Abstract: Systems and methods providing multiband color management are described. In one aspect, source peripheral device primary color spectra are determined. Target peripheral device primary color spectra are also identified. Source and target color spaces are respectively modeled based on the source and target peripheral device primary color spectra. Color management is implemented using the source and target color spaces.

Abstract: A method is disclosed as including scanning a first pixel of an image with a primary scanning line of a sensor, and scanning a second pixel of the image with a secondary scanning line of the sensor, wherein the first pixel is separated from the second pixel by a pitch of one or more scan lines. A compensation value is determined for one or more pixels of the image, wherein the compensation value is determined based, at least in part, on a mathematical operation comprising pixel values associated with the first and second pixels and the pitch. The method further includes compensating the one or more pixel values based, at least in part, on the compensation value, wherein the compensation value compensates for a reflection of light between the first and second scanning lines when the first and second pixels are scanned.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically limiting total colorant coverage in multi-colorant rendering. Two polyhedra are defined: one contains all the colors that exceed the total colorant limit, and another is within the colorant limit that contains the results of the colorant limitation process. Data is received to identify a specified contone color, which is processed to decide whether it is inside one of the polyhedra. If the specified contone color is not within either polyhedra, the specified contone color is used in the rendering process. Alternatively, if the specified contone color is within one of the polyhedra, the value representing the specified contone color is compressed into the second polyhedra volume to obtain a resultant contone color that is used in the rendering process.

Abstract: A method of managing the production of tickets in accordance with a ticket order submitted to a ticketing services bureau by a customer includes an optional step of producing a physical ticket proof for the customer prior to execution of the ticket order. Preferably, the physical ticket proof is generated using a plateless printing press, such as a digital printing press, but has the print characteristics of a particular plate-based press platform which is designated to execute the ticket order. A process for accurately matching the color characteristics of the digital printing press with the color characteristics of a plate-based press platform includes the steps of calibrating the plate-based press platform to meet a particular printing standard, creating an International Color Consortium (ICC) profile for the designated plate-based press platform, applying the ICC profile to the digital printing press, and managing the color formulation properties of the digital printing press.

Abstract: Implementation of color matching with a high accuracy between a device of luminous type and a device of non-luminous type is demanded. Hence, a combination of the device type of a source device and the device type of a destination device is discriminated. If a device of luminous type and a device of non-luminous type are combined, colorimetric values of the device of non-luminous type measured by a contact colorimeter into those of a non-contact colorimeter, and color conversion in accordance with a predetermined color matching method is performed using colorimetric values of the device of luminous type measured by the contact colorimeter and the transformed colorimetric values of the device of non-luminous type.

Abstract: A method for forming a color image that allows a color image forming device to detect print chromaticity by an actually used print medium and automatically perform an optimal color balance adjustment in consideration of the chromaticity of the print medium. At a first step of the method, it is determined whether a feeder is selected for a subsequent printing operation. If selected, the process proceeds to a second step. If not selected, it is determined that the printing operation is not performed for some time and the process is completed without color balance adjustment. At the second step, a print medium for printing a test pattern is fed from the feeder selected for a subsequent printing operation, which is determined at the first step. A color sensor detects the chromaticity of the test pattern transferred and fused on the print medium, and the color balance is then adjusted.

Abstract: An image inspection apparatus used when an externally input image is processed and converted to printing data, and the printing data is output to a predetermined printer to allow the printer to generate a photographic print, comprising: a first storage device which associates setup information about at least a color and density of the process with each image and stores the information each time the printer is allowed to generate a photographic print; a first print simulation image generation device which generates a first print simulation image including no change in the printer based on an image to be remade and the setup information stored in the first storage device as associated with the image to be remade before the printer remakes the photographic print; and a display device which displays the first print simulation image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image using an electrophotographic process; a color measuring unit that measures a color of the image; a measured-value acquiring unit that acquires a measured value that is measured by the color measuring unit; and a set-value deciding unit that decides a set value related to formation of the image based on a difference between the measured value and a preset target value, wherein the set-value deciding unit determines the set value so that the image approaches a reference value in a period from a current state of the image to desired state of the image while optimizing a constraint evaluation function related to a constraint condition for the formation of the image by using an estimation equation for approximating time-series variation in a state of the image.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for color compensation of a display having a translucent display cover applied to an outside surface of the display. A method may include characterizing a color shift due to the translucent display cover for when there is rendering of an image on the display and compensating for the color shift when rendering an image on the display. The method further may include measuring the color shift induced by the color of the finish, and as described below compensating the red, green, and blue (RGB) levels of the display so that the display image may be presented to the user as originally intended. In this way, the image quality may be substantially optimized for viewing regardless of the lens/cover surface color.

Abstract: In a print server, when page setting is made, a spot color name is extracted from a comment in an image drawing command and image data or a code of a job on a page (page layout) unit basis and a list for a spot color name of each page is generated. After that, a color separating process and an RIP are performed on the page unit basis, raster data of each of colors C, M, Y, and K and corresponding raster data of a spot color name is generated, after that, on the basis of CMYK values designated by the spot color name, the raster data of the spot color is composed with the raster data of each of the colors C, M, Y, and K, and the resultant is output. In such a manner, an overprint of an object designated in a spot color can be reproduced accurately.

Abstract: To determine spectra, integrated multiple illuminant measurements from a non-fully illuminant populated color sensor may be converted into a fully populated spectral curve using a reference database. The reference database is partitioned into a plurality of clusters, and an appropriate centroid is determined for each cluster by, for example, vector quantization. Training samples that form the reference database may be assigned to the clusters by comparing the Euclidean distance between the centroids and the sample under consideration, and assigning each sample to the cluster having the centroid with the shortest Euclidean distance. When all training samples have been assigned, the resulting structure is stored as the reference database. When reconstructing the spectra for new measurements from the sensor, the Euclidean distances between actual color samples under measurement and each cluster centroid are measured.

Abstract: An imaging device and calibration method therefore forms a plurality of hard images upon media using user-defined image data. An optical characteristic of at least a portion of the hard images is sensed at a plurality of different spatial locations of the hard images. The sensed optical characteristic is compared with the user-defined image data, and the imaging device is calibrated using the sensed optical characteristic.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and system to generate device dependent color space representations for an image output device. The method and system are particularly applicable to a printing device, where gamut boundary separated profile methods are executed to map device in-gamut and device out-of-gamut colors.

Abstract: Identifying the substrate type of a target substrate before patterning by a marking engine produces an opportunity to adjust the marking engine. The adjustments can enable the marking engine to produce higher quality work. The target substrate's substrate type can be automatically identified by obtaining its characteristics and submitting them to a classifier. A spectrophotometer can measure a substrates reflectance spectrum, which is a good characteristic for use in classifying. Classifiers can be based on known distance or correlation measures.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining the image quality of an optical imaging system and to the use of the method according to the invention for determining the influence of samples on the amplitude distribution and phase front distribution of the illumination light, of which the amplitude distribution is known in particular.

Abstract: The system provides for controlling color reproduction of input color image data in a network having nodes (or sites). The system distributes the input color image data from one of the nodes to other nodes, and provides data structures in the network. The system has means for providing color calibration data at each node characterizing output colors (colorants) of the rendering device of the node, and means for producing at each node, responsive to the color calibration data of the rendering device of the node, information for transforming the input color image data into output color image data at the rendering device of the node. The rendering device of each node renders a color reproduction responsive to the output color image data, wherein colors displayed in the reproduction at the rendering device of each node appear substantially the same within the output colors attainable by the rendering devices.

Abstract: A method for testing a printing system for printing information-embedded regions includes transmitting a test sheet data file to a print service provider. The test sheet data file includes a plurality of complete or incomplete information-embedded regions. A sample printed using the test sheet data file is received from the print service provider. The printed sample is evaluated, and a record of the evaluation is created. The evaluation record is stored.

Abstract: To perform a method for identifying color measuring strips having measuring areas on printed products, the color measuring strips are scanned with a color measuring instrument. The measured color values acquired by the color measuring instrument are stored in a computer and that the measured color values acquired are each assigned to a printing ink. A sequence formed in this way of printing inks is stored in the computer and then compared with color measuring strip types stored in the computer. The stored color measuring strip type having the greatest probability is then selected.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a correction value of an optical sensor detecting an edge of the medium so as to generate detection information, includes: acquiring edge information on an edge position of one of opposite edges of the medium based on the detection information; forming on the medium a correction value obtainment pattern including lines that are arranged at a fixed interval in a first direction and parallel to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and that include a reference line spaced a first distance from the edge position in the first direction and parallel to the second direction, based on the edge information; specifying a line spaced the first distance from the edge position in the first direction; obtaining a second distance in the first direction between the specified line and the reference line; and determining the second distance as an absolute value of the correction value.

Abstract: Defects in an image forming system may give rise to scratched fiducials, missing fiducial regions, or other defects in an image that can run parallel to the process direction. The present disclosure provides for a fiducial compensation method and system for detecting defects thereby allowing spatial tone reproduction curves to be calculated and applied to a digital image in order to eliminate printed streaks due to a photoreceptor's non-uniformities.

Abstract: An image processing method for performing color conversion among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, includes the steps of: a) producing a plurality of color profiles provided for performing color conversion on input image information within a same color space or through different color spaces; and b) selecting one of the plurality of color profiles whereby color in an image formed by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses may be approximately equal to color of an image formed by another of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.

Abstract: Scan-to-print color rendering in a system including a scanner engine and a print engine may include, in an exemplary embodiment, storing or providing an index table of respective scanned values in a scanner color space corresponding to each output color printed by the print engine. A color target may be scanned using the scanner engine to provide digital image data in a scanner color space. For each image-scan pixel, a closest scanned value is selected from the index table for a corresponding output color. A color difference is determined a between the image-scan pixel and the closest value as an error for that image-scan pixel. Color error diffusion is applied to compensate for the color difference by distributing the error to neighbor pixels.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises: a first calculation section that calculates a plurality of spectral reflectances at a plurality of wavelengths based on intensities of light irradiating an object and reflected from the object, the light having a certain spectral energy distribution; a second calculation section that calculates color descriptor values of the object based on the spectral reflectances calculated by the first calculation section; a third calculation section that calculates a set of factors when the color descriptor values are expressed using a linear combination of a predetermined plurality of eigenvectors, factors associated with the respective eigenvectors, and either spectral energy of a reference light or theoretical spectral energy of a virtual light; and an output section that outputs the factors calculated by the third calculation section.

Abstract: A method for dynamically compensating for a faulty pixel in a scan line of a scanner having an image sensor with a plurality of sensor pixels includes generating digitized scan data; processing the digitized scan data to compensate for any faulty pixels of the plurality of sensor pixels to form compensated scan data; processing the compensated scan data to apply offset and gain correction to the compensated scan data to form calibrated scan data; processing the calibrated scan data to adjust the calibrated scan data to compensate for human visual perception to form final scan data; and storing the final scan data in a scanner image memory.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a controller of a scanner includes obtaining a scan of a predefined image. The method further includes moving the sensor-element signals of the control signal pattern generated by the controller earlier in the pattern by at least one unit and obtaining an additional scan. The obtaining and moving are repeated until a comparison of a latest additional scan to the image is worse than a comparison of a second-latest additional scan to the image. Another method obtains a noise-reducing heuristic which modifies a time parameter of a sensor-element signal. A set of repeated scans of a same scan line is obtained, noise is measured there from, the time parameter is modified by one predetermined unit, and the process repeats until the noise measured from the latest set of repeated scans is worse than that from the second-latest set of repeated scans.

Abstract: An image printing/reading apparatus in which a reference white board for prescanning can be prevented from being soiled with ink, and the influence of stray light from a paper discharge port can be reduced. A commonality of a print sheet path for conveyance of print sheet and a document path for conveyance of document is at least partially realized as a common path. A reading unit is provided with a reference white board for shading correction used upon execution of prescanning. Upon execution of document reading, the reading unit and the reference white board are moved to a document reading position. On the other hand, upon execution of prescanning, the reading unit and the reference white board are moved to a retreat position where the influence of ambient light is reduced. Further, upon printing, the reading unit and the reference white board are also moved to the retreat position for preventing the reference white board from being soiled with ink.

Abstract: An automatic scanner calibration method and apparatus is disclosed in which a calibration target, such as a Kodak® gray strip, is attached to a scanning surface of a scanner. During a normal scan, the calibration target area can be ignored or scanned depending on user selection. If the calibration target is scanned, then the resulting information is used to calibrate the scanner automatically. Such calibration is more accurate than an older in time or preset default calibration. Another embodiment of the invention actuates a print of a printer calibration target on a printer on a scheduled basis. Thereafter, the user can take the printer calibration target and place it on the scanner and perform a calibration of a scanner/printer system.

Abstract: A color image processing method, which is adapted to convert a first color signal including a solid color signal to a second color signal including a solid color signal, includes: determining a device independent color signal on a color coordinate in a color system from the first color signal; determining a solid color signal of the second color signal having the minimum or substantially minimum color difference from the solid color signal of the first color signal; and determining a color signal other than the solid color signal of the second color signal to be calorimetrically equal to the device independent color signal from the device independent color signal and the solid color signal of the second color signal.

Abstract: The method or system for controlling a printing or copying system for processing single sheets, a first single sheet and at least a second single sheet immediately following the first single sheet is processed with aid of n processing units. A required minimum distance between the first and the second single sheet is determined for each processing unit. A delay distance is determined for the first and at least for each of the n?1 following processing units. A difference between the minimum distance of a processing unit and a sum of the delay distances of the preceding processing units is formed. A smallest possible distance with which the second single sheet is fed to the first processing unit after the first single sheet is determined by a highest value of the determined minimum distance of the first processing unit and the determined differences.

Abstract: A method for determining a toner usage estimate for a print job to be performed by a printing system having at least one print engine and at least one controller includes determining a set of print conditions for the print job and selecting a set of parameters associated with the print conditions. The method further includes estimating a total amount of toner usage for each of the print job's pages. The set of parameters may include image rendering, job dependent and engine dependent parameters.

Abstract: A first series of control patches is printed with a first marking engine. A second series of control patches is printed with a second marking engine. Relative reflectance values of the patches printed with the first and second marking engines are measured with respective first and second engine response sensors. Based at least on a difference in the measured relative reflectance values of the control patches printed with the first and second marking engines, a relative engine to engine error is determined. The engine to engine error is decomposed into components. Based on the decomposition, adjustment of at least binary values of a digital image is determined so that print density of a first marking engine output substantially matches print density of a second marking engine output.

Abstract: A method of automatically adjusting parameters of a display device is provided. The method includes: measuring a current distance between a user and the display device; determining a particular distance range which the current distance falls in; determining corresponding parameter values of the particular distance range according to a parameter management table which lists a series of distance ranges and corresponding parameter values of the display device; transmitting the parameter values to the display device; adjusting parameters of the display device according to the parameter values.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method are directed to efficient image based color calibration and improving color consistency performance, and more particularly to the use of continuous or dynamic calibration performed during printing and enabling adjustment on a page by page basis.

Abstract: A color shift detection pattern forming part forms a color shift detection pattern. A sensor detects color shift in the color shift detection pattern. A color shift amount computing part calculates an amount of color shift. A color shift correcting part corrects the calculated amount of color shift. A correction amount computing part computes an amount of correction to correct the computed amount of color shift. A correcting part corrects the computed amount of color shift based on the computed amount of correction based on a setting value for controlling a color shift state. A determining part determines whether an abnormality is detected in the computed amount of color shift or in the computed amount of correction of color shift based on a result of computation of the amount of color shift or a result of computation of the amount of correction. A fixed value setting part sets a specific fixed value to the setting value of the correcting part.

Abstract: A representative color determining step is executed to determine, from image data, a representative color characterizing an image of a print, and positions of the representative color. A gray control color determining step is executed to determine, from the image data, a gray control color expressed in an achromatic color and positions of the gray control color. A reading step is executed to read an image of reference paper and an image of an actual print. Then, a calculating step is executed to carry out a comparative calculation of color data in the positions of the representative color of the image of the reference paper and color data in the positions of the representative color of the image of the print, and a comparative calculation of color data in the positions of the gray control color of the image of the reference paper and color data in the positions of the gray control color of the image of the print, to create control data for controlling ink feeding rates of a printing machine.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of printers, at least a first and a second of the plurality of printers printing in a first print modality. A scheduling system schedules printing of a set of pages by the plurality of printers. The set of pages, when assembled, may include pages where a high level of consistency is desired, such as facing pages or pages which are otherwise to be placed in close relationship. The scheduling system includes at least two scheduling modes, a first mode in which a consistency constraint is applied to the set of pages, and a second mode, different from the first mode, in which the consistency constraint is not applied. The printing system is configured for printing the set of pages in accordance with the first mode and in accordance with the second mode.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of generating mapping data for converting first image data adapted to be reproduced by a first imaging device having a first gamut to second image data adapted to be reproduced by a second imaging device having a second gamut which is different from the first gamut. A third gamut is determined so as to include the first gamut and the second gamut. The first gamut is extended to the third gamut to obtain first mapping relationships. The third gamut is compressed to obtain second mapping relationships. It is generated mapping data associating first colors included in the first gamut with second colors included in the second gamut by way of the first mapping relationships and the second mapping relationships.

Abstract: What is provided are a novel system and method for determining a sensitivity matrix for adaptive color control in a color marking device capable of performing device independent color correction. In one embodiment, a determination is made as to what control operation the color marking device is being characterized for. Nominal CMYK values are then selected based on the determined control operation. If the control operation is a gray balancing operation, the nominal CMYK values are selected using C=M=Y=L* and K*=0 values. Otherwise, the nominal CMYK values are selected using a CMYK to L*a*b* printer map. Color parameters are determined for the CMYK values based on the selected nominal CMYK values. A sensitivity matrix is then generated from the color parameters and CMYK values. The method facilitates calibration of dynamically varying color reproduction devices.

Abstract: A transform useful for predicting a reflectance value producible by a printer while operating under a predetermined target set of operating conditions using reflectance values produced by the printer while operating under a predetermined reference set of operating conditions is generated using an efficient sample set that contains the minimal required number of samples.

Abstract: Exemplary methods are directed to the linearization and characterization of an image producing device. In the method, a color test chart of the device is reproduced and measured based on a small number of color measurement fields with defined device color values. Associated color values are determined for each color measurement field and used to calculate linearization curves for the device. Additionally, by analysis of the device color values, the measured color values, and device behavior, an expanded color test chart with expanded device color values and associated expanded color values is calculated. The number of color measurement fields in the expanded color test chart is larger than the number of color measurement fields in the original color test chart. An ICC profile for the device is calculated from the expanded device color values and the expanded color values.

Abstract: A color conversion device includes: a color conversion table that stores the color-component values; an area selecting unit that selects a cube; an area coordinate determination unit that determines positions of an input values in the cube; a weighting factor obtaining unit that obtains a weighting factor on one lattice point included in the cube; a value storing unit that reads out the color-component values corresponding to lattice points; a multiplication unit that multiplies the color-component values with the weighting factor; an addition unit that cumulative adds the multiplication results; and an output unit that outputs the color-component values by each color, wherein: the value storing unit stores the color-component values of at least two colors by each color at mutually different areas of the arithmetic memory; and the multiplication unit multiplies the weighting factor respectively by the color-component values in a one multiplication processing.

Abstract: A color image control system and method are provided for improving the image control of printing systems, including digital front-end processors, color printers and post-finishing system. This automatic image control system, including measurement and calibration, by registering the captured reproduced document with the extracted virtual device document and automatically locating a plurality of regions in which to measure captured color values, using colorimetric measurements of an aim reproduction of the document at these same region positions, and finally relating the captured color values, the colorimetric color values, and the virtual device color values to create the an accurate color mapping. One embodiment of this method combines a global regression polynomial with local mapping refinement.

Abstract: A printer is operated under a first set of conditions to create a first set of M number of samples and under a target set of conditions to create a second set of K samples. Each sample is produced using the same colorant(s). The actual spectral reflectance for each sample is measured. In accordance with the present invention the actual spectral reflectances for corresponding samples in the first and second sets are used to create a cross-validated, partial-least-squares transform that maps a reflectance from a sample produced under the first set of conditions to a reflectance from a sample produced under the target set of conditions. The transform and the actual spectral reflectance measured from the M number of samples in the first set are used to produce a set of M number of predicted reflectances, where each predicted reflectance represents a sample producible by the printer under the target set of operating conditions using one of the M colorant(s).

Abstract: A display color-correcting system is provided. Color response values are measured that go into the vertices of polyhedra in a cubic color output space of the display. A set of corresponding values for the display is built from intermediate values determined between the measured color response values. The intermediate values are determined by decomposition and interpolation of interpolation volumes in the cubic color output space. Each of the interpolation volumes is the combined volume of a selected polyhedron within the cubic color output space and a predetermined volume of space between the selected polyhedron and the next polyhedron within the cubic color output space. The set of corresponding values is converted into decoupled RGB adjustment values that specify the RGB signals independently for the display to produce corrected colors. The RGB adjustment values are saved into one or more look-up tables.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that accurately estimate a post-printing appearance of a color on a substrate. In addition, systems and methods are provided that accurately estimate a post-mixing appearance of several colors mixed on a substrate.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for converting gray scale. The apparatus includes a receiving module, an encoding module, and a decoding module. The receiving module is used for receiving an input image, wherein the input image has an N-bit first gray level. The encoding module is used for selectively calculating a first color level based on both M higher bits and T lower bits of the first gray level, and then calculating a second color level and a third color level based on M higher bits of the first gray level. The decoding module is used for converting the first, second, and third color levels into an N-bit second gray level by using a gray scale conversion formula.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for color management in image/text printing or display systems, and more particularly to a system and method for automatically achieving spot color production through use of a plurality of gain matrices per spot color in determining spot color coordinates. Furthermore, this disclosure provides a means for mapping out-of-gamut target spot colors substantially near a boundary of the gamut of an image output device, such as a printer or display.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional printer profile look-up table for color correction is generated. First, an initial estimate for a black (K) component in a four-color color space for received color signals in the device independent color space is generated by using a three-dimensional parametric function. Next, initial estimates for the three non-black color components of the four-color color space are generated from the generated initial estimate for the black (K) component and the received color signals. Then, a printer profile including a map that maps the device independent color space to the four-color color space is generated using the generated initial estimates for the black (K) and the three non-black color components in the four-color color space.

Abstract: An image inspection system inspects quality of image prepared from source image data by an image forming apparatus. The image inspection system includes a scanner, a storage unit, an inspection color designating unit, an inspection area determination unit, a reference color extraction unit, an inspection color extraction unit, and an image quality judgment unit. The scanner scans reference and inspection document to prepare reference and inspection image data. The inspection color designating unit designates an inspection color. The inspection area determination unit extracts an inspection area having the inspection color from the source image data. The reference color extraction unit extracts an image having first-extracted-color from the reference image data. The inspection color extraction unit extracts an image having a second-extracted-color from the inspection image data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for fast finding the best resolution of an optical scanning device during assembling steps. The present invention improves the graphics of the calibration device. Accompanying with calculation of an adjustment device, the present invention generates a referencing parameters. The parameters represent the resolution of the optical scanning device; and further is able to show the balance of horizontal resolution and the balance of vertical resolution. In this case, technicians can optimize the best position of the lens in order to build an optical scanning with precision and narrow the misalignment during assembly.