Abstract: An image forming system includes: a plurality of image forming apparatus each having a storage section; a density conversion data registering section obtaining density conversion data composed of a combination of a voltage value and a density value as colorimetry results of a color sensor and an external colorimeter, respectively, and storing the data into the storage section of the apparatus which forms a density correcting chart to be used for the colorimetry; a paper setting section storing a tray paper profile or a paper profile into a paper setting storage section, with the profiles correlated with at least one piece of the data obtained by the density conversion data registering section; and a correction controlling section making the plurality of image forming apparatus perform printer ? correction based on the data correlated with the paper profile or the tray paper profile at a time of the image formation.

Abstract: An image reading system and an image reading apparatus is provided. The system or apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an original, a determining unit configured to determine whether there exists a folded portion at a corner of the original, and a generating unit configured to generate a file including an image area which stores image data of the original read by the reading unit and a non-image area which stores data other than the image data, and configured to write fold information in the non-image area if the determining unit determines that there exists a folded portion, the fold information indicating that the folded portion exists in the read original.

Abstract: The screened printing data are subjected to a filtering method, the raster information being maintained. Intermediate tonal values are produced by the filtering method, using the binary tonal values, the intermediate tonal values being configured in such a way that, by means of a color space transformation, transformed tonal values and/or intermediate tonal values can be formed which represent a true-to-color proof.

Abstract: A method of forming a dithering mask includes providing a specific sub-dithering mask, and generating a plurality of sub-dithering masks of the dithering mask by adjusting the specific sub-dithering mask. The dithering mask generated by the method includes a plurality of sub-dithering masks, each sub-dithering mask includes (4N)×(4N) dithering values, where N is an integer, and at least two sub-dithering masks of the plurality of sub-dithering masks have different contents. By breaking the regularity in the dithering mask, flickering patterns or visual patterns can be avoided on the screen, thereby raising the displaying quality of the screen.

Abstract: An image-processing method includes: acquiring multi-level tone print data expressed in multi-level tones; determining whether the acquired multi-level tone print data includes line data indicative of a line having a tone; replacing, if the print data includes the line data, the line data with specific line data based on the tone of the line data, the specific line data indicating a specific line having a prescribed tone value and a prescribed structure; and converting the multi-level tone print data to binary data after replacing the line data with the specific line data.

Abstract: A hand-held printer is disclosed. The hand-held printer includes an image sensor configured to determine a color having plurality of color components associated with a print medium, an image processing module configured to process image data into a plurality of color layers; and a print module configured to receive information related to the plurality of color components from the image sensor and information related to the plurality of color layers from the image processing module. The print module being configured to enhance at least one of the plurality of color layers based on at least one of the corresponding plurality of color components associated with the print medium.

Abstract: An apparatus to control a printing density in an image forming device and a method thereof, capable of controlling the printing density of a printed matter according to an amount of pages for a single page and a print rate. The apparatus and method solve a problem wherein the printing density is recognized as being degraded due to an increase of pages for a single paper or a reduced print rate. The printing density is set automatically or manually, and a bias voltage applied to a developing roller is controlled according to set-up information so that the printing density is controlled.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a multi-level unit that applies a multi-level process on binary halftone dot image data indicating a binary halftone dot image, to form multi-level image data; an acquiring unit that acquires a number of screen lines of the binary halftone dot image data; a tone correcting unit that determines a tone correction amount corresponding to the number of screen lines of the binary halftone dot image data acquired by the acquiring unit, and that applies tone correction on the multi-level image data produced by the multi-level unit, by using the determined tone correction amount; and a re-binarizing unit that binarizes the multi-level image data in which the tone is corrected by the tone correcting unit, without changing a halftone dot shape of the binary halftone dot image data, to produce re-binarized halftone dot image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus as provided for determining, for an ink to be deposited on a substrate by a halftone inkjet printing process, a nominal coverage value (the ‘ink restriction value’), that corresponds to an amount of ink sufficient to fully cover the area of the substrate to be printed. This determination is effected by measuring the reflectance of the printed substrate for a range of nominal coverage values, and then using an automatic processing arrangement to determine, from the change of measured reflectance with nominal coverage value, the nominal coverage value at which continuous tone behavior commences.

Abstract: A contone source image is processed to create halftone outputs by identifying intensity thresholds based on the coordinates of the pixels of the source image. The halftone output corresponding to a particular pixel of the contone image in a particular color plane is determined by comparing the intensity of the pixel and any previously accumulated output error to the intensity threshold corresponding to the pixel.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first generation portion that generates a first low-gradation image by performing a first process on an input image to reduce the number of gradations of the input image, a second generation portion that generates a second low-gradation image by performing a second process on the input image to reduce the number of gradations of the input image, a density detector that detects a density of the input image, a determination portion that determines, based on the density, a ratio at which the first low-gradation image and the second low-gradation image are blended together, and a mixing portion that blends the first low-gradation image and the second low-gradation image in accordance with the ratio.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer readable media are provided for calibration of at least one half-tone density in a printer. In one approach, a method is provided comprising the steps of acquiring a plurality of half-tone density values from a respective plurality of test patches generated on a belt in the printer over a period of time, each of the test patches embodying an intended half-tone density, generating a mathematically smoothed half-tone density value from the half-tone density values, and calibrating a half-tone density in the printer based upon the mathematically smoothed half-tone density value.

Abstract: A paper product having at least one ply, a basis weight of greater than 18 g/m2, and indicia having L*a*b* color values disposed thereon is disclosed. The web substrate is defined by the difference in CIELab coordinate values disposed inside the boundary described by a first system of equations and outside the boundary described by a second system of equations.

Abstract: A method of printing an image by a printer having an asymmetric printer resolution includes multi-level halftoning the image by assigning a level out of a number of levels to each pixel of the image. The method further includes determining the number of levels on the basis of the asymmetric printer resolution, selecting for each level a collection of at least one binary pattern, each binary pattern consisting of a plurality of sub-pixels the number of which is determined by the number of levels, selecting for each pixel of the halftoned image a binary pattern from the collection selected for the level assigned to the pixel, transforming each pixel of the halftoned image into the selected binary pattern, and printing the binary patterns of the transformed pixels using the asymmetric printer resolution. A printer is configured to perform the method.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus that improves the visibility of a character and its background in different colors or of outline characters is provided. Specifically, outline character bold data is inverted and each of the pixels in the data is expanded to adjacent eight pixels. Then, the expanded outline character is processed into expanded inverted data. The logical AND of the inverted expanded data and K data on a background image is then calculated to generate K data with the outline character expanded. This results in an image with the outline character expanded. That is, the present invention enables characters with improved visibility and free from blurredness to be printed while preventing the adverse effect of bleeding on the outline character.

Abstract: In a recording medium selecting step, a recording medium on which an image is to be formed is selected from among a plurality of recording media having unique color tones. In a mode setting step, it is determined whether the image is to be output in a monochrome mode. In a signal converting step, a luminance signal corresponding to the image is converted into a density signal when the monochrome mode is set in the mode setting step. In a forming step, an image is formed on the recording medium selected in the recording medium selecting step according to the density signal. The signal converting step is controlled so that a color tone of an intermediate-density portion of the image formed on the recording medium is set to be near a*=A in the a*b* plane of the CIE-L*a*b* space, where A is a constant.

Abstract: A disclosed image processing apparatus includes an adjusting unit configured to convert input image data into image formation data, an arithmetic unit configured to calculate an image formation ink cost based on the converted image formation data, and a determining unit configured to compare the calculated image formation ink cost with a black-and-white image formation ink cost, wherein the calculated image formation ink cost is fixed based on a determination result of the first determining unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms a color image using image carriers for a plurality of colors by electrophotography. The image forming apparatus stores, for each color, information on the shift amount between an ideal scanning line and an actual scanning line in the main scanning direction on the image carrier. For each color, a color misregistration correction amount calculation unit converts a readout address in a bitmap memory (403), based on the stored shift amount information, and reads out image data. A color misregistration correction unit (404) performs tone correction for the readout image data based on the address, outputting image data containing the value of the decimal part. A multi-level error diffusion unit (405) performs quantization by multi-level error diffusion processing for the tone-corrected image data containing the value of the decimal part.

Abstract: An image processing section includes a density correction adjustment section, and in response to an instruction from a density correction process section to adjust a density correction process, the density correction adjustment section reviews a conversion value table which is used by the density correction process section to calculate an output correction value by conversion, so as to adjust the density correction process.

Abstract: When an input value is a standard value which is smaller than a maximum value (for example, 230), all pixels of a screen matrix is printed with the same output value (for example, 195), when the input value is within the range not more than the standard value, the output value is limited to not more than 195, and number of the pixels is changed so as to express graduation. In the range where the input value exceeds the standard value, the graduation is expressed by changing the output value of each pixel in the range above 195 while printing all the pixels of the screen.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a primary image as input data and receiving textured image data for rendering a perceived non-uniform texture on a printed output of the primary image. The primary image input data is used for determining a low coverage portion and a high coverage portion. The method then includes applying clear toner to the low coverage portion and applying colored toner at variable anisotropic orientations to the high coverage portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processing unit configured to perform halftone processing for input image data and output halftone image data, a determination unit configured to determine a mixing ratio based on a difference value between a low frequency component of the halftone image data and a low frequency component of the input image data, and a mixing unit configured to mix the input image data and the halftone image data based on the mixing ratio.

Abstract: Even when print data whose print density is high is printed, lowering of print efficiency according to long print operation time is restrained. In a print apparatus for printing received data received from an upper apparatus by repeatedly moving a print head, an expanding section that expands the received data into print image data; a confirming section that confirms a print density of the print image data and confirms existence/inexistence of high-density print data whose print density is higher than a predetermined value; a determining section that calculates a print operation time in the case to print by moving the print head in a forward direction and a print operation time in the case to print by moving the print head in a backward direction and determines a print direction according to these print operation time; and a print controlling section that prints in the determined direction are furnished.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described for processing and reproducing a document including both text and half-tone images without generating undesirable image artifacts. A band-pass FIR filter with a predetermined frequency response is used to transform pixels in an input image to sharpen text edge and smooth pre-half-toned areas, and perform error diffusion and cluster dot screening methods on the transformed pixels. The FIR filter has unity gain at DC to preserve image brightness. An integrated error diffused cluster-dot screening approach is used to suppress moiré and other image artifacts, while providing a robust, crisp output.

Abstract: A printer includes a display, a storing module, a picture decoder, a selecting module, a recorder, and a printing module. The storing module is configured to store a plurality of pictures. The picture decoder is configured to read a selected picture from the storing module, decode the selected picture and display the selected picture on the display. The selecting module is configured to draw a frame to surround a selected part of the selected picture. The recorder is configured to record the position and the size of the selected part. The printing module is configured to print the selected part.

Abstract: A method for controlling the printing of overlapping swathes, the swathes extending perpendicular to a succession of print lines; for each print line a transition is defined between one swathe and the next, with the location of the transition in the print line varying between print lines, for example varying pseudo-randomly or as a curve extending in the swathe direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first density correction unit that corrects density correction characteristics in correcting density of print image data to be output by using a density correction patch formed in an image forming process; a second density correction unit that corrects the density correction characteristics by using a density correction patch printed on a recording sheet; an image inspection unit that compares an image density of inspection image data obtained by scanning a printed output image with an image density of the print image data to be output, thereby inspecting a magnitude of a density change in the printed output image; and a density control unit that selects one from the first and second density correction units according to the magnitude of the density change and causes the density correction characteristics to be corrected by the selected one from the first and second density correction units.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a first screen processing unit, a moiré component calculation unit, a first correction unit, and a second screen processing unit. The first screen processing unit performs screen processing on image data to form screen processed image data. The moiré component calculation unit calculates an original moiré component that corresponds to a low-frequency component of the screen processed image data and a low-frequency component of the image data. The first correction unit corrects the image data based on a calculated moiré component. The second screen processing unit performs the screen processing on the corrected image data.

Abstract: An image glossiness controller has a main component color specifying unit that identifies a prescribed component color and output identification information thereof. A change in amplitude of a convexoconcavity of a toner layer of the prescribed component color is greatest among those of the other component colors when each of the component color toner is formed and fixed alone. Three or more halftone dot signal generators convert clear toner image information into three or more binary clear toner image signals corresponding to three or more component colors per component color pixel using multiple halftone dot characteristics, respectively. Each of the multiple halftone dot characteristics generating three or more binary clear toner image signals has a reversed phase from that generating three or more binary component color image signals.

Abstract: A method of halftoning a continuous-tone image includes the step of expressing a transition tone intensity by a maximum population density of halftone dots equal in size and having a transition dot size. Expressing tone intensities darker than the transition tone intensity includes increasing dot sizes beyond the transition dot size of the maximum population. Expressing tone intensities lighter than the transition tone intensity includes using a population density lesser than the maximum population density, and each relatively darker tone includes a relatively smaller dot size and a relatively larger population density than each relatively lighter tone.

Abstract: A print control terminal including a user interface to receive a setting of a print command and print options of a document, a screen selection unit to select a halftone screen to be applied to the document, a transparency multiple number selection unit to select a transparency multiple number to correspond to the selected halftone screen, a print data generation unit to generate print data of the document according to the selected transparency multiple number, and a communication interface to transmit the generated print data and the print options to the image forming apparatus. A transparency multiple number is changed according to the characteristics of a halftone screen to improve quality of an output image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus regardless of usage environment, at any time, for any occasion, without requiring a dedicated chart or device, spatial frequency conversion method and program for the apparatus that can calculate spatial frequency response characteristics necessary for calibration. The apparatus includes first and second image reading units reading a print-out image of a patch image stored in a storage section, and first and second spatial frequency conversion units performing spatial frequency conversion on images read by first and second reading units. Based on the amounts of change, caused through processing by first spatial frequency conversion unit, in spatial frequency response, the apparatus determines a patch image used for spatial frequency conversion, and calculates correction amounts for conversion by first and second spatial frequency conversion units, according to a result of spatial frequency conversion, using the patch image, by first and second spatial frequency conversion units.

Abstract: A printing method, and an image forming apparatus and image forming system to perform the method, the method including performing a multi-bit halftoning of a pixel of image data if the pixel is to be printed with a dark developer, performing a single-bit halftoning of the pixel if the pixel is to be printed with a light developer, and printing the halftoned image data.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a density detector that detects image density, and a memory that stores information relating image density to dot size. When a dot size is specified, the image forming device automatically obtains the corresponding image density from the information in the memory, prints a test pattern, compares its density with the density corresponding to the specified dot size, and adjusts an image forming parameter until the density corresponding to the specified dot size is obtained. Dot size can be accurately adjusted in this way without the need for elaborate measuring equipment. In particular, the size of dots used to embed invisible information in images can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: An image forming device has: a droplet ejecting head that ejects droplets with respect to a recording medium and can form dots of plural diameters; and a control unit that, on the basis of image data expressing a tone value of each pixel in an image to be formed on the recording medium, controls sizes of droplets ejected from the droplet ejecting head such that, in a case in which the tone value is within a predetermined tone range, first dots, whose diameter is greater than a predetermined diameter, are formed at a recording rate that satisfies a predetermined formula, and second dots, whose diameter is less than or equal to the predetermined diameter, are formed between the first dots at a recording rate corresponding to the tone value.

Abstract: A system for creating a data-bearing image can include a reference image generator configured to apply a clustered-dot halftone screen to a continuous-tone image. The resulting reference halftone image includes carrier cells in which a pixel cluster can be shifted to at least two shift positions in the carrier cell. The system also includes a payload encoder configured to segment the data payload and encode data segments into one of the carrier cells by shifting the cluster to one of the shift positions. The system also includes an output device configured to output the resulting data-bearing halftone image.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image output unit, an image input unit, and a tone-correction-parameter generation unit. The image output unit outputs a tone-correction-parameter generation sheet to generate a parameter for correcting a tone of an input image. The tone-correction-parameter generation sheet includes a plurality of patches for at least two types of screens. At least one of the at least two types of screens includes more patches of an identical color and tone than at least another of the at least two types of screens. The image input unit inputs a representative value of each patch read from the tone-correction-parameter generation sheet outputted by the image output unit. The tone-correction-parameter generation unit generates the parameter in accordance with a plurality of representative values inputted by the image input unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an exposure device for exposing an image bearing member to light in accordance with monochromatic image data provided by color separation of inputted multi-color image data to form an electrostatic latent image; a control device for calculating an exposure amount of each pixel of the monochromatic image data to expose the image bearing member with the calculated exposure amount; wherein the control device includes a monochromatic correcting device for calculating a correction amount in accordance with a pixel value of a pixel around a target pixel of the monochromatic image data to correct an exposure amount of the target pixel on the basis of the calculated amount; wherein the control device includes a multi-color correcting device for providing a coefficient for correction of the exposure amount on the basis of the multi-color image data; wherein the monochromatic correcting device controls the exposure amount using the coefficient and the correction amount provided by

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a correcting unit that performs enlarging or reducing correction on an image to be processed by determining an arrangement of pixels that are to be added to or deleted from gradational image data of the image to be processed based on an angle at which the pixels are to be arranged with respect to a horizontal direction of the image to be processed or with respect to a vertical direction of the image to be processed, and a pixel array control unit that changes the angle at which the pixels are arranged based on a test image of the image data to be processed after being corrected by the correcting unit.

Abstract: Compensation for rendering device non-uniformities is provided for halftoned images. A spatially dependent tone reproduction curve (TRC) provides compensation values. Pixel location information is used to access TRC values. For example, the values are modification values. The modification values are added to the pixel values to generate combined values. Quantization is applied to the combined values to prepare compensated image data for rendering. For example, Rank Ordered Error Diffusion is applied to the combined values. The combined values may include diffused error from previously processed pixels. Gray values may be estimated for the respective pixels. The estimated gray values may be used to access compensation information from a TRC that is both spatially and gray value dependent. Mathematical basis decomposition is used to reduce TRC memory requirements.

Abstract: There is provided a data processing device that includes an obtaining unit that obtains a first image data set, a second image data set generated by reading an image formed using the first image data set, and a property data set indicating the properties of a recording medium on which the image is to be reproduced. The data processing device also includes a specifying unit that determines a threshold for a density difference between the first image data set and the second image data set, wherein the threshold depends on the property data set. The specifying unit also determines an error area where the density difference between images expressed by the first and second image data sets is equal to or greater than the threshold.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an additional image formation unit configured to form an additional image having a first predetermined density. At least a part of the additional image is overlaid with a main image having a second predetermined density, the main image being formed on an image formation medium. A boundary image formation unit is configured to form a boundary image which is formed in an area defined in the vicinity of an overlaid area where the additional image is overlaid with the main image. A density of the boundary image is lower than both the first predetermined density and the second predetermined density. A synthesized image formation unit is configured to synthesize the main image, additional image and the boundary image to form a synthesized image.

Abstract: A method of file preparation, ripping and plate making for high end graphics printed on cylindrical products utilizing Dry Offset printing presses. While utilizing two inverse angle techniques and one fixed angle on the Black, with virtually unlimited color pluralities, encompassing a majority of all open areas of the common printing blanket without any ink overlap. The nesting of the halftone dots at even coarse line screen rulings eliminating a dot rosette pattern and creating a continuous tone appearance. Print contrast is increased to that of offset printing quality and ink contamination over the course of the run length is virtually eliminated. This current invention also increases the ability to print white with colors as opposed to needing white coating done in advanced to transparent plastics and metallic surfaces.

Abstract: A disclosed method for setting multiple tones in a halftone process upon recording an image using ink includes the steps of: dividing the image into plural dot areas; and setting the multiple tones such that at least one dot area to which the ink is not attached is present between dot areas to which the ink is attached.

Abstract: A method for controlling an image processing apparatus includes obtaining image data from a detachable memory unit, estimating whether the obtained image data is image data read by a scanner, and in a case where it is estimated that the obtained image data is image data read by the scanner, performing control not to execute predetermined screen processing on the image data.

Abstract: A method of enabling preparing a printing system calibrated with a first halftone screen for printing with a second halftone screen. The calibration is represented by calibration data. Calibration data for the second halftone screen is produced from the existing calibration data of the first halftone screen without resorting to previous calibration data for the second halftone screen, based on correlation data which represent a first-order correlation between the halftone screens.

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: A method and apparatus are provided for compensating for spatial non-uniformities in a printer by deriving a true spatial non-uniformity tone response curve (TRC) that characterizes the printer in terms of color output variation for each addressable pixel location in a spatial range. The “true average” tone response curve is determined for a color channel. A prediction of the true response as a function of the spatial location is derived by printing and scanning a specially designed halftone-independent target of binary patterns. The predicted tone response curve for each color channel and halftone is predicted using a binary printer model, wherein the “predicted tone response curve” provides a model based approximation of the actual response for each addressable pixel location in the spatial range. Also stored is an “average predicted tone response” by averaging the “predicted tone response curve” over the spatial range of the printer.

Abstract: The detected surface (patch section) of the sheet Ps for detection, the bulkhead plate 91 and the density calibration reference section 99 fall within the focus depth L? of the color density sensor 80. The opening section 74 of the ejection side conveyance path 70 is covered except at color density detection so that heat and vapor of oil and wax originated form the sheet P through the fixing process do not reach color density sensor side.

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.