Abstract: A document illuminator comprising a light-transmissive element having nonlinear walls. The walls are shaped in the form of a compound parabolic concentrator with an optically inverted configuration. A diffusive optical source receives light from a side emitting LED embedded therein and redirects it to an aperture along with other light rays that go through total internal reflection from the nonlinear walls. The reflected light rays that are collected at the aperture are in turn transmitted at high power and uniform luminescence to illuminate a document for scanning.

Abstract: A line image sensor reads an image of a reading position on a contact glass by a plurality of lines in a main-scanning direction. A replacing unit replaces, when there is a pixel whose read values of read data from a plurality of read lines in a same main scanning period are smaller than a predetermined black threshold and an adjacent pixel whose two arbitrary read values have a difference larger than a predetermined threshold near the pixel, and if the pixel remains at a same pixel position in a predetermined number of continuous main scanning periods, replaces read data of the adjacent pixel and a predetermined number of subsequent pixels with white pixel data.

Abstract: Erroneous determination of an image caused by color shift is prevented. Image data is divided in a sub-scanning direction into a first region where color shift hardly occurs and a second region where color shift easily occurs. There are detected a first color line drawing extending in a main-scanning direction in the first region, a second color line drawing extending in the main-scanning direction and having a width larger than that of the first color line drawing in the second region, and a third color line drawing extending in the sub-scanning direction in the image data. On the basis of the detected first, second, and third color line drawings, it is determined whether a document is a color document or not.

Abstract: A color processing method which sets viewing conditions easily and properly from shooting conditions added to an image. Shot image data and shooting conditions of the image data are obtained. Input side viewing conditions from the obtained shooting conditions are set. The image data with a color appearance model based on the set input side viewing conditions are converted.

Abstract: The display system includes the display apparatus and the scanner apparatus disposed so as to be drawable forward below the display apparatus. In addition, the upper unit is attached so as to be openable and closeable to the lower unit. Moreover, in the scanner apparatus, a sheet-like original, an image of which is read by the image reading device, can be fed from a front side of the upper unit. In addition, when the image of the sheet-like original is read by the scanner apparatus, the original is fed from the front face side of the scanner apparatus to read the original image, and when an image of a book original is read, the scanner apparatus is pulled out forward so that an image of the book original is read in a state where the upper unit is opened.

Abstract: An image display apparatus having an electronic zoom function. The apparatus includes: imaging means capable of changing a start position of reading an image; in order for at least a part of a predetermined range of the image data to be written at the time of reading the image from a memory, writing means for extracting the predetermined range of the image and writing the extracted image in the memory; reading means for starting to read the image in the memory at the time of reading the image, converting the predetermined range of the image read from the memory into an image of a predetermined resolution, and outputting the image; and when the range of the image read is wider than a range to be expanded, control means for controlling the start position of reading so as to narrow the range of the image to be read.

Abstract: A system for enabling user interaction with computer software which includes a printer and sensing device. The printer receives print data and prints a form by printing information related to at least one text field coincident with coded data indicative of the text field, receiving indicating data from the sensing device and transferring the indicating data to a computer system to allow the interaction to be interpreted. The sensing device has an image sensor for capturing images of the coded data when moved relative to the text field, and a processor which identifies the coded data from the captured images, determines an orientation and position, within the captured images, of the coded data, decodes the coded data, and generates the indicating data using the decoded coded data and the determined orientation and position.

Abstract: An image-reading processing apparatus is connected to an image reading apparatus being capable of reading both surface images of a document, including a storage unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit includes a double-face reading control unit that controls the image reading apparatus to scan both the surfaces of the document, a coordinate acquiring unit that acquires a coordinate group of a position serving as an edge candidate of the document based on a grayscale value in image data of each of the surfaces read by the double-face reading control unit, a straight line detecting unit that detects a straight line group corresponding to an edge portion of the document based on the coordinate group acquired by the coordinate acquiring unit, a straight line inverting unit that inverts the straight line group detected by the straight line detecting unit, and a straight line selecting unit that determines the straight line group suitable for the edge portion from the document in the straight line group d

Abstract: A system for enabling user interaction with computer software. The includes a computer system for determining information related to an interactive element, determining an identity indicative of the interactive element, determining a layout defining an arrangement for at least one of coded data indicative of the identity and the information, generating print data indicative of the identity, layout and information, transferring the print data to a printer which prints a form in response thereto by printing the information coincident with the coded data, receiving indicating data indicative of the interactive element from a sensing device which senses the coincident coded data to generate the indicating data, identifying, using the indicating data, the interactive element, and performing an action associated with the interactive element.

Abstract: A method of enabling user interaction with computer software including, in a computer system transferring print data to a printer, printing a form responsive to the print data by printing information indicative of a text field coincident with coded data indicative of the text field, so that when a sensing device is moved relative to the text field the sensing device can sense the coded data and generate the indicating data indicative of its relative movement, using the indicating data to determine the movement and then perform an action associated with the text field based on the movement. Further in the computer system, the information, an identity indicative of the text field, and a layout defining an arrangement for coded data indicative of the identity and information are determined, and the print data is generated to be indicative of the identity, layout and information.

Abstract: A device for scanning a document is provided. A document placed on a support surface is scanned line by line by a camera that is provided with an optoelectronic line sensor, and electric signals are produced. The line sensor includes a plurality of image recording elements disposed in a linear orientation. A lens system is used to image the light reflected by the document to be captured onto a part of the image recording elements.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a first reading unit, a second reading unit, and a determination unit. The first reading unit reads an image on a first side of a document conveyed through a document conveyance path. The second reading unit is disposed in the document conveyance path at a reading position that is different from a reading position of the first reading unit and reads an image on a second side that is different from the first side on the document. The determination unit determines whether the document is a color document, according to whether a color image is included in an image in a predetermined region of the first side read by the first reading unit, and in an image in a region that is different from the predetermined region in the first side and read by the second reading unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an illuminating optical system having light sources arranged in a line and a light guide member guiding rays of light from the light sources to illuminate a document which passes through a document reading position near a light emergent surface of the light guide member. An image reading optical system includes a rod lens array to read light passing through the document, and a cylindrical lens array in the light emergent surface of the light guide member. Ridge lines running along a subscanning direction on the light guide member are aligned in a scanning direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing apparatus including (a) a reading portion which reads an image to obtain image data of the image, (b) a transmission-information display portion which presents, in a single screen, a preview image indicative of a content of the image data obtained by the reading portion, and a plurality of destination addresses, (c) an association setting portion which sets an association between the preview image and one of the destination addresses presented by the transmission-information display portion, which one destination address is selected by a user, and (d) a sending portion which sends the image data the content of which is indicated by the preview image to the destination address with which the preview image is associated, on the basis of the association set by the association setting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention reads an original by mechanically moving an axial light source in a subscanning direction perpendicular to the axis. The image forming apparatus includes: a sensor whose resolution in a main scanning direction parallel to the axis of the axial light source is higher than a designated resolution; a controller that controls the driving speed of the axial light source so that the resolution in the subscanning direction is higher than the designated resolution; an original-image-data generating unit that generates original image data with a resolution higher than the designated resolution in response to the output from the sensor; and an image reducing unit that generates reduced pixels fewer than a specified number of pixels in the original image data to generate a reduced image with a resolution equal to the designated resolution.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a color line sensor and a monochromatic line sensor starts to read on the basis of the color reading start position when reading the image of a document in color and starts to read on the basis of the monochromatic reading start position when reading the image of a document in monochrome.

Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to realize a high productivity in the booklet outputting operation. The apparatus comprises: an image data acquiring section to acquire consecutive image data, which include main content image data and at least a part of cover sheet image data succeeding the main-content sheet image data; an image forming section to conduct an image forming operation based on the main content image data and the cover sheet image data, acquired by the image data acquiring section; an image data presence-or-absence detecting section to detect a presence or absence of (i+1)th image data acquired by the image data acquiring section, wherein “i” represents a page number of image data sets necessary for forming cover sheet images on a cover sheet; and a control section to control the image forming section so as to commence the image forming operation.

Abstract: A method and a device for the optical scanning of a document by means of a line camera in which the document may be scanned at variable speed. Since on the one hand a line frequency by which the individual lines are scanned is based on the speed of movement, and on the other hand binning is carried out automatically on the basis of the speed of movement, wherein the line frequency is multiplied by a binning factor n, it is possible for a document to be scanned very easily and simply over a wide speed range. Color values are preferably corrected by means of an amplification factor, so that the brightness of the images produced by this means is constant over the whole speed range.

Abstract: A color image scanning system, method and medium that generates look-up tables for color data correction based on the type of printing paper and the kind of image on the printing papers, thereby improving color reproducibility upon scanning. A color image scanning system may include a storage unit to store look-up tables having correction values of first color data, obtained by scanning a first printing paper having a plurality of color patches, each of the look-up tables corresponding to a type of printing paper, and a final image generation unit to correct second color data, obtained by scanning a second printing paper, with reference to a look-up table of the look-up tables, the look-up table corresponding to the type of printing paper used by the second printing paper.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus comprising: a read unit that reads a target to be read as color data of N colors (N is a positive integer) that form a color space; a generator that generates pixel data of one pixel from the read color data of the N colors; a determining unit that determines whether the generated pixel data is present in an achromatic edge area that includes an achromatic edge; and a processing unit that, if the generated pixel data is determined to be present in the achromatic edge area, generates, for pixels in the achromatic edge area, achromatic pixel data of the color space from one item of the read color data of the N colors forming the color space and also generates image data from the generated achromatic pixel data.

Abstract: An image playback method is provided which allows the viewer to easily recognize how much time has elapsed and to evoke, with nostalgia, the memories from the time when the image was acquired. This image playback method includes the steps of determining a time elapsed from image acquisition based on an acquisition date and time of image information obtained by the image acquisition and a current date and time; determining a fading rate based on the determined elapsed time; subjecting the image information to image processing in which the image information is faded based on the determined fading rate; and displaying the image-processed image information to play back the image.

Abstract: A method for scanning an object is provided. The method involves placing the object on a scanning platform. The scanner has a plurality of cameras positioned around the object to be scanned. The scanned object can be a foot, among other things, and the scanner is positioned at a predetermined incline so that the foot is evenly supported. A positioning system including at least one sensor is used to determine if the foot is located within a predetermined scanning area. The method can be used to measure foot dimensions for the production of shoe lasts and construction of shoes. The method can be used in a system for selecting shoes that properly fit.

Abstract: A construction is achieved at low cost which reduces the loss of gradation in a dark portion of an image that has been subjected to gamma correction in accordance with characteristics of a display. In an image reading apparatus, to make it possible to more finely reproduce the gradation in the dark portion, the number of gradations expressed by an signal obtained by a CCD is reduced by performing non-linear gamma correction using a gamma coefficient below one, and the resulting signal is transferred to a computer serving as a host computer. In the computer, the transferred signal is subjected to gamma correction using a gamma coefficient that is an inverse of the gamma coefficient used in the image reading apparatus, thereby canceling out the influence of the gamma correction performed in the image reading apparatus.

Abstract: An image copying apparatus includes a target data acquiring unit, a target data saving unit, an adding unit, a sampling data saving unit, a specifying unit, a sampling data saving unit, and a correcting unit. The target data acquiring unit acquires target data from a test chart document. The adding unit adds data displaying a specification image specifying the scanning unit having scanned a test chart recorded side to the recorded side image data. The sampling data acquiring unit acquires sampling data from a copy of the test chart document. The specifying unit specifies the scanning unit having scanned the test chart recorded side from the specification image. The sampling data saving unit saves the sampling data when the scanning unit having scanned the test chart copied side matches the specified scanning unit. The correcting unit corrects the image data based on a correcting feature generated from the saved data.

Abstract: A scanner and a method of scanning an image on an original includes an optical sensor having sensor elements for each of three basic colors that is used to generate pixel values of the scanned image. Each pixel value represents an optical density of a pixel of the image and is generated mainly on the basis of a signal of only one of the sensor elements. Each of the sensor elements for each of the basic colors is used to generate pixel values representing substantially different parts of the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for applying desired effects to a stored image. The apparatus comprises an optical reader; a feed mechanism for feeding a card having an array of dots past the optical reader; an optical reader interface that is connected to the optical reader, the optical reader interface able to control the optical reader to detect a data area on the card, to detect a bit pattern corresponding to the array of dots in the data area, and to produce raw data from the bit pattern while the card is being fed past the optical reader, the raw data used to produce an image processing script; and, a processor that is connected to the optical reader interface to receive and apply the image processing script to the stored image to generate an output image with the desired effects. The array of dots defines a first resolution and the optical reader has a sensor with a second resolution at least twice the first resolution.

Abstract: A document scanner with automatic dust avoidance includes an automated document feeder; a transparent plate; an illumination source for illuminating the document through the transparent plate; at least one mirror for reflecting light reflected from the document; at least one sensor for imaging light from the at least one mirror; a microprocessor for determining the presence of dust on the transparent plate; and a motor for tilting the at least one mirror when dust is detected on the transparent plate.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a light source which irradiates illumination light to a document; an imaging element which images reflected light of the illumination light from the document; a color separator which performs color separation of the illumination light or the reflected light into at least three wavelength ranges including a first wavelength range, a second wavelength ranges and a third wavelength range; a light-receiving element which converts the reflected light imaged by the imaging element into an electrical signal as a document image of the document, for each of the at least three wavelength ranges; and an image processor which classifies the document image on the basis of the electrical signal in the first wavelength range and in the second wavelength range.

Abstract: An image sensing and printing device is provided has a housing which houses an area image sensor, a printing mechanism and processor. The image sensor senses a viewed image to be printed on media and generates pixel data representing the viewed image. The printing mechanism defines a media feed path and includes a printhead assembly of a pagewidth printhead having at least one printhead chip that spans the media feed path and a feed mechanism which feeds media along the path. The processor includes processing circuitry interconnected with image sensor and printhead interfaces. The image sensor interface converts the pixel data into an internal format and writes the converted data to the processing circuitry which for conversion to print image data. The printhead interface provides signals representing the print image data to the printhead so that the printhead generate a printed representation of the viewed image.

Abstract: In the present invention, in a color copy machine, original modes of copy job units, and setting changes of sharpness adjustment, whose updates are permitted beforehand, are totaled, change of default is judged, when this accumulated result is larger than a threshold value, and the original mode whose accumulated result is larger than the threshold value, and the sharpness adjustment are set to change a default state of an image processing unit.

Abstract: This image data processing device DP1 is equipped with a frame video data acquiring unit 40 and driving video data generator 50. The frame video data acquiring unit 40 acquires first frame video data FR(N) that shows first original images, as well as second frame video data FR(N+1) that show second original images that are displayed following the first original images. The driving video data generator 50 generates first through fourth driving video data DFI1(N), DFI2(N), DFI1(N+1), DFI2(N+1) that respectively show first through fourth driving images to be sequentially displayed on the image display device. First and second driving video data DFI1(N), DFI2(N) are generated based on first frame video data FR(N). Third and fourth driving video data DFI1(N+1), DFI2(N+1) are generated based on second frame video data FR(N+1). The color of the pixel in a part of the second driving image constitutes the complementary color of the color of the corresponding pixel in the first driving image.

Abstract: The address of an image processing apparatus is set as the network address of an external network of an information processing apparatus, a network address different from the address of the image processing apparatus is set as the network address of a local network, and an address different from these network addresses is distributed to another information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A step and non-uniformity in density in a drawing object due to an offset for an electrical color-shift correction are reduced. An image forming apparatus includes: a unit for determining a changing coordinate in a main scanning direction for correcting a color shift; a unit for detecting a closed region lying across the determined changing coordinate, from a drawing object; and a unit for performing a changing by using the determined changing coordinate without changing a shape of the detected closed region.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus includes a photoelectric converter to convert incident light into an analog image signal, a drive unit to drive the photoelectric converter by a frequency modulated clock signal, an overlapping circuit to overlap an anti-phase analog signal to the analog image signal fluctuating according to the frequency modulated clock signal with a same amount of fluctuation as that of the analog image signal, and an analog digital converter to convert the overlapped analog image signal into a digital output.

Abstract: A printer-plotter includes a guide rail, a first head, a second head, a driving device, a first connecting mechanism and a second connecting mechanism. The guide rail extends in a longitudinal direction. The first head is supported by the guide rail and movable along the longitudinal direction. The second head is supported by the guide rail and movable independently of the first head along the longitudinal direction. The driving device includes a driving force transmitting member and a driving mechanism configured to move the driving force transmitting member. The first connecting mechanism is configured to detachably connect the first head to the driving force transmitting member. The second connecting mechanism is configured to detachably connect the second head to the driving force transmitting member.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes: a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light in response to driving signals; a control unit that adjusts the timings at which the driving signals are supplied to a plurality of blocks each composed of one or more light-emitting elements to generate control signals for indicating the timings at which the driving signals are supplied for every block; and a plurality of driving units that are provided for the blocks and supply the driving signals to the light-emitting elements belonging to the corresponding blocks on the basis of the control signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method performed by an image capture device are provided. The method includes performing a calibration operation on a photosensor array of the image capture device using a background surface with a substantially uniform grey color and performing a scan operation to capture a scanned image from a medium using the background surface.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an image scanner which can continuously transfer image data of one surface to an external device (image forming apparatus) without performing control such as interruption and resumption of an original scanning operation. The image scanner includes a size detection unit which detects an original size and a determination unit which determines whether or not the image data relating to an original of the size detected by the size detection unit can be stored in a storage unit. The image scanner also includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to set operation in a first mode when the determination unit determines that image data relating to the original can be stored in the storage unit, and the control unit is configured to set operation in a second mode when the determination unit determines that image data relating to the original cannot be stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A method of generating an image of a single document includes the steps of: transporting a plurality of documents across a scan position one by one; starting reading the documents at the scan position before a first document of the documents reaches the scan position and reading the documents continuously until a last document of the documents is completely transported across the scan position to generate a multi-document analog image; converting the multi-document analog image into a multi-document digital image; and processing the multi-document digital image to generate a plurality of single-document digital images corresponding to the documents.

Abstract: An inspection method for an image reading apparatus where image information of an original is imaged on light receiving element lines arranged in a main scanning direction to read the information on different colors. The method includes: acquiring a first color misregistration from image information based on a first striped pattern located at a position optically equivalent to a surface of the original with respect to the light receiving element lines, the first pattern having white and black lines aligned, and having longitudinal directions of the white and black lines aligned in a sub-scanning direction; acquiring a second color misregistration from image information based on a second striped pattern having white and black lines aligned, and having longitudinal directions of the white and black lines aligned at an angle from the main scanning direction; and calculating a color misregistration in the sub-scanning direction based on the measured color misregistrations.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a system and method for switching screens from overview and preview. The method comprises multitudes of overviewed jobs that are selected on an overview zone for the objective image. Multitudes of selected jobs are displayed on a select preview zone for the overview zone. Multitudes of selected jobs are generated for the select job pictures. The corresponding previewed settings are added to the corresponding previewed settings. The system comprises an overview module for displaying a previewed digital picture. Set modules is for selecting and edit settings for several jobs on the previewed digital picture. A preview module is for storing several selected jobs on the set module and displaying several select jobs respectively on the preview module.

Abstract: Disclosed are a scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module includes a light source generating light to be irradiated onto an object and a light guide member extending in correspondence with a width of the object to be scanned. The light guide member has a reflective surface for reflecting the light generated from the light source, an exit surface for radiating the light, which is reflected from the reflective surface, toward the object, and a plurality of guide surfaces each guiding the light toward the exit surface by reflecting the light reflected from the reflective surface deviates from the exit surface. The light is effectively guided to be output from the exit surface without substantial light loss.

Abstract: A scanning device with multiple LED light sources and an application thereof. The scanning device includes a housing, a chassis, a main LED light source and an auxiliary LED light source. A horizontal plane of the housing is connected to a sloped plane of the housing to form a connecting section. The main LED light source has a length extending in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the chassis. The main LED light source provides a main light ray to illuminate the horizontal plane, and includes a first circuit board mounted on the chassis and first LEDs mounted on the first circuit board. The auxiliary LED light source includes a second circuit board mounted on the chassis and a second LED mounted on the second circuit board. The second LED provides an auxiliary light ray to illuminate the connecting section.

Abstract: An image reading device comprising: a carrying unit; a reading unit; a first obtaining unit to obtain a first value representing a ground color of a first face of the document; a first judgment unit to judge whether to execute correction for the ground color of the first face; a first correction unit to correct the ground color of the first face; a second obtaining unit to obtain a second value representing a ground color of a second face of the document; a second judgment unit to judge whether the second value falls within a predetermined range including the first value; a third judgment unit to judge whether to execute correction for the second face of the document in accordance with a judgment result by the first judgment unit if the second judgment unit judges that the second value falls within the predetermined range; and a second correction unit.

Abstract: It is desirable to provide a bitstream format for compressed data that would allow multiple processors to access and decompress different parts of the data in parallel. Compressed images are usually defined in terms of macroblocks that have a width less than the image width and a height less than the image height. Thus, an image is divided several bands of multiple lines, and each band of multiple lines is divided into a macroblock. The set of macroblocks that define a band is called herein a macroblock rasterscan. The bit stream format includes, for each image, a picture header followed by image scan data. The image scan data includes data corresponding to a plurality of macroblock rasterscans. The data for each macroblock rasterscan includes data for a plurality of macroblocks for a band of lines in the image followed by padding. The padding ensures that data for each macroblock rasterscan terminates on a data boundary.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for dynamically refine the threshold values of R (Red), G (Green), B (Blue) colors for determining a borderline pixel in response to the values of a background image, thereby to precisely determine the borderlines of the Area of Interest (AOI). The method of the invention first searches the borderline pixels of a scanned image according to the standard differences of the R, G, B values of the pixels. Then, approximate the R, G, B threshold values of the borderline pixels by repeatedly averaging the current R, G, B values of the borderline pixels and the previous R, G, B threshold values until the difference is less than a predetermined value. The approximated R, G, B threshold values are set for the new R, G, B threshold values for determining the attribute of a pixel for subsequent prescanned images. Accordingly, the AOI can be automatically selected by reading the image circumscribed by the borderline pixels.

Abstract: A linear image sensor which has an enhanced image resolution, and requires reduced processing time, and is low in cost. A first line sensor has a plurality of light receiving elements linearly arranged at a predetermined pitch in a main scanning direction. A second line sensor has a plurality of light receiving elements linearly arranged at the predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction. The light receiving elements of the second line sensor are shifted from the light receiving elements of the first line sensor by half the predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction. The second line sensor has a length in the main scanning direction shorter than that of the first line sensor, and is arranged in parallel to the first line sensor and spaced from the first line sensor by a predetermined distance in a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A colorimetric chart, for measuring a color reproduction characteristic of an image forming apparatus, includes: a patch column that is arranged in a sub-scanning direction representing a conveying direction in which the image forming apparatus conveys the colorimetric chart and that is used in detecting periodic color fluctuation attributed to the image forming apparatus, wherein the patch column includes patches that are arranged in different phases on the same patch column.

Abstract: The present invention is providing a method and a system for verifying making time of a file by computer. The method comprises: calling TWAIN protocol interfaces of a scanner for obtaining original color data both of an object file and a sample file, wherein making time of said sample file is known; sampling color points of said original color data of said object file thereby calculating color index data of said object file; and sampling color points of said original color data of said sample file thereby calculating color index data of said sample file; and comparing said color index data of said object file with said color index data of said sample file, and determining making time of said object file based on said known making time of said sample file. In accordance with the present invention, the sample file or the object file can be verified without damaged for the reason of analyzing color of said file by computer.

Abstract: There is provide a technique which can contribute to reduction of data capacity of image data read from an original document in an image reading apparatus, and can contribute to realization of a flexible image processing to meet user's requests.