Abstract: An image defect diagnostic system includes: a memory that stores an image density threshold set for each of partial regions in a test target image being a test target for an image defect and set as a criteria for judging whether or not each of the partial regions has an image defect, and that stores a positional information piece indicating a position of corresponding one of the partial regions in the test target image, while associating the image density threshold and the positional information piece with each other; and a diagnostic unit that compares an image data piece of each of the partial regions generated by scanning the test target image with the image density threshold set for corresponding one of the partial regions stored in the memory, to diagnose whether or not an image defect occurs in the test target image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a dense depth map. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a joint bilateral filter to a first depth map to generate a second depth map, where at least one filter weight of the joint bilateral filter is adapted based upon content of an image represented by the first depth map, and the second depth map has a higher resolution than the first depth map.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining printer performance in terms of image quality defects over a large complex set of conditions based on measurements taken over a small simple set of conditions, thus reducing the amount of time, effort, and wasted paper required to obtain the data. The present system and method effectively utilizes a predictive model that predicts noise measurements of multi-separations from those of single-separation colors and/or a subset of the multi-separations. Because a model is used to comprehend color performance over the entire gamut, the number of patches is reduced. This reduction enables the method to be used within a machine to dynamically characterize the device's image quality performance. Various embodiments have been disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention includes a detection unit configured to detect a noise based on pixel values of a neighboring pixel group having an interval of n pixel (s) (n is an integer of 1 or more) from a target pixel and a range of m pixel(s) (m is an integer of 1 or more) and a pixel value of the target pixel, and a replacement unit configured to replace the pixel value of the target pixel with an average value of the pixel values of the neighboring pixel group if the noise is detected.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for avoiding redundant printing are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An application executing in a data processing system receives a request to print a document. A determination is made whether a valid shared print of the document is available, the valid shared print being a hard-copy of the document that is currently within a validity period and is available for sharing among multiple entities. The shared valid print is requested from a current owner of the shared valid print. If the request is successful, possession of the shared valid print is changed in a prints repository from the current owner to a new owner and a new printing of the document according to the request to print the document is suspended.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a first screen processing unit, a moiré component calculation unit, a first correction unit, and a second screen processing unit. The first screen processing unit performs screen processing on image data to form screen processed image data. The moiré component calculation unit calculates an original moiré component that corresponds to a low-frequency component of the screen processed image data and a low-frequency component of the image data. The first correction unit corrects the image data based on a calculated moiré component. The second screen processing unit performs the screen processing on the corrected image data.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of embedding information into an image comprises dividing the image into a plurality of blocks, providing a plurality of embedded blocks corresponding to the plurality of blocks, respectively, each of the embedded blocks having the same size as each of the blocks when each of the blocks is smaller than a predetermined size, each of the embedded blocks having the predetermined size and being placed at the center of each the block when each of the blocks is not smaller than the predetermined size and selectively modifying the characteristic value of each of the embedded blocks in accordance with the information to be embedded.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a setting section and an image processing section. The setting section sets a process condition of electrophotographic image formation suited to reading of an information image that represents data by a pattern. The image processing section performs an image process for preventing degradation, in image quality, of an image other than the information image under the process condition set through the setting section.

Abstract: An image acquiring unit reads an original and outputs whole image data of the original including a vertical streak portion corresponding to a location of a foreign material on a read surface of the reading unit. A storing unit stores therein the image data output from the image acquiring unit. A dividing unit defines an edge portion of the image data and divides the image data into vertical-streak-correction subject data and image portion data. A vertical-streak correcting unit performs a correction process on the vertical-streak-correction subject data to compensate a degradation in image quality due to the foreign material.

Abstract: When at least one of first image data and second image data is captured, according to a moving speed of an object while an image sensor is capturing an image, exposure time for capturing the image is controlled to decrease a difference between object blur widths in a direction in which the object moves.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing noise in output image data is provided. Grayscale image data having a plurality of pixels is received and processed. During processing, pixels which may produce noise are identified, and a mask associated with the image data is generated. The mask provides information related to the pixels, such as opaque and transparent regions for overlaying the pixels. The image data and the mask are compressed and stored. The mask assists in preventing the identified pixels from being visible when the image data is output, thereby reducing the noise in the image.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel method for reducing errors in IOP registration of a digital document system. In one embodiment, a number of digital pages (10, for example) are received in the image path. For each of a process and lateral direction of a first side of each digital image, a total amount of IOP registration error to be corrected is determined. A portion of the total IOP registration error is estimated that is separable error. Each of the estimated separable errors are subtracted from the total IOP registration error to obtain an amount of non-separable error in each respective direction. The non-separable error values are averaged to obtain an error value for each direction per-side. The error values are compensated for in their respective directions per-side by adjustments to the device in an amount which is equal in magnitude and in an opposite direction to the error.

Abstract: A method for registering color measured values on printing materials with a color sensor includes registering the color measured values on the printing materials at different angles of observation of the color sensor. The angular dependence of the color measured values registered on the printing materials at different angles of observation is corrected in a computer.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus executes quantization processing of second multi-valued image data that corresponds to a second relative movement of a plurality of relative movements based on first multi-valued image data that corresponds to a first relative movement of the plurality of relative movements, and executes quantization processing of the first multi-valued image data based on the second multi-valued image data. This makes it possible to output a high-quality image having excellent robustness and reduced graininess by controlling the overlap rate of dots that are printed by the first relative movement and the dots that are printed by the second relative movement.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for determining mixedness of batch material for making ceramic ware, and methods for obtaining substantially consistent mixedness of batch material for making ceramic ware.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a controller that causes an image forming unit to form an image so that a plurality of unit images are arranged in a first direction with a constant distance between adjacent unit images; an acquisition unit that acquires read image data indicating a position and a grey level value of each pixel constituting the image formed under control of the controller; and a calculation unit that calculates a misregistration with respect to the first direction of the image formed by the image forming unit, based on a convolution operation performed on the read image data acquired by the acquisition unit, the convolution operation using a reference periodic function whose variable is a position in the first direction.

Abstract: There are provided a first intermediate image generating means (1) for generating a first intermediate image (D1) by extracting a component in a vicinity of a particular frequency band in an input image (DIN), a second intermediate image generating means (2) for generating a second intermediate image (D2) from the first intermediate image (D1), and an adding means for adding the input image (DIN) and the second intermediate image (D2). The second intermediate image generating means (2) includes a non-linear processing means (2A) that varies the content of its processing according to the pixel in the intermediate image (D1). Even if the input image includes a fold-over component on the high-frequency side or does not include an adequate high-frequency component, adequate image enhancement processing can be carried out.

Abstract: An image reader includes a cabinet and an optical system. The cabinet has four plate members fixed to each other by laser welding from a side direction of the image reader and has a bottom wall fixed to the four plate members by laser welding from a side direction or a lower direction of the image reader. The cabinet has a first opening for a document read window opening toward an upper direction of the image reader. Each of the plate members is bended in letter L shape to form an upper end part and a side wall. The optical system is housed in the cabinet for reading an image of a document through the opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a positioning unit that acquires a misalignment amount of a pixel in a main-scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction, the pixel as a reference pixel for zooming image data, and decides a position of a pixel as a correction target, based on the misalignment amount; a correcting unit that corrects the pixel; a zooming unit that controls the positioning unit and the correcting unit so as to repeatedly perform the positioning process and the correction process on a pixel line; a pattern recognition unit that performs pattern matching on a predetermined pattern and a predetermined pixel line; and a pixel position changing unit that shifts the decided pixel position in the sub-scanning direction, wherein the zooming unit performs the zooming process on the pixel line of the sub-scanning direction including the pixel that is located at shifted pixel position.

Abstract: A method for the digital screening of a halftone image by using a first screen having an arbitrary desired screen width and an arbitrary desired screen angle. For the method, the threshold value matrix of a second screen with a different screen angle and width is read out and compared with the color values of a halftone image presented. In order also to approximate screens having a particular irrational tangent and to avoid unpleasant sudden exposed device pixels in clear regions, it is proposed to provide at least one second threshold value matrix having X3Y3 addresses, the X3Y3 addresses of the second threshold value matrix are displaced by a factor 1/B in relation to the X2Y2 addresses of the first threshold value matrix, and to read out the second threshold value matrix as soon as an error D between the first and the second screen exceeds a predefined limiting value.

Abstract: A printer gradation correcting method, comprises the steps of: outputting a color patch image by a printer based on image data of a color patch image; measuring a gradation of the outputted color patch image by a color measuring device so as to obtain a gradation measurement value; and correcting a gradation characteristic of the printer based on the gradation measurement value. The color patch image includes a patch-shaped image having a uniform gradation of a predetermined gradation representative value and gradation fluctuation of a predetermined color component added in the patch-shaped image, and the added gradation fluctuation is structured such that a total of gradation fluctuation measured in a measurement region by the color measuring device becomes a predetermined value. The gradation characteristic of the printer is corrected based on the gradation representative value, the predetermined value of the total of gradation fluctuation, and the gradation measurement value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a skew correcting unit that performs skew correction by dividing an input image that has undergone a halftone process into image data in a predetermined skew correction area in a main scanning direction and by shifting the image data in the skew correction area in a sub-scanning direction; an edge detecting unit that detects whether a pixel at a division position is an edge pixel based on concentrations of a set of pixels including the pixel at the division position; a correction area determining unit that, if detected that the pixel at the division position is the edge pixel, determines a correction area that is an area of pixels including the edge pixel to be subjected to concentration correction within the skew correction area; and an edge correcting unit that corrects concentrations of the pixels within the correction area.

Abstract: An image-output inspection system includes a printer controller that generates output image data subjected to halftone processing in accordance with an input image forming condition specified in a printer language, an image output device that forms an image on an image output medium on the basis of the output image data, and transmits the output image data, an image reader that reads the image output medium, and generates read image data, and an image inspection apparatus that is connected to the image output device, and generates correct image data by restoring image data before subjected to the halftone processing from the output image data, and determines whether a print state of the image output medium is good or not by comparing the correct image data with the read image data.

Abstract: A computer readable medium including a digital image print support program that is executable in a computer is used for determining which one of plural printers is suitable for printing an image to be printed. The program has: a first step of dividing an area of the image to be printed into a first image area where a defect is conspicuous, and a second image area where a defect is inconspicuous, and obtaining an area rate of the first image area or the second image area; and a second step of outputting a result of comparison of the area rate with a threshold. A printer is selected in accordance with an output result, and then a less-defective print image can be obtained.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing input image data selects, as a comparative cluster to be compared with a pixel of interest in the input image data, a cluster for which an absolute value of a difference between a component sum of the pixel of interest and a component sum of a representative value of the cluster is not more than a first threshold value. And the apparatus calculates a color distance between the pixel of interest and the representative value of each of the comparative clusters. The apparatus classifies the pixel of interest to a cluster corresponding to a minimum value of the color distances, if the minimum value of the color distances is not more than a second threshold value and generates a new cluster to which the pixel of interest is to be classified, if all the color distances are larger than the second threshold value.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for identifying and removing print defects from an original document such that user markings applied to the hardcopy originally can be more readily identified and extracted. In one embodiment, an image of an original document and a marked document are received. The original document was printed using a print device which caused a print defect in the hardcopy print. Methods for identifying the print defect in the difference image are provided herein. The identified print defect is removed from the difference image. The difference image retains the user-applied markings once the print defects have been identified and removed. The user markings can then be provided to a storage device for subsequent retrieval and added into the image of the original document to generate an image of a new marked document containing the user markings without the defect. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system using a spatial correction to improve the result of a printer calibration and correction is described. More particularly, in one form, a spatial correction may be used to pre-condition a printer for an improved color calibration. In another form, spatial correction and color calibration are addressed in the same process for color correction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a recording head with a plurality of printing elements comprising: a first quantization unit that performs a first quantization process on input image data to calculate N-level data by using a screen parameter corresponding to a screen condition of a target device; a conversion unit that converts the N-level data to M-level data (M>N); a configuring unit that configures printing density for each of the printing elements for each scan, using the M-level data; a second quantization unit that performs a second quantization process on the printing density for the scan of interest, using constraining information for the scan of interest; and a generating unit that generates the constraining information for the scan of interest, from the printing density configured for the preceding scan and the result of the second quantization process for the preceding scan.

Abstract: A pixel in a photograph region image to be subjected to blacking is subjected to a brightness modulation processing so that the pixel is modulated to any of “a pixel having the brightness to be subject to blacking” and “a pixel having the brightness not to be subject to blacking”. Specifically, the modulation by noise addition converts some pixels for which original pixel values are to be subjected to blacking to a pixel having the brightness not subjected to blacking. Thereby, “a pixel having the brightness not to be subject to blacking” thus converted has no change in brightness in the blacking processing. Consequently, a pixel at which the blacking processing is not generated can be caused to exist in the photograph image. As a result, even when the blacking processing set for character/line region is similarly set for the photograph region, the effect of the blacking can be reduced.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus regardless of usage environment, at any time, for any occasion, without requiring a dedicated chart or device, spatial frequency conversion method and program for the apparatus that can calculate spatial frequency response characteristics necessary for calibration. The apparatus includes first and second image reading units reading a print-out image of a patch image stored in a storage section, and first and second spatial frequency conversion units performing spatial frequency conversion on images read by first and second reading units. Based on the amounts of change, caused through processing by first spatial frequency conversion unit, in spatial frequency response, the apparatus determines a patch image used for spatial frequency conversion, and calculates correction amounts for conversion by first and second spatial frequency conversion units, according to a result of spatial frequency conversion, using the patch image, by first and second spatial frequency conversion units.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining a printer metric in terms of image quality (IQ) over a large complex set of conditions based upon measurements taken over a small simple set of conditions while compensating for printer drift. The present system and method effectively utilizes a predictive model that predicts noise measurements of multi-separations from those of single-separation colors and/or a subset of the multi-separations. Because a model is used to comprehend the metric over the entire gamut, the number of patches is reduced. This reduction enables the method to be used within a machine to dynamically characterize the device's image quality metric. Various embodiments have been disclosed.

Abstract: Every time density correction information corresponding to a colorimetric value of a patch is acquired, the time when the density correction information is acquired and the type of a printing medium on which the patch is printed are accumulated in association in a memory. The type of a medium for printing is specified by a user; density correction information acquired at the most up-to-date time for each chromatic color ink available for the medium of that type is read from the memory; it is determined whether or not the most up-to-date time when the density correction information is acquired for each of the chromatic color inks available for the specified medium is the same time; if the most up-to-date times are the same, density correction is performed on image data, using a correction table that corresponds to the density correction information acquired at the most up-to-date time.

Abstract: A method of image processing includes: providing a radiance map, generating a first image in which an edge part is preserved and a flat part is smoothed by applying an edge preservation smoothing filter to the radiance map, generating a second image having a visually perceivable dynamic range by applying a correction curve to the first image, and generating a display image having corrected lightness by adjusting a hue value and a chroma value of the second image.

Abstract: To provide an intra prediction apparatus which can circumvent a hazard problem and improve the time reduction effect. An intra prediction apparatus 11 performs intra predictions of a picture. The intra predictions include: second intra predictions of respective second blocks (blocks) which are obtained by dividing a first pixel block; and a first intra prediction of the first block (macroblock) which constitutes the picture. The intra prediction apparatus 11 includes: an intra prediction unit (a prediction unit 113, an orthogonal transform and quantization unit 115, an inverse orthogonal transform and inverse quantization unit 116, and an adder 117) which performs the intra predictions; and a control unit 119 which controls the intra prediction unit to perform in parallel the intra prediction of the macroblock and the intra predictions of the respective pixel blocks.

Abstract: A host apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a diagnosis method for the image forming apparatus, the diagnosis method including: storing a printing image generated from print data according to a printing command; and generating a diagnosis image for the printing image based on the stored printing image and a defect image corresponding to a predetermined defect of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an image processing apparatus and method capable of analyzing a character image to detect a blur, and reducing the blur on a printed product. According to the method, a scanner reads an original character image, generating image data. A blur and deterioration of a character image represented by the image data are detected. Portions corresponding to the detected blur or the deterioration are removed from the image data. The image data from which the portions corresponding to the blur or the deterioration are removed is output to an image output unit.

Abstract: A method for designing a screen set for color halftoning includes selecting a screen set that includes at least two screens. The screens are applied to a uniform color image so as to form a set of corresponding colorant halftones. The colorant halftones are superposed to form a color halftone. A spatial frequency spectrum of the color halftone is calculated. Maxima of the spatial frequency spectrum that occur at two effective frequencies are identified, the two effective frequencies being located in two adjacent quadrants of a complex spatial frequency space. A magnitude of each effective frequency is compared with a predetermined frequency magnitude. The screen set is accepted for future application for color halftoning only if both effective frequency magnitudes are greater than the predetermined frequency magnitude. Relating computer program product and data processing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an image signal processing apparatus, comprising a demosaic processing unit receiving input of mosaic image data of each of signals obtained by a single plate imaging device having an element array composed of visible light obtaining elements obtaining visible light signals, and invisible light obtaining elements obtaining signals including invisible light components, and generating a demosaic image of each of the obtained signals; and a noise reduction processing unit receiving input of the demosaic image to execute correction of pixel values of the demosaic image obtained by the visible light obtaining elements on the basis of edge information extracted from the demosaic image of the signals obtained by the invisible light obtaining elements.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a density detector that detects image density, and a memory that stores information relating image density to dot size. When a dot size is specified, the image forming device automatically obtains the corresponding image density from the information in the memory, prints a test pattern, compares its density with the density corresponding to the specified dot size, and adjusts an image forming parameter until the density corresponding to the specified dot size is obtained. Dot size can be accurately adjusted in this way without the need for elaborate measuring equipment. In particular, the size of dots used to embed invisible information in images can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: A printer is provided that includes a printing unit, a detector that outputs a detection signal corresponding to one of a remaining amount of coloring agent and a consumed amount of coloring agent, and a controller configured to perform a switching process. In the switching process, when determining, based on the detection signal, that a usable amount of coloring agent is more than a first reference value, the controller controls the printing unit to perform a normal printing operation to print an original image based on image data. Meanwhile, in the switching process, when determining, based on the detection signal, that the usable amount of coloring agent is equal to or less than the first reference value, the controller controls the printing unit to perform a show-through cancellation printing operation to print an image that is formed by removing an image recognized as a show-through image from the original image.

Abstract: Disclosed are moiré-free color halftoning methods, apparatus and systems to digitally reproduce an original color image. The disclosed embodiments are particularly useful for rendering a color image with a color printing device. According to one exemplary embodiment, an image forming method utilizes three or four rotated hexagonal screens which can include regular shaped hexagon screens or convex tessellated hexagon screens.

Abstract: A display device and a method for driving the display device are provided. A pre-gain correction value that can emphasize a contour portion of an image is set by using luminance data detected from an input video signal. The pre-grain correction value is differently amplified in accordance with different light emitting materials that emit light of different colors red, green and blue. The contour portion is thus emphasized, and the contour can be stably emphasized regardless of different life-spans of different light emitting materials emitting lights of colors red, green and blue.

Abstract: An image processing device and image processing method maintain hue and prevent a drop in print quality while also reducing consumption of recording materials. For example, a host computer 3 that outputs output data for printing to a inkjet printer 2 that uses cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks has a drawing unit 210 that acquires bitmap data expressing the density of each channel in each pixel of an image to be printed, a density adjustment parameter setting unit 250 that sets an adjustment value according to the ink deposition level when the ink deposition level setting ink usage is received, a density adjustment unit 220 that adjusts the density of the bitmap data to a density corresponding to the set adjustment value, a color conversion unit 230 that converts the density-adjusted bitmap data to CMY image data expressing the usage of each ink, and a halftone processing unit 240 that generates the output data based on the CMY image data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for image noise filtering are provided. One method of image noise filtering includes generating a plurality of sub-images of a digital image, applying a noise filter with small support to each sub-image, and generating a filtered digital image by merging the filtered sub-images. Another method of image noise filtering includes receiving a digital image including a plurality of color channels in the Bayer domain, applying a strong noise filter to each color channel to generate filtered color channels, computing a luminance image from the digital image, applying a weak noise filter to the luminance image to generate a filtered luminance image, computing a luminance recovery factor map using the luminance image and the filtered luminance image, and computing output color channels of the digital image using the filtered color channels and the luminance recovery factor map.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for characterizing printer streaking using a basis selection algorithm to determine parameters set for a streak template that best approximate a density profile derived from a scanned printed test image, with wavelet decomposition used to expedite the searching for position and width parameters.

Abstract: A method for coherence noise filtering in an optical coherence tomography system comprises generating a background image containing coherence noise, generating a sample image, generating composite pixel values from pixel values in the background image based on the mean pixel values from lines in the background image, and subtracting the composite pixel values from complex pixel values in the sample image.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image which includes at least one contour zone, including a contour zone sharpness processing. The sharpness processing includes a conversion of the cues regarding level of pixels of the contour zone into initial main cues, lying between zero and a main value dependent on the amplitude of the contour, a sharpness sub-processing performed on these initial main cues so as to obtain final main cues, and a conversion of the final main cues into final cues regarding levels.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting and correcting color-to-color process direction misregistration errors, including a printer capable of printing in a plurality of colors, the printer having a sensor for generating a signal including information corresponding to a color registration pattern printed on a substrate by the printer. The system and method further include a processor for receiving the signal from the sensor and analyzing the signal for detecting color-to-color process direction misregistration via an algorithm. The color registration pattern includes a plurality of segments, each segment associated with a different color of the plurality of colors and each segment including at least one different dimension from at least one other segment of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: An image-reading apparatus includes a gain correction processing portion, and a gain setting control portion including a setting portion that sets a gain condition, the gain setting control portion: repeatedly sets the gain condition in the setting portion at predetermined time intervals, and records the set gain condition in the recording portion, in an idling state from when the power supply portion switches to an on state until a reception portion receives a read instruction; stops setting the gain condition in the setting portion in a reading state after the reception portion receives the read instruction; and implements gain correction on electrical signals output from an imaging element in the gain correction processing portion by applying the gain condition recorded in the recording portion just before the reception portion receives the read instruction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which performs processing of applying blur processing to divided image data, and compositing divided images having undergone the blur processing, the apparatus comprises an out of image boundary estimation unit which estimates a pixel out of an image boundary of image data for each of first image data subjected to the blur processing and second image data neighboring the first image data among the divided image data; and a blurring image generation unit which generates blurring image data for the first image data by performing the blur processing using a filter for the first image data while referring to the first image data, the second image data, and an estimation pixel estimated by the out of image boundary estimation unit.