Abstract: An image retrieval device including: an image retrieval unit for optically retrieving an image and outputting an analog image signal according to the image; an analog-to-digital conversion unit for converting the image signal from the image retrieval unit into multi-valued data for a number of pixels representing the image; and a pixel number conversion unit for reducing the number of pixels in the multi-valued data from the analog-to-digital converter by combining multi-valued data for predetermined pluralities of the number of pixels into multi-valued data for single pixels.

Abstract: A film reading image device includes a data generation device to generate index display setting field data by receiving output from an image reading device. The film reading image device further includes a size data obtaining device to obtain size data of the monitor screen of the host apparatus and a control device to set the reading resolution based on the relationship between the number of frames to be index displayed on the monitor screen of the host apparatus and the size data obtained. The image reading device executes conversion operations with the resolution set.

Abstract: An output signal of an optical reading line sensor is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter and, thereafter, is shading corrected by a shading correction circuit, and is inputted to a magnification processing circuit through a selector. An optical reading scanning speed by the line sensor can be freely changed. There are a first mode for zooming a read image by changing the scanning speed of the line sensor, a second mode for zooming the read image by the magnification processing circuit, and a third mode for commonly performing the zoom by changing the scanning speed of the line sensor and the zoom by the magnification processing circuit. Any one of the modes is adaptively selected in accordance with a size of original and a reading resolution.

Abstract: A high addressable hybrid error diffusion process adds an error value to an input grey image value to produce a modified input grey image value before comparing the modified input grey image value with a predetermined threshold value. A rendering value and error is generated based on the comparison. The error is equal to n(GL/N)*Aeff, wherein n is equal to the number of subpixels turned ON, GL is the maximum grey value for a pixel, N is the addressability of the rendering system, and Aeff is an effective spot area value for the rendering system. The effective spot area value is retrieved from a look-up table having a plurality of effective spot area values based on the input grey image value.

Abstract: The image reading device has a pre-scanning processor, in which an image recorded in a film is read with a relatively coarse pitch and pixel data corresponding to the image are transmitted to an external computer, and a regular scanning processor, in which the image can be read with a relatively fine pitch and pixel data corresponding to the image can be transmitted to the external computer. In each of the pre-scanning processor and the regular scanning processor, an image correction can be performed. When the image corrections performed in the pre-scanning operation and the regular scanning operation are the same, the pixel data, which have been transmitted in the pre-scanning operation, are not necessarily transmitted to the computer in the regular scanning operation.

Abstract: A digital copying machine which feeds a document picked up from a tray or inserted in a manual feed tray to an image reading section. The machine is operable in a first mode in which a document is fed at a speed to achieve the registered copying magnification and in a second mode in which a thin paper document is fed at a lower speed than the speed to achieve the copying magnification.

Abstract: An image synthesizer where desired template image is selected, and a subject image is synthesized at a predetermined position on the selected template image. Template image data, mask image data corresponding to the template image data, and image information are pre-stored in an image synthesizer. When a user selects a desired template image by touching the screen of a display, mask image data representing a mask image corresponding to the selected template image and synthesis information are obtained. A subject image which a user has also selected on the screen is then synthesized at a predetermined position on the template image using the template image data, the mask image data and the synthesis information, and a resultant composite image is displayed and printed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can carry out a continuous enlargement process by which an image of one original is enlarged and the image is formed on a plurality of sheets. According to the continuous enlargement process, a size of an original is first set, and a size of an image to be output can be input. A range of a size of an image to be output which can be input is calculated considering the size of the original and an ability of the apparatus. If the input size of the image to be output is within the range which can be input, a copy is made according to the continuous enlargement process. A user can input an arbitrary size within the range which can be input. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can be provided which can form an image of an output size desired by a user when a size of an image of an original is to be changed and an image is formed on sheets of the number which is different from that of the original.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing image information coming from various types of image inputting media yields an image processor for processing image information that consolidates image size irrespective of the type of image inputting medium. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of image inputting media, each of which inputs image information as a first image information having a fixed image size. An image size converter converts the fixed image size to a predetermined image size which is a constant image size independent of both the fixed image size and the type of image inputting medium that inputs the first image information. The conversion generates a second image information and a data generator generates conditional data for processing the second image information. An image processor processes the second image information using predetermined image processing procedures, based on the conditional data, to generate a third image information.

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.

Abstract: A method of generating an upsampled target pixel positioned between two lines of input source data includes the step of comparing pixels of different lines of the source data in a region surrounding the upsampled target pixel to be generated in at least two different directions. An interpolation direction based on the comparison is selected and interpolations between selected pixels of the source data in the determined interpolation direction are carried out to compute intermediate pixels on a line segment passing through the upsampled target pixel. An interpolation between the intermediate pixels is carried out to generate the upsampled target pixel. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

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

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a memory for storing image data which includes plural groups of image data, each group of image data corresponding to a line of pixels arranged in a primary scanning direction which is perpendicular to a secondary scanning direction. The image processing apparatus further includes a writing reduction circuit for reducing the image in secondary scanning direction by deleting selected groups of image data before storing the set of image data in the memory, and a reading reduction-enlargement circuit for enlarging the image in said another scanning direction and for reducing or enlarging the image in said one scanning direction at the time of reading out the stored set of image data from the memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital image reduction using an improved “extendible” perspective projection technique which allows for flexible control of the averaging cell or window size separately from the reduction ratio to improve moir{acute over (e)} suppression or sharpness as desired in the resulting reduced-size image. The extendible perspective projection technique can also be implemented together with ordinary perspective projection or together with a combined one-dimensional filter and linear interpolation technique to produce a reduced-size image of a quality comparable to those produced by the prior technique of using a two-dimensional pre-filter prior to interpolation at a much lesser cost due to the reduced number of required scanline buffers.

Abstract: A method and device for generating, displaying and manipulating three-dimensional images for medical applications is provided. The method creates a three-dimensional images from MRI or other similar medical imaging equipment. The medical imaging system allows a user to view the three-dimensional model at arbitrary angles, vary the light or color of different elements, and to remove confusing elements or to select particular organs for close viewing. Selection or removal of organs is accomplished using fuzzy connectivity methods to select the organ based on morphological parameters.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided which is capable of correctly reproducing a read image, by correcting variation in read data derived from variation in light intensity and variation in sensitivity, using reading means capable of logarithmic conversion such as an LOG CCD. As variation in read data caused by insufficient light intensity in a shade region of an original is corrected, even when there is a shade in an original image having halftone gradation, satisfactory image reproduction is possible. Since variation in read data caused by insufficient light intensity at the time of zooming is corrected, image quality is not degraded even when electrical zooming is performed. Further, variation in read data caused by fluctuation in light intensity, variation in photosensitivity and types of original is corrected, AD conversion with uniform resolution is possible even when output levels differ because of light distribution variation of a light source or variation in sensitivity of sensors.

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: Originals are fed onto a platen glass one by one by an automatic original feeder to be read out by a reading system. The originals are converted into digital image data. The image data is transferred to a memory unit. The memory unit is controlled by a CPU. The memory unit is configured of an image memory, a sentence direction recognizing portion, an RAM producing a management table, an original direction (top and bottom direction) recognizing portion, a rotation processing portion, a sign memory and the like. Based on top and bottom directions of original images and directions in which sentences run included in the images, arrangement of images in a 2in1 or 4in1 mode is determined.

Abstract: An operation of an iris filter is carried out on an original image signal representing an image, and the degree of centralization of gradients of the original image signal with respect to a picture element is thereby calculated, each of picture elements constituting the image being taken as the picture element. An image portion, which is associated with a high degree of centralization, in the image is detected in accordance with the calculated degree of centralization. Image emphasis processing is then selectively carried out on the detected image portion. Alternatively, a morphology operation is carried out on an original image signal Dorg by using a multiply structure element Bi and a scale factor .lambda., and a morphology signal Dmor is thereby obtained.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus contains transfer modes such as a standard mode, a fine image quality mode, a super fine image quality mode which are different from one another in resolution. A signal representing each transfer mode is transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side before the transmission and reception of facsimile image data. A control unit detects the resolution of reception data according to the transfer mode signal to switch over methods for conversion into high-tone in a high-tone conversion unit or to set the magnification of conversion of a resolution conversion unit according to the detected resolution. In this case, when high resolution is detected, the unit for conversion into high-tone executes conversion into multi-value using an area of 17.times.17 picture elements around candidate picture elements for processing. When low resolution is detected, the unit executes the conversion into multi-value using an area of 11.times.

Abstract: An operation of an iris filter is carried out on an original image signal representing an image, and the degree of centralization of gradients of the original image signal with respect to a picture element is thereby calculated, each of picture elements constituting the image being taken as the picture element. An image portion, which is associated with a high degree of centralization, in the image is detected in accordance with the calculated degree of centralization. Image emphasis processing is then selectively carried out on the detected image portion. Alternatively, a morphology operation is carried out on an original image signal Dorg by using a multiply structure element Bi and a scale factor .lambda., and a morphology signal Dmor is thereby obtained.

Abstract: An operation of an iris filter is carried out on an original image signal representing an image, and the degree of centralization of gradients of the original image signal with respect to a picture element is thereby calculated, each of picture elements constituting the image being taken as the picture element. An image portion, which is associated with a high degree of centralization, in the image is detected in accordance with the calculated degree of centralization. Image emphasis processing is then selectively carried out on the detected image portion. Alternatively, a morphology operation is carried out on an original image signal Dorg by using a multiply structure element Bi and a scale factor .lambda., and a morphology signal Dmor is thereby obtained.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus arranged to receive image information from a memory device for storing color image information and then to form an image on an image-forming medium. This apparatus allows an operator to specify the size and the layout of a color image to be formed on the image-forming medium while viewing a display provided on a monitor device. The apparatus can change the size of the color image information read from the memory device to the required magnification in accordance with a command given by the specifying element, thereby producing a printout. In this case, the operator can adjust the image quality of image information to be printed out while visually confirming the quality of the image displayed on the monitor device, whereby no proof printout is needed.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling image streams that use motion vectors is disclosed. The system combines an error term with a predicted term in order to produce a display value. The system operates on image components represented in the spatial and frequency domains. The system processes motion vectors in the spatial domain. The motion vectors are scaled. The integral part of the scaled motion vector addresses a framestore. The fractional portion of the scaled motion vector is input to a nonlinear filter which determines the value of image components for a location that does not correspond with an image location in the framestore. The output of the nonlinear filter comprises the predicted terms. Data in the frequency domain is processed more efficiently by reducing the size of a block of data by appropriate filtering. The resulting data is transformed to the spatial domain.

Abstract: It is determined whether the long sides of a document are parallel to the main or sub scanning direction of a scanner to set resolutions of image data along the short and long sides of the document while the image data is being facsimiled. When the long sides of the document is parallel to the main scanning direction, the scanner scans the document in the main scanning direction by the resolution along the long sides and in the sub scanning direction by the resolution along the short sides to read the image data. The image data is rotated 90 degrees, and the rotated image data is facsimiled in the A4-R direction based on the ITU's recommendation. The image data is not degraded when it is rotated but can be transmitted in good quality.

Abstract: A color image reading apparatus comprises: first to N.sup.th (color line image) sensors for receiving respective color images from the projected image and respectively generating first to N.sup.th (color) signals, the first to N.sup.th sensors respectively extending in a main scanning direction and being arranged in a sub-scanning direction SD in order from the first to N.sup.th sensors with different pitches between the first to (N-1).sup.th sensors and the N.sup.th sensor; a receiving circuit for receiving an enlargement ratio and for supplying a scanning pitch according to the enlargement ratio; a scanning unit responsive to the scanning pitch for scanning the image against the first to N.sup.th sensors in the SD at the scanning pitch in the order, wherein lines of the first to (N-1).sup.th sensors deviate from the lines of the N.sup.th sensor according to the enlargement ratio; and a line combining portion for selecting one of lines of each of the first to (N-1).sup.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a scanner for reading an image, a controller for converting the scanned image to a image having a predetermined resolution, a recorder for recording the image having a predetermined resolution, on a recording sheet and a motor for feeding the recording sheet a predetermined pitch. The controller skips some of the image data converted to the predetermined resolution according to a size that the image is to be reduced to, such that no more than one line of image data is skipped successively. When successive lines of image data are recorded the controller controls the motor to feed the recording sheet at the predetermined pitch, separated by a first interval of time. When one line of image data is skipped the controller controls the motor to feed the recording sheet at the predetermined pitch, separated by a second interval of time which is twice as long as the first interval of time.

Abstract: A handy printing device comprises a printing unit that forms images on a print medium in consecutive scan lines resulting from scanning relative movement between the printing unit and the print medium: a movement amount detection unit that detects amount of relative movement between the printing unit and the print medium; an interface that receives print data from an external source; a received data memory that stores the print data received by the interface; a print data extraction unit that extracts, from the print data stored in the received data memory, print data to be printed by the printing unit in a single scan line; and a print control unit that controls the printing unit to print the single scan line based on detection by the movement amount detection unit and on the print data extracted by the print data extraction unit.

Abstract: A communication system is constructed by interconnecting a data terminal and a communication terminal via an interface. The communication terminal receives text data created by the data terminal, develops these data into image data and then transmits the image data. In response to a command from the data terminal, the communication terminal uses a reader to read the image of an original, thereby acquiring image data, and transmits these image data to a line. On the other hand, the order of transmission of the image data based upon the text data and the image data based upon the reading of the image of the original is set at the data terminal. On the basis of the order of transmission set, the data terminal controls the execution of transmission of the two types of data in the communication terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio of an image. An image reduction apparatus for reducing an image and for transmitting a reduced image to a printer includes a controller for generating position information relative to a pixel and a line constituting an image, a scanner for receiving an image of a document and for generating intermediate tone image data in pixel units according to the position information, and an image processor for receiving the position information, for determining whether or not the intermediate tone image data transmitted from the scanner should be supplied to the printer, and for discarding the intermediate tone image data or transmitting the intermediate tone image data to the printer according to the latter determination. An image enlargement apparatus includes the same basic components, but converts an enlargement ratio into a conversion ratio for enlargement, the enlargement process being followed by a reduction process as appropriate.

Abstract: A high resolution continuous tone medical image printer is capable of printing a high resolution image on a plurality of different sized media. In a normal resolution mode, a medical image of m.times.n pixels is printed on a first sized media with a variable pixel clock operating at a first pixel clock rate, and in a second resolution mode where the medical image of m.times.n pixels is printed on a second sized media larger than the first sized media in either or both the line scan direction and the page scan direction, the pixel clock is operated at a pixel clock rate less than the first pixel clock rate such that m pixels are printed per line with the pixel size being larger in the line scan direction and such that lines of pixels are added so that more than n lines of pixels are printed in the page scan direction and such that the beam of light size, the scanner speed and the page scan speed are held constant no matter what sized media is being printed.

Abstract: In an image retrieval apparatus, a desired image is recorded on a storage medium so as to correspond to an index image, and a recorded image is retrieved using an index image selected by the user. When recording an image on a storage medium or when retrieving an image from a storage medium, an index image can be assigned using a mark sheet on which a plurality of index images are printed. The image retrieval apparatus prints a mark sheet having a format corresponding to the number and the size of index images input by the user.

Abstract: According to a facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus accepts image information, detects a predetermined amount of the input length of the input image information, sets the reduction ratio of the input image information on the basis of the detected input length and a predetermined fixed length, and outputs image information input in an output length on the basis of the set reduction ratio.

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: 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 image forming system with an image combine function. A copy function controller and an expanded function controller are provided. The copy function controller controls a copy process in which an image reading device reads document images and an image forming device forms images on recording paper sheets according to the images read by the image reading device by commands from the operation device. The expanded function controller controls an expanded function that uses at least one of the image reading device and the image forming device. The copy function controller has a combine copy function in which plural documents read by the image reading device are combined and formed on one recording paper sheet. The combine copy function is executed until after at least reading of all the document image data has been completed, even if a change command from the combine copy function to an expanded function is sent from the operation device while the combine copy function is executed.

Abstract: An image processing system for effecting a predetermined transformation to data representing a multiplicity of pixels which together form an initial image so as to create data representing a multiplicity of pixels which together form a transformed image in which each pixel is formed as a weighted combination of pixels in a respective block of data in the initial image. The system includes a controller operable for each pixel in the transformed image to identify the block of data containing all pixels in the initial image that contribute to the transformed image pixel, to divide the block into a plurality of sub-blocks comprising a plurality of rows of pixel data and plurality of columns of pixel data, and to calculate for each sub-block a set of transformation coefficients depending on the predetermined transformation.

Abstract: A method of generating an upsampled target pixel positioned between two lines of input source data includes the step of comparing pixels of different lines of the source data in a region surrounding the upsampled target pixel to be generated in at least two different directions. An interpolation direction based on the comparison is selected and interpolations between selected pixels of the source data in the determined interpolation direction are carried out to compute intermediate pixels on a line segment passing through the upsampled target pixel. An interpolation between the intermediate pixels is carried out to generate the upsampled target pixel. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an encode process unit for: (a) allocating image data of an original document into blocks containing a predetermined pixel matrix, and (b) determining from the image data in each block a mean value information and a gradient range exponent for each block; a series copy data generating unit for generating reduction image data for a plurality of reduction images by using the mean value information for each of the blocks as image data for the reduction images so that each pixel of the reduction images corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of blocks of the original document image data; and an image forming unit for forming images based on the reduction image data generated by the series copy data generating unit.

Abstract: A device for changing a resolution of a facsimile includes a pinion gear rotated by the driving power of a driving motor, a first gear for rotating a driving roller to convey a document to a contact image sensor, a second gear for changing its driving path according to a rotation direction of the pinion gear; and a third gear interlocked or separated with the first gear according to the rotation direction of the second gear. This changes the resolution. The contact image sensor reads, codes, compresses, and transmits the document data.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus with plural sheet cassettes of different sizes, a cassette selecting method consists of calculating cassette information for each cassette based on the length and width of the image to be recorded, comparing the cassette information for the different cassettes and selecting an optimum cassette according to the comparison. The cassette information becomes larger in magnitude as the priority for selection becomes higher, represent various image forming modes.

Abstract: In an image processing method, an image is read by an image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine and the read image is divided into blocks composed of a plurality of picture elements. Thereafter, interpolation is performed on a target picture element so that the image is scaled. Then, in the above image processing method, region segmentation data, which represent possibilities of characters, photographs and mesh dots of the target picture element of the image, are detected in a region segmentation section of the image processing apparatus, and the interpolated picture element data of the target picture element are computed by a variable scaling section according to an equation in which density of a plurality of adjacent picture elements in the vicinity of the target picture element are inputted. At this time, a weights of the density of each adjacent picture element in the equation is adjusted based upon the result detected by the region segmentation means.

Abstract: In an image reader, a main scanning start point of a magnification-changing processing is stored in a main scanning start point register. An increment corresponding to a magnification-changing ratio is stored in an incremental register. A pixel number to be outputted as a magnification-changing output is stored in a multiple-changing output pixel number register. A pixel counter counts the number of pixels to be outputted as the magnification-changing output. An adder serially adds an increment to the main scanning start point and outputs it to a latch. A line memory stores original image data to be read, and the sum of the output value of the latch and +1 is given as a read address. A mean value arithmetic unit calculates a mean value of two adjacent pixels and outputs it as data after the magnification-changing processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a resolution of a document to be transmitted at a high rate is disclosed. Horizontal converting section reduces or magnifies an input signal in accordance with the horizontal resolution specified by both a conversion magnification signal and a reduction/magnification mode signal in response to reference clock signals, and provides a horizontal conversion signal horizontally converted and a horizontal dot signal. Vertical converting section reduces or magnifies the horizontal conversion signal from the horizontal converting section in accordance with the vertical resolution specified by the conversion magnification signal on the basis of a line start signal, the conversion magnification signal and the mode signal, and provides a vertical conversion signal. Address generating section provides an address signal on the basis of the line start signal.

Abstract: The thumbnail image signal output apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image input device which inputs an image; a storage device which stores a plurality of images each of which has been input via the image input device; an image processing device which processes the image which has been input; an update device which updates one of a plurality of images stored in the storage device which corresponds to the image processed by the image processing device to the image after such processing; an image conversion device which converts a plurality of images stored in the storage device into thumbnail images; and an output device which outputs an image signal for displaying converted thumbnail images upon a display device.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus for recording an image on a fixed-size recording paper sheet includes a memory circuit for storing a received image, an effective data area recognition circuit for obtaining an effective data area of the received image, and a magnification circuit for determining a magnification of the received image by comparing the effective data area and a recording paper sheet size.

Abstract: An image editing apparatus which is capable of assembling a plurality of original documents on one sheet as an output data without impairing the legibility of characters in the reduced images. This apparatus reads images in original documents, detects the size of characters in the read original documents, sets the number of original document images to be produced per page for the output data based on the detected character size, and reduces and edits the read image data into the output data having the set number of original document images per page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing an image for a display, first digitizes the image to produce a map of the image, this map containing pixels having 2.sup.n grey levels where n is the number of bits per pixel. The map of the image is then downsampled to produce a downsampled map of the image. Thresholding is then performed on the downsampled map of the image to reduce the number of bits per pixel from n bits to m bits to produce a thresholded downsampled map of the image, where m is less than n. The number of bits per pixel is restored from m bits to p bits, where p is greater than m, to produce a restored thresholded downsampled map of the image. The restored thresholded downsampled map of the image can be downsampled again to produce an image map suitable for display on a low to moderate cost display, such as a CRT, with grey scale capability. The displayed image has an enhanced appearance, since it is high fidelity with respect to the original.

Abstract: An image data enlargement/reduction method for use in a digital image processing system, performs enlargement and reduction of image data by employing a small quantity of data from a look-up table while satisfying a large range of enlargement and reduction operations as requested by a user, with a simplified circuit structure. Enlargement/reduction data is calculated by a microprocessor so that the zooming ratio can be easily modified by a software change.

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