in constraints to optimize submission of jobs to output devices, and to optimize use and wait times on the output devices.

Abstract: In order to form a high-quality image, upon execution of multi-pass printing using a printing head with a plurality of nozzles, an image processing apparatus calculates, using a scan duty setting unit, scan duty data for respective nozzles for each scan of the printing head in accordance with input image data. A halftone processor generates a dot pattern to be formed by applying N-ary processing based on predetermined constraining condition information to the calculated scan duty data. A constraining, condition information calculation unit generates constraining condition information to be referred to by the halftone processor at the time of the next scan. The constraining condition information is set so that the phase of a next dot pattern to be generated has an opposite phase relationship in a low frequency region with respect, to the already printed dot pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus having an image readout sensor that is provided with a plurality of pixels that optically read out an image, and a driving unit that moves the image readout sensor. The driving unit moves the image readout sensor, whereby the driving unit and the image readout sensor are controlled so that each of the plurality of pixels reads out a chart with a predetermined pattern. A feature amount of the plurality of pixels is calculated from the image data that has been read out by each pixel through the control, and MTF characteristics of the plurality of pixels are analyzed from the calculated feature amount. Then, nonuniformity of MTF characteristics of the plurality of pixels is corrected according to the analysis result.

Abstract: A color processing apparatus includes an image signal acquisition section, a color component preservation section, a first color conversion section, a color gamut compression section and a second color conversion section. The image signal acquisition section acquires an image signal including an input color signal having predetermined color components. The color component preservation section preserves at least one of the color components of the input color signal as a preserved color component. The first color conversion section converts the input color signal into an intermediate color signal belonging to a first color space. The color gamut compression section performs a color gamut compression for the intermediate color signal using color components of the intermediate color signal and the preserved color component, to generate a compressed color signal. The second color conversion section that converts the compressed color signal into an output color signal belonging to a second color space.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes image forming device for forming an image, switching device for switching resolution of an image formed by the image forming device, processing device for performing stabilization processing for stabilizing quality of the image formed by the image forming device and changing device for changing a processing procedure of the stabilization processing in accordance with the resolution switched by the switching device. With these features, it is possible to avoid deterioration of image quality even if the resolution is switched.

Abstract: A watermark information embedding apparatus generates a document image from electronic document data that has been input thereto, modifies the electronic document data based upon the document image and embeds information in the electronic document data. The apparatus includes a document image generator for generating a document image from the electronic document data; a document analyzer for detecting layout information of each constituent image in the generated document image; a normalization information calculation unit for calculating normalization information, which is for normalizing placement of each constituent image, based upon the detected layout information; a modification unit for modifying the electronic document data; and an embedding unit for embedding information in the modified electronic document data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus that receives image data scanned by first and second image scanning units and performs various image processing. The apparatus includes first and second blank-sheet detection units that detect whether the scanned image data represent a blank sheet. The image processing apparatus determines storage or deletion of the scanned image data based on detection results of the blank-sheet detection units.

Abstract: A print compression method and system reduces the amount of space required to print a document such that less paper is used during the printing of a document. A user defines criteria, which is used to perform document compression. However, the document compression only applies to the form of document being printed. This compression does not affect the document being edited.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided. The image processing method includes: generating profiles for color reproduction, classified for each of recording papers, from at least one of particular characteristic data of the each recording paper, which is generated on the basis of factors that affect color reproduction and particular generation information of the each recording paper, which is obtained by printing plural patch patterns at the recording paper and performing colorimetry of the printed patch patterns; and when implementing basic extraction control for extracting a profile that matches in at least one of the characteristic data and the generation information, if no profile that matches in at least one of the characteristic data and the generation information is extracted, extracting a profile that approximates in accordance with a pre-specified order of priority determination procedure to be a candidate.

Abstract: An image cropping process of a multifunction peripheral is provided. Firstly, a top edge endpoint of an object image is searched from a band image of an original image. Then, each band image of the original image is read to search the object endpoint coordinate of a to-be-printed object image zone. The object image zone is outputted to be printed. The image cropping process further provides a strategy for detecting spots in order to enhance the accuracy of searching the object image.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, software, and systems of the present invention allow for optimization of color and shades of gray documents prior to their conversion to a monochrome format. If color/gray elements are identified in the document, the distance between them and their intensity is determined. If there are elements with the same or similar intensity in close proximity to each other, colors of some of the elements may be replaced with solid monochrome colors, and/or dithered surfaces, and/or monochrome patterns. Further, the elements may be outlined. These improvements make elements in the document more distinguishable after its conversion to a monochrome format. The described color optimization and outlining may have wide applicability in the Internet Fax technology.

Abstract: In an image forming system, an information processing apparatus (host computer) outputs print data to a printer connected to the apparatus through an interface. The apparatus includes an interface identifying module for identifying the type of the interface, a query module for determining, based on the identified interface type, a quantization method for quantizing print data and/or a compression method, and an image processing module for performing quantization and/or compression on the print data by the determined quantization method and/or compression method. The apparatus outputs, to the printer, the print data processed by the image processing module.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of this invention includes an image forming position correction unit which corrects an inclination or curve of an image in the main scanning direction by converting coordinates designating pixel positions of a bitmap image in the sub-scanning direction. It is discriminated whether image formation is normal image formation or formation of the toner image for detection by an image forming condition correction unit. Based on the discrimination result, the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to correct the image forming position by using the image forming position correction unit in a case in which the image formation is discriminated as the normal image formation, but so as not to correct the image forming position by using the image forming position correction unit in a case in which the image formation is discriminated as formation of the toner image for detection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus 100 that provides an order separator 330 for photographic order fulfillment. The present invention includes one or more output print devices 110 that print one or more photographic prints 320 of a photographic order 402/404/406 using photographic paper 300. Additionally included is a separator print 330 that is a sheet of photographic paper 300 that is larger than the photographic prints 302 of the photographic order 402/404/406. The present invention further includes a system controller 102 that controls the utilization of the photographic paper 300 of the output print devices 110 for the photographic prints 320. The system controller 102 controls whether to create the separator print 330 or the photographic prints 320. The individual separator print 330 creates a tab 401/403/405 separating different photographic orders 402/404/406 of the photographic prints when multiple photographic orders 400 are stacked together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a droplet discharging apparatus including a discharge head for deflectively discharging droplets through one discharge port at a plurality of pixel areas in adaptive fashion. The discharge head is controlled to discharge droplets at an object. A storage unit stores status information about the discharge head. A communication unit communicates with an information processing apparatus located outside so as to transmit the status information to the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: An input unit inputs RAW data. An image generating unit generates an image from the RAW data using a demosaicing processing. A print unit that prints the image.

Abstract: A system for halftone processing is provided. The system includes a programmable halftone segmentation system having one or more programmable parameters to accommodate different input image parameters, such as different printer or scanner parameters, and configured to generate output control data as a function of image input data. A programmable output processor receives the output control data and the image input data and generates image output data that compensates for halftone regions in the image input data.