Abstract: An image reading apparatus which enables reduction of time to be taken from a job start instruction to a reading operation start. An automatic document feeder unit feeds an original. An upstream reader reads an image on one side of the original fed by the automatic document feeder unit. A downstream reader is disposed downstream of the upstream reader in an original feeding direction, to read an image on another side of the original. The upstream reader and the downstream reader read images of respective white reference plates, and the image reading apparatus generates correction data for the upstream reader and the downstream reader based on the images of the respective white reference plates read by the upstream reader and the downstream reader.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention comprising (a) a first signal processing circuit for applying gamma correction to an n-bit (n: a natural number) digital signal inputted as a video signal and for converting the n-bit digital signal into an m-bit (m>n, m: a natural number) digital signal, and (b) a second signal processing circuit for adding a noise signal, which is used for pseudo contour reduction, into the m-bit digital signal from the first signal processing circuit and for outputting a Q-bit (Q: a natural number) digital signal, which is obtained from rounding off a less significant (m?Q) bit (Q?n) from the m-bit digital signal, to a display section.

Abstract: The invention achieves a visual processing device that can execute precise contrast adjustment on image signals that have been input and that does not cause discrepancies in the output timing of the image signals that are output. The visual processing device is provided with a gain-type visual processing portion that outputs a first gain signal having predetermined gain characteristics with respect to the input image signal, and a correction portion that corrects the input image signal based on the first gain signal.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for detecting an unwanted artifact in an image scanner. An exemplary system includes a treated component of the image scanner, the treated component treated such that light reflects differently from the treated component than light reflected by an image being scanned by the image scanner. The light reflected from the treated component facilitates detection and removal of the unwanted artifact in the image being scanned, the unwanted artifact caused by the light reflected by the treated component.

Abstract: Interpolation data for a missing pixel are obtained (4) after a correction (3) for variations in the characteristics of the imaging devices (8(1), 8(2)). The correction for variations in characteristics includes, for example, a black level correction (9) and a sensitivity correction (10). The interpolation includes, for example, interpolation calculations (14(1), 14(2)) such that a mean value of a plurality of pixels including the missing pixel and a mean value of a plurality of pixels not including the missing pixel become equal and an interpolation calculation (14(0)) that takes the mean of the pixels to the right and left of the missing pixel, the calculation with the least error being selected (13, 15). Thus missing pixels in highly periodic images can be properly interpolated, and interpolation can be performed with high precision even when there are variations in the sensitivity characteristics of the individual imaging devices constituting the contact image sensor.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus moves a copyboard provided between an original document and three line sensors and the three line sensors relatively to each other at a speed different from the speed of conveying an original document. An in-line correction portion allows three data output by three line sensors to be synchronized so that a foreign object on the copyboard appears at different positions of the original document in chromatic color. A foreign object position detection portion detects a position on the copyboard of a foreign object before an original document is conveyed, and a color determination portion decides a determination pixel for use in determination from a plurality of pixels included in each of scanned data obtained while the original document is conveyed, based on the position of the foreign object, and determines whether the original document is color or black-and-white based on the determination pixel.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting a phase error between a clock signal and a beam position includes a beam generator, sensor, and phase detector. The beam generator directs a beam toward a beam sweeper in response to a clock signal. The sensor, which is disposed at a mid line of a region that the beam sweeper scans, detects the beam from the beam sweeper, and the phase detector detects an error in the clock phase from the detected beam. Such a circuit can automatically detect the phase error in the pixel clock and correct this error, thus eliminating the need for a manual phase-error corrector.

Abstract: A method of effacing zipper image, applicable to scan a document by a scanner with a stagger charge-coupled device. The nth (n is a positive integer) pixel value obtained by scan on a scan line at which the zipper image is produced is subtracted by the (n+1)th pixel value obtained by scan on the scan line. The absolute value of the result is then compared to a critical value. If the result is smaller than the critical value, the nth pixel is modified by the method.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source which irradiates an original with light, an imaging unit which images by condensing reflected and scattered light from the original via a plurality of reflecting mirrors and imaging mirrors, and a photoelectric conversion unit which converts, into an electrical signal, the reflected and scattered light imaged by the imaging unit. The imaging unit is an imaging optical system which is adjusted such that the difference between the spectral characteristic at an end portion in the main-scanning direction of the image reading apparatus and that at the central portion in the main-scanning direction becomes 5% or less at the peak wavelength of the light source.

Abstract: In a method and system for performing color correction for an image signal, a first set of matrix coefficients for color correction of the image signal in a 3-dimensional RGB color space is transformed to a first set of points of a two-dimensional XY plane. In addition, the first set of points is modified to a second set of points in the XY plane for tuning image quality. Furthermore, the first and second sets of points in the two-dimensional XY plane are displayed such as on a graphical user interface of a computer system.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a high-resolution converting unit configured to use image data of a plurality of frames of images in which positions read by a sensor are shifted by less than one pixel in a main scanning direction and/or a sub-scanning direction to generate image data having resolution higher than resolution of the sensor, an image region information generating unit configured to generate image region information corresponding to the image data read by the sensor, and an image region information high-resolution converting unit configured to convert a format of the image region information generated by the image region information generating unit and to perform a high-resolution conversion on the image region information using the high-resolution converting unit in such a way as to cause the image region information to correspond to the image data having the resolution higher than the resolution of the sensor.

Abstract: An image scanner is provided with a super-resolution processing function for generating a high-resolution image using multiple pieces of low-resolution image data. The scanner device then measures an initial MTF value without performing the super-resolution processing, refers to an MTF properties table in which is registered a number of pieces of low-resolution image data for a scanner device of that type to achieve a pre-set target MTF, and registers the number of images that corresponds to the initial MTF value in the scanner, if that number is present, and registers an interpolated value if that number is not present. The image scanner then performs the super-resolution processing using the registered number of pieces of low-resolution image data, and outputs image data of a target resolution.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating for pixel distortion while reproducing hologram data includes an extraction unit, a determination and calculation unit, a table, and a compensation unit. The extraction unit extracts a reproduced data image from a reproduced image frame including the reproduced data image and borders. The determination and calculation unit determines position values of edges of the extracted reproduced data image, and calculates average magnification error values of pixels within line data from position values of start and end point pixels thereof, which are based on the determined position values of the edges. The table stores misalignment compensation values for the pixels within the line data, wherein the misalignment compensation values correspond to predetermined references for average magnification error values.

Abstract: A method of processing information items, the method comprises the steps of: for an information item comprising primarily text information: analysing text information of the information item to detect a set of constituent information elements relating to that information item; detecting for each of the constituent information elements a respective degree of relative significance based on the frequency and/or nature of occurrence of the constituent information elements with respect to that information item; selecting a subset of at least two most significant constituent information elements; and generating a pseudo-image representative of the information item, the representative pseudo-image comprising the selected subset of constituent information elements arranged in a predetermined image layout such that: the most significant constituent information element of the subset is represented with most prominence and at a first predetermined region within the representative pseudo-image; and the one or more oth

Abstract: In the present invention, paper fingerprint information of a document is read (step 801) and whether the paper finger print information is registered is judged (step 802). If it is judged that the paper fingerprint information is registered, read image data are acquired (step 814). Super-resolution processing is then applied to the read image data and read image data, which had been acquired from the document up to a previous time, and high-resolution image data are thereby acquired (step 816). Next, paper fingerprint information of a recording sheet is read (step 808), and the paper fingerprint information and added information, including information indicating a storage location of the read image data that have been acquired up until now in regard to the document, are stored in an associated manner (step 810). An image is then formed on the recording sheet based on the high-resolution image data (step 812).

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a density nonuniformity correction section to execute a density nonuniformity correction processing in a main scanning direction to image data which is input; and a control section to control an execution of a stabilization control processing, and to control an execution of the density nonuniformity correction processing by the density nonuniformity correction section, wherein the control section sets a correction function of the density nonuniformity correction section to be invalid when the stabilization control processing is regularly executed.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present invention, a number n of mutually interfering signals are denoised by selecting a discrete universal denoiser method that denoises n mutually interfering signals, tuning the discrete universal denoiser to denoise the n mutually interfering signals, and denoising the n mutually interfering signals by applying the tuned discrete universal denoiser to the n mutually interfering signals.

Abstract: A method for selectively optimizing a plurality of image characteristics for captured images, that includes modifying two or more one-dimensional image characteristic controls using a single loop position controller having one-dimensional control. The single loop position controller traverses useful ranges of each of the two or more one-dimensional image characteristic controls. Additionally, a user cycles through several combinations of the two or more one-dimensional image characteristic controls within a video loop; and has a means of selecting a desired image rendered according to the two or more one-dimensional image characteristic controls.

Abstract: An image reader comprises an image sensor configured to receive a light beam reflected from an original to be read and output an analog pixel signal corresponding to a light quantity of the received light beam; a variable-gain amplifier configured to amplify the analog pixel signal to a prescribed level; an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the amplifier analog pixel signal to digital image data; and correction means for performing correction on the A/D converted digital image data according to a prescribed criterion, using a data value corresponding to an original level of the analog pixel signal before the amplification.

Abstract: A method and system for synthesizing texture using upsampled pixel coordinates and a multi-resolution approach. The parallel texture synthesis technique, while based on a neighborhood matching technique having order-independent texture synthesis, extends that approach in at least two areas, including efficient parallel synthesis and intuitive user control. Pixel coordinates are upsampled instead of pixel colors, thereby reducing computational complexity and expense. These upsampled pixel coordinates then are jittered to provide texture variation. The jitter is controllable, such that a user has control over several aspects of the jitter. In addition, each neighborhood-matching pass is split into several sub-passes to improve correction. Using sub-passes improves correction speed and quality. The parallel texture synthesis system and method disclosed herein is designed for implementation on a parallel processor, such as a graphics processing unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to include a plurality of line sensors to read image data having a plurality of channels; a correcting unit configured to correct the image data read by the sensor unit to obtain a plurality of frames of image data in which reading positions on an original image by adjacent line sensors among the plurality of line sensors are shifted by less than a pixel in a main scanning direction or/and a sub-scanning direction; and a high-resolution converting unit configured to perform interpolation by using the plurality of frames of image data obtained by the correcting unit so as to obtain monochrome image data having resolution higher than resolution of the line sensors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including an area sensor unit reading image data items corresponding to frames from an original image, a correction unit correcting the inclinations of the image data items, a high-resolution conversion unit acquiring image data with a resolution higher than the pixel sensor's resolution through interpolation, a maximum frame number storage unit storing data of the maximum number of frames of the acquired image data items, a resolution setting unit setting a resolution for outputting the original image, a necessary frame number acquisition unit acquiring the number of frames necessary to perform the high resolution conversion based on the setting result, a read frequency calculation unit calculating the frequency of reading the original image through the necessary frame number acquisition unit and the maximum frame number storage unit, and a read frequency control unit reading the determined frequency and the original image is provided.

Abstract: A method for providing image enhancement with an imaging apparatus includes imaging a target a plurality of times to generate a corresponding plurality of image data sets; averaging the image data sets on a pixel-by-pixel basis to generate a final image data set corresponding to the target; and generating an output image of the target based on the final image data set.

Abstract: A method of generating a second bit map, improved in first-direction resolution, from a first bit map having a plurality of image-forming pixels arranged two-dimensionally, the method comprising a first detection step of detecting first and second edges appearing in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction in a first bit map, and the first addition step of adding at least an edge extending in the first direction, when a portion between the first and second edges permits interpolation, to between third and fourth edges on the second bit map respectively corresponding to the first and second edges so as to effect interpolation between the third and fourth edges. Since the first and second edges, if detected, permit smoothing, a look-up table is not needed, and even a long-range unevenness can be smoothed without a smoothing range being limited to a predetermined region.

Abstract: A method and program product for real-time correction of non-functioning pixels in digital radiography, where the method comprises: receiving a list of non-functioning pixels; determining which neighboring functioning pixels are needed to correct the non-functioning pixels; organizing those neighboring functioning pixels and corresponding non-functioning pixels into a plurality of groups by a number of pixels used to perform correction; and performing correction of data from non-functioning pixels within one of the plurality of groups and subsequently performing correction of data from non-functioning pixels within another one of the plurality of groups.

Abstract: An image area of a main scanning line is segmented into a plurality of regions, with a first image being formed that has a first number of pixels in each of the plurality of regions, and a second image being formed that has a second number of pixels in each of the plurality of regions that differs from the first number of pixels. A scaling factor of an image in each of the plurality of regions is derived thereafter, in accordance with a difference in size between the first image and the second image in each region, and a differential between the first number of pixels and the second number of pixels. A determination is made with respect to a number of pixels to be either added to, or subtracted from, each of the plurality of regions, in accordance with a total number of correction pixels in order to adjust the size of the image of the main scanning line, and the scaling factor. The image data of each of the plurality of regions is corrected in accordance with the determined number of pixels in each region.

Abstract: An electronic correction system and method for correcting optical anomalies, namely distortions, color non-convergence (excluding axial chromatic aberration) and luminance (or chrominance) non-uniformity. Each effect is modeled as a transformation in either spatial (positional) space or color space. Representing the effects as transformations of digital pixel data, allows the different anomalies to be resolved within a common framework, namely that of image ‘warping’. The anomaly, having been expressed as a pixel transformation, is then eliminated by electronically applying the inverse transformation. This process is equivalent to digitally manipulating or warping the image in position and/or color space and accordingly this can be achieved using commercially known warping circuits. In addition, the transformation can also contain a component to additionally perform any application specific image warping (e.g. scaling and geometric transformations).

Abstract: An electronic device controller includes an image sensor controller that controls an image sensor having an effective pixel region and a dummy pixel region, and a servo controller that performs servo control on a drive device that drives a carriage on which the image sensor is mounted. The servo controller performs the servo control based on servo control information (for speed control, initial position detection) read by some or all of the dummy pixel region of the image sensor. Alternatively, the servo control may be performed based on servo control information read by one or more separate sensors mounted on the carriage with the image sensor. Moreover, speed servo control may be performed according to speed control ranges based on servo control information for each speed range.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an image processing apparatus capable of precisely discriminating a halftone dot region and a figure such as a character arranged on the halftone dot region and applying appropriate image processing to the halftone dot region and the character separately. An isolated point discriminating section detects presence of an isolated point and detects a size of the detected isolated point. A temporary halftone dot region discriminating section 42 determines a temporary halftone dot region by counting the number of isolated point signals detected. Thereby, a region where isolated points concentrate is regarded as a temporary halftone dot region. An isolated point magnifying section 43 magnifies the detected isolated point signal to its original size so as to determine a magnified isolated point region. A halftone dot region restricting section 44 takes an AND computation results of the temporary halftone dot region and the magnified isolated point region.

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

Abstract: A sheet image scanner of the present invention has plural image sensors to output electric signals by detecting optical image data that are obtained by applying a light from a light source to documents, amplifiers to amplify outputs from the plural image sensors, and a peak detection processing unit to detect a peak value of sensitivity of at least one of the plural image sensors and set a gain value for each of amplifiers for the plural image sensors using the detected peak value.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating image data is disclosed. Generally, the system and method identifies useful grey-levels within an input image. The image is then scaled based upon the identified useful grey-levels.

Abstract: A system for, and method of recovering primary channel operation in a facsimile (fax) receiver and a fax machine that incorporates the system, the method or both. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a signal receiver that receives a signal containing first and second points located at first and second angles and (2) angle determination circuitry that determines an offset angle by which the signal has been rotated based on the first and second angles.

Abstract: In order to render information contained in images more detectable in the presence of noise, the present invention discloses a system and method to binarize the images in the presence of noise. The method of this invention comprises the steps of applying a dynamic range reducing filter to the digitized image values, obtaining a range reduced image; applying an edge detecting filter to the range reduced image, obtaining a filtered image; and then, adaptively binarizing the digitized image utilizing the corresponding filtered image to obtain an adaptive threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for generating an image having a high density in the direction of time and having a natural-looking motion blur. The correlation calculators 103 and 104 respectively calculate a correlation between pixel data of a target pixel in a target frame #n from among frames and pixel data of a corresponding pixel in a first frame #n?1 next to the target frame #n and a correlation between the pixel data of the target pixel in the target frame #n and pixel data of a corresponding pixel in a second frame #n+1 next to the target frame #n. The half-side pixel value generator 105 generates first pixel data in a first synthesis frame generated between the target frame #n and one of the first frame #n?1 and the second frame #n+1 containing the corresponding pixel having the pixel data with a larger correlation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling bad pixels in an image sensor array includes processing data values associated with the pixels of the image sensor. Processing the data values is performed by at least a first pass process and a subsequent pass process. In the first pass, the data values associated with the pixels are analyzed to determine whether any of the pixels are bad pixels. Information identifying the bad pixels is stored in a memory storage area of limited size. The stored information may also include an indicator, indicating a confidence level in categorizing the bad pixel. During the first pass, an overflow mark is stored in the memory storage area when insufficient memory storage is available for storing the information about a particular bad pixel. The overflow mark identifies the particular pixel in the image sensor array.

Abstract: A time-discrete picture signal is formed from an analog picture signal, such as a luminance signal or a chrominance signal. Corresponding to the time-discrete picture signal, a time-discrete filter signal is formed, specifically a so-called “peaking signal,” which has a sequence of peaking signal values, of which one value each is associated with one signal value of the time-discrete picture signal. The discrete peaking signal is formed by a digital peaking filter from the discrete picture signal or by an analog peaking filter from the analog picture signal during subsequent sampling of the analog peaking signal. The peaking filter increases the amplitude of selected frequency components of the picture signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for managing calibration files in a printing system. Patches are printed using a screening algorithm and incorporating at least one output appearance factor. A calibration file is generated from measured color values of the printed patches mapping a color space for the printed patches to a color space of a printer used to print the patches. Information is associated with the calibration file indicating the printer and at least one output appearance attribute for use in selecting one calibration file to use when printing a print job.

Abstract: First and second scanning and reading systems are arranged on the both sides of the document transport path. The image reading region by the first scanning and reading system is positioned on an upstream side of an image reading region by the second scanning and reading system. The document images on the surfaces are read while illuminating with light from light sources of the scanning and reading systems the main and back surfaces of the document being transported on the document transport path. Until the document image reading by the second scanning and reading system is ended, the light amount of the light source of the first scanning and reading system is maintained constant thereby preventing the reception-light amount in the second scanning and reading system from changing.

Abstract: An image correction apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains image data from outside constituted of a plurality of pixels each having a value in a color component among a plurality of color components; an average value calculation unit that calculates average values of color component values corresponding to individual color components in the image data; and a correction unit that corrects the color component values of individual pixels to match the average values of the color component values corresponding to individual color components with at least one specific reference value.

Abstract: An image processing system includes: a scanner for inputting an original image on an input recording media after reading the original image, or a digital camera inputting an image of a subject after picking-up the image; and a first setting-up portion for converting image data being input by the scanner or digital camera into intermediate image data of color signals being irrespective of types of the input recording media and the input device, and for recording the intermediate image data being converted by the first setting-up portion onto a portable recording media.

Abstract: A system and method that provided for preview scanning a document and generating a preview scan image, determining a document type based on the preview scan image, mapping the document type to a predetermined workflow, scanning the document to capture an image of the document, and executing the workflow.

Abstract: An image information reading apparatus that can obtain high quality images without an effect of noise and a photographing condition or the like is realized even in the case where a low-bit A/D converter is used. The apparatus comprises control means for switching between pre-reading to main reading, characteristic determination means for determining, by analyzing an electric signal obtained by the pre-reading, a normalization processing characteristic used in normalization processing on an electric signal obtained by the main reading, and normalization processing means for carrying out the normalization processing on the electric signal in the main reading according to the determined normalization processing characteristic. The characteristic determination means analyzes image data by using a cumulative histogram of pre-reading data, and determines the normalization processing characteristic so that an image represented by the image data has adequate density and contrast.

Abstract: Utilization of non-printing high-spatial-frequency auxiliary pixels are introduced into the bitmap of a font to obtain local control of the text image development by modification of local average voltage in the development nip. These auxiliary pixels embody frequencies or levels of charge that are past the threshold for printing on the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) curve, and therefore by themselves result in no toner deposition on the resultant page. These auxiliary pixels will however, position the toner cloud by modulating it and compensate for cleaning field and toner supply effects. This will better position the toner cloud to ensure adequate toner supply to all parts of the font so that the desired printing pixels will print as intended.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for forming a mosaic image by combining a plurality of material images, dividing a first image that is the basis of the mosaic image into a plurality of tile areas, comparing each tile area with each of the material images, selecting a material image that most resembles the tile area in terms of color or luminance and pasting this material image to the tile area, thereby creating a mosaic image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pixel color enhancement are provided. The preferred embodiment includes a first circuitry, a second circuitry, a third circuitry, a fourth circuitry. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes a fifth circuitry. The first circuitry determines and outputs a reference value X. The second circuitry inputs the X, and (R, G, B) and subtracts X from three components (R, G, B) respectively to obtain values of (R?X), (G?X) and (B?X). The third circuitry inputs values of (R?X), (G?X) and (B?X) and scale values of (R?X), (G?X) and (B?X) by a factor S to generate values of S*(R?X), S*(G?X) and S*(B?X). The fourth circuitry 16 respectively adds values of S*(R?X), S*(G?X) and S*(B?X) to three components (R, G, B) to generate three enhanced components (R?, G?, B?).

Abstract: The user circles the fax number or name of the receiving party and the system then uses the circled number or name to dial the receiving party's fax machine to initiate the transmission. The system scans the first page or cover page of the document to be faxed and uses a computer-implemented algorithm to detect the user-circled region. The image within the user-circled region is then extracted and optical character recognition performed to ascertain the fax number. Alternatively, the user-circled region may contain a name or other information to access a database where the fax number is stored.

Abstract: A method is described for enhancing a color digital image by first identifying a local neighborhood of pixels including a pixel of interest and then using the color values of one or more of the pixels from the local neighborhood to calculate a color weighting factor for the pixel of interest, where the color weighting factor is a near continuous function of the location of the pixel of interest in a color space. A spatial filter is applied to the values of pixels from the local neighborhood to calculate a first signal value and a second signal value for the pixel of interest. The color weighting factor is then used to modify either the first value or the second value, and an enhanced pixel value is then generated for the pixel of interest from the first value and second values. The process is then repeated for other pixels in the color digital image.

Abstract: A data converting device for converting data by employing a plurality of LUTs stored in a single memory device. The device generates, with reference to two or more LUTs sequentially, a converted output data corresponding to input data and converting level selected by each LUT. The data converting device has a single memory device for storing two or more LUTs corresponding to the number of data converting modes by block units, each block including a plurality of sub-LUTs corresponding to the number of converting levels defined in each corresponding converting mode.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image utilizing serial transmission between the analog-to-digital converting means and the processing means (ASIC) is disclosed herein. The image acquiring system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the following devices. The image sensor converts an image to an electrical signal responding to a trigger signal. An amplifier amplifies the power of the electrical signal mentioned above, and the amplified electrical signal is of the analog format. The A/D converting device converts the amplified electrical signal from the analog format to the digital format responding to a reference voltage, wherein the A/D converting device outputs the digitized electrical signal in series. The processing device stores the digitized electrical signal in a memory, wherein the trigger signal is generated by the processing device responding to the digitized electrical signal.