Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a first screen processing unit which applies screen processing to image data using a first threshold matrix; a second screen processing unit which applies screen processing to the image data using a second threshold matrix different from the first threshold matrix; an edge detection unit which detects an edge portion of an object included in the image data; and an output unit which selects and outputs image data obtained by a logical OR operation between image data obtained by the first screen processing unit and image data obtained by the second screen processing unit for a pixel detected by the edge detection unit as an edge portion, and selects and outputs the image data obtained by the first screen processing unit for a pixel other than the edge portion.

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.

Abstract: Methods of image enhancement are disclosed. In one aspect, the method of image enhancement is for use with an image capture device, such as a security document reader, for the attenuation, separation or reduction of reflections from objects, such as security documents.

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.

Abstract: A method for pre-print enhancement of a raster image is disclosed. The method includes receiving the raster image, categorizing an element in the raster image as a graphical element or an image element; and if the element is categorized as a graphical element applying graphical enhancement to the graphical element. A computer program product for pre-print enhancement of a raster image is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is for forming an image with the use of image data items having different resolutions that are input to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a controller unit configured to store the image data items having different resolutions, and report image format information of the image data items; resolution conversion units configured to convert the image data items having different resolutions acquired from the controller unit to have the same resolution, based on the image format information reported from the controller unit; and an image forming unit configured to form the image with the use of the image data items that have been converted by the resolution conversion units to have the same resolution.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of converting input image data to ink color data corresponding to each amount of a plurality of colors of achromatic inks used for printing, and generating printing data for first, second and third achromatic inks based on the ink color data. The printing data is used for printing by causing a printing head to scan a common image area in a printing medium a plurality of times, the printing head ejecting the plurality of colors of inks.

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.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including at least one processor that executes a program, includes an analysis unit configured to analyze a print job, an optimization unit configured to, based on a result of the analysis performed by the analysis unit, combine a plurality of objects included in the print job into one object according to an upper limit number, which is different according to a type of the objects to be combined, an intermediate data generation unit configured to generate intermediate data based on the objects combined by the optimization unit, and an image data generation unit configured to generate image data from the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation unit.

Abstract: A method of operating an image reader typically includes: searching a digital image for nominally straight edges; characterizing the nominally straight edges in terms of length and/or direction; determining a predominant orientation of the nominally straight edges; establishing a group of edges as a function of their proximity to the center of the image; establishing a group of edges as a function of their proximity to other remaining edge positions; and transmuting a rectangle bounding those edges into a rectified image. The rectified image is typically an image that is cropped or rotated.

Abstract: A CPU selects multiple objective image data to be pasted on ornamental image data, analyzes the selected multiple objective image data, and rates the image qualities of the respective image data. The CPU specifies the number of plural layout locations included in the ornamental image data and the priority order of the plural layout locations, and allocates the multiple objective image data to the plural layout locations in the ornamental image data, based on the specified priority order and the ratings of the multiple objective image data. The CPU executes image quality adjustment with regard to the multiple objective image data allocated to the plural layout locations and pastes the quality-adjusted image data on the ornamental image data according to layout control information, so as to generate resulting output image data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. A color contact image sensor (CIS) module employing a single channel line sensor can be used to produce substantially the same performance as a color CIS module employing a three-channel line sensor and having color filters to, for example, reduce manufacturing costs. Moreover, a blurring phenomenon that can occur in a scanned image can be reduced and the quality of the scanned image can be improved.

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.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing device including: an outline detection unit which analyzes image data to detect an outer edge pixel forming the outline of image, and to determine an edge direction of the outer edge pixel; a thinning unit which processes thinning by reducing a pixel value of the outer edge pixel; and an outline adjusting unit. The outline adjusting unit determines a correction value of front end fading to be adopted to the outer edge pixel, depending on sheet-feeding direction when the image data is printed and the edge direction of the outer edge pixel; reduces the correction value of front end fading, depending on the ratio of reduction by the thinning of the pixel value of the outer edge pixel; and corrects the front end fading by adding the reduced correction value to the pixel value of the outer edge pixel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for the processing of a mixed color document. The mixed color document is preferably a digital structured document containing metadata, such as e.g. a PDF document. The mixed color document is split into at least a first part to be processed in a first processing channel and into at least a second part to be processed in a second, color-dedicated, processing channel. In executing the splitting judgement, color functionality rather than bare color content is taken into account.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises a resolution converting unit configured to convert a high-resolution image data into a low-resolution image data, an edge judgment unit configured to judge a shape of an edge in the high-resolution image data, and a density correcting unit configured to make a density correction in the low-resolution image data in accordance with the shape of the edge judged by the edge judgment unit.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing device for comparing a determination value adjusted by comparing the gradation values of pixels included in inputted image data and threshold values of a dither mask prepared in advance, and a corrected gradation value obtained by correcting the gradation value of the pixel by the diffusion error from an adjacent processed pixel; adjusting a determination value; generating dot data which indicate the presence or absence of the dot formation by applying error diffusion; and reducing the width of the adjustment of the determination value used in determining the dot formation so that the width of the adjustment is smaller in comparison with non-edge pixels in the case that a pixel is determined to be an edge pixel for which the difference in gradation value in relation to an adjacent pixel is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for creating a high resolution print media using a display resolution screen image approval process, web-based ordering, web based checkout and payment, by an unskilled user to create a message of pre-process data and a display resolution image for rendering a high resolution image on a substrate.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for dynamic sharpness control in system using binary to continuous tone conversion. Image data can be processed in the image path of a copier, printer, or other device to enhance sharpness based on user settings. The image can originate in a high-resolution and/or high-color format. The user can select sharpness values to provide better rendered detail. A front-end high-pass 2D filter can be adjusted in response to the settings. A binarized version of the image data is produced in the downstream path. At the back of the image path, the image would conventionally be sent through a binary data to extended contone (BDEC) low-pass filter, set to a fixed level, to produce contone output, counteracting the user's sharpness settings. Instead of applying a fixed back-end filter, that stage can be dynamically adjusted to correspond to the user's sharpness settings, reducing the low-pass effect proportionately.

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.

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.

Abstract: A multifunction image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a communications module, a scan subsystem, a print subsystem, and a digital signal processor (DSP) block. The communications module is used to communicate with a host computer to send and receive image data files. The scan subsystem is used to scan images. The print subsystem is used to print images. The DSP block includes at least two digital signal processors. The digital signal processors can be programmed to symmetrically multiprocess portions of an image data file to process it more quickly. Alternatively, digital signal processors can be programmed to simultaneously process the image data for the scan subsystem and image data for the print subsystem.

Abstract: A method for producing high-quality photographic images in low-light conditions and in the absence of large-aperture optics. The method includes, upon photographing, first obtaining a plurality of frames of the image with exposures which either partially overlap in time or with an insignificant pause between them. The best result can be obtained in the case when the pause between the exposures represents less than 1/20 of the overall exposure time. The method further includes separating out the initial images from a group of exposures and filtering the images having the smallest exposure interval using the images having the largest exposure interval. The final image is obtained by combining initial images having different exposure intervals from the same group.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image sharpness processing apparatus and an image sharpness processing method thereof. The apparatus comprises an image capturing module and a processing module. The image capturing module captures an image having a plurality of pixels. The processing module gains a characteristic value corresponding to each pixel by analyzing each pixel in the image. The processing module calculates a first sharpening compensation value and a second sharpening compensation value of each pixel by using a first sharpening algorithm and a second sharpening algorithm respectively, and determines a weight value of the first sharpening algorithm and the second sharpening algorithm by the characteristic value. The processing module calculates a third sharpening compensation value according to the first sharpening compensation value and the second sharpening compensation value, so as to adjust the sharpness of the image.

Abstract: This invention obtains a high-quality output image in which a jaggy or a disconnection of a thin line hardly stands out. An edge detection unit detects whether the pixel of interest is an edge pixel or a non-edge pixel. A screen processing unit performs screen processing for the pixel of interest to determine the output value of the N-level tone. A calculation unit performs filtering processing having a preset visual sense characteristic for an area including the pixel of interest to calculate the target value of the pixel of interest, and corrects the value of the pixel of interest so as to come close to the target value, thereby determining the output value of the N-level tone. The selector selects, according to the detection result by the edge detection unit, either the result from the calculation unit or that from the screen processing unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. A characteristic value calculator calculates characteristic values of a preset area set around a pixel of interest. A trapping determining unit determines, for each color plane of an N-valued image, on the basis of the calculated characteristic values, whether the pixel of interest is to be subjected to trapping processing. A pixel value calculator sets, for each color plane, a position of a reference pixel in a reference area, and calculates a pixel value for changing the pixel value of the pixel of interest on the basis of a pixel value of each color plane at the position of the reference pixel. A pixel-of-interest value changing unit changes the pixel value of the pixel of interest into the calculated pixel value when the trapping determining unit determines that the pixel of interest is to be subjected to trapping processing.

Abstract: For image processing for printing an original, first and second ground patterns are generated. The first ground pattern can be recognized with naked eyes in the original but cannot be recognized with naked eyes in a reproduction of the original obtained by an image forming apparatus, while the second ground pattern has a latent image which cannot be recognized in the original but can be recognized in the reproduction of the original. The first ground pattern and the second ground pattern are synthesized, and print data to be printed by the image forming apparatus is created. The print data has an image of the original, and the synthesized first and second ground patterns.

Abstract: A method of controlling an image forming apparatus supporting a black optimization printing option in a host apparatus includes executing a printer driver of the image forming apparatus, setting the black optimization printing option in a user interface of the executed printer driver, generating a second color matching table by using an existing first color matching table and color properties corresponding to red, blue, and green values of a document to be printed based on the set black optimization printing option, selecting a first printing method to print the document by using the first color matching table or a second printing method to print the document by using the second color matching table, based on the red, green, and blue values of the document, and transmitting the document and print data of the document to which a color matching table corresponding to the selected printing method is applied to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating an image filter is described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first plurality of images captured by an at least one camera with a same setting as a first camera. The method further includes creating an averaged image from the plurality of captured images, wherein the averaged image comprises a measurement value of intensity for each pixel in the averaged image. The method also includes determining an image imperfection in the averaged image. The method further includes creating the image filter to reduce the image imperfection.

Abstract: An image processing module performs efficient image enhancement according to a multi-scale energy minimization process. One or more input images are progressively downsampled to generate a pyramid of downsampled images of varying resolution. Starting with the coarsest downsampled image, a label map is generated that maps output pixel positions to pixel positions in the downsampled input images. The label map is then progressively upsampled. At each upsampling stage, the labels are refined according to an energy function configured to produce the desired enhancements. Using the multi-scale energy minimization, the image processing module enhances image via hole-filling and/or super-resolution.

Abstract: A print controller controls a printing unit to print an image on a recording medium by using a black ink and M chromatic color inks. The print controller stores a part of image data having a plurality of sets of pixel data and determines whether one pixel data set is subject pixel data to be subjected to bleed suppression and includes: setting the one pixel data set as target pixel data; setting, as peripheral pixel data, pixel data set corresponding to a pixel located within a prescribed range from a target pixel; acquiring the N color value set of the target pixel data; acquiring the N color value set of the peripheral pixel data; and determining whether the target pixel data is the subject pixel data based on the N color value sets.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus detects an edge from image data and generates edge data indicating a result of the detection, obtains a variance value of the generated edge data, and determines that the image data is data with print information when the obtained variance of the edge data is equal to or larger than a threshold and determines that the image data is data without print information when the variance is smaller than the threshold value.

Abstract: A system for edge enhancement includes an input unit to receive an input signal Yin, a vertical enhancement unit to perform a vertical enhancement of an edge of the input signal Yin to generate an output YEV, and a horizontal enhancement unit to perform a horizontal enhancement of the edge of the input signal Yin to generate an output YEH. The system also includes a local gradient analysis unit to generate a local gradient direction GradDir and a local gradient magnitude GradMag based at least partly upon the input signal Yin, and a mixer to generate an output Yout by mixing the output YEV with the output YEH using the local gradient direction GradDir. The system further includes an output unit to output the output Yout.

Abstract: A multi-function printer and a method for calibrating the multi-function printer is disclosed The calibrating method for a printer comprises printing a calibration pattern on a medium by the printer; obtaining a scanned image of the calibration pattern on the medium printed by the printer; comparing the scanned image against the calibration pattern; detecting defects of the scanned image; and if the defects exceed an pre-determined value, adjusting print settings of the printer according to the defects of the scanned image.

Abstract: There are provided an image forming apparatus, a program, and a method to easily form a three-dimensional image at a reduced cost. Such an image forming apparatus includes an image obtaining section that obtains a source image, a region identifying section that identifies a region, in the source image, that is to be subjected to sharpness enhancement, and an image forming section that forms an image whose region corresponding to the region identified by the region identifying section is raised. Being saved from the process of measuring the distances to the subjects, the image forming apparatus can be constituted without a distance measuring sensor and the like, thereby reducing the cost. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus can easily form a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for dynamic sharpness control in system using binary to continuous tone conversion. Image data can be processed in the image path of a copier, printer, or other device to enhance sharpness based on user settings. The image can originate in a high-resolution and/or high-color format. The user can select sharpness values to provide better rendered detail. A front-end high-pass 2D filter can be adjusted in response to the settings. A binarized version of the image data is produced in the downstream path. At the back of the image path, the image would conventionally be sent through a binary data to extended contone (BDEC) low-pass filter, set to a fixed level, to produce contone output, counteracting the user's sharpness settings. Instead of applying a fixed back-end filter, that stage can be dynamically adjusted to correspond to the user's sharpness settings, reducing the low-pass effect proportionately.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, generating intrinsic images corresponding to the image, and performing a relationship maintenance process to correct artifacts in the intrinsic images.

Abstract: A signal processing device first decomposes an input signal into a plurality of frequency components in different frequency ranges, then causes a higher harmonic wave generating section to generate a higher harmonic for each of a part or all of frequency components obtained by removing a frequency component in the lowest frequency range from frequency components obtained by the decomposition, and finally composes (i) the higher harmonic thus generated and (ii) a frequency component for which no higher harmonic has been generated. The higher harmonic wave generating section adds the frequency component and a nonlinear process signal (i) in which positive and negative signs of a frequency component for which the higher harmonic is to be generated are retained and (ii) which broadly monotonically increases nonlinearly with respect to the frequency component when the frequency component is located at least in the vicinity of zero.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, augmenting a preselected area of the image in a manner to decrease a number of token regions representing the preselected area, and identifying token regions in the augmented image.

Abstract: Systems and methods systems and methods for calibrating field uniformity are disclosed. An exemplary method includes scanning the imaging area including a first media to obtain optical data for a specular reflectance map. The method also includes scanning the imaging area including a second media to obtain optical data for a diffuse reflective map. The method also includes storing the specular reflectance map and the diffuse reflective map for adjusting actual pixel values during an imaging operation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first halftone processor, a first filtering processor, a second filtering processor, and an evaluator. The first halftone processor generates first halftone image data from input image data using thresholds. The first filtering processor smoothes the first halftone image data using a first filter having a size corresponding to a cycle of the thresholds. The second filtering processor smoothes the input image data using a second filter having a characteristic corresponding to the first filter. The evaluator evaluates a moiré caused in the first halftone image data based on a difference between the first halftone image data smoothed by the first filtering processor and the image data smoothed by the second filtering processor.

Abstract: A method for enhancing detail information in rasterized, continuous tone images includes a function that enlarges the contrast of a pixel in a neighborhood of pixels when in that neighborhood one of the pixels has a value that is close to a white color. This is determined by selecting the whitest pixel in the neighborhood. The function shows a gradual transition between the situations in which the whitest pixel is close to the white color and in which the whitest pixel is far from the white color. The method results in a better rendering of fine print when the image is sent to a printing system that reproduces the image on receiving material. For small characters, the legibility is improved by application of this method.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a memory configured to store image data representing an image. The printing system comprises a processor configured to perform a first digital halftone process on a first portion of the image and a second digital halftone process on a second portion of the image.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for printing color image print data selectably as a color image or as a black-and-white image are described.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires image data expressing an image region included in an image with a first value and a background region included in the image with a second value; a segmenting unit that segments the image region into multiple segments arranged in a fast scanning direction; a converting unit that converts a value of at least one of the segments into the second value; an output unit that generates an image signal on the basis of the image data and outputs the image signal; an exposure unit that exposes a charged image bearing member to light according to the output image signal by scanning the light thereto in the fast scanning direction so as to form a latent image; and a developing unit that forms the image by developing the latent image using an invisible toner that absorbs infrared light or ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An edge refinement system includes a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program having computer readable code for identifying carrier cells among shadow cells and highlight cells of a segmented image, computer readable code for determining if a predetermined edge condition is met by each of the identified carrier cells, and computer readable code for re-classifying the carrier cell as a non-carrier cell when the predetermined edge condition is met. The edge refinement system further includes memory and a processor operatively coupled to the memory and to the computer-readable medium.