Abstract: Apparatus and a method for semi-automatic retouching of digital images is provided. The method includes the steps of processing the digital image to obtain a list of candidate defect segments, computing statistics for a list of candidate defect segments and for the segments of the image surrounding the candidate defect segments, selecting a sublist of defect segments in accordance with pre-determined criteria using the computed statistics, displaying the image together with the sublist and amending the values of the sublist of defect segments to obtain a retouched image.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to a method of and a system for processing input image data based upon a predetermined periodic control signal which promotes predetermined patterns at a desirable orientation and reduces undesirable texture in an output image. One example of the desirable predetermined patterns includes parallel lines in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A printing system includes an information processing apparatus for generating print data and a printing apparatus, in which the information processing apparatus is provided with conditions for deciding the resolution and/or gray scale gradation of the print data, and continue or cancel printing processing by an operator's decision based upon the condition, in case of continuation of the printing processing, a command for lowering resolution and/or gradation at time of printing is inserted into the print data, which is transmitted to the printing apparatus, on a per-printing-job basis, and produces an output in accordance with the command by the printing apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for measuring the creative value added to a communication, such as an advertisement in the media of print, television or radio. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a quantitative measure of the creative value added to a communication. To this end, a communication test sample is compared to a creativity neutral control which is a communication which intentionally lacks any creativity.

Abstract: Text and line art image data is distinguished from halftone image data for selectively enhanced rendering thereof. Specifically, a method of rendering a raster pixel image from a stored bitmap includes (i) determining whether an orphan pixel is detected within a bounded sampling window of the bitmap, and, (ii) processing at least one selected pixel of the bitmap within the sampling window relative to the determining of whether an orphan pixel is detected. In general, an orphan pixel is defined as an isolated white or black pixel in a halftone image. In one embodiment, an orphan pixel is recognized as having a predefined pixel value and as having no other pixels with that value adjacent thereto within the sampling window. In the event an orphan pixel is detected within the window, then the bitmap within the window is determined to be halftone image data and the selected pixel is processed accordingly.

Abstract: A multible value image filtering device selectively filters segments making up an image signal. The selection is made according to the segments' characteristics, such as the optical density or amount of change of optical density between adjacent segments. The characteristics are compared to a threshold which can be changed according to various conditions, such as the type of document being scanned.

Abstract: The contour vectors of an image are stored in a small storage capacity, and are enlarged/reduced in correspondence with a desired variable-magnification factor to be faithful to an input image. For this purpose, when a binary image is input from a binary image input unit (11), a contour vector extraction unit extracts contour vectors, and detects the positions of isolated points. The contour vectors are enlarged/reduced by a vector variable-magnification/smoothing unit (13), and a binary image is reproduced by a binary image reproduction unit (15). On the other hand, each of the isolated points is subjected to variable-magnification processing by an isolated point variable-magnification processing unit (14), so that its position is converted into a position corresponding to the variable-magnification factor, and points corresponding in number to the variable-magnification factor form the isolated point.

Abstract: A decaying, propagating reference signal allows for the efficient implementation of various image morphological operations, including grayscale dilations and erosions, with only two passes through the image. Pyramid and other morphological shape operators can be duplicated by varying the decay rate(s) of the reference signal, the offset directions and magnitudes of the comparison vector(s), and the paths and number of passes through the image. The methods may also be performed in parallel on the same input image to generate an adaptive threshold image defined as the biased average of an image separately transformed by a dilation and by an erosion. Applications of the technique in one and two dimensions are disclosed.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus for processing inputted binary image data including a first area in which data are binarized by a pseudo half-tone binarizing method and a second area in which data are binarized using a predetermined threshold value by a non-half-tone binarizing method, there is calculated a number of adjacencies representing an adjacency state of the same kind of pixels located within a block area composed of a plurality of pixels including a specified pixel to be processed. Further, there is judged whether each pixel of the inputted binary image data is included in the first area or the second area, based on the calculated number of adjacencies.

Abstract: An innovative technique for minimizing the visual artifacts created by scaling an image is disclosed. More particularly, a factor that adds a degree of pseudo-randomness to the location of values generated as output during the scaling process is incorporated in one embodiment, the initial value of the error term used to generate the series is set on a semi-random basis such that the output pixels generated are offset from one another on different rows or columns of the image. Thus, any banding artifacts which are created using the prior art process will be minimized due to the shifting of pixels.

Abstract: A facsimile printer (1) in which sets of one or two pels contiguous to longer lines of such pels are reduced or eliminated. When reduced the smaller pels are positioned continuous to the longer line and are extended one pel on each side where the longer line exists. This reduces scanner errors and significantly improves images. Gray effects from dithering are not significantly effected when the pels are reduced and spread. When the image is graphic or otherwise more random than text scanned in the line and column direction, the correction may be deactivated.

Abstract: A circuit for enhancing chrominance transitions in a received chrominance video signal comprises a linear-phase digital filter supplied with an input stream of discrete chromatic image elements. The filter also has a high-pass transfer characteristic in a region of the frequency spectrum corresponding to an upper limit of a transmitted chrominance signal bandwidth for enhancing high-frequency components of the received chrominance signal. The circuit additionally includes non-linear digital post-processing circuitry which accepts as input an output of the filter and the input stream of discrete chromatic image elements. The non-linear post-processing circuitry acts on the output of the filter to eliminate distortions introduced in the received chrominance signal by the filter. The post-processing circuitry then detects if the received chrominance signal contains a transition pattern corresponding to predetermined patterns.

Abstract: A printing system for rendering marks on a recording medium receives a multi-level grey scale pixel value representing a pixel having a first resolution. A screening circuit generates a screened multi-level grey scale pixel value equal to (G.sub.L -V.sub.i)+(S.sub.i -Th)*Dmp.sub.Vi *Mod.sub.Eff wherein G.sub.L is the maximum grey level value of the pixel, V.sub.i is equal to the multi-level grey scale pixel value of the first resolution, S.sub.i is equal to a screen value corresponding to a position of the pixel, Th is the threshold value, Dmp.sub.Vi is a video dependent dampening factor, and Mod.sub.Eff is a modulation multiplication factor. An interpolator converts the screened multi-level grey scale pixel value to a second resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution, and a binarization circuit binarizes the converted multi-level grey scale pixel value so as to output a binary signal and an error value, the error value having a resolution equal to the first resolution.

Abstract: A method and a device for adaptively performing local contrast enhancement by weighing a video signal according to the magnitude of the local contrast of the video signal and by adding the weighted signal to the original video, thereby being capable of outputting the original signal intact regardless of the size of the local contrast. The device for enhancing a local contrast in a video signal processor has an M.times.N window processor for generating an M.times.N window signal calculated from an input video signal; an M.times.N lowpass filter for lowpass-filtering an M.times.N window signal generated in the M.times.N window processor; a first adder for calculating the difference between the output of the M.times.N lowpass filter and a central output of the M.times.

Abstract: A multiple parallel digital signal processor having a large number of bit processing processor elements arranged in one-dimensional array is treated as a processor block, and a plurality of the processor blocks are connected in sequence, while removing redundancy, to form a processor block column. A plurality of processor blocks are connected in sequence such that a processor block at a subsequent stage is supplied either with output of a processor block at a previous stage or with input data, and an output of any of the processor blocks is delivered as a final output, thereby making it possible to realize a signal processing apparatus which has high performance, versatility, and simple configuration.

Abstract: An image generation method and an image generation apparatus can execute conversion from edge addresses into dot patterns at a high speed and a low cost. A comparator compares predetermined upper-digit bits of input edge-address information indicating the position of a word of a dot pattern to be output with the value of a word counter for counting the number of words of dot patterns which have been output, and determines if an edge position indicated by the input edge-address information is present within the word currently being processed. A decoder detects the edge position within the word based on predetermined lower-digit bits of the input edge-address information. The detected edge position within the word is held within a flip-flop circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including a scanner for reading image data from an original sheet, a first filter for filtering the image data, a second filter provided in parallel with the first filter, and different from the first filter, adding circuit means for adding up the outputs from these filters, and a function for forming an image on the basis of the result of addition

Abstract: A method for transforming grayscale image data in accordance with preselected transformation factors may be accomplished by first reducing the number of gray image pixels by "punching to black" gray image pixels having intensity values less than a black punch value and by "punching to white" gray image pixels having intensity values greater than a white punch value. The resulting "punched" image data are then transformed in accordance with preselected transformation factors to create transformed image data. The transformed image data are then converted to binary image data, which may be reproduced in a conventional manner.

Abstract: Original image data are converted to device-independent image data expressed in a device-independent color space. The device-independent image data are re-converted to device-dependent image data expressed in a device-dependent color space used in an output device. Then, a specific sharpness enhancing process is carried out for the device-dependent image data, so as to generate output image data while the specific sharpness enhancing process is made equivalent to another sharpness enhancing process executed when a target output image is generated. This sharpness of the output image with a predetermined output device substantially agrees with that of the target output image. The method significantly improves the degree of matching in image reproduction between two different output images.

Abstract: An original image signal, which represents an original image and is made up of a series of original image signal components Yij, is obtained. Corresponding interpolation coefficients Bij and Cij, which are set for each of the original image signal components Yij, in two different interpolating functions f and g, represented by Formulas (1) and (2), for obtaining two interpolation images having different levels of sharpness are linearly combined with each other by using Formula (3). A new interpolation coefficient Aij is thereby obtained. An interpolating operation is carried out on the original image signal components Yij with an interpolating function h, which has the new interpolation coefficient Aij and is represented by Formula (4). An interpolation image signal is thereby obtained, which is made up of a series of image signal components occurring at intervals different from those of the original image signal components Yij,f=.SIGMA.Bij.multidot.Yij (1)g=.SIGMA.Cij.multidot.Yij (2)Aij=(1-.alpha.)Bij+.

Abstract: There are provided an image processing apparatus and method, which are excellent in speed, quality, and memory amount by appropriately switching a portion to be subjected to extraction of outline vector data and a portion not to be subjected to such extraction on the basis of an input binary image.For example, whether an input binary image is a character/line image region or a pseudo halftone image region is roughly discriminated in units of predetermined amounts. Only image data determined as character/line image regions is extracted, and outline vector data are extracted from the extracted image data. The extracted outline vector data are stored in a memory.

Abstract: There is a provided method for use with a printing system in which a second halftone pattern is selectively substituted for a first halftone pattern. The printing system preferably buffers one or more of print jobs and places each of the one or more print jobs in a print ready format. The printing system further includes a processing system in which the placing of the one or more print job into the print ready format is performed, as well as a halftone substitution subsystem for selectively operating on one or more halftone patterns which reside in one of the one or more print jobs.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a converter for reading out a manuscript image signal and converting the read-out signal to an electric signal. A signal processor executes signal processing for the electric signal, and an image generator generates an image in accordance with the processed signal. An outputting unit separates a character area and a photograph area of the manuscript from the read-out signal and outputs an area signal. A changing-over circuit changes over a filtering process in accordance with the area signal. A halftone processor executes in parallel a halftone process for the character area image and a halftone process for the photograph area image, and the changing-over circuit selectively changes over the halftone processing result for the character and the halftone processing result in accordance with the area signal.

Abstract: A video controller and related method for controlling a manner in which input data is printed is provided. Specifically, the controller contains a first AND gate, a buffer, a second AND gate, a third AND gate, and a bus holder. The first AND gate inputs the input data and a chopping control signal and outputs a corresponding chopping output signal. The buffer inputs delayed input data and a buffer control signal. The delayed input data corresponds to the input data which has been delayed for a predetermined period of time, and the buffer outputs the delayed input data as a shrinking control signal in accordance with the buffer control signal. The second AND gate inputs the shrinking control signal and the input data and outputs a corresponding shrinking output signal. The third AND gate inputs the chopping output signal and the shrinking output signal and outputs corresponding output data. Finally, the bus holder maintains an output state of the buffer at an appropriate level.

Abstract: Adders (103, 104) add errors to multi-level image data whose number of bits is reduced by quantization units (101, 102), respectively. Weighted averaging units (120, 121) obtain the weighted average values of binary data of peripheral pixels which have already been divided, respectively. Comparators (107, 108) binarize, on the basis of the weighted average values, the image data output from the adders (103, 104) to obtain binary data corresponding to two pixels obtained upon dividing one pixel of the multi-level data into two pixels. Subtracters (105, 106) obtain the differences between the image data output from the adders (103, 104) and the weighted average values, respectively. Error arithmetic units (109, 110) obtain, on the basis of the differences, errors to be added by the adders (103, 104), respectively. Therefore, when one pixel of multi-level data is divided into two pixels of binary data, a binary image having a high resolution and high gradation can be generated at a low cost.

Abstract: In an image processing method, contours of an image are represented in the form of vector coordinates, and calculation processing is performed based on the vector coordinate representation. In the method, noise present within the original image from which the vector coordinates are extracted is removed in the form of vector data.

Abstract: A method of correcting one or more defect pixels in a defect region of a source image, which image has both the defect pixels and non-defect pixels each of which is represented by at least one defect pixel signal and non-defect pixel signal, respectively. The method comprises:a) searching for edges in a non-defect region of the image adjacent to the defect region by: (i) comparing relative pixel parameters in the non-defect region with a predetermined tolerance to locate a sequence of pixels representing an edge segment the members of which have relative parameters within the tolerance and which sequence is within a predetermined distance of the defect region; and (ii) comparing the length of an edge segment with a minimum length to identify as an edge a segment with at least the minimum length;b) generating at least one pixel signal for the defect region based on the signal of at least one non-defect pixel lying in a direction from the defect pixel which is determined by the direction of an edge.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the luminance IM.sub.HI of pixels in a high resolution image includes first forming a low resolution image of the original by grouping pixels into superpixels such as 8.times.8 blocks. A low resolution luminance correction value .delta..sub.LO is determined for each superpixel by comparing the luminance of the superpixel to both a predetermined darkness threshold T.sub.D and a predetermined brightness threshold T.sub.B. The low resolution luminance correction value .delta..sub.LO is modified to yield .delta.'.sub.LO for each superpixel by forming islands of the superpixels and smoothing .delta..sub.LO between superpixels within each island. Finally, a high resolution luminance correction value .delta..sub.HI is calculated for each pixel of the original high resolution image by comparing the luminance IM.sub.HI of each pixel to both T.sub.D and T.sub.B, keeping in mind that .delta..sub.

Abstract: An image enhancing apparatus is described that includes a filter. The filter enhances the sharpness of an original image in accordance with a sharpening parameter. A sharpening parameter selection system is coupled to the filter. The sharpening parameter selection system determines the sharpening parameter for the filter such that the frequency distribution of a sharpened image of the original image by the filter is similar to that of a low resolution image of the original image. In addition, a method of sharpening an original image is also described.

Abstract: A method of processing an image to reduce false granularity, or "aliasing", resulting from the reproduction of edges using fixed size pixels. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, certain pixels adjacent to black pixels corresponding to an edge are set to a gray level. The setting of certain pixels to a gray level involves detecting a pattern in a block of pixels by detecting subpatterns within the block of pixels.

Abstract: A digital image signal, which represents values of picture elements arrayed along X and Y directions of an image, is subjected to operation processing carried out with the formulaQ'=Qorg+.beta.(Qorg-Qus),wherein Qorg represents the original image signal representing each picture element, Qus represents an unsharp mask signal corresponding to super-low frequency with respect to the picture element, and .beta. represents an emphasis coefficient. The image signal obtained from the operation processing is fed into a reproducing apparatus, which reproduces an image by operations for scanning along X and Y directions. The operation processing is carried out with respect to the X and Y directions, under characteristics varying for different directions, and in accordance with a difference between responses of the reproducing apparatus along the X and Y directions.

Abstract: The present invention is structured in such a manner that, when multivalued pixel data which constitutes a multivalued image are supplied, a predetermined number of interpolated pixel data are generated and inserted between the supplied and successive pixels. At this time, the gradient of each of the interpolated pixels is calculated and determined in accordance with the gradient of the supplied neighboring multivalued pixels. Thus, the image is recorded on a recording medium in accordance with image data including the interpolated pixel. As a result, print information processed so as to be printed by a low resolution printer can be printed with the same size and high quality as when printed by a high resolution printer according to the present invention.

Abstract: `X` shaped filters can be used as a basis for the enhancement of images derived by electronic scanning. However, whilst such filters offer the advantage that the horizontal and vertical edges of the image will be boosted in preference to the edges at 45.degree., they are not suitable for use where a different amount of enhancement is required horizontally and vertically as is the case when scanning an anamorphic film in a telecine. Described herein is a method of image processing in which the symmetry of the detail signal obtained from the `X` filter can be modified by using a supplementary detail signal obtained from a linear filter to compensate for any asymmetry in the horizontal or vertical resolution of the original image.

Abstract: A color copier machine includes a conventional image scanner for scanning successive swaths of an original document into an image memory and a conventional high quality four-color inkjet printing mechanism for printing each swath as an array of pixels each covered with up to two types of ink (black, or one primary color, or a secondary color combining two primary colors) and an optional color overprint mode in which the blackest pixels may be covered with op to three types of ink (black and one color or three colors).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input device for inputting code, and a conversion device for converting the input code information to pixel information. An output device outputs the pixel information generated by the conversion device to a print unit which is capable of variably adjusting a printing resolution in a predetermined range. A specification device specifies a resolution at which an image corresponding to the input code information is to be printed, in accordance with the input code information. A setting device sets the printing resolution of the print unit as one of positive integer multiples of the specified resolution in the predetermined range.

Abstract: A process for performing error diffusion to print an image with reduced visually apparent artifacts. The process involves a step of encoding selected pixels as binary values, and calculating error values corresponding to differences between modified intensity values of the pixels and predetermined threshold values. The calculated error values are diffused among four neighbors of each pixel in accordance with a predetermined ordered set of weighting factors. The set of weighting values dictates that 4/8 of the error is diffused to one of the pixel neighbors, 1/8 of the error is diffused to a second pixel neighbor, 2/8 of the error is diffused to a third pixel neighbor, and 1/8 of the error is diffused to a fourth pixel neighbor. A random selection is made of one of the predetermined set of weight values as a starting weight value. The starting weight value is assigned to a predetermined one of the pixel neighbors.

Abstract: A system that sharpens an image by scaling high frequency residual components of an image stored in decomposed base and residual format. The scaling of the residuals is performed as a high resolution image is being reconstructed from the base and residual images. The scaling is combined with residual decompression into a single table look-up operation.

Abstract: A method of enhancing predefined features of a scanned image of a document page of reduced size for display includes subsampling the pixels of the scanned image to achieve a desired degree of reduction of the image size. The subsampled signals are passed through a filter to obtain gray scale values. A sharpening filter is applied to the subsampled pixels to enhance the predefined features of the image.

Abstract: A printing system for rendering marks on a recording medium receives a multi-level grey scale pixel value representing a pixel having a first resolution. A screening circuit generates a screened multi-level grey scale pixel value equal to (G.sub.L -V.sub.i)+(S.sub.i -Th)*Dmp.sub.vi *Mod.sub.Eff wherein G.sub.L is the maximum grey level value of the pixel, V.sub.i is equal to the multi-level grey scale pixel value of the first resolution, S.sub.i is equal to a screen value corresponding to a position of the pixel, Th is the threshold value, Dmp.sub.vi is a video dependent dampening factor, and Mod.sub.Eff is a modulation multiplication factor. An interpolator converts the screened multi-level grey scale pixel value to a second resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution, and a binarization circuit binarizes the converted multi-level grey scale pixel value so as to output a binary signal and an error value, the error value having a resolution equal to the first resolution.

Abstract: The present invention is structured in such a manner that, when multivalued pixel data which constitutes a multivalued image are supplied, a predetermined number of interpolated pixel data are generated and inserted between the supplied and successive pixels. At this time, the gradient of each of the interpolated pixels is calculated and determined in accordance with the gradient of the supplied neighboring multivalued pixels. Thus, the image is recorded on a recording medium in accordance with image data including the interpolated pixel. As a result, print information processed so as to be printed by a low resolution printer can be printed with the same size and high quality as when printed by a high resolution printer according to the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for digital correction in an image system is disclosed. The present invention comprises pre-processing means for automatically adjusting dc gain of an image signal; an analogue-to-digital converter for converting the adjusted image signal to a digital signal; bit-enhancing means for generating a bit-enhanced signal; and post-processing means for generating an image code by processing the bit-enhanced signal through highlight, shadow, Gamma and shading correction. The present invention provides an improved apparatus for correcting the photo-response non-uniformity, avoiding image defect, without sacrificing the accuracy of the image system.

Abstract: An image processing method of the invention is used for dividing each pixel of binary image data into pixels, with of the pixels having a size smaller than each pixel of the binary image data. The image processing method includes the steps of (a) referring to a first white/black pattern formed by a first group of pixels next to a pixel of interest that is a subject of image processing; (b) referring a second white/black pattern formed by a second group of pixels next to the first group of pixels; (c) dividing the pixel of interest into divided pixels; and (d) determining colors of the divided pixels on the basis of the first white/black pattern and/or the second white/black pattern so that an image formed by the divided pixels has a smoothed slant portion or jagged portion.

Abstract: An apparatus processes two-tone image data so as to magnify a relevant image and smooth a boundary line between a zone consisting of first-tone pixels of two-tone pixels constituting the relevant image and a zone consisting of second-tone pixels of the two-tone pixels. The apparatus is characterized in that the apparatus comprises a unit which, for each two-tone pixel of the two-tone pixels, determines a template pattern, from among a plurality of template patterns, as matching a pixel arrangement comprising pixels located around the each two-tone pixel; and a unit for converting the each two-tone pixel into either single multiple-tone pixel of plurality of multiple-tone pixels, the unit using a result of the determination performed by the unit for the converting.

Abstract: An image processing method for converting an image signal G input through an image input unit 11 into image signal G fitted to an image output unit 19. The method comprises the steps of superposing a harmonic component H of the image signal G in response to a level of the image signal G on the image signal G and sending the image signal G on which the harmonic component H is superposed to the image output unit 19. An image processing system for converting an image signal G input through an image input unit 11 into image signal G fitted to an image output unit 19. The system comprises harmonic component generation means 3 for generating a harmonic component H corresponding to the image signal G and harmonic component superposing means 34 for superposing the harmonic component H on the image signal G. Thereby, it is provided an image processing method and system for providing a sharp image good in gradation characteristic and granularity in a wide dynamic range.

Abstract: Input bit map image data having a resolution of 600 dpi is converted into multivalue image data MI having a resolution of 600 dpi by a binary-to-multivalue converting unit. The multivalue image data MI is converted into multivalue image data having a resolution of 400 dpi by a resolution converting unit. The edge direction of the multivalue image data is detected by an edge direction detecting unit, so as to obtain an edge direction detection flag. Based on the edge direction detection flag, an image data outputting unit outputs multivalue image data having a resolution of 400 dpi from the edge direction detecting unit.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is constructed by a judging unit for judging a set mode and a control unit for performing a bold process to an object in a document and outputting the document to another apparatus such as a printer in the case where the judged mode is a facsimile mode and for not performing the bold process to the object in the document and outputting the document to another apparatus in the case where the judged mode is a normal print mode. The control unit obtains information indicating whether the printer has a rendering function or not through a two-way interface. When the printer has the rendering function, the document is outputted to the printer in a format of a page describing language. When the printer doesn't have the rendering function, the document is outputted to the printer in a form of image data. The bold process changes characters in the document to a bold type or changes a line width of lines in the document to a thick line width.

Abstract: An improved method for providing a more faithful and pleasing rendition of a pixel pattern is described herein. This method first places the original pixel pattern in a bit mapped memory. A small portion of this bit mapped pattern, called an input tile, acts as an address for a look-up table containing a corrected pixel pattern portion (an output tile) corresponding to the target pixels to be corrected in the input tile. To derive the output tiles stored in the look-up table, a high resolution bit map is created from an input tile by scaling the input tile. A triangular portion of each convex corner in the high resolution bit map is chopped off, and a triangular portion of each concave corner in the high resolution bit map is filled in. The resulting pattern is then smoothed using a low pass filter. The size of these triangular portions and the extent of low pass filtering are determined using a function based on the vulnerability of a pixel to being eliminated during the above smoothing process.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which can produce improved quality copies by taking into account the effects which normally occur when successive copies of copies are made. When a document is to be copied, image information is input to a processing device relating to certain parameters associated with the image characteristics such as, for example, the toner density, thickness of the image information, type of copier used, amount of toner available at the time of copying, etc. This image information is then stored on the document copy in the form of a bar code which will change as successive copies of copies are made in such a way that the image quality of the copies is not degraded.

Abstract: A universal halftone image unscreening method includes: 1) decomposing the halftone image into a plurality of subband image levels, where each subband image level includes a plurality of subband images; 2) selectively filtering the plurality of subband images of each subband image level; and 3) recomposing the plurality of filtered subband images into a continuous tone image. The continuous tone image can then be further filtered to enhance its appearance. The subband images are preferably formed using the discrete wavelet transform, but can be formed using any known transform. The subband images are selectively filtered using a non-edge areas noise attenuating filter and a plurality of oriented filters. The halftone image is preferably decomposed using an N-stage halftone image decomposer, wherein each of the N decomposer stages comprises a set of low-pass and high-pass filters.

Abstract: Improved spatial, temporal, and spatio-temporal noise reduction apparatus (10) and also apparatus for noise reduction in conjunction with one or several of the following functions: edge enhancement, spatial interpolation, magnification adjustment by spatial interpolation, and dynamic range compression (DRC). An embodiment of apparatus (10) comprises an image preprocessing unit (12), an estimation gain parameter computation unit (14) and a two-directional processor (16).