Abstract: When a feeding amount for multi-pass printing is changed, the purpose related to an image quality using a binary data generation pattern can still be attained by, for example, a density pattern method. Specifically, a multi-pass printing mode is identified, and a density pattern selection matrix associated with a cycle of binary data generation is selected in accordance with the selected printing mode. That is, a density pattern selection matrix employed for binary data generation using a density pattern is changed to a size corresponding to the feeding amount designated by the selected printing mode. Thereby, a phenomenon that a unit used for image processing to gain a predetermined purpose related to an image quality does not match a unit area used for a printing operation is avoided, and an image printing purpose using a binary data generation pattern can be appropriately attained.

Abstract: A method for contrast enhancement for digital images, including filtering an original image having original color values, to generate a first filtered image corresponding to bright color values, and a second filtered image corresponding to dark color values, deriving local highlight multipliers by applying a highlight response curve to the first filtered image, the highlight response curve being a function of color value that increases from a response value of one, corresponding to a color value of zero, to a response value greater than one, corresponding to a maximum color value, deriving local shadow multipliers by applying a shadow response curve to the second filtered image, the shadow response curve being a function of color value that decreases from a response value greater than one, corresponding to a color value of zero, to a response value of one, corresponding to a maximum color value, deriving local offset values by applying an offset curve to the first filtered image, and processing the original i

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes obtaining an image and a corresponding color profile including state information for the image in relation to the color profile, the state information selected from a group including a scene-referred state and an output-referred state; selecting, automatically in response to identification of the state information, a rendering intent for the image, based on the state information and a current task in an imaging workflow, from a group including relative colorimetric rendering intent, perceptual rendering intent and absolute colorimetric rendering intent; converting, automatically in response to the selecting, the image to a new color space based on the color profile and the selected rendering intent; and making the converted image available for processing and output.

Abstract: A halftone threshold matrix includes a plurality of submatrices, wherein a first group of the plurality of submatrices has a line screen frequency different from a second group of the plurality of submatrices. The halftone method and apparatus removes the restriction that at most one pel is turned on per basic cell for the next constant input level and allows the pels in some basic cells to be turned on much sooner that the corresponding positions in other basic cells. This creates a dominant low frequency line screen simultaneously with the higher frequency line screen of the other basic cells. The present invention also allows the basic cells inside the threshold matrix to have different shapes and sizes. Thus, the cells participating in the low frequency screen could be larger than the cells generating the higher frequency screen. For example, the low frequency screen's pleasing patterns can distract the eye from noticing less pleasing patterns in the high frequency grid and vice versa.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for improving vector halftoning in ink-jet printers capable of dot-on-dot printing. In one embodiment, n input Ci/Mi/Yi channel and a colorant Ki are received. If any of the Ci/Mi/Yi is greater than 100?Ki then that channel is clipped to 100?Ki. Next, a minimum total coverage area of a secondary color RGB dot required to achieve a remaining CMY coverage area is determined. If the minimum total coverage area is non-zero, then the following steps are performed. Each of a primary output Co/Mo/Yo is determined. Each of the primary outputs is then scaled by a ratio of the remaining primary color area over the total remaining toner coverage. The results are sorted and secondary color RoBoGo outputs are determined from the sorted results.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image input device to convert image data into uncompressed data of CMYK, a gradation processing device to perform a gradation process on the uncompressed data to generate a halftone image, a rearrangement determination device to determine necessity of rearrangement of pixels of the halftone image, a selector to select an output destination based on a rearrangement necessity determination result, a rearrangement device to rearrange the pixels by using a threshold table used at a time of execution of the gradation process of the halftone image, and a coding device to output data obtained by coding data of the halftone image. According to the image processing device, coding efficiency can be improved more than in the related art while a harmful effect (reduction in code amount) due to the rearrangement process is suppressed.

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, for instructing the connected plurality of image forming apparatuses to implement gradation corrections.

Abstract: Embodiments of image processing apparatuses and methods according to the present general inventive concept may generate and/or store shading profile information based on an image characteristic relative to a prescribed condition of that characteristic such as according to brightness equal to or above a prescribed (e.g., minimum or lower) brightness level or the like. An embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present general inventive concept may include a scanning unit to scan an inputted image and an image processor to process the inputted image based on shading profile information determined according to brightness equal to or above a minimum brightness level.

Abstract: An isolated point detection portion detects an isolated point in image data input from an image data adjustment portion. An isolated point removal portion makes a replacement of image data at a point of an isolated point detected by the isolated point detection portion. An edge identification portion performs edge identification for identifying a character region for the image data from which the isolated point has been removed by the isolated point removal portion. In this technique, edge identification is performed after the isolated point is erased by performing isolated point identification as a preliminary step of edge identification, so that isolated point noise can be removed with high accuracy.

Abstract: A print engine controller is provided for an inkjet printhead. The print engine controller receives page data representing a page to be printed, the page data having a bi-level black layer in a compressed format and a contone layer in a compressed format. The processor is configured to decompress the bi-level black layer and the contone layer of the page data, halftone the decompressed contone layer to form a bi-level cyan, yellow, magenta, and black (CYMK) layer, composite the decompressed bi-level black layer over the bi-level CYMK layer to form a bi-level CYMK image of the page to be printed and carry out processing operations for printing the CMYK image.

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: A technology for making determinations as to whether the image of an image data file is blurred, with low processing load, is provided. First, photographic image data PID containing pixel color information, as well as thumbnail image data for the photographic image data, are prepared. A specific pixel is then selected from among the pixels of the thumbnail image data. Specifically, on the basis of data of a pixel under examination and data of a pixel neighboring the pixel under examination, it is determined whether the pixel under examination should be designated as the specific pixel. Then, for a specific region Ape which is a region constituting part of the photographic image data PID and which corresponds to the specific pixel of the thumbnail image data, analysis of the photographic image PID is carried out, and a localized blur level that represents indistinctness of the image in the specific region Ape is calculated.

Abstract: In an image output control system of the invention, an image processing device makes image data subjected to a preset series of image processing and supplies processed image data to an image output device to output a resulting processed image. The image processing device collects a predetermined number of plural pixels among a large number of pixels constituting the image to one pixel group, specifies number of dots to be created in the pixel group, and outputs dot number data representing the specified number of dots to be created in the pixel group to the image output device. The image output device stores multiple priority orders of pixels for dot formation in each pixel group. The image output device receives the output dot number data, selects one priority order among the stored multiple priority orders, determines position of each dot-on pixel in each pixel group, and actually creates a dot at the determined position of each dot-on pixel, so as to output a resulting image.

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: 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: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a printing system comprises a media feeder that receives and stores asymmetrically thick media from an outside source and outputs such media to the printing system via a feed mechanism. A conveyer system transports the asymmetrically thick media from the media feeder utilizing at least one linear belt wherein a sensor is employed to determine the presence of the asymmetrically thick piece of stock. A controller coupled to the conveyer determines the location and orientation of an image on a piece of the asymmetrically thick stock. An imaging system receives the asymmetrically thick media from the conveyer system and places an image on the media in the proper location and orientation based at least in part on information from the controller.

Abstract: An inkjet printer including a body housing a print engine configured to transport and print upon print media. The print engine includes a memory buffer of sufficient size to enable printing of one compressed page whilst receiving another compressed page. Each compressed page includes compressed contone data and compressed bi-level data. The print engine is configured to expand each compressed page during printing. A retractable cover is pivotally mounted relative to the body and is able to be pivoted to form a guide which can guide print media to the print engine for printing.

Abstract: An image-processing device includes: an acquiring unit that acquires image data representing a document which includes a plurality of pages; an extracting unit that extracts, from the acquired image data, a character area in a first page that is at least one of the plurality of pages; and an output unit that outputs first partial image data within the extracted character area associated with the acquired image data of a second page other than the first page, the second page determined by having a character area corresponding to the extracted character area in the first page.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; an image forming unit configured to form a toner image on the image bearing member based on an image input signal; a detection sensor configured to detect a detection image at multiple density levels, which is formed by the image forming unit; a correction unit configured to correct image output characteristics of the image forming unit with respect to the image input signal, based on a detection result of the detection sensor; and a change unit configured to change the density levels at which the detection image is formed so that the detection image is preferentially formed in a density area of a large absolute value of a rate of change of slope of the image output characteristics.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus employing an error diffusion method capable of preventing a pseudo contour attributable to a delayed dot. The image processing apparatus receives an error diffused from a neighboring pixel and corrects a value (an input value of 0 to 1) of a pixel to be processed before it reduces a tone. Then a subtracter calculates an error associated with the tone reduction, which is diffused to a neighboring pixel. Herein, only for an input value of no less than 0.5 an inversion portion multiplies by ?1 an error from a neighboring pixel and an error to a neighboring pixel. Thus a dot can be free of delay to prevent a pseudo contour.

Abstract: Defects in an image forming system may give rise to scratched fiducials, missing fiducial regions, or other defects in an image that can run parallel to the process direction. The present disclosure provides for a fiducial compensation method and system for detecting defects thereby allowing spatial tone reproduction curves to be calculated and applied to a digital image in order to eliminate printed streaks due to a photoreceptor's non-uniformities.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing data describing an image is provided with an input device, a binarizing device, a correcting device, a driving pulse generating device, and an adjusting device. The input device inputs the data. The binarizing device performs a binarizing calculation on the input data. The correcting device corrects the binarizing calculation when a pixel that needs adjustment of a driving pulse thereof has been identified based on the binarized data. The driving pulse generating device generates driving pulses based on the binarized data. The adjusting device adjusts the driving pulse when the pixel that needs adjustment of the driving pulse thereof has been identified based on the binarized data.

Abstract: A method for enabling a program that communicates a document description from a composition system to a printing system to manage variable-dot halftones for use with variable-dot printing devices, comprising the steps of creating a set of strings, each string defining a halftone cell intensity value and comprising at least one pixel imbution value, wherein said pixel imbution value is in the range of 0 to P, wherein P is the number of physical appearances that a painted pixel can have; using a selected halftone cell intensity value to directly choose a string from said set of strings; and painting at least one pixel within a halftone cell according to a pixel imbution value within the chosen string.

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

Abstract: The invention provides for a printer having a controller configured to perform a method of page expansion and printing of image data received from a computer. The method includes the steps of receiving a page description from the computer, the page having a bi-level black layer and a continuous tone (“contone”) layer, and decompressing the respective layers in parallel. The method also includes the steps of halftoning the contone layer data to bi-level data, compositing the bi-level black layer over the bi-level data to form an image, and printing the composite image with a pagewidth printhead.

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 apparatus includes an automatic document type discrimination section for estimating a type of input image data. The automatic document type discrimination section is capable of detecting whether each of plural types of halftone dot areas exists or not in the image data, and the automatic document type discrimination section estimates the type of the image data. Therefore, the image processing apparatus can exactly estimate the type of the image.

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: An image processing apparatus allowing efficient trapping/overprint is provided. A CPU of a printer serving as the image processing apparatus includes an object extraction unit extracting a component image from image data, a pair extraction unit extracting a pair from a plurality of objects, a calculation unit calculating an overlapping print amount for each of primary colors of color materials of each component image, a rule storing unit storing a plurality of process contents and rules for executing processing, a process content storing unit storing the process contents, a judgment unit judging whether or not a pair of the image components satisfies the rule associated with a priority, and an execution unit for executing the processing of trapping or overprint.

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 method and system reconstructs a contone image from a binary image by first tagging pixels to identify one of a multiplicity of image content types. The tag information and the pattern of bits surrounding the pixel to be converted to a contone value are used to reconstruct a contone image from a binary image. The pattern of bits in the neighborhood is used to generate a unique identifier. The unique identifier is used as the address for a lookup table with the contone value to be used wherein each lookup table corresponds to an image context type.

Abstract: There is provided an exposure determining device that determines whether exposure of an image represented by image data is appropriate. The exposure determining device includes a first evaluation value deriving unit that derives a maximum luminance reference value for each of blocks obtained by dividing the image into a plurality of blocks of the image data on the basis of luminance values of pixels constituting each block, and derives a first evaluation value for the image on the basis of the derived maximum luminance reference values for the blocks, and an exposure determining unit that determines whether exposure of the image is appropriate, on the basis of the derived first evaluation value.

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: A printing apparatus for performing printing with the use of a special gloss material and a coloring material is provided. The printing apparatus includes: an inputting unit that receives or acquires image data as an input; and a printing unit that controls the arrangement of the special gloss material and the coloring material on a print target medium on the basis of the inputted image data to print the image data. The printing unit changes the amount of use of the special gloss material depending on an index value that is related to the lightness of a color represented by the coloring material.

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: A method for processing an image is provided. The method is to calculate the amount of original gray levels in a frame according to the original gray level difference between each pixel and an adjacent pixel thereof and adjusts the contrast of the frame according to the calculated amount of gray levels and the contrast difference between the current frame and the previous frame.

Abstract: A method for compressing a digital image to be printed, the image consisting of pixels. It is determined, for blocks of pixels, whether a block contains a graphical structure that is to be maintained without loss because it is of a type that can be accurately perceived by a human observer. The block is encoded losslessly into a less voluminous format, if such a graphical structure has been found. Otherwise, the block is compressed lossily, if no such graphical structure has been found.

Abstract: The dot arrangement determination method for determining an arrangement pattern when m dots (where m is a natural number) are arranged in a specific pixel area, the method comprises: a setting step of variably setting an arrangement pattern in which the m dots are arranged without overlapping at pixel positions in the specific pixel area; a first image evaluation value calculating step of calculating an image evaluation value of a halftone image formed by arranging the m dots in the specific pixel area in accordance with the arrangement pattern set in the setting step; a second image evaluation value calculating step of calculating an image evaluation value of a halftone image implemented according to the arrangement pattern set in the setting step when dots cannot be formed in an arbitrary pixel row in the specific pixel area; and a dot arrangement calculating step of determining the arrangement pattern with least image quality degradation for inability to form dots in an arbitrary pixel row in the specific

Abstract: A system and method for halftoning for multi-pass rendering of an image in which different pixel locations are rendered in each pass which reduces the effects of inter-pass mis-registration errors. The method of halftoning includes restricting a substantial majority of the pixels turned on to render a tone to the minimum number of passes required to produce the tone. The halftoning method can include generating a stochastic halftone turn-on sequence and re-ordering the turn-on sequence. The halftoning method can also use error diffusion, adding a zero mean bias signal to either the image input pixels or the threshold values. The halftoning method is applicable to color or black and white rendering.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus 1 capable of forming dots of types in quantity of ? (integer satisfying ??2) wherein there are provided, target pixel selection means 2 that selects a target pixel, recording rate acquisition means 3 that acquires a recording rate total value of dots in two types among dots of types in quantity of ? and acquires a recording rate of a dot on one side among dots in two types, first quantization means 4 that conducts quantization based on the recording rate total value and determines recording of dots in quantity of i (integer satisfying 0?i?2) on the target pixel and second quantization means 5 that determines types of dots to be recorded on the target pixel based on i representing the number of dots to be recorded on the target pixel determined by the first quantization means and on the recording rate of the dot on one side.

Abstract: In an image processing method for carrying out a plurality of types of halftoning processing expressing in combination amplitude modulation having the number of tone levels smaller than that of an input image and area coverage modulation, selectively or in parallel, the plurality of types of halftoning processing comprises processing providing output image color and tone substantially identical mutually.

Abstract: The image processing method for performing halftoning of a digital image constituted by an array of pixels having grayscale values which correspond to a content of the digital image, the method comprises the steps of: grouping the pixels constituting the digital image into a first group comprising pixels in pixel positions from which a quantization error generated through quantization is diffused to a peripheral pixel, and a second group comprising pixels in pixel positions from which the quantization error generated through quantization is not diffused to a peripheral pixel; performing a first quantization process on the pixels belonging to the first group using a threshold matrix; determining the quantization error generated during the first quantization process; diffusing the quantization error obtained in the quantization error determining step to at least one non-quantized pixel belonging to the second group which is adjacent to the pixel subjected to the first quantization process; and performing a seco

Abstract: An image forming engine has color shifting amount storage units C, M, Y, and K (black) which store actual shifting amounts relative to ideal scan directions on image carriers C, M, Y, and K in image forming units C, M, Y, and K. Color shifting correction amount arithmetic units calculate color shifting correction amounts for respective color components to base on the stored color shifting amounts. Color shifting correction units C, M, Y, and K perform color shifting correction by converting coordinates upon reading out image data from bitmap memories C, M, Y, and K on the basis of the calculated color shifting correction amounts, and then perform tone correction. Data after tone correction undergo halftone processing by halftone processors. C, M, Y, and K to suppress moire. PWM processors C, M, Y, and K generate PWM signals for scanning, and output them to exposure units C, M, Y, and K of the respective image forming units.

Abstract: An image comprising a plurality of interlaced images is provided, and the image is halftone processed according to one or more processes. The image is halftone processed according to a predetermined function depending at least in part on a gray scale level for a given pixel and on gray scale levels for local pixels nearby the given pixel. The predetermined function can operate on a continuous tone version or on a printed-dot model of the image. Alternatively, the predetermined function may include a predetermined error filter where error which is distributed to pixels corresponding to the same interlaced image from which the error accumulates. The image may be post-processed to arrange dots and/or shift columns of pixels to minimize overlap error. The image may be modified to include extra pixels to align the interlaced images under the lenses.

Abstract: A small domain generation section generates a plurality of small domains in a multi-valued image transmitted from an intermediate tone correction section. Each domain is constituted of a plurality of pixels. Counting means counts a signal input value of each pixel. Weighting calculation means corrects each signal input value of the “pixels subjection to toner quantity equivalent value calculation” with reference to the signal input value of the small domain, and reads out a weighting coefficient from the weighting coefficient table based on the modified signal input value. The weighting calculation means multiplies the signal input value by the coefficient so as to convert the signal input value into a toner quantity equivalent value. Accumulating means calculates toner quantity equivalent values for all of the pixels of the multi-valued image.

Abstract: An image-processing apparatus for quantizing multi-level (M-level) image data into N-level values, where M>N>1, using a multi-level error-diffusion process or a minimum-average multi-level error method is disclosed. The image-processing apparatus includes: means for outputting correction data; means for setting a quantization-threshold value; means for comparing the correction data and the quantization-threshold value so as to output N-level image data; and means for calculating an error generated with generating the N-level image data.

Abstract: A plurality of items of color-component data representing an image are input and a plurality of items of output color-component data representing an image to be reproduced by a printer are decided and output. In the case of an image in a specific area in which an entered image is represented by at least two items of color-component data, any one item of color-component data is decided upon as output color-component data.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes: a data conversion unit; an isolated-dot size determining unit; and an image-forming unit. The data conversion unit converts, for each of a plurality of pixels in an image to be formed, original image data indicative of a multilevel density into dot data indicative of whether or not a dot should be formed. The isolated-dot size determining unit determines the size of an isolated dot according to a condition. The image-forming unit forms an image on a recording medium by selectively forming a dot for each pixel based on the dot data, while forming the isolated dot with the determined size.

Abstract: A system's intrinsic mottle & graininess levels are either measured or predicted based on the knowledge of system states including material states and actuator states. The optimal amount of total graininess is then calculated based on established visual models or customer surveys. The difference between this optimal graininess and the machine's intrinsic graininess is then used to calculate the required addition of grainy noise to the print. This additional amount of grainy noise can be added to the print either through textured halftone screens or through noise injection into the input digital (contone) image.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus performs image generation, color conversion, and extraction of image characteristics to generate compressed data. The image forming apparatus decompresses the compressed data and determines a writing address into an image data storing unit on the basis of an amount of shift to convert the density of the image data in fractional pixel units.