Abstract: Copy and scan printing may include scanning, by scanner disposed along a paper path between a paper delivery roller and a paper pickup roller, content of documents (302). Further, copy and scan printing may include determining whether the documents are to be copied (304), in response to a determination that the documents are to be copied, determining whether a page count of the documents to be copied is available (306), and generating copies of the documents (310).

Abstract: A document reading device that is capable of selectively designating a document reading process includes a sound output unit that gives notification of information needed for a document reading process that has been selected and a notification control unit that controls output from the sound output unit. When a specific document reading process has been selected, the notification control unit exercises control so that in a case where a device state of the document reading device is not the specific device state, notification information that prompts for the specific device state is outputted by the sound output unit after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the specific document reading process was selected and so that in a case where the device state of the document reading device is the specific device state, notification information whose content prompts for the specific device state is not outputted by the sound output unit.

Abstract: An adaptive control method includes steps of: storing N number of different speed setting values; assigning an i-th one of the speed setting values to serve as a target speed value; sampling, when the gripping module is performing a first action in a steady state period, a feedback voltage signal resulting from the gripping module to obtain Stall Guard Values (SGVs); averaging the SGVs to obtain an average SGV; and calculating, based on the average SGV and a predetermined SGV deviation, a Stall Guard Threshold (SGT) for subsequent control of the electric gripper.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing high dynamic range digital double sampling. More particularly, a CMOS image sensor is provided that includes a pixel array with each pixel sampling both dark and bright values for digital double sampling. After the sampled signals are digitized, a mean dark value is determined and each dark value is further fed to a lookup table that generates an output value taking into account whether the pixel has been saturated. In over exposed conditions, the lookup table will generate a negative value output to eliminate image artifacts. All three values are fed to adder logic circuit that subtracts the mean dark value and the lookup table output from the bright value. This resulting output is fed to a video viewer.

Abstract: In a carrier detector, the simple latch is replaced with a pulse timer and reference control module which outputs logic high (H) when more than two consecutive toggled signals come within 1.5 baud periods and keeps logic high (H) until it misses a toggled signal for two baud periods. This carrier detector has a tolerance for a false detection which happens when the frequency shifts from lower to higher and the input amplitude level does not reach a detectable level. With this transition, the amplitude level at filter output becomes higher due to the transient response of the filter and eventually this would trigger the comparator for only one baud period. The deglitch circuit, however, ignores this clock edge in the carrier detector as provided herein.

Abstract: In a carrier detector, the simple latch is replaced with a pulse timer and reference control module which outputs logic high (H) when more than two consecutive toggled signals come within 1.5 baud periods and keeps logic high (H) until it misses a toggled signal for two baud periods. This carrier detector has a tolerance for a false detection which happens when the frequency shifts from lower to higher and the input amplitude level does not reach a detectable level. With this transition, the amplitude level at filter output becomes higher due to the transient response of the filter and eventually this would trigger the comparator for only one baud period. The deglitch circuit, however, ignores this clock edge in the carrier detector as provided herein.

Abstract: A buffer write method for a buffer, including a plurality of M-bit storage units, has following steps: obtaining pixel data of a plurality of first N-bit pixels of a picture; calculating a corresponding start address of the buffer for the pixel data of the first N-bit pixels; and storing the first N-bit pixels of the picture according to the calculated start address of the buffer in the M-bit storage units by a buffer controller. The storing step includes fully storing at least one of the first N-bit pixels in one of the M-bit storage units storage units, wherein M and N are positive integers, and M is not divisible by N.

Abstract: A method for distorting a digital image comprising receiving the coordinates of one or more than one image reference point defined by a user within the digital image, receiving one or more than one spatial offset assigned by the user and associated with the coordinates of the one or more than one defined image reference point, providing a mixing function algorithm embodied on a computer-readable medium for distorting the digital image, calculating an offset matrix by applying the mixing function algorithm based on the one or more than one spatial offset and the coordinates of the one or more than one defined image reference point; and distorting the digital image by application of the offset matrix. A graphic tag may be associated with each of the defined image reference points and displayed over the digital image, and the assignment of the spatial offset may be accomplished by movement of the graphic tag with the pointing device. Abstract image reference points may be used to limit distortion.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a sheet. A sheet discharge tray receives a sheet read by the image reading unit. A measurement unit measures a total weight of sheets on the sheet discharge tray. A read counter counts a number of all sheets read by the image reading unit. The read counter stores the number of the currently read sheet in association with the measured total weight of the sheets on the sheet discharge tray. A measured value comparison unit compares the current measured weight of the sheets and a stored measured weight stored in association with the number of the read sheet immediately preceding the currently read sheet. A dropped page identification unit identifies, by page number, one or more sheets dropped from the sheet discharge unit based on the comparison result.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of recognizing edge portions of an original image with precision is provided. The image reading apparatus uses an image reading unit to scan an original being conveyed and read an image of the original. The image reading apparatus includes an edge information obtaining unit and an edge determining unit. The edge information obtaining unit detects an image of an edge portion of the original image and obtains, for each point in a main scanning direction, edge information, which indicates whether or not an edge portion image is detected at the point in a sub-scanning direction. The edge determining unit conducts detection from at least one of two directions of the main scanning direction to detect a point where a given number of successive edge portion images are detected, and obtains an edge portion based on the detected point.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic imaging method. The method includes: on a basis of performing fuzzy segmentation of a membership function on an echo signal, sequentially dividing an input image into a plurality of fuzzy segments according to a strength of an echo; dividing the image into a plurality of layers accordingly; and performing a spatial neighborhood operation on a membership degree value in the plurality of layers, so as to obtain a space fuzzy segmentation array; in another aspect, determining a manipulated variable vector of the image according to image content-based self-adaptive calculation or user-based input, flexibly weighting and stretching space fuzzy segmentation arrays at the layers according to the manipulated variable vector finally, and adjusting and compounding the input image by using obtained echo increment and brightness compensation, so as to obtain a final output image. Also disclosed is a corresponding ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method for distorting a digital image comprising receiving the coordinates of one or more than one image reference point defined by a user within the digital image, receiving one or more than one spatial offset assigned by the user and associated with the coordinates of the one or more than one defined image reference point, providing a mixing function algorithm embodied on a computer-readable medium for distorting the digital image, calculating an offset matrix by applying the mixing function algorithm based on the one or more than one spatial offset and the coordinates of the one or more than one defined image reference point; and distorting the digital image by application of the offset matrix. A graphic tag may be associated with each of the defined image reference points and displayed over the digital image, and the assignment of the spatial offset may be accomplished by movement of the graphic tag with the pointing device. Abstract image reference points may be used to limit distortion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to training a classifier algorithm that can be used for automatically selecting tags to be applied to a received image. For example, a computing device can group training images together based on the training images having similar tags. The computing device trains a classifier algorithm to identify the training images as semantically similar to one another based on the training images being grouped together. The trained classifier algorithm is used to determine that an input image is semantically similar to an example tagged image. A tag is generated for the input image using tag content from the example tagged image based on determining that the input image is semantically similar to the tagged image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resolution conversion method and device, and UHDTV. The resolution conversion method includes the following steps: acquiring a diagonal interpolation parameter matrix in the vertical direction and a diagonal interpolation parameter matrix in the horizontal direction; performing a diagonal interpolation processing to the input signal that the resolution thereof is to be conversed to acquire a target resolution signal on basis of the diagonal interpolation parameter matrix in the vertical direction and the diagonal interpolation parameter matrix in the horizontal direction. By performing a diagonal interpolation processing to the input signal that the resolution thereof is to be conversed according to the diagonal interpolation parameter matrix in the horizontal and vertical directions, on one hand, image distortion is reduced, and on the other hand, image blur and image aliasing can be effectively avoid, and clarity of the image is thus improved.

Abstract: A particulate contamination measurement method and apparatus are discussed. The method, for example, comprises pressing a measurement surface (5) of a polyurethane elastomer (2) against a surface (7) to be measured, removing the polyurethane elastomer from the surface without leaving residues, then using an optical apparatus (11) to detect particles (8) which have been removed by the polyurethane elastomer from the surface and which have become attached to the polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: An exemplary data arrangement method for a picture includes at least the following steps: obtaining pixel data of a plurality of first N-bit pixels of the picture; and storing the obtained pixel data of the first N-bit pixels in a plurality of M-bit storage units of a first buffer based on a raster-scan order of the picture, wherein M and N are positive integers, and M is not divisible by N. Besides, at least one of the M-bit storage units is filled with part of the obtained pixel data of the first N-bit pixels, and the first N-bit pixels include at least one pixel divided into a first part stored in one of the M-bit storage units in the first buffer and a second part stored in another of the M-bit storage units in the first buffer.

Abstract: A method for distorting a digital image comprising receiving the coordinates of one or more than one image reference point defined by a user within the digital image, receiving one or more than one spatial offset assigned by the user and associated with the coordinates of the one or more than one defined image reference point, providing a mixing function algorithm embodied on a computer-readable medium for distorting the digital image, calculating an offset matrix by applying the mixing function algorithm based on the one or more than one spatial offset and the coordinates of the one or more than one defined image reference point; and distorting the digital image by application of the offset matrix. A graphic tag may be associated with each of the defined image reference points and displayed over the digital image, and the assignment of the spatial offset may be accomplished by movement of the graphic tag with the pointing device. Abstract image reference points may be used to limit distortion.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus includes a down-converter unit configured to down-convert an image signal having a first resolution into an image signal having a second resolution lower than the first resolution, a high-frequency-band-edge detection unit configured to perform filtering on the image signal having the first resolution to extract components in a higher frequency band than a frequency corresponding to the second resolution and to perform down-conversion on an edge detection signal obtained through the filtering to obtain an edge detection signal having the second resolution, and a combination unit configured to combine the edge detection signal obtained by the high-frequency-band-edge detection unit with the image signal having the second resolution generated by the down-converter unit so as to obtain an image signal having the second resolution and being to be displayed.

Abstract: A method for matching one or more channels to a reference channel in a multiple-channel detector having a digital output, the method including: receiving an analog-to-digital unit (ADU) input value from the multiple-channel detector for each channel; and replacing the ADU input value by an output value corresponding to each channel from a look up table (LUT); wherein the LUT is created by taking a relative intensity ratio of signals from each channel compared to the reference channel over a range of voltage values; calculating a signal value on the detector that generates a specific ADU value across the entire ADU range of the detector; interpolating the relative intensity ratios to obtain ratios corresponding to the calculated signal values for each channel; and dividing the each of the specific ADU value by the corresponding interpolated ratio to obtain the corresponding output value for each channel.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments disclose an image processing method which includes obtaining a binary value by quantizing a value obtained by summing at least one pixel value of an input image and a quantization error value of a neighboring pixel; determining a pixel in which a detail intensity is to be inserted according to the binary value of each pixel; determining the detail intensity to be inserted in the determined pixel; and inserting the determined detail intensity in the determined pixel, wherein the quantization error value of the neighboring pixel is a difference value between an original pixel value of the neighboring pixel and a pixel value quantized with respect to a predetermined constant value.

Abstract: A handheld, cordless scanning device for the three-dimensional image capture of patient anatomy without the use of potentially hazardous lasers, optical reference targets for frame alignment, magnetic reference receivers, or the requirement that the scanning device be plugged in while scanning. The device generally includes a housing having a front end and a rear end. The rear end includes a handle and trigger. The front end includes a pattern projector for projecting a unique pattern onto a target object and a camera for capturing live video of the projected pattern as it is deformed around the object. The front end of the housing also includes a pair of focus beam generators and an indexing beam generator. By utilizing data collected with the present invention, patient anatomy such as anatomical features and residual limbs may be digitized to create accurate three-dimensional representations which may be utilized in combination with computer-aided-drafting programs.

Abstract: A method of capturing and processing a multi-spectral image of an object comprises placing the object on a flat-bed scanner (1), using the flat-bed scanner (1) to illuminate the object successively with monochromatic light at a series of wave-lengths to produce a plurality of images together forming a composite multi-spectral image, determining a spectral profile of at least a portion of the multi-spectral image and comparing the spectral profile to a stored spectral profile (22, 24).

Abstract: A bad pixel correction method for an image is provided. The bad pixel correction method includes the steps of determining whether each of pixels of a predetermined block in the image is a bad pixel sequentially; when a current pixel of the block is determined to be bad and a temperature value is higher than a threshold, re-determining that at least one previously determined pixel in the predetermined block to be bad; and correcting the current pixel and the previously determined pixel, wherein the previously determined pixel is adjacent to the current pixel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus reads an original to acquire image information, processes the acquired image information, and determines whether or not to form the processing result on the original. Upon determining to form the processing result on the original, the image forming apparatus forms the processing result on the original, and upon determining to not form the processing result on the original, the image forming apparatus forms the processing result on a sheet other than the original.

Abstract: In an image forming device adapted to acquire image data and distribute the image data, a storage unit stores respective plug-in modules of an input process, an image transforming process, and an output process with respect to the image data. A combining information acquisition unit acquires combining information including plug-in identifiers which respectively indicate the plug-in modules. A combining unit combines two or more of the plug-in modules to generate a virtual plug-in based on the combining information. A flow setting unit sets up a workflow in which the plug-in modules including the virtual plug-in are combined arbitrarily. A workflow control unit controls processes included in the workflow when a message distribution process based on the workflow is requested.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation technique is disclosed for use in an image forming device such as a laser printer or a photocopier. The technique implements a pacer to synthesize the frequency of a serializer circuit by stretching (or shrinking) pixel pulse train data. The pacer stretches the pixel pulse train data in accord with increment data that is based upon information about the image forming device, such as the number of bits in the pixel pulse train data, the number of bits in print engine pulse train, the target print engine frequency, and the serializer frequency. The technique can be implemented with digital circuits that provide digital test data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes a plurality of operating modes, the apparatus including a main body, a scanning unit to move along the main body and obtains an image data from an object to be scanned, an operation state display unit to display a position of the scanning unit, and a controller to set a display mode corresponding to an operating state that includes at least one operating mode of the plurality of operating modes and controls the operation state display unit to display the display mode set corresponding to the operating state.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for the virtualization, aggregation, and distributed processing of facsimile communications. The Remote FAX Interconnect known as etherFAX® is a system and method that allows for the reception and delivery of information based on cloud computing infrastructure to or from one or more facsimile systems using Internet/web based communication protocols such as HTTP(S) as the transport between a facsimile capable application or hardware and the remotely accessible etherFAX® services.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is disclosed. The image reading apparatus includes an automatic document feeding unit that transports a document in a predetermined direction while the document floats above a platen glass member and a light source disposed below the platen glass member that irradiates a portion on the document at a predetermined reading location such that reflected light from the portion on the document is converted into image data and a floating distance between the document and the platen glass member is detected to set a value of an image parameter for correcting the image data for the document, based on the detected floating distance between the document and the platen glass member.

Abstract: A first light source and a second light source are arranged so that a protrusion direction of a first terminal from a first supporting body and a protrusion direction of a second terminal from a second supporting body are different when viewed in the longitudinal direction of a light guide. The first light source and the second light source are arranged so as to reduce a protrusion direction of the first supporting body and the second supporting body in a predetermined direction from an area where the first light source and the second light source overlap when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the light guide.

Abstract: A document scanner (10) includes an input tray (30) for holding documents (20) and an input image capture device (40) for capturing images of the documents (20)in the input tray (30) prior to transporting the document for imaging; an output tray (150) for holding documents (20) after the documents (20) exit the scanner; an output image capture device (140) for capturing images of the output tray; an image processor for determining characteristics of the output tray or characteristic of the documents (20) before imaging and after the documents (20) exit the scanner; and scanner functions are modified based on the output tray characteristics or the document characteristics.

Abstract: A system for capturing an image of a document includes an input tray (30) for holding documents (20); an input imaging device (40) that captures an image of a first document in the input tray; wherein the input tray image of the first document is captured as an area image; transmitting the captured input tray image of the first document to an image processor (100); and transporting the first document to an output tray.

Abstract: An image reading device is provided with a waveform memory that stores correction waveform data generated based on a digital image signal output from an image signal processing circuit when a light source of the image reading device is turned off, and an image signal correcting circuit that corrects an image signal of an original image using the correction waveform data stored in the waveform memory.

Abstract: The printing device has a data generating section (controller section) which conducts image processing with a plurality of processors to generate dot data for printing from image data; and a printing section that conducts printing to a printing medium based on the dot data sent from the data generating section. The data generating section has a first processing mode that conducts processing to first image data that is a part of image data using N processors, and a second processing mode that conducts processing to second image data that is a part of image data using M processors, with N and M representing the number of the processors. N and M are natural numbers which are different from each other. The first processing mode and the second processing mode are determined depending on complexity of the image data.

Abstract: The photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light reflected from an original image to electrical signals and a clock generator configured to generate driving signals for driving the photoelectric conversion element from a reference clock. Each of the driving signals is generated using the same logic gate or substantially the same logic gate.

Abstract: A system for scanning paper media includes at least one microprocessor and a scanner connected to the microprocessor. The scanner is configured to simultaneously scan two or more printed pages using nuclear magnetic resonance and wherein the scanner is configured to send a three-dimensional data set to the microprocessor representing the printed pages.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image combining device includes a read unit and a control unit. The read unit includes a transparent holder and an image read section of flatbed type. The transparent holder holds a flat medium, and plural matching reference points are marked in an edge region. The image read section reads the medium placed on a reading window. A size of the medium is larger than the reading window. Each of the partial images, generated by the image read section, includes an image of a part of the medium and a part of the matching reference points. The matching reference points are arranged along a part of an edge of the image of the medium. The control unit combines the plural partial images based on the matching reference points included in the plural partial images, and generates a combined image including an image of the medium.

Abstract: A method for classifying a document (3) to be associated with at least one service (Si), including a step in which a scanner (1) having a processor (6) scans (E1) the document (3). The method also includes steps in which the processor (6): develops (E2) at least one structure (?j) representing the document (3), determines (E3) for each service (Si) at least one similitude value (?ij) between the structure (?j) representing the document and a reference structure (Rij) of the same kind and representing the service (Si), deduces (E4) from the similitude value (?ij) the service (Si) with which the document (3) is to be associated, and processes (E5) the document (3) according to the service (Si) thus associated. The invention also relates to a scanner for implementing the method.

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 image reader is provided, which includes a first analog front end unit configured to perform A/D conversion for analog signals that are output via a first group of channels of a number resulting from rounding up, to a closest whole number, an average value between a number of at least one channel for a first image reading unit and a number of channels for a second image reading unit, among analog signals output from the first image reading unit and the second image reading unit, and a second analog front end unit configured to perform A/D conversion for analog signals that are output via a second group of channels other than the channels in the first group, among the analog signals output from the first image reading unit and the second image reading unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a drive source, a speed change mechanism provided in a transmission unit that transmits a driving force from the drive source to a scanning drive unit. The speed change mechanism is configured to change a transmission ratio of the transmission unit by selectively bringing one of first and second couplings into a connected state. The image reading apparatus further includes a selector configured to selectively bring one of the first and second couplings into the connected state, a detector configured to detect the connected state of the second coupling, and a controller configured to control a scanning position of the reading unit based on the transmission ratio changed via the second coupling after the detector detects the connected state of the second coupling after the selector changes selection from the first coupling to the second coupling.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer 10 comprises an operation unit 13 making image formation requests, an image forming unit 16 forming an image in response to an image formation request issued from the operation unit 13 or an external device, a determination unit determining whether the image formation request is issued from the operation unit 13 or the external device, a main power source 23 activating the operation unit 13 and image forming unit 16 to bring them into a usable state, and a control unit actuating the image forming unit 16, when the main power source 23 completely activates the image forming unit 16 and the determination unit determines that the image formation request is a request issued from the external device, regardless of whether the operation unit 13 is activated or not.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing the phase lock loop circuitry of sub-pixel clock generators for situations where frequent switching between different system printing speeds, and hence clock frequencies are required. An optimizing circuit is associated with a sub-pixel clock generator for clamping an input voltage to a voltage controlled oscillator controlling clock frequency between a desired range. The clamping circuitry comprises a comparator for detecting when the voltage has moved out of the desired range and then charges or discharges a loop filter circuit controlling the input voltage to the VCO to keep the input voltage within the desired range.

Abstract: An image-reading device includes a plurality of image sensors, a starting signal generator and a signal timing regulator. Each image sensor reads images on a pixel basis and generating an image signal indicative of the image. The image signal is an analog signal. The starting signal generator generates starting signals at every predetermined time period. A sampling period for sampling the image signal is set within the predetermined time period. In response to the starting signal sequentially inputted to the image sensors, the image sensors read the image until the predetermined time period is expired. The signal timing regulator delays an input timing at which the starting signal is inputted to the image sensor so that the sampling periods for the plurality of image sensors are different from one another.

Abstract: The photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light reflected from an original image to electrical signals and a clock generator configured to generate driving signals for driving the photoelectric conversion element from a reference clock. Each of the driving signals is generated using the same logic gate or substantially the same logic gate.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, includes: a registration unit that refers to a use limit information memory which stores use limit information indicating a policy of a use limit of a document corresponding to a set of a mark image indicating that use of the document is limited and user associated information relating to a user associated to the document, extracts the mark image and person in charge information from document image information obtained by reading a paper document including the mark image and the person in charge information indicating a person in charge with respect to contents of the paper document, acquires the use limit information corresponding to a set of the extracted mark image and the user associated information corresponding to the extracted person in charge information from the use limit information memory, and registers the acquired use limit information associated with a document including the document image information in a document memory.

Abstract: This invention is directed to image reading capable of suppressing EMI unwanted radiation while maintaining image quality. To accomplish this, the following processing is executed when reading an original image by a photoelectric transducer. More specifically, a first driving signal where SSCG spread modulation is applied, and a second driving signal where no SSCG spread modulation is applied are generated from a reference signal. Either the first or second driving signal is selected, and a timing signal for reading the original image is generated based on the selected driving signal. The image signal obtained by the photoelectric transducer is latched using the timing signal. The latched image signal is transferred for subsequent image processing. Upon reading a one-line image original, the second driving signal is selected till the completion of the latch operation, and after the latch operation, the first driving signal is selected for an image signal transfer operation.

Abstract: An image processing device includes print processors for different colors, plural first conversion sections provided for each of the print processors, a second conversion section, and a controller. Each of the print processors performs printing of a corresponding color onto a recording medium. Each of the first conversion sections converts print data described in page description language into raster image data, and outputs the converted raster image data to the corresponding print processor. The second conversion section converts the print data into raster image data and outputs the converted raster image data to any of the print processors. The controller selectively performs a first control that causes the first conversion sections to convert the print data that has been input to the device in parallel, or a second control that causes the first conversion sections and the second conversion section to convert the input print data in parallel.

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

Abstract: An image scanning device has first and second image scanning units to scan an image on the front and rear surfaces of a document to sequentially output image data on a line-by-line basis. A determining unit determines whether or not the number of lines of the front image is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, and whether or not the number of lines of the rear image is greater than or equal to the predetermined number. A processing unit reads out the front and rear image data on a line-by-line basis for the predetermined number of lines and performs image-processing on the readout data if the number of lines of the front image data is greater than or equal to the predetermined number and performs image-processing on the readout data if the number of lines of the rear image data is greater than or equal to the predetermined number.