Abstract: A system is disclosed whereby a user can upload image data into a central image database on a central server, using the processing power of a remote terminal computer to re-sample and resize each image according to a set of predetermined image parameters for storage in the central database. More than one sized or sampled copy of each discrete image could be uploaded to said centralized image database, for use in various ways. The distribution of image standardization processing to the terminal CPUs lessens the processor load of the central server, as well as minimizing the upload bandwidth required between the terminal and the central server.

Abstract: A method and system which converts an electronic binary image to another electronic binary image by compensating for the differences between printer responses so that a target printer can print the image to emulate how the image would appear if printed by an originally-intended printer or another printer. A print-ready binary image is inputted into a print and scan simulation circuit which electronically simulates the printing and scanning of the image data. The print and scan simulation circuit converts the binary image data to gray scale image data. The gray scale image data is then processed by a tone response correction circuit. The tone response correction circuit alters the gray scale image data based on the difference between the tone reproduction curves of two printers, such as an originally-intended printer and a target printer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image forming method or the like is provided which is capable of forming a three-dimensional white image or black-and-white image or even a three-dimensional color image with ease and at low costs. The three-dimensional image forming method includes, for example, a first step of forming an unfoamed-toner image consisting of at least a foamable toner on paper as an image forming object by using an electrophotographic system or the like, a second step of forming a three-dimensional foamed-toner image by subjecting to heat treatment the unfoamed-toner image formed on the image forming object and foaming and fixing the foamable toner, and a third step of forming an ink image consisting of an ink on the image forming object with the foamed-toner image formed thereon by using an ink jet system.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus determines whether an input element provided by a computer is either a command for processing continuous tone data or continuous tone data. When the input element provided by the computer is a continuous tone data processing command, a parameter (period, angle, form of a macroscopic dot) received by a parameter input unit is replaced by an approximate value realized by a multiple-valued recorder, a continuous tone screen threshold-valued matrix is selected on the basis of the parameter replaced by the parameter replacement unit, and continuous tone data is converted to multiple-valued data in accordance with the selected threshold-valued matrix for outputting halftone data to the multiple-valued recorder.

Abstract: Optimally determined halftoning algorithms are applied to tone values by selecting among combinations of at least two algorithms that best address the tradeoff between output quality and rendering performance. Input tone values are scrutinized and matched with the algorithm combination that processes the associated tone values in a manner that increases performance (including data compressibility) without sacrificing output quality. The selection process is computationally simple and fast. Reliability is ensured because the combinations of halftoning algorithms are tabulated as a result of analysis of test samples of the printed output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus and a recording medium that convert a grey scale image into an area gradation image. The present invention intends to provide an image processing method, an image processing apparatus and a recording medium capable of increasing processing speed in a state where high image quality is maintained. In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, image data of a C component and image data of an M component in grey scale image data are converted into halftone image data in accordance with an error diffusion method, and image data of a Y component are converted into halftone image data in accordance with a blue noise mask method.

Abstract: Although almost the same color reproducibility as with a reference print head has been attained in single-color printing, inconsistency in color reproducibility has occurred in mixed-color printing. Where ejection of color ink or any other recording material for forming dots on such a printer as an ink-jet printer (31) varies due to an instrumental error, it is burdensome to set up a degree of adjustment for correcting inconsistency in each color.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program apparatus, for calibrating a printer. A color reference is printed for a reference tint. The color reference is a coarse halftone screen printed using a single colorant. A sample for each of multiple tints of the colorant are printed using a normal printing mode of the printer. A user views the printed substrate and provides a calibration input based on the user's comparison of the printed samples to the printed color reference. The transfer curve of the printer is modified according to the calibration input. A color sample and a color reference both based on one colorant are printed for human visual comparison by printing the sample and the reference simultaneously on a substrate, the sample surrounded by the reference, the reference being printed as a coarse halftone screen of the colorant and the sample being printed as a tint of the colorant in a normal mode of operating the printer.

Abstract: Contrast in an image is enhanced by mapping an input intensity value to an output intensity value in accordance with a mapping function. A mean intensity value of the image is determined. Co-ordinates of the mapping function are calculated in accordance with the mean intensity value and a plurality of predefined parameters. The mapping function is applied to the input intensity value for determining the output intensity, wherein the mapping function is generated dynamically for each image.

Abstract: A digital image signal is read out at a predetermined picture element density by causing a light beam to repeatedly scan a recording medium bearing thereon an image in a main scanning direction at a predetermined main scanning speed while moving the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction at a predetermined sub-scanning speed, thereby two-dimensionally scanning the recording medium with the light beam, photoelectrically detecting signal light emitted from the recording medium upon exposure to the light beam to obtain an analog image signal, sampling the analog image signal at a predetermined intervals, and quantizing the sampled values.

Abstract: An algorithm (method) for sizing (adjusting edges of) grayscale or dose level pixel-maps (raster images) real time for input into radiant beam lithography systems or similar dose level grayscale image rendering systems to compensate for systemic distortions such as edge bias and/or loss of linearity (i) successively assembles one or more frame matrixes of grayscale values from a parent pixel-map having edges and corners where an edge is defined by gray pixels having values between 1, 2, . . .

Abstract: An error utilization factor line, indicative of a relationship between the amount of the error utilization factor K and input data for a present pixel, is determined dependently on characteristics of the image, on the value of the threshold, on the size of the distribution matrix, or on the condition of the recording operation. The amount of the error utilization factor K is determined dependently on the input data of the present pixel and based on the error utilization factor line. The correction amount F, collected from the already-processed nearby pixel, is multiplied by the error utilization factor K, before being added to the input data of the present pixel for the halftone process.

Abstract: A method of processing data from a digital image to enhance the neutral tonescale estimates a neutral offset, a neutral gain and a neutral gamma from the input data and uses these estimated values to transform the input image data.

Abstract: The result of integrating a halftone dot-shape can be clustered. When the edge of the halftone dot-shape extends across a “vertical” edge of a window, the window is altered until the edge of the halftone dot-shape no longer crosses either vertical edge of the altered window. The image density of the portion of the halftone dot-shape contained within the altered window is determined. The block of image density of the portion of the halftone dot shape contained within the altered window is aligned with the right edge, the left edge, split between the left and right edges, or clustered in the “center” of the altered window. An amount of the determined block that extends into the original sample window is determined. This amount extending into the original window determines the amount of image density to be generated in the final output image based on that sample location of the window.

Abstract: When input N-bit multi-valued image information having density information is converted into M-bit (N≧M) image information and the converted image information is output, information (S signal) indicating whether or not an image conversion process is executed for one line including a pixel of interest of the multi-valued image information is generated on the basis of the multi-valued image information. Only when the S signal indicating that the image conversion process is to be skipped successively appears for a number of times equal to or larger than “the number of lines required for the process”+1, the control is made to forcibly set the processing result of the image conversion process to be a predetermined value, and to inhibit execution of the image conversion process for one line including the pixel of interest of the multi-valued image data.

Abstract: A spatial filter applies a modulation transfer function correction process so as to increase a number of bits of input image data. A high-resolution converter converts the image data into output image data having a density higher than a sampling density of the input image data. One of the spatial filter and the resolution converter processes the image data after the other of the spatial filter and the resolution converter has processed the image data A possibility of saturation of an output of the spatial filter is decreased, thereby decreasing generation of moiré in a saturation calculation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modifying printing based upon direct on-the-fly media characteristic parameters is disclosed. The present invention on-the-fly directly measures a media characteristic parameter and performs real-time print modification in response thereto. The measured characteristic parameters include paper texture and composition, as well as adhesion and penetration of print. The modification of print in response to these measured parameters may allow a customer to maintain observed print quality with lower-cost materials. Adjustments may include the addition of coating, hot rolling, or adjustment of toner concentration. Measured parameters may include mottle, paper texture, and bleed through.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing improved print quality regardless of media smoothness is disclosed. Information regarding the smoothness of media is ascertained and the information about the media smoothness is used in the generation of an output. A selectable halftone screen is used in the print device to provide different halftone screens for different media smoothness. The halftoning screens can be changed depending on the roughness of the media being used. Pre-defined halftone screens may be stored and selected for a range of media smoothness. The selection of the pre-defined halftones may be selected by the operator or may be selected automatically by the print device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus corrects pixel data subjected to various dither processes by using correction table information. The image forming apparatus forms a dot image having density gradation represented by a plurality of dots. Conditions of dots surrounding each dot in the dot image is detected. A correction of pixel data corresponding to each dot is performed in accordance with a difference in a density level of the pixel data between each dot and the dots surrounding each dot.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus is arranged by an object tag adding unit 11 for producing an object tag indicative of a sort of an object and a region, which are contained in an input image represented by input image data; a halftone screening unit 13 and a smoothing processing unit 14, which perform a predetermined conversion for image data identical to the input image data; and a selecting unit 16 for inputting thereinto the respective output image data from the halftone screening unit 13 and the smoothing process unit 14, and the image data identical to the input image data, and further the object tag. Based upon this object tag, this selecting unit 16 selects one image data from the input image data, and then produces an image forming control signal used to execute the image forming process operation based on the selected image data.

Abstract: A digital image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus increases input pixel intensity values in an edge region of input image data to form output pixel intensity values. The input pixel intensity values are varyingly increased depending on a location of the input pixel values within the edge region. The output values are printed on an edge region of a print sheet. A printer prints the output intensity pixel values on a print sheet. The invention allows printing of digital images to the edge of a print sheet without accumulating a great deal of toner at the edge of the sheet or overburdening a toner cleaning device.

Abstract: An image processing device for performing gray-scale conversion includes a plurality of processing elements which include respective registers and perform the gray-scale conversion in parallel with respect to respective pixels based on data stored in the respective registers. The image processing device further includes a control unit which controls the processing elements such that the registers of a given one of the processing elements store data of a line segment which is selected from a series of line segments representing an input-to-output relation of the gray-scale conversion, the line segment being selected to correspond to an input gray-scale level of a corresponding pixel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method using the error diffusion method to prevent jumps in a highlight part and darkening in a shadow part at high resolution. The image processing method comprises a step of calculating an average value of density values of N×M (N, M>1) pixels, a step of adding the average value and a diffused quantization error value, a step of quantizing the addition result with a predetermined number of tones, a step of selecting a quantization pattern corresponding to the quantization result, and a step of calculating the diffused quantization error value from the quantization error. The error diffusion algorithm has flexibility in outputting dots. In other words, error diffusion processing is performed in N×M pixel units, and a plurality of quantization patterns are provided, and a quantization pattern is selected based on the quantization result.