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.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus such as a scanner or digital camera, a photosensitive device includes multiple linear arrays of photosensors. One of the arrays has a higher spatial resolution than other arrays. The high-resolution array is filtered to detect different portions of the color spectrum than the low-resolution arrays.

Abstract: A four-line CCD sensor is structured by line sensors R, G, B in which color filters are respectively disposed on surfaces of light receiving elements, and a line sensor BK at which no color filter is disposed. Amplitudes of signals which are outputted from the line sensors R, G, B at a time of reading a color document, and an amplitude of a signal which is outputted from the line sensor BK at a time of reading a monochrome document are adjusted so as to be substantially equal to one another. In a case in which a color document is read, outputs of the line sensors R, G, B are selectively provided, and in a case in which a monochrome document is read, output of the line sensor BK is selectively provided.

Abstract: A method of copying a document onto a receiver such as paper includes taking the characteristics of the receiver into account in selecting pigments for making the copy. The characteristics may be determined by scanning the receiver to determine its color, finish, texture, etc. If the characteristics are other than a given standard such as white, the pigments necessary to render the receiver area(s) white are determined. Concurrently, the pigments needed for copying the document onto the receiver are also determined. An image processor then generates copy pigment data from the receiver and document pigments and transmits the data to a print engine in the form of toner data. If the copy pigment data might produce too dark a copy, the data is modified uniformly to reduce pigment percentages.

Abstract: An image read/write head (A) includes a support (7) for supporting at least one of paired platen rollers (P1, P2) and a detector (2) for detecting at least one of a document (D) and a recording paper (K). Therefore, an image processing apparatus incorporating the image read/write head (A) can be easily manufactured. The image read/write head (A) further includes a reflection preventing member (6) for collectively surrounding the plurality of light receiving elements (3) and the plurality of drive IC chips (80). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plurality of light receiving elements from receiving scattering light or disturbing external light.

Abstract: A color image reading apparatus has a 3-line sensor formed by setting a plurality of line sensors on a single substrate, an imaging lens for imaging an object, a diffraction grating which is inserted in the optical path between the imaging lens and 3-line sensor and color-separates a light beam coming from the object into a plurality of color light beams, and a first cylinder unit which is inserted in the optical path between the object and the imaging lens, and temporarily images the object in the sub-scanning direction in the optical path before the imaging lens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for exposing photosensitive material to form high quality continuous tone and/or color images thereon. The preferred apparatus includes an imaging head comprised of a plurality of red light sources, a plurality of green light sources, and a plurality of blue light sources. The light produced by said green light sources is passed through a first filter having a narrow spectral transmission characteristic in the green spectral range. Similarly, the light produced by said blue light sources is passed through a second filter having a narrow spectral transmission characteristic in the blue spectral range.

Abstract: The invention is a method for printing an image (10) from a halftone binary bitmap (12) having pixels (14a-14g) comprising the steps of: creating a feature location identification filter (16) for a halftone binary bitmap image; using the feature location identification filter to map pixel identifications (18a-18g); assigning a location specific exposure (20a-20g) to the mapped pixel identifications; and exposing media using the location specific exposures to create an image (10) on a printer (24).

Abstract: In a color reproduction device, an input profile that is referenced in converting an input image from an image input device into a device-independent color image is created based on image input device information, shooting- and observation-time lighting data, and subject data, allowing accurate conversion of the input image to the device-independent color image. In reproducing the image by an image output device, the spectral reflectance of the subject itself is calculated from image input device information and shooting-time lighting data, thereby reducing the effect of the shooting-time lighting. The colors of the subject under observation lighting are calculated from observation-time lighting data. A color reproduced image is estimated accurately on the basis of the subject data even if the input image has little information.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image pickup device comprising plural picture elements, each including plural pixels arranged in the longitudinal direction of the image sensor, wherein the picture elements are so arranged that the separating area between the picture elements has a width larger than the distance between the centers of the pixels mutually adjacent within the picture element. Such arrangement enables high-quality image taking without generation of colored moiree fringes or false colors.

Abstract: To improve operationality in color adjustment of an image quality, colored characters, or the like of a document including one of a character image, a photographic image, and a screened halftone image of chromatic or achromatic color, the invention comprises image processing means (36) for identifying a character area, a photographic area, and a screened halftone area of a document on the basis of a first parameter and determining whether one or more of the character area, the photographic area, and the screened halftone area of the document are chromatic or achromatic on the basis of a second parameter to perform image processing according to them; operation setting means (14) for setting the first and second parameters; and control means (15) for displaying a first parameter adjustment content for use in identifying one or more of the character area, the photographic area, and the screened halftone area of the document and a second parameter adjustment content for use in determining whether one or more of t

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which performs color transformation and compression/decompression simultaneously on image data so that the number of blocks to be transformed with the color transformation can be reduced and the processing speed can be improved without spoiling the apparent image quality.

Abstract: A scanning mechanism of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes light-emitting units, an integrating detector, and pulse-width modulated (PWM) drivers. Each light-emitting unit can emit colored light corresponding to a color of a color space. The integrating detector can detect the colored light emitted by the light-emitting units as reflected off a surface by integrating the colored light detected over a period of time. Each PWM driver can turn on a corresponding light-emitting unit at a duty cycle.

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: A method of image processing in which a plurality of channel input signals are a function of unknown recorded signal levels and unknown signal sensitivities, the method involving the sampling and measuring of the recorded signals and sensitivities at each channel to determine weighting values that eliminate the contribution of the unknown signal sensitivities, the weighting values being used to further process the input signals to form output signals representing the unknown recorded level signals.

Abstract: A raster image processing system (20) for producing the appropriate number and set of halftoned color separations for a select output device (24) is disclosed. The raster image processing system (20) includes a processing unit (30), an interpreter (32) and a color combiner (34). The interpreter (32) and color combiner (34) are application processes that are controlled by software running on the processing unit (30). The processing unit (30) identifies the number and set of colorants used to describe input image data and the number and set of halftoned color separations that a select output imaging device (24) is capable of rendering. The interpreter (32) converts the input data describing an image that is composed of “N” colorants into “N” halftoned color separations. The color combiner (34) thereafter converts the N halftoned color separations into “M” halftoned color separations that are ideally suited for the particular output device (24) chosen by a user of the system.

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: A light source module arranged in an image scanning device having a scanning platform and an image-pickup module for scanning a transparent object is disclosed, The light source module includes a cover, a light source mounted in the cover for emitting light to the scanning platform for scanning a transparent object, a RGB filter mounted between the light source and the scanning platform for filtering off the light into RGB lights, a switching mechanism connected to the RGB filter for being controlled to alternately allow one of RGB lights to be transmitted to the scanning platform, and a transmission mechanism for carrying the light source, the RGB filter, and the switching mechanism to move with the image-pickup module for accomplishing the scanning operation to the transparent object.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is arranged to illuminate a transparent or transmissive original with light fluxes emitted by a plurality of light emission parts which differ in wavelength characteristic from each other, to select by means of a reflection mirror the wavelength characteristics of light fluxes emitted from the light emission parts, and to control each of the light emission parts every time a scanning motion is made by an original-placing board relative to an image pickup part.

Abstract: A method for providing direct control of the ink supply for printing presses based on an output of a multispectral measurement device includes: obtaining an output of the multispectral measurement from a plurality of printed items which are printed while varying the amount of ink dispensed, utilizing percentage dot area information in print editing from a printing plate for the printed item; determining a transfer function to calculate the amount of ink dispensed corresponding to the amount of change in the multispectral; and computing the amount of ink dispensed to be changed, by using the output deviation in the multispectral measurement output from the target colors for a commercially printed item, and the percentage dot area information related to the target colors of the commercially printed item to control the amount of ink dispensed by the foregoing ink dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to control an acquisition of a number of pixels in a scanning system. In one embodiment, the system includes an interface circuit with a multiplexer to route at least one color component of one of a number of pixels from a sensor to a register. In another embodiment, the system includes at least three registers to receive a color component associated with one of a number of pixels from a sensor, where at least one of the color components is acquired by a multiplexer having a number of inputs. For both embodiments, logic is included that controls the acquisition of various color components, where color components are acquired in random patterns and/or only a predetermined number of the total color components are acquired to reduce an amount of time necessary to scan a document and to eliminate the problem of color artifact.

Abstract: A multiple-field sensor for a scanner suitable for scanning a document. The scanner includes a multiple-field sensor, an average accumulator, and a block of memory. The multiple-field sensor has a plurality of sensing lines for each color channel. Each sensing line picks up a portion of image signal from the document during scanning. The sensing lines scan the same portion of the document to produce corresponding image signals. The average accumulator averages the image signals obtained from the sensing lines of the same color channel to produce an average image signal. The block of memory is used as a storage area for image signals in general and the average image signal in particular.

Abstract: Pixels in an image sensor array are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the axis of the array and read out in a zigzag fashion.

Abstract: Based on an output from a CCD, a luminance signal Y1 is extracted from an MTX circuit, and R gain and B gain of white balance information are extracted from a white balance control circuit. A luminance color gain conversion circuit generates a control signal for controlling the color gains of a high-luminance part based on the luminance signal Y1, R gain and B gain and supplies the generated control to a color suppression circuit. The color gains are varied as a color temperature of the high luminance part increasingly deviates from a color temperature associated with ordinary white light. Accordingly, an excellent color suppression characteristic for the high-luminance part is obtained relative to change in color temperature.

Abstract: Geometric configurations for photosites found on photosensitive chips for creating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found, for example, in a digital scanner, copier, printer, facsimile machine, or other document generating or reproducing device. The photosensitive chips are mounted on a substrate to form a photosensitive array in a full width scanner or other photosensitive device. The geometric configurations reduce the Moiré patterns to provide a higher quality image.

Abstract: A low-priced contact type color image sensor formed without the need to provide color filters on a linear image sensor. The color filters are formed on a surface of a document side of a transparent protective glass in direct contact with a document for flattening the light irradiation surface, such that the pitch thereof is equal to that of light receiving elements of a linear image sensor.

Abstract: An image reader is provided with a transparent member which is placed in an optical path from the surface of an original document bed on the side of a carriage to a condensing lens, whereby when the transparent member exists at a predetermined position, the condensing lens can be focused on a translucent original existing at a position above the position of a reflection original. When the transparent member is at a second predetermined position, the condensing lens can be focused on the reflection original. The condensing lens can be focused on more than one position simply by placing the transparent member in the optical path, so that the structure is simple and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.

Abstract: In the known time delay and integration (TDI) color scanner, a different color filter covers each group m of N rows. The spectral sensitivity of each group m of N rows can be improved if some of the photosites in one group are covered by filters from other groups. The TDI color scanner produces a first set of device dependent color signals which may be transformed into a corresponding set of color signals, which may approximate device independent color signals, using a transformation matrix. Typical TDI scanners include photosites arranged in rows divided into groups of rows, and a color filter is associated with each group. However, in the inventive TDI color scanner, each color filter covers more or less than the rows in its corresponding group and some or none of the rows in other groups. The color filters therefore produce a second set of color signals that are linear combinations of the first set of device dependent color signals and are based on a number of rows of each group covered by each filter.

Abstract: A method of changing driving sequence to output a charge couple device signal, the method is applied to a scanner. The scanner has a pixel processor and a charge couple device. A plurality of charge signals detected by the charge couple 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 couple 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: A color printer that conducts an image from a surface of a CRT through a graded index lens to expose media. The CRT is mounted at an acute angle with respect to the media, to compensate for the graded index lens focusing different colors at different distances. The graded index lens is placed at a center of the acute angle. The CRT may have different phosphor stripes on the face of the CRT for each color being exposed or the CRT may have a white phosphor throughout the entire exposure area of the CRT and utilize color filters to create each color being exposed.

Abstract: Respective image information data of three colors for forming a color image and a monochrome image information data are obtained from output values of at least three imaging element lines and a computed value based on these output values, whereby the readout speed for monochrome images is made as fast as that in a dedicated apparatus for reading out monochrome images, while using only the imaging element lines used for reading out color images. Three CCD lines 4A, 4B, and 4C are constituted by a (B-reading) CCD line 4A for reading out blue wavelength region, a (monochrome-reading) CCD line 4B for reading out the whole visible wavelength region, and a (R-reading) CCD line 4C for reading out red wavelength region, which yield blue, monochrome, and red outputs, respectively. The arithmetic unit 5 yields a green output.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided which can obtain a high image quality by using a camera with a conventional field read type DSP. The image pickup apparatus has an image pickup element having a plurality of color filters disposed in a predetermined layout at respective pixel positions, a calculating and processing unit for performing calculation and processing by using two sets of adjacent pixel data in the vertical direction, at each line of image data generated by the image pickup element, and a luminance signal generating unit for generating a luminance signal by using an output of the calculating and processing unit.

Abstract: A neighborhood select circuit of an image processing apparatus includes a comparator receiving a predetermined signal and output data from a contour enhancement unit for comparing the received inputs and providing a comparison result signal according to the comparison result, a neighborhood maximum value-minimum value circuit and neighborhood minimum value-maximum value circuit receiving data output from the contour enhancement unit, and a selector for receiving the output from the neighborhood maximum value-minimum value circuit, the neighborhood minimum value-maximum value circuit and the comparator. In the neighborhood maximum value-minimum value circuit, the target pixel data in the data output from the contour enhancement unit is substituted with the maximum data in the data of the surrounding pixels, and the target pixel data subjected to the process is substituted with the minimum value in the data of the surrounding pixels.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method comprising defining a scaling region by indicating in a CFA (Color Filter Array) a starting location, and generating a super-pixel which is a downscaled version of the scaling region, the super-pixel fully color interpolated, the downscaling and the color interpolation achieved in an integrated manner.

Abstract: A method of making digital colored prints by a particular printer operated by enabling software, the original images being provided on a colored film original includes scanning the colored film original to produce a digital image file of a digital image; adjusting the code values of the digital file to produce a color adjusted digital file, such adjustments including density and color balance correction adjustments; transferring both the color adjusted digital file and printing enabling software to a digital memory; and coupling the printer to the digital memory and causing the printer in response to the printing enabling software to operate on the color adjusted digital file to produce a transformed digital file and a print produced using such transformed digital file.

Abstract: A B line sensor is arranged at the center on a sensor array within the image formation range of a lens array, where the light amount is maximum. R and G line sensors are arranged on both sides of the B line sensor. With this arrangement, an image reading apparatus capable of suppressing variations in output levels depending on the colors of sensors and reading a high-quality image is provided.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source for irradiating a document sheet with light, a row of red light receiving elements arranged in a primary scanning direction for detecting a red component of the light reflected on the document sheet, a row of green light receiving elements arranged in the primary scanning direction for detecting a green component of the reflected light, and a row of blue light receiving elements arranged in the primary scanning direction for detecting a blue component of the reflected light. The row of red light receiving elements, the row of green light receiving elements and the row of blue light receiving elements are displaced from each other in a secondary scanning direction which is perpendicular to the primary scanning direction.

Abstract: An illuminator and a scanner incorporating such an illuminator. In one embodiment, the illuminator has a plurality of arrays of semiconductor light emitting elements, each array having a different integrated spectral output, and a plurality of respective different interference filters each positioned between a corresponding array and the media holder. A media holder holds a media carrying an image for scanning, the media holder being positioned to receive filtered light from the illuminator. A sensor is positioned to receive light from the media holder so as to generate an image signal corresponding to an image on a media positioned at the media holder.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical color sensor comprising a light source which comprises white LEDs for directing a white light onto a product to be inspected, to directly illuminate the product and generate a reflected light reflected from the product. The optical color sensor further comprises first photo detecting element means spaced from the product. A blue filter is interposed between the first photo detecting element means and the product so that the first photo detecting element means can receive and detect the reflected light passing through the blue filter. The optical color sensor further comprises second photo detecting element means spaced from the product. A red filter is interposed between the second photo detecting element means and the product so that the second photo detecting element means can receive and detect the reflected light passing through the red filter.

Abstract: In an image sensor having a photoelectric conversion element for receiving light, an illumination unit, and a lens array in which a plurality of gradient index lens elements for focusing light reflected by an original onto the photoelectric conversion element are arrayed, part of the peripheral portion of the lens of the gradient index lens element in the radius direction contains a light absorber for absorbing light having a predetermined wavelength other than the wavelength distribution of light emitted by the illumination unit.

Abstract: A color contact image sensor has a light source for emitting illuminating light, a board supporting a sensor element for photoelectrically converting incident light applied thereto, and a light guide fixed to a surface of the board remotely from the light source. The board has a light guide area for transmitting the illuminating light emitted from the light source and applied to the board into the light guide. The sensor element is positioned for receiving light reflected by a subject to which the illuminating light emitted from the light source and passing through the light guide area and the light guide is applied. A color filter is disposed on the board in either a path of the illuminating light emitted from the light source or a path of the light reflected by the subject.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading device capable of precise detection of the optical signal over a wide wavelength range, by forming a photoelectric converting unit for converting the visible light into an electrical signal and a photoelectric converting unit for converting the invisible light into an electrical signal, in monolithic manner on a single semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes a color filter which selectively transmits an optical image in color components, and in which a plurality of colors are arranged as one group in a sequential plural group configuration, a photoelectric converter for receiving an optical image that has passed through the color filter and for converting the received optical image to electric signals, and combining circuitry for combining at least two of the electric signals correlating to the colors of one group of the color filter converted by the photoelectric converter. In a dot-sequential type color linear sensor, shift gates that are independent for each color respectively are provided in pixel units on both sides of a dot-sequentially arranged light sensitive image element array on which image elements of first, second and third colors are arranged.

Abstract: An image reading device for photographic printing comprising an optical lens mechanism, a monochrome CCD image device arranged at a focal position on an optical axis of the optical lens mechanism, a filter rotation plate having a plurality of color filters rotatably arranged on the optical axis, and a cut filter for blocking unnecessary light arranged on the optical axis, wherein a light quantity correction means for obtaining stepwise spectral characteristics is arranged on the optical axis. The reflected light due to the conventional ND coating and the influences of the boundary plane and the parallel degree between the cut filter and the color filter are disappeared, whereby the occurrence of flare, ghost and color divergence can be prevented.

Abstract: An image input and output system for scanning an image of a color original and processing data of the scanned image has a color line sensor for picking up the image of the original. The system also includes a memory for sequentially storing three types of data respectively representing the three primary colors and which are outputted from the color line sensor, in the order in which the data are outputted. An output control circuit calculates an address to read out the data stored in the memory such that a series of three data respectively representing the three primary colors and composing a first pixel partially overlaps with a series of three data respectively representing the three primary colors and composing a second pixel next to the first pixel, and for reading out, from the memory in accordance with the calculated address, a series of three data respectively representing the three primary colors to produce image data of the three primary colors for one pixel.

Abstract: In a three-line linear sensor, a first linear sensor (10) without electronic shutter structure and second and third linear sensors (20), (30) with electronic shutter structures (28), (38) being disposed in an axial symmetry fashion are combined and a line spacing (D1) between the first and second linear sensors (10), (20) can be reduced by an amount corresponding to the omitted electronic shutter structure. Also, since the second and third linear sensors (20), (30) are disposed in an axial symmetry fashion, a line spacing (D2) between the second and third linear sensors (20), (30) can be reduced and set to be substantially equal to the above-mentioned line spacing (D1).

Abstract: An image scanning device is provided that includes: an imaging lens; a linear image sensor; a rotating scanning system; and a shading correction system that corrects each pixel image signal for shading in accordance with image height and a magnification of the imaging lens. The magnification of the imaging lens changes according to the rotational position of the scanning system. The image scanning device may further include a color filter and a color correction system for correcting the pixel image signals for changes of wavelength transmittance of the color filter in accordance with image height and the magnification of the imaging lens.

Abstract: A display for soft proofing an image to be reproduced using a set of selected printing colors includes a plurality of display elements each for displaying a color substantially spectrally matched to one of a set of printing colors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms an image according to image data made up of pixel data on colors of pixel constituting an original image, characterized by comprising a color region discriminator for determining to which color region each pixel data belongs, an image region discriminator for determining whether the pixel data belongs to a uniform density region or whether it belongs to an edge portion, a corrective condition deciding unit for determining MTF corrective conditions for the image data of each color region depending on the discrimination results of both the color region discriminator and the image region discriminator, and an MTF correction unit for performing MTF corrections on the image data according to the MTF corrective conditions determined by the corrective condition deciding unit.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of scanning an image formed on a color filter array film using a monochrome scanner. The image forming layer of the film is chosen so as to have a maximum density which occupies a small portion of the dynamic density range of the scanner, the excess density range of the scanner being used to decode the colors of the color filter array.