Abstract: This invention provides a printing apparatus that performs printing on a print medium. The printing apparatus includes: a dot data generator that performs a halftone process on image data, wherein the print image is formed by mutually combining print pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel position groups for which a physical difference is assumed at a formation of dots by the print image generator, in a common print area, and the halftone process is configured to determine the status of dot formation on each of the print pixels on an assumption of the physical difference.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a color information acquiring unit that acquires color information of each scanning line of each head in a main scanning direction; and a correction unit that corrects a parameter used for a halftone process of a scanning line in the main scanning direction and a parameter used for a halftone process of an adjacent line adjacent to the scanning line, and, based on the acquired color information, corrects a difference in colors of the scanning line and the adjacent line.

Abstract: An automated rule-based system for facilitating delivery of a fax document from a source to a destination over a network where an initial delivery attempt has been unsuccessful. Actions to be taken are based upon a time-variable set of input conditions which may be determined from one or more of the destination, the source, a database of past delivery attempts, and a human analyst. The actions may include one or more of resubmitting the fax document to the network for a next delivery attempt, cancelling the document, sending a request to the source or destination for additional delivery information, and identifying the destination as a technical problem. The input conditions may include an identification of non-business days and non-business hours.

Abstract: The invention provides printing method of printing on a printing medium. The method includes: generating dot data representing a status of dot formation on each of print pixels of a print image to be formed on the print medium, by performing a halftone process on image data representing, a input tone value of each of pixels constituting an original image; providing a print head having a plurality of nozzle groups that eject inks of mutually different colors; and generating the print image by mutually combining dot groups of multiple colors formed in at least one scan in a common print area, by forming each dot group with each of the plurality of nozzle groups during each scan of the print head in response to the dot data, the each of the dot groups being mutually different in color.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a buffer to store n lines of data divided into areas of column units. The apparatus obtains information of a column position corresponding to an end of an image to be printed with respect to a scanning direction of a print head. The apparatus reads data from the areas of the column units including the column position information and reduces the data to generate reduced data. The apparatus compresses the reduced data by using a pattern having n lines of data to generate first compressed data. Then, the apparatus compresses the first compressed data by k-bit units to generate second compressed data.

Abstract: A printing method includes: providing a print head that includes a plurality of nozzle arrays for ejecting at least 3 colors of inks; performing a halftone process with a dither matrix on image data to generate dot data that represents a state of dot formation at each pixel. The dither matrix includes a single reference matrix that is set by determining threshold values in the reference matrix based on a predetermined index value being calculated based on an arrangement pattern of at least two colors of dot groups among M colors (M is an integer of at least 3 and less or equal to N) of dot groups among the at least N colors of dot groups, with respect to at least some tone values among the input tone values.

Abstract: A halftoning device that converts an input pixel signal of 8 bits per pixel into an output pixel signal of r bits per pixel(r<8), the halftoning device includes: a gradation correction unit that expands the input pixel signal into an expanded pixel signal of n bits per pixel(n>8); a threshold value array storage that stores a threshold value array having a threshold value of 8 bits; and a threshold value expansion unit that expands the threshold value of 8 bits to expanded threshold value of n bits per pixel. A range of the expanded pixel signal output from the gradation correction unit is matched with a range of the expanded threshold value. The output pixel signal is set according to a comparison of the expanded pixel signal with the expanded threshold value corresponding to the threshold value that is selected for each input pixel signal.

Abstract: An image data generation device is provided with: an image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data; a division unit for spatially dividing the acquired data by a plurality of matrices; a priority order setting element for setting the priority order for performing gradation conversion of picture elements that make up the image data that corresponds to each of the matrices, and sets the priority order so that the priority order becomes lower going from picture elements located in the center of the matrix toward picture elements located on the outside edges of the matrix; a gradation conversion member for performing gradation conversion of the picture elements according to the priority order; and an image data generation unit for generating image data for printing based on a dot pattern that is formed by the picture elements after the gradation conversion.

Abstract: Since a less-than-one-pixel-basis correction and a one-pixel-basis correction are constantly performed on an image after halftoning, unevenness in density disadvantageously occur depending on a halftoning method. According to the halftoning method, whether the less-than-one-pixel-basis correction is performed on a continuous tone image or the one-pixel-basis correction is performed on a halftone image is switched. The one-pixel-basis correction is constantly performed on the halftone image.

Abstract: A dithering method includes: utilizing a plurality of large dithering masks to perform dithering on a first set of Least Significant Bits (LSBs) of M-bit video data, utilizing a plurality of small dithering masks to perform dithering on a second set of LSBs of the M-bit video data, and adjusting the content of at least one of the plurality of large dithering masks and/or the content of at least one of the plurality of small dithering masks on a frame-by-frame basis. Each of the plurality of large dithering masks includes a plurality of sub-dithering masks. Each of the plurality of sub-dithering masks includes a plurality of dithering thresholds. Each of the plurality of small dithering masks includes a plurality of dithering thresholds.

Abstract: A disclosed dither matrix is used in halftone processing for converting input image data having M input halftone levels into output image data having N (M>N>2) output halftone levels. In the halftone processing, a concentration type dither matrix is used as the dither matrix when an input halftone level is within a range of input halftone levels corresponding to an output halftone level that is lower than a predetermined threshold level T (N>T>1), and a dispersion type dither matrix is used as the dither matrix when the input halftone level is within a range of input halftone levels corresponding to an output halftone level that is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold level T.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method for reducing reconstruction artifacts in a combined image constructed of a multiple images is provided. The method may include identifying pixels in images that are in a selected range. The identified pixels are replaced the with a substitute pixel value. The images with the substitute pixel values are combined to form a combined image having reduced reconstruction artifacts.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment reproduces an image by receiving an input contone array of M contone data values. The contone data values may lie within a range from 1 to N. The embodiment includes comparing each contone data value to an array of M sets of pattern look-up tables to generate an array of M pattern values. M may be a number of one or more. Each pattern value in the array of M pattern values may be decoded to a corresponding K by L multi-pixel pattern of binary data. The binary data is rendered by a reprographic device.

Abstract: There is provided a dither pattern capable of reducing deterioration in image quality caused due to beading by suppressing the occurrence of grains in printing images using a plurality of color inks. If among threshold dots, for which repulsive force potentials are totalized, a threshold dot Do has the largest total, a change in repulsive force potential is obtained between before and after the movement of dot Do. The threshold dot Do is moved to a dot with the smallest total of repulsive force potentials between before and after its movement. By repeating this process, the total energy of all the three planes can be reduced, achieving a dot distribution, in which the number of low frequency components is reduced and the dots are appropriately dispersed, for superposed dither patterns.

Abstract: A color processor includes: an acquisition unit that acquires first and second multi-valued color signals respectively indicating in a multi-valued manner quantities of first and second color materials used for reproducing color with a specific hue, the second color material having a different density from the first color material; a generation unit that generates first and second binary color signals by performing dither processing, respectively with first and second dither matrices, for the first and second multi-valued color signals acquired by the acquisition unit, the second dither matrix having the same angle and the same number of lines as the first dither matrix and being used for forming halftone dots at positions different from positions of halftone dots formed by use of the first dither matrix; and an output unit that outputs to a print mechanism the first and second binary color signals generated by the generation unit.

Abstract: A programmable system for dithering video data. The system is operable in at least two user-selectable modes which can include a small kernel mode and a large kernel mode. In some embodiments, the system is operable in at least one mode in which it applies two or more kernels (each from a different kernel sequence) to each block of video words. Each kernel sequence repeats after a programmable number of the blocks (e.g., a programmable number of frames containing the blocks) have been dithered. The period of repetition is preferably programmable independently for each kernel sequence. The system preferably includes a frame counter for each kernel sequence. Each counter generates an interrupt when the number of frames of data dithered by kernels of the sequence has reached a predetermined value. In response to the interrupt, software can change the kernel sequence being applied. Typically, the system performs both truncation and dithering on words of video data.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of generating a dither matrix that stores each of a plurality of threshold values in each of elements for determining a status of dot formation of each print pixel of a print image to be produced on a printing medium by carrying out halftone processing on image data.

Abstract: Provided is a printer controller for a pagewidth printer having a printhead configured to print ink supplied from an ink cartridge with print quality information. The controller includes a processor having an address, data and control bus, an expander unit and a decoder unit each coupled to the bus and configured to receive a page having a bi-level black layer and a continuous tone (“contone”) layer, to decompress the respective layers in parallel, to halftone the contone layer data to bi-level data, and to composite the bi-level black layer over the bi-level data to form an image. The controller also includes a replaceable ink cartridge comprising a first integrated circuit (IC) containing the print quality information and which is configured to be interfaced with the processor.

Abstract: The invention provides printing method of printing on a printing medium. The method includes: generating dot data representing a status of dot formation on each of print pixels of a print image to be formed on the print medium, by performing a halftone process on image data representing a input tone value of each of pixels constituting an original image; and generating the print image with a print head by mutually combining a plurality dot groups in a common print area, each of the plurality dot groups being formed in each scan of the print head in response to the dot data. The generating dot data comprise setting a condition for the halftone process for reducing contact between dot groups formed consecutively by a plurality of temporally consecutive scan within at least part of tone values.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a saving mode in which imaging materials to be used are reduced, includes: an image processing part that converts image data from which an image will be formed into corresponding image data in an output color space; and an image forming part that forms the image from the image data converted by the image processing part, using the imaging materials, the image processing part reducing a color component of non-dominant (n+m)-component color mixed into a dominant n-component color in the image data converted, where n and m are integers of 1 or greater.

Abstract: An image data compression method includes the steps of dividing image data into predetermined regions, generating modeled data by extracting a feature of the image data for each of the regions, performing trial calculation of data quantity of compressed data that is generated by a thinning-out process in which data is thinned out from the modeled data based on a threshold value concerning the thinning-out process, determining a thinning-out threshold value that is a threshold value such that the data quantity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined target data quantity, and performing the thinning-out process based on the thinning-out threshold value so that compressed data is generated.

Abstract: Methods 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: Techniques are disclosed for selectively dithering only a subset of a digital image. One or more ranges of digits are selected for dithering. Only those pixels having digits within the selected range(s) in the digital image are dithered. The image is printed after being selectively dithered. Digits may be selected for dithering if they have values within the range(s) of one or more non-monotonic regions of a printer transfer function. Dithering may be performed on the subset of the digital image by applying a nonlinear transformation is applied to the image and adding a dither pattern to the transformed image. The result is quantized, and the inverse of the nonlinear transformation is applied to the quantized image to produce a dithered image. The nonlinear transformation is constructed such that the effects of the dither pattern appear only in that subset of the image having digits in the selected range(s).

Abstract: A pattern generating unit generates correction patterns on a transfer belt. Detection sensors detect the correction patterns, and amounts of magnification correction, amounts of misregistration in the main- and the sub-scanning direction are calculated. The amount of skew between each of colors is then calculated, and a position where an image is divided and a direction for shifting a divided image are determined. Possible dividing-positions are also determined, and a calculated dividing position and each of the possible dividing positions are compared with one another. Then, a possible dividing position closest to the calculated dividing position is set as an actual dividing position.

Abstract: A method for processing digital image data (ID) is proposed wherein a step (B) of processing digital image data (ID) comprises or realizes a sub-step (B?) of image improvement with respect to said digital image data (ID) which uses or which is based on a process of re-mapping (REM) together with a process of dithering (DIT).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing image data representing a color separation or mono-color image includes processing the color separation image data or mono-color image data in accordance with first and second or more halftone screen processings at different screen angles and obtaining results of the processings and combining the results of the processings to generate composite image data of the first and second or more halftone screen processings. The resulting print of the composite image data forms relatively pleasing rosettes or diamond structures in the particular color.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dot data processing apparatus for generating data of dots to be formed on a printing medium.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a determining device, a mode setting device, a storage device, and a dither matrix selecting device that selects a dither matrix corresponding to the one of the plurality of image output modes set by the mode setting device as a dither matrix used by the determining device, wherein when a predetermined image output mode is set by the mode setting device, the dither matrix selecting device selects a dither matrix for higher levels than those of the input image data.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a storing unit and a creating unit. The storing unit stores a dither matrix. The dither matrix has a plurality of dot regions and has a threshold value at each of the dot regions. The plurality of dot regions are divided into a plurality of sub-matrices. The creating unit is configured to create binary image data by comparing an input value to the threshold value. The plurality of sub-matrices includes a first sub-matrix and a second sub-matrix. The first sub-matrix has a first threshold value smallest among threshold values in the first sub-matrix. The second sub-matrix has a plurality of threshold values that are smaller than the first threshold value and are arranged adjacent to each other. Each of all remaining sub-matrices has at least one threshold value smaller than the first threshold value. The plurality of sub-matrices include a third sub-matrix and a fourth sub-matrix.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a receiving section, an edge detection section and a screen processing section. The receiving section receives image information. The edge detection section detects an edge area from the image information received by the receiving section. The screen processing section performs a screen process, which is based on area coverage modulation, for the image information on a basis of the detection result by the edge detection section. The screen processing section performs a screen process for the edge area detected by the edge detection section with (i) a screen angle, which is equal to that of a screen process performed for a non-edge area other than the edge area, and (ii) a number of lines per inch, which is an integer multiple of that of the screen process performed for the non-edge area.

Abstract: Sets of multiple pixels are grouped into pixel groups, and on the basis of tone value distribution in each pixel group, it is decided whether to divide the pixel group. For pixel groups that are not divided, a representative tone value is determined for the pixel group, and for pixel groups that are divided, a representative tone value is determined for each region created by the division. Next, from multilevel halftoning result values derived by multilevel halftoning of the representative tone values, the dot on-off state is determined for each pixel in the pixel groups, and the image is output. At this time, for divided pixel groups, the dot on-off state is determined for each pixel in the regions, based on the multilevel halftoning result value for each region. With multilevel halftoning result values, data creation and transfer can be performed rapidly.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of detecting the dynamic range of input image data, performing edge enhancement processing to increase the number of grayscale levels of the input image data, and performing dithering processing to reduce the number of grayscale levels of each pixel of the input image data. The number of pseudo grayscale levels is determined based on a parameter indicating the level of the dynamic range and a parameter indicating the level of the edge enhancement processing.

Abstract: A method for optical dithering and a dither device comprising a mounting structure, a refractive optic, an optic mounting structure surrounding the optic, and one or more linear drive motors. Four linear coils are preferably employed together with a control system operating in open loop mode. The dither device and method provides double resolution to a detector receiving output therefrom. The invention can operate in a single axis or in two axes.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a processor for quantizing multi-gradation image data with regard to each of R, G and B to convert it into pseudo halftone output image data. First, the processor performs a first quantization for deciding a dot appearance pattern C(B)i,j[k] with respect to an observed pixel of the multi-gradation image data with regard to blue. After that, the processor performs a second quantization for deciding the dot appearance pattern of green with respect to the observed pixel so as to make an anti-correlation with the dot appearance pattern C(B)i,j[k] decided by the first quantization.

Abstract: To generate a threshold matrix which is compared with an original image in creating a halftone dot image for each color component, in a matrix area for one color component, dot centers are arranged almost uniformly in a random fashion at a predetermined density and in a matrix area for another color component, dot centers are arranged almost uniformly in a random fashion at a density about 0.7 times the predetermined density. Then, threshold values are set so that dots should grow around the dot centers in accordance with an increase in gray level of the original image, to generate the threshold matrix for each color component. In creating the halftone dot images by using these threshold matrixes, characteristics of spatial frequency of the halftone dot images of these color components can be represented in a frequency space as areas (75K, 75C) in a shape of concentric rings.

Abstract: An image forming system includes: a data conversion unit that converts first image data into second image data; and an image output unit that outputs an image obtained by reproducing the second image data. The data conversion unit includes: a determination unit which divides the first image data into a dot block each includes plural pieces of dot data, and determines whether or not an array of dot data included in each dot block corresponds to a specific array; and a replacement unit which replaces the data out of the second image data, which is located in a portion corresponding to the dot block, with first replacement data including image forming dot data with which an image is formed. The specific array includes a first array in which the dot data to be thinned out is configured as the image forming dot data, and the dot data not to be thinned out is configured as non-image forming dot data with which an image is not formed.

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: A multi-bit halftone generating system provides for halftone intergeneration in printers which can print dots of plural gray scale levels. Input image data includes information for more gray scale levels than can be handled by those associated with a printing device. Higher order bits of the pixels of the electronic document are used to select a gray scale level from those available from the printer. Remaining bits are used to generate a halftone pattern which is superimposed upon this selected gray scale. Thus, improved dither rendering is quickly and efficiently accomplished and improved image generation results from using the gray scales available from the printing device.

Abstract: The invention provides a dither matrix generating method. This method generates a dither matrix for determining a status of dot formation on each of print pixels of a print image to be formed on a print medium in response to input image data.

Abstract: In an image processor, a data corrector corrects input image data, a determining unit determines an output tone value of a target pixel from the corrected image data and threshold, and a calculator calculates a difference between the output tone value and the corrected image data as an error value. The threshold is set in such manner that a rate of change of the mean error of the error values with respect to a change in the input tone value is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Methods 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: Methods 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: A method for compressing image data includes a first step for dividing image data into predetermined areas and determining a representative value about density of pixels in each area, a second step for determining density of pixels included in each area by using the representative value of the area and an interpolation rule, a third step for determining reproducibility of an image obtained, on the basis of the density of pixels determined in the second step, by using the image data and a dither pattern that is used for a pseudo gradation process performed on the image data, and a fourth step for encoding, on the basis of the representative value determined in the first step, for areas that are determined to have a good reproducibility in the third step.

Abstract: A main vector: m^=(mx, my) and a sub-vector: s^=(sx, sy) determining cyclic structure of a basic matrix are defined, and a positional vector for a pixel configuring the basic matrix Pi^=(Pix, Piy) is defined, where the suffix i denotes an i-th pixel configuring the basic matrix. Then, the pixels configuring the basic matrix are arranged in such a manner as to satisfy the cyclic structure, and transformation of Pi^?Pi^+km^+ls^ is carried out where k and l are arbitrary integers, and may be negative values. Then a new shape of the basic matrix is obtained with Pi^+km^+ls^ as a new pixel positional vector Pi^.

Abstract: An image printing process of the invention first specifies a pixel group tone value of each pixel group consisting of a preset number of multiple pixels and refers to one of correlation maps selected for the pixel group to convert the specified pixel group tone value to a multivalue code. Each of the correlation maps sets multivalue codes in correlation to pixel group tone values. The multivalue codes of all pixel groups constituting an image are output as control data to an image output device. The image output device determines the dot on-off state in respective pixels of each pixel group according to the received control data and actually creates dots on an output medium to complete an output image. Each correlation map referred to for the multivalue coding has a slightly lower tone resolution in a higher tone value area than in a lower tone value area. This arrangement desirably reduces the data volume of the control data, while preventing deterioration of the picture quality.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of detecting a dynamic range of input image data, performing resolution conversion processing to increase the number of grayscale levels of the input image data, and performing dithering processing to reduce the number of grayscale levels of each pixel of the input image data. The number of pseudo grayscale levels in the dithering processing is determined, based on a parameter indicating the level of the dynamic range and a parameter concerning the resolution conversion processing.

Abstract: For improving the grey scale portrayal, several dithering methods are used: Cell-based dithering, multi-mask dithering or error diffusion. Each of them has specific disadvantages. A simple combination of them does not bring expected advantages. However, an improvement is obtained if the result of the multi-mask dithering is used for controlling the error diffusion by a switch, for example.

Abstract: A printing control device includes an input image data acquiring unit, a threshold acquiring unit, a determining unit, and a generating unit. The input image data acquiring unit acquires input image data. The input image data includes a plurality of input pixel data. Each input pixel data has an input value. The determining unit determines, for each input pixel data, a difference related value based on a difference between the input value and a threshold value corresponding to the input value. The generating unit generates print data by generating, for each input pixel data, output pixel data based on the difference related value. The output pixel data expresses density corresponding to the difference related value.

Abstract: Efficiently processing contone image data by determining one or more characteristics of the image data and using these characteristics to manipulate the dither matrix so that the printed image is enhanced.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus that performs a dither processing using a dither matrix based on the result of determination of the segmentation class to which the pixel to be processed belongs, to perform the dither processing, any of a plurality of pairs of threshold values is selected according to the result of determination of the segmentation class, and the selected pair of threshold values are compared with the value of the pixel to be processed, which are set so that in correspondence with each position of a dither matrix of a same configuration and a same size, a different dither processing is performed according to the result of determination of the segmentation class on part of the dither matrix and a same dither processing is performed irrespective of the result of determination of the segmentation class on the remainder of the dither matrix.