Abstract: Methods and devices are described for detecting boundaries of documents on flatbed and multi-function scanners on a first pass of a carriage assembly, and then performing a high resolution scan on a second pass. High resolution images of documents can then be obtained with little or no interaction normally necessary to identify areas of interest on the scanner bed. Patterns on the scanner cover or lid facilitate not only edge determination, but orientation of text and other objects, and straightening of images in preparation for OCR and related functions. Electronic images and files derived from paper documents may be automatically cropped, deskewed, subjected to OCR, and named consistent with content or other information derived from them.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including a driving unit, a separator unit, a conveyer unit, a reader unit, a reducer unit, a size detecting unit; and a controller is provided. The separator unit includes a drive shaft, a contact member, and a clutch. The controller manipulates the conveyer unit via the driving unit to convey the sheet at a first conveying speed when the size of the sheet detected by the size detecting unit is greater than a predetermined size. The controller manipulates the conveyer unit via the driving unit to convey the sheet at a second conveying speed, which is lower than the first conveying speed, when the size of the sheet detected by the size detecting unit is one of smaller than and equivalent to the predetermined size.

Abstract: A multi-purpose scaler utilizes a vertical scaler module and a moveable horizontal scaler module to resample a video signal either vertically or horizontally according to a selected scaling ratio. The moveable horizontal scaler module resides in one of two slots within the multi-purpose scaler architecture to provide either horizontal reduction or horizontal expansion as desired. The multi-purpose scaler is arranged to scale the video using non-linear 3 zone scaling in both the vertical and horizontal direction when selected. The multi-purpose scaler is arranged to provide vertical keystone correction and vertical height distortion correction when the video is presented through a projector at a non-zero tilt angle. The multi-purpose scaler is also arranged to provide interlacing and de-interlacing of the video frames as necessary.

Abstract: An object is to reduce operation load on a user when correcting the positional shift of tab document data with respect to a tab sheet. This invention provides a document processing method of a document processing apparatus, which includes acquiring tab sheet information to be used for printing, determining, based on the acquired tab sheet information and document data containing tab print data to be printed on the tab portion of a tab sheet, whether the tab print data is allocated on the tab portion of the tab sheet, and if it is determined that the tab print data is not allocated on the tab portion of the tab sheet, shifting the tab print data, based on the acquired tab sheet information and the document data containing the tab print data, so as to be allocated on the tab portion of the tab sheet.

Abstract: A designator is operable to designate image data indicative of an image. A setting provider is operable to provide a print size condition determining a print size of the image and a first image quality condition determining a first print image quality of the image. A first generator is operable to generate print data indicative of a printed image which is obtained by subjecting the image data to processing corresponding to 1) magnification of the image based on the print size condition, and 2) execution of image processing on the image based on the first image quality condition, which are executed in a predetermined order. A specifier is operable to specify at least one part of the image.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet loading unit configured to load a plurality of sheets; a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit; a light emitting unit configured to irradiate a sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit; an image sensor disposed at a position opposing the sheet loaded on the sheet loading unit and configured to sense an image reflected with light irradiated by the light emitting unit; and a trailing edge detection unit configured to cause the image sensor to repetitively perform sensing during sheet conveyance by the sheet feeding unit, compare images sensed by the image sensor, and detect a trailing edge of the sheet currently being conveyed from the sheet feeding unit based on a determination of an area where a pattern remains unchanged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reframing an image according to at least one predefined reframing method to obtain a reframed image for which the format ratio is equal to a target format ratio. The method comprises the following steps for: analyzing the image, selecting the predefined reframing method in a set of at least two reframing methods according to the result of the analysis step, and reframing said image using the selected reframing method. The invention also relates to a device for reframing an image.

Abstract: With this invention, color shifting correction is performed first based on shifting amount information indicating a shifting amount with respect to the scanning direction on an image carrier of each image forming unit, and halftone processing is then performed, thus suppressing generation of moiré due to the color shifting correction, and forming a high-quality image. To this end, an image forming engine has color shifting amount storage units C, M, Y, and K (black) which store actual shifting amounts with respect to ideal scan directions on image carriers C, M, Y, and K in image forming units C, M, Y, and K. Color shifting correction amount arithmetic units C, M, Y, and K calculate color shifting correction amounts for respective color components on the basis of the stored color shifting amounts.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a document acceptance unit that accepts a plurality of documents; a reduction and display unit that reduces and displays the documents accepted by the document acceptance unit; a region designation unit that designates a region for one of the documents displayed by the reduction and display unit; a region image creation unit that creates an image corresponding to the region designated by the region designation unit for each of the documents accepted by the document acceptance unit based on a size of each of the documents displayed by the reduction and display unit; and a region image display unit that displays the images created by the region image creation unit in respective document positions corresponding to the documents displayed by the reduction and display unit.

Abstract: In a method to correct a registration error in a printing process, data of first and second images to be printed are subjected to a raster image process via which at least first and second raster graphics are generated. Control data for a print member or two respective print members are formed from the first and the second raster graphics. A recording medium is printed in a first printing process with the control data of the first image. The recording medium is subjected to a treatment via which the recording medium and the first image deform along at least one deformation axis. The recording medium is printed by the print member with the control data of the second image in a second printing process.

Abstract: An image interpolation method obtains an image line pixel value between two adjacent image lines. The method acquires a luminance change of pixels of two image lines and decides a region of two image lines where only one portion similar to a part of the luminance change of one of the image lines exists in the luminance change of the other image line in the vicinity of the image to be interpolated. Then, among pixel sets located at the symmetric positions about the object image to be interpolated with respect to the pixel within the region, the set having the highest similarity is selected. By using the pixel value of the selected set, the pixel value of the pixel to be interpolated is decided.

Abstract: By using a memory capable of storing image data of a document size smaller than a maximum document size, images on both sides of a document of the maximum document size can be simultaneously read.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that is capable of, in displaying a preview of image data to be output, confirming a confirmation point in accordance with an operation mode immediately without performing a user operation such as enlarging, reducing or shifting. The image processing apparatus (illustrated as a digital multi-functional peripheral) is capable of operating in each of a plurality of operation modes. The image forming apparatus is provided with an image display portion such as a touch panel for displaying a preview of image data and a set value storage portion such as control memory for storing a display set value in displaying a preview image at first on the image display portion for each operation mode.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for a method to generate an image that includes image structure detail captured from a first image and color from a second image. The first image of a defined subject can be obtained from a computer memory. The first image may be a downsampled fine image with image detail. The second image captured of the defined subject in the first image can be obtained from a computer memory. The second image may be a coarse image. A target pixel in the second image can be selected. A target color distribution for a pixel window of the target pixel can then be computed. A source color distribution for a pixel window of a corresponding pixel in the first image can be computed using a computer processor. Further, a statistic of the target pixel can be determined with respect to the target color distribution. The source color in the source color distribution can be computed with the statistic. The target pixel color can then be replaced by the source color.

Abstract: An image forming system may be configured to compensate for and register various sizes of recording media on which image formation data may be recorded. For example, the image formation data may be edited with application software for various sizes of recording media. Accordingly, the image forming system may include a size detecting unit configured to detect size information of the recording medium and/or a registration unit configured to register the size information detected by the size detecting unit as setting information. The image forming system may further include a reflecting unit configured to reflect a selected setting information within the application software (e.g., an editing function thereof) with which the information terminal device can edit the image formation data so as to conform to the size information.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus reads image information of an original document to produce image data having different data sizes. An image converting section converts the image information into a plurality of items of image data. A display section displays a plurality of items of information on the plurality of items of image data. A selecting section allows selecting of one of plurality of items of image data.

Abstract: There is provided a print job control apparatus including an acquiring unit configured to acquire post-processing function information of a digital printing apparatus, a determination unit configured to reference the post-processing function information and the print job, and determine to use either a post-processing function of the digital printing apparatus or a post-processing apparatus for post-processing, a first generating unit configured to generate a print job to be executed using the post-processing function of the digital printing apparatus, a second generating unit configured to generate a print job to be executed using a post-processing apparatus, and a sending unit configured to send the print jobs generated by the first or second generating units to the digital printing apparatus and the post-processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of reading documents includes a reading unit including a light emitting element, a mechanism configured to move the reading unit, and a control unit configured to control the reading unit and the mechanism both to carry out reading by turning on the light emitting element and moving the reading unit and to temporarily stop moving the reading unit upon occurrence of a predetermined factor. The control unit sets a first current value which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when reading is carried out and sets a second current value which is less than the first current value and which is caused to flow through the light emitting element when the reading unit is temporarily stopped.

Abstract: A method for forming a variable data job includes a fixed original image provided by original image data in a first multiple channel color plane and content provided by variable image data in a second multiple channel color plane. The original image data is converted to fixed image data in a clear channel color plane. Raster image processing is performed on the fixed image data to translate the fixed image data into a first ready-to-print file. The ready-to-print file is saved in a memory as a post-RIP file. The variable image data is subsequently provided in at least the second multiple channel color plane. Image processing is performed on the variable image data to obtain a second ready-to-print file. The post-RIP file is merged with the second ready-to-print file for forming the variable data job. The variable data job is printed to render output.

Abstract: An image formation device capable of forming a plurality of reduced images on an output medium comprises an input data acquisition unit which acquires input data, a recognizability judgment unit which judges whether each reduced image to be formed corresponding to each piece of input data acquired by the input data acquisition unit is recognizable to a user or not based on the input data and size of the reduced image to be formed, and a reduced image formation unit which forms the reduced images that are judged to be recognizable by the recognizability judgment unit on the output medium while prohibiting the formation of the reduced images that are judged to be unrecognizable by the recognizability judgment unit.

Abstract: A print controlling apparatus is provided having a direct print function for receiving and printing an electronic document on a printing region of a record medium. The apparatus includes a first obtaining section for obtaining page size information indicating the page size of the received electronic document, a second obtaining section for obtaining medium size information indicating the medium size of the record medium, a comparing and judging section for judging whether the page size information matches with the medium size information upon comparing the page size information with the medium size information, and a controlling section for generating inside region printing data corresponding to the printing region from inside region image data corresponding to the printing region of the recording medium among the received image data where the page size information matches with the medium size information, for preventing the electronic document from being unnecessarily reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a transmitting apparatus that can inhibit an inappropriate printing process when performing scaling of an image including a tint image. In the case of performing scaling of image data including a tint image in which concealed characters that appear when scanning the image are embedded, and printing the image data with a printer unit, it is judged whether there is a possibility that the form of the tint image will be inappropriate when the scaling is performed with a scaling factor acquired by a scaling factor acquiring unit. If it is judged that the form of the tint image will be inappropriate, control is carried out such that processing that is different from that performed otherwise is performed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus configured to read a document at a second resolution based on a result of reading the document at a first resolution generates image data with low data amount having small data amount from image data-for-save that has been read at the second resolution and transfers the image data with low data amount taking priority over the image data-for-save to an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus is configured to notify a user that next reading processing is acceptable when receiving of the image data with low data amount is completed. The image processing apparatus is configured to receive and store the image data-for-save according to the next reading processing instructed by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: an operation pixel arrangement unit to arrange the operation pixels to be inserted or deleted in a staggered form from one end of the image to the other end of the image in the second direction, so as to satisfy a first condition in which a distance in the first direction between the operation pixels adjacent in the second direction is 2 pixels or more and less than the predetermined number of pixels, and a second condition in which a direction in which the operation pixels adjacent in the second direction are apart from each other is reversed at intervals of not more than 2 pixels which are consecutive in the second direction; and an image enlargement/reduction unit to enlarge or reduce the image by inserting or deleting the operation pixels arranged by the operation pixel arrangement unit.

Abstract: A method for resizing an input digital image having input pixel values to produce an output digital image having output pixel values, wherein the output digital image has a lower resolution and wherein single pixel width details in the input digital image are preserved, the method being performed by a processor and comprising: determining an output pixel value for the output digital image by interpolating within a corresponding neighborhood of image pixels in the input digital image; detecting whether the input digital image contains a fine detail within the corresponding neighborhood of image pixels; adjusting the output pixel value when a fine detail is detected; and repeating steps a)-c) for a plurality of output pixels.

Abstract: The image reading apparatus, which is capable of communicating with the electrical paper displaying an image based on image data, is configured to select whether the image displayed on the electrical paper is read based on a size of the electrical paper or a size of the image data, when the image is read, and to instruct the electrical paper to change a display content of the image to be displayed on the electrical paper, in accordance with a result of the selection.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager repeatedly outputs an image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface. A definer executes a process of defining a document page region within the scene captured on the imaging surface, corresponding to a document page photographing mode. A searcher searches for one or at least two characteristic images including a page edge from a partial image belonging to the document page region defined by the definer out of the image outputted from the imager. A detector detects a termination of a page turning operation based on a search result of the searcher. An extractor extracts the image outputted from the imager corresponding to a detection of the detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus prints images of different document sizes on paper having a predetermined paper size. The image forming apparatus includes a computation processing part to compute a print position of the image with respect to the paper, based on the document size, the paper size and moving amount computation information that is input thereto, and a print processing part to arrange and print the image on the paper, based on the print position computed by the computation processing part.

Abstract: In plug-in software capable of creating a sheet size to be set in an application based on an output size and sheet sizes allowed to be set in the application, when the plug-in software supports a plurality of applications, if there is a difference in sheet size among the applications, it is necessary to change setting in terms of the size when data is shared by the applications. This necessity of changing the setting in terms of the size is avoided by detecting a smallest sheet size from maximum sheet sizes usable in the respective applications and determining the sheet size for common use by the applications based on the detected smallest size.

Abstract: When executing super-resolution processing, both reduction in necessary memory capacity and generation of high-resolution image data having a desired image quality are achieved. This invention provides an image forming method in an image forming apparatus capable of executing super-resolution processing using a plurality of low-resolution image data to generate high-resolution image data. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of low-resolution image data, selecting image data to be deleted from the plurality of acquired image data on the basis of spatial frequency information or color information of each image data, deleting the selected image data, and storing, as image data used in the super-resolution processing, remaining image data which are not deleted among the plurality of image data.

Abstract: The reading apparatus is provided with: an optical image forming unit that forms an optical image on a recording medium by irradiating, with light, the recording medium on which an image is formed and which is transported in a slow scan direction; a reading unit that reads a position in a fast scan direction of the image formed on the recording medium transported in the slow scan direction and a position in a fast scan direction of the optical image, by using a minification optical system; and a registration correction unit that corrects a registration error in the fast scan direction of the image read by the reading unit, by using the position in the fast scan direction of the optical image read by the reading unit.

Abstract: An image reader includes a first image reading unit that reads first image data by scanning one surface of a document at a first resolution corresponding to a magnification ratio and a predetermined first scan cycle; and a second image reading unit that accumulates light radiated from a light source and reads second image data by scanning other surface of the document at a fixed second resolution and a second scan cycle corresponding to the magnification ratio, wherein the second image reading unit controls light accumulation time of the light radiated from the light source to be constant.

Abstract: A image reading device comprises a reading part for reading a document, a storage part including shared space, and an operation part for accepting input of identification information when the device is in a logged-out state, entering a logged-in state when a user is successfully certified, accepting settings input and function execution input when the logged-in state is in effect, and entering the logged-out state when predetermined conditions are met, the operation part including a scanning START key for accepting instructions to perform scanning using the reading part. When the scanning START key is pressed while the device is in the logged-out state, the reading part reads a document and forms image data, and the storage part stores the image data formed by logged-out scanning in the shared space.

Abstract: Scanning technology, in which a lift-off signal is generated when an input apparatus is detected as being oriented in a position that is spaced apart from a scan target object. A predetermined threshold time is compared with a continuation time of the received lift-off signal and, when the continuation time of the lift-off signal does not meet the predetermined threshold time, a scanning operation being performed is continued. When the continuation time of the lift-off signal meets the predetermined threshold time, a scanning operation being performed is discontinued.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that is capable of accurately outputting images of both sides of a card type document to the same side of a sheet of paper with a simple operation. On a card size input screen, a first scale for measuring a long-side size of a card type document and a second scale for measuring a short-side size of the card type document are displayed on a same screen such that they intersect at an origin. By operating a long-side size-decreasing instruction portion and a long-side size-increasing instruction portion, the long-side size of the card type document is decreased or increased and inputted. By operating a short-side size-decreasing instruction portion and a short-side size-increasing instruction portion, the short-side size of the card type document is decreased or increased and inputted.

Abstract: A method of selecting images from a plurality of images previously stored by a user in a memory location of a service provider and ordering services to be provided utilizing the images includes establishing a service account for the user with the service provider to permit the user to have access to ordered services, receiving and storing a plurality of images along with a designated date in the memory location, and displaying image designators for at least a subset of the images for viewing by the user. The method also includes the user selecting at least one image to be utilized after viewing the displayed images, and selecting a service, receiving payment for the selected service for the selected image based upon a payment schedule that depends upon the designated date associated with the selected image, and providing the selected service using the selected image.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main body casing, a cover configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body casing, a sensing unit configured to sense an opening-closing operation of the cover, a forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a detecting unit configured to perform a detecting operation to detect a deviation of an image forming position of the image to be formed by the forming unit, an accepting unit configured to accept a print request, and a control unit configured to control the detecting unit to perform the detecting operation in response to the print request being accepted when the sensing unit senses an opening-closing operation of the cover after execution of a previous detecting operation, and thereafter to control the forming unit to form the image in the image forming position corrected to cancel the deviation detected in the detecting operation.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus arranged to press an original document placed on a glass plate by a platen cover and to scan the original document by a line sensor includes a light source used when scanning image information, a first detection sensor arranged to detect as a first timing a state in which the cover is opened at, for example, an angle of 20 degrees, a second detection sensor arranged to detect as a second timing a state, for example, that is immediately before the cover closes the glass plate, and an original document size determining unit arranged to determine the size of the original document based on the differential data, which is calculated from first image information scanned at the first timing and second image information scanned at the second timing.

Abstract: A method for forming an image on recording media includes providing a support adapted to receive the recording apparatus; providing a controller programmed for controlling a print head to form the image on the recording media in accordance with image data corresponding to the image; determining a minimum feature size; and operating the print head to form the image on the recording media, wherein the image comprises a feature having a size that is restricted to be at least equal to the minimum feature size.

Abstract: An image scanning and processing system includes a scanner for generating a stream of data encoding a scanned image; a controller for controlling and processing data received from the scanner; and a file storage unit. In use, the stream of data is written to a master file saved in the file storage unit. The controller is configured to create a preview image with a lower data size than the scanned image from at least part of the data encoding the scanned image. The controller is configured to extract data encoding the preview image directly from the stream of data, and to write the extracted data to a thumbnail file. A method of scanning and processing an image, includes scanning an original and thereby generating a stream of data, encoding a scanned image, saving the scanned image in a master file, and creating a preview image with a lower data size than the scanned image from at least part of the data encoding the scanned image.

Abstract: A method of printing using variable pixel replication factors involves generating from an input image a reference image and a plurality of half-tone source images generated at different resolutions of the input image and with post-halftoning pixel replication factors applied such that the half-tone source images are all the same size. A pixel-replication factor selector function is applied to each reference pixel of the reference image to determine a respective source image for that reference pixel. Thus, different reference pixels correspond to different pixel replication factors. A print-state image is assembled by applying to each print-state image pixel the print state of the corresponding source pixel in the corresponding source image. The print-state image is then printed to a print medium.

Abstract: A detecting unit detects output-prohibit area information indicating an output-prohibit area from image data. An identifying unit identifies the output-prohibit area in the image data based on the output-prohibit area information detected by the detecting unit. A masking unit performs a masking on the output-prohibit area identified by the identifying unit. A rearranging unit rearranges an image of an area other than the output-prohibit area over the output-prohibit area on which the masking is performed by the masking unit. An outputting unit outputs image data obtained by rearranging the image by the rearranging unit.

Abstract: An image-reading device includes a document-supporting base, a document-pressing member, a reading unit, a controlling unit, and a determining unit. The document-supporting base has a transparent member on which a document is placed. The document-pressing member is disposed on the document-supporting base so as to cover the transparent member. The document-pressing member is capable of opening and closing on the document-supporting base. The reading unit has a light source and capable of reading an image from the document placed on the transparent member while the light source irradiates light on the document. The controlling unit is configured to control the reading unit to execute a first scanning operation to output image signals for the image on the document while the light source is lit, and a second scanning operation to output image signals for the image on the document while the light source is not lit.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for iterative seam selection in an image resizing system utilizing a seam carving technique. In one embodiment, an importance map is generated for a received source image. Seams are carved through the image from one edge to an opposite edge. An energy is computed for each seam based on pixel importance values. A distance is computed from each seam to a previously selected seam. A weighting for each seam is computed using a defined weighting function and the calculated seam distances. The weighting is applied to the energy of each seam produce a revised energy for each seam. A seam is selected based on the produced revised energy. The image is resized at a location of the selected seam. The process repeats until the image has been resized to a desired target output dimension. In such a manner, unnatural image resizing results are avoided.

Abstract: A print controlling apparatus is supplied capable of adjusting image of electronic document to an optimum size.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processor comprises an image converter and a controller. The image converter is configured to convert a first video signal of a first resolution to a second video signal of a second resolution higher than the first resolution. The conversion is based on a parameter indicating a ratio of high-frequency component pixels of the first video signal to be interpolated and pixels forming the first video signal to be interpolated. The controller is configured to change the parameter based on a type of broadcast wave of the first video signal. The type of broadcast wave may include, but is not limited or restricted to satellite broadcasting or terrestrial broadcasting.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus image which is capable of accurately correcting the magnification of an image without degrading the quality of the formed image or reducing productivity, to thereby make it possible to cope with an increase in the operating speed of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus is comprised of an image processing section having an image area-separating section, and an image forming section having an exposure control section. The image area-separating section separates image data into at least two kinds of areas. The exposure control section performs magnification correction on at least one area of the image data separated by the image area-separating unit.

Abstract: An upscaling (upsampling) technique for digital images and video for presentation on a display. An image at a first resolution may be separated into a plurality of channels. Each channel may be upsampled to a higher resolution. The plurality of channels may then be combined to form an image at the higher resolution.

Abstract: A scanner for demarcating each media sheet of a multiplicity of media sheets and a method thereof. The scanner includes a platen, a scanlid, an illuminating mechanism and a scanhead. The platen accommodates the multiplicity of media sheets. The scanlid is pivotally coupled to the platen and provides a background for scanning the multiplicity of media sheets. The illuminating mechanism is coupled to the scanlid and is activated for illuminating the background. The scanhead scans the multiplicity of media sheets. A single background image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by activating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. A single foreground image of the multiplicity of media sheets is captured by deactivating the illuminating mechanism during scanning. Edges of each media sheet are detected in the background image, and are combined with the foreground image to extract content thereof.

Abstract: Provided is an image-resolution-improvement apparatus and method which can increase the resolution of an input image at a high magnification to thereby obtain a high-quality final image. The apparatus includes a textured-region-detection unit to detect a texture region in an input image; and a final-image-generation unit to synthesize a first intermediate image and a second intermediate image, which are obtained by applying different interpolation techniques to the texture region and a non-texture region excluding the texture region and generating a final image.