Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that include a processor executing a program to process an initial image through a first diffusion stage to generate a final first stage image, wherein the first diffusion stage includes using a diffusion model, a gradient estimator model smaller than the diffusion model, and a text-image match gradient calculator. The processor further executes the program to process the final first stage image through a second diffusion stage to generate a final second stage image. The second diffusion stage includes, for a second predetermined number of iterations, inputting the final first stage image to through the diffusion model, back-propagate the image through the text-image match gradient calculator to calculate a second stage gradient against the input text, and update the final first stage image by applying the second stage gradient to the final first stage image.

Abstract: At the time of printing a color page image in monochrome, multi-dimensional color component values of each object included in the color page image are converted into a gray value. Then, in the processing to widen a difference between a first gray value and a second gray value, in a case where a color represented by the first color component value and a color represented by the second color component value do not belong to the same color group, the difference between the first gray value and the second gray value is made larger than that in a case where both the colors belong to the same color group.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes circuitry to derive, referring to a dictionary in which a target color having brightness and gloss is associated with a combination of amounts of color materials including one or more process color materials and a color material having brightness and gloss, amounts of the one or more process color materials and another amount of another color material, such that an amount corresponding to at least a part of the one or more process color materials corresponding to the target color in the dictionary is replaced with the another amount of the another color material. The combination of the amounts of color materials is for reproducing the target color included in an image formed by an image forming apparatus. The circuitry further updates the dictionary with the amounts of the one or more process color materials and the another amount of the another color material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an output section that forms an electrostatic latent image onto an image carrier by using light emitted by a light source and outputs an image onto a recording medium by developing the formed electrostatic latent image; a memory that stores a sinusoidal set value representing a correction amount for correcting periodic density variations that occur in an image, which is to be formed, in a subscanning direction and that are caused by a rotating body, and a correction table in which correction amounts for correcting density variations that occur in an image, which is to be formed, in the subscanning direction and that are not caused by a rotating body are each stored in association with a corresponding position in the subscanning direction; and a processor configured to: calculate a first correction amount corresponding to a rotation phase of a rotating body included in the output section on a basis of the sinusoidal set value and retrieve a second correction amount correspo

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a print execution section and a controller. The print execution section includes: a printing head having nozzles, an ink having a specified color being discharged from the nozzles; a head driver which drives the printing head to form dots having the specified color on a printing medium by discharging the ink having the specified color from the nozzles; and a movement mechanism which moves the printing medium relative to the printing head. The controller is configured to: obtain object image data; generate, by using the object image data, a plurality of pieces of dot data indicating formation states of the dots having the specified color, for a plurality of pixels; and print a printing image by causing the print execution section to execute discharge of the ink having the specified color and movement of the printing medium by use of the pieces of dot data.

Abstract: An example image scanning apparatus includes a lighting unit to irradiate light onto a manuscript using an LED light source, a scan unit to generate a scan image by scanning image information of manuscript using light reflected by the manuscript, and a processor to control the lighting unit to irradiate light on each unit pixel by a predetermined duty during a movement process of the manuscript in a sub-scan direction.

Abstract: An inkjet printer forms ink dots of a first ink and ink dots of a second ink on a recording medium. The inkjet printer performs first screen processing on image data of the second ink to generate a first dot group including the ink dots of the second ink, and performs second screen processing on image data of the second ink to generate a second dot group including the ink dots of the second ink. The inkjet printer forms a first printing layer, on the recording medium, of the ink dots of the first ink and the ink dots of the first dot group, and forms a second printing layer of the ink dots of the second ink, above or below the first printing layer.

Abstract: Provided are: a main memory 14 that stores image data, a peripheral region 44 being set to a certain value; and a CPU 12 that performs tonal steps conversion processing on the image data. The CPU 12 includes: a plurality of cores 16 that have a parallel processing function due to a plurality of threads 18 and that execute the tonal steps conversion processing in parallel; and a data cache memory 22 and program cache memory 20 that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of threads 18. The core 16 specifies a region smaller than a size of the data cache memory 22, of the image data as an operand region 48, and causes the image data corresponding to said operand region 48 to be acquired from the main memory 14 into the data cache memory 22 and executes the tonal steps conversion processing on said operand region 48 without distinction of a central region 42 and the peripheral region 44.

Abstract: A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes a halftone calibration module to receive one or more un-calibrated halftones, transform un-calibrated threshold values in the one or more un-calibrated halftones via an inverse transfer function to generate calibrated halftone threshold values and generate one or more calibrated halftones based on the calibrated halftone threshold values.

Abstract: Presently described are systems and methods for identifying a black/non-black attribute of a current frame. One example embodiment takes the form of a method including the steps of (i) receiving the current frame, (ii) defining a region of the current frame, the region having a plurality of lumas, (iii) calculating a non-black luma percentage of the region based on the lumas, (iv) calculating a white luma percentage of the region based on the lumas, (v) calculating an average luma of the region based on the lumas, and (vi) identifying the current frame as having a black attribute responsive to three conditions being satisfied: the average luma being less than a max-black luma threshold, the non-black luma percentage being less than a non-black luma percentage threshold, and the white luma percentage being less than a white luma percentage threshold.

Abstract: A print instruction device includes an obtaining unit, a detection unit, and a processing unit. The obtaining unit obtains image data including a photographic image and a code image. The detection unit detects the code image from the image data obtained by the obtaining unit. The processing unit performs, for the image data obtained by the obtaining unit, a halftoning process on the photographic image and performs no halftoning process on the code image.

Abstract: The controller is configured to: drive a color ink ejection head and a functional ink ejection head to print test images on a sheet in a plurality of types of test patterns between which a positional relationship of a dot of a color ink and a dot of a functional ink to be formed on the sheet is varied; determine an overlapping degree of the dot of the color ink and the dot of the functional ink in the respective printed test images on a basis of a color attribute of the respective printed test images; and control the functional ink ejection head in printing on a basis of a control content corresponding to at least one test pattern selected of the plurality of types of the test patterns on a basis of the determined overlapping degrees.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image capturing device and an exposure time adjusting method thereof. The image capturing device comprises an image capturing module, a processing module and an image integrated module. The image capturing module is used to capture a plurality of temporary images. While the image capturing module captures the temporary images, the processing module dynamically adjusts the exposure times of the temporary images according to a predetermined file, a plurality of analysis results of the temporary images or the vibration information sensed by a vibration sensor. Next, the image integrated module controlled by a control module in the processing module integrates the temporary images to generate a stored image.

Abstract: An image diagnostic apparatus of an embodiment includes a density change acquisition unit, a trigger generating unit and a control unit. The density change acquisition unit is configured to acquire data corresponding to a temporal change in density of a contrast agent injected into an object. The trigger generating unit is configured to generate a trigger when abnormal data has been detected by a first threshold processing of the data. The trigger is generated by a second threshold processing of data other than the abnormal data. The control unit is configured to perform a control of contrast imaging for the object based on the trigger.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a dithering unit that retains a dithering table; a gray-scale value input unit that inputs, to the dithering unit, a gray-scale value of each pixel constituting image data of a predetermined color; and a pass information input unit that inputs, to the dithering unit, pass information indicating whether printing is a first pass to perform printing on a recording medium yet to be printed or a second pass to perform reprinting on the same surface of the recording medium already subjected to printing. The dithering unit performs dithering on each pixel based on the dithering table, the gray-scale value, and the pass information.

Abstract: When a heat capacity of a recording medium having a base material coated with a foamable resin layer is larger than a normal heat capacity, to form a raised amount equal to that with the normal case with a normal heating quantity, a turned mirror image of the image is generated. The image is transferred onto the front face of the recording medium and fixed. The recording medium is reversed, and conveyed again to the transfer part. The turned mirror image is transferred onto the rear face of the recording medium and fixed. The recording medium is heated with the heat quantity equal to that in the normal case, and combination of heat absorbed by the turned minor image and heat absorbed by the image is transmitted to the foamable resin layer to expand the foamable resin layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for estimating usage of a print substance. The method comprises receiving a plurality of pixels of a page to be printed, and generating, for one of the plurality of pixels, a look-up address based on (i) pixel bits of the one of the plurality of pixels, and (ii) pixel bits of one or more other pixels proximal to the one of the plurality of pixels. The method further comprises estimating an amount of print substance deposited on the page at a location associated with the one of the plurality of pixels based on reference to a print substance amount in a table of print substance amounts, wherein the reference to the print substance amount in the table is made using the look-up address.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus causes a printing executing section to perform a printing process using color-materials, the image processing apparatus includes: a first processing unit that performs a first image-processing by processing original image data in order to generate first processed image data; and a supplying unit, wherein the first processing unit includes: a calculating unit that calculates an index value relating an edge-intensity about a target pixel in object image data; and a correcting unit that corrects a value of the target pixel based on the index value of the edge-intensity, wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel increase if the target pixel is a first pixel, and wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel decrease if the target pixel is a second pixel.

Abstract: Provided is a data processing method that is capable of high-speed processing without using a large cache memory, while correlating 2-dimensional parameters with a plurality of data without damaging the arrangement rule. Therefore, when there is a continuing M-line parameter after a previously read M-line parameter in a 2-dimensional table that is stored in an external memory 406, the contents of the cache memory 404 are updated with this continuing M-line parameter as the new parameter. When there is no continuing M-line parameter after the previously read M-line parameter in the 2-dimensional table, the contents of the cache memory 404 are updated with the continuing M-line parameter after returning to the starting line of the 2-dimensional table as the new parameter. Such an update rule is maintained even when the band, which is the processing unit, is changed, or even in the progress of band processing.

Abstract: A color conversion coefficient generating apparatus includes a color vision degree coefficient calculating unit and a color conversion coefficient calculating unit. The color vision degree coefficient calculating unit calculates a color vision degree coefficient indicating the degree of color vision deficiency. The color conversion coefficient calculating unit calculates a color conversion coefficient used to convert an input color value, on the basis of correspondence between the color vision degree coefficient, calculated by the color vision degree coefficient calculating unit, and sensitivity characteristics of long- (L), medium- (M), and short- (S) wavelength-sensitive cones.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an input luminance range recognition unit, an output luminance range recognition unit, and a luminance range expansion unit. The input luminance range recognition acquires input luminance information from multi-gradation monochrome image data, generates a luminance histogram, and determines, based on a minimum luminance value and a maximum luminance value of the luminance histogram, an input luminance range. The output luminance range recognition unit determines an output luminance range. The luminance range expansion unit performs a mapping process for mapping input luminance information of pixels within the image range into the output luminance range, and expands the input luminance range to a maximum luminance range.

Abstract: Data processing methods provide automated screen printing techniques. A request associated with screen printing an image is obtained. The request includes a source image and a key color value indicating a number of ink colors for use in the screen printing. A set of key colors equal in size to the key color value is computationally determined by filtering the image so that a plurality of contiguous color areas that are close in color space are preserved, determining a plurality of candidate colors for the plurality of contiguous color areas, and grouping the plurality of contiguous color areas into a number of groups equal in size to the key color value based on the plurality of candidate colors. The source image is transformed to at least one destination image that is usable in screen printing of a product using ink colors based on the set of key colors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an identifying area dividing unit configured to divide the image data into plural identifying areas; a binarization processing unit configured to perform a binarization process for the identifying areas with respective binarization threshold values preset for the identifying areas; a black pixel number identifying unit configured to identify whether or not the numbers of pixels with a density value of black in the respective identifying area exceed respective number threshold values preset for the identifying areas; and a blank sheet identifying unit configured to identify that the image data is image data of a blank sheet if the black pixel number identifying unit identifies that none of the numbers of pixels with the density value of black in the respective identifying areas exceeds the number threshold value.

Abstract: This disclosure provides spot color control methods, apparatus and systems. According to one exemplary embodiment, disclosed is a method of generating device dependent color recipes for a plurality of printing devices. The method includes generating a first device dependent recipe for a target color for rendering on a first printing device, and generating a second device dependent recipe for the target color for rendering on a second printing device, whereby the second device dependent recipe is a function of the first device dependent color recipe.

Abstract: Multi-valued image data corresponding to a pixel area is divided into the first scanning multi-valued data, first and second scanning common multi-valued data, and second scanning multi-valued data. A quantization processing is executed on each of the multi-valued data to generate first scanning quantized data, first and second scanning common quantized data, and second scanning quantized data. After that, these pieces of quantized data are combined for each scanning to generate first scanning combined quantized data and second scanning combined quantized data. According to this, the amount of pixels where dots are both recorded by performing a scanning by plural times (the amount of overlapping dots) is controlled, and while suppressing the image density variations, the granularity is held to a low level.

Abstract: The software on the host machine examines a pixel, either alone or in relation to adjacent pixels. Based on the image data contained in the pixel or group of pixels, a multi-bit value is generated that can be used by the printing device to easily reproduce the necessary detail of the original pixel. The multi-bit value also contains print engine control parameters to handle items such as toner miser mode, toner explosion, edge roll off, etc. The multi-bit value can be generated algorithmically by using a lookup table or by some combination of these methods.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes processors which output first and second image data from input image data. The second image data is applied halftone processing of a higher resolution than halftone processing applied to the first image data. The image processing includes a unit configured to decide a mixing ratio of a pixel using a value based on a sum of an error of the pixel and a change amount of a pixel value at that pixel; and a mixing unit configured to mix pixel values of the first image data and the second image data according to the mixing ratios. When the value based on the sum is increased, the mixing ratio of the second image data decided by the decision unit remains the same or is increased.

Abstract: An image may be quantized into a pattern of dots, e.g., for devices capable of printing dots of variable size and variable color intensity. One may use a pre-determined mapping of the continuous-tone intensity value into a discrete vector of intensity values, and each intensity value may then be processed by a set of binary quantizers. The resulting binary vector may then be mapped into a combination of available dot sizes and color intensities. Through a scalar multiplier, the pre-determined mapping of continuous-tone intensity values may be used at multiple print resolutions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having density correction characteristic data and a section to execute density conversion on input image data includes a section to generate detecting patterns with multiple area ratios, a section to create images of the patterns on an image bearing member, a section to detect the images of the patterns created on the image bearing member, a section to hold detected values corresponding to the images of the patterns detected from the image bearing member, a section to obtain fixed values or previously detected values as target values for correction, and correction coefficients, a section to calculate a correction characteristic corresponding to the detecting patterns from the obtained target values, the detected values, and correction coefficients, and a section to synthesize new density correction characteristic data from the density correction characteristic data and the correction characteristic corresponding to the patterns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gradation correction device in which the control strip has white or light-colored end patches and has at least one reference point at each of both ends of the control strip, which is defined by two straight lines including a fine line drawn on at least a part of a peripheral edge of each end patch except a border between the end patch and an adjacent patch which is adjacent to the end patch, and in which the gradation correction device detects the reference point at each of the both end portions of the control strip in the read image data, and obtains the density data of each patch by specifying a position of each patch in the control strip in the read image data in accordance with the detected reference point.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image density detector, an image forming device, a rotator, an image density controller, and a timing correction data obtainer. The image density detector detects a toner density of an image formed on an image bearing member. An image forming device forms the image using a density adjustable element that adjusts the density of the image. The rotator forms an image pattern while the density adjustable element is changed, and a density thereof is detected by the image density detector. The image density controller controls the image forming device using a density correction data for the density adjustable element corresponding to a rotational period of the rotator. The timing correction data obtainer obtains timing correction data for correction of driving timing of the image forming device based on a change in the density of the image pattern detected by the image density detector.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which converts input image data into a designated color, the apparatus comprises a designation unit which accepts a designated color from a user; a holding unit which holds a representation color of a block, a color layout of pixels included in the block, and an other color contained in the block except for the representation color, the block being generated by compression and including a predetermined number of pixels that form the image data; and a color conversion unit which mono-colorizes the block into the designated color by converting at least one of the representation color and the other color into the designated color designated with the designation unit in accordance with the color layout.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a gradation correction method for the same are provided. An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms a plurality of patch bands in a plurality of positions in a main scanning direction on an image bearing member, each of the plurality of patch bands having a plurality of gradation patches disposed in a sub-scanning direction; a density detection section that detects densities of the plurality of patch bands; and a control section that performs gradation correction based on detection results from the density detection section. The plurality of patch bands differs from each other.

Abstract: An image processor and an image processing method which can minimize variation of color tone or density in an image after screen processing, even if semi-transparency has been specified. The image processor generates semi-transparent image data by overlaying a semi-transparent object on the PDL data to be rendered semi-transparent. Subsequently, screen processing is performed on the semi-transparent image data, by dither processing. Subsequently it is determined whether or not to define the screen processed semi-transparent image data as the image data for printing. If the result of determination is No, the halftone value of the semi-transparent object is modified to be larger than the current value.

Abstract: A color conversion coefficient generating apparatus includes a color vision degree coefficient calculating unit and a color conversion coefficient calculating unit. The color vision degree coefficient calculating unit calculates a color vision degree coefficient indicating the degree of color vision deficiency. The color conversion coefficient calculating unit calculates a color conversion coefficient used to convert an input color value, on the basis of correspondence between the color vision degree coefficient, calculated by the color vision degree coefficient calculating unit, and sensitivity characteristics of long—(L), medium—(M), and short—(S) wavelength-sensitive cones.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus connected via a network to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that implement a first gradation correction, or a second gradation correction. The image processing apparatus includes a selection unit configured to select the first gradation correction or second gradation correction, for each of the connected plurality of image forming apparatuses, an instruction unit configured to send an instruction to an image forming apparatus for which a first gradation correction has been selected by the selection unit, a reading unit configured to read out patch patterns that have been printed by the image forming apparatus for which the second gradation correction has been selected, and a transmission unit configured to transmit data for correcting readout values of the patch patterns to the image forming apparatus for which the second gradation correction has been selected.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus (100) creates a toner pattern on intermediate transfer belt (11) as a preprocessing of gradation correction, and calculates a cycle at which density unevenness is largest. Then, a toner image for gradation correction is formed so as to cancel cyclic unevenness at a cycle at which the largest density unevenness occurs. As a result of this, it becomes possible to suppress the deterioration of density detection accuracy and perform a highly accurate gradation correction even if density unevenness of any cycle occurs.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus causes a printing executing section to perform a printing process using color-materials, the image processing apparatus includes: a first processing unit that performs a first image-processing by processing original image data in order to generate first processed image data; and a supplying unit, wherein the first processing unit includes: a calculating unit that calculates an index value relating an edge-intensity about a target pixel in object image data; and a correcting unit that corrects a value of the target pixel based on the index value of the edge-intensity, wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel increase if the target pixel is a first pixel, and wherein the correcting unit corrects the value of the target pixel such that print-density of the target pixel decrease if the target pixel is a second pixel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a Continuous Tone Image (CTI) with all pixel values same as a first gray level, generating an initial Half Tone Image (HTI) with all pixel values equal to minimum absorptance level and computing a change in pixel error for a first pixel. The change in pixel error is computed by identifying a first pixel indicated in a valid pixel map, toggling the first pixel with all the possible output states and swapping the first pixel with all neighbor pixels only if the stacking constraint is satisfied, updating the HTI with the maximum error decrease operation and continue to next pixel location till the end criteria is met.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which can suppress degradation of an image quality in a recording material save mode processing and obtain an effect of consumption amount reduction of recording material desired by a user at low costs. A recording material consumption amount at the time of applying first color conversion processing unit is predicted corresponding to inputted image data. The setting of a second color conversion processing is changed from a prediction value and a target value of the recording material consumption amount.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed. The information processing apparatus executes a function corresponding to a menu item of application software which menu item is selected by a user. The information processing apparatus includes an information processing unit which executes plural small functions of which the function corresponding to the selected menu item is formed, a recipe data forming unit which forms recipe data in which an executing condition and an executing order of the plural small functions corresponding to the selected menu item are defined, and an information process executing unit which causes the information processing unit to execute the plural small functions based on the formed recipe data.

Abstract: A correction apparatus includes an operating section that operates for forming an image having a predetermined density, a calculating section that calculates a first correction amount that is used when a value of the predetermined density is to be corrected, and a correction section that corrects the predetermined density value in such a manner that the correction is performed by using the first correction amount when first identification information corresponding to an image that has been processed by the operating section before the correction performed by the correction section and second identification information corresponding to an image that is to be processed by the operating section after the correction performed by the correction section do not satisfy a predetermined condition, whereas the correction is performed by using a second correction amount that is smaller than the first correction amount, when the first and second identification information satisfy the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A color information processing apparatus includes a mapping section for mapping a designated color that lies outside of the range of a gamut of a printing apparatus to the range of the gamut according to a plurality of mapping techniques, and a display device for simultaneously displaying the designated color and a plurality of colors mapped by the mapping section. For example, the display device simultaneously displays the designated color and colors mapped by the mapping section adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Correction data is produced for density errors in prints produced using a printer. While printing a test image, the periods of rotation of one or more rotatable imaging members arranged along a receiver feed path in the printer are measured using respective period sensors. The printed test image is measured along a selected measurement direction and a reproduction error signal representing deviation from aim density is determined. For each period sensor, the autocorrelation of the reproduction error signal for the corresponding period is determined. If the determined autocorrelation exceeds a selected threshold, the reproduction error signal is decomposed at the corresponding period to extract the variation from the measured component. The remaining error signal is separated by frequency terms. The variations from the data at measured periods and the remaining error signal are used to produce a correction signal.

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: The disclosure proposes the automatic use of the job or image content information of a print job. This information is used to automatically adjust the general printing procedure for a print engine. The job's image content information is analyzed in the context of the constraints of the print engine to determine an improved printing procedure, which may include cycle-up operation, process control cycles, or maintenance cycles for that particular print job.

Abstract: A method for printing on transparent medium using an ink-jet printer. The method includes providing a grayscale image having a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a pixel value corresponding to a brightness of the pixel; converting each pixel value to an ink output value for the ink-jet printer using a conversion function, wherein the conversion function maps the darkest pixel value to an optical density of greater than 2.5 and maps all other pixel values to an appropriate output pixel value such that a resulting printed image is perceived to be linearly bright across the image.

Abstract: A computer program for, or method of, generating 1-bit image data from multiple-bit image data, by a process which comprises the steps of: receiving multiple-bit image data comprising multiple-bit pixel values; and deriving from the multiple-bit pixel values 1-bit image data comprising “on” and “off pixel values, each pixel value of the 1-bit image data corresponding to a pixel of an output medium, which pixel an output device would attempt to mark when printing the 1-bit image data if the pixel value were “on”, the 1-bit image data producing when printed an image constituted by dots, each dot corresponding to a plurality of pixel values of the 1-bit image data, which pixel values correspond to a block of M*N horizontally and/or vertically adjacent pixels of an output is medium, at least one of M and N being greater than one, wherein for at least some of the dots, where M or N is equal to one, a pixel value corresponding to a first or last pixel of a row of horizontally adjacent pixels, or to a first or last

Abstract: A process for receiving data comprising multiple-bit pixel values and deriving therefrom 1-bit image data comprising “on” and “off” pixel values, each corresponding to a pixel on an output medium, which an output device would attempt to mark when printing the 1-bit image data if the pixel value were “on”, the 1-bit image data producing when printed an image constituted by a plurality of densities of dots, the dots being arranged such that, at least for densities of dots greater than a first threshold density, at least a majority of dots form a pair with at least one horizontally or vertically adjacent dot, and for densities of dots less than a second threshold density, the image is substantially free of blocks of 2*2 horizontally and vertically adjacent dots, the second threshold density being greater than the first threshold density. Additionally or alternatively dot arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining an amount of clear toner to be applied to a document image to improve smoothness in an output print rendered using a xerographic device capable of applying clear toner to the image in the image path. Using clear toner to improve smoothness enables a GCR strategy in which more black can be used. This, in turn, decreases the incremental cost for clear toner. The teachings hereof present attractive trade-offs for print shops specializing in color document reproduction and other customers of high-end xerographic devices capable of applying clear toner. Various embodiments are disclosed.