Abstract: An image synthesis apparatus stores a synthesis order in which input images are to be synthesized with each other, and first and second synthesis numbers respectively designating how many of the input images are to be synthesized to generate first and second output images. The image synthesis apparatus synthesizes the plurality of input images with each other sequentially in accordance with the synthesis order, and stores a resultant synthesized image. When the stored synthesized image is the first output image, generated by synthesizing the first synthesis number of input images in accordance with the synthesis order, the first output image is output to an external destination. When the stored synthesized image is the second output image, generated by synthesizing the first output image with the remaining input images in the synthesis order, the stored second output image is output to the external destination.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an operating procedure of a scanning system with one-scan-and-done feature is disclosed. The operating procedure comprises steps of receiving parameters input by a user, scanning an original responsive to the parameters, displaying an image corresponding to the original, receiving a portion of the image selected by the user, and outputting the selected image. The present invention can be extended to a scanning method for using a scanning system with one-scan-and-done feature and a scanning system with one-scan-and done feature.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for variable copying or reproducing for a plurality of documents. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for reproducing a large quantity of documents wherein certain selected information within the document varies, but the rest of the content is identical.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for forming a three-dimensional image and, more particularly, for making three-dimensional digital image transfer thermoformed objects on, e.g., generic molds. The method includes manipulating digital images of a subject into a single image; printing the single image onto a media; and thermoforming the media with the single image using a generic mold. The system comprises a computer infrastructure operable to: receive images of a subject; display the images; stitch together the images to form a single image; adjust portions of the images or single image to compensate for deformation during thermoforming of the single image; register the single image with points on a mold; and print the single image.

Abstract: A device and method for imaging dual sided documents for authentification of the document. A document such as a driver's license traverses a linear flowpath into and out of a housing having a darkened interior. The document is segmentally imaged under a plurality of different light spectrums during travel along the flowpath. A data processor and software engaged to an imager capturing the segmented images assembles complete images of the document under one or a plurality of the light spectrums employed to yield a viewable rendition of both sides of the document to ascertain the presence of proper indica to validate the document. Also provided are a magnetic strip reader and bar code reader engaged to the data processor wherein data may be extracted therefrom for comparison to the images reviewed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that generates image data from which it can be determined from the processed image what kind of processing has been performed on the image, and that enables bulge correction of the image and transformation of the image to be carried out with ease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to scanning multi-sided documents. The scanner device scans the multi-sided document one side at a time. The image of each side is tiled vertically or horizontally to form a composite image, which is transferred from the source to the application based on the TWAIN protocol. The source is TWAIN compliant, and it allows any TWAIN application to scan and process multi-sided cards as a single composite image. The source provides a TWAIN user interface which allows the user to select scanning parameters and options. The invention also provides a method of implementing a TWAIN source to use the document sensor on a scanner to efficiently scan single or multi-sided cards based on the TWAIN protocol. The source checks the status of the document sensor when the TWAIN user interface is displayed, and automatically starts scanning when a document is detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A digital image containing design elements to be printed and a background not to be printed is processed before printing to prepare a cropped version of the image by detecting and removing areas of background from the top, bottom, right, and left sides of the image. The cropped version of the image and associated positioning information are supplied to the printing system for printing. By reducing the size of the image provided to the printing system to eliminate areas that will receive no color ink, the area that must be traversed by the inkjet print heads is reduced, thereby reducing the time required to complete the printing process and allowing a larger number of items to be printed during a given period of time.

Abstract: A printing system for enlarging/printing each document page by using a plurality of print sheets or for printing each page of a document upon superimposing a pattern on each page includes, in a printer driver which supplies print data to a printer, a user interface driver including a pattern setting unit which designates the number of parts divided in enlarging/printing each document page by using a plurality of printing sheets, and a feature of a pattern on a margin to paste up which is set on one side of at least one of the printing sheets and a pattern page creating unit which draws a page including only the pattern and inserting the pattern page prior to document print data, print processor functioning as a pattern page combining unit which creates a composite page by superimposing each page of the document print data and the pattern page, and a printer graphics driver functioning as an image creating unit which creates bitmap data of the composite page and supplies the data to a printing unit.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device, comprising: an input unit configured to accept a user instruction to designate first image data; and an image addition unit configured to add the first image data corresponding to the user instruction to second image data, as a thumbnail for the second image data.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes: a memory that stores the location and pixel values that compose graphical images; a calculation unit that calculates the difference between a target location to which the graphical images is aligned in binary image data and an initial location designated in the graphical images; an output unit that outputs pixel values at locations distanced from the locations of the pixel values by an amount equivalent to the calculated difference; a first multiplier that multiplies the output pixel value with the pixel value included in the binary image data; an inverter that inverts the pixel value in the binary image data; a second multiplier that multiplies the pixel values in the binary image data or the pixel values included in background image data with the inverted pixel values; and an adder that adds the result of the multiplications performed by the first and second multipliers.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium storing instructions of a computer program which when executed by a computer results in performance of steps including inputting a first image and a second image from two cameras, respectively, transforming the first image to a transformed image, obtaining a degree of similarity D indicating similarity between an image in a processing region established in the second image and an image in a corresponding processing region established in the first image, obtaining a degree of similarity P indicating a similarity between an image in the processing region established in the second image and an image in a corresponding processing region established in the transformed image, detecting the obstacle based on of the degree of similarity D and the degree of similarity P on a reference plane region, detecting the obstacle on a basis of the degree of similarity D and the degree of similarity P on a reference plane region, obtaining a difference K between the degree of similarity D and

Abstract: Customer computer processing apparatus (2, 4) are connected to a service apparatus (6) via the Internet (8). Service apparatus (6) processes requests and payment details from a customer apparatus (2, 4), and, in response to a valid payment, sends instructions to the customer apparatus to enable the customer apparatus to control a printer (18) or a display panel (19) to print or display a photographic mat (24). Service apparatus (6) retains details of the photographic mat pattern for subsequent use. Images of a subject object on the photographic mat are recorded at different positions and orientations with a camera (16). Data defining the images is returned from the customer processing apparatus (2, 4) to the service apparatus (6). The service apparatus processes the image data along with the stored pattern data to identify the photographic mat features in the images and to calculate the position and orientation at which each image was recorded.

Abstract: Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.

Abstract: An image retrieving device for classifying and retrieving an image by detecting an object in the image and adding a keyword comprises an image storing section for storing the image which is supposed to be classified and retrieved together with the keyword in a database, an object acknowledging section for acknowledging a predetermined object in the image which is inputted, a keyword proposing section for proposing the keyword which relates to the object which is acknowledged by the object acknowledging section, and an object information inputting section for confirming, adding, and correcting the keyword which is proposed by the keyword proposing section. By doing this, the object in the image is detected for classifying the image; thus, it is possible to provide an image retrieving device in which the keywords are added to the image efficiently.

Abstract: A method for copying objects smaller than a background defined by a scanner of an apparatus includes scanning a plurality of objects to acquire image data associated with the plurality of objects and the background; cropping the image data to remove object data for each object of the plurality of objects from the background; determining a size associated with each object of the plurality of objects, based on the object data; and formatting a page to produce a compact arrangement of multiple objects of the plurality of objects on the page, the page receiving the multiple objects in accordance with the size.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises:an area extraction portion for detecting a boundary between a not-printed area and an effective image area which is not a not-printed part in image data in both the fast scan and slow scan directions and for extracting one or a plurality of the effective image areas; a sheet selection portion for in forming an image selecting the smallest possible sheet of the sheets which have a size to accommodate the image to be formed and are used by the apparatus; and an image forming portion for forming the image on the sheet selected which the sheet selection portion selects based on the image data in the effective image area extracted by the area extraction portion.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method which are capable of reducing waiting time of an operator, and improving operation feeling and productivity. An input image is registered as usable data before completion of generation of vectorized data from the input image stored in a HDD. Even for a job in which the vectorization of the input image has not been completed, it is possible to set various processes, such as preview, change of the order of pages, and designation of editing of an image, other than printing.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a composite image that is viewable through lenticular lenses to create a special visual effect. The method includes the steps of storing a first source image and a second source image and selecting a pair of reference points in the first source image and corresponding reference points in the second source image. First and second intermediate images are created such that objects in the source images are better aligned, and the intermediate images are interlaced to produce the composite image.

Abstract: The adjustment method is disclosed in that a predetermined reference interval in a main scanning direction is compared with each interval in the main scanning direction obtained by reading a sheet so that each joint of image is located between two parallel lines, a start pixel and an end pixel to read image data at each joint are determined and adjusted by calculating each interval difference, a reference straight line extending along the main scanning direction is compared with each of the plurality of straight line images extending along the main scanning direction at joints of images, and a delay time for reading sensors is adjusted by calculating an average value of relative displacement amounts.

Abstract: In a method, computer system and computer program product for transmitting a print job from a host computer to a print server, variable data, particularly in the format Advanced Format Presentation (AFP) of the print job, are stored in the host computer in a main datafile and resource data that are suited for employment in a plurality of print jobs are stored in the host computer in at least one additional datafile. The variable data and the resource data are automatically united in the host computer to form a print datafile, and the print datafile is transmitted to the print server as complete print job.

Abstract: An image processing section receives a region “each bitmap data and region attribute (character region, etc.)” from an image separation section, subjects each bitmap to processes for binarization, compression, OCR, etc., and outputs post-processing “each image data and region attribute (text information, meta-information, etc.)”. A region integration section receives the “each image data and region attribute (text information, meta-information, etc.)” from the image processing section, integrates it with image data of the same attribute, which is designated (manually) from an operation panel, on a bitmap level, and outputs “integrated bitmap data and region attribute (text information, meta-information, etc.)”.

Abstract: An image processing device processes a document including a document data body and at least one set of related data, and includes a display that displays an image of the document data body and an image of the related data overlaid on the image of the document data body at overlay positions determined for each set of related data and an image data generator that generates printing image data of the document data body of the overlay position when an instruction to print the document is received, regardless of whether or not the related data is displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including a reading section to read a document and to obtain image data, the document including a plurality of sheets and having a binding portion; a storage section to store the image data; an operating section to accept an operating instruction to designate a position of the binding portion of the document, to designate a page order on one side of the binding portion of the document, and to designate one face out of faces of the sheets, from which a reading operation is started; and a controller, in accordance with the designation, to determine an image area corresponding to one page of the document, to divide the image data into pieces of page image data based on the image area, and to respectively give identifiers to the pieces of the divided page image data following a page order of the document.

Abstract: An image data creating method and apparatus capable of preventing quality degradation of the image created by combining a plurality of image portions sharing a common region. The light reflected at the linear region on the original upon the irradiation of light from the linear light source is detected by the linear detecting means with the original being moved in the sub-scanning Y direction with respect to two linear sensors having a plurality of light receiving sections disposed linearly in the main scanning X direction such that light receiving sections located on the end portions of the respective linear sensors detect light emitted from the same position on the original in duplicate, and the image data detected either of the light receiving sections located on the end portions of the respective linear sensors are adopted as the image data representing the position on the original.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing an original image and a modified image into a single image file. The method comprises selecting the original image, selecting the modified image. The method further comprises creating a single image by combining the original image with the modified image. The method further comprises storing the single image into a single image file on a memory device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dispersed input and output system adapted to instruct the execution of a dispersed divided input operation at a document input and output device, perform control to cause a plurality of document input and output devices other than the document input and output device to cooperatively carry out dispersed divided input operations, and register the operations as one job in a document handling function at the end.

Abstract: An image-formation system includes an image display function which displays, at a display section, images of a plurality of desired original monochromatic images for output among original monochromatic images for output which are stored in an image storage means; a page combining function which forms an original multicolor image for output by combining, in page units, a plurality of images which are displayed at the display section; a color setting function which sets colors at a time of output from an image output means, for a plurality of images which are displayed at the display section; and a preview function which superposes images, which have been colored by the color setting function, so as to be in a state at the time of output from the image output means, and displays the images at the display section.

Abstract: Two sets of image data are combined into one set of image data producing no unnatural feeling with a simple procedure. A direction for each set of image data is designated on a touch panel (26). The directions of the image data are compared, and a tilt of one of the sets of image data is adjusted relative to the other set of image data based on the result of the comparison. The adjusted image data and the other image data are combined into one set of image data producing a natural feeling.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: an image reader that optically reads a first image of an image processing object having a non-contact element attached thereto, the non-contact element including a memory member; an identification information reader that reads identification information from the memory member, the identification information being used for identifying the image processing object; an incorporating unit that combines the first image and a second image corresponding to the identification information; and a controller that performs a control operation so that the first image reduced to a size corresponding to the output region of the second image is recovered to the original size of the first image and is output, when a combined image of the first image and the second image is output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and logic for processing pixel data. Line work data and control data is received for pixels on a sheet from at least one object. The control data for one pixel indicates whether to use the line work data for the pixel or contone data for the pixel from the object. Multiple objects may provide line work data and control data for a same pixel. Line work data and control data from one object are outputted indicating to use contone data or the line work data for the pixel.

Abstract: This facsimile device comprises inputting means for inputting image data of a subject copy having a width in a main scanning direction larger than an A3-size width, reading means for divisively reading lines of the image data in a sub-scanning direction by dividing the image data into divisional lines of data having a predetermined width, image rotating means for performing an image rotation with respect to each of the divisional lines of data so as to supply rotated divisional lines, encoding means for encoding each of the rotated divisional lines into encoded data, and outputting means for outputting the encoded data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus of the present invention converts respective pixel signals outputted from first, second and third shift registers to pixel data in an analog frontend IC and outputs pixel data as a serial data stream in a predetermined pattern. The address setting unit repeats add and subtract operation to the initial value according to the output pattern of the pixel data from the analog frontend IC to calculate pixel positions of the respective pixel data, and sets memory addresses corresponding to the pixel positions as destination memory addresses of the pixel data in an address register RR. The memory writing control unit writes the pixel data obtained from the analog frontend IC via a data sampling control unit in areas in the memory which correspond to the destination memory addresses. As a result, the amount of memory necessary for storing the pixel data can be reduced, and sorting operation of the pixel data can be executed with fewer memory access times.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a generation unit for generating one page of a print image which is larger than one sheet of paper, and a printing unit for performing printing on one sheet of paper based on one page of the print image, which is larger than the paper and generated by the generation unit. The generation unit, based on an allocation number representing the number of pages to be allocated to one sheet of paper, performs clipping to remove a portion of the print data which can be printed by the printing unit to prevent the print image of each page which is not printed from deviating the image of each page, when a plurality of pages of print data printed on one sheet of paper are generated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to providing a user interface for the effective generation of differential gloss images. The user is instructed to indicate the base primary image data, and the desired gloss image data. This data may be displayed for verification and position adjustment by superimposition of the gloss image data upon the base image data. In an alternative, the placement information may be inferred from the position of originals upon the scanner or copier platen and the result may or may not be displayed. By selectively applying halftones with different anisotropic structure orientation characteristics to the base primary image data as directed by the desired gloss image data, a differential gloss image file or hardcopy may be provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for previewing images to be rendered on multiple pages. A representation of the image mapped onto a two dimensional canvas is displayed. The canvas representation includes content of the image and describes a layout of the image content across multiple pages.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of map data output processing includes the operations of: extracting a plurality of map elements satisfying a predetermined condition from a map data storage unit storing map data including map elements; determining output frames of a minimum size each covering at least one of the extracted map elements, with a fixed scaling factor for all the extracted map elements, among a plurality of types of output frames predefined to constitute an entire available output area per page alone or in combination; clipping out map areas corresponding to the determined output frames from the map data stored in the map data storage unit; and generating output data by embedding the clipped-out map areas in the entire available output area per page.

Abstract: A system and process for identifying corresponding points among multiple images of a scene is presented. This involves a multi-view matching framework based on a new class of invariant features. Features are located at Harris corners in scale-space and oriented using a blurred local gradient. This defines a similarity invariant frame in which to sample a feature descriptor. The descriptor actually formed is a bias/gain normalized patch of intensity values. Matching is achieved using a fast nearest neighbor procedure that uses indexing on low frequency Haar wavelet coefficients. A simple 6 parameter model for patch matching is employed, and the noise statistics are analyzed for correct and incorrect matches. This leads to a simple match verification procedure based on a per feature outlier distance.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for improved image forming quality is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a storage unit to store image data representing a colored image, an extracting unit to selectively extract objective data representing an object to be formed on a recording medium in a specific color, a modifying unit to modify the extracted objective data to enlarge an area represented by the extracted objective data, and a composition unit to combine the modified objective data with the image data stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A method for a multi-function scanner for scanning a document with a laser/anti-counterfeit mark includes the steps of: pre-scanning the document to obtain a preview image; recording a zone of the laser/anti-counterfeit mark selected by a user on the preview image as a marked zone; using a visible light source to scan the document so as to obtain a first image corresponding to the document excluding the marked zone; using an infrared right source to scan the document so as to obtain a second image corresponding to the marked zone; and combining the first image with the second image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising: a first reader that reads a first side of a document; a second reader that reads a second side of the document; a reducer that reduces in the sub-scanning direction image data read out by said first reader from the first side of the document and image data read out by said second reader from the second side of the document; a storage that stores therein the respective image data reduced by said reducer, which originate from the first and second sides of the document; a judger that judges based on the respective image data stored in said storage, which originate from the first and second sides of the document, whether or not the document is a particular document; and a controller that prohibits said respective image data originating from the first and second sides of the document, from being outputted, depending on a judgment result drew by said judger.

Abstract: An image synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention comprises coefficient setting means for setting a blending coefficient ?(0???1) at a specified value when a value of a specific picture element component included in picture element components A of a first image is a predetermined value; and arithmetic means for performing an operation on the picture element components A, picture element components B of a second image, and the blending coefficient ? as follows: A*?+B*(1??), and performing the operation on all the picture element components A and the picture element components B of a picture element that has the specific picture element component representing the predetermined value by using the blending coefficient ? set by the coefficient setting means.

Abstract: A document discarding system includes: a document discarding device that discards a document; an image reading device that is used by a client requesting to discard the document; and a document managing device that can communicate with the document discarding device and the image reading device.

Abstract: A method of generating an image of a portion of an object, the method comprising generating a plurality of images of the portion of the object, each image being represented by a respective set of image data, applying a comparative data transform to at least a portion of each set of image data such that the transformed comparative image data isolates variations in the illumination between the plurality of images, determining a plurality of normalisation transforms from the transformed comparative image data such that when applied to a respective one of the plurality of image data sets minimises the variation in illumination applying each determined normalisation transform to the respective set of image data and transforming the normalised sets of image data to a single image of the portion of the object.

Abstract: An image synthesization method, whereby a plurality of images, each of which has a partially overlapping image area, are synthesized to create a single synthetic image, comprises a determination step of inputting a plurality of image data sets that correspond to the plurality of images that are input, and of determining whether or not an image in the partially overlapping image area of each of images that are indicated by the plurality of image data sets includes mainly characters an image processing step of performing, for the plurality of image data sets that are input, image processing in consonance with a result of a determination performed at the determination step and an image synthesization step of synthesizing images that are indicated by the resultant plurality of image data, for which the image processing has been performed at the image processing step. With this arrangement, a plurality of images can be easily and effectively synthesized.

Abstract: The scanner comprises first and second sensors 21, 22 wherein light receiving elements with 600 dpi resolution are arranged, a first shift register 25 which outputs all the pixel signals received from light receiving elements in the first sensor 21, and a second shift register 26 which outputs pixel signals received from even numbered light receiving elements in the second sensor 22, and selectively executes quality oriented image reading with 300 dpi resolution by utilizing one pixel signal composed of added pixel signals received from two light receiving elements arranged next to each other, or speed oriented image reading with 300 dpi resolution by utilizing pixel signals received from the second shift register.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, with respect to the first to third transfer clock signals for controlling shift registers in an image sensor, the second and third transfer clock signals have a cycle which is double the cycle of the first transfer clock signal, and the third transfer clock signal is shifted by a half cycle relative to the second transfer clock signal. Accordingly, the transfer timing of pixel signals in a second shift register is a half cycle shifted relative to the transfer timing in a third shift register, while the second and third shift registers operate with a transfer cycle which is double the transfer cycle of pixel signals in the first shift register. By this transfer control, the order of pixel signal output generally follows the order of the arrangement in the primary scanning direction of light receiving elements constituting the image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention realizes resource saving and energy saving by grasping and managing a usage efficiency of an image forming apparatus. To accomplish this, a method in accordance with the present invention is an information processing method of managing usage information on a job which is issued from an information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus, which includes: a step of acquiring the usage information from the information processing apparatus or the image forming apparatus; a step of deriving the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets from the usage information acquired in the acquisition step; and a step of outputting usage efficiency information of the image forming apparatus using the number of logical pages and the number of physical sheets derived in the derivation step.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image reading apparatus capable of reading images with a sufficiently wide dynamic range. An image reading apparatus of this invention has a light source, a reading section which generates image data based on light obtained from an original illuminated with light from the light source, a first level changing section which changes a light receiving level in the reading section in a first manner, a second level changing section which changes the light receiving level in a second manner different from the first manner, a control section in which plural light receiving levels are generated by synergistically changing a light receiving level, and a combining section which combines plural image data obtained by reading an image of an original at plural light receiving levels.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image synthesizing apparatus which extracts plural images of different magnification ratios from a single piece of image data and combines those images to provide a moving image equivalent to a moving image zoomed up in moving image pickup. In record mode, an image acquired by a CCD is subjected to color processing and is then sent to an image memory. At the same time, a through image is displayed on a display section. If it is a zoomed moving image mode, when a shutter is pressed to pick up an image, plural images zoomed up in plural levels are created based on image data stored then in the image memory as an original image. A zoomed moving image equivalent to a zoomed moving image is obtained in moving image pickup.