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: 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: An image rectification method includes the steps of: detecting edges in an image by using a Canny filter; performing Hough transform on the edges to detect lines in the image; selecting a candidate quadrangle from quadrangles formed by the detected lines; obtaining a transform matrix for transforming the candidate quadrangle to a rectangle by homographic transform; rectifying the image by using the transform matrix; and enhancing the rectified image.

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: A method of automatically identifying a scan region boundary, used for scanning a document under a non-unified background, includes: reading a reference linear scan data by a scanning device, the scanning device analyzing brightness values in each row of the reference linear scan data and determining a reference range value according to the brightness values in each row; and during scanning a document, the scanning device comparing brightness values of a linear scan data with the reference range value so as to determine the scan region boundary. The method confirms the scan boundary of a document and is not subjected to a backlight element or a document carrier. The method identifies the boundary of a document under a non-unified background, is applicable to scanning transparent and reflective documents and has strong resistance against environmental interference, not only simplifying the scanning device but also enhancing the automatic performance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data, a generation unit configured to generate a histogram based on a signal value of each pixel in the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, a derivation unit configured to derive the number of pixels matching a first condition in the histogram generated by the generation unit, and a selection unit configured to select, according to the number of pixels derived by the derivation unit, one of a fixing processing adjustment mode for increasing a degree of gloss of a print product by adjusting fixing processing and a transparent toner mode for increasing a degree of gloss of a print product by using a transparent toner.

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: Data concerning a transfer pattern of a lamination transparent film is not externally sent and stored in a memory but is generated by a random pattern generating module of a color controlling DSP. A random number generating section generates a pseudorandom number for each dot of one line; a tone data obtaining section obtains tone data corresponding to the pseudorandom number; and a transferring section transfers the tone data to a head signal converting ASIC. Tone data for each dot of one line is alternately written in line buffers. Using the tone data written in the line buffers, a thermal head transfers transparent film.

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 method, for correcting a blur a due to an optical system of an image capturing apparatus, the image processing method including, storing a plurality of representative filters in a memory, selecting a subset of representative filters from the plurality of representative filters based on a pixel position of a pixel of interest in an image, applying each of the selected representative filter to a pixel value of the pixel of interest, and correcting the pixel value of the pixel of interest based on (a) a result of the application of filters, and (b) the pixel position of the pixel of interest.

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: 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: A mechanism for integrating print quality enhancement (PQE) and multi-bit halftone data is disclosed. A system of embodiments of the invention includes a print control unit communicably coupled to a printer, the print control unit operable to process received multi-bit input print data for printing by the printer. The system further comprises a PQE card communicably coupled with the printer, the PQE card configured to separate multi-bit text and line art input data from multi-bit halftone image input data in the multi-bit input print data, ignore any of the identified multi-bit halftone image input data for purposes of applying PQE technology to the identified multi-bit halftone image input data, and apply the PQE technology to the identified multi-bit text and line art input data. Lastly, the system includes a print head communicably coupled to the printer, the print head operable to print multi-bit output created by the PQE card.

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: A scan line profile characteristic representing the distortion of a scan line is detected. Dot image data undergoes the screen process using a dither matrix. At this time, the quantization process is done by shifting a dither matrix element in the sub-scanning direction opposite to the direction of the scan line changing process at a scan line changing point in the scan line changing process in accordance with the profile characteristic. The image data after the screen process undergoes the scan line changing process, and the interpolation process smooths the scan line changing point.

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: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for determining an end of printing operation in a handheld image translation device are described herein. The determining of the end of the printing operation may include generation and maintenance of a processed image by an image processing module and a print module, respectively. The print module may rewrite print data of the processed image as the printing operation progresses.

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: When a handwritten character or hand-drawn illustration in a color desired by a user is combined with a photograph, in order to achieve an excellent combined result, characteristics of the photograph are analyzed and an appropriate combining method from among a plurality of combining methods is selected in accordance with a result of the analysis.

Abstract: This closure provides image processing methods and apparatus for corner enhancing a digital image for rendering on an image output device. According to an exemplary method, the method determines whether or not image pixels are associated with a corner as a function of the USAN values generated for the image pixels. Subsequently, one or more pixels associated with a corner are modified to render a corner enhanced image.

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: 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: 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: In one embodiment, an image reading apparatus has a light source configured with a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed in a row in a main scanning direction that irradiate light toward an original, and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected from the original, an output light amount from the light-emitting elements can be adjusted, and a state of bright spots due to repetition of light-dark in the main scanning direction on a light irradiation face of the original due to the plurality of light-emitting elements is determined, and the output light amount from the light-emitting elements is adjusted based on the determination result of the state of the bright spots.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that includes a character recognition component, a determining component and a generating component is provided. The determining component determines, when document data is generated that contains first data representing the document and representing the entity in which the characters are mixed and second data containing character code data of the characters recognized by the character recognition component and representing a character block displaying the characters represented by the character code data, whether to hide the character block represented by the second data behind the entity represented by the first data or to display the character block represented by the second data in front of the entity represented by the first data when the document represented by the document data is displayed, based on lightness or distribution of the lightness of a background region around the characters of the entity or the like.

Abstract: Depth-of-field information is obtained from an image signal input from an external image source according to a predetermined acquisition timing. An image signal processing unit performs an image quality adjustment such that an edge enhancement level in an edge enhancement processing is increased adaptively with increasing depth of field of an image whereby the total quality of the image displayed is improved.

Abstract: The disclosure describes adaptive filtering techniques to improve the quality of captured image information, such as video or still images. An image sensor captures image information and determines a plurality of parameter values based on a current exposure index and a current scaling factor of the image information. The adaptive spatial image filter includes both horizontal and vertical sharpening filters and configures, i.e., adapts, the horizontal sharpening filter and the vertical sharpening filter based on the plurality of parameter values determined by the image sensor. The adaptive spatial image filter applies the horizontal and vertical sharpening filters to at one channel of the image information to generate filtered image information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and image processing method perform adaptive correction at edges of an image to be printed in accordance with the conditions of output equipment outputting an image to be printed. The image processing apparatus includes: a printed sample generating component for generating a printed sample having a plurality of gray scale regions for correcting gray scale at edges of the image to be printed; a gray scale region selecting component for selecting from the printed sample generated by the printed sample generating component a gray scale region for realizing visually uniform gray scale at the edges; and an edge image correcting component for correcting edge regions of the image to be printed in accordance with a gray level of the gray scale region selected by the gray scale region selecting component.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a three dimensional cross sectional image of an object by the reconstruction of its projections that have been iteratively refined through mathematical transformations and modifications in object space and Fourier space is disclosed. A primary benefit of the method is radiation dose reduction since the invention can produce an image of a desired quality with a fewer number projections than seen with conventional methods.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit, a determination unit, a setting unit, and a processing unit to perform an image edge intensifying processing. The obtaining unit obtains image data by reading a document. The determination unit determines an image edge direction. The setting unit sets an edge intensifying processing intensity based on the image data and a processing intensity determined corresponding to a difference between resolution in a main scanning direction and resolution in a sub-scanning direction. The processing unit performs the image edge intensifying processing according to the set intensity. In response to the resolution of the image data being higher in the sub-scanning direction than in the main scanning direction, the setting unit sets a higher intensity of the edge intensifying processing in response to the edge direction being along the sub-scanning direction than in response to the edge direction being along the main scanning direction.

Abstract: Due to an accumulated error from the pair-wise registration, the stitched image may be blurred or have a gap when a loop is encountered. In order to remove the accumulated error, we identify a closed loop where a first image frame overlaps with a second image frame, the second image frame being captured earlier in a scanning sequence than the first image frame; register the first image frame with the second image frame; and apply a global optimization to adjust registration parameters for the plurality of pair-wise registrations of image frames within the closed loop using global constraints.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image inpainting apparatus and method using a restricted search region. The image inpainting apparatus sets a target image region to be inpainted in response to an image inpainting request, sets a surrounding image region, which has a preset size and includes the set target image region, sets a plurality of similar image regions by grouping similar pixels in the surrounding image region, divides the surrounding image region into the plurality of set similar image regions, divides the target image region according to the similar image regions, sets a search region of each divided target image region, and detects an image of an image region most similar to each divided target image region from the set search region of each divided target image region, thereby performing image inpainting.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus allows a print unit to print a sheet on which a user handwrites, and combines a handwritten image included in an image obtained by reading out a handwritten sheet with a background image, and prints the combined image. Further, a decor to determine decoration contents for the handwriting image and a painting pattern of a decorated area can be designated by the user, and the handwriting image is decorated according to the determined decoration contents and the painting pattern. Further, the decoration contents are determined according to the designated painting pattern as well as the designated decor. That is, the decor that the user desires may be adjusted to be suitable for the designated painting pattern and the decoration contents may be determined.

Abstract: A technique for cross-channel correction in real time for digital color printing in which the full resolution value of a selected colorant is combined with low resolution versions of the remaining colorants to provide a basis for correcting the selected colorant based upon the data for the other colorants employed. The pixel values of sub-samples of the remaining colorants are derived from the cell in which the full resolution selected colorant is taken; and, the desired output value is selected from a look-up table established for the known printing process.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying candidates for trapping in a frame buffer by correlating display list object information stored in an object-ID plane with pixel data in the frame buffer. In some embodiments, the display list of objects may be generated from the PDL description of a document. In some embodiments, object boundaries may be computed by assigning unique identifiers to objects in the object-ID plane and using morphological techniques to identify object boundaries. Object boundary information may then be utilized to perform trapping on pixels in the frame buffer. The methods described may be performed on a computer and/or a printing device and implemented using one or more of combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

Abstract: A system and method for three-dimensional (3D) acquisition and modeling of a scene using two-dimensional (2D) images are provided. The system and method provides for acquiring first and second images of a scene, applying a smoothing function to the first image to make feature points of objects, e.g., corners and edges of the objects, in the scene more visible, applying at least two feature detection functions to the first image to detect feature points of objects in the first image, combining outputs of the at least two feature detection functions to select object feature points to be tracked, applying a smoothing function to the second image, applying a tracking function on the second image to track the selected object feature points, and reconstructing a three-dimensional model of the scene from an output of the tracking function.

Abstract: A reference area is extracted from image data, and from the pixels included in the reference area, extracted are a plurality of small sections in which pixels are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to the center pixel of the reference area in the horizontal and vertical directions, and point-symmetrical with respect to the center pixel, while overlap of pixels is allowed between each of the small sections. Determination is made as to whether or not image data included in the reference area matches a predetermined pattern. A characteristic of the image data in the reference area is determined based on a number of characteristics of the plurality of small sections. Based on the results of the determination, it is judged whether or not to perform smoothing on the center pixel of the reference area. Then, the smoothing is performed on the judged center pixel.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus and method for emphasizing an edge, based on image characteristics by extracting an edge region from an input original image, and an edge gain indicating a degree for emphasizing the edge region and an edge threshold indicating a degree of complexity between pixels are calculated for each of a plurality of image regions of the original image. The extracted edge region is combined with the calculated edge gain. Thresholding is performed by adjusting the calculated edge threshold for the edge region combined with the edge gain, and the thresholding-applied edge region is combined with the original image to output a final image. By adaptively adjusting an edge gain and an edge threshold for a portion where an edge needs to be emphasized and the other portions in an image having multiple image characteristics, both edge emphasis and noise cancellation can be achieved together.

Abstract: An image formation controller judges whether or not a tint block has been detected by a tint block processor upon judging that an automatic color determination mode is set in a multi functional peripheral. The image formation controller causes an image forming section to perform a monochromatic image forming operation if the tint block is a chromatic tint block when the tint block was detected by the tint block processor. On the other hand, the image formation controller causes the image forming section to perform an image forming operation corresponding to a determination result by an ACS processor when no tint block was detected and when the tint block was determined to be a monochromatic tint block.

Abstract: A method for modifying an input digital image having three color channels, to form a modified digital image suitable for use by an inkjet printer having reduced ink bleed artifacts comprising computing a transformed digital image containing at least a black color channel and a color dependent scale factor channel, computing a filtered black color channel using a convolution operation, and forming the modified digital image in response to the corresponding pixel values of the color dependent scale factor channel and the filtered black color channel, so that when the modified digital image is used to produce a printed image on an inkjet printer there are reduced ink bleed artifacts.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for removing show-through from a scanned image. The method includes scanning at least one line in a medium at a first intensity in a first scanning operation; scanning the at least one line in the scanning medium at a second intensity different from the first intensity, in a second scanning operation; and removing show-through from an image obtained during the first scanning operation based on a difference in a show-through effect between images obtained during the first and second scanning operations.

Abstract: A reference pixel PB is specified for a specified pixel P0 whose (luminance) value is below a threshold, for example, in the RGB data obtained in image pickup. The reference pixel PB should be on a straight line passing through the specified pixel P0 and the center O of the image and spaced from the specified pixel P0 by a distance, dr, depending on a reduction or expansion rate of a blue component (or B) image of the optical image corresponding to an optical zoom magnification in the image pickup. Only when the B value of the specified pixel P0 is greater than that of the reference pixel PB, the B value of the specified pixel P0 is replaced with that of the reference pixel PB. By expanding or reducing the blue component image alone for the original RGB data, image data is obtained in which the magnification chromatism is corrected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital image processing enhancing system and method with denoising function. The collected digital image is input; the obtained digital image is decomposed into an illumination image and a reflection image, and then the decomposed illumination image and the reflection image is processed, at last, the processed illumination image and the reflection image are composed into an output image, which is output to an output device. The present invention can improve the image quality, remove the noises of the image, remain details features of an object and obtain the natural visual effect.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that is capable of determining a document size with high accuracy, even when a device for detecting the document size is not placed therein and an input operation of the document size by a user is eliminated is provided. A page background determining section extracts candidates for page backgrounds from input document image data and determines the number of page background types. A white pixel counting section counts the number of white pixels from input document image data. A document size determining section determines the document size of the input document image data, based on the number of page background types determined by the page background determining section, a page background density value which is the lowest density value in one or a plurality of page background areas determined to be page backgrounds, and the number of white pixels extracted by the white pixel counting section.

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: There is provided a method of and an apparatus for generating high sensitivity images in a low light level environment, the method including correcting an image acquired through short-time exposure in a low light level environment to an image corresponding to a reference exposure time defined for the low light level environment, the corrected image including a plurality of channels, detecting respective black levels for each of the channels, the detecting of the respective black levels being based on a black level intensity for the reference exposure time, adjusting the respective black levels for each of the channels of the corrected image to respective target black levels for each of the channels, and aligning a value of each of the channels using the respective target black levels.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for generating a pattern of a recording material to be overlapped on an original image for forming an image of a target region extracted from the original image, includes an arithmetic unit calculating a feature amount of an image data included in a boundary region of the target region; a determination unit determining a degree of change of color in the boundary region based on the feature amount; and a pattern generation unit determining a gradation of the pattern of the recording material for the boundary region in accordance with the degree of change of color in the boundary region.

Abstract: A method for resizing an input digital image having input pixel values to produce an output digital image having output pixel values, wherein the output digital image has a lower resolution and wherein single pixel width details in the input digital image are preserved, the method being performed by a processor and comprising: determining an output pixel value for the output digital image by interpolating within a corresponding neighborhood of image pixels in the input digital image; detecting whether the input digital image contains a fine detail within the corresponding neighborhood of image pixels; adjusting the output pixel value when a fine detail is detected; and repeating steps a)-c) for a plurality of output pixels.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to save toner, which can increase the sharpness of printed data (for example, images or characters) on a printing medium while achieving toner saving, and a method to control the same. The image forming apparatus includes a determinator, a storage unit, and a halftoning processor. The determinator receives a command signal to print and then determines whether or not the received command signal is a command signal for a toner saving mode. The storage unit stores a halftone table in which an LPI higher than a normal LPI is set. If the received command signal is a command signal for the toner saving mode, the halftoning processor generates and outputs halftoning result by comparing gray level values corresponding to pixels of received input image data with grayscale values of the stored halftone table.

Abstract: Methods and systems herein provide for color conversion. Such color conversion may be performed via a color conversion system that includes a converter operable to receive image data and convert color values of the image data to a color space for printing. The system also includes a color identification module operable to identify color regions in the image data for color component limitation and approximate color values in the color regions. The color identification module incorporates color limitations during these approximations computes numerical models based on the approximations that are used by the converter to convert the image data to the color space.