Abstract: A data processing apparatus uses a pattern table arranging binarizing patterns correspondingly to positions of a pixel, each of which is used for a binarization process in which an arrangement of a number of dots depending on a value of multi-valued image data corresponding to the pixel is determined, to select the binarizing pattern depending on the position of the pixel and on the value of multi-valued image data corresponding to the pixel for executing the binarization process. The pattern table corresponding to one of the values to be taken by the multi-valued image data includes a plurality of types of binarizing patterns which determine different arrangements of dots from each other. The arrangement of each of the plurality of types of binarizing patterns in the pattern table corresponding to the one value has a characteristic that the arrangement is aperiodic and that low frequency components are fewer than high frequency components.

Abstract: The present invention suppresses data processing load and processing time when generating density data for the same color that corresponds to a plurality of printing scans (or plurality of printing element groups) of a printing head and printing medium. In order to accomplish this, input image data is converted to a plurality of density data by referencing a three-dimensional lookup table that performs one-to-one correlation of input image data with a plurality of density data that corresponds to a plurality of relative movements (or plurality of printing element groups). By doing so, it is possible to perform a process of generating density data (CMYK) that corresponds to a plurality of relative movements (or plurality of printing element groups) from input image data at once, and thus it is possible to suppress an increase in data processing load and processing time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting a skew angle of an LED array in the second of dual/tandem print engine systems to compensate for shrinkage of the printable medium exiting the first print engine. Features and aspects hereof provide for manually and/or automatically measuring the shrinkage of the printable medium as it exits the first print engine and for automatically and/or manually adjusting the skew angle of the mounting of the LED array in the second print engine. The image data applied through the LED to the corresponding photoconductor of the second print engine is similarly skewed to match the skew angle of the LED array. Thus a substantially normal bitmap image is applied through the skewed LED to the photoconductor of the second print engine shrunk in the width dimension. Visual artifacts and anomalies from the mathematical approximations and rounding are visually imperceptible at sufficiently high resolutions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain a desired output result when forming an image based on the resource data downloaded via a network by avoiding a situation that the downloaded resource data in incomplete state is employed for output. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an image forming method comprising a step (S901, S902) of holding the downloaded resource data, a step (S903 to S907) of determining whether or not the information necessary for forming the image is provided by analyzing the resource data, and a step (S908) of deleting the resource data held at the holding step, if as a result of the determination, it is determined that the information necessary for forming the image is not provided.

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

Abstract: A color selecting method, an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and a recording medium are provided. Color comparing conditions for a color chart are designated, and image data are generated to print first, second and third color charts in which color patches having colors corresponding respectively to different variables of the designated color comparing conditions are disposed adjacent to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming device using a low visibility information embedding technique to manage a copy history of an original. The image forming device embeds history information with the use of small dots disappearing by copying, and coordinate information on a region embedded with the history information with the use of large dots not disappearing even by copying. Upon first copying, the image forming device newly creates both of the large dot coordinate information and the small dot history information, and embeds them. Upon second or later copying, the image forming device updates the history information having been read out of the original with that on the current copying, and embeds the updated history information in the history information region indicated by the coordinate information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a calibration mode in which a calibration image is formed on a print medium to correct image forming conditions. The image forming apparatus detects print medium information to determine, on the basis of the print medium information, whether the print medium is a sheet recommended as a print medium for use in the calibration mode. The image forming apparatus sets calibration conditions corresponding to the determined recommended sheet. The image forming apparatus corrects the image forming conditions on the basis of the set calibration conditions.

Abstract: In processing for normalizing a P-bit input digital signal, which is expressed by binary notation, to 2M?1 (0<M?P) tones, upper M bits of the input digital signal are repetitively concatenated until P bits are reached, a concatenated signal obtained as a result of concatenation is compared with the input digital signal, and a value indicated by the upper M bits or a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the value indicated by the upper M bits is determined as a normalized value depending on the comparison result.

Abstract: Color separation systems and methods improve color constancy and smoothness of a color lookup table (LUT) for a printer. A plurality of nodes of the LUT may be defined in calorimetric space, and the nodes out of the printer gamut may be mapped to the printer gamut surface. All possible colorant combinations are then determined that produce each node in the LUT in a device independent color space based on an inversion of the spectral based printer model. Next, a specific image quality metric combination based on a color inconstancy index (CII) and a gray component replacement (CGR) strategy is defined. And a colorant combination is determined for each and every node in the LUT based on this metric. A smoothing filter may be used to smooth the lookup table.

Abstract: A device model object which numerically constructs colorimetric measurements based on access to a spectrally-based device profile. In situations where a color management module issues a request for spectral measurements, then the device model object provides spectral measurements directly from the spectrally-based device profile. However, in situations where the color management module issues a request for colorimetric measurements, then the device model object numerically constructs colorimetric measurements based on numerical integration of spectral measurements from the spectrally-based device profile against a viewing condition white point. The constructed measurements are provided to the color management module and they are also cached for possible future use. In this way, the device model object is able to support requests for both measurement-based device profiles and spectrally-based device profiles.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for reducing process color banding due to printhead non-uniformities in a direct marking device. In one example, a first measurement of a printhead spatial non-uniformity is obtained along a first line in a color space which produces a spatial uniformity when a target primary color is printed alone. A first spatial tone reproduction curve is generated. A second measurement of the printhead spatial non-uniformity is obtained along a second line in color space in a coverage area of a process color which maximally changes a halftone structure of the target primary color. A second spatial TRC is generated. The first and second spatial TRCs are combined using a weighted average which balances the primary and process colors. A modified spatial TRC is generated. The printhead is adjusted at a location of the target primary color according to the modified spatial TRC.

Abstract: A technique that can contribute to improvement of processing efficiency in performing image processing employing an SIMD command is provided.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is capable of extracting embedded information from the back side of a printed document without causing degradation of reading efficiency. A scanner unit reads an image on a first side of a sheet. An encoded information processing section extracts embedded information embedded in the image read by the scanner unit. When embedded information indicating that embedded information is embedded in an image on a second side of the sheet is extracted by the encoded information processing section, an automatic second-side reading section reads the image on the second side of the sheet, and the encoded information processing section extracts the embedded information embedded in the image read by the automatic second-side reading section.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to provide image quality particularly with regard to rendering spot color objects in image forming devices. Input spot color objects are assessed based on an object type and one or more parameters associated with the object, to include, but not be limited to, a desired tint value. A plurality of spot color rendering mechanisms are available within the individual system and/or method. A determination is made automatically regarding which of the plurality of color rendering mechanism to be employed to enhance specific image quality based on sensed and/or obtained parameters regarding the object, to include, but not be limited to, type and/or desired tint values.

Abstract: A profile generator determines differences between the standard spectral reflectances of a color chart printed under standard density conditions and the spectral reflectances of a color chart printed while the density of one of the colors C, M, Y, K is changed, and the densities of the other colors are secured to standard densities. When density variations are established, the profile generator generates a print predicting profile using spectral reflectances produced by adding the standard spectral reflectances and the difference with respect to the color whose density has changed. The colors of a print produced when the density of a desired color is changed are predicted with high accuracy using the print predicting profile.

Abstract: A distortion of a table which causes generation of a pseudo contour is removed. For this, there is disclosed a table creation method of creating a table for performing color separation into coloring material colors in an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of creating a color separation table of a line in which a color reproduction area of the image forming apparatus is maximized, creating a color separation table in an inner line of the color reproduction area of the image forming apparatus, performing an interpolation process based on the created color separation tables, and smoothing the table obtained by the interpolation process to create the table.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a preferred size for a Link LUT as used in conversion from an input color space defined by an input ICC profile into an output color space defined by an output ICC profile. The Link LUT may be incorporated within a device link structure as generally defined in the ICC specification or within a Link Color Conversion CMR in an AFP architecture system. The preferred size is determined from the size of an input LUT associated with the input ICC profile and the size of an output LUT associated with the output ICC profile. In AFP architecture systems, the input and output LUTs and profiles may each be incorporated in appropriate Color Conversion CMRs. The preferred size is determined as a reduced size that requires less computation to generate but does not cause loss of accuracy in conversion between the input and output color spaces.

Abstract: A color conversion method including the steps of a) generating output values corresponding to a body-center of each cubic lattice block included in a three-dimensional input space, and interpolating between the output values generated in step a) and the LUT values. The cubic lattice block is divided into six quadrangular pyramids. Each of the quadrangular pyramids is divided into two tetrahedron blocks by a side parallel to a predetermined straight line and by a plane including a diagonal line of a bottom plane that intersects the side parallel to the predetermined axis. Corrected output values are determined by performing linear interpolation on output values corresponding to body-center points of each of the tetrahedron blocks and using LUT values corresponding to three lattice points of each of the tetrahedron blocks and three correction coefficients based on a positional relationship of input color signals inside each of the tetrahedron blocks.

Abstract: An image forming method that forms an image by using inks of secondary chromatic colors based on an input image, the method including: forming a test pattern that uses a color chart with the entire secondary chromatic colors of the used inks by using a normal color conversion table for converting a first color space of the input image into a second color space of the formed image; comparing data obtained by scanning the formed test pattern with second color space data of the test pattern, and identifying a non-matching color portion as a non-ejection color and a line position containing a non-ejection nozzle thereof; preparing a special color conversion table, the special color conversion table being provided for each omission ink; and setting and using the special color conversion table for an omission ink corresponding to the non-ejection color at the line position containing the identified non-ejection nozzle.

Abstract: A second printing control unit is provided. If the setting information is the information of setting for avoiding the use of Cl ink (uncolored ink), the second printing control unit refers to the same color conversion table as is used by a first printing control unit. Thereby the second printing control unit color-converts input image data into image data comprising gradation data corresponding to at least the amounts of colored inks in C, M, Y, R, V, and K consumed. The second printing control unit can carry out such control as to cause a printer (printing device) to use only the C, M, Y, R, V, and K colored ink and print a print image, using the image data.

Abstract: Color management which uses a color conversion LUT for transformation from an N-dimensional source device color space (N?4) to a destination device color space, in which the color conversion LUT is constructed in a two-step process. In the first step, an intermediate color conversion LUT is constructed that converts colors in a three-dimensional device-independent color space through a gamut mapping step and through an inverse destination device transform so as to obtain colors in the destination device color space. In the second step, the overall color conversion LUT is obtained by applying a source device transform to color combinations in the source device color space so as to obtain color values in the three-dimensional device-independent color space, and thereafter performing three-dimensional color look-ups in the intermediate color conversion table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting a color of an image, the apparatus includes a unit setting at least one adjustment region shaped as an ellipse in a color space; and a unit converting colors of pixels included in the adjustment region to other colors based on a variable set.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image output device color management system. The color management system includes a 2 dimensional principle component analysis (PCA) compensation method for reducing the number of measurement required for re-profiling a device, such as a printer.

Abstract: A color look up table adjusting apparatus includes: a color gamut acquisition unit that determines a color gamut from an image output by an image forming apparatus, and determines, from an image output by another image forming apparatus, a position of input color values in a color space as a target point; an interpolation process unit that calculates a point corresponding to the target point within the color gamut of the image forming apparatus as an adjustment point; a color value adjustment table generating unit that generates a color value adjustment table for converting the input color values into input color values corresponding to a position of the adjustment point; and a table organization unit that converts arbitrary input color values based on the color value adjustment table, and inputs input color values obtained after the conversion as input color values based on a color look up table.

Abstract: For each combination of color material signals corresponding to an input image signal, a total color material use amount is calculated. On the other hand, on the basis of a predetermined target color, total color material use amounts are set which vary smoothly in accordance with a variation in the target color. Then, a determination is made as to which one of all the combinations of color material signals determined as described above corresponds to one of the set total color material use amounts which is the same as the total color material use amount corresponding to the input image signal. This combination is outputted to a printer as the optimum combination of color material signals corresponding to the input image signal.

Abstract: A color converter has a setting section, a determining section, and a converting section. The setting section sets the ratio between plural color rendering intents. The determining section determines a color conversion function for converting a first image signal in a first color space into a second image signal in a second color space different from the first color space, based on the ratio between the color rendering intents. The converting section converts the first image signal into the second image signal based on the color conversion function determined by the determining section.

Abstract: A spectral reflectance, corresponding to multiple quantities of coloring materials, is obtained, and a target spectral reflectance, corresponding to data of a color of interest, calculated based on the spectral reflectance. The target spectral reflectance is calculated in a manner that makes the spectral reflectance change contiguously, across an interval of multiple colors that are reproduced by the quantities of coloring materials in question. A decision of the quantities of coloring materials in question is thus made that corresponds to the target spectral reflectance.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and system to generate device dependent color space representations for an image output device. The method and system are particularly applicable to a printing device, where gamut boundary separated profile methods are executed to map device in-gamut and device out-of-gamut colors.

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: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for adjusting the gray balance of a multifunction color marking device in order to change the device's neutral behavior to a desired level of acceptability. The gray balance aim curve is specified by: L*, L*(aim), a*(aim) and b*(aim), where L*(aim)=f1(L*), a*(aim)=f2(L*), and b*(aim)=f3(L*). After receiving the user-modified gray balance aim curve, the target color device constructs a 3-D N×N×N L*a*b* to L*a*b* pre-LUT to reflect the neutral aim change by transforming a neutral axis input of L*, a*=0 and b*=0 to L*(aim), a*(aim) and b*(aim). Colors further away from the neutral axis are shifted by a lesser amount. The pre-LUT is then concatenated with the current color LUT to produce an updated color LUT which is applied to the device to achieve the desired neutral behavior. The gray balance aim curve can also be based upon a pre-determined user preference.

Abstract: A method and system for mapping an input color value in an input color space to an output color value in an output color space comprising a lookup table mapping an input value to an output color value, the lookup table having n number of possible values for a first fixed color component and q number of possible values for a second fixed color component, wherein q and a number m of possible values for t color components in the input color space are less than n. Surrounding input values are determined in the lookup table in a t dimensional space, wherein each surrounding input value has a same value for the fixed color component(s). Surrounding output values to which the surrounding input values map are determined. The determined input and output surrounding values and the input value are used to estimate an output value corresponding to the received input value.

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

Abstract: A method for printing an image with a printing system including the steps of multitoning image data to produce a multitoned image having a multitone resolution; providing a look-up table, wherein each look-up table entry specifies a number of dots of a first size and a number of dots of a second size; using the look-up table to expand the multitoned image data from the multitone resolution to a print-ready image having a printing resolution; and printing the print-ready image using a first array of dot forming elements for forming dots of a first size and a second array of dot forming elements for forming dots having a second size that is greater than the first size.

Abstract: Color appearances do not satisfactorily match between recording paper sheets with different gloss characters even using a colorimetric matching process. Hence, the differences between the gloss characters of the recording paper sheets are obtained as correction amounts, and a media profile indicating correspondence between color signals of an image forming apparatus and calorimetric signals corresponding to recording paper is corrected on the basis of the obtained correction amounts.

Abstract: A color tone setting window 100 that includes an ink color circle 110 is displayed in order to set a color tone of a monochrome image. By specifying a point Pcc in the ink color circle 110, intensities of color components representing three chromatic primary color inks are specified. The color component intensities representing three chromatic primary color inks are determined as parameters defining the color tone of the monochrome image in accordance with the position of the specified point Pcc in the ink color circle 110. The ink color circle 110 is configured such that the color component intensities representing three chromatic primary color inks can be visually recognized from the position in the ink color circle 110. Alternatively, ink color sliders can be used in lieu of the ink color circle 110.

Abstract: An image-processing device adapted to the increased types of color printers without excessive manpower includes a common color correction unit, which carries out a conversion (color correction or customization) common to the models of color printers. Therefore, the method for conversion does not need to be changed depending on the type of color printer. As a result, color correction mode-adapted LUTs, stored color correction LUTs, and light source correction LUTs needed for the common color correction unit do not increase even if the models of color printers increase, and common LUTs can be used. Consequently, the manpower needed to fabricate the color correction mode-adapted LUTs, stored color correction LUTs, and light source correction LUTs does not increase even if the models of printers increase, so that the image-processing device can be adapted to an increase of the models of color printers without excessive manpower.

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: Colorimetric data corresponding to corner grid points in an RGB color space, such as grid point P1, is used without correction. For grid points positioned on an edge, such as grid point P2, an average value is calculated for calorimetric data corresponding to a total of three grid points, including a target grid point and two adjacent grid points on the edge. For grid points positioned on a surface, such as grid point P4, an average value is calculated for calorimetric data corresponding to a total of nine grid points, including the target grid point and eight adjacent grid points on the surface. For grid points positioned inside the cube-shaped grid, such as grid point P5, an average value is calculated for calorimetric data corresponding to a total of 27 grid points, including the target grid point and 26 grid points adjacent to the target grid point three-dimensionally.

Abstract: A digital image processing method and system converts color images to monochrome images. Color image data is clustered. Centroids of clusters are mapped to monochrome values. The separation of the monochrome levels is adjusted, based on relative significance of corresponding clusters. Color pixels in the clusters are mapped to the adjusted monochrome levels, and the resulting monochrome pixels are rendered.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit which forms a toner image on an image carrier and transfers the formed toner image on a paper, a color conversion process unit to carry out a color conversion process to convert inputted image data to image data of an output color in the image forming unit, a paper type information obtaining unit to obtain at least one or more information among a size of a paper, a basis weight of the paper and whether the paper is coated or not and a control unit to control so as to change a maximum adhesion amount of a toner to a paper by selecting a color conversion process condition for the color conversion process unit based on the information obtained by the paper type information obtaining unit.

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

Abstract: A method of processing image data is disclosed, wherein the method includes receiving a set of image data values in a device-dependent first color space, comparing the values in the first color space to a look-up table having entries correlating the values in the first color space to integer values in a device-independent second color space, locating in the look-up table the values in the second color space corresponding to the values in the first color space, and converting the values in the first color space to the values in the second color space.

Abstract: The invention discloses an image processing apparatus for adjusting the saturation of an input image. The input image also has lightness and hue. The image processing apparatus includes a first processing unit, a second processing unit, a third processing unit, and a converter. According to the lightness, hue, and a first LUT, the first processing unit determines a gain curve. According to the lightness, hue, and a second LUT, the second processing unit determines a normalized limit gain and multiplies the normalized limit gain by the saturation of the input image to generate a normalized saturation. According to the gain curve and a third LUT, the third processing unit determines a set of gain parameters and, according to the normalized saturation and the gain parameters, determines a gain of saturation. According to the gain of saturation, the converter is used for adjusting the saturation of the input image.

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 method of creating a lookup table which describes a correspondence relationship between an input value to a printing apparatus for performing printing by ejecting ink onto a printing medium, and output values of a special gloss ink and a color ink of the printing apparatus, includes: a first process of determining the output value of the special gloss ink to be relatively low at a lattice point where an index value relating to color intensity is dark to be equal to or lower than a predetermined value, with regard to each lattice point of the lookup table; and a second process of determining the output value of the color ink at each lattice point by increasing an ink duty limit value which is the upper limit of the sum of the color ink that can be ejected onto a unit area of the printing medium, according to the determined output value of the special gloss ink.

Abstract: A method of gamut mapping includes the steps of defining a mapping function establishing a continuous first derivative of change of at least one color space component from a first color gamut to a second color gamut, and applying the function to first color gamut data for the at least one color space component.

Abstract: In order to accelerate the processing speed using existing hardware or program, MFP sets a reference lattice point in the device space of a printer (S05), calculates the difference between first color data and the reference lattice point (S06), sets the dimension having the largest difference of the differences of dimensions not set as process targets, as a process target dimension (S10), sets the lattice point having the process target dimension as a second process target lattice point (S11), calculates a base term based on the difference of the process target dimension, the first process target lattice point, and the second process target lattice point (S18), calculates a total sum vector (S19), resets the second process target lattice point as a first process target lattice point every time the base term is calculated (S20), calculates a second reference vector using an existing triangular pyramid interpolation expression when the number of dimensions not set as process target dimensions become three (S14)

Abstract: An image processing method generates a color separation table, the color separation table being used in converting an image signal to a signal for a colorant for use in a printer and storing grid-point data as the colorant signal so as to associate the grid-point data with a grid point defined by the image signal. The image processing method includes obtaining data of a first color separation table and generating a second color separation table based on the difference between a maximum allowable amount of colorant discharge for the first color separation table and a maximum allowable amount of colorant discharge for the second color separation table and the data of the first color separation table so that a total amount of colorant discharge of the second color separation table does not exceed the maximum allowable amount of colorant discharge for the second color separation table.

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.