Abstract: A multiple value image input device receives image data expressed in multiple chromatic gradation levels from an outside source and converts the data into digital form. The multiple value image input device corrects the image data by dividing the data into units of data, and determining the maximum and minimum gradation levels within each unit. The data within the unit is assigned new gradation levels utilizing the full range of available gradation levels. The minimum gradation level within the unit is assigned a new relatively low gradation level, and the maximum gradation level within the unit data is assigned a new relatively high gradation level. The gradations levels between the maximum and minimum values within the unit of data are assigned new interpolated gradation levels based upon the relatively low and relatively high gradation levels.

Abstract: The present invention is a sample rate converter in which a weighted filtering operation is performed. This operation stores a pixel stream in a random access memory (RAM) 30. During conversion pointers stored in counter 38 and register 40 are used to select the pixels from the RAM which are then multiplied by filter weights and accumulated. A counter 44 and mapping unit 46 select the weight being multiplied. The multiplication is performed by a lookup table read only memory (ROM) 32 that stores the results of the pixel-weight multiplication for all combinations of pixels and weights for each sample rate. An accumulator 33 stores the results of the multiplication until all multiplications have occurred at which point the filtered pixel is output. The output of the lookup table 32 is controlled by the pixel value, the coefficient selected and the table or map selected. The lookup table stores symmetric weights for as many conversion rates as desired.

Abstract: A management tool is disclosed which aids the user in controlling the flow of data from one database table to another in computer memory, particularly when both the potential amount of data and the number of programmed functions which can be performed upon or be controlled by the data are large.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having: an unit for receiving a digital multi-value pixel data; a D/A converter for converting the inputted multi-value pixel data into an analog signal; a generator for generating an analog pattern signal synchronously with an input of the digital multi-value pixel data; a sample/hold circuit for sampling and holding the analog signal converted by the D/A converter, synchronously with an input of the digital multi-value pixel data; and a binarizing circuit for generating a binarized pulse signal having a width corresponding to the value of the digital multi-value pixel data by comparing the analog signal held the said sample/hold circuit with the pattern signal generated by the pattern signal generator.

Abstract: Gray pixel values, where the value of the pixel has one of a relatively large number of input levels, are directed through an error diffusion quantization process, for the conversion to one of a relatively small number of values. Each pixel of the gray level data is modified by a correspondingly weighted error correction term or terms from previously processed pixels, generating a modified pixel value. This modified pixel value is compared to a threshold value, the threshold value determined adaptively, based on 1) a dither pattern, having a dynamic range greater than 1, and 2) the value of the pixel to be thresholded, and optionally on its predetermined neighborhood, multiplied by a value representing an edge enhancement factor. The difference value between the modified pixel value and the output pixel value is distributed in accordance with a weighted distribution scheme to a set of neighboring unprocessed pixels, increasing or decreasing the gray values of such pixels.

Abstract: An image signal correcting circuit device includes an A/D conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from an image reading unit into a digital signal, a storage unit for storing correction data, and a correction unit for performing correction on a signal based on the correction data stored in the storage unit. The correction data stored in the storage unit is difference data between at least two pixel signals in the digital signal which is generated by a correction data generating unit. Alternatively, the correction data stored in the storage unit is obtained by amplifying an analog reference signal by an amplification factor of m (m>1) and by converting the amplified analog signal into a digital correction signal by the A/D conversion unit.

Abstract: A bitmap to be prepared for printing by a printing process with a characteristic dilation or erosion artifact, is initially increased in resolution by a selected factor. The bitmapped image is then increased or decreased in size, at the increased resolution, by an amount necessary to compensate for the characteristic erosion or dilation of the printing process. The bitmap is rescanned, or reduced in resolution, to the original resolution of the image. The rescanned image is highly binary in appearance, but will include a number of gray level pixels in areas where it has been increased in size. Prior to printing, the pixel values are subjected to a quantizing process where gray level pixel values are reduced to binary values, preferably through an error diffusion process which operates only on gray pixels. The process of increasing the bitmap resolution may include a step of smoothing halfbitting.

Abstract: A facility is provided which determines the optimum phase of a sample clock signal that is used to acquire a copy of an image containing text. In particular, the phase of the sample signal is set to an initial value and is thereafter incremented by a predetermined amount of time following the acquistion of each of a predetermined number of copies of the image, in which each such copy is defined by respective pixel values. Upon acquiring a current copy of the image, a histogram is formed from ones of the pixel values and is stored in memory in place of a priorly stored histogram if the latest histogram contains more pixel values indicative of text than the priorly stored histogram. The phase of the sample clock signal is then adjusted to the phase associated with the histogram that is stored in memory following the last of such acquisitions.

Abstract: A picture signal binarization apparatus includes two comparators for converting an analog signal into a binary signal by comparing the analog signal with two different thresholds, two counters for counting inversions of the binary signal from each comparator and supplying a count signal indicative of the number of inversions of the binary signal from each of the comparators, and a selection part for selecting a binary signal from one of the comparators in response to the count signal supplied from one of the counters so that the selected binary signal is outputted as a subsequent output binary signal, the number of inversions indicated by the count signal from the one of the counters first reaching a predetermined value.

Abstract: Multivalued data enters and is converted into binary (two-valued) data in accordance with plural types of binary-conversion methods. Among the plural types of data obtained by such binary conversion, one is adopted as the object of coding and is coded. The object of coding to be stored in a memory is decided based upon the quantity of coded data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus including an A/D converter for converting an analog detection signal read by an image reading sensor to a digital signal, a logarithmic converter, in which density levels to be converted are divided into a plurality of regions, for converting an output of the A/D converter to a logarithmic value, a decoder for judging a density region of the logarithmic converter based on the output of the A/D converter, and a bit shifter for converting an output of the logarithmic converter to a density signal in accordance with a judgment made by the decoder. The image reading apparatus as constructed above can maintain the tone level of an 8-bit signal, thereby producing high-quality images. Further, 10-bit signals can be subjected to shading correction while using an inexpensive 8-bit memory.

Abstract: A video-to-facsimile signal converter includes means for receiving and converting a video signal representing a continuous tone video image to a facsimile signal for transmission to and reception by a facsimile receiver for simulation of the continuous tone video image. An analog-to-digital converter receives and converts an analog video signal to digital video data which is captured by a video data two-field buffer. A digital signal processor, in conjunction with a memory look-up table, processes the captured video data by: interpolating the video data from the video resolution up to a higher facsimile resolution; selectively enhancing the image by sharpening image edges; precompensating the interpolated video data by altering its contrast transfer function; and dithering the interpolated and precompensated video data to produce video pel data blocks which correspond to the original video pixel data blocks and have similar composite gray-scale values.

Abstract: An image processor converts a resolution of an image from an inferior resolution to a superior resolution and performs an smoothing process for smoothing jagged edges of an image by using a 3*3 pixel matrix. The center of the 3*3 pixel matrix is a target pixel which is to be converted from the inferior resolution to the superior resolution. The image processor according to the present invention may use a first row of the 3*3 pixel matrix which has been converted into the superior resolution, so that the target pixel can be converted more accurately. In addition, the image processor may use four color patterns of the 3*3 pixel matrix so that the jagged edge of the image can be smoothed in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: An image signal is produced by adding output signals from arrays of photoelectric transducer elements of adjacent two of a plurality of image sensors. Output signals from all of the image sensors are combined into an image signal representative of image information along one main scanning line. One of the output signals is gradually increased from an actual level thereof to a predetermined offset level in an interval during which the output signals start being added to each other. The other of the output signals is gradually reduced from the predetermined offset level to an actual level thereof in an interval during which the output signals stop being added to each other, whereby the output signals are smoothly combined with each other.

Abstract: An illuminator for applying light to an image, a reader for photoelectrically reading the light applied image, an amplifier for amplifying an analog signal outputted from the reader, an A/D converter for converting an analog signal outputted from the amplifier into a digital signal, a logarithmic transformer for logarithmically transforming the digital signal outputted from the A/D converter, a first controller for changing the logarithmic transformation of the logarithmic transformer, and a second controller for changing the gain of the digital signal in accordance with a change of the logarithmic transformation characteristic caused by the first controller.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus includes a conversion circuit for converting binary image data to be encoded into multi-value image data, a sampling circuit for sub-sampling the multi-value image data from the conversion circuit, a binary-encoding circuit for binary-encoding the multi-value image data sub-sampled by the sampling circuit, and an encoding circuit for encoding binary image data from the binary-encoding circuit. The binary-encoding circuit binary-encodes the multi-value image data while diffusing an error generated upon binary-encoding to surrounding pixels.

Abstract: In a data communication system, a modem for recording and reproducing audio tone data in addition to picture data includes an A/D converter, a D/A converter, and a digital modem section for demodulating the digital data outputted from the A/D converter and for modulating the digital demodulated data to be transmitted to the D/A converter. The system further includes a coding-decoding section for coding the digital data outputted from the A/D converter and for decoding the digital coded data to be transmitted to the D/A converter. The A/D and D/A converters are used in common for both the digital modem section and the coding-decoding section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can be achieved as, for example, a copying machine. The copying machine according to the present invention includes a handy scanner provided detachably from the main body of the copy machine and an additional data recording device for recording data read by the handy scanner as additonal data in addition to a mechanism for reading an image of a document disposed on an original glass plate to copy the same onto recording paper. The handy scanner can read arbitrary image data such as a figure, a designed character or a logotype. The image data read by the handy scanner is applied to the additional data recording device. If the paper on which the document image has been copied is provided to the additional data recording device, the additional data recording device records the additonal data at the rear of the paper on which the document image has been copied.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that converts multi-level pixel data to binary pixel data and outputs it includes, in one embodiment, an input device for accepting multi-level pixel data, a binary conversion device for converting multi-level pixel data input from the input device to binary pixel data on the basis of a threshold value, an output device for outputting the binary pixel data which has been binarized by the binary conversion device, a first and a second memory in which errors and binary pixel data are stored, respectively, a correction device for correcting multi-level pixel data, a first and a second average density computation device for computing an average density value, a computation device for computing the average value of the average density values computed by the first and second average density computation devices as a threshold value, a detection device for detecting an error value, and a distribution device for distributing an error value to unbinarized pixel positions.

Abstract: An electronic printing system in which undefined photosites at the ends of a linear scanning array are temporarily enabled to thereby increase the width of the scan line when scanning oversized or misaligned documents provided that the unused photosites are calibrated.

Abstract: RGB components of pairs of adjacent pels of a captured digitized image are averaged. A perceived color palette is constructed, each color being comprised of functionally combined RGB components of two different input palette colors. An array is formed of continuous colors, each indexed to the perceived palette color to which its RGB components are closest and indicating the two input palette colors defining the respective perceived color. RGB components for each averaged pel pair and the array index are then used to locate the perceived color closest thereto and, the two input palette colors corresponding to the perceived color. These two input colors are then substituted in a display for those of the two averaged pels and the process repeated for all averaged pel pairs. In a preferred embodiment, the difference between the perceived and averaged colors is diffused to adjacent averaged pels.

Abstract: A printer for printing video image having control circuits which are composed of a circuit for measuring a horizontal scanning frequency and the number of scanning lines of an input video signal, a circuit for calculating a sampling frequency of the video signal on the basis of the measured horizontal scanning frequency, and a circuit for calculating a moving pitch of a printing element for printing the video signal on the basis of the number of the scanning lines, wherein a printing range corresponding to the video signal is automatically determined by an output signal of the control circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus, and accompanying methods, for determining appropriate sampling points located throughout a scanned microfilmed bit-mapped "data strip" in order to properly extract the values of stored data bits therefrom. Each data bit is formed of a contiguous group of one or more pixels in the data strip. Specifically, my technique involves parsing the data strip into successive vertical strips that each has successive rows of pixels, determining inter-row and inter-pixel differential intensity values for each vertical strip, and defining vertical line addresses and horizontal pixel addresses in each of the strips as a function of the pixel positions of the inter-row and inter-pixel differential intensity values associated therewith. The individual pixels in each vertical strip, which are situated at the horizontal pixel addresses and which lie on those rows in that vertical strip specified by the vertical line addresses, are sampled in order to yield sampled pixel data.

Abstract: An image data transmission method in which a transmitter having a document reading system sends image data to a receiver having an image recording system, controls image data transmission as follows. The receiver lets the transmitter know an image recording characteristic of the image recording system provided in the receiver to the transmitter when the receiver is called. The transmitter adjusts a document reading characteristic of the document reading system so as to match the image recording characteristic of the image recording system provided in the receiver. The document is read by the document reading system provided in the transmitter according to the document reading characteristic. Image data obtained by reading the document is sent to the receiver. The image recording system records an image formed by the image data supplied from the transmitter according to the image recording characteristic.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus including image data conversion unit for converting image data corresponding to an image to be printed in such a manner that two adjacent dots on a main scanning line of the image data are converted into one dot a smoothing unit connected to the conversion unit for modifying converted image data in such a manner that, if a pattern of a region formed by a predetermined number of converted dots coincides with a predetermined pattern, the converted image data is changed to have a pattern corresponding to the predetermined pattern in the region; and selection unit connected to the image data conversion unit and the smoothing unit and adapted to select an output of the image data conversion unit as printing data if it is detected that the image data has been transmitted in a fine mode, and select an output of the smoothing unit as printing data if it is detected that the image data has been transmitted in a standard mode.

Abstract: A broadcasting facsimile transceiver has a transmission controller which, in the broadcasting mode, inhibits broadcasting communications during a predetermined interval of time ranging from the completion of transmission to a destination to the commencement of transmission to the succeeding destination. The transceiver also includes a scanning unit for reading a document and delivering video data, a data compression unit for compressing the video data, a memory unit for storing compressed video data from said data compression unit, a reproduction unit for reading the compressed video data stored in said memory unit, a MODEM for transmitting the video data to a communication line.

Abstract: A video signal processing circuit for a video printer operating to sample an analog video signal, to convert the video signal into digital data, to store the data in a memory, and to read out the contents of memory to a printer for printing. The circuit includes an oscillation circuit which generates a pixel clock in response to the horizontal sync signal in the video signal, a frequency division phase shift circuit which divides the frequency of the pixel clock provided by the oscillation circuit and shifts the frequency divided clock with the pixel clock, a selection circuit which selects one of frequency divided clocks having different phases provided by the frequency division phase shift circuit, and a selection control circuit which operates on the selection circuit to alter the clock selection at each arrival of vertical sync signal, so that the sampling of the video signal is implemented in response to the clock output of the selection control circuit.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus comprises a modem, a communication controller, an image reader, an image recorder, and a system controller, wherein the system controller comprises a first medium discriminating part for discriminating the type of the transmission medium used, an error detection part for detecting a transmission error upon reception of the received image data on the basis of a predetermined error detection standard, an error detection reference part for setting the predetermined error detection standard in accordance with type of the transmission medium discriminated by the first medium discriminating means, error reporting means for controlling the communication controller such that an error signal indicative of a transmission error is transmitted to another facsimile apparatus, and a second medium discriminating part for controlling the communication control means such that the type of the first transmission medium is reported to said another facsimile apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for converting original image data into aesthetic image data having a pictorial touch includes replacing original image data in an area which is at least a portion of the original image data with synthesized painting data obtained from information based on the original image data in the appointed area and other multi-toned sample painting data. Preferably, plural types of sample painting data are provided, the properties of the original image data are detected in every locality, corresponding sample painting data are selected from the plural types of sample painting data in dependence upon the detected properties.

Abstract: In a sensor circuit, a sensor device (CTD) is followed by a sampling circuit (CDS) for performing a correlated double signal sampling, having capacitors (C1', C2') and two switches (S1, S2). For simply realizing a rigid coupling between a sensor output signal (PS) and sampling clock pulses (CL, SA), the circuit includes a clock pulse shaper (CST), two inputs (CT1, CT2) of which receive two out of at least three control clock pulse signals (C1, C2, C3) for controlling an output transport in an output shift register (SR).

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus comprising an image signal generator having a first processing unit for processing the image signal in a first mode and generating a first processed signal, a discriminator for discriminating characteristics of the image signal, the discriminator having a selector for selecting the first processed signal according to a discrimination result; and a pulse width modulated signal generator for processing the first processed signal from the selector by using a pattern signal and for generating a pulse width modulated signal.

Abstract: A video signal hard copying apparatus for printing on a copying sheet of paper input color video signals including R, G, B signals, and horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals as a color image signal includes D/A converter means for generating reference voltages each changing stepwise, comparator means for comparing the color image signal with the reference voltages to provide digital signal patters composed of logical "0s" and/or logical "1s" indicative of the state of the color image signal, and memory means for temporarily storing the digital signal patterns for later associated processings.

Abstract: A hand-held manually sweeping copier is manually swept over a medium so as to obtain image data corresponding to image information on the medium via an image sensor of a CCD type or the like. The image data obtained via the image sensor is arranged in order, in accordance with the sweeping direction of the copier, and stored in a memory, the addressing of which is controlled in accordance with the sweeping direction of the copier. In addition, the copier prints the image data on a printing medium, i.e., a plain paper, while the copier is being manually swept across the printing medium.

Abstract: In a method of reading an image by dividing it into plural areas and reading these divided areas in succession, continuity is given to the data of plural areas by conducting digitization in overlapping manner over the neighboring areas, in order to avoid formation of a streak at the boundary of the divided areas.

Abstract: A scanning method for reducing block boundary effects in vector quantisation image coding by changing the scanning order to symmetrical ordering is disclosed. The method is based on a very simple symmetrical ordering between adjacent block boundaries and is applicable not only to two-dimensions but also to three-dimensions. The scanning of the invention is performed by dividing two-dimensional image into a number of small image blocks, thereafter the small image blocks are scanned as one-dimensional vector. The scanning order of each small image block arranged in the whole image is changed symmetrically in the directions of longitudinal and transversal axes so that the starting and ending points of image block may be identical.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided with detecting means for detecting any abnormality of a synchronizing signal included in an incoming signal; processing means for processing the incoming signal into a print recording signal; and print recording means for carrying out print recording in accordance with the print recording signal. Erroneous recording is prevented by inhibiting the print recording signal from being supplied to the print recording means when any abnormality is detected in the synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A process for reducing a picture by determining monochrome data of converted picture pixels according to logic calculations based on monochrome data of original picture pixels by using divisional regions of a picture area according to a reduction rate, for avoiding disappearance of fine lines from the converted picture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for collecting image data of a picture by sampling N points of picture signals N times on each of a plurality of scanning lines, and converting the signal obtained at each of the sample points into digital signals characterized by sequentially sampling K different frames or portions of the picture by sampling for each frame M points of each line such that no sample points overlap and the data for one picture is collected by scanning K frames.