Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for generating and applying image tone scale corrections with improved color fidelity.

Abstract: There is provided a technique to make, in a case where a monochrome image is generated based on a color image, a chromatic image region on the color image distinguishable on the monochrome image. There are included a first image reading unit to acquire monochrome image data by reading an image in monochrome from an original document, a second image reading unit to acquire color image data by reading an image in color from an original document, an extraction image generation unit to generate image data by extracting a chromatic image region in the color image data read by the second image reading unit, and a luminance correction unit to make a correction to increase, based on the image data generated by the extraction image generation unit, luminance of a monochrome signal which is included in the monochrome image data read by the first image reading unit and corresponds to the chromatic image region extracted by the extraction image generation unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking bank notes which scans the bank notes to be checked by means of a semiconductor array, including two linear semiconductor arrays formed of at least three layers which are sensitive to light of different wave-lengths, a first linear semiconductor array scanning the bank notes in a defined range of spectral sensitivity of the semiconductor (e.g. in the visible range), and a second linear semiconductor array scanning the bank notes in a range different therefrom (e.g. of invisible infrared light). From the signals of the two arrays a color image of the bank note and at least one image in the range of invisible light are obtained by suitable combination.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a color image forming apparatus which includes image forming units forming images, each for each color component, and superimposes the images of the color components on one another to form a color image. The image forming apparatus includes a scan line changing unit shifting the position of each pixel in a sub scanning direction for each color component of halftone image data to be processed so as to cancel a shift amount of a scan line on an image carrier in each of the image forming units in the sub scanning direction; an interpolation inhibited area determining unit determining an interpolation inhibited area in the image data; and an interpolation unit applying an interpolation process for smoothing a pixel-level shift caused by shifting of image data by the scan line changing unit to the image data excluding the interpolation inhibited area.

Abstract: It is made possible to effect the reading of image data of four channels (corresponding to four basic colors) without resulting in an increase in the construction of an A/D conversion circuit for three channels (corresponding to three basic colors). In an image reading apparatus provided with photoelectric conversion element arrays 401a-401d capable of resolving an inputted optical signal into four basic colors and outputting them as analog electrical signals, and an A/D conversion circuit 407 capable of inputting three analog electrical signals at a time, three or less analog electrical signals are selected from the photoelectric conversion element arrays 401a-401d at the image reading of one main scanning line and also, a different combination of analog electrical signals are selected at the image reading of two adjacent main scanning lines, and the selected analog electrical signals are outputted to the A/D conversion circuit 407.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a structure which meets a high-quality reading requirement and realize high-speed color reading when the reading section of a color image forming apparatus adopts a color contact image sensor using CCDs as reading elements. In order to achieve this object, the image sensor of a color image reading section uses a color contact image sensor in which a plurality of CCDs are aligned as reading elements in the main scanning direction. In this case, each CCD has one analog shift register for RGB time-division reading, and three R, G, and B reading apertures arranged parallel to each other at a pitch corresponding to the reading resolution. The pixel pitch in the main scanning direction is constant.

Abstract: A motion image data conversion apparatus includes an input unit configured to input motion image data in the form of color mosaic image data each pixel of which has single-color component data, and a spatial decimator configured to input motion image data from the input unit and perform a spatial decimation process separately on each color component data of the color mosaic image data. The spatial decimator selects one or more representative values for each color component data of the color mosaic image data and produces spatially decimated data composed of selected representative values.

Abstract: A processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) is used to dynamically generate patterns and/or sequences of patterns for a spatial light modulator (SLM), such as a micromirror device, for the purpose of processing light. The combination of the processor and modulator has afforded optical signal processing in the digital domain and programmability that cannot be achieved with conventional analog optical computing.

Abstract: A color image sensor which uses a sensor array that has, as a lighting light source, 3-color light emitting elements capable of independently controlling light emitting timings respectively and at least three pixel arrays respectively constituted by a plurality of pixels, respective pixel arrays being comprising color filters having different transmitting wavelength regions from each other, and which independently controls the lighting start and lighting period of each light emitting element, whereby it is possible to prevent color misalignment in an output image signal and regulate the image signal level of each color component.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus having a multi-color printing function is disclosed. The facsimile apparatus includes an information registering part configured to register registration information including book mark printing colors used for printing a book mark corresponding to a sender of a plurality of senders, a determining part configured to determine, based on the registration information, whether to print the book mark when receiving image information from the sender, and a printing part configured to print the book mark corresponding to the sender.

Abstract: In an image sensor array, as would be used in an input scanner such as in a digital copier, an original image is moved relative to a linear array of photosites. Each photosite includes at least two wide photosensors, each of which extends substantially across the photosite along the array direction, and at least two narrow photosensors, which are arranged next to each other along the array direction. In one embodiment, the wide photosensors include primary-color filters and the narrow photosensors are clear-filtered.

Abstract: An image compensation method is provided. At least one light source and a plurality of reflecting elements each capable of reflecting light from the light source are provided. Each reflecting element reflects a beam of light from the light source to produce a beam of reflected light having a unique color content. The reflecting elements are shifted to a location where one of the reflecting elements is capable of reflecting light from the light source.

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: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for identifying intended response marks in an optically scanned image of a response sheet having key marks and response targets printed in the same color. Pixel darkness values assigned by a digital imaging scanner are used to locate key marks and response targets and to identify response marks. Areas of the sheet may be selectively filtered to mask the response targets. Alternatively, a color imaging scanner may be used to produce a set of color values, such as RBG values, for each pixel. Software can act as a virtual filter by using the RBG values to detect or to mask a color in the image.

Abstract: A digital color imager provides an extended luminance range, enabling a method for an easy transformation into all other color spaces having luminance as a component. White pixels are added to hexagonal red, green and blue pixels. These white pixels can alternatively have an extended dynamic range as described by U.S. Pat. No. (6,441,852 to Levine et al.). Especially the white pixels may have a larger size than the red, green, or blue pixels used. This larger size can be implemented by concatenation of “normal” size hexagonal white pixels. The output of said white pixels can be directly used for the luminance values Y of the destination color space. Therefore only the color values have to be calculated from the RGB values, leading to an easier and faster calculation. As an example chosen by the inventor the conversion to YCbCr color space has been shown in detail.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for wavelength-dependent detection are provided. A detector includes a hybrid filter having unpatterned and patterned filter layers and at least one light-detecting sensor that detects light in first and second wavelength bands from the patterned filter layer of the hybrid filter. The unpatterned filter layer passes light in two nonoverlapping wavelength bands relative to light in wavelength bands between or among the nonoverlapping wavelength bands. The patterned filter layer includes first and second regions configured respectively to pass light in the first and second wavelength bands of the nonoverlapping wavelength bands passed by the unpatterned filter layer.

Abstract: A scanning or copying system can include imaging elements and one or more system processors that are programmed or adapted to perform image processing methods and algorithms on image data, and in some instances, to enhance the image. Image data is acquired using imaging elements. Some imaging elements may have overlapping or rotated fields of view or employ differing resolutions. For each imaging element, its output is recombined together with the output of one or more other imaging elements. To perform the recombination, the system can extract features in an overlapping region and match these features in multiple images. In some instances, the features matched can be edges. Alternatively, the recombination can be performed by positioning each subimage with respect to a larger image through image matching and location techniques. Parameters from the recombined image can be extracted and these parameters can be used to correct for geometrical and spatial distortions and thereby enhance the image.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for processing digital multi-colour images for the reproduction thereof on a colour printing and/or copying system. Particularly, the printing and/or copying system is capable of complementary forming registered composite multi-colour images of coloured marking particles. This means that the separation images of coloured marking particles are formed contiguous to each other rather than in a superimposed relationship. The digital multi-colour images are processed such that during reproduction thereof any adverse effects on image quality caused by register errors in a predetermined direction are eliminated or at least limited. To accomplish this, a particular halftoning technique is used wherein with gradually increasing input density value of the image pixels, a linear growth pattern is generated in the predetermined direction by alternately adding image dots to both sides.

Abstract: A method of changing driving sequence to output a charge coupled device signal, the method is applied to a scanner. The scanner has a pixel processor and a charge coupled device. A plurality of charge signals detected by the charge coupled device is sequentially output to the pixel processor according to the driving sequence. In the method of changing the driving sequence to output the charge coupled device signal, a fast driving sequence is provided. The fast driving sequence has a period equal to 1/N of the original driving sequence. According to the fast driving sequence, the charge signal is sent to the pixel processing circuit. The charge signals are sampled by the processing circuit according to a sampling sequence, and the data obtained by sampling is output.

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed for capturing a color image, comprising a two-dimensional array of pixels having a plurality of minimal repeating unit wherein each repeating unit is composed of eight pixels having five panchromatic pixels and three pixels having different color responses.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus scans an object to be copied to generate a scanned image, and prints the scanned image generated by the scanning part. Printing is performed to produce a color copy or a monochrome copy according to a color format evaluation of the original image, such as by a determination of whether a difference between a color ratio of the scanned image and a standard color ratio corresponding to a gray value of the scanned image is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. The gray value may be determined from modeled characteristics of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A color image signal processing device having a high resolution and excellent color reproducibility even though the device comprises a one-chip color sensor. The data format for transmitting image information inputted through an input unit to an output unit includes information on the arrangement of the color filter of the input unit and on the characteristics of the color filter.

Abstract: A display and scanning assembly is disclosed wherein light reflected from or transmitted through an image being scanned is transmitted to an optical sensor through an optical shutter assembly via a light guide assembly. The optical shutter assembly is made substantially opaque except for one or more selected optical shutter elements that are made substantially transparent or opened. Light is then reflected from or transmitted through the medium containing the image to be scanned through substantially transparent shutter element or elements and transmitted to the optical sensor via a light guide assembly. The image may then be scanned by advancing selection of shutter element or elements that are opened across the medium.

Abstract: A CCD linear sensor includes a monochrome sensor and a color sensor, which have different transfer speeds and which are mounted on the same chip. In the CCD linear sensor, while one read-out operation is performed by the color sensor, two read-out operations are performed by the monochrome sensor. During the second read-out period of the monochrome sensor, by stopping the generation of two-phase transfer pulses to be supplied to the transfer registers of the color sensors during a predetermined period of time before and after the second read-out pulse occurs, the transfer operation of the transfer registers of the color sensors is stopped.

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

Abstract: An image reading unit according to the present invention includes a lamp to incorporate a change in temperature conditions to the emitting light amount, the lamp capable of illuminating an reading object with a light of a predetermined intensity, an image signal generation unit which generates an image signal corresponding to the reflected light generated when a reading object is illuminated, and a cooling unit which cools a predetermined range of the lamp, so that the intensity change in the light radiated from the lamp of the illumination unit, in the length direction of the illumination unit can be suppressed.

Abstract: When a monochromatic original is read, a control is effected to transfer a charge accumulated in a monochromatic photodiode array to a rear stage, and not to accumulate charges in respective color photodiode arrays. When a color original is read, a control is effected to transfer charges accumulated in the respective photodiode arrays and not to accumulate a charge in the monochromatic photodiode array.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor capable of improving the resolution of images without modifying the resolution of a photoelectric conversion semiconductor device for sensing images and an image sensing method using the same. The image sensor is adapted to sense images through photoelectric conversion and includes a scanner unit adapted to move on a plane; a photoelectric conversion semiconductor device fixedly mounted on the scanner unit and having a number of pixels being arranged on a front surface; and an array of color filters arranged on the photoelectric conversion semiconductor device so as to correspond to the pixels. The image sensor improves the resolution of sensed images by sensing data of images, which cannot be sensed according to the related art, while using a conventional photoelectric conversion semiconductor device without modification, and without incurring further cost or degrading the performance.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus for reading a color document as a monochrome image, an image forming apparatus of the invention includes a composite light source that irradiates the color document and includes plural light sources different in spectral distribution, a sensor to detect the intensity of a reflected light from the color document, a light emission ratio setting unit to changeably set light emission ratios different for the respective light sources, and a light source control unit to control effective light amounts of the plural light sources with the set light emission ratios. According to the image forming apparatus of the invention, when the color document is monochromatically read, the reading is performed with the brightness close to the human visual sensitivity, the user can changeably set color sensitivity, and uneven density can be reduced.

Abstract: An image sensor for capturing a color image is disclosed having a two-dimensional array having first and second groups of pixels wherein pixels from the first group of pixels have narrower spectral photoresponses than pixels from the second group of pixels and wherein the first group of pixels has individual pixels that have spectral photoresponses that correspond to a set of at least two colors, with the placement of the first and second groups of pixels defining a pattern that has a minimal repeating unit including at least six pixels with at least some rows or columns of the minimal repeating unit composed only of pixels from the second group of pixels, and including ways to combine similarly positioned pixels from at least two adjacent minimal repeating units.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for preprocessing video display pixel data. A preprocessor is provided with a selectable gamma correction mode and a selectable palette lookup mode. In palette lookup mode, a LUT memory area is used for performing a palette lookup for each of the red, green, and blue components of video pixel data, concatenating the paletted red, green, and blue components, and outputting paletted preprocessed pixel data. In gamma correction mode, the preprocessor uses the same LUT memory area for performing gamma correction on each of the red, green, and blue components of video pixel data, concatenating the gamma-corrected red, green, and blue components, and outputting a gamma-corrected preprocessed pixel data.

Abstract: A 4-line CCD sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention has a monochromic reading line sensor section and a color reading line sensor section. This 4-line CCD sensor is characterized in that amplification factors for amplifiers 1 to 4 are set so that the amplitude of an output signal from the monochromic reading line sensor section is the same as that of each output signal from the color reading line sensor section. This 4-line CCD sensor is characterized in that the amplification factors for the amplifiers 1 to 4 are set so that the amplitude of each output signal from the color reading line sensor section is smaller than that of an output signal from the monochromic reading line sensor section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for color signal compensation are disclosed. A quality of one type of signal is enhanced using a second type of signal, wherein the second type of signal has a higher quality than that of the unenhanced first type of signal. This may be used in an image forming apparatus for scanning a color image, and using higher-resolution monochrome signals to enhance the resolution of lower-resolution color signals.

Abstract: A method for forming a modified digital image by modifying an input digital image having a black input color channel corresponding to a black colorant and one or more additional input color channels corresponding to additional colorants, each color channel having an (x,y) array of image pixel values, to form a modified digital image having one or more modified color channels, said modified digital image being suitable for producing a printed image having reduced ink bleed artifacts on an inkjet printer using the black and additional colorants includes forming a filtered black color channel from the black input color channel using a convolution operation, and forming the modified digital image by modifying image pixel values in one or more of the additional input color channels in response to the corresponding image pixel values of the filtered black color channel.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to extend the life of the light source while uniformizing the illuminance intensity in the main scanning direction. The invention is based on a light source of image reading apparatus comprised of film layers laminated on a transparent substrate in the order of a transparent electrode, an area light emitter and a metal electrode, and emitting light by impressing a specific voltage on these two electrodes. And an area light emitter column configured by arranging area light emitters corresponding to each color of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) in the sub scanning direction, or a monochrome area light emitter is arranged repeatedly in the main scanning direction. Accordingly, even when somewhere in the light emitting element has a defect like the film thickness is thin, the current gathering at this point with the low resistance value becomes a very small volume. Therefore, it would not occur that the film burns out from here.

Abstract: A white reference image is inputted to an image sensor so as to output groups of analog data. The groups of analog data are converted by a processing unit into those groups of digital data the number of which is smaller than that of photosensor elements of the image sensor. The lowest density value of the groups or digital data is inspected, an operating environment is set so that the lowest density value of the groups of digital data may become a density value within a predetermined range. An optical system, a drive unit and the processing unit are controlled under the operating environment so as to output from the processing unit, image data which express a subject image inputted to the image sensor.

Abstract: In an image reader, delay circuits are disposed on connection lines connecting an A/D converter with an image data generation circuit, whereby the output timings of the digital electric signals output from the A/D converter differ. Thus, the digital electric signals are not output at the same time from the adjacent output terminals of the A/D converter. Thus, the digital electric signals output from the A/D converter do not make a low to high or high to low transition at the same time and amplifying of EMI is decreased. Therefore, noise can be prevented from being contained in image data generated by the image data generation circuit and the quality of the image read through the image reader can be improved.

Abstract: An image reader is constituted by an image sensor having a plurality of image sensor ICs mounted therein linearly, wherein the plurality of image sensor ICs are divided into a plurality of blocks to read image signals of the blocks in the same period, and adjacent light receiving elements of the adjacent image sensor ICs between the blocks are arranged so as to be spaced from each other in a sub-scanning direction in such a way that the reading areas of the image signals which are to be read in the same period in the sub-scanning direction become identical to each other. Thus, no continuousness of an image is distorted even in a joint between the adjacent blocks.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a structure which meets a high-quality reading requirement and realize high-speed color reading when the reading section of a color image forming apparatus adopts a color contact image sensor using CCDs as reading elements. In order to achieve this object, the image sensor of a color image reading section uses a color contact image sensor in which a plurality of CCDs are aligned as reading elements in the main scanning direction. In this case, each CCD has one analog shift register for RGB time-division reading, and three R, G, and B reading apertures arranged parallel to each other at a pitch corresponding to the reading resolution. The pixel pitch in the main scanning direction is constant.

Abstract: The color image sensor generates an image signal representing a subject. The color image sensor has a light sensor and imaging elements arranged to form images of the subject in light of different colors on respective regions of the light sensor. The light sensor includes sensor elements and is operable to generate the image signal in response to light incident on it.

Abstract: Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus senses an image by illuminating a document by a light source including three light emitting diodes which emit light of red, green, and blue so that the light reflected from the document is incident on a sensor array which in turn generates an electric signal corresponding to the incident light, wherein a predetermined light emitting diode is also turned on during a period in which no image sensing operation is performed thereby making it possible to stabilize the intensity of light illuminating an image. Thus, the invention provides a high-performance and small-sized image sensing apparatus at a low cost.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a CCD and a light monitor window (“LMW”) and a black region adjacent the LMW. The LMW is imaged to provide feedback signals for Red, Green and Blue channels of the CCD. The black region is imaged to remove flare from the feedback signals. The flare-corrected feedback signals may be supplied to gain compensation controls.

Abstract: An optical imaging system suppresses the generation of red-toned ghosting in an image particularly when there is a background light or when a strong light source shines on the screen. The optical imaging system has a reflection-type infrared cut filter comprising a multi-layer film, color filters that selectively transmit light according to the wavelength, and an imaging element. Ghosting is suppressed to inconspicuous levels by adjusting the transmittance of the color filters and the infrared cut filter, and by setting the spectral characteristics of the color filters.

Abstract: The divided one-dimensional solid-state imaging device includes photodiode arrays having photodiodes for individual pixels arrayed in a line, output transistors for outputting electric charges from the respective photodiodes and transfer paths for transferring the outputted electric charges to output terminals. In the imaging device, the photodiode arrays is divided into a plurality of sections differing in the number of pixels in a photodiode arraying direction, the respective divided sections connecting to the corresponding ones of the transfer paths and the output terminals, and pixel rows in the respective divided sections are read out in parallel at the same time from the output terminals corresponding to the respective divided sections.

Abstract: A multiple resolution sensing apparatus comprises first and second arrays of photosensor elements and an image processing system. The first array exhibits a first signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and a first input sampling rate (ISR). The first array also is operative to generate color information, corresponding to an image, that comprises at least one of red, green and blue information. The second array exhibits a second S/N ratio lower than the first S/N ratio and a second ISR higher than the first ISR. The second array is operative to generate luminance information corresponding to the image. The image processing system is communicatively coupled to the first array and the second array and is operative to receive the color information from the first array and the luminace information from the second array.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus easily and reliably realizes complicated 1-line processing by a simple method, and controls accumulation period for respective colors without any particular function such as shutters on the line sensor side. One line period is divided into a reading section for reading valid image data, a dummy section for sweeping electric charge accumulated in the reading section and for synchronization, and a section for setting accumulation periods for the respective colors. In the reading section, the line sensor is driven by a necessary transfer frequency, and in the other sections, the sensor is driven at a high speed.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying primary color chromaticity coordinates of a red, green and blue light sources includes a tristimulus filter the receives the combined light generated by the light sources. The light sources are preferably a group of red, green and blue light emitting diodes. A processor is configured to generate a plurality of test control signals that sets a desired intensity value for each of the red, green and blue LEDs. Based on these test control signals, the system is configured to measure three sets of chromaticity coordinates corresponding to the combined light generated by these red, green and blue LEDs. The processor thereafter calculates the color chromaticity coordinates of the LEDs, based on the measured coordinates of the combined light, and the intensity values of the LEDs, and the intensity values of the combined light. This calculation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is accomplished by solving a matrix equation.

Abstract: With the present invention, by changing the scanning timing of a CCD line sensor in accordance with the amount of scanning misregistration corresponding to a magnification, misregistration of less than one line can be accurately corrected, thereby eliminating degradation of MTF, which has occurred in conventional apparatuses.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus and method in which no complicated control is carried out and suitable adjustment of the color balance can be carried out in accordance with the type of a photographic material. First, the type of a photographic film to be read is acquired. When the photographic film is a negative film or a sepia-tone film, a filter for negative film is set on an optical axis of illumination light. When the photographic film is a positive film or a black-and-white film, a filter for positive film is set on the optical axis of illumination light. In either state, a film image on the photographic film is read.