Abstract: A reprographic method for making a output document having a desired image from an input document having an input image includes scanning an instruction page containing an image processing command. The image processing command contained on the instruction page is decoded, and subsequently at least a portion of the input image is scanned. The output document is then produced from the scanned at least a portion of the input image in accordance with the decoded image processing command. The image processing commands can be such as cut, paste, mask, crop, enlarge, reduce, reorient, lighten, darken or the like that change the form or appearance of the actual image. In addition, the image manipulation commands can be such as commands to control special operational modes for differing input image types, such as, for example, photographs or half-tone images, the number of output document copies to be produced, the output type, color, stock, or other command that controls the output form of the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus can deal with a plurality of kinds of video signals. The apparatus includes a circuit for generating a signal indicating the kind of an input video signal, and magnification varying circuit for varying the aspect ratio of an image of the input video signal in accordance with a result of discrimination by the signal generation circuit. The aspect ratio of a pixel (picture element) is automatically corrected in accordance with the input video signal by the above-described circuits. Accordingly, it becomes unnecessary to manually set the aspect ratio of a pixel in accordance with the kind of the input video signal. Hence, operation is greatly simplified.

Abstract: When dot density conversion processing of page data is effected by managing the position, size and data kind of each area for the page data including the portions which are formed as the data of different areas for at least two kinds of data of a plurality of data kinds each having at least one kind such as text data, graphic data, image data, and so forth, dot conversion means disposed for each area in such a manner as to correspond to each data kind is selected and conversion is made so that the result of conversion is drawn at a predetermined output position of each area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms interpolating image data of a plurality of lines subjected to smoothing processing including original image data from the original image data. The apparatus selects and outputs image data of a predetermined number of lines corresponding to a reduction ratio from among the image data of the plurality of lines. A reduced image subjected to smoothing processing with high picture quality without loss of information of original lines is thereby obtained.

Abstract: An image processing system for processing an image represented by run-lengths includes a first block for, when a run-length is less than a base number which is a n-th power of "2" where n is an integer, representing the run-length by one byte, and a second block for, when a run-length is equal to or greater than the base number, representing the run-length by a first part corresponding to a multiple of the base number and a second part corresponding to a value less than the base number, each of the first part and the second part being represented by one byte, wherein run-length data obtained by the first block or the second block is processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating raster image information for displaying both images and border areas in a single display comprising selecting one of a predetermined number of density values available for the image display to represent the border areas and remapping the image densities to the remaining density values.

Abstract: The system comprises a memory formed of several disk stores for storing data representing at least one image and a working framestore for temporarily storing one or two frames of image data. Data in the framestore is modified by a processor under operator control. Data is stored in the disk stores by switching selected pixels from each line and selected lines from the or each frame, by way of switches and buffers, to respective disk stores such that the image data is divided into groups which each define a lower resolution version of the whole image frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing variably compiled presentation and supporting page sets, which may include multimedia, transparency, divider, master set and/or handout output sets created, modified, viewed and/or printed according to an array of color, editing and image modification features. Dividers may be automatically produced and interleaved between transparencies, so as to include modified images, additional information or other material not found on the set of transparencies. A master set and/or handout sets may also be produced and variably complied and sorted, and may include modified images, additional information or sheets or other material not found on the set of transparencies or the set of dividers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of images at different positions on a single recording sheet is disclosed.

Abstract: As image data is received by the facsimile machine, it is stored in the form of plural lines. A line which contains black pixels more than a predetermined number is taken as a drawing line (image-carrying line or effective line). All the image data lines are scanned from the top to the bottom to find a top image-carrying line or top effective line and a bottom image-carrying line or bottom effective line and the number of the lines from the top effective line to the bottom effective line is calculated as the number of the effective lines of sending sheet. If the number of the effective lines of the sending sheet exceeds the number of recording lines of a recording sheet, the image data is reduced with a reduction ratio which is determined by the number of the recording lines and the number of the effective lines.

Abstract: An image reading device for use in a digital copier, facsimile transceiver or similar image recording equipment and capable of changing a magnification change ratio. The device performs calculation for interpolation with image data representative of a document image and by using parameters adapted for the calculation. As a result, data representative of an image enlarged or reduced in the main scanning direction are written to a memory.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input unit for inputting images, and storage units for storing the images input from the input unit. The storage units store a plurality of images having common partial images. The apparatus further includes a determination unit for determining positions of the respective overlapped common partial images of the plurality of images stored in the storage units, a synthesis unit for forming an image by synthesizing the plurality of images according to a result of the determination by the determination unit, and an output unit for outputting the image synthesized by the synthesis unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling an output order for copy images, comprises the steps of, reading respective images of a plurality of manuscripts to be copied, storing respective image data relating to the read respective images, scaling down respective image data relating the read respective images and printing on a sheet a multi-shot image data including a plurality of the scaled down imager reading other images described on the printed sheet, the other images defining an output order, and printing the respective imager on the other sheets in an order specified by the read other images.

Abstract: A system of transmitting computer display information as facsimile pels through conventional facsimile machines. The system comprises a conversion means for scaling each dot of display into facsimile pels using a scaling factor which is used to scale both the width and height of each dot of display. Each dot of display is output as some whole number of facsimile pels. Given that many facsimile machines have no memory, the facsimile pels are temporarily stored as encoded data and output in a steady stream of data bits to the facsimile machine. This frees up the limited memory of the MCU of the pocket size computer.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus comprises an input image scanner for scanning an input image area with a beam of radiation and deriving from an image on at least part of the input image area a digital signal representing the image, and an output image scanner for reproducing from said signal an output image on at least part of an output image area. The input image scanner and the output image scanner are arranged to scan the input and output image areas respectively simultaneously at a fixed relative rate, and the output and input images are represented as a series of pixels arranged in orthogonal directions at fixed resolutions. In the data path between the input and output scanners the digital signal is processed to change the size of the output image relative to the input image, by using a data store whose data capacity is substantially less than that required to hold data corresponding to an image covering the whole of the input image area.

Abstract: A copying machine for forming an image by scanning a laser beam which is emitted from an optical system on a photosensitive member. Photosensors are provided at optically equivalent positions to a beginning portion and an end portion of a scanning line on a photosensitive member. A scanning time of a laser beam in the main scanning direction is measured by these photosensors. The measured time and a standard time for a copy magnification set by an operator are compared, and a correction value is calculated, and at the same time, magnification in the main scanning direction is corrected using the correcting value. Also, focusing (adjusting of the beam diameter) is carried out using the photosensors. Each of the photosensors contains a photoelectric transfer element, and a beam which comes through a slit is incident to the element. Each photosensor is provided with two slits. One is perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the other is inclined to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A reprographic method for making a output document having a desired image from an input document having an input image includes scanning an instruction page containing an image processing command. The image processing command contained on the instruction page is decoded, and subsequently at least a portion of the input image is scanned. The output document is then produced from the scanned at least a portion of the input image in accordance with the decoded image processing command. The image processing commands can be such as cut, paste, mask, crop, enlarge, reduce, reorient, lighten, darken or the like that change the form or appearance of the actual image. In addition, the image manipulation commands can be such as commands to control special operational modes for differing input image types, such as, for example, photographs or half-tone images, the number of output document copies to be produced, the output type, color, stock, or other command that controls the output form of the image.

Abstract: An image edit processing apparatus for editing digital images, and an image output apparatus for printing out the processed digital image. In the apparatus, image data is read by an image scanner, and such editorial jobs as enlargement/reduction, change of resolution, rotation, composition, and correction of tone or brightness are carried out for the thus read image data by a personal computer or work station or in print service, so that the edit processing is efficiently carried out at high speed.

Abstract: A technique for reducing images that provides useful information about the image and allows fast computation. Using threshold values near the extreme possible values for the convolution window size and using large subsampling tiles nevertheless allows extraction of the information about the typical textures that exist in the document image: text words, text lines, rules, and halftones. In a particular embodiment, 16.times.16 tiles are used for subsampling, 16.times.1 and 1.times.16 windows are used for the convolution, and threshold values of 1 and 16 are used. If the horizontal windows in tiles are aligned with 16-bit boundaries in the computer, the implementation is particularly efficient. For the 16.times.1 horizontal window, a threshold convolution with T=1 can be done on any of the sixteen 16-bit words in the tile by checking whether the word is zero or non-zero. For a 1.times.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus in which an image is formed by recording image data of each line by a-predetermined number of times in succession. In case of forming an image which is reduced in size in the sub scanning direction, the number of recordings of image data of each line is reduced from the above-mentioned predetermined number, so that the reduced image can be obtained with minimum deterioration in image quality, and without conventional skipping of the original image data.

Abstract: A facsimile machine contains a first memory for temporarily storing image data supplied from a reception unit; a second memory for temporarily storing record data produced by a decoding unit; and a memory unoccupied area amount detection unit for detecting at least one of the amount of unoccupied memory area in the first memory and the amount of unoccupied memory area in the second memory. The machine also has a compulsory reducing unit, which converts the record data representative of an image of each of at least one page of document into reduced record data representative of an image reduced from the image of the corresponding page at a predetermined reduction rate, when at least one of the first memory unoccupied area amount and the second memory unoccupied area amount detected by the memory unoccupied area amount detection unit is equal to or less than corresponding one of first and second predetermined threshold values.

Abstract: An image data processing-device for converting first image data into second image data by reducing the first image data horizontally at a reduction rate of 1/K.sub.x while reducing the first image data vertically at a reduction rate of 1/K.sub.y, in which integer parts of K.sub.x and K.sub.y are A.sub.x and A.sub.y respectively while floating-point parts of K.sub.x and K.sub.y are .alpha..sub.x and .alpha..sub.y respectively. Such image data processing device comprises a first memory for holding said first image data, a second memory having an area where said gray-level pixel data will be stored, an area setting unit for setting a rectangle-shaped area of the first image data which corresponds to each pixel of the second image data, the rectangle-shaped area having L.sub.y pixel lines and L.sub.x pixel columns, in which L.sub.y is A.sub.y +1 at a possibility of .alpha..sub.y or A.sub.y at a possibility of 1-.alpha..sub.y while L.sub.x is A.sub.x +1 at a possibility of 60 .sub.x or A.sub.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus for printing received image information on a sheet of print paper of a certain size determines whether each line of image information within the effective print range consists of only white pixels, and if the page length of image information is longer than the paper length and, at the same time, if lines of the excessive portion are judged to be consecutive white lines, the received image information exclusive of the excessive portion is printed in real-size on a sheet of print paper, or otherwise if the excessive lines are not only white lines, the whole received image information is printed in real-size on two sheets of print paper, thereby avoiding unnecessary down-sized printing and divisional printing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus obtains an exact distance of a marking portion shown on a document image based upon a magnification (reduction) shown on a document image such as a map etc. following the sequence of processes as mentioned below. First, a reduction value and a marking portion are recognized from an image data of a document image, and the marking portion is combined with the image data. Next, a dimension of the marking portion is obtained, and the exact distance of the marking portion is calculated based upon the obtained dimension and the reduction value. Then, after the distance value has been combined with the image data, the image data is outputted (copied). By adopting the processes, for example, in the case where an exact distance of a predetermined interval on the map is expected to be obtained, the desired distance value is shown in an outputted image only by preliminarily describing a marking on a specified interval in the document image.

Abstract: An image processing device for effecting resolution conversion includes an image signal memory (1) for storing the input pixel levels I.sub.xy, and an enlargement/reduction calculator circuit (2) for calculating a grey level G.sub.XY of each output pixel corresponding to the average of the areas of input pixel intersecting with the output pixel. The error occurring upon quantization by a quantizer (4) is calculated by an error calculator (5), and, after being delayed by one pixel by an error memory (6), is fed back to a image signal compensator circuit (3) to be added to the grey level S3 to obtain the compensated gray level S4, which is quantized by the quantizer (4) to obtain the quantized level O.sub.XY.

Abstract: A print control method for a microfilm reader enlarges a recorded image on a microfilm to the size of an original copy and projects the image on a screen; detects a black frame from an array indicated by image signals which are obtained by being binarized; selects one or more images from the entire area of the images; modifies images other than selected image to black frames; erases the modified black frames; enlarges the selected images at a magnification which can be arbitrarily set; and prints them out. The entire enlarged and projected image without any missing parts is included in the display area of the screen without making the screen too large. If plural images are contained in the display area of the read image, or if part of an image is outside of the display area, it is possible to output only the required images by extracting them and erasing unnecessary images together with the black frames. Moreover, paper can be efficiently utilized by arbitrarily changing the print magnification.

Abstract: Disclosed are recording method and apparatus for inputting recording information in page units, developing the recording information into bit-map information and recording the bit-map information. The bit-map information is corrected, before it is compressed by a compressing circuit, in dependence upon the compression ratio of the compressing circuit, the corrected bit-map information is then compressed by the compressing circuit and stored in a pixel memory. Recording is performed upon expanding the bit-map information stored in the pixel memory. As a result, the blurring of characters and fine lines by compression can be prevented. Further, it is determined whether the recording information is text data or image data. By compressing the text data at a compression ratio smaller than that used to compress the image data, a decline in the image quality of the text data recorded is prevented.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives first image data, and hierarchically reduces the size of the image represented by this first image data to generate second image data. An encoder generates encoded image data by encoding the second image data in a first mode, or by encoding the first image data in a second mode.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to enable the conversion of binary image data originally generated at a lower resolution into representative binary image data of a higher resolution, wherein the conversion ratio, or magnification factor, is an integer value. Included within the resolution conversion method is compensation for the conversion of an image optimized for write black printing system to a write white printing system.

Abstract: An image processing unit comprises an image scanning unit for scanning an original at a plurality of predetermined line densities, a smoothing unit for smoothing the intensity of each pixel, the intensity of each pixel being corrected to be the average intensity of a predetermined number of pixels surrounding each pixel in a predetermined pixel area, a binarizing unit for binarizing the corrected pixel by a half-tone processing, and a pixel area changing unit for changing the pixel area based on the line density employed by the image scanning unit. The intensity of each pixel may be corrected, by using pixels included in the predetermined pixel area, based on the existence of a pixel corresponding to a contour or a fine line in the original in the pixel area. A clear image of a mesh picture is obtained without generation of moire, blurring of contours, or breaking of fine lines.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for producing a zoomed image signal from an input image signal. The input image signal is separated into a number of block signals each representing a subarea of the input image. Class codes are produced based on the block signals. Each class code identifies predetermined image data of a zoomed image portion which corresponds to the subarea represented by the block signal on which the class code is based. The predetermined image data is generated in response to each class code. Shifted display positions are assigned for image data of the selected block signals, and the zoomed image signal is synthesized from the image data having shifted display positions and the predetermined image data such that the predetermined image data are assigned display positions intermediate the shifted display positions of the other data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided which can shape codes and omit buffers at a decoding side as well as omit an image memory at an encoding side by providing code buffers for respective encoders. An image encoding apparatus for encoding image information in a hierarchical form includes encoders provided for respective hierarchies and code buffers provided after the respective encoders. Furthermore, it is possible to use a common code buffer memory for respective hierarchies at the encoding side. In such a case, by arranging so that a hierarchical tag can identify to which hierarchy a code belongs, a simplified encoding apparatus is provided.

Abstract: Image data is processed to enlarge and contract an original image, represented by the data, by P times in an X-axis direction while the data is subjected to interpolation. The letter P denotes an arbitrary positive rational number. It is supposed that each of regions among pixels of the original image is divided into sub areas having a number of N by M, that is, N in the X-axis direction and M in a Y-axis direction. The letter N denotes an arbitrary integer equal to or greater than 2. The letter M denotes an arbitrary integer equal to or greater than 1. An N-time interpolation enlarging device or step serves to execute an interpolation process determined by an original-image sub area corresponding to a pixel of an enlargement/contraction-resultant image while simultaneously generating a plurality of pieces of process-resultant data representing a part of an image enlarged from the original image by N times in the X-axis direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for converting an image on an original into a first image signal by a reading unit and for converting the first image signal into a second image signal comprises: an input unit to set a zoom ratio; a driving motor to drive the reading unit so as to generate the first image signal indicative of the first image, in which the first image is an image obtained by zooming the original at a first zoom ratio; and a converter to convert the first image signal generated from the reading unit into the second image signal indicative of the second image, in which the second image is an image obtained by zooming the first image at a second zoom ratio according to the first zoom ratio and the zoom ratio set by the input unit.

Abstract: A digital copier is provided with mechanism for reading images of both sides of an original, and mechanism for storing image data read by the reading mechanism in an area of an image memory in order, and when a predetermined signal is applied thereto, for storing image data in the next area by one area. The predetermined signal may be generated when a skip key is depressed. Therefore, since it is not necessary to read images which needs not to be recorded, the appearance of the recorded images on a record sheet is improved and the processing time is shortened. The digital copier may be also provided with mechanism for storing blank data in remaining areas in the image memory when a predetermined signal is applied thereto. The predetermined signal may be generated when an end key is depressed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for converting the resolution of bitmap images, and more specifically, to the use of a template matching process to alter the resolution of digital images for printing or similar methods of rendition. The present invention uses statistically generated templates, implemented using look-up tables, to improve document appearance upon output by converting from an original or input spatial resolution to an output spatial resolution that is device dependent, and where there is a non-integer relationship between the input and output resolutions. The resulting image signals may then be utilized to control a scanning beam where the beam varies in intensity and duration according to the pulses used to control it.

Abstract: An information retrieval system in which image information inputted by an image inputting device 11, such as an image scanner, is reduced in size by an image-reducing unit 16. An identification code for retrieval is assigned to the reduced image before being printed by a printer 18. In this manner, a plurality of reduced images 31 and identification codes 32 associated with the reduced images 31 are printed on a paper sheet 30. The identification codes 32 on the paper sheet 30 are read by a code reader 21 so that a CPU 13 may extract the corresponding image information from a disc device 15 for display on a display device 24. By binding the printed paper sheets 30 into a file, the storage space size is diminished, while the operation of turning over leaves of the file for retrieval is expedited. The image information is also retrieved easily with the aid of the identification codes 32.

Abstract: There is provided a main memory (110) for storing a pictorial image constituted by pixels arranged on an XY plane, wherein a train of pixels arranged in an X-direction is defined by a runlength data (c, a) expressed by a color value c that a pixel has and a value a which can indicate the termination of an arrangement of pixels having the same color value. There are also provided a disk unit (200) for retaining data given to said main memory in the form of runlength data as they are, data form conversion unit (130) for converting runlength data in the main memory to raster data, a frame memory (120) for retaining the raster data converted at the data form conversion unit in order to display pictorial images on a visual display (400), and a pictorial image processing unit (140) for implementing a pictorial image processing operation to runlength data in the main memory. The pictorial image processing unit (140) includes a coloring processing section (141) and a draw processing section (142).

Abstract: A high speed screening technique is disclosed which can be used to enlarge an image, or when combined with a halftone screen, can be used for high speed screening of stored images. A microcompiler generates customized program code responsive to an input enlargement ratio. The customized program code then performs halftone screening on the input image for the specified desired enlargement ratio. In general, for each different enlargement ratio, a different customized program code is generated. Thus, a parameter of the screening process, the enlargement ratio, which is an input to the microcompiler, is not an input during the run time of the customized program code, thereby permitting the customized program code to run faster since an input parameter has been removed and built into the code itself.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for changing an image size wherein the document is marked with two kinds of color markers differing in color so as to be designated a pre-change region in which an image size is to be changed and a post-change region indicating a region after the image size has been changed. The apparatus comprises a condition detector to detect the pre-change region and the post-change region and obtains a magnification of the image size change on the basis of the pre-change region and the post-change region.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus in which image data is divided into blocks each containing a plurality of pixels and is coded and decoded on the basis of such blocks. When the image data is enlarged or reduced, enlargement is conducted before the coding and decoding, while reduction is performed after coding and decoding, whereby quantization errors caused by the coding and decoding is minimized.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing color values in the reproduction of color originals. Color values (R.sub.0, G.sub.0, B.sub.0) of original pixels (P.sub.0) arranged in an original raster network are acquired by pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line, optoelectronic scanning of color originals. For modifying the reproduction scale, an output raster network is generated for output pixels (P.sub.A) to be reproduced, and the color values (R.sub.A, G.sub.A, B.sub.A) of the output pixels (P.sub.A) are respectively calculated from the color values (R.sub.0, G.sub.0, B.sub.0) of the original pixels (P.sub.0) within an interpolation window that is shiftable across the original raster network, being calculated by weighting the color values (R.sub.0, G.sub.0, B.sub.0) with previously calculated weighting coefficients (k.sub.M) and by addition of the weighted color values. A disturbing color offset arises when the color components of the original pixels (P.sub.0) are sequentially scanned in successive scan lines.

Abstract: A thermal printing system is disclosed in which a graphic image composed of a succession of lines having the same number of pixels each is scaled both horizontally and vertically by a factor of approximately 1.5 without altering the size of the pixels. The system disclosed replaces each 2 by 2 set of pixels with a 3 by 3 set of pixels. Each 2 by 2 set consists of two immediately adjacent pixels from the same line and the two immediately adjacent pixels from the next succeeding line. The corner pixels of the 3 by 3 set are identical to the four corner pixels of the 2 by 2 set. The intermediate pixels of the first and third lines have densities equal to the average of the densities of the two corner pixels on the same lines of the same set. The three pixels of the second line of the 3 by 3 set have densities equal to the respective averages of the densities of the pixels immediately adjacent to them in the first and third lines.

Abstract: Clipping individual rows or columns of pels from patterns stored as pels is accomplished by passing quads of pels through a clipper before rotation is effected. Integral numbers of quads are clipped by skipping their address when reading from the pattern store or inhibiting their transfer. This permits more detailed pages to be composed for printing.

Abstract: An image reduction apparatus includes a smoothing unit for smoothing binary image data, a binarization unit for binarizing an output from the smoothing unit, a detection unit for detecting an attribute of the binary image data smoothed by the smoothing unit, a plurality of correction units corresponding to a plurality of attributes, and a selector for selecting one of the correction units in accordance with the attribute detected by the detection unit. An output from the binarization unit is corrected by the correction unit selected by the selector.

Abstract: System and method for scaling the size of a digital image from a first digital image to a second digital image by a specified scaling factor of G. The apparatus comprises an interpolator module configured to magnify the first digital image by a first scaling factor G1. The interpolator is further configured to output an intermediate digital image indicative of the magnified first image. The apparatus further comprises a shrinking module configured to shrink the intermediate digital image outputted by the interpolator module by a second scaling factor G2 to thereby generate the second digital image. Scaling factor G2 is a power of two.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a print data input device for inputting print data, a processor for performing data-processing of the print data, and an output device for outputting the processed print data as image data to an image forming unit. The processor includes a first setting device for setting line direction data representing a line direction, a second setting device for setting character direction data representing character direction, and a third setting device for setting line feed direction data representing line feed direction. The processor determines a processing mode of the inputted print data on the basis of the line direction data, the character direction data, and the line feed direction data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an original placing platen formed of a rectangular transparent member on which an original is placed; a photoelectrical conversion device for reading an image of the original-placed on the transparent member; an original pressing plate having an original pressing surface for pressing the overall surface of the original placing platen, the original pressing surface having a first area formed at a portion opposing a first side of the transparent member and a second area formed at a portion opposing a second side crossing at a right angle to the first side of the transparent member. The first and second areas are determined as a predetermined color by the photoelectrical conversion device.

Abstract: A resolution conversion method for securing a high quality of pictorial image by converting an pictorial image data of resolution of 200 dpi to an pictorial image data of resolution of 300 dpi so as to print without any deterioration or distortion of the quality of a picture and to prevent for a printer or a displaying device.

Abstract: A color image processing apparatus includes an input unit for inputting a plurality of color component signals representing a color image, a first operation unit for obtaining differences between a specified color component signal among the plurality of color component signals and other color component signals and outputting the differential signals, a second operation unit for smoothing-processing the differential signals obtained by the first operation unit, and a third operation unit for adding the differential signals smoothing processed by the second operation unit and the specified color component signal and outputting the result as the other-color component signals.