Abstract: An image processing apparatus for supplying image data, to be formed by an image forming apparatus, to the image forming apparatus includes an obtaining unit for obtaining information on first environment light and second environment light different from the first environment light; a converting unit for converting data, defined by a color space independent of the image forming apparatus, of the image data into first image data defined by a color space dependent of the image forming apparatus depending on the first environment light and then for converting the first image data into second image data defined by a color space independent of the image forming apparatus depending on the second environment light; a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not a color difference between the first image data and the second image data is a predetermined value or more in an area in which the first image data and the second image data correspond to each other; and a display controlling unit for controlling a d

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input portion for inputting image information, an information storage portion for storing the input image information, a transmission portion for transmitting the image information, and a control portion for processing input, storage and transmission of image information in parallel. The control portion, in the case where an input error occurs in the middle of performing input of image information, causes a transmission portion to transmit an instruction to delete information that has been transmitted to a transmission destination, and to start a retransmission after combining the image information before the input error occurs with the image information input after the input error occurred to form one file.

Abstract: Consumable reduction is achieved for a printing device by utilizing a processor (32), memory (34) and software for receiving input information representative of an image to be printed and generating output information representative of a reduced consumable image in response to consumable smear, spatial relationship between adjacent dots and an image quality degradation. Factors such as print medium characteristics, heat or humidity and composure of the consumable are considered in performing the consumable reduction.

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a lighting panel including a plurality of segments, each of said segments configured to emit a first color light and a second color light in response to pulse width modulation control signals having respective duty cycles include determining an average segment luminance for the lighting panel, determining a luminance variation of each segment to the average segment luminance, comparing the luminance variation of each segment to a threshold, and adjusting the duty cycle of at least one color of at least one segment to reduce the luminance variation in response to the luminance variation of a segment exceeding the threshold. Calibration systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a color misalignment detection method, an alignment pattern is obtained by designating a plurality of lines having line width and line intervals formed by superposing a line image of a black color as a reference color and a line image of a color other than the reference color, for example, a cyan line image, as one patch, and continuously forming these patches by shifting the relative position between the line images of the two colors by an optional quantity. An alignment pattern detection sensor has a light emitting diode and a photodiode. These elements are arranged along the scanning direction of the alignment pattern such that the photodiode can only receive diffused reflected light of reflected light from the alignment pattern. A spot shape of the light emitting diode and a spot shape of the photodiode are both formed in a square shape.

Abstract: A color correction method is provided. Grey values of three primary colors of an image data are transformed into initial characteristic values in a color space. Three sets of characteristic values of a to-be-corrected apparatus when the apparatus displays the primary colors respectively are measured. The characteristic values of the image data are transformed into a set of adjusted brightness values of the primary colors according to the characteristic values and a color space transformation equation. Gamma curves of the apparatus when displaying the primary colors are measured and modified to generate new grey-value vs. brightness relationships for the primary colors, so as to obtain adjusted grey values of the primary colors corresponding to the adjusted brightness values.

Abstract: Techniques relating to quantifiable color calibration are described. In one instance, a process quantifiably calibrates a first color peripheral device of a system to a known color standard. The process then leverages the first color peripheral device to calibrate other system color peripheral devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for halftone independent temporal color drift correction, particularly for correction in hi-addressability xerographic printers. For example, a method includes printing target patches, including two resolutions, measuring printer response from the target patches, and modeling the printer using a transformation to define a correction factor, and a predicted response.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for characterizing color separation misregistration associated with marking a substrate. The method includes providing an input image having a plurality of patches, each patch having a pattern using a first and second color; marking a substrate with a copy of the input image using a first and second color separation to correspond to the first and second colors, respectively; and measuring a color characteristic of markings of respective copied patches of the copied plurality of patches and generating corresponding colorimetric values. Misregistration of the first color separation markings relative to the second color separation markings is characterized based on the measured calorimetric values.

Abstract: Method of generating a CIElab to Neugebauer Primary area coverages interface for a print system, comprising selecting area coverages of Neugebauer Primaries and printing corresponding patches, measuring the CIE XYZ coordinates of the patches, converting the CIE XYZ coordinates to corresponding CIE Lab coordinates, and relating the CIE Lab coordinates to the NPacs.

Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing color separation misregistration of a printer device using color separations of a color space for marking substrate. The method includes providing an input image including a pattern of patches including at least one measurement patch, each measurement patch having at least a first and second color separation of the color space, and marking a substrate in accordance with the input image for generating an output image having a marked pattern of patches which corresponds to the pattern of patches. Spectral reflectance of at least one respective patch of the marked patch pattern of the output image is measured and respective spectral reflectance values corresponding to the measuring are generated. Misregistration is characterized between the at least first and second color separations of each measurement patch of the at least one measurement patch based on the spectral reflectance values.

Abstract: The invention deals with a method for replacing the colorant values of a raster image by a new set of colorant values that is for example optimized for a standardized printing process. According to the invention, a forward look up table is identified that transforms the colorant values in the raster image into color values. The color values in this look up table are separated into new colorant values to obtain a colorant to colorant interpolation look up table. This is done by using an inverse transformation that is based on the forward look up table using appropriate separation parameters for the standardized printing process. The method has the advantage that it enables to map pure colorant values in the original image back onto pure colorant values in the transformed image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus switches a line of image data, to be read out from a storage unit, to another, depending on a position in the line in a scanning direction such that the curving of a scanning line is offset, and reducing trouble in reading out image data in units of rectangular image data blocks A data processing section performs image processing based on a plurality of rectangular image areas generated by dividing image data stored in a memory section. An image reading unit reads out the image data as the rectangular image areas, and transfers the rectangular image areas to the data processing section. A printer section forms an image by scanning a photosensitive member with irradiation light based on the rectangular image data areas. A DMA controller stores positional information indicative of line-switching positions. The rectangular image data areas are read out according to the positional information.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a generating unit and an output unit. The generating unit generates image data on the basis of which an image forming unit forms a visible image on a recording medium containing detectable substances using only a coloring material having a spectral reflection factor that is different in a particular wavelength range from a spectral reflection factor that the detectable substances have by a predetermined threshold or more. The output unit outputs the image data generated by the generating unit to the image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a black image forming section for forming a black image and a first black pattern for a coarse correction of black and optionally a second black pattern for a precise correction of black; a color image forming section for forming a color image optionally a third pattern for a coarse correction of color and optionally a fourth pattern for a precise correction of color; and a control section for allowing at least the first black pattern to be formed and optionally a second black pattern and third and fourth color patterns, and controlling to perform the coarse correction of black for correcting a forming condition of a black image to be formed and to perform optionally a precise correction of black, the coarse and precise correction of color based on the measurement of the formed pattern(s), wherein the control section controls to perform the coarse correction of black but not to perform the precise correction of black and the coarse and precise corrections of color in case

Abstract: A method of automatically monitoring and controlling print quality in digital printing with a first and second scanner capturing an image from different locations in the printing engine. In an exemplary embodiment, a first scanner captures an image from a surface internal to the print engine while an external scanner captures an image from a printed sheet. If the external print image quality is acceptable, the internally captured image is saved as a reference. The system periodically compares internally captured images with the saved reference and provides automatic image correction if the variation from the reference is within a correctable range. If the image variation is not within a correctable range, the system runs a new test print and creates a new reference image.

Abstract: A toner density is calculated from outputs of light-receiving elements based on a difference between a reflection property of a supporting member and a reflection property of a toner pattern. Light-emitting elements aligned in one direction that is inclined to a sub-direction emit a detection light in such a manner that a distance between adjacent spots falling on the supporting member in a second direction is equal to or smaller than a width of the toner pattern in the second direction. The light-receiving elements receive a reflected light reflected from the supporting member and/or the toner pattern. The light-receiving elements are aligned, opposed to the supporting member, in a one direction corresponding to the light-emitting elements.

Abstract: A print defect management device that supports job-specific print defect management automatically assesses print job pages to determine the severity of image quality defects likely to occur on one or more selected printers. Views of identified troubled pages may be rendered to include approximations of color and image quality defects based on the original page image data, and each printer's color rendition data and defect data, thereby allowing troubled pages for one or more selected printers to be viewed prior to printing. Suggested changes may be automatically or manually applied. Once satisfied with the image quality of print job pages rendered for a specific printer, a user may submit the print job to the same printer, thereby assuring that the user's image quality expectations are met in the printed product. The device may support job-specific print defect management with both local and/or remote printers via LAN, WAN and/or Internet based connectivity.

Abstract: A calibration or characterization system is provided wherein the number of repeated patches or the size of a patch of a given color is printed to be approximately proportional to the square of the expected noise level. In that way, when multiple measurements for a given patch are averaged, all patch averages have approximately the same reliability.

Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising a color image producing device for providing a test pattern on a medium, said test pattern comprising a plurality of color patches, said test pattern having a principal orientation axis under a non-perpendicular angle ? with the propagation direction of the medium through said color image producing device; and a color measurement device coupled to receive the medium from the color image producing device and arranged to propagate the medium in said propagation direction, the color measurement device being further arranged to measure the colors of the respective patches of the medium during said propagation, the color measurement device comprising a color sensor mounted on the carriage oriented substantially perpendicularly to the propagation direction. The present application further discloses a color image producing device and a color measurement device that can be used in such a system, and a method for measuring colors with such a system.

Abstract: A correction information creation device including: a recording head; a rotating body; a first detector that detects a period of a pulse signal generated in accordance with rotation of the rotating body; a first calculation section that calculates a period of a clock signal; a second detector that detects a space between corrective images that are formed synchronously with a period of the clock signal, while the rotating body is being rotated at a predetermined rotation speed, by two sets of image formation elements of the recording head; a second calculation section that calculates a distance between a measurement position of a peripheral surface of the rotating body and the axial center of the rotating body; and a memory that stores the calculated distance to serve as information for correcting the period of the clock signal.

Abstract: The change in an output voltage when a control voltage is changed is calculated, and the change in the control voltage divided by the calculated change in the output voltage is defined as a sensitivity coefficient. The sensitivity coefficient is recalculated for each predetermined time interval or whenever a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the control voltage is corrected based on the recalculated sensitivity coefficient. Example of the predetermined condition include the time of start-up of the apparatus, the time at which the accumulated number of printed sheets reaches a predetermined number, and the time of carrying out process control.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method capable of performing satisfactory image reading by absorbing variations in each apparatus. According to this method, in primary color reading, light emitting unit sequentially irradiates an image original with light components of three primary colors and reads the image original, and in complementary color reading, the light emitting unit simultaneously irradiates the image original with one of three different color combinations, which includes two of the light components of three primary colors, and reads the image original. Each of the primary and complementary color readings includes image processing of executing shading correction of image data based on calibration data obtained by calibrating the light emitting unit when reading the image original.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus embeds second class data that is different from sheet to sheet in first class data that is common throughout a printing operation. First and second unfolding sections unfold the first and second class data to image data. An image carrying body image examination section compares image data unfolded by the second unfolding section and picked up image data unfolded by the first unfolding section and prepared by an image carrying body image pickup section, and an intermediate transfer body image examination section compares image data unfolded by the second unfolding section and picked up image data unfolded by the first unfolding section and prepared by an intermediate transfer body image pickup section.

Abstract: Patches are generated from the overprinting of one or more separations to encode four or more values per patch each color representing a numerical value. In a calibration step, all possible color overprint combinations are printed multiple times on a calibration sheet. The sheet is scanned and each overprinted patch is entered in to a proximity array, which is a volume data structure representing three dimensional (3D) color space). After all calibration colors are entered, the proximity array is repeatedly dilated. Later, sheets that need to be identified are printed with a code number encoded as one or more patch codes. The sheet is scanned and the patch code colors are looked up in the proximity array to determine which original colors were printed. The identified colors are converted the code number. Patch codes are further augmented with error detection and optionally error correction bits to further increase robustness.

Abstract: A method for geometrically calibrating a transport or feed through a scanner apparatus, arranged for scanning a two-dimensional original for subsequent usage in an appropriate information handling system, wherein a test original is presented which has been provided with an image for the purpose of deriving a scanned image therefrom. The method uses the test original provided with a test image featuring a leading image edge and a trailing image edge at a predetermined and known parallel displacement with respect to each other, and automatically detects therefrom a calculated first correction value for the zoom factor in the transport direction or transport speed, a calculated second correction value for the leading edge position, and a calculated third correction value for the trailing edge position. Thereupon, the first, second and third correction values are updated in the scanner apparatus in accordance with the measured values therefor.

Abstract: In order to prevent illegal copying more effectively in an image forming apparatus, when a specified ground pattern for preventing copying is detected in input image data, the detected ground pattern is emphasized in the image data. Alternatively, information for detecting the specified ground pattern is stored in a storage device, in order to detect the ground pattern with the stored information. When the ground pattern is not detected, a ground region in the image data is analyzed further to determine whether a different ground pattern exits or not. When a ground pattern is detected, information for detecting the ground pattern is stored in the storing device.

Abstract: A scanner with a simplified document feeding path is provided for scanning a document. The scanner includes a paper path, a conveying mechanism, an optical module and a scan window. The conveying mechanism conveys the document along the paper path. The optical module, rotatably disposed, captures an image of the document conveyed to a first position and a second position in the paper path, wherein the optical module captures a front-side image of the document at the first position and a back-side image of the document at the second position. The scan window, mounted on the optical module, is turned toward the first position and the second position as the optical module rotates, and the optical module captures the image of the document through the scan window.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for iteratively acquiring optical color measurements for device color profiling. A first color measurement data set, in a first color space, is received of a measured value for each of L discrete printed color patches in an M row by N column planar array, where L, M and N are positive integers greater than 2, and L is less than M×N. A visual rendering on a display of color patches arranged in M rows and N columns is generated from second color space measurement data. Profile data is generated of the transition between color data and color measurement data based upon the relationship between available printed patches and displayed patches. When L is less than M×N, a visual indicator is generated for the displayed row of the current L value. A second color measurement data set is received uniquely defined from the first set, which second set includes patches not found in the first set. Profile data is then generated based upon the second data set.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing color separation misregistration of a multi-color printing system utilizing a broadband multi-channel scanning module, such as an RGB scanner, are provided. The system and method include generating a spectral reflectance data structure corresponding to a broadband multi-channel scanning module. The spectral reflectance data structure includes at least one parameter. The at least one parameter may correspond to the broadband multi-channel scanning module and/or a printing module. The system and method further provide for calibrating a spectral-based analysis module by utilizing the spectral reflectance data structure. The system and method also include characterizing color separation misregistration utilizing the calibrated spectral-based analysis module by examining at least one plurality-separation patch.

Abstract: A maintenance system of an image forming apparatus is composed of an image forming apparatus and a central management apparatus connected to it via a communication line. The image forming apparatus is composed of an image forming unit for forming an image, an information output unit for outputting intra-machine information of the image forming unit, a voice information input unit for inputting voice information of a user of the image forming unit, and a first communication controller for outputting the intra-machine information and voice information via the communication line.

Abstract: According to a fine line detection processing, when for a subject pixel to be subjected to the fine line detection processing, a 3×3 matrix area centered on this subject pixel is set as a subject area. Point values “0” to “8” are assigned to the matrix elements constituting this 3×3 matrix subject area. Then, three pixels with the first, second, and third lowest brightness values are extracted from the subject area. When the total point value of the three extracted pixels is equal to “12”, the extracted pixels are determined as being in a connected state. Then, an intermediate value is calculated from the minimum and maximum values of brightness (Y) of pixels in the subject area. When the number of pixels with a brightness (Y) value smaller than the intermediate value is less than 4, the subject pixel is determined as being a fine-line pixel. A fine-line code is added to the subject pixel that is determined as being a fine-line pixel.

Abstract: A printing system includes a first module configured for capturing an image of a target printer test page including a plurality of color patches and configured to provide color data for each color patch; and a second module configured for generating a color modification based on the color data for each color patch of the target printer test page and color data for a reference printer, wherein the target printer is configured to print images converted using the color modification such that an output of the target printer substantially matches an output of the reference printer.

Abstract: An information acquiring unit acquires information indicating whether a color material used at least for image formation is saved. An image-information generating unit creates, when the information acquiring unit acquires the information for saving the color material, image information using the color material of which consumption is saved.

Abstract: A method of forming a color selection including selected color points. A first cluster in a color space is provided, the cluster being associated to a first color representation system. A second cluster in the color space is provided, the cluster being associated to a second color representation system, whereby the second cluster differs from the first cluster. A predetermined color point in the color space is provided. Included in the color selection are at least a first selected color point and a second selected color point, the first selected color point being the point of the first cluster which among all points of the first cluster is closest to the predetermined color point and the second selected color point being the point of the second cluster which among all points of the of the second cluster is closest to the predetermined color point.

Abstract: In the case where an output value of a document reading section for at least any of R, G and B is out of a range between a first reference value and a second reference value due to a change in an output value of a reading device caused by an electrical noise, a change of supply voltage, etc. when a document is being read, a second color conversion table is created in accordance with the above change by expanding ranges in a first color conversion table, which ranges are around predetermined first and second reference values and included in regions of RGB color system associated respectively with predetermined tone values of Y, M and C. Using the second color conversion table thus obtained, a color conversion is carried out from the RGB color system into the YMC color system.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) video processing based on low-complexity automatic ROI detection within video frames of video sequences. The low-complexity automatic ROI detection may be based on characteristics of video sensors within video communication devices. In other cases, the low-complexity automatic ROI detection may be based on motion information for a video frame and a different video frame of the video sequence. The disclosed techniques include a video processing technique capable of tuning and enhancing video sensor calibration, camera processing, ROI detection, and ROI video processing within a video communication device based on characteristics of a specific video sensor. The disclosed techniques also include a sensor-based ROI detection technique that uses video sensor statistics and camera processing side-information to improve ROI detection accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing use of customer documents in maintaining image quality or image quality consistency of printing devices are provided. The system may include a marking engine constructed to print images on an image bearing surface of the print device; one or more color measuring devices for measured toner images formed on the image bearing surface corresponding to the one or more relevant pages, and an image analyzer configured to generate reference images and to compare measured image data with the reference images. The image analyzer may also be configured to analyze input image data for a document and to identify one or more relevant pages of the document that may provide information regarding the state of the printing system to generated reference image data. Comparisons between the color separations of the reference image data and measured image data images may be realized for determining defects.

Abstract: A system and method for printing target colors includes a print-engine interface and a neural network component. The print-engine interface is in operative communication with a print engine of a printing system. The neural network component is calibrated to the print engine for printing a target color on a substrate. The neural network is in operative communication with the print-engine interface and communicates a parameter associated with printing the target color on the substrate utilizing the print engine.

Abstract: The presently described embodiments provide for halftone-aligned averaging and noise reduction in a calibration method and associated system. Halftone-aligned averaging is implemented, in one form, as a method of averaging in which the window over which an average is computed is a multiple of the halftone period. Noise reduction, in one illustrative embodiment, comprises discarding windows having an average outside of the range from the 5th to the 95th percentiles of all windows for a patch.

Abstract: A printing system is provided for enabling a consistent color job re-print comprising a plurality of image marking engines. The system includes printing a master test image document printed by at least a first image marking engine. The master test image can have a data glyph and a plurality of reference patches. The data glyph can record distinct job attributes and the plurality of reference patches can record color parameters of a desired output. The system further provides a scanner for scanning the master test image document. The data glyph can provide the job attributes of the master test image document and can generate set-up data therefrom. The reference patches can provide the color parameters of the master test image document and can generate set-up data therefrom.

Abstract: The quality of an image read from a degraded image of an original document can be improved. Hence, a specific pixel of an image is selected, and additional information to be added to the image is generated from the position information and color information of the selected pixel. The image of an original document is read, position information and color information added to the original document are extracted, and the color information of a pixel corresponding to the position information is acquired from the read image. The color of the read image is corrected based on the extracted color information and the acquired color information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a color printing device, whereby the color printing device comprises a reciprocating color measurement device and a reciprocating optical density sensor, to a mobile carriage comprising a color printhead, a color measurement device and an optical density sensor and to a color measurement method comprising the following steps: identify the position of a pattern on a two-dimensional media using a mobile optical density sensor; derive the position of a color patch on the media from the position of the pattern; measure the color of the color patch using a color measurement device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that determines, when performing color calibration, whether or not a calibration chart is usable. A scanning unit acquires image data by optically scanning an original document. A usability determining unit determines, in accordance with conditions for colors indicated by standard image data acquired by scanning the original document, whether or not the original document is usable as the calibration chart. A calibration unit performs, only when the determination is made that the original document is usable as the calibration chart, color calibration by using an image value at a predetermined position indicated by the standard image data.

Abstract: A color difference ?E between a target color value expressed by color measurement data MD obtained by measuring colors of a target TG under plural light sources and an estimation color value obtained when a printer performs printing on the basis of an ink amount set ? is calculated for each of the light sources. When the color difference can be calculated for each of the light sources, an evaluation value E (?) obtained by linear combination of the color differences is calculated. In addition, the ink amount set ? is calculated as an optimum solution for minimizing the evaluation value E (?).

Abstract: An image data correcting apparatus includes: an image data obtaining section that obtains print image data representing a print image; an area designation receiving section that receives a designating operation to designate an area in the print image represented by the print image data; a density adjusting section that has an adjustment value designated through an operation for the printing density; a change estimating section that estimates a change in a print color in the printing system that is caused by the adjustment of the printing density with the use of the adjustment value; and a data correcting section that corrects the print image data to cancel the change estimated by the change estimating section in the area other than the designated region in the print image.

Abstract: The color tone compensation method provides a simple and efficient method to compensate the color tone differences between two different sources of images. A first image sample, such as a still image, from a first image capturing source and a second image sample, such as a video frame, from a second image capturing source are aligned, and a tone-mapping estimation routine is applied to the two aligned images. The tone-mapping estimation routine uses the pixel intensity value histograms associated with the two aligned images and generates a tone mapping table. The tone mapping table includes a conversion intensity value for each intensity value in the second image. The conversion intensity value is a statistical measure, such as the mean, calculated according to the data in the corresponding pixel intensity value histogram.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for generating and applying composite color transforms.

Abstract: An image compensating method. First, multiple scanning lines are used to scan a document and a longitudinal black and white pattern, in order to produce the actual gray level value for multiple pixels with respect to each of the scanning lines and the document, as well as a correctional gray level value for complete black and a correctional gray level value for complete white with respect to the longitudinal black and white pattern. Then, the compensational gray level value with respect to the actual gray level value for each of the pixels is obtained according to the correctional gray level value for complete black, the correctional gray level value for complete white, the theoretical gray level value for complete black, the theoretical gray level value for complete white, and the actual gray level value for each of the pixels. Then, the procedure is complete.

Abstract: In a calibration system for conducting calibration by using a patch sheet produced on the basis of data to form measurement patches with respective different densities arranged in a predetermined direction and reference patches with a constant density arranged in the vicinity of the measurement patches for each color toner, the calibration system is provided with a correcting section to correct, on the basis of the calorimetric values of the reference patches, the calorimetric values of the measurement patches arranged in the vicinity of the reference patches.