Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs image formation using colorants of various colors. In relation to a target image, when a first region, formed using colorants of a black color and not using colorants of remaining colors is adjacent to a second region formed using the colorants of the remaining colors and not using the colorants of the black color, the first region is generated using the colorants including the remaining colors based on conversion information generated according to the remaining colors of the second region.

Abstract: A printer performs calibration in which a reference primary color ink is mixed with at least one additional primary color ink to approximate a predetermined target primary color. The printer includes an acquisition section, a predicting section, an optimizing section and a printing unit. The acquisition section acquires spectral reflectances of the reference primary color ink printed on a base, the additional primary color ink printed on the base, and the base. The predicting section calculates predicted spectral reflectance of a mixture of the primary color inks by dividing a product of the spectral reflectances of the primary color inks by the spectral reflectance of the base raised to the power obtained by subtracting 1 from a total number of the inks. The optimizing section optimizes an ink-amount set of the mixture so that the predicted spectral reflectance is approximated to spectral reflectance of the target primary color.

Abstract: Methods, software, circuits and apparatuses for detecting a malfunction in an imaging device. The methods generally comprise orienting an image at an angle on an image detecting device; detecting the image; determining an error in the image; and correlating the error to a malfunction in the imaging device. Software instructions can be adapted to determine an orientation angle of an image; analyze the image to detect an error; and calculate a location of a malfunction in the imaging device. The circuits generally include a memory element; logic configured to calculate the orientation of an image; a processor configured to analyze the image and locate a fault; and logic configured to determine a location of the fault in the image and correlate the fault to a malfunction in an imaging device. The present invention advantageously provides a lower cost technique for detecting a malfunction in a high resolution imaging device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a scanning unit to scan an image and to output corresponding digital color coordinates; a determining unit to determine a local color gamut including the digital color coordinates, based on a reference matrix computed from a standard color gamut, which includes the local color gamut, and the plurality of digital color coordinates; a matrix selecting unit to select a color conversion matrix that corresponds to the determined local color gamut; and a computing unit to compute LAB color coordinates based on the selected color conversion matrix and the digital color coordinates. A method of color conversion using the image forming apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a calibration system adapted to perform a calibration scan of a charged luminescent calibration strip disposed in a scan window of an automatic document feeder. The calibration system is adapted to determine whether an opaque object is disposed within a visible area defined by the scan window from the calibration scan.

Abstract: A method of automatically optimizing a printing apparatus based on media type of a substrate, comprising: (A) inputting a substrate into the printing apparatus; (B) determining the media type of the substrate; (C) automatically adjusting calibration settings according to at least one calibration setting preset, responsive to the determining; and, (D) performing image transfer.

Abstract: Methods and systems herein provide for calibrating for a plurality of different paper types. In one embodiment, a system for calibrating a printer includes a measurement module operable to detect colors printed on a first tangible medium by the printer and convert the detected colors to a detected color characterization. The system also includes a storage module operable to store a calibration file. The calibration file includes color characterizations of a plurality of different tangible mediums and each color characterization includes color measurements for one of the plurality of different tangible mediums obtained from the printer via the measurement module when the printer is calibrated. The system also includes a calibration module operable to compare the detected color characterization to at least two color characterizations of the calibration file and determine an adjustment to an output color scheme of the printer based on the comparison to calibrate the printer.

Abstract: An image test apparatus includes a color-image-data acquiring unit that acquires color image data being data of an image to be formed with a color material; a master-image-data generating unit that converts the color image data depending on transparent image data being data of an image to be formed with a transparent color material, thereby generating master image data; and an image testing unit that tests, using the master image data, a test image data which is generated by optically reading a print image from a printed matter on which the print image based on the color image data and the transparent image data has been printed.

Abstract: A method of compensating for misalignment of a print engine of an image forming apparatus, which includes: (a) forwarding a request from a host computer having a printer driver to an image forming apparatus for reference data of a printable area of the print engine; (b) sending the reference data of the printable area of the print engine to the printer driver; (c) comparing the reference data of the printable area of the print engine to an ideal reference data of the printable area of a print job; and (d) if the reference data of the printable area of the print engine is different than the ideal reference data of the printable area of the print job, generating a new reference data of the printable area of the printable area to adjust for the difference in printable area between the ideal reference data of the printable area of the print job and the reference data of the printable area of the print engine.

Abstract: The number of color patches is reduced to attain high-precision color estimation. Hence, the colorimetric values of a plurality of color patches of at least one primary color output by an output device are input. Based on the colorimetric value of first color patches corresponding to a part of the plurality of color patches, colorimetric values corresponding to second color patches other than the first color patches of the plurality of color patches are estimated. Errors between the input colorimetric values of the second color patches and the estimated colorimetric values corresponding to the second color patches are calculated. A plurality of color patches corresponding to the output device is determined based on the calculated errors.

Abstract: This invention provides a color print control method of acquiring an optimum profile by a simple profile acquisition process in consideration of the clustering configuration. According to the color print control method of this invention, a printer manager (15) manages a combination of color printers as a virtual printer. A color setting manager (17) manages a color profile used for color matching in association with the virtual printer and output paper. A job controller (11) controls to accept a print job, whose destination is the managed virtual printer and which contains color matching settings, cause a rendering unit (18) to render the print job, acquire a profile for each virtual printer, and cause a color management processor (16) to perform color matching.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for estimating a banding profile in an image printing system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining image data across multiple measurement intervals by one or more sensors; combining the image data with timing information into a coherent signal by a processor; estimating periodic and aperiodic components of the coherent signal using least squares estimation by the processor, wherein the periodic component represents a banding profile; and wherein at least the periodic component is used to generate an output.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for estimating a banding profile in an image printing system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining image data across multiple measurement intervals by a sensor; combining the image data with timing information into a coherent signal by a processor; determining aperiodic components of the coherent signal by the processor; determining the periodic component of the coherent signal using spline interpolation, wherein the periodic component represents a banding profile, by the processor; and printing an output print with a correction applied based on the banding profile.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, including a user input unit which receives a first user command to initiate a printing operation, a display unit which displays information relating to the printing operation, a printing unit which performs printing with respect to printing data, and a controller which controls the display unit to display reference information of the printing data before the printing, and which controls the printing unit to perform the printing according to a second user command.

Abstract: A color calibration method and an image processing device using the same are provided. The method includes: obtaining a first image of a calibration card having color blocks, each of which corresponds to a standard value; obtaining first sensing values according to the first image, wherein each of the first sensing values corresponds to one of the standard values; generating a calibration table according to the first sensing values and the standard values; determining if a recursive condition is satisfied. The method also includes: obtaining a second image of the calibration card if the recursive condition is not satisfied; obtaining second sensing values according to the second image; adjusting the second sensing values according to the calibration table to generate third sensing values; updating the calibration table according to the third sensing values and the standard values until the recursive condition is satisfied. Accordingly, the calibration table is generated automatically.

Abstract: An image forming device may select from among a plurality of rendering parameters to include selectable halftone frequency candidates automatically based on an internal determination regarding an operating condition of the device to improve image quality for formed images. As a time varying function of the status and/or condition of the components and/or consumables employed in the image forming device, a capability is provided for the device to independently determine an optimal individual or set of rendering parameters to be employed based on a monitored device status. Available monitoring data for a current overall condition of the image forming device, to include monitoring a condition of the components and/or the consumables within the device, is used to allow the device to internally perform automatic adjustment of one or more image rendering parameters, including automatically implementing an optimal halftone frequency election scheme.

Abstract: To provide an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing method capable of realizing the optimum color matching between apparatuses according to various situations (the use case or the type of image) in printing one job in a plurality of image forming apparatuses. In the present invention, MFP101 acquires a color reproduction range for each of MFP102 and LBP103 (Step S903), and computes logical AND of the plurality of acquired color reproduction ranges (Step S904). Next, in accordance with the use case and the attribute of an image, MFP101 determines whether the color reproduction range in printing the image is set to the logical AND of the color reproduction ranges or to an expanded area of the logical AND of the color reproduction ranges (steps S905 to S908). Then, MFP101 adds the determined color reproduction range to the image and transmits this to MFP102, LBP103 (S909).

Abstract: A method of enabling preparing a printing system calibrated with a first halftone screen for printing with a second halftone screen. The calibration is represented by calibration data. Calibration data for the second halftone screen is produced from the existing calibration data of the first halftone screen without resorting to previous calibration data for the second halftone screen, based on correlation data which represent a first-order correlation between the halftone screens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposure correction in scanners are disclosed. In the method, exposure is corrected for pixels received in an image sensor array. Exposure time is tracked for the incoming pixel data and a calibration factor is determined for correcting the gain, and the calibration factor is adjusted based on the tracked exposure time. In the apparatus, a scanner includes an illumination source and a sensor for receiving pixel data. Using values stored in a memory, circuitry is provided for determining a calibration factor, for tracking exposure time for the pixel data and for adjusting the pixel data based on the calibration factor and exposure time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for compensating for spatial non-uniformities in a printer by deriving a true spatial non-uniformity tone response curve (TRC) that characterizes the printer in terms of color output variation for each addressable pixel location in a spatial range. The “true average” tone response curve is determined for a color channel. A prediction of the true response as a function of the spatial location is derived by printing and scanning a specially designed halftone-independent target of binary patterns. The predicted tone response curve for each color channel and halftone is predicted using a binary printer model, wherein the “predicted tone response curve” provides a model based approximation of the actual response for each addressable pixel location in the spatial range. Also stored is an “average predicted tone response” by averaging the “predicted tone response curve” over the spatial range of the printer.

Abstract: A profile creation apparatus determines whether a medium used for printing contains a fluorescent brightener, based on measured values of the medium, corrects measured values of color patches formed on the medium, based on a result of the determination, and creates a color profile based on the corrected measured values of the color patches and measured values of a viewing environment in which color patches have been formed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that outputs color information to an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet using color toner and transparent toner, the color information representing a toner image to be formed on the sheet by the image forming apparatus, including: an extracting unit that extracts a characteristic region from input image data; a first calculating unit that creates, based on the image data, first color information on a toner image corresponding to the color toner; a second calculating unit that calculates second color information by which a prescribed amount of the transparent toner is applied to the characteristic region extracted by the extracting unit; and an outputting unit that outputs the first and second color information calculated by the first and second calculating units to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a feedback control based system and method for selecting spot color recipes for improved spot color rendition while simultaneously minimizing a function of image quality attributes formed with states defined as vectors such as L*, a*, b*, mottle, graininess, etc. Color is measured with an in-line spectrophotometer or with a full/partial width array. If the sensor is not available, then a model of the print device is used to optimize the function of image quality attributes. In one example embodiment, a spot color of interest is selected along with a set of image quality attributes to be improved for the spot colors of interest. Set points for process actuators and color recipes of the color marking device are adjusted such that a function of the image quality attributes is minimized when the spot color is rendered on the device. Various workflows are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for color printer calibration employing measurement success feedback. Color input data is received corresponding to a color printout from an associated color measurement device, the color input data including M×N discrete color areas corresponding to M rows and N columns on the printout, with M and N representing integers greater than 2. A display including a color image comprised of each of the areas arranged in M rows and N columns is then generated on a display device. Color input data is tested to determine successful measurement of colors corresponding to the color areas and a row-based indicator is generated for a successful measurement of color areas within a row. Calibration data is received of a comparison of the color printout to the display and an associated color printer is calibrated based upon the calibration data.

Abstract: Provided is a method for automatically determining an error of a user operation or a calorimeter caused when the calorimeter is manually slid to measure the colors of color patches on a row-by-row basis. Also provided is a method capable of determining an error or a scanning direction using a feature value obtained from the calorimetric values without using fixed reference and threshold values for each patch.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing at least one document comprising color data. Color data in the document in a first color space is inspected to determine if a color space conversion operation for a portion of the color data is specified using a color space dictionary or a transformation matrix, wherein the color space conversion operation converts the color data from the first color space to an intermediate standard color space. An input profile corresponding to the color conversion operation is generated, wherein the input profile comprises information to convert color data from the first color space to the intermediate standard color space; and color space conversion operations are performed on the color data using the generated input profile to convert the color data from the first color space to the intermediate standard color space.

Abstract: According to an image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a user with the intention of having a processing completed in a short time inputs execution of an image forming job involving the intention, this operation information is acquired by an operation information acquisition section. In response to that, an invalidation determining section determines to invalidate processing for maintenance, based on the operation information. Responding to that, an invalidation control section invalidates the processing for maintenance on image forming during execution of the image forming job regardless of predetermined rules. By this means, the processing for maintenance on image forming cannot be executed during the image forming job in the case of a user with the intention of having a processing completed in a short time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of minimizing degradation in density correction as a part of skew correction includes a noise-occurrence determining unit, a correction-target-pixel selecting unit, a density correcting unit, and a phase correcting unit. When the noise-occurrence determining unit determines that noise would appear, the density correcting unit performs density correction on a correction target pixel that is determined by the correction-target-pixel selecting unit. The phase correcting unit corrects an output point in time of image data of the density-corrected correction target pixel in a pixel period during which the image data can be output so as to output the image data at a position displaced away from a shift position or toward a shift position.

Abstract: A first color patch printed on a first printing material and a second color patch printed on a second printing material, which match each other in appearance in a desired environment, are acquired. The calorimetric values of a color patch to be measured which is printed on the first printing material are corrected using the calorimetric values of the first and second color patches and a spectrophotometric calorimeter for obtaining calorimetric values in a desired environment, thereby generating effective calorimetric values.

Abstract: A method of adjusting cycle-up criteria of a device based on estimated noise levels, including obtaining a current estimated noise level, adjusting the cycle-up criteria according to the estimated noise level, comparing at least one signal, from which the noise level is estimated, with at least one target value, calculating the difference between the signal and the at least one target value, calculating the calculated difference between the signal and the at least one target value with the adjusted cycle-up criteria; and initiating a print job if the calculated difference falls within the adjusted cycle-up criteria.

Abstract: A model-based halftone independent method for characterizing a printer equipped with a plural of halftone screens comprises: printing a target set of basic patches comprised of a fundamental binary pattern independent of a halftone screen; measuring true color printer response from the target set; modeling a halftone independent characterization of the printer with the mathematical transformation using the measured response; modeling a first halftone dependent characterization of the printer with the mathematical transformer to generate a first predicted result using a selected halftone screen; comparing a measured response of the printer using the halftone screen with the predicted result to define a correction factor corresponding to the halftone screen; and modeling a halftone dependent characterization of the printer using a predicted response of the fundamental binary pattern and the correction factor.

Abstract: A method and a printing implementing the method for dynamic printer performance tuning. The method includes the steps of processing a page to be printed by a printer description language interpreter to generate a Display List, selecting tuning parameters from the Display List data, analyzing the tuning parameters by a Bayesian analyzer to obtain a score for each tuning parameter, and based on the score of each tuning parameter, adjusting rendering settings of the tuning parameters for printing the page. The steps of training the Bayesian analyzer includes creating a set of training pages, rendering each page to determine best performance settings for each tuning parameter, grouping the pages based on tuning parameter settings, generating Display List data of each page, rendering the training pages in each group to compile training data that are saved for future printing jobs.

Abstract: A device, system and a method for soft proofing of an image before it is printed onto printed material, such that the colors of the image substantially reproduce, to the human eye, the colors as they should appear on the printed material.

Abstract: An embodiment of an image reading device may include a light source, an image reading unit, a drive control unit, a white reference member, a chromaticity detecting unit, a reference value storage unit, a chromaticity change calculating unit, and/or a control unit. An embodiment may include a photoelectric conversion element that reads an image illuminated by the light source. In some embodiments, may measure the chromaticity of a white reference member. In some embodiments, a reference value storage unit may store a reference value representing the chromaticity of an image. In an embodiment, a control unit may control an operation of the device according to the calculated amount of chromaticity change. An embodiment may include measuring the luminous intensity of a light source and storing a reference value representing the luminous intensity of the light source. Some embodiments may include making adjustments to images.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus able to shorten the processing time for automatic tone correction. The image processing apparatus includes: printing unit for conducting tone correction for bitmapping a print job, and then printing the tone-corrected bitmap data; automatic tone correcting unit for conducting automatic tone correction while the printing unit is processing the print job; and configuring unit for configuring an image quality mode for printing by the printing unit. Depending on the image quality mode configured by the configuring unit, the automatic tone correction conducted by the automatic tone correcting unit while the print job is being processed may not be conducted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprises: a plurality of color image forming units each forming an image for correction for each different color on a different paper to output a correction chart; an operation unit for accepting an input of density correction instruction information corresponding to each of the plurality of color image forming units based on the correction chart; a control unit for setting color of the image for correction according to the density correction instruction information input by the operation unit, generating the image for correction for the set color, and causing the image for correction to be formed on the paper by the color image forming unit in order to output the correction chart; and a density unevenness correction unit for correcting density unevenness of each pixel in a main scanning direction for each of the plurality of color image forming units based on the density correction unevenness information input by the operation unit.

Abstract: Engine response curves (RCs) can be used for streak compensation for printed documents. A feedback control paradigm can be included to effect RC compensation. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) can be used to represent each RC in the collection of spatial RC data as a linear combination of basis vectors. RCs are approximated by selecting the first few basis vectors, the approximation aiding in noise rejection and reducing computation in the controller by reducing dimensionality of the RC data from gray levels to the number of SVD bases selected. An optimal subset of RCs is selectable from the set of approximated RCs by clustering the SVD weights, the clustered SVD weights producing TRCs that span all engine response RCs generated by a printer. Compensation RCs are constructible using reduced number of bases and clustered SVD weights.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which applications can be installed is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes an application information obtaining part for obtaining application information that is used for determining whether an application is installable in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an image to optimize print time of the image by a print apparatus based on the size of the image to be printed and the print pass thresholds of the print apparatus. A dimension of the image corresponding to the dimension along the sub-scanning axis of the image as it will be printed by the print apparatus is obtained, along with the corresponding number of print passes required to print the image. An analysis is performed to determine whether the size of the image could be reduced to require one less print pass by the print apparatus in printing the reduced image based on the proximity of the determined dimension to the range of dimensions that will result in one less print pass by the print apparatus.

Abstract: A method that prints image data including multiple pages one copy at a time, and prints multiple copies, includes generating a patch image having multiple densities, forming the patch image on a photosensitive drum, and reading the density of the patch image, wherein generating the patch image, forming the patch image, and reading the density of the patch image are performed at a time of ending printing for certain copies.

Abstract: Methods and systems print a multi-color test pattern using a printing device to create a printed test pattern when the printing device is producing a printing defect. The methods and systems scan the printed test pattern to produce a scanned image and decompose the scanned image into color blocks using the computerized device. The methods and systems create intensity profiles of the color blocks using the computerized device and compare at least two of the intensity profiles of different colors to determine whether the intensity profiles indicate correlated printing defects using the computerized device. The methods and systems indicate, through the computerized device, whether a potential defect within a common printing element of the printing device or is located within one or more of the color printing elements of the printing device, depending upon whether the intensity profiles have correlated printing defects.

Abstract: A method for compensating for color variations introduced by printer hardware limitations and other factors is described. First, for each printer model or each individual printer, the extent of color variation throughout a printed page is determined. Based on this determination, each page is partitioned into a plurality of image areas. Then, in an actual printing process, the page of image is printed in a multi-pass process where each image area is printed in a separate pass. The digital image data is shifted and/or rotated for each pass, and the paper is shifted and/or rotated correspondingly, so that the different image areas printed in different passes form a complete image on the final printed page. From the standpoint of the pointer hardware, all passes involve printing the same area of a physical page, resulting in reduced color variation across the page.

Abstract: Color adjusting apparatus and method for a light source. A reflector of a required color is added to a light source of a scan module, a plating film of the required color is formed on a lens, or the lens is dyed with the required color. Or alternatively, the color of the light source is directly changed into the required color. As a result, the inconsistent intensities for the light in the primary color, red, green and blue output from the charge-coupled device caused by different brightness of the light source, different wavelength transmission of the lens, and different light sensitivity of the charge-coupled device is improved.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes; a chart data forming unit that forms density correcting chart data to be printed, in which reference density patterns and adjusting density patterns are arranged so that a connection angle, and the adjusting density patterns have different densities in the respective patterns; a printing unit that prints a density correcting chart in which the reference density patterns and the adjusting density patterns are arranged adjacent to each other in respective patterns; a receiving unit that receives an input of a density adjusting value of a desired pattern, on the basis of comparison of density between the reference density patterns and the adjusting density patterns which has been obtained from visual observation of a user on the printed density correcting chart; and a tone correcting unit that conducts tone correction of the desired pattern.

Abstract: A specified specific color is input, and a patch pattern that contains a large number of patches corresponding to a color adjacent to the specific color is read by a front-side scanner and a back-side scanner. The color difference between read values for the front side and read values for the back side is corrected.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for processing image data including character information, the processing of image data including a process of inserting interpretation information corresponding to the character information. The information processing apparatus includes an image data acquisition unit, an interpretation information retrieval unit, an area information definition unit, and an insertion style determination unit. The image data acquisition unit acquires the image data including the character information composed of a plurality of characters having a first string of characters. The interpretation information retrieval unit retrieves first interpretation information to be attached to the first string of characters. The area information definition unit computes insertable area information on a first insertable area, usable for inserting the first interpretation information, based on coordinate data of characters in the acquired image data.

Abstract: A terminal device includes: a colorimetry unit that performs colorimetry on color values of respective measurement regions on a gradation characteristic measurement sheet where the plural measurement regions are formed in different densities; and a determination unit that determines identification information to identify the gradation characteristic measurement sheet based on a result of colorimetry of identification information measurement regions arranged to identify the gradation characteristic measurement sheet in a result of colorimetry by the colorimetry unit.

Abstract: A print or logo data generating system and method in which a width dimension of a printable medium is identified and original source data obtained. The processing further involves automatically resizing the source data to a predefined maximum width not greater than the width dimension of the printable medium prior to executing any user-requested changes, and displaying a first image representation of the original source data. Upon receipt of a user-requested change in the size of the original source data and a user-requested change in the number of colors of the original source data, the size change request is executed first.

Abstract: A method for controlling color in printing technology machines, includes measuring color measured values without/with a UV filter and converting them with a computer to color measured values measured with/without a UV filter. The color measured values measured without/with a UV filter are recorded by a color measurement instrument on a substrate. The spectral remission values of the substrate measured with and without a UV filter are supplied to the computer and the computer converts color measured values measured without/with a UV filter to color measured values measured with/without a UV filter taking into account these supplied spectral remission values of the substrate, and uses them to control the color in the printing technology machine. A printing technology machine having a computer for carrying out the method, is also provided.

Abstract: In summary, the present invention provides a method, apparatus and program product for calculating an estimate of the amount of toner coverage required for printing print data defined in a compressed data stream. The estimate is obtained with reduced processing by obtaining coverage data from a partially decompressed formed of the data stream and using this to obtain the coverage estimate, thus removing the need to do a full de-compression of the data stream. For example the coverage data is a count of toned pixels for at least one intensity level.