Distortion Control In Image Reproduction (e.g., Removing, Reducing Or Preventing Image Artifacts) Patents (Class 358/3.26)
  • Publication number: 20140204426
    Abstract: A method for printing and correction of a printed image defects. The method includes inspection of the printed image and detection of segments of printed image that could contain printed defects. Acquisition of printed image and comparison of the acquired image to an error free image being a source of the printed image facilitates detection and correction of the printed image defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Yaakov Levi
  • Patent number: 8786903
    Abstract: Image boundary detection devices and methods include processes. Processes include setting an image recording mode to a second recording mode. First and second recording modes utilize first and second density values, respectively. Second density values are less than corresponding first density values. Processes include reducing first density values to second density values when the second recording mode is set. Processes include setting an image boundary determination threshold to one of a first and second threshold value when a respective one of the first and second recording mode is set. The second threshold value is less than the first threshold value. Processes include calculating density gradient values based on one of the first and second density value when the respective one of the first and second recording mode is set. Processes include determining whether pixels are image boundaries using density gradient values and the image boundary determination threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8774549
    Abstract: A video processor includes a spatio-temporal noise reduction controller to determine current and previous image edge slopes and adaptively control a spatio-temporal noise reduction processor to blend current and previous images dependent on the current and previous image edge slope values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Vatsala Gopalakrishna, Ravi Ananthapurbacche, Peter Swartz
  • Patent number: 8773723
    Abstract: To generate a color separation table for an image forming apparatus which has relatively dark/light color materials with high/low relative densities, a gamut boundary for limiting the use of the relatively dark color material is set. One of relatively dark color materials is selected, and at least a grid point which satisfies a condition that the color material value of the selected relatively dark color material is nonzero and a color value to be reproduced based on color material values set to the grid point exists in a region brighter than the gamut boundary is determined. The color material value of the selected relatively dark color material set to the grid point which satisfies the condition is replaced by the color material value of the relatively light color material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8773740
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of optical scanning devices, a job receiver, a job executor, an image discriminator for discriminating whether a formation-target image included in an image forming job is a single-color image or a multi-color image, a first condition judger, a second condition judger and a temperature adjuster. In the case of forming a single-color image, the temperature adjuster drives motors of all the optical scanning devices if a predetermined first condition and a predetermined second condition are satisfied and drives the motor of one optical scanning device and does not drive the motors of the other optical scanning devices but the one optical scanning device if the first condition is satisfied, but the second condition is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Ryota Maeda, Hiroshi Yamashita, Naoki Iwam
  • Patent number: 8767266
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Nagai
  • Patent number: 8767267
    Abstract: According to the present invention, to perform double-sided printing or marginless printing, overall image data consonant with an area that includes an area on a print medium and an overrun area are generated based on information concerning the size of the print medium and information concerning the overrun distances. To generate image data, the image data are prepared for both one side of the print medium and the other side of the print medium, so that, relative to the print medium, the position of the image data corresponding to one side matches the position, relative to the print medium, of the image data corresponding to the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruyuki Yanagi
  • Patent number: 8767261
    Abstract: A printing apparatus which forms dots, according to dot data generated through comparison of a grayscale value of each of pixels with each of threshold values of a dither mask. The printing apparatus forms the dots through division into a plurality of pixel groups having different printing conditions and performs at least a part of the dot formation by the pixel groups in a common region. The dither mask has a second threshold value disposition, with respect to a first threshold value disposition which is each of dispositions of the respective threshold values set such that distribution of dots formed in the common region has noise characteristics having a peak on a high frequency side, in a case where a relative position of the dots between the pixel groups is formed in a target positional relationship which is a target in at least a part of a printing grayscale region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kakutani
  • Patent number: 8767233
    Abstract: A method of detecting and correcting imaging defects in a media printed on a high-speed multi-color printer includes providing a multisensory imaging device (10); illuminating the media; sensing images on the media at high resolution with at least one high resolution sensor (20) as it passes the multisensory imaging device; transmitting an output of the high resolution sensor to a controller (19); sensing images on the media at low resolution with at least one low resolution sensor (24); calculating a correction for stitch; adjusting a timing of image data provided to image writers to align the inkjets to produce an optimal cross-track line; and providing a full page view from the low resolution sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stacy M. Munechika, Christopher B. Liston
  • Publication number: 20140177004
    Abstract: An image scanning apparatus and method are provided. The image scanning apparatus includes a scanner that scans a manuscript to generate a scan image, an image processor that calculates a manuscript boundary on the generated scan image as an equation and compensates a distortion of the scan image using the calculated equation, and a storage member that stores the scan image of which the distortion has been compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Su-han SONG, Hyung-soo Ohk
  • Publication number: 20140177005
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads image data, a drawing data storage unit that stores object data comprising the read image data so as to allow the stored object data to be distinguished between a vector object and a raster object, a vector gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored vector objects is formed of an achromatic color, a raster gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored raster objects is formed of an achromatic color, and an output data creation unit that converts the stored object data into multicolor when the stored object data includes a chromatic color and converts the stored object data into monochrome when the stored object data is formed only of achromatic colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8760670
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for print production sheet identification. The method discloses: receiving a set of calibration sheets; collecting an array of pixel samples from at least one of the calibration sheets according to a set of pixel sampling rules to generate at least one reference sample array; capturing an image of a set of physical sheets generated from the set of calibration sheets; collecting an array of pixel samples from at least one of the imaged physical sheets according to the set of pixel sampling rules to generate at least one post-processing sample array; and comparing the post-processing sample array to the reference sample array to determine if the two arrays have less than or equal to a predetermined number of differences. The system discloses: a sampling module, operated by a processor, a scanner, and a comparison module, operated by a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Ulichney, Matthew Gaubatz, David Rouse
  • Patent number: 8760736
    Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, if a foreign substance that was initially present on a document plate is removed by motion of a document being conveyed, a correct read luminance value is employed, instead of a value calculated by interpolation, for a pixel at which there was initially the foreign substance but there is no longer foreign substance thereby preventing degradation due to the interpolation. If a foreign substance on the document plate is detected after the conveying of the document by the conveying unit is started, correcting by a correcting unit is performed. In a case where the foreign substance on the document plate disappears during the conveying of the document by the conveying unit and the foreign substance is no longer detected, the correcting by the correcting unit is not performed, but image data is produced according to the image of the document read by the reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiro Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 8755087
    Abstract: A print apparatus includes an edge detector using attribute information, a screen processor which binarizes each pixel included in image data with a screen processing, a pulse width converter which converts each pixel included in the image data to pulse width data in accordance with an input gradation value, and an output unit which outputs pulse width data from either of the screen processor or the pulse width converter for each pixel. The output unit outputs the pulse width data from the pulse width converter for an edge pixel and outputs the pulse width data from the screen processor for a non-edge pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8749850
    Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, based on image data obtained by reading a white image, detection is performed of an abnormal pixel based on a foreign substance adhering to a reading position of an original and data indicating a position of the abnormal pixel is outputted, then image data obtained by reading an original is corrected based on that data, and detection of the abnormal pixel is carried out immediately prior to reading of a first original, and a correction process based on data indicating a position of the abnormal pixel is carried out on image data obtained by reading a second original following on from the first original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Ikegawa
  • Patent number: 8750638
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a distance calculating unit that calculates a distance between first and second distributions, wherein the first distribution is a distribution of pixel values of pixels surrounding a focus pixel included in an image, the second distribution is a distribution of pixel values of pixels surrounding a pixel included in a window that includes the focus pixel at the center, and the second distribution is obtained for each pixel included in the window; a coefficient calculating unit that calculates, using the distance between the first and second distributions, a filter coefficient for each pixel included in the window; and a filter processing unit that calculates a correction value for the focus pixel by performing a filter process on each pixel included in the window using the filter coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Hara
  • Patent number: 8749860
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus, including: a conveyance portion which conveys a document; an illuminator which illuminates the conveying document; a reading portion which reads the conveying document at a read position; a reference member arranged opposite to the read position; a correction condition calculating portion which calculates a correction condition corresponding to each of a plurality of pixel positions based on image data obtained by the reading portion reading the reference member; and a correction portion which corrects image data of the document using the correction condition, wherein the correction condition calculating portion obtains a plurality of image data of the reference member corresponding to a first pixel position and its peripheral pixel position, and calculates a correction condition at the first pixel position based on remaining image data after excluding high brightness image data and low brightness image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Arima
  • Patent number: 8749849
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140153057
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus (1) according to the present invention includes a layer combining unit (11a) that generates a print image based on print data including a plurality of layers, a determining unit (11b) that determines whether objects included in different layers overlap each other in a single pixel constituting the print image, and a selecting unit (11c) that selects image processing to be performed with respect to the single pixel according to a combination of attribute information for each of the layers assigned to the single pixel, when the objects overlap each other in the corresponding single pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Shigeru Yaginuma, Tetsuhiro Kodera, Kazuto Yamamoto, Takeshi Ikusawa, Tomoko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8743419
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus and image processing method that make it possible to reduce jaggedness and blurring that may occur when performing resolution conversion of an inputted image from low resolution to high resolution, and make it possible to output a high-resolution image. When performing the conversion from low resolution to high resolution, a multi-gradation signal value pattern that surround a pixel of interest for which interpolation is being performed is acquired. By performing pattern matching, a pattern that corresponds to the acquired signal value pattern is extracted from among pattern files that are prepared in advance for the acquired signal value pattern, after which the image is converted to high resolution by signal value substitution and then outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koya Shimamura
  • Patent number: 8744210
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus performs first filter processing to combine pixels of an image along a predetermined direction. A line noise image is extracted by executing second filter processing for the processed image along a direction different from the predetermined direction. The extracted line noise image is subtracted from the image to acquire a line noise reduced image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Noda
  • Patent number: 8743425
    Abstract: A method for using void pantographs involves generating a test sheet including multiple void pantographs, where each of the multiple void pantographs includes a pantograph foreground and a pantograph background. The test sheet is printed, and from the printed test sheet, at least one of the multiple void pantographs having a covert or semi-covert pantograph foreground and background is identified. The printed test sheet is scanned, and from the scanned test sheet, at least one of the multiple void pantographs having an overt pantograph foreground is identified. A workflow is developed for the at least one of the multiple void pantographs having both i) the covert or semi-covert pantograph foreground and background after printing, and ii) the overt pantograph foreground after scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven J. Simske, Malgorzata M. Sturgill, Jason S. Aronoff
  • Patent number: 8737735
    Abstract: A method includes generating a first principle bilateral filtered image component from a source image. The first principle bilateral filtered image component corresponds to a second pixel value of a set, the second pixel value greater than or equal to a first pixel value. The method includes selectively updating a result pixel of a result image based on the first principle bilateral filtered image component and deallocating the first principle bilateral filtered image component. After deallocating the first principle bilateral filtered image component, a second principle bilateral filtered image component is generated from the source image. The second principle bilateral filtered image component corresponds to a third pixel value. The third pixel value is greater than the second pixel value. The third pixel value is less than or equal to a fourth pixel value. The result pixel is selectively updated based on the second principle bilateral filtered image component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Chao Tian, Shankar Krishnan
  • Patent number: 8736909
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image correction unit and a determination unit. The image correction unit inserts a new pixel between pixels forming image data with a plurality of pixels printed using a plurality of print color materials arranged in a main scanning direction in order to correct the image width in the main scanning direction. The determination unit determines whether or not the image data is specified for print with a dot representing given information superposed. When the determination unit determines that the image data is specified for print with the dot superposed, a prohibition unit included in the image correction unit prohibits insertion of the new pixel into a pixel string of a print color material of a similar color to the print color material for the dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noribumi Sato, Mitsuru Iioka, Jun Koyatsu, Kaoru Yamauchi, Keiichi Okada
  • Patent number: 8736894
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Chung-Hui Kuo, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Stacy M. Munechika, Jerry Eugene Livadas
  • Patent number: 8737764
    Abstract: A method of displaying a high dynamic range image, comprising receiving the high dynamic range image, calculating a first set of tone mapping parameters as a function of the high dynamic range image, sub-sampling the first set of tone mapping parameters at a first resolution to create a first sub-sampled parameter set, creating a first tone-mapped image by processing the high dynamic range image as a function of the first sub-sampled parameter set, and displaying the first tone-mapped image. A method of composting a plurality of versions of an image to create the high dynamic range image is also disclosed such that the compositing may be modified as a function of received user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Nils Kokemohr
  • Patent number: 8731335
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting a rotation of a video frame are described. According to a method, an amount of the rotation of the video frame with respect to a reference is determined. The rotation of the video frame is corrected based at least in part on the detected amount of the rotation of the video frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Yubao Zheng, Philip L. Swan
  • Patent number: 8730530
    Abstract: An image reading system and an image reading apparatus is provided. The system or apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an original, a determining unit configured to determine whether there exists a folded portion at a corner of the original, and a generating unit configured to generate a file including an image area which stores image data of the original read by the reading unit and a non-image area which stores data other than the image data, and configured to write fold information in the non-image area if the determining unit determines that there exists a folded portion, the fold information indicating that the folded portion exists in the read original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazushige Muroi
  • Patent number: 8724178
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form a color toner image using a color toner and a transparent layer using a transparent toner on a sheet of recording media, a sheet conveyance unit to transport the sheet, a 3D display lens forming unit disposed downstream from the image forming unit in a sheet conveyance direction, and a controller. The 3D display lens forming unit includes a shaping member including an uneven portion having predetermined surface unevenness, and a pressure member to press the shaping member against the sheet, forming a shaping nip between the shaping member and the pressure member. The 3D display lens forming unit shapes the transparent layer that is an outermost layer on the sheet into a stereoscopic display lens by transferring the surface unevenness of the uneven portion of the shaping member to the transparent layer formed on the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kunii, Akiyasu Amita, Shuntaroh Tamaki
  • Patent number: 8717632
    Abstract: An image processing method generally includes: obtaining a vanishing point on a curved surface in a two-dimension image; extracting all the straight line segments between a top contour line and a bottom contour line of the curved surface by the vanishing point; removing a perspective distortion to get parallel straight line segments; obtaining the lengths of the straight line segments, obtaining the true width of each of the straight line segments in a three-dimension space and the depth increment of the straight line segments according to the lengths; obtaining the expanded width of each straight line segment according to the true width and the depth increment; obtaining the total expanded width of the curved surface to transform it into a flat surface; transforming image contents on the curved surface onto the flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Danian Zheng, Jun Sun, Satoshi Naoi
  • Patent number: 8717631
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a pattern generation unit configured to cause an image forming section to generate a plurality of image patterns that have periodicity unique to the image forming section and are different from each other, a selection unit configured to select one test pattern from the generated plurality of image patterns, and an image correction unit configured to correct an image based on the test pattern selected by the selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Kubo
  • Patent number: 8717633
    Abstract: A printed image erasing system in an embodiment is configured to erase image information obtained by printing both characteristic identification information and document information or only the document information with an erasable color material on a printing medium, comprising: a printer unit configured to print the image information on the printing medium; an erasing unit configured to erase an image printed on the printing medium with the erasable color material; a reading unit configured to read the characteristic identification information on the printing medium to be erased by the erasing unit; and a document management unit configured to manage an erasability condition of the document information on the basis of the characteristic identification information and instruct the printer unit to output new document information according to the erasability condition of the document information that is contained in the characteristic identification information read by the reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Tomizawa, Akihiko Fujiwara, Shunichi Megawa, Masaaki Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 8717630
    Abstract: If a non-edge part of an image is thinned at a constant thinning ratio regardless of an image size (a character size or a line image width), a reduction in image density in the non-edge part becomes more conspicuous with increasing image size, which can lead to a reduction in image quality. In view of the above, the thinning ratio at which to thin data in the non-edge part of the image is determined depending on the image size. The thinning ratio is set to be smaller for images with sizes greater than or equal to a predetermined value than for images with sizes smaller than the predetermined value such that a high-quality image with sufficiently high density in its non-edge part is obtained regardless of the image size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobukazu Takahashi, Yasunori Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8717618
    Abstract: There is provided a decoloring device including a decoloring unit, a first sheet conveying unit, a pre-decoloring reading unit, a type determining unit, a second sheet conveying unit, a post-decoloring reading unit, a decoloring success or failure determining unit, and a determination criterion setting unit. The type determining unit determines the type of image on the sheet conveyed to the decoloring unit based on the reading result in the pre-decoloring reading unit. The post-decoloring reading unit reads an image on the sheet after the decoloring, which is conveyed by the second sheet conveying unit. The decoloring success or failure determining unit determines whether or not the decoloring in the decoloring unit is successful based on the reading result in the post-decoloring reading unit. The determination criterion setting unit sets a determination criterion in the decoloring success or failure determining unit, based on the type of image, which is determined by the type determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Hiroyuki Taki
  • Publication number: 20140118792
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing image data to be used for image formation, comprises: a black background area determination unit configured to determine a black background area formed from a plurality of black lines using the number of consecutive black lines and the number of consecutive lines adjacent to the black lines and other than the black lines out of the image data; and a thinning processing unit configured to perform thinning processing for the black background area by switching a thinning pattern to convert a value of a pixel based on the number of lines included in the black background area determined by the black background area determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Yukihiro Shindo
  • Patent number: 8711437
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and a method thereof for setting, in a case where a plurality of component colors of a special-color object specified with a special color is included and a transition point is included in a region of the special-color object in image data, a transition point located in the region at a position where a generation of color unevenness can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Sato
  • Patent number: 8711435
    Abstract: In one form, the method comprises obtaining scanned values of the image, scaling the scanned values to obtain scaled values, applying a non-linear correction function to the scaled values to obtain a first approximation of corrected reflectance values, filtering the corrected reflectance values by applying a piecewise Gaussian filter, applying the non-linear correction function to obtain a successive approximation of the corrected reflectance values, determining whether the successive approximation of the corrected reflectance values are sufficiently converged, selectively repeating the filtering and applying if the corrected reflectance values are insufficiently converged and selecting the corrected reflectance values for subsequent processing if the corrected reflectance values are sufficiently converged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: R. Victor Klassen
  • Patent number: 8711436
    Abstract: A image generation device generates, on a print medium, an image including a first image portion and a second image portion. The device has a first screen processing unit which generates image data by an area modulation screen having a first screen ruling, for pixels of the first image portion; and a second screen processing unit which generates image data by an area modulation screen or a density modulation screen having a second screen ruling which is higher than the first screen ruling for pixels of the second image portion. And the first screen processing unit generates a halftone dot at a center of gravity position of an image of the first image portion in a cell corresponding to a halftone dot formation area in the area modulation screen processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Nobuhiro Karito
  • Patent number: 8711454
    Abstract: An image scanner includes: a light source that irradiates, with light, a recording medium on which an image is formed; a light receiving portion that receives light reflected by the recording medium; and a reflecting portion that has a reflecting surface for measuring the amount of specular reflection light coming from the light source, the specular reflection light being included in the light received by the light receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Ito
  • Publication number: 20140111833
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present general inventive concept includes a transfer unit configured to transfer an image formed on a photoreceptor to a transfer medium, a power supply unit configured to supply transfer power to the transfer unit, a density sensor unit configured to sense a density of the image transferred to the transfer medium, and a control unit configured to control the power supply unit so that the transfer power supplied to the transfer unit is adjusted, wherein the density sensor unit is allowed to move from a first position for sensing a density of sample patches formed on the transfer medium to a second position for sensing a density of a reference reflective plate, and the control unit performs a sensor compensation mode and a density compensation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-seok PARK, Jong-cheol Oh
  • Patent number: 8705124
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes recording heads for ejecting recording liquids of colors onto a recording medium. The apparatus includes a reference-patch forming unit that records a reference patch, the reference patch being formed by overlaying dot array patterns recorded with the recording liquids of different colors, the dot array patterns having no correlation therebetween; a detection-patch-group forming unit that records a detection patch group including detection patches, each of the detection patches being formed by overlaying dot array patterns recorded with the recording liquids of the different colors, the dot array patterns having a same cycle of regular dot array, the detection patches being allocated with different misregistration amounts of the dot array patterns; and a color-misregistration correcting unit that corrects color misregistration based on results of comparison between color tone of the reference patch and color tone of each of the detection patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Masanori Hirano
  • Patent number: 8705895
    Abstract: Methods for reducing dimensionality of hyperspectral image data having a number of spatial pixels, each associated with a number of spectral dimensions, include receiving sets of coefficients associated with each pixel of the hyperspectral image data, a set of basis vectors utilized to generate the sets of coefficients, and either a maximum error value or a maximum data size. The methods also include calculating, using a processor, a first set of errors for each pixel associated with the set of basis vectors, and one or more additional sets of errors for each pixel associated with one or more subsets of the set of basis vectors. Utilizing such errors calculations, an optimum size of the set of basis vectors may be ascertained, allowing for either a minimum amount of error within the maximum data size, or a minimum data size within the maximum error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ian S. Robinson, Bradley A. Flanders
  • Patent number: 8705137
    Abstract: To add an arbitrary recording medium as a recording medium that can be used for calibration to maintain the quality of an image to be formed, an image forming unit forms a pattern image on each of a specific recording medium that can be used for the calibration and the arbitrary recording medium. A creating unit creates second conversion setting information applied to the arbitrary recording medium to convert luminance information into density information, using first luminance information obtained from the pattern image formed on the specific recording medium, second luminance information obtained from the pattern image formed on the arbitrary recording medium, and first conversion setting information applied to the specific recording medium for converting luminance information into density information. A determining unit determines a common image formation condition applied to the specific recording medium and the arbitrary recording medium based on the second conversion setting information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Zaima
  • Patent number: 8705071
    Abstract: A computer generated method disclosed. The method includes performing an exact comparison between a first bitmap and a second bitmap, calculating a number of miscompared pixels that occurred during the comparison and calculating a quantity value representing a characteristic of the miscompared pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: InfoPrint Solutions Company LLC
    Inventor: David Wagner
  • Patent number: 8704843
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention, comprises: a motion detection unit that detects a motion vector from an input image; a determination unit that determines whether an image is moving in each pixel in use of the detected motion vector, and determines whether a motion pixel, about which determination has been made that the image is moving therein, exists in a predetermined range from a still pixel about which determination has been made that the image is not moving therein; and a correction unit that performs correction processing to decrease at least one of high frequency components, contrast, and luminance for the still pixel about which determination has been made that a motion pixel exists in the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuji Saito
  • Patent number: 8705138
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a print head adapted to form an image on a recording medium, a transport path for the recording medium, the transport path being provided on at least one of a feed side and a discharge side of the recording medium with respect to the print head, an image reading device provided on the transport path, the image reading device being adapted to read an image formed by the print head, a correction chart provided opposite the image reading device with the transport path interposed in between, the correction chart being read by the image reading device in order to correct a reading result of the image reading device, based on information obtained from reading the correction chart, and a distance adjustment device adapted to increase or decrease the distance between the correction chart and the image reading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Ando, Katsuhisa Ono
  • Patent number: 8705136
    Abstract: In a method or system for trapping print data with a plurality of respective objects, the objects being individually transferred into a bit map pixel file, at least one overfill is determined for the respective object relative to color regions bordering the respective object in the pixel file according to predetermined trapping rules. The object and the at least one overfill are inserted into the pixel file, wherein the object and the overfill are rastered in the pixel file upon insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Jörgens, Göran Eiler, Ulrich Bäumler, José La Rosa Ducato
  • Patent number: 8699086
    Abstract: A method for image correction and a scanner using the same are provided. The scanner includes an image sensor and an automatic document feeder. The automatic document feeder has a paperweight mechanism. The method includes marking a first and a second characteristic regions on the paperweight mechanism; using the image sensor to search the two black characteristic regions to define a scan line; when the document is to be scanned, moving the image sensor to a position corresponding to the scan line, and starting to scan the document in order to obtain a scanned image; identifying the scanned image to obtain two position information associated with the two black characteristic regions; calculating a tilt angle of the scanned image according to a distance between the two black characteristic regions and the two location information; and finally correcting the scanned image angle according to the tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited, Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Theta Lin
  • Patent number: 8699812
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire an image comprising image data reconstructed from an imaging device. The instructions further cause the computer to apply a bloom reduction algorithm to the image configured to iteratively reduce a blooming of high-density objects in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jiang Hsieh, Sandeep Dutta
  • Patent number: 8699078
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an information obtainment unit that obtains image information including data regarding a binary image, a plate-information generating unit that generates plate information, an instruction obtainment unit that obtains a first or second generating instruction, a job-file generating unit, and an output unit that outputs a job file to an image forming apparatus. The job-file generating unit generates, for the first generating instruction, a job file for causing the image forming apparatus to form images using data representing blank for a plate for which the plate information indicates that no image information exists, and data included in image information corresponding to a plate for which the plate information indicates that image information exists, and generates, for the second generating instruction, a job file for causing the image forming apparatus to form an image for each plate using data included in image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Sugawara, Kazunori Kurokawa