Abstract: A printer with a housing arranged to be manually positioned on an image receiving medium. In order to allow easy alignment, a window is provided such that the print face is visible through the window. A controller of the printer is operable to detect markings on an image receiving medium, the markings being scanned by means of a scanner. An indicator referring to a direction in which the printer is to be moved and the detected markings are displayed in order to obtain alignment between the print face and the detected markings. The printer uses a medium with alignment marks, or alternately prints alignment marks onto a medium. Finally, a base station with an adjustable stop for positioning a print medium is included.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing device for performing a conversion processing of image data, comprises an input unit for inputting image data, an enlargement/reduction magnification setting unit for setting an enlargement/reduction magnification of the image data inputted by the input unit, a data converting unit having a plurality of image data conversion tables and using one selected conversion table to convert the inputted image data to output data, and a table selecting unit for selecting the conversion table in accordance with the enlargement/reduction magnification set by the enlargement/reduction magnification setting unit. In the enlargement/output of the image by the image processing, the edge portion of output image can be prevented from being blurred by the enlargement processing. Moreover, in the reduction/output of the image, even when the reduction processing is performed, the reproducibility of intermediate gradation density fine lines in the input image can be enhanced.

Abstract: When a plurality of color conversion results of an image are to be thumbnail-output, all areas of the image are reduced, and the conversion results may be hard to recognize or the printing through put may become low. In this invention, only part of image data to be thumbnail-output is temporarily held in a spool file. A plurality of types of image processing are performed for the held first image data to generate a plurality of second image data. The plurality of second image data are laid out on one page and output to a printer. With this arrangement, information sufficient to recognize the color conversion results in the image can be thumbnail-output in a short time.

Abstract: The disclosed method uses empirically derived image quality data in order to determine an image resolution for a particular zoom and/or crop operation performed on an image. An acceptability value is specified for the image, e.g., a specific % acceptable, where the acceptability value relates to empirically derived image quality as perceived by a human viewer. Given selected input and output devices, an image resolution is then generated from a combination of the particular zoom and crop and the specified acceptability value. This resolution is specified as the image resolution, e.g., a minimally acceptable resolution, to produce the desired zoom and crop.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method perform different processing on signals from respective photoelectric conversion portions in accordance with changes of photographing conditions. The signals to be subjected to the different processing are output from an image pickup region provided with an arrangement of a plurality of arranged pixels each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions arranged in a depth direction severally.

Abstract: An image reader is provided with a transparent member which is placed in an optical path from the surface of an original document bed on the side of a carriage to a condensing lens, whereby when the transparent member exists at a predetermined position, the condensing lens can be focused on a translucent original existing at a position above the position of a reflection original. When the transparent member is at a second predetermined position, the condensing lens can be focused on the reflection original. The condensing lens can be focused on more than one position simply by placing the transparent member in the optical path, so that the structure is simple and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a reduced image generating part generating a reduced image having a lower resolution than that of an original digital image. A first extracting part distinctly extracts a first foreground image and a first background image from the reduced image. A first continuous tone converting part converts, into a continuous tone, a halftone dot pattern of the first background image extracted from the reduced image. A combining part combines the first background image of which halftone dot pattern is converted into the continuous tone and an image based on the first foreground image extracted by the first extracting part.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for processing graphics input. The graphics input may include a first and second types of graphics matter, such as line art and continuous tone. At least two data structures including representations of a same graphics matter are provided. An object is generated to include information on the data structures, including information relating the data structures. The object is then processed to produce graphics output including the graphics matter in the graphics input.

Abstract: A color copying apparatus is capable of making copies without performing a prescan. Input image data of RGB format read from an image input unit is written in an image memory through the shading/gap correction unit and an input &ggr; correction unit. This input image data is supplied to a detection unit through a first color space conversion unit to distinguish color from monochrome in the input image data, and to detect the base color level and the like. Next, on the basis of these detection results, states of a second color space conversion unit, a selector, a frame-erase/base color removal unit and the like are set. Thus, the input image data is read out again from the image memory, and is supplied to an image output unit through the first color space conversion unit to an output &ggr; correction unit.

Abstract: There is provided, even in case plural sheet sizes or plural sheet orientations are mixed within a document, a system capable of obtaining an output result close to that of a document not containing such mixed sheet sizes or sheet orientations without causing sheet discharge in the course of printing operation or data overflow from the print area, also providing an enlarging/reducing function to a device lacking such function, and providing a visually agreeable output result, all realized without modification in the conventional printer driver. A host computer is provided with a spool file manager for calculating the relative position of the logic page to the physical page, and a despooler for processing the layout data, obtained by enlarging or reducing the logic page, to a data format matching the graphic engine.

Abstract: A left-side odd-component image signal (ODDL) output from an output terminal (OS1) of a 4-channel output CCD (4-division photoelectric conversion element) is input to an amplifier. A left-side even-component image signal (EVENL) output from an output terminal (OS2) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to the amplifier. A right-side odd-component image signal (ODDR) output from an output terminal (OS3) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to another amplifier. A right-side even-component image signal (EVENR) output from an output terminal (OS4) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to the amplifier. The amplifiers multiplex the left-side and right-side signals respectively, and a high-speed scanner control ASIC performs right/left correction.

Abstract: An image data transmission apparatus reads image data from a document placed on a document tray via a line sensor or the like, and transmits the obtained image data to a receiving apparatus either after rotation of the image data or without rotation of the image data wherein whether rotation is performed or not is determined in accordance with the receiving capability of the receiving apparatus and also on the document setting position. If the rotation is required, the reading operation is performed in such a manner that the line density in the secondary scanning direction in the reading operation will become the line density in the principal direction after the rotation so that no degradation in the resolution and processing efficiency occurs.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for preventing the loss of portions of a copied image when output media having edge disturbances, or virtual edge disturbances, are used. Such media can include hole-punched paper, transparencies with non-imaging stripes, or paper that will be hole punched at a later time. Image loss may be minimized or prevented by reducing or offsetting the image. When output media with an edge disturbance is detected, an image forming apparatus can adjust the images to compensate for the disturbances.

Abstract: An automatic photograph producer and an operating method of the producer. The automatic photograph producer is incorporated into a four-in-one multi-function machine that includes a printer, a scanner, a photocopier and a facsimile. The automatic photograph producer comprises a platform, a top panel, a penetrating light source and a printer. The platform is a place for holding transparencies. One end of the top panel couples with one end of the platform. The penetrating light source is above the top panel for sending light to the transparency on the platform during scanning. The printer prints out an image of the scanned transparency onto a photographic paper.

Abstract: A method includes generating a first set of image information representative of a first portion of the multiple page image, the first set of image data corresponding to a first page of the multiple page image. The method also includes generating alignment indicia image information relating to the first portion of the multiple page image. The method further includes generating combined image information comprising the first set of image information and the alignment indicia image information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a resolution conversion apparatus for converting an original digital image into a digital image having a different number of pixels in accordance with an instructed conversion magnification factor. In the apparatus, a determination circuit determines the number of pixels to be interpolated in each block of the original image and positions where they are interpolated in accordance with the conversion magnification factor. The block includes a predetermined number of pixels of the original image. A converted image generation circuit generates pixel data for the interpolation pixels at the positions where they are interpolated in accordance with a predetermined interpolation equation whose coefficients are determined with the positions and data values of the pixels in the block, and combines the pixel data for the digital original image and the generated pixel data to output a converted digital image. The interpolation equation includes spline functions and Bezier functions.

Abstract: An expanded-image generating apparatus is provided for original image data, in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, so as to obtain expanded-image data partitioned into a plurality of blocks, each of which is composed of a plurality of pixels When the magnifying power regarding at least one of a direction along width and a direction along length in the original image data is set, a pixel arranging processor arranges each pixel in the original image data at a position corresponding to a center position of each of the plurality of blocks in accordance with the magnifying power. The expanded-image data corresponding to the magnifying power is generated at pixel generating positions corresponding to the each block by applying a fluency transform to each pixel in the original image data at the position.

Abstract: A digital image signal is read out at a predetermined picture element density by causing a light beam to repeatedly scan a recording medium bearing thereon an image in a main scanning direction at a predetermined main scanning speed while moving the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction at a predetermined sub-scanning speed, thereby two-dimensionally scanning the recording medium with the light beam, photoelectrically detecting signal light emitted from the recording medium upon exposure to the light beam to obtain an analog image signal, sampling the analog image signal at a predetermined intervals, and quantizing the sampled values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital image downsampling are disclosed with particular application to computer-graphics imagery. The digital image is downsampled non-uniformly in a manner that attempts to minimize aliasing of high-spatial-frequency image information by concentrating deletion paths in lower-spatial-frequency image regions. A spatial frequency estimator compares groups of pixels in order to produce a classification of the image. A path generator and path scorer trace and score potential deletion paths through the image, and the path with the greatest score (i.e., one that provides minimal distortion and aliasing) is selected for pixel removal. A recursor repeats this process until a desired number of image rows and/or columns have been removed.

Abstract: A system and method for selective scaling of an image by selective implementation of a window averaging processing technique or an interpolation processing technique. For enlargement scaling, the interpolation processor is implemented. For reduction scaling, the window averaging processor is implemented. For anamorphic scaling, the window averaging processor may be selected and implemented for reduction processing pursuant to a two-pass processing technique wherein the interpolator processing will be implemented thereafter. Image tags are provided for selective scaling of each area of an image according to the type of content of each area by selective implementation of a window averaging processing technique or an interpolation processing technique. The interpolation processor is implemented for line drawing areas of an image, and the window averaging processor is implemented for contone areas of the image.

Abstract: When color converting image data of a first color coordinate system to image data of a second color coordinate system using a color conversion module, the tone values of said second image data are proportionally increased for conversion in a tone value range in which small dots or light dots are formed. Next, second image data is converted to dot volume data relating to the dot forming density for various dots with different tone values expressed per single dot. At this time, the proportional increase part of the tone values of the second image data is corrected, and suitable dot volume data is obtained. If this is done, even in an area where small dots or light dots are formed, it is possible to supplement insufficient resolution of image data during color conversion, and to display images of high image quality.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pseudo-zoom camera and an image processing system using the camera in which any of the pseudo-zoom magnification and the pseudo-zoom magnification number, or any of the pseudo-zoom magnification and the pseudo-zoom magnification number in combination with the picture area are recorded as pseudo-zoom information.

Abstract: A system and method for high definition video rescaling comprises receiving a source image including source pixels each having an associated amplitude, creating destination pixel locations for a rescaled image in accordance with a resealing factor, providing a normalized filter function, multiplying the normalized filter function with the amplitude of each source pixel to produce a filter function for each source pixel, and summing together the filter functions for the source pixels to generate a reconstructed function. The reconstructed function is sampled at the destination pixel locations to provide amplitudes for destination pixels. The amplitudes of the destination pixels are then incorporated into a rescaled image. The filter function is preferably a sinc product function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selecting an image size and printing a received image in the selected image size. A computer file including an image is received. A range of sizes for printing the received image is calculated based on a plurality of quality standards in order to maintain a predetermined degree of quality for a printed image. The quality standards may be related to resolution, aspect ratio, number of pixels and orientation. Also, a user may provide a custom print size for printing the received image. If the custom print size is in the calculated range of sizes, the image may printed in the custom size. Alternatively, the image is printed in a size in the range.

Abstract: A user designates a two-sided copying mode, a reduced-scale copying mode, a vertical or horizontal binding direction, and the like from a control panel. An original image is magnification-varied at a designated reduction magnification, and the reduced image is stored in a page memory. In the case of an odd page (front surface) in a single-sided or two-sided copying mode, a &ggr; conversion circuit reads out and outputs stored image data in the normal order, thus forming images. On the other hand, in the case of an even page (back page) in the two-sided copying mode, whether the horizontal or vertical binding direction is designated is checked. If the binding direction agrees with the reversing axis direction of a paper sheet upon copying, images are read out in the normal order. When the vertical binding direction is designated, images are read out in an order opposite to the normal order, so that each page is rotated through 180°. Images are copied in the designated layout.

Abstract: A digital copier or multifunction peripheral (MFP) can perform special document construction functions including “auto-sizing,” scaling a copy to fit a selected size of copy medium, and “auto-cloning” printing a plurality of copies of a single original on a copy medium. The size of the original image is determined from the results of a full resolution scan of the original.

Abstract: A method of enhancing data which is rendered as a bi-tonal bit-mapped image for subsequent printing on a printer. The method involves receiving a source bit-mapped image at a low resolution for printing on a printer at a higher resolution. The bitmap is convoluted with a gradient operator to generate horizontal and vertical gradient values for each pixel. The bitmap is then expanded by a predetermined factor to the higher resolution for sending to the printer, and finally a value is assigned to each pixel in the expanded bitmap which is dependent on the value of pixels in the source bitmap and also the horizontal and vertical gradient values.

Abstract: A method for the reproduction of oversize documents is disclosed. The method utilized by the present invention copies or scans in stages an oversize document that exceeds the copy or scan surface of the image reproduction apparatus available. Each separate document portion copied or scanned is saved as an image in memory. After all of the oversize document has been copied or scanned, the images of the document portions are reassembled, aligned and reduced in size, if necessary. The reassembled document may then be printed for a user or manipulated in memory using image processing software.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing an image by receiving a scaling factor which defines a window. Input pixel intensities of the image are summed in real time as they are input and stored until all pixels within the window have been received. The sum is then divided by the number of pixels within the window which produces an average intensity. A pixel having the average intensity is output.

Abstract: Shifting a page image while it is still in compressed form. The page image is compressed into independent strips that are a full page in the fast scan direction, and a small number of scanlines in the slow scan direction. Then, to shift the page image, whole strips can be deleted in one margin and/or deleted from the other. If the number of scanlines per strip is small enough, the difference in a margin created by the change of one strip will not be apparent. This invention can be used to advantage when it is decided at print time that the output shall be in the form of a saddle-stitched booklet requiring two-up printing, folding and subsequent trimming of the outside edges to uniform alignment. Here, a progressive page shift can be introduced at the printer controller while the images are still compressed, instead of requiring the change to be done to the PostScript Master, which would require reRiPing or decompression, shift and recompression.

Abstract: There is disclosed a resolution conversion apparatus for converting an original digital image into a digital image having a different number of pixels in accordance with an instructed conversion magnification factor. In the apparatus, a determination circuit determines the number of pixels to be interpolated in each block of the original image and positions where they are interpolated in accordance with the conversion magnification factor. The block includes a predetermined number of pixels of the original image. A converted image generation circuit generates pixel data for the interpolation pixels at the positions where they are interpolated in accordance with a predetermined interpolation equation whose coefficients are determined with the positions and data values of the pixels in the block, and combines the pixel data for the digital original image and the generated pixel data to output a converted digital image. The interpolation equation includes spline functions and Bezier functions.

Abstract: The book page document image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises a reading means for reading an image of a spread book page document placed on with the binding section being aligned to the reference position, an image size changing means for changing a size of a read image read by the reading means, a storage means for storing therein image data to image size changing, and a means for differentiating a range for storage of the image data having been subjected in the storage means when a book page document is read with the same size from a range for storage of image data having been subjected to image size changing in the storage means when a book page document is read with a changed size.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus which stores and manages image data and is able to output image data in a size equal to the size in the data reading stage independently of the resolutions of an image input device and an image output device. The original size is stored together with the image data in an image data inputting stage. An image output magnification is calculated so as to output an image in a size equal to the size of the original based on the resolution of the image output device and the resolution of the image input device in an image data outputting stage, and enlarged or reduced image data is outputted at the calculated magnification.

Abstract: A copier is provided with: a photosensitive drum; a light source device for emitting light; a deflecting device for deflecting the emitted light in a main scanning direction; a light collecting device for collecting the deflected light, to thereby irradiate the original and the photosensitive drum with the collected light respectively; a guiding device for guiding the collected light to the original and the photosensitive drum respectively; a light detecting device for reading the image of the original by receiving a scattered light from the irradiated original; a sub-scanning direction moving device for relatively moving the collected light with respect to the original and the photosensitive drum respectively in a sub-scanning direction; a memory device for storing the image information for the each scanning line; a light recording device for recording the latent image onto the photosensitive drum for the each scanning line at a recording cycle by reading out the stored image information from the memory devi

Abstract: A method for archiving a master image, including the steps of pre-detecting a resolution of a master image which is at least one of a geometric, a radiometric and a spectral resolution, adaptively matching a resolution of an optical device to the pre-detected master image resolution such that the optical device resolution conforms with minimum resolution for an appropriate scanning theorem, scanning point values of the master image with the resolution from the matching step by the optical device having a photosensitive component, digitizing the point values of the master image from the scanning step, compressing the digitized point values, and storing the compressed point values.

Abstract: An image processor (14) in a photocopier (10) takes composite input image (20a) that includes a plurality of skewed sub-images (22a, 24a, and 26a). It revises the image so as to produce an output composite image (20b) containing aligned sub-images (22b, 24b, and 26b). To identify the input image's sub-images, the image processor (14) identifies connected groups (44, 48 and 54) of pixels that meet certain criteria, and it eliminates from consideration each group (48) whose bounding box (50) is included within the bounding box (46) of another connected group (44). Skew angles for the different sub-images are determined by finding the best-fit lines through the outline pixels of their respective connected groups, and the sub-images are de-skewed by the negatives of those lines' angles.

Abstract: A method of expanding an image stored in a first array including the steps of separating the first array into a plurality of rows, each row having a first plurality of data elements, each element having a value, and separately expanding each row from a first plurality of data elements in the first array to a second plurality of data elements in a second array including the steps of correlating each of the first plurality of data elements to at least one of the second plurality of data elements, and distributing the value of selected elements of the first plurality of data elements to correlated data elements of the second plurality of data elements.

Abstract: An image magnifying/reducing optical device includes a base member having first and second surfaces which are approximately parallel to one another; and a plurality of high-refractive-index regions formed in the base member. The plurality of high-refractive-index regions continuously extending from the first surface to the second surface of the base member; and a sectional area of each of said plurality of high-refractive-index regions around the second surface being larger than that around the first surface.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus outputs both of first image data used to produce a photo-print and second image data used to produce an image file in accordance with the digital image data. The processing apparatus includes a printing magnification determining device for determining printing magnification used when the photo-print is outputted in such a manner that a printing size is inscribed in a standard scanning area which is previously defined based upon longitudinal/transverse sizes every sort of an original and a digitizing magnification determining device for determining digitizing magnification used when the image file is outputted in such a manner that an image file size which is previously defined based upon longitudinal/transverse pixel numbers every sort of the original is inscribed in or circumscribed about the standard scanning area. The image forming apparatus employs the processing apparatus and outputs both of the photo-print and the image file.

Abstract: In a film scanner, for reading an original image on a photographic film, provided with an optical system for irradiating light to the original image on the photographic film and for focusing light from the photographic film so as to form an image and photoelectically converting elements for photoelectically reading the formed image by the optical system, there is further provided an image resolution regulator to regulate image resolution of the read image in accordance with the size of the original image to be read.

Abstract: An image resolution conversion method which can cope with arbitrary magnifications including non-integer magnifications with simple operation and sequence, has an identical interface, and can be efficiently installed in a printer driver, and a resolution conversion module that implements the method. The resolution conversion module receives information representing the resolutions before and after conversion from an image processing program, and calculates the magnification or reduction value for each pixel of an original image before conversion on the basis of the received information. The module receives information of a processing region, which is segmented with reference to the image size after conversion, from the image processing program, and obtains that region on the original image before conversion, which corresponds to the segmented processing region, on the basis of the magnification or reduction values for pixels.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, method and computer program product, including a pattern detecting device configured detect whether or not a pattern is constructed with a lengthwise line of a single dot width on a basis of a pattern of respective multi-value data of a target pixel and circumferential pixels adjacent thereto in a main scanning direction; and a printing device configured to print size-reduced printing dots of the lengthwise line of the single dot width detected by the pattern detecting device.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing an image by receiving a scaling factor which defines a window. Input pixel intensities of the image are summed in real time as they are input and stored until all pixels within the window have been received. The sum is then divided by the number of pixels within the window which produces an average intensity. A pixel having the average intensity is output.

Abstract: The present invention enables to ensure printing the entire desired image. An image data interpreter 21 interprets the header portion of data transmitted by a digital camera to detect the number of dots indicative of height and width of an image to be printed. A printer analyzer 22 detects the size of a print paper actually set in a printer. To perform printing in a print condition set by an output setting unit 23, image data size is adjusted based on the detected image data size and print paper size as well as the set print condition, and the adjusted image data is outputted to a printer engine.

Abstract: This algorithm is a method for resizing and resampling an image in one step. In the vertical, process or slow scan, direction, from the resampling ratio and from the image size variation, an algorithm can compute where, on the page, the scan lines may be deleted. For a numerical example, if the input is 400 pixels per unit time, resampling of four to one would yield one scan line every {fraction (1/100)} of a unit. If, in addition, the image has to be reduced by 5%, then the final output would be one scan line every {fraction (1/95)}th of a time unit. This algorithm accomplishes this result by using a running sum of error terms. Simply stated, if it is known that the previous output scan was output at exactly the right time, the error is zero, but if the scan was output too soon or too late, there will be an error term. For each new scan that is now output, {fraction (1/400)}th of a time unit is added to the error term.

Abstract: Processing of digital data representing a document in order to represent parts of this document according to one or other of two possible resolutions.

Abstract: A picture processing apparatus for picture-in-picture applications where the number of pixels n in the horizontal direction of an original picture, the number of pixels m in the vertical direction thereof, the number of pixels N in the horizontal direction of the converted picture, and the number of pixels M in the vertical direction thereof are supplied to a dividing device. Thus, ratios A=N/n and B=M/m are obtained. The inverse number 1/A of the value A is cumulated by circuits. An address generating circuit generates addresses at four points for calculating a density value a of a converted pixel corresponding to the integer part of a cumulated value &Sgr;(1/A). These addresses are supplied to memories. The pixel data at the four points that are read from the memories are supplied to respective multiplying devices. The decimal part of the value &Sgr;(1/A) is supplied as an interpolating coefficient p to a multiplying device. A coefficient (1−q) is supplied to a multiplying device.

Abstract: According to an image reading apparatus of the present invention, a basic section CPU controls a scanning speed of a carriage of a scanner unit at a predetermined level by driving a scanning motor. A CCD of the scanner unit receives reflection light from a document scanned by the scanner unit, photoelectrically converts the reflection light into electric signals to accumulate it therein. An ASIC for controlling the scanner controls the processing of the electric signals accumulated in the CCD with a cyclic period corresponding to a magnification rate set for an image of the scanned document.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus or a facsimile apparatus or the like is constructed by an input unit for inputting image data, a data conversion unit for converting density characteristics of image data inputted by the input unit, and an output unit such as ink jet printer, laser beam printer, or the like for outputting the image data at a predetermined resolution. The data conversion unit converts density characteristics so as to almost equalize densities even when a resolution of the image data that is outputted by the output unit differs. The data conversion unit converts the density characteristics of the input image data on the basis of a luminance/density conversion table formed every resolution of the image data that is outputted by the output unit. The resolution of the output image data is higher than the resolution of the input image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a function for rotating image data stored in a memory by 90° while preventing deterioration of image quality. Upon image reading, if the line density in a subscanning direction is lower than the pixel density in a main-scanning direction, the line density is raised close to the pixel density. The reading control is performed in accordance with the possibility of 90° rotation of image in a destination apparatus or a specific size of an original image. This attains efficient use of image memory.