Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for implementing a color model function for a printer that uses a relatively large number of colorants. The model is based upon several four color printer color models that contain more complete color models by storing output data for a higher number of input color value combinations and a small number of additional measurements that characterize the response of the printer to outputs using more than four colorants. Results from more complete printer models are determined and combined with a CMYKOV printer model that stores output values for only a coarse resolution of inputs. Transitions between various regions of color space defined by the colorant model definitions are then smoothed. A higher dimension printer color model output is produced. The present method effectively determines a higher dimension color printer model output corresponding to values of an N+2 dimension color model input.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus determines the attribute of a pixel block, which is composed of a prescribed number of pixels extracted from image data, and the attribute of an area in which each pixel of the pixel block belongs. Then, based upon the determined attribute of the image block and the determined attribute of the area in which each pixel belongs, the apparatus subjects the image data to processing, pixel by pixel.

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: A printing apparatus having a displaying portion, a display controlling unit, and a print controlling unit.

Abstract: An optimal resolution imaging system comprises a resolution engine adapted to apply at least one resolution rule to at least one zone of an object to determine an optimal reduced resolution setting for the at least one zone while maintaining a predetermined quality level for the at least one zone.

Abstract: Each object in input image data is separated into an area by an image area separation unit. An area determined to be a character area based on the image area separation processing is smoothened by an MTF correction unit. The resulting data is then binarized by a binarizing unit. The binarized data is split according to types of objects, and characters and line drawings are vectorized and stored in a storage unit. Alternatively, the characters and line drawings are printed out.

Abstract: Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising selecting a pixel window of image data, the pixel window including a target pixel, determining a stability of the pixel window, formulating a look up table address based at least in part on the determined stability, obtaining one or more image enhancement values from a look up table based at least in part on the formulated look up table address, and processing the target pixel based at least in part on the obtained one or more image enhancement values. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

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: The present invention includes methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for analyzing, characterizing and/or rating the composition of images. Further embodiments of the present invention include methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for providing instructive feedback or automatic corrective actions, relating to the quality of the composition of an image, to a user of an imaging device (e.g. digital camera, camera phone, etc.)—Optionally while the user is preparing to acquire an image, i.e. in real time. Embodiments of the present invention may further include methods, circuits, devices, apparatuses and systems for extracting image composition related rules based on analysis of composition parameters of rated images.

Abstract: An unnatural color change which occurs when combining trapping and spatial filter processing is suppressed. When image data is input, it is determined whether to perform trapping at the position of the pixel of interest of the input image data, and trapping is performed for the input image data. In addition, spatial filter processing is performed for the pixel of interest of the input data, an output of the trapping and that of the filter processing are weighted, and image data to be output is calculated.

Abstract: A printing system enables the printing of enhanced documents using a semantic classification scheme. A printing system receives an image to be printed. The system classifies the image according to the semantic classification scheme and, based on this classification, performs enhancement processing on the image. Depending on the desired application, the printing system may recognize and classify any number of image types and may then perform various enhancement processing functions on the image, where the type of enhancement processing performed is based on the classification of the image.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which approximates the MTF characteristics on the front and back surfaces of the original to each other, in reading a double-sided original, to thereby prevent a density difference and a color difference from being caused between the front and back surfaces of the original. A CCD line sensor and a CIS read front and back surfaces of the double-sided original to output image data. The filter coefficients of first and second MTF correction filters are set for use in a plurality of areas arranged by dividing respective reading ranges of the CCD line sensor and the CIS. The first and second MTF correction filters correct the MTF characteristics of the image data output from the CCD line sensor and the CIS, using the set filter coefficients for associated areas.

Abstract: A general framework for adaptive gamut mapping is presented in which the image is first decomposed in two bands, one containing the local means, the other the local variations. Two spatial and color adaptive gamut mapping algorithms are introduced. Based on spatial color bilateral filtering, they take into account the color properties of the neighborhood of each pixel. Their goal is to preserve both the color values of the pixels and their relations between neighbors.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an image processing apparatus includes an adjustment section, an edge enhancement section, a reception section and a changing section. The adjustment section performs adjustment of a black amount for an input image signal including a plurality of color signals. The adjustment section outputs an output image signal including a plurality of color signals that contain black whose amount is adjusted. The edge enhancement section performs an edge enhancement process for the output image signal output from the adjustment section. The reception section receives setting of an edge enhancement degree used in the edge enhancement section. The changing section changes setting of the adjustment of the black amount in the adjustment section, according to the setting of the edge enhancement degree received by the reception section.

Abstract: Methods and systems herein provide for color conversion of image data to another color space, such as that of a printer. Such color conversion includes linearly processing the color conversions when using radial basis functions for the conversions. One color conversion system herein includes a modeling module operable to generate a numerical model according to a radial basis function for converting the color values in the image data to the color space. The numerical model includes error approximations operable to form the radial basis function into a linear process. The system also includes a color converter operable to convert the color values in the image data to the color space based on the numerical model.

Abstract: The software on the host machine examines a pixel, either alone or in relation to adjacent pixels. Based on the image data contained in the pixel or group of pixels, a multi-bit value is generated that can be used by the printing device to easily reproduce the necessary detail of the original pixel. The multi-bit value also contains print engine control parameters to handle items such as toner miser mode, toner explosion, edge roll off, etc. The multi-bit value can be generated algorithmically by using a lookup table or by some combination of these methods.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for segmenting a digital image into regions. A frequency-of-occurrence of image values may be determined excluding a portion of pixels in a digital image. An image value associated with a peak in the frequency-of-occurrence of image values may be identified and associated with an image label. Pixel locations may be labeled based on the associated labels and image values. Additionally, unreliable pixels may be determined and labeled based on the associated labels and image values, and an unreliable pixel may be assigned a label after multiple scan passes of a classification map.

Abstract: PSF coding has become well known in recent years. Although it enables significant increases in the depth of field, defocus introduces artifacts in images that are a major detraction from the final image quality. A method is described that enables the deduction or defocus and consequently the removal of these artifacts. The principle of the disclosed techniques involves iteratively adjusting the restoration algorithm according to a chosen image or artifact metric and choosing the defocus parameter that yields the image the lowest level of artifact.

Abstract: A method for determining local defocus distance in a scanned image of a non-planar original object is provided comprising scanning at least a portion of the non-planar original object to produce first scanned image data at a first focal plane and scanning same the at least a portion of the non-planar original object to produce at least second scanned image data at a second focal plane. The first scanned image data is different from the second scanned image data wherein a distance between the first focal plane and the second focal plane is a predetermined quantity. The method further comprises estimating an out-of-focus distance of the object from the first and the second scanned image data.

Abstract: When executing super-resolution processing, both reduction in necessary memory capacity and generation of high-resolution image data having a desired image quality are achieved. This invention provides an image forming method in an image forming apparatus capable of executing super-resolution processing using a plurality of low-resolution image data to generate high-resolution image data. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of low-resolution image data, selecting image data to be deleted from the plurality of acquired image data on the basis of spatial frequency information or color information of each image data, deleting the selected image data, and storing, as image data used in the super-resolution processing, remaining image data which are not deleted among the plurality of image data.

Abstract: A print controller controls a print process in which black ink having permeability to a recording medium and chromatic color ink having permeability to the recording medium different from the permeability of the black ink are used to form an image on the recording medium. The subject pixel setting unit sets, as a subject pixel, one pixel that satisfies a first condition that the pixel is a black pixel, a second condition that a plurality of peripheral pixels that are located adjacent to the pixel and that surround the pixel include at least one chromatic pixel, and a third condition that gradation level of black changes discontinuously between the pixel and at least one of the at least one chromatic pixel. The bleed suppressing unit executes a bleed suppression process to a set of pixel data corresponding to the subject pixel to suppress bleeding of the black ink on the recording medium.

Abstract: An image generation method for generating image information of an image C by using an image A and an image B having a resolution higher than that of image A. Image C having the same resolution as image B is generated by enlarging image A; presence or absence of a point in image B corresponding to each pixel position of image C and the position of the relevant corresponding point are estimated; and to each pixel position in image C for which it is estimated that there is a corresponding point, image information of the corresponding position in image B is assigned. It is possible to generate image information at each pixel position in image C for which it is estimated in the corresponding point estimation that there is no corresponding point, by using the image information assigned according to an estimation result that there is a corresponding point.

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: A method and system for determining an optical waveform based on a plurality of print features of a selected marking of a document. The method and system comprise obtaining optical image data representing the print features of the selected marking. The optical image data is corrected for at least one of print contrast or reflectance of the print features in the optical image data using respective print contrast thresholds or reflectance thresholds to produce a converted pixel map of the selected marking, the pixel map containing an ordered sequence of values. Also included is a generation module to transform the print features represented in the converted pixel map to a plurality of corresponding waveform features to produce the optical waveform of the selected marking, the corresponding waveform features including a plurality of spaced apart peaks representing respective optical signal levels of the print features.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio for satellite sensor data or signals, such as hyperspectral imageries (also referred to as datacubes due to their 3-dimensional nature). This is done by reducing the noise in the data or signals by first elevating the noise level temporarily for effective denoising. The denoising process is then performed in this condition and the noise level is then reversibly de-elevated after denoising. The denoising process comprises noise removal in both the spectral and the spatial domains. Once the denoising process is complete, the data is converted back from the spectral and spatial domains. Since this reconstruction process introduces errors, these errors are compensated for using the components from both the original data and denoised data filtered by the low pass filters.

Abstract: An apparatus is capable of processing luminance data and color-difference data of color image data. The apparatus includes a generation unit configured to generate digital watermark image data based on the color-difference data of the color image data, and an output unit configured to output the luminance data and the digital watermark image data generated by the generation unit. Color image data can be generated based on the digital watermark image data and the luminance data output from the output unit.

Abstract: An image generation method for generating image information of an image C by using an image A and an image B having a bit depth higher than that of image A. Image C having the same bit depth as image B is generated by increasing the bit depth of image A by means of tone mapping; presence or absence of a point in image B corresponding to each pixel position of image C and the position of the relevant corresponding point are estimated; and to each pixel position in image C for which it is estimated that there is a corresponding point, image information of the corresponding position in image B is assigned. It is possible to generate image information at each pixel position in image C for which it is estimated in the corresponding point estimation that there is no corresponding point, by using the image information assigned according to an estimation result that there is a corresponding point.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a bit number correction process section for converting tones of binary image data into a maximum tone and a minimum tone of multilevel image data; a spatial filter section for performing a smoothing process on image data resulting from the bit number conversion; and an enlarging/reducing section for performing an interpolation process on the image data subjected to the smoothing process so that smoothness of tones of the image data is maintained, the image data subjected to the interpolation process being supplied to the image display device. This allows an image display device for displaying multilevel image data to display a preview image of binary image data without deteriorating the quality of image data.

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: Disclosed is an image restoring apparatus and a method thereof, which sets a restoration image area to establish a portion of a target image area to be restored as a restoration image area to be restored with priority according to a request for an image restoration; sets a search area to establish an area with a predetermined size including the restoration image area as a search area; detects a similar image area to search for the most similar image area to the restoration image area within the search area; and reconstructs the deteriorated image in a natural manner by copying the image of the detected similar image area and attaching the same to the restoration image area.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing edge enhancement or attenuation in a vector error diffusion process includes warping a marking decision color space as a function of at least one pixel value of a target pixel. The warping changes the membership of sets of error modified pixel values associated particular sets of marking. The warping is controlled by a function of pixel values of a target pixel from an input image. Therefore, the warping is constant for uniform portions of the image. Since pixel values change at edges or where colors change, a mechanism is provided for the presence of edges to influence the vector error diffusion process. Selection of the function by which the marking decision color space is warped provides a means for controlling the aggressiveness of the edge enhancement or attenuation. Equivalent processing includes warping or adjusting error modified pixel values according to corresponding functions.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for estimating a banding profile in an image printing system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining image data across multiple measurement intervals by a sensor; combining the image data with timing information into a coherent signal by a processor; determining aperiodic components of the coherent signal by the processor; determining the periodic component of the coherent signal using spline interpolation, wherein the periodic component represents a banding profile, by the processor; and printing an output print with a correction applied based on the banding profile.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for estimating a banding profile in an image printing system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining image data across multiple measurement intervals by one or more sensors; combining the image data with timing information into a coherent signal by a processor; estimating periodic and aperiodic components of the coherent signal using least squares estimation by the processor, wherein the periodic component represents a banding profile; and wherein at least the periodic component is used to generate an output.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for stitching images printed by a multi-head printer in a manner that is relatively insensitive to misregistration of the image segments. When a pair of overlapping print heads print a pair of adjacent image segments which meet in a stitching region, printing at each location in the stitching region is accomplished by both print heads with a weighting that depends on the location being printed within the stitching region. In one embodiment, for example, the output of each print head is weighted by a linear function of horizontal pixel position. Techniques are also disclosed for selecting screening patterns for use when stitching is performed with variable-dot printers. Such screening patterns are selected to minimize variations in density that may arise as the result of cross-web and/or down-web misregistration.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an image reading apparatus. In the apparatus, reading an original by irradiating it with light of three primary colors, respectively, and by receiving the reflected light is performed as follows. More specifically, an operation mode is designated, and conditions used to perform image reading are set in accordance with the designated mode. Under the set conditions, the image reading is performed according to a method of irradiating an original sequentially with beams of the three primary colors and reading the beams reflected by the original. Alternatively, under the set conditions, image reading is performed according to a method of irradiating an original simultaneously with beams of two primary colors in each of three different combinations of the three primary colors and reading the beams reflected by the original. Instead, image reading is executed twice according to these two methods.

Abstract: A method of printing a text with an apparatus using channels is provided. The method includes determining whether print data corresponds to a specified text by determining similarities between channels of print data, and determining a degree of flatness of one of the channels, searching for a boundary area in the print data if the print data is determined to correspond to the specified text, and reducing some of the channels at the boundary area, and compensating for the one of the channels by a density of the reduced channels if the print data is determined to correspond to the specified text.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for compensating for spatial non-uniformities in a printer by deriving a true spatial non-uniformity tone response curve (TRC) that characterizes the printer in terms of color output variation for each addressable pixel location in a spatial range. The “true average” tone response curve is determined for a color channel. A prediction of the true response as a function of the spatial location is derived by printing and scanning a specially designed halftone-independent target of binary patterns. The predicted tone response curve for each color channel and halftone is predicted using a binary printer model, wherein the “predicted tone response curve” provides a model based approximation of the actual response for each addressable pixel location in the spatial range. Also stored is an “average predicted tone response” by averaging the “predicted tone response curve” over the spatial range of the printer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus that is capable of effectively generating a high-resolution image with high image quality from multiple low-resolution images having displacements by an iterative reconstruction processing based on a reconstruction-based super-resolution processing method.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies for de-hazing hazy images are described. Some techniques provide for determining the effects of the haze and removing the same from an image to recover a de-hazed image. Thus, the de-hazed image does not contain the effects of the haze. Some disclosed technologies allow for similar results. This document also discloses systems and methods for de-hazing images. Some of the disclosed de-hazing systems include an image capture device for capturing the hazy image and a processor for removing the effects of the haze from the hazy image. These systems store the recovered, de-hazed images in a memory and/or display the de-hazed images on a display. Some of the disclosed methods include removing the effects of the haze from a hazy image and outputting the recovered, de-hazed image.

Abstract: Provided are a noise reduction apparatus having an edge enhancement function and a method thereof, in which edges in an input image can be prevented from being blurred when reducing noise in the input image and a clear output image can be obtained by reducing edge discontinuities. The noise reduction apparatus includes a window setting module which sets a portion of an input image as a window, an edge-information detection module which detects edge information regarding the window, an image processing module which performs an image processing operation on the window, and an output-image generation module which generates an output image by reflecting the edge information into one or more windows obtained by the image processing operation.

Abstract: An image output apparatus includes an addition amount calculation unit that calculates, based on a target pixel and each of adjacent pixels before and after the target pixel in an input image, an edge enhancement addition amount to be added to a pixel value of the target pixel; a variation calculation unit that calculates a linear variation in accordance with a shape of an edge gradient formed by the target pixel and each of the adjacent pixels; a weight processing unit that assigns a weight to the edge enhancement addition amount in accordance with the linear variation; and an addition amount addition unit that adds the weighted edge enhancement addition amount to the pixel value of the target pixel and outputs the added pixel value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing a low resolution image by performing a high resolution edge segment extraction on the low resolution image; performing an image super resolution on each edge segment; performing reconstruction constraint reinforcement; and generating a high quality image from the low quality image.

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 object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can perform a process of transforming an edge of an image such as trapping with less memory than prior art by using a small reference area and modification information.

Abstract: A method for performing binary image reduction on binary image data includes receiving binary input image data; determining a conversion factor to scale (i) an input resolution to an output resolution and/or (ii) an input size to an output size; applying the conversion factor to the input image data to obtain intermediate data, where each intermediate data corresponds to at least one input pixel and at least a portion of another input pixel; obtaining a binary output image data comprising a plurality of output pixels by thresholding the corresponding intermediate data; determining an error value for each output pixel, the error value is a non-integer value obtained as a result of thresholding the intermediate data corresponding to the output pixel; and propagating the obtained error value to an adjacent output pixel in a scanline, where the output image data is scaled to the output resolution and/or the output size.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a function for adjusting a color of an image and a printing method thereof are provided, in which an information reading unit extracts information corresponding to a lens of an imaging device from additional information corresponding to an image captured by the imaging device, an information saving unit saves data required for adjusting the color of the image according the information corresponding to the lens of the imaging device, and an image processing unit adjusts the color of the image according to the data. Accordingly, it is possible to print the printing image closer to a natural color by adjusting color differences according to different imaging devices and the color of the image according to the lens information of the imaging device.

Abstract: The present invention prevents necessary image data from deviating from a print medium and thereby executes a good printing operation without a loss of necessary image data. For this purpose, when performing a so-called marginless printing, in which ink is applied also to an area overrunning from the print medium to form an image without leaving a blank margin at edges of the print medium, the overrunning widths of the area are made adjustable.

Abstract: An image processing device, method, an image display device and method which can obtain a high-definition display image by properly controlling processing of reducing the blur of a displayed image caused by the time integration effect of an image sensor. The image display device comprises a motion detection part (1) which detects the moving amount of an input image signal, and an edge emphasis part (2) which subjects the input image signal to edge emphasis processing, and the image display device increases an edge emphasis degree of edge emphasis processing to an area where the moving amount of the input image signal is large.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of minimizing degradation in density correction as a part of skew correction includes a noise-occurrence determining unit, a correction-target-pixel selecting unit, a density correcting unit, and a phase correcting unit. When the noise-occurrence determining unit determines that noise would appear, the density correcting unit performs density correction on a correction target pixel that is determined by the correction-target-pixel selecting unit. The phase correcting unit corrects an output point in time of image data of the density-corrected correction target pixel in a pixel period during which the image data can be output so as to output the image data at a position displaced away from a shift position or toward a shift position.

Abstract: Methods for creating reference images of fiber optic sensor plates for use in electron microscopes. The methods include taking of reference images of stripe or dot patterns. The spatial frequency of the stripe or dot patterns is such that image artifacts of the fiber optic stacks is recorded. The reference images can then be used to correct for these artifacts.