Abstract: A duplex scanning apparatus capable of switching a scanning background includes a pair of glass plates, a pair of background boards pivoted to the glass plates and a driving mechanism. The glass plates are disposed in a frame and overlapped with each other. The two glass plates define two scanning areas face to face. A portion of the frame adjacent to an outer surface of the glass plate defines a first color area of the scanning background corresponding to the scanning area. One background board is positioned above one glass plate, and the other background board is positioned under the other glass plate and away from the one background board. Each background board defines a second color area of the scanning background corresponding to the scanning area. The driving mechanism mounted in the frame drives the background boards to turn over with respect to the corresponding glass plates.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image interpolation unit to compute a correct pixel value of a target pixel subject to interpolation of a halftone image. The image interpolation unit includes a base pattern setting unit to set a base pattern including the target pixel, a reference pattern setting unit to set reference pattern in a region peripheral to the target pixel, an analogous pattern acquisition unit to acquire at least one analogous pattern analogous to the base pattern from the reference pattern, a high-resolution pattern creating unit to create a high-resolution pattern having a predetermined resolution or higher by synthesizing the acquired analogous pattern, a pixel value estimating unit to compute an estimated pixel value of the target pixel based on the created high-resolution pattern, and a pixel value determination unit to determine the correct pixel value of the target pixel based on the computed estimated pixel value.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes: a reader that reads an image on a document; an image forming unit that forms on a recording medium the image read by the reader; and a detector configured to detect a color image from the image read by the reader and trigger the image forming unit to form a mark for image adjustment before forming the color image on the recording medium if the detector detects the color image.

Abstract: The image reading device includes a first document member, a white reference plate, an image sensor, a conveying section, and a control section. A first document is placed on the first document member. The image sensor reads the first document placed on the first document member. The conveying section conveys the image sensor in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The image sensor reads the first document while being moved in the first direction. The control section executes a first control. The first control executes a process to control the image sensor to read the white reference plate, to control the conveying section to move the image sensor in the second direction, to control the conveying section to start moving the image sensor in the first direction, and to control the image sensor to read the first document, in this order.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image scanning device includes: a light source unit that emits light onto an original to be scanned; a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light from the original to an electric signal; a converting unit that converts the electric signal from the photoelectric conversion unit into digital image data; and a black correcting unit that performs black correction by correcting pixel-by-pixel black levels of pixels contained in pre-scanning digital image data obtained before the original is scanned based on a ratio of a dark-current black level of a pixel contained in ongoing-scanning digital image data obtained during scanning of the original to a dark-current black level of the pixel contained in the pre-scanning digital image data, and subtracting the corrected pixel-by-pixel black levels from the ongoing-scanning digital image data.

Abstract: An image processing device of the present application includes an image acquisition unit, a slope generation unit, and a slope correction unit. The image acquisition unit takes in an image data generated by an imaging element. The slope generation unit generates a slope correction data correcting, in a slope-shape, a signal irregularity caused in the image data due to a manufacturing process of the imaging element. The slope correction unit corrects the signal irregularity within the image data using the slope correction data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading glass, a second guide member, and a control section. The reading glass and the second guide member together form a document feed path. The second guide member includes a white reference plate. The control section performs, when it is determined that shading correction image data is affected by a stain, a stain location determination of whether the stain is attached to the reading glass or the second guide member according to a tone value variation in the portion of the shading correction image data that corresponds to the stain edge, the variation being along a predetermined distance in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: In an image reader, a reading member fixedly mounted in the image reader reads an image on a sheet conveyed into the image reader. A guide is disposed opposite the reading member to support the sheet with respect to the reading member. A guide moving member moves the guide with respect to the reading member in a main scanning direction in which the reading member reads the image on the sheet. A guide rotating member rotates the guide in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. A controller controls the reading member to scan different positions on the guide moved by the guide moving member and rotated by the guide rotating member to generate shading data.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to create electronic document data capable of highlighting an object detected through a search so that a user can easily recognize it. An image processing apparatus extracts an object from an input image and extracts metadata related to the object. The image processing apparatus, when determines to describe with a shape in accordance with the shape of the object, creates a vector path description of frame described with a shape in accordance with the shape of the object. Then, the image processing apparatus creates an electronic document including data of the input image and the vector path description of frame with which the metadata is associated. When a keyword search is performed on the created electronic document, highlight display is performed in accordance with the vector path description of frame with which metadata that matches the keyword is associated.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus including an image reading unit configured to read an image of a workpiece; a plurality of holding members each configured to hold the workpiece while image reading is performed by the image reading unit and each including an indicator identifying a type of holding member; an identification unit configured to identify the type of holding member based on a result of reading of the indicator by the image reading unit; and a correction unit configured to perform a shading correction of the image read by the image reading unit based on a result of identification by the identification unit.

Abstract: A reading-use holding member which is configured for use with an image reading apparatus including an image reading unit and which holds a sheet of workpiece while image reading is performed by the image reading unit, the reading-use holding member including a base being generally planar; an indicator provided at the base and configured to identify a type of holding member when read by the image reading unit; a holding portion provided at the base and configured to hold the workpiece; and a reference portion provided at the base and configured to provide a reference image data for use in a shading correction of an image read by the image reading unit.

Abstract: A method for imaging using a flatbed imaging system includes providing first imaging data to a first imaging source; providing second imaging data to a second imaging source; imaging a first beam from the first imaging source at a first height on a rotating multi-facet spinner; imaging a second beam from the second imaging source at a second height on the rotating multi-facet spinner; distributing the first beam on a first location on a printing plate; and distributing the second beam on a second location on a the printing plate.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of efficiently performing shading correction. The image reading apparatus includes a reading unit that is rotatable for reading an original. A CPU causes the reading unit to read, while the reading unit rotates after reading an image of the original, image data for use in correction of the read image. The CPU performs the correction using the image data read by the reading unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus 4 includes an image reading portion 38 which is unmovably arranged at one side with respect to a document transportation path 30, a white reference member 43 for shading correction which is arranged at the other side with respect to the document transportation path 30, a cover member 50 which is capable of being opened and closed so as to expose or cover the document transportation path 30, and a driving unit 55 which changes a posture of the white reference member 43 between an operating posture at the time of the shading correction and a non-operating posture. The white reference member 43 is attached to the cover member 55. Further, the white reference member 43 and the driving unit 55 are related to each other such that the white reference member 43 is not made into the operating posture in conjunction with an opening operation of the cover member 55.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus including a shading correction mechanism that can be formed by fewer component parts than conventional ones, and is increased in the degree of freedom of design, thereby enabling reduction of the size and weight thereof. A contact glass guides an original to an image reading position. A glass holding member holds the glass. A line image sensor reads an image on the original conveyed to the image reading location, through the contact glass. A reference member is disposed at a location different from the image reading location on the contact glass. A moving mechanism relatively moves the line image sensor and the reference member so that the line image sensor can alternatively read the original conveyed to the image reading location and the reference member. A drive section externally drives the moving mechanism to move the line image sensor and/or the reference member.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a pseudo-halftoning device; an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a recording medium; and a reading apparatus that read the toner image on the recording medium, in which the pseudo-halftoning device is such that pseudo-halftoning is performed on a target image by using a threshold matrix set including a plurality of threshold matrices, one threshold matrix for use is selected from the threshold matrix set according to a position of the target image to be used in the pseudo-halftoning performed on the target image, the threshold matrices in the threshold matrix set are identical with one another in periodic structure but different from one another only in a gradation characteristic, and a threshold matrix to be used is determined based on toner-image information data obtained by reading the toner image by the reading apparatus.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet, a reading unit configured to read an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit, a calibration member including a white reference region for acquiring correction data for correcting image information acquired by reading the image on the sheet with the reading unit, and a driving unit configured to move the calibration member so as to locate the white reference region in a position where the reading unit can read the white reference region if the correction data is acquired, and to locate a region other than the white reference region in a position that faces the sheet to be conveyed and is not brought into contact with the sheet if the sheet is conveyed.

Abstract: A document scanning device includes a pair of light guides that extend in a main scanning direction of a document and illuminate the document, and a reference plate that is positioned closer to the light guides than the document. Each of the light guides has a first area that illuminates the document and a second area that illuminates the reference plate. Each light guide illuminates the reference plate over a wider area between the light guides in the second area than each light guide illuminates the document in the first area. Therefore, the center of the reference plate is illuminated and a sufficient amount of light is reflected on the reference plate.

Abstract: An input of image data is received, and information of width and/or thickness of a recording medium, which receives an image representing the image data to be recorded thereon, is received. Then, a preset pressing pressure value, which is used when the image is recorded on the recording medium, is obtained based on the information of width and/or thickness, and information of image density in the reference area, which is a part of the image data, is obtained. Then, converted image density information is obtained by converting the information of image density in the reference area based on the pressing pressure value and the information of image density, and image data is generated according to the thus obtained converted image density information.

Abstract: An image correction apparatus and method for eliminating a lighting component are provided. A photographed original image is divided into a plurality of block units to calculate a representative brightness value of each of the divided block units. A background image having the size of the original image is generated using the calculated brightness value and interpolation. A lighting component is extracted from the background image and a lighting component included in the original image is eliminated using the extracted lighting component.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus is provided, which includes a housing having an opening in a reading surface, an imaging portion, arranged within the housing, that reads a document via the opening, and a position detection portion arranged within the opening.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a pair of pulleys between which a belt is stretched, and a pin that rotatably supports a driving pulley, of the pair of pulleys; a mount for fixing the pin; a housing; at least two first fastening parts, respectively including first bosses that extend vertically from a bottom portion of the housing and first fastening members that are inserted into the first bosses via the mount to fix the mount to the housing; and a second fastening part disposed on an opposite side to, the first fastening parts with respect to the pin in the scanning direction, including a second boss that extends vertically from the bottom portion of the housing and has a different height from the first bosses and a second fastening member that is inserted into the second boss via the mount to fix the mount to the housing.

Abstract: In an image transmission error restoring method and an apparatus using the same, a received image frame is divided into a plurality of blocks and each block is divided through a multi-resolution process. After the multi-resolution process, an error-occurred region is searched and the searched error-occurred region is recovered based on information selected from among global pixel information and local pixel information according to complexity of each block.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image reading apparatus that includes: a photoelectric sensor including plural reading pixels aligned in one direction and output an electric signal depending on the amount of light from an image on the document; a read control section that reads a document image with the photoelectric sensor in accordance with a read instruction, and obtains image data; a black correction section that performs a black correction to adjust an output under dark condition of each reading pixel to a value within a predetermined range, the output under dark condition being an electric signal output when the amount of light input is zero; and a black correction execution determining section that determines whether to perform the black correction, when the read interval between each two document sheets of the multi-page document is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An optical filter is provided on photoelectric conversion elements for monochrome reading. Each of a reflecting optical system and the optical filter has an end portion and a central portion in a predetermined direction. The optical filter suppresses light at a peak wavelength of a light source such that a difference between a sensitivity of optical path via the end portion of the reflecting optical system and the optical filter and a sensitivity of optical path via the central portion of the reflecting optical system and the optical filter fall within a range of 5% at the peak wavelength of light source.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a document positioning plate configured to position a document, a carriage configured to move a light source along the document positioning plate, a reading unit configured to read an image of a document illuminated by a light source of the carriage, a white reference member provided in the displacement range of the carriage, an input unit configured to input a reading start instruction for a document, and a control unit configured to move the carriage along the document positioning plate in response to a reading start instruction input via the input unit. The control unit moves the carriage to a first position at which the white reference member is provided, cause the reading unit to read the white reference member, moves the carriage to a second position that is an acceleration start position for accelerating toward the reading start position of the document positioning plate, and waits for a reading start instruction input from the input unit.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, a white reference member for obtaining a reference value used in shading correction in the reading mechanism and an elastic member for cleaning a surface of the transparent member are provided such that respective positions of the white reference member and the elastic member with respect to the transparent member are variable. A controller controls the positions of these members with respect to the transparent member to alternately achieve movement of the white reference member to a position where the white reference member faces the transparent member and movement of the elastic member to a position where the elastic member faces the transparent member. The controller calculates the above reference value using a plurality of detection values read by the reading mechanism through the above positional control.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a light source, a reading unit to convert received light to image data, a correction unit to correct the image data based on correction data, a storing unit storing the correction data, an illumination target switch unit to switch an illumination target between a read position and a reference position, a reflector reflecting light, a judgment unit to judge whether the image data outputted by the reading unit at the read position satisfies a predetermined condition, a correction data determination unit to determine the correction data in response to a fact that the illumination target of the light source is switched to the reference position, and a correction data update unit to store the correction data in the correction data storing unit. The illumination target switch unit switches the illumination target to the reference position if the image data satisfies the predetermined condition.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for automatically improving the contrast of an input image that is obtained from a digital camera or the like, and obtaining a sharper and clearing image. A contrast improvement unit performs a contrast improvement process on the input image by comparing an object pixel in the input image with pixels in the surrounding area. An image combination unit combines the enhanced image obtained by the contrast improvement process with the input image. The combined image is then output to a desired device such as a printer by an image output unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a gain setting section that sets a gain of a signal from image sensor, a reference data reading section that reads white and black reference data, an image reading section, a correction data generation section that generates correction data by synthesizing a substring extracted from white reference data with a substring extracted from black reference data, and a correction section that performs shading correction of image data using the correction data, wherein in a case where the black reference data is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the gain setting section performs resetting to lower the set gain, the reference data reading section rereads the black reference data by the reset gain, and the correction data generation section generates correction data by synthesizing the substring of the white reference data with the substring of the black reference data that has been reread.

Abstract: An image processing method, for correcting a blur a due to an optical system of an image capturing apparatus, the image processing method including, storing a plurality of representative filters in a memory, selecting a subset of representative filters from the plurality of representative filters based on a pixel position of a pixel of interest in an image, applying each of the selected representative filter to a pixel value of the pixel of interest, and correcting the pixel value of the pixel of interest based on (a) a result of the application of filters, and (b) the pixel position of the pixel of interest.

Abstract: An image scanner includes: an image sensor that photo-electrically converts reflected light from a document irradiated with light by a light source; an A/D converter that converts an analog image signal output from the image sensor into a digital signal; a lighting control unit that adjusts, in a period other than a document scanning period, a lighting period of the light source so that the light source is turned on and off alternately in a repetitive manner in units of a line cycle; a black correction unit that generates reference black data used for black correction based on effective pixel data in a light source non-lighting period in the period other than the document scanning period; and a white correction unit that generates shading data used for shading correction based on effective pixel data in a light source lighting period in the period other than the document scanning period.

Abstract: An image-correction method is realized, in which, by utilizing a table having small storage area, high-accuracy shading correction can be implemented, that does not undergo deterioration of performance, even when shading properties dynamically change.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for processing an image signal. The apparatus includes a first correction value derivation unit deriving a first correction value for correcting an input image signal for each pixel of a line in a horizontal direction based on the input image signal, a second correction derivation unit deriving a second correction value for correcting the input image signal for each pixel of a line in a vertical direction based on the input image signal, a third correction value derivation unit deriving a third correction value for correcting the input image signal for each pixel forming a display screen which displays an image, based on the first correction value and the second correction value, and a signal correction unit correcting the input image signal based on the third correction value.

Abstract: An image scanning device comprises a white reference board having a uniform white color; an irradiation device including a light source unit having a light source, the light source unit configured to irradiate a reflection side of the white reference board from only one oblique direction; an image sensor configured to detect reflected light from the white reference board; and a determination device configured to determine if an attached substance exists on the white reference board based on the reflected light detected by the image sensor. The irradiation device includes a reflection board configured to rotate and to focus the light from the light source by its rotation and reflect the focused light onto a manuscript.

Abstract: The method to control a light source in an image scanning apparatus includes emitting light onto a reference surface having a predetermined reflectivity from a light source, detecting a shading level representing an intensity of the light reflected from the reference surface, and controlling the light intensity from the light source by using the shading level and the reference level.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for approximating vertical and horizontal correction values in a pixel value correction calculation. Multiple vertical and/or horizontal correction curves are used and may be employed for one or more color channels of the imager. The use of multiple correction curves allows for a more accurate approximation of the correction curves for image pixels.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an assumed deteriorated image pixel value computing unit configured to calculate a pixel value of an assumed deteriorated image, wherein deterioration of a target image configured of multiple channels is assumed, for each of the channels as an assumed deteriorated image pixel value; a pseudo target image pixel value computing unit configured to calculate, regarding a pixel of interest that is a pixel of the target image corresponding to the assumed deteriorated image, a pixel value estimated for each of the channels as a pseudo target image pixel value for each of the channels based on the pixel values of the pixel of interest, and pixels adjacent thereto; and a restored image creating unit configured to create a restored image restored from the target image based on the calculated assumed deteriorated image pixel value and the calculated pseudo target image pixel value.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus includes a scanning unit, a transparent scanning bed optically coupled to the scanning unit, and an adjustable shade associated with the scanning bed, wherein the adjustable shade is configured to be selectively placed across the scanning bed to reduce a portion of the scanning bed.

Abstract: An image formation controller judges whether or not a tint block has been detected by a tint block processor upon judging that an automatic color determination mode is set in a multi functional peripheral. The image formation controller causes an image forming section to perform a monochromatic image forming operation if the tint block is a chromatic tint block when the tint block was detected by the tint block processor. On the other hand, the image formation controller causes the image forming section to perform an image forming operation corresponding to a determination result by an ACS processor when no tint block was detected and when the tint block was determined to be a monochromatic tint block.

Abstract: A “Blur Remover” provides various techniques for constructing deblurred images from a sequence of motion-blurred images such as a video sequence of a scene. Significantly, this deblurring is accomplished without requiring specialized side information or camera setups. In fact, the Blur Remover receives sequential images, such as a typical video stream captured using conventional digital video capture devices, and directly processes those images to generate or construct deblurred images for use in a variety of applications. No other input beyond the video stream is required for a variety of the embodiments enabled by the Blur Remover. More specifically, the Blur Remover uses joint global motion estimation and multi-frame deblurring with optional automatic video “duty cycle” estimation to construct deblurred images from video sequences for use in a variety of applications. Further, the automatically estimated video duty cycle is also separately usable in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A signal processing device (200) included in a display which has a color reproduction range larger than that of the input device.

Abstract: A calibration mechanism is positioned in a scanning device having a scanning module for scanning a document. The scanning module defines a scanning line perpendicular to a scanned area of the document. The calibration mechanism includes a calibration unit, a supporting unit supporting the calibration unit, and a driving unit. The calibration unit is positioned to face the scanning module and aligned with the scanning line. The driving unit drives the calibration unit to move close to the scanning module and away from the scanning module along the scanning line. The scanning module obtains great brightness value by scanning the calibration unit, if the calibration unit is close to the scanning module. The scanning module obtains small brightness value by scanning the calibration unit, if the calibration unit is far from the scanning module.

Abstract: There are provided an image reader with high resolution capability for images in a high density range and an image forming apparatus. An image reader 2 comprises a reflected light reading unit (11, 12, 13, 14, 10) for irradiating a surface to be read of an original sheet with a light and reading the amount of the reflected light and a transmitted light reading unit (15, 12, 13, 14, 10) for irradiating the original sheet with a light and reading the amount of the transmitted light, and calculates the density of an image of the original sheet based on the amount of the reflected light read by the reflected light reading unit and the amount of the transmitted light read by the transmitted light reading unit.

Abstract: A method and systems for calibrating a document scanner are provided. The scanner calibration method includes providing a geometrically operative black absorption device having a structural geometry that is capable of receiving light and limiting propagation of the received light, where the black calibration target has a total light reflectance of less than one percent. The method further includes powering on a light source of a document scanner to provide light toward the black absorption device, where the light source generates a noise signal when providing the light. The method further includes detecting, by a sensor of the document scanner, light reflected from the black absorption device and generating calibration signals based on the reflected light and the noise signal.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a contrast and an apparatus for enhancing a contrast are provided. The method of enhancing the contrast includes: dividing an image into a plurality of blocks and calculating an average luminance value of each block; interpolating a peripheral luminance value for each input pixel of the image by using the average luminance value; and enhancing the contrast of the input pixel by using the interpolated peripheral luminance value of the input pixel and a unique luminance value of the input pixel.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: an estimated plane calculation portion calculating, for inputted image data, estimated planes defined by luminance values in blocks each containing a predetermined number of pixels including a reference pixel; an optimal estimated plane selection portion selecting an optimal estimated plane having a least summation of errors between luminance values of respective pixels in a block and an estimated plane among the estimated planes; a weighting factor calculation portion calculating a weighting factor for the reference pixel base on luminance values of the reference pixel and in the optimal estimated plane; and a weighted smoothing portion computing a sum of products of relative luminance differences between the luminance values of the respective pixels in the block and in the optimal estimated plane and the weighting factor for the reference pixel and adding a luminance value in the optimal estimated plane at a reference pixel position to a result of computation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus partitions entered image data into first partitioned image data and appends margin data to the first partitioned image data. The image processing apparatus corrects the first partitioned image data other than the margin data to second partitioned image data and processes the second partitioned image data and the margin data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus including a shading correction mechanism that can be formed by fewer component parts than conventional ones, and is increased in the degree of freedom of design, thereby enabling reduction of the size and weight thereof. A contact glass guides an original to an image reading position. A glass holding member holds the glass. A line image sensor reads an image on the original conveyed to the image reading location, through the contact glass. A reference member is disposed at a location different from the image reading location on the contact glass. A moving mechanism relatively moves the line image sensor and the reference member so that the line image sensor can alternatively read the original conveyed to the image reading location and the reference member. A drive section externally drives the moving mechanism to move the line image sensor and/or the reference member.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus is provided. The image scanning apparatus includes an image sensor configured to scan a manuscript, a sensor driving unit configured to allow the image sensor to move on a scanning path, a driving control unit configured to generate a driving signal for the sensor driving unit, and a control unit configured to control the image sensor to scan the shading patch during moving to scan the manuscript.