Abstract: A large-format scanner having an imaging element and connected to a PC by a standard interface of predetermined maximum bandwidth is provided with a variable-speed document feeder and with a device upstream of the imaging element for detecting the width transverse to the feed direction of a document being moved through the apparatus by the feeder. As soon as the document width is detected and before the document reaches the imaging element, any sensors of the imaging element that will not confront the document are turned off and the document speed is adjusted so that the sensors left on produce a data output of a bandwidth close to but below the maximum bandwidth of the interface, with wide documents being fed faster than narrow documents.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transferer to apply a constant-current controlled bias to a transfer medium to form a transfer electric field, a constant-current source configured to apply an electrical current to the transferer, an electrical characteristic detector, an environment detector, a first corrector, a second corrector, and a third corrector. The electrical characteristic detector detects an electrical characteristic value corresponding to a resistance in a current path from the constant-current source to the transferer. The environment detector detects an environmental condition inside the image forming apparatus. The first corrector corrects the electrical current based on the electrical characteristic detection and a predetermined threshold. The second corrector corrects the electrical current based on the environment detection. The third corrector sets the threshold based on the environment detection.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, rotational polygonal mirror, correction data calculating unit, modification computing unit, and adjustment unit. The adjustment unit adjusts drive current supplied to the light source using the correction data calculated by the correction data calculating unit when a first of a plurality of modes is selected or using the correction data calculated by the modification computing unit when a second of the plurality of modes is selected.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus for making a position deviation correction, a position deviation amount can be accurately calculated by stabilizing the detection result at position deviation detecting and considering an ideal correction amount and an actual correction amount to make the position deviation correction accurately. A forming unit forms a pattern for position deviation detection without making the position correction for less than one pixel by an image position correcting unit, to a pattern formed in the vicinity of a detection region of a detecting unit, and the position deviation amount is calculated by using a value of a position correction which is not made to the pattern for position deviation detection to be formed.

Abstract: An image reading device having an improved shading compensation capability and a method thereof are disclosed. The image reading device includes an automatic document feed unit to deliver documents along a document delivery path. A light source unit including a light source to illuminate a first criterion image at a first position within the image reading device, and to illuminate the documents delivered by the automatic document feed unit at a second position. The image reading device further includes a second criterion image arranged to opposingly face the light source unit when the light source unit is located at the second position. The second criterion image extends along a sufficient length to cover the scanning range of the light illumination by the light source unit along a main scanning direction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a pattern generation unit configured to cause an image forming section to generate a plurality of image patterns that have periodicity unique to the image forming section and are different from each other, a selection unit configured to select one test pattern from the generated plurality of image patterns, and an image correction unit configured to correct an image based on the test pattern selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: A method of performing handshaking between fax machines on the basis of T.30 protocol includes transmitting information on a first data rate selected to transmit a fax document to a receiving-side fax machine, transmitting a plurality of frames including bit strings predefined to test data transmission/reception at the first data rate prior to transmitting the fax document to the receiving-side fax machine, and receiving a message informing success or failure of the test. The transmitting of the frames includes determining a time duration of the transmitting the frames based on at least one of a TCF flag value and the first data rate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image reading portion, an image processing portion, a storage portion, a storage selector portion, an image forming portion, and a control portion. The storage portion includes a first storage portion and a second storage portion with greater vibration resistance than the first storage portion, and stores image data scanned by the image reading portion and processed by the image processing portion. The storage selector portion selects one of the first storage portion and the second storage portion based on the strength of mechanical vibrations during an operation of the apparatus, and a data size of the image data. The control portion causes the image data to be stored in the storage portion selected by the storage selector portion, and controls the image forming portion to read the stored image data and form an image.

Abstract: Techniques for correcting the color uniformity of a laser printer of a digital press or other device are provided. A process for correcting the color uniformity of a laser printer may include scanning a test page by an inline scanner of a digital press, determining scanner signal data from the test page, determining a scanner polynomial fitted to the scanner signal data, and determining a non-uniform coverage polynomial from the scanner polynomial. Additionally, techniques for verifying the linearity of a scanner are also provided.

Abstract: The systems and methods presented herein provide for the testing of calibration processing within a print controller. In one embodiment, a method provides for testing a printer calibration module. The method includes simulating an optical density response of the printer to generate a plurality of optical density curves for the printer and determining spectral reflectance values for corresponding optical density values in the optical density curves. The method also includes processing the spectral reflectance values via the printer calibration module to generate a calibration output. The method also includes analyzing the calibration output to determine accuracy of the printer calibration module.

Abstract: A density detection apparatus includes the following elements. A storage unit stores therein image information. A measuring unit measures amounts of light components reflected by an image carrier or density detection images represented by the image information. A light amount obtaining unit obtains a variation in amounts of light components reflected by each region in which the associated density detection image is formed, and obtains, as a reference value, a representative value of the amounts of light components. An image correcting unit corrects the image information by changing an arrangement order of the density detection images. An image forming unit forms the density detection images on the image carrier on the basis of the corrected image information. A density obtaining unit obtains density levels of density detection images corresponding to their area ratios by using the amounts of light components reflected by the density detection images and the reference values.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, and a color table generating method and color document printing method of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a color matching unit to match colors of a color document containing one or more images formed with a preset number of colors with colors available in the image forming apparatus, and a color table generator to generate a color table using the matched colors. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the color change caused by a difference in the characteristics between a printer and a scanner.

Abstract: To add an arbitrary recording medium as a recording medium that can be used for calibration to maintain the quality of an image to be formed, an image forming unit forms a pattern image on each of a specific recording medium that can be used for the calibration and the arbitrary recording medium. A creating unit creates second conversion setting information applied to the arbitrary recording medium to convert luminance information into density information, using first luminance information obtained from the pattern image formed on the specific recording medium, second luminance information obtained from the pattern image formed on the arbitrary recording medium, and first conversion setting information applied to the specific recording medium for converting luminance information into density information. A determining unit determines a common image formation condition applied to the specific recording medium and the arbitrary recording medium based on the second conversion setting information.

Abstract: An exemplary method herein operates to help diagnose and correct facsimile transmission errors. The method detects a first facsimile transmission error using an arbitrarily named “first” facsimile machine (which can be a sending facsimile machine or a receiving facsimile machine). The facsimile transmission error occurs during a first facsimile transmission sent from the sending facsimile machine to the receiving facsimile machine. Upon detecting the first facsimile transmission error, the sending facsimile machine automatically contacts a service center computer. The service center computer automatically connects the sending facsimile machine to the receiving facsimile machine through the service center computer. Then, the sending facsimile machine sends a test facsimile transmission to the receiving facsimile machine through the service center computer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a scanning region and a user interface region adjacent to the scanning region. In the user interface, a first illuminated indicator corresponds to a function of the image forming apparatus. A light source is operable to illuminate an object in the scanning region. A first light conveying member is coupled to the illuminated indicator and operable to receive light from the light source.

Abstract: A relevance based print integrity method includes comparing current raster image data that define a document to be printed with golden raster image data that define a previous version of said document with a known (perfect) quality. A plurality of differences between said current raster image data and said golden raster image data are calculated, and each of the differences is processed to determine a relevance value of the difference and to assign the relevance value to the difference. The method includes generating and storing a list of the differences, wherein the list is ordered in terms of the relevance value assigned to each difference. The difference list is presented to a user textually or graphically and/or is used to control or interrupt printing operations.

Abstract: A method for determining the optimum procedure for a job change on a printing-material processing machine (10) with at least one control computer. The data of a first machine job is compared to the data of a subsequent machine job using a control computer, and the comparison is used to establish an order of the operations to be carried out during the job change. Also provided is a device for determining the optimum procedure for a job change on a printing-material processing machine (10) with at least one control computer. The control computer is intended to compare the data of a first machine job to the data of a subsequent machine job, and to use the comparison to establish an order of the operations to be carried out during the job change.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first acquiring unit and a selecting unit. The first acquiring unit acquires information on respective communication capacities of a plurality of transmitters with a facsimile communication function and communication capacity of a partner device to be in facsimile communication with the transmitter. The selecting unit selects a transmitter having communication capacity that is the same as or closest to the communication capacity of the partner device from the plurality of transmitters.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an auto color registration method thereof. The automatic color registration method of the image forming apparatus, the method includes transferring a plurality of first patterns synchronized with a phase of an image receptor, detecting the transferred first patterns, and performing an automatic color registration (ACR) by controlling a driving speed of the image receptor based on the detected first pattern. With this, the apparatus and method controls a driving speed of an image receptor by using a pattern synchronized with a phase of the image receptor and improves accuracy of the ACR.

Abstract: A image processing apparatus includes a transformation unit that reproduces a color tone of a first output data of an original image data output from a first image output apparatus by using a second output data of the original image data output from a second image output apparatus, an estimating unit that estimates first and second geometric transformation parameters, an associating unit that generates first and second color component value association data, and a determining unit that generates a color tone transformation parameter based on a combination of pixel values in which a pixel value of the first image output data is substantially equivalent to a pixel value of the second image output data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a line memory for writing and reading image data of one line. A write/read controller controls writing and reading the image data of one line in and from the line memory. A white line determiner determines whether an image corresponding to image data of one line being written in the line memory is a white line. An image processor performs specified image processing on the image data of one line read from the line memory by the write/read controller. An image processing controller generates an operation clock used in the image processor and causes the image processor to perform the specified image processing for the image data of one line determined not to be a white line and stops generating the operation clock and reads white data from a white data storage for the image data of one line determined to be a white line.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention acquires a photographed image of an object on which indicators have been arranged, detects the indicators from the photographed image with use of a comparison reference image for pattern matching prepared in advance, and instructs to perform predetermined processing based on the detected indicators. The indicators each have a pattern where influence of geometrical image distortion generated corresponding to a photographing distance or a photographing angle with respect to the object is restrained by a central portion of the photographed image, and the comparison reference image is a partial image corresponding to a central portion of the indicator. The indicators are detected from the photographed image by comparing the comparison reference image with the acquired photographed image.

Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus capable of switching a scanning background includes a pair of glass plates, a pair of background boards pivoted to the glass plates and a driving mechanism. The glass plates are disposed in a frame and overlapped with each other. The two glass plates define two scanning areas face to face. A portion of the frame adjacent to an outer surface of the glass plate defines a first color area of the scanning background corresponding to the scanning area. One background board is positioned above one glass plate, and the other background board is positioned under the other glass plate and away from the one background board. Each background board defines a second color area of the scanning background corresponding to the scanning area. The driving mechanism mounted in the frame drives the background boards to turn over with respect to the corresponding glass plates.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes: an image scanning unit that includes plural light emitting elements and a light receiving portion receiving light emitted from the light emitting elements and reflected on a document and scans an image on the document; a light quantity information acquiring unit that acquires light quantity information on the quantity of light received by the light receiving portion while causing the light emitting elements to irradiate a reference member with light; a correction unit that corrects the scanned image, based on the light quantity information; and an abnormality detecting unit that detects abnormality of the light emitting elements. If the abnormality detecting unit detects the abnormality, the light quantity information acquiring unit acquires new light quantity information while causing the light emitting elements to irradiate the reference member with light and the correction unit corrects the scanned image, based on the new light quantity information.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for reducing the pitch-to-pitch variation of color using pitch-based linearization of halftone screens are presented. A selection of images is printed at different pitches, and each image is measured and tracked with its pitch. Pitch-based TRCs are constructed using patches, which may be scheduled during print run or during machine diagnostic process and halftone dots are constructed and uploaded in the image path for each pitch. The updated dots are then used to produce a linearized halftone image for transfer to a print surface which results in improved color balance.

Abstract: An automated printout inspection system identifies glyphs in an image by calculating a connectedness score for each foreground pixel, and comparing this score with a specified threshold. The system further generates training images by simulating printouts from an impact printer, including the specifying of specific error types and their magnitudes. The simulated printouts are combined with scan images of real-world printout to train an automated printout inspection system. The inspection results of the automated system are compared with inspection results from human inspectors, and test parameters of the automated system are adjusted so that it renders inspection results within a specified range of the average human inspector.

Abstract: Processes are presented for creating electronic banding compensation profiles for raster output scanner (ROS) devices by printing and scanning a test pattern having a series of strips extending along a process direction and spaced from one another along a cross process (fast scan) direction, analyzing the scanned data to determine facet-specific banding errors corresponding to individual strips, and selectively adjusting banding correction profiles to counteract the banding errors.

Abstract: A method for registering color deviations on printing materials produced in machines processing printing material, includes using a computer to analyze image data from a prepress stage with regard to coloring in a printed image on the printing materials. During the analysis in the computer, the image data from the prepress stage are organized into image types, the image types are allocated set points and the set points are compared with actual values registered by a color measuring instrument on the printing materials being produced.

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: Disclosed herein are systems and methods related to data communication. A method includes consulting a database for information relating to the performance history of one or more facsimile transmitting devices. The database includes a performance score for one or more facsimile transmitting devices, and the performance score reflects the success or failure of a transmission of a data communication for an individual one of one or more facsimile transmitting device. The method further includes using the performance score to select an individual facsimile transmitting device from the one or more facsimile transmitting devices and attempting to transmit the data communication using the selected individual facsimile transmitting device.

Abstract: Methods perform at least two different segments of a scan job by sequentially scanning the different segments using an optical scanner. Each of the different segments is scanned with the optical scanner manually set to different settings. The methods automatically combine the different settings to produce a recurring scan workflow. The recurring scan workflow includes such different settings of the different segments and information of the number of pages scanned in each of the different segments. Further, such methods perform at least one later scan job having later segments corresponding to the different segments of the original scan job after creating the recurring scan workflow. During the later scan job the computerized device automatically changes settings of the optical scanner between the later segments, without requiring the user to manually change the different settings between the later segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching a calibrator process by which the user is guided through the process of calibrating the conditions used by a particular print job is provided. Techniques are provided which calculate which print conditions will be used by the particular print job, which guarantees that the user is calibrating the correct conditions to get the best color quality for the particular job. The method and apparatus further provides techniques that allow the user to specify the conditions under which a calibration is considered expired in terms of time since the last calibration and the number of prints since the last calibration The method and apparatus further provides techniques for when the user encounters a new media type or print condition, the system can measure such and inform the user whether to create a new profile and/or new calibration set to get the optimal color quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposure correction in scanners are disclosed. In the method, exposure is corrected for pixels received in an image sensor array. Exposure time is tracked for the incoming pixel data and a calibration factor is determined for correcting the gain, and the calibration factor is adjusted based on the tracked exposure time. In the apparatus, a scanner includes an illumination source and a sensor for receiving pixel data. Using values stored in a memory, circuitry is provided for determining a calibration factor, for tracking exposure time for the pixel data and for adjusting the pixel data based on the calibration factor and exposure time.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an automatic document feeder, a first reading unit to read a first side of a document fed by the automatic document feeder and to function as a main reading unit, a second reading unit to read a second side of the document fed by the automatic document feeder; and a control unit to operate the first and second reading units in order to perform an ADF two-sided reading mode. The control unit determines a point in time when the main reading unit is changed, based on a frequency in use of the ADF two-sided reading mode, and changes the main reading unit to the second reading unit at the determined point in time.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an analysis result reception unit, an inclination reception unit, a date and time reception unit, a date and time extraction unit, a determination unit, an adjustment unit, an information image generation unit, and an output unit. The analysis result reception unit receives an analysis result of an information image scanned by an information image scan unit. The inclination reception unit receives inclination when the information image scan unit scans the information image. The date and time reception unit receives a date and time when the information image scan unit scans the information image. The date and time extraction unit extracts a date and time when the information image scanned by the information image scan unit is printed. The determination unit determines whether or not to adjust a size of a pixel cluster constituting the information image.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an input unit configured to read a document and input image data, a division unit configured to divide the image data into a margin area and a print information area, an acquisition unit configured to count a number of pixels having a gradation value greater than a first threshold value in each divided area, and acquire the number of counted pixels per unit area, and a determination unit configured to determine that the document is white paper if a difference of two acquired pixel numbers per unit area is smaller than a second threshold value.

Abstract: A device comprises: a scanning unit configured to scan a printed material obtained by printing image data; a setting unit configured to set reference data based on the image data; and a determining unit configured to determine whether a printed material is proper by comparing the image data obtained by the scan with the reference data, wherein the setting unit sets again the reference data based on the image data obtained by the scan for a subsequent printed material in a case where the determining unit determines a printed material to be proper.

Abstract: When a plurality of test copies of an identical image are required, print data of the first page is created from the same image that is used in regular printing and is test-printed; the second and following pages are test-printed using a simplified image that is created by extracting only contour portions of the image.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a frame; a light source provided in the frame to irradiate a target with light; an image sensor that receives light reflected by the target to capture an image of the target; an imaging lens unit formed of a plurality of lenses configured to focus the light reflected by the target on the image sensor; and reflecting mirrors to direct the light reflected by the target to the imaging lens unit. In the image capturing device, an image capturing position is corrected by changing a posture of the reflecting mirror relative to the frame of the image capturing device and a skewed image is corrected by changing the posture of the reflecting mirror relative to the frame of the image capturing device.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a printing device includes storing current calibration data in the printing device; and modifying each incoming print job using the calibration data stored in the printing device. A printing device having a calibration function includes a memory storing current calibration data in the printing device; and an operator, executed by the printing device, configured to modify each incoming print job using the calibration data stored in the printing device.

Abstract: An augmented reality system and method for diagnosing and fixing a fault in a device. A mobile communication device can be operatively connected with a networked rendering device by reading a two-dimensional bar code associated with the rendering device. An image with respect to the rendering device can be captured by an image-capturing unit associated with the mobile communication device. The image can be augmented with additional information and a target area can be highlighted in order to indicate a fault component. An action to be taken with respect to the target area can be displayed on the mobile communication device. Such an approach permits an end user to address the device issue with increased quality of information and accuracy.

Abstract: Provided is a display device with photosensors that can achieve a scanner function without increasing the memory capacity for images. A display device with photosensors includes a visible light source and an invisible light source. The display device with photosensors further includes: a first photosensor that detects the amount of received light in a pixel region when the invisible light source is on; a second optical sensor that detects the amount of received light in the pixel region when the invisible light source is off; and a third photosensor that detects the amount of received light reflected from an object to be scanned, causing only display pixels respectively nearest to the third photosensors within a prescribed range in the pixel region to be in a display state, and causing other pixels in the prescribed range to be in a non-display state.

Abstract: A combination of a latent-image pattern which forms a latent-image part and a background pattern that forms a background-image part is determined so that the latent-image part and background-image part have equal print densities. The determined latent-image pattern and background pattern, color information used to determine a color of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, input image information as an image to be processed, copy-forgery-inhibited pattern basic information used to designate the latent-image part and background-image part, and camouflage region designation image information used to designate a camouflage region are input. A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is generated on the basis of the input information.

Abstract: When a change occurs in the status of an image processing apparatus, update information in which the status change is written is generated, and the status change of the image processing apparatus is notified to a client apparatus with a function for delivering the generated update information. A printer driver for the image processing apparatus is distributed from a management apparatus that manages the image processing apparatus to the client apparatus, and the function for delivering the update information is registered with the client apparatus.

Abstract: An image transfer assembly and method capable of adjusting the registration of an image printed on paper. A first image location being determined on at least one first sheet by measuring for each of at least three corners of a first sheet the distance between the two adjoining edges of the respective corners to a portion of at least one first fiducial mark. For each of the measured first sheet corners the measured portion of the at least one first fiducial mark is closer to that respective corner than any other of the first sheet corners. Then a second image to be transferred is adjusted by changing, relative to at least one second sheet, at least one of a size, shear, position and orientation of the second image based on the determined first image location. The adjusted second image being then printed on the second sheet(s).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of scanning a physical medium by an image scanner comprising a first image sensor having a plurality of image sensor elements that provide an image, and a first light source associated with the first image sensor, the method comprising: guiding light from the first light source towards a first group of image sensor element(s); recording a first light calibration value using the first group of image sensor element(s). The method further comprises repeating the above step by using a second group of image sensor element(s) thus resulting in a second light calibration value; generating a first compensation signal for image sensor elements positioned between the first and the second group of image sensor element(s) by processing the first and the second light calibration value together; compensating said image signals provided by the first image sensor using the first compensation signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a storing section, an image forming section to form a measurement image to output a measurement chart, and a control section for inputting density information indicating densities at positions of the measurement image, to calculate a correction value corresponding to each position based on the density information, to store the value in association with an output condition including a screen condition indicating a screen processing at the time of outputting the chart, to determine the output condition of the image data, to read the value corresponding to the output condition, and to correct the image data based on the value, wherein the image forming section forms an image based on the corrected image data, and when no correction value corresponding to the screen condition of the input image data is stored in the storing section, the control section inhibits the correction from being executed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing image signals from a first and a second image sensor, both of a document scanner unit, where the first image sensor provides a first image, and the second image sensor provides a second image. The first and the second image are two-dimensional images wherein said first and second image are recorded at respective areas of a scanned medium, where a portion of the respective areas is recorded also by the other of the respective image sensors. Thereby image data from overlapping and non-overlapping areas are present in the first and the second image. The method comprises: correlating the first image with the second image, creating a correlation image and processing the correlation image to determine a displacement between the first and the second image. Consequently, a versatile calibration method is provided that can determine a displacement between the first and the second image in two dimensions.

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

Abstract: The systems and methods presented herein provide for calibrating a print engine of a printing system. The printing system prints image data on a print medium and scans the printed image data. Color values of the scanned image data are then measured and various tints of color values and their transition locations are identified. A calibration module estimates the original optical densities of the identified color value tints and generates a target optical density for each of the identified color value tints using the estimated original optical densities to determine print irregularities in the color values of the scanned image data. The calibration module then generates a halftone screen based on the mean optical densities and applies the generated halftone screen to the print engine to calibrate the print engine.