Abstract: In an image forming device, output is prohibited by an output control unit if specific image data is detected in image data obtained by reading an original document. The current data is acquired when the output control unit prohibits output, and the password is created in accordance with the current data. The image data which is prohibited from being output by the output control unit is transmitted to an administrator, and then if output permission is obtained by the administrator, output permitted data is generated as an image in which a password created by the password creating unit is embedded in such a manner that a user can not identify the password, and is output by the output unit. The output permitted image outputted by the output unit is read by the reading unit, and then the embedded password data is extracted by the extraction unit.

Abstract: A data distribution system in which distribution data is generated by a distribution data generation portion, a second range is specified by a specifying portion, the second range is mapped to a first range by a mapping portion, and third image data is generated by performing binarization based on a threshold value regulated in the first range by various components. In this way, binarization can be suitably performed even when pixel value distribution data differs for each subject.

Abstract: If there is any unprocessed character area, and if there is any character area sharing a common character color with the unprocessed character area, the image processing apparatus calculates, as a first number, the total number of the pixels included in these two character areas. The image processing apparatus also calculates, as a second number, the number of pixels included in an area formed by integrating the two character areas. Then, the image processing apparatus judges whether the ratio of the first number to the second number is less than a predetermined threshold value. In other words, the image processing apparatus judges whether the following is satisfied: Second Number/First Number<Threshold Value If this is satisfied, the image processing apparatus integrates the areas, and also integrates the attribute information.

Abstract: When generating outline data, the contour pixels of the binarized image data are first extracted. Based on the extracted contour pixels, the contour of the image data is approximated to a straight line. In the straight-line approximation process, the distance between adjacent contour pixels among the extracted contour pixels is calculated. It is determined based on the result of the comparison between the length of the first straight line and the length of the second straight line whether the first straight line is used as a contour of the image data. The first straight line connects the first contour pixel and the second contour pixel adjacent to the first contour pixel. The second straight line connects the second contour pixel and the third contour pixel adjacent to the second contour pixel.

Abstract: An image acquiring unit reads an original and outputs whole image data of the original including a vertical streak portion corresponding to a location of a foreign material on a read surface of the reading unit. A storing unit stores therein the image data output from the image acquiring unit. A dividing unit defines an edge portion of the image data and divides the image data into vertical-streak-correction subject data and image portion data. A vertical-streak correcting unit performs a correction process on the vertical-streak-correction subject data to compensate a degradation in image quality due to the foreign material.

Abstract: When the data is divided into blocks each having a set block size, and image data includes an object which extends over a plurality of blocks, the object is divided based on object information associated with the object. The object information of the divided object is re-set based on the object information associated with the object divided into blocks. Block vector image data are generated using the object having the re-set object information.

Abstract: A mechanism for performing tab paper printing and test printing by simple operation is provided. A printer performs a print process with an image formation position unshifted in the test printing and a print process with the image formation position shifted in the tab paper printing. In case of performing the tab paper printing after the test printing, the printing is performed by using print data already held in the printer or a host computer. It structured to enable to output to a plain paper a print result in which a decoration is added only to a tab position correspondence portion, enable to change its decoration method, and enable easy discrimination of the position. By the above structure, a user can easily correct the position of the content intended to be printed on a tab, and costs necessary for the tab paper used in the test can be reduced.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus having an Automatic Background Removal (ABR) function in an automatic document feeder mode and an operation control method thereof. The image-forming apparatus includes a first movement unit to move a document loaded in a document tray from a first position to a second position; a second movement unit to move a carriage containing a light source from the first position to the second position; an image processing part to process an image of the document into predetermined image data; and a control part to control the image processing part to process an image of a specific portion of the document read out by the carriage fixed at the first position and to process an entire image of the document read out by the carriage fixed at the second position in use of a predetermined contrast equalization pattern selected based on a image processing result of the specific portion.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying captured written data associated with a writing surface using a pen-based computing system are described. In one embodiment, a series of writing surfaces, such as notebooks, are produced, each including a plurality of pages that have an encoded pattern. In an embodiment, each writing surface is also associated with an identifier recognizable by a smart pen or other data capture device. When the smart pen captures written data from a writing surface, the smart pen determines whether the pen-based computing system includes stored written data previously captured from a writing surface having the same encoded pattern as the writing surface from which written data is currently being captured.

Abstract: An output image formed from at least a portion of one or more input images may be automatically synthesized as a tapestry image. To determine which portion or region of each input image will be used in the image tapestry, the regions of each image may be labeled by one of a plurality of labels. The multi-class labeling problem of creating the tapestry may be resolved such that each region in the tapestry is constructed from one or more salient input image regions that are selected and placed such that neighboring blocks in the tapestry satisfy spatial compatibility. This solution may be formulated using a Markov Random Field and the resulting tapestry energy function may be optimized in any suitable manner. To optimize the tapestry energy function, an expansion move algorithm for energy functions may be generated to apply to non-metric hard and/or soft constraints.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit 3 that reads a front side image and a rear side image from a front side and a rear side of a medium, respectively, a mark detecting unit 42 that detects a combination instruction mark present in a predetermined position of at least one of the front side image and the rear side image, and an image combining unit 44 that combines, when the combination instruction mark is detected, a front side sliced image and a rear side sliced image sliced from predetermined positions of the front side image and the rear side image in a predetermined direction to obtain one image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including, an image processing unit that performs a first image processing on image data including one or more image constituent parts, an incompatible part detection unit that executes an incompatibility detection processing, and an accounting unit that accounts for the executed incompatibility detection processing. Preferably, the incompatibility detection processing detects an incompatible part incompatible with the first image processing from the image constituent parts.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reader, a storage unit, and a control unit, wherein the storage unit includes a command storage unit, and the control unit includes a mark detecting unit that detects at least one mark matching the characteristic information of the mark from the margin of the manuscript read by the image reader to acquire the characteristic information of the detected mark, a positional information determining unit that detects coordinates of the mark in the manuscript to determine the positional information corresponding to the detected coordinates, a command searching unit that searches the command storage unit for the command associated with the characteristic information and the positional information using the characteristic information and the positional information as search keys, and a command executing unit that executes the processing specified for the command searched for on the manuscript.

Abstract: A scanner unit 105 of an MFP 100 performs prescanning and generates white area determination data 301. Next, at the scanning operation, the scanner unit 105 refers to the white area determination data 301 to detect a white stripe. In this area, a motor is driven at high speed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates detecting white space tables within a document, wherein a white space table is comprised of text arranged in rows and columns, wherein at least some of the rows and columns are separated by bands of white space rather than by lines. The system operates by identifying an area that includes consecutive lines of text objects with an amount of white space between text objects greater than a specified value. Note that a text object is a string of text without an amount of white space greater than the specified value. The system then determines if the text objects on consecutive lines have widths that are within a specified tolerance of each other. If so, the system checks the spaces between the consecutive lines of text objects to determine if they belong to a single white space table or multiple white space tables.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus on a network stores data in the form of albums in each of which a plurality of data are archived, and the information processing apparatus provides stored albums to communication terminals via the network in an efficient manner. The information processing apparatus detects the device type of a communication terminal and determines whether a part or all of data included in an album should be provided at a time to the communication terminal, depending on the detected type of the communication terminal. This makes it possible even for a communication terminal having low communication performance to receive data via the network without encountering an error.

Abstract: An original copy sheet is pre-scanned to obtain pre-scanned image data of a bit map form with a low resolution. The pre-scanned image data is converted to JPEG thumbnail image data. An EXIF file is formed in an external media to store the JPEG thumbnail image data in the EXIF file. The original copy sheet is mainly scanned to obtain main image data of a bit map form with a high resolution. The main image data is converted to JPEG main image data. In the EXIF file in the external media, the JPEG main image data is stored.

Abstract: A print control apparatus is connected to a printing device, and includes: a generation unit that generates first vector data for printing an image on a single sheet and second vector data for enlarging the image and printing the enlarged image on a plurality of sheets in a divisional manner; an conversion unit that converts the first vector data and the second vector data generated by the generation unit into first bitmap data and second bitmap data, respectively; a division unit that divides the second bitmap data into units corresponding to each of the plurality of sheets; and an output control unit that outputs the first bitmap data and the divided second bitmap data to the printing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a captured image and, more particularly, for processing a captured image comprising a document. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprising a camera to capture documents is described. In another embodiment, a method for processing a captured image that includes a document comprises the steps of distinguishing an imaged document from its background, adjusting the captured image to reduce distortions created from use of a camera and properly orienting the document is described.

Abstract: It is desired to easily and effectively correct hue and saturation in a predetermined region, for an image which cannot be desirably corrected by conversion of the brightness or colors of the entire image. To this end, an image is loaded onto a RAM, and the contrast and color balance of the input image are corrected. A predetermined region is extracted from the corrected image, and it is checked if a predetermined region is set. If the predetermined region is set, a color correction process of the predetermined region is executed.

Abstract: An input scanner, such as used in a digital copier, accepts original documents on sheets of any number of possible sizes within a single job. The video output of the scanner is applied to an algorithm to determine the length, along a process direction, of useful image data on each sheet. From such a determination, a size of output copy sheets can be automatically selected, or the image can be automatically changed in size in subsequent processing. A prescan of the original documents is not required.

Abstract: A color conversion section in an image processing apparatus converts input colors at positions of interest in input color document data to a limited number of colors, on the basis of page layout information that is updated on a page-by-page basis and delivered from a page layout analysis section, a color-assignment table that is updated on a page-by-page basis and delivered from a color-assignment table generating section, and color category attribute information relating to the positions of interest in the input color document data, which is delivered from a color categorizing section.

Abstract: A method of editing a printed page comprises feeding a printed page into a multifunction printer with the printed page including text and at least one handwritten edit symbol. A first electronic printable file, which corresponds to the text of printed page, and at least one electronic edit symbol, which corresponds to the at least one handwritten edit symbol, are obtained via the multifunction printer. Via the multifunction printer, the first electronic printable file is electronically modified with at least one electronic edit instruction, which corresponds to the at least one electronic edit symbol, to create a second electronic printable file that includes the text modified according to the at least one handwritten edit symbol.

Abstract: A system comprising a facsimile device configured to transmit a code-associated information material, an interactive user device, and a processor. Typically, the code-associated information material is a medical record to which a barcoded fax cover sheet is appended. The interactive device is preferably a computer terminal, wherein the processor is coupled to the interactive user device via the Internet. The processor is configured to receive from the facsimile device a transmission of the information material, and to display it to an authorized user upon a request from the authorized user. The information material may be displayed via Internet, or else may be faxed to an authorized user in response to a telephone call.

Abstract: An image input/output system obtains a print-job that includes printing-mode information and print-data, and analyzes the printing-mode information to determine whether the output mode of the print-data is a high-contrast output mode or a low-contrast output mode. According to the determined output mode, the image-processing device generates image data by calculating the color-space conversion of the print-data at a high bit-depth if the output mode is high-contrast, or at a low bit-depth if the output mode is low-contrast, thereby achieving output with high reproducibility in a high-contrast output mode, and high-speed output in a low-contrast output mode.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of modification of an image prior to scanning by a scanning device having a scanning element, a viewing surface, a glass platen, and a controller having memory capability, includes opaque adjustable bounding strips. The bounding strips are viewable through the viewing surface of the scanning device and are located between the inside surface of the glass platen and the scanning element. The bounding strips are movable to identify a selected portion of an image to be scanned. The apparatus also includes software for performing a scan of the selected portion of the image and identifying its location, based on the location of the adjustable bounding strips.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for assembling graphics information as a graphics display for presentation on a visual interface, the graphics information including a plurality of image tiles stored in a data store. The system and method comprise a management module for receiving a graphics request message and for coordinating processing of a selected number of the image tiles to generate at least one representative image tile as the graphics display in response to the graphics request message. The system and method also comprise a graphics system coupled to the management module for receiving processing information from the management module to facilitate access to the selected number of the image tiles. The selected number of image tiles are processed as a combination to generate the least one representative image tile, such that the graphics system includes graphics hardware such as a GPU/VPU configured for processing the graphics information.

Abstract: The present invention enables dust removal to be effectively performed even when using the operation history on images containing different pictures. An image editing apparatus includes a storage unit for storing a plurality of image data to be edited and a display unit for displaying the image data to be edited, an image processing unit adapted to perform image processing on the image data to be edited, a history storage unit adapted to store information regarding the processing history of image data to be edited which have previously undergone image processing, a position obtaining unit adapted to obtain position information regarding a position at which the image processing had been applied from the processing history information, and a display controller adapted to cause a portion, to which the image processing would be applied among the images to be edited, to be displayed on a display area for images to be edited on the display unit, based on the position information.

Abstract: A printing system includes a memory that stores information including at least metadata, a printer and a controller that controls the printing system to embed the metadata into a data stream for the print job. After the controller controls the printer to print the print job, the controller controls the printer to reprint a portion of the print job based on the embedded metadata if the printing of the print job is not acceptable. A method of using a printing system includes a storing information including metadata, controlling the printing system to embed the metadata into a data stream for the print job and reprinting a portion of the print job based on the embedded metadata if the printing of the print job is not acceptable.

Abstract: A system for administering readout contents according to the present invention includes: an image reader device having an image read unit for reading out contents information drawn on display media with an RF-ID tag and an RF-ID read unit for reading out identification information on the RF-ID tag of the display media by wireless communication; and a data administration device for accumulating the contents information read out by the image read unit and administration information related to the contents information, in association with identification information.

Abstract: Embodiments of a scanning method utilizing a virtual frame holder are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes using a computer drive scan program to perform a scanning preview, determining whether to utilize a frame holder specification parameter data source. In this embodiment, the frame holder specification is selected from the frame holder specification parameters data source. In an additional embodiment, a frame holder specification parameter is created from the frame holder specification.

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

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

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including an image reading portion operable to read an image on an original, to obtain image information, an image-information outputting portion operable to output the image information to an external device, an image recording portion operable to record an image on a recording medium, on the basis of the image information obtained by the image reading portion, an original-size specifying portion operable to specify a size of the original, a recording-medium-size obtaining portion operable to obtain a size of the, recording medium, and an image-reading-area setting portion operable to set an image reading area of the image reading portion, on the basis of the size of the original specified by the original-size specifying portion, upon operation of the image-information outputting portion, and to set the image reading area, on the basis of the size of the recording medium obtained by the recording-medium-size obtaining portion, upon operation of the image recording portion.

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

Abstract: Highlighting selected objects in an electronic document is provided in a manner such that a highlighted object maintains coloring and formatting properties to allow for a maintenance of visual fidelity with a pre-highlighted view of the highlighted object and that allows for a semi-transparent background underneath a highlighted object that allows a user to see and appreciate the coloring and any visual properties applied to the background underneath the highlighting applied to the selected object.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a scanning function and a method thereof are disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a flatbed unit having a document region on which a document is placed and a menu region to designate a menu, a scanning unit to read document data and menu data by scanning the flatbed unit, and a control unit to control a specified operation corresponding to the menu data for the document data.

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

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically locates a source point within an image for an image-retouching tool. During operation, the system receives an image, wherein the image includes a defective area. Next, the system determines visual characteristics for the defective area. The system then searches around the defective area to identify candidate replacements for the defective area, and also determines visual characteristics for the candidate replacements. Next, the system compares visual characteristics of the defective area with visual characteristics for the candidate replacements to select a candidate replacement to be used as the source point from which pixels can be copied by the image-retouching tool. Note that this system not only improves the usability of image-retouching tools, but can also improve the quality of the result.

Abstract: A method for segmentation of characters in text that segments text into lines, words and slices and determines at least one of fixed pitch and proportional pitch prior to segmentation. The method computes histograms of the lines and defines widths of lobes of the histograms of the lines as the character pitches. In addition, the method further analyzes the character pitches; segments lines into words; computes histograms of the words and aggregating the histograms of the words at predetermined points. Moreover, the method segments the words; slicing them words into an upper slice and lower slice and further segments the upper slice and the lower slice. The results are then combined to provide for both coarse and fine segmentation that enhance the performance of character OCR for documents scanned as at least one of gray-scale images and color images.

Abstract: A method selectively acquiring one or more images from a hardcopy document is provided. The method includes demarking boundaries on one or more hardcopy pages using a writing instrument to differentiate a selected image portion from a non-selected image portion, scanning the one or more demarked hardcopy pages with an image acquisition device, acquiring one or more images from the hardcopy pages, and processing the acquired one or more images from the selected image portion to differentiate them from the non-selected image portion.

Abstract: An image processing system and method are provided for judging whether a pixelised image or a part thereof is a monochrome or a color image. To increase the reliability of the judgement, instead of making the judgement on the level of an individual pixel, the judgement is made for substantially all the pixels of the image or image part at the same time by analyzing the cumulative histogram, wherein the distance of each pixel to the gray axis versus the logarithm of the cumulative pixel count is plotted. An advantage of the present system and the method of operating this system is their high sensitivity for detecting small color objects in monochrome images.

Abstract: A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image can be enlarged or reduced. More specifically, the shapes of a latent image portion and a background portion are changed according to a certain magnification factor, and a pattern appropriate for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is applied to a dot pattern making up the latent image portion and a background portion. Thus, the appropriate copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image according to the size of a document image after change can be generated without deteriorating the function of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image can be overlaid with the document image and output.

Abstract: A client apparatus specifies a particular region in an image to be transmitted and a processing method thereof, and generates processing information. A job is generated based on the image and the processing information, and transmitted to an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus transmits the image via facsimile. According to the processing information, processing of erasing a particular image within the particular region is performed. The processing information and the processed image are stored in a storage section. When the image is retransmitted, the image is read from the storage section and edited so that an image of a string such as a date is attached to the particular region, according to the processing information. The edited image is transmitted via facsimile. Thereby, it is possible to prevent leakage of confidential information from an image stored for reuse.

Abstract: A digital image is composed at a digital transmitter device from a hardcopy source. The digital image includes an optically scanned image. Indicia is detected on the hardcopy image. A substitute is made for the indicia in the composed digital image. A modified rendering of the digital image is output.

Abstract: MFP 100A reads attribute information from an IC tag of a document related to IC tagged printed matter set on ADF 141 by means of IC tag reader 143A, displays modifiable attribute information on control unit 130, and receives an input of modification instruction. Next, it reads image data from an IC tag of the document by IC tag reader 143A and receives an instruction input on which of the attribute information and image data, either before or after the modification, is to be written on the IC tag of the IC tag printing paper. It prints the modified image data on the IC-tagged printing paper based on the attribute information after the modification by means of printing unit 151 and writes on the IC tag of the printing paper the attribute information and the image data, either before or after the modification, according to said instruction.

Abstract: A form recognizing apparatus, a form recognizing method and a form recognizing program for easily and precisely recognizing whether or not a form including multiple pages corresponds to any of multiple registered forms are disclosed. A form is registered. The registered form includes a feature amount and weight information of each page of the registered form. A page similarity value of each page of each of the registered forms is calculated by comparing a feature amount of each page of an input form image to be recognized and a feature amount of the corresponding page of the registered form. A form similarity value between the input form image to be recognized and each of the registered forms is calculated by weighting the page similarity values of the calculated pages by using weight information of the registered pages. A registered form corresponding to the form image to be recognized is determined.

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

Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to implement a high-speed printing operation based on print data attached with a digital signature. The apparatus comprises: a storage section to store print data; a, digital signature analyzing section to analyze a digital signature; a language analyzing section to analyze the print data; an image processing section to create bitmap data; a printing section to implement a printing operation; and a control section that selectively conducts either a first controlling operation or a second controlling operation.

Abstract: The invention provides an information retrieval apparatus and an information retrieval method by which information can be retrieved in an improved operability. A CPU controls a video camera to fetch an image and controls a GPS to detect a current position. The CPU reads out, from within image data stored in a corresponding relationship with URLs of WWW servers, those image data which correspond to position data regarding positions around the detected current position from a WWW data base via a modem and a host machine. Then, the CPU selects, from among the read out image data, that image data which matches with the fetched data, reads out a URL corresponding to the image data and accesses a WWW server designated by the URL.