Abstract: A color enhancement system with variable color saturation addresses issues of clipping of an output image by analysis and application of color correction to individual pixels. Encoded image data is received, and the elements are converted from a color space representation, such as RGB, into another color space where the individual picture elements are color corrected. The color correction is accomplished by application of a correction matrix. Once correction has been applied, the values are converted back to the original color space representation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for erasing in a digital image. A method includes identifying a plurality of tip regions on the image, establishing an erasure color, and completely erasing pixels in the tip region that have a color matching the erasure color. Pixels having partially matching colors are partially erased and color decontaminated.

Abstract: The conventional print-controlling apparatus performs printing with CMY inks and additional inks having a lower lightness than CMY inks, which are mixed in a specific ratio when ejected from the print head, so that colors in the entire range from low to high lightness are expressed. Unfortunately, chromatic color inks differing in hue from CMY inks have a low lightness or a high density, and this leads to poor granularity in the region of high lightness. This disadvantage is eliminated if color conversion is accomplished by using the granularity improvement LUT 15c that limits the deposition of RV inks. In this way it is possible to limit the ejection of RV inks in the region of high lightness and to improve the ink granularity in the region of high lightness.

Abstract: Motion picture scenes to be colorized are broken into separate elements, backgrounds/sets or motion/onscreen-action. Background and motion elements are combined separately into single frame representations of multiple frames which becomes a visual reference database that includes data for all frame offsets used later for the computer controlled application of masks within a sequence of frames. Each pixel address within the database corresponds to a mask/lookup table address within the digital frame and X, Y, Z location of subsequent frames. Masks are applied to subsequent frames of motion objects based on various differentiating image processing methods, including automated mask fitting of all masks or single masks in an entire frame, bezier and polygon tracing of selected regions with edge detected shaping and operator directed detection of subsequent regions. The gray scale actively determines the mask and corresponding color lookup that is applied in a keying fashion within regions of interest.

Abstract: Trapping conditions including trapping parameters and trapping areas are established for the image of a certain page displayed on a display unit through an input device. Another page is specified to which the trapping conditions thus established for the image of the certain page are to be applied. Thus, the trapping conditions thus established for the image of the certain page can be applied to the image of the other page.

Abstract: A color imaging technique includes setting a target value in a device-independent first color space and mapping the target value to a substantially complete point set in a second color space. The point set may include a plurality of points, each of which define substantially the same colorimetric value via a unique combination of colorants. After mapping the target value to a substantially complete point set, a point may be chosen. Moreover, after choosing a point in the point set, device-dependent colorant values defined by the point may be determined. In this manner, the invention may provide control over the colorants that are used to image a particular color.

Abstract: R, G and B signals read by a 4-line color CCD sensor are converted into C, M and Y color signals. A black-and-white signal is generated from a luminance signal read by the 4-line color CCD sensor. Densities of the C, M and Y color signals are converted on the basis of the black-and-white signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a compressed image from a source image by compressing the source image using a dictionary based lossy compression algorithm that regionally varies the amount of information loss from the source image based on regional image quality levels contained in an image quality mask. The image quality mask can be an alpha channel of the source image, can be stored as a raster map, or can be stored as a resolution independent function. The regional image quality levels in the image quality mask can be determined by a user, automatically generated from the image, or automatically generated from user input. The dictionary based lossy compression algorithm can be a lossy Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) compression algorithm.

Abstract: A method and system of masking comprising: positioning a masking tool over a masked portion of an image; applying an effect onto the image outside the masked portion; and dynamically moving the masking tool while applying the effect wherein the masked portion changes as the masking tool is dynamically moved.

Abstract: A method for chroma key masking including for a given pixel color, calculating a quadratic function of the pixel color coordinates based on a prescribed chroma key color, the quadratic function corresponding to an ellipsoid in a color space, generating a substantially transparent mask value for the given pixel color, if the quadratic function is less than a prescribed lower threshold, generating a substantially opaque mask value for the given pixel color, if the quadratic function is greater than a prescribed upper threshold, and generating a partially transparent mask value for the given pixel color, based on the value of the quadratic function, if the quadratic function is between the prescribed lower threshold and the prescribed upper threshold. A system is also described and claimed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which is set to receive data in the RGB format cannot directly receive image data in the YMCK format although a print process is finally done in the YMCK format. In this embodiment, when RGB data is input from a host computer, renderers respectively render the R, G, and B data, the rendered R, G, and B data are converted into YMCK data by a color space converter, and the YMCK data is output to an engine. On the other hand, when YMCK data is input, renderers respectively render Y, M, C, and K image data, and directly output them to the engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for color image processing using gamut mapping reduces halo artifacts by correcting terms in a gamut mapping algorithm. The color image may be represented by f, the in gamut image by g, the target gamut by C, and the gamut constraint by c. The method for reducing halo artifacts includes two correction steps. First a color distance term L2 in the gamut mapping algorithm is corrected. Second, a distance measure of an image gradient in the gamut mapping algorithm is corrected. The first correcting step comprises computing a function u=projectC(ƒ). The second correcting step comprises computing a scaled down function for f. Next, a function g(x,y) is determined that minimizes a functional comprising the color distance term and the image gradient term. The solution may be determined by iteration using a gradient descent operation by first initializing g0=projectC(ƒ), and then performing one or more iteration steps to compute g(x,y).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for formatting hardware for a printhead, for use in a printing device. The systems and methods of the present invention can support the formatting function with hardware formatting logic. This hardware formatting logic can support multiple printhead platforms. The hardware formatting logic of the present invention can perform bit shifting, resolution reduction, bit per pixel reduction, data masking for shingling, and input data sourcing. The present invention can also include a system processor further including an embedded ARM processor which can fetch and execute instructions and/or firmware. These instructions can direct the embedded processor to configure a format block included within the system processor. The format block can be configured by the system processor via one or more control registers.

Abstract: Upon executing auto color select (ACS) generally, since a prescan for ACS must be done before a main scan for capturing actual image data, a long processing time is required, resulting in low productivity. In this invention, an ACS task is executed while the scanner is making an image capture scan. If the ACS task determines that the captured original is a color original, the ACS task informs the printer of that information, and then normally terminates itself. After the end of scan, if it is not determined that the original is a color original, information indicating that the original is a monochrome original is sent to the printer. Hence, appropriate ACS can be done without any prescan.

Abstract: A color image processing apparatus comprises a plane signal conversion section which converts a color space expressed by an input color signal image to a plane and generates a plane signal; a chroma identification section which identifies a chroma of the color image based on the generated plane signal and generates a chroma identification signal; a hue area identification section which identifies a hue area in the color image signal based on the generated plane signal and generates a hue area identification signal; and a color conversion section which executes color conversion of the color image signal based on the generated chroma identification signal and the hue area identification signal.

Abstract: An image reading and processing apparatus which reads an original image photographed on a film, and performs image processing on the read image to obtain output data. This apparatus is used in a digital printing apparatus based on an image reading and processing method which prevents or reduces occurrence of a failure to output an image portion actually recorded on the film to a printer or the like, i.e., chipping off the image. From a picture frame of an original image, first image data is read so that the first image data includes data on a picture area and a non-picture area around the picture area. Boundaries of the picture area is determined from the first image data obtained by reading, and second image data is extracted within an image data extraction area which is set according to the determined boundaries of the picture area. Image processing is performed on the extracted second image to obtain output data.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus, for reading in the color mode, outputs of even-number pixels and odd-number pixels of respective color components output from a CCD line sensor are time shared and multiplexed at selectors and are sent to A/D converters, respectively. When reading in the monochrome mode, the selectors select the row of odd-number pixels and the row of even-number pixels of a color component selected as the dropout color, and the even-number pixels and the odd-number pixels of the color component are separately converted by individual A/D converters into digital signals. A rearrangement section recombines and outputs these digitized signals in a single row of sequential data. By so doing, even when the reading is conducted faster in the monochrome mode than in the color mode, it is not necessary to increase conversion speed of the A/D converters.

Abstract: This improved image processing method comprises the steps of selecting a low-pass filter having a mask size corresponding to the pixel density of an image to be reproduced from a plurality of types of low-pass filters; creating unsharp image signals representing an unsharp image of the photographic image from digital image signals using the selected low-pass filter; obtaining difference signals by carrying out subtraction between signals relating to pixels which correspond to the digital image signals and the unsharp image signals; and obtaining processed image signals for reproducing visible signals by subjecting the difference signals to predetermined image processing.

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: A printing apparatus capable of selectively forming any of N types of dots which are different in at least one of an ink amount and a dot-formed position in a pixel area on a print medium. The printing apparatus comprises a drive signal generator. The drive signal generator is configured to generate drive signals for driving the ejection drive elements to form one of the N types of dots in each pixel area in response to a print signal including two types of mask selection data for selecting one type of masking signal from a plurality of type of masking signals corresponding to the N types of dots.

Abstract: When the present image forming apparatus is used as a network scanner configured to read a document and forward corresponding image data to a network, delay memories M, C, K allow RGB image data supplied from the scanner to be delayed by an equal time. A specific document detecting section decides whether or not any document image read by the scanner is a specific document and, if it is a specific document, provides a specific document detection signal SOD to a selector. In response to this signal, the selector selects mask data from a mask data retaining section in place of the RGB image data and outputs the mask data. Thus, it is possible to prevent the specific document image data from being transmitted through the network to an external device.

Abstract: A character image layout method lays out n lines (2≦n≦m) out of m lines of character string images (m≧2) through any of uniform layout processing, left end alignment processing, right end alignment processing, center alignment processing, scale-up processing and scale-down processing. The character image layout method includes a reference line-selecting process for selecting a desired one of n lines of character string images as a reference line and an other line layout process for determining the range of the length of a character string image on the reference line as a layout range to lay out each character string image on each of other lines, within the layout range. In the other line layout process, when the length of a character string image on any of the n lines to be laid out is longer than that of the layout range, the any of the n lines to be laid out is reduced in size through the scale-down processing and laid out in the layout range.

Abstract: The color image processing apparatus comprises; a compressing/extending section for compressing the BRG input signals, storing the compressed signals in the page memory, restoring the compressed BGR input signals, and outputting the restored signals; a color converting section for receiving the restored signals and converting the restored signals to YMC signals; a ink block generating and ground removing section for generating a K (black) signal according to the YMC signals and removing the ground; and an area separation type of filter for grouping a plurality of pixels in to blocks, identifying the type of image of each block, and generating an area separation signal for an intermediate tone, a black character, or a colored character.

Abstract: Process for determining a mask for changing a brightness profile of a photographic copy with the following steps: photographic image data are derived from photographically recorded image information; optimized image data are obtained by correction of the photographic image data, wherein errors which were created to during the photographic recording of the image information are considered; a brightness mask, the values of which embody an influencing of the brightness profile of the photographic copy is determined based on the optimized image data.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating a dynamic image mask for improving image detail in a digital image. An electronic representation of an image is scanned. A dynamic image mask is generated from the electronic representation of the image. The dynamic image mask has sharp edges which are representative of rapidly changing boundaries in the original image and blurred regions in less rapidly changing areas. The dynamic image mask can be applied to the electronic representation of the original image to improve image detail by altering the image contrast and the grayscale contrast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for erasing a feature from a digital image. The method includes identifying a plurality of tip regions on the image each including multiple pixels of the image and each covering a portion of the feature and sequentially processing the tip regions to erase the feature. The sequential processing includes determining an erasure color, defining a color match function for the tip region, applying the color match function to each pixel in the tip region including determining a color match value for each pixel and completely erasing ones of the pixels in the tip region that have a color match value greater than a threshold value. For a pixel having a color match value less than the threshold, an erasure function is applied to the target pixel. A contribution of the erasure color is removed from a color associated with the target pixel where the effect of each action of processing a tip region is recorded in the digital image before any subsequent action of processing a tip region is performed.

Abstract: In a digital printing apparatus such as an ink-jet printer, a resolution enhancement technique is used to increase the output resolution. Each print-black pixel in the original image is assigned to a set of subpixels in the output image data, and the position of spot placement is rotated among subpixel positions for a series of print-black pixels along a scan line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing color image data for printing on an inkjet printer to maintain edge quality in an image recorded on a receiving medium. The method begins with the receipt of color image data comprising a plurality of color planes that combine to form an array of composite pixels, the color planes including at least one black plane and at least one non-black plane, wherein each color plane comprises an array of separation pixels, each separation pixel having at least two states, a first state corresponding to depositing no ink at an image location and a second state corresponding to depositing ink at an image location. The method then identifies an interface between an black area and a non-printed area; defines an N-pixel wide border within the black area; and modifies the color image data corresponding to the N-pixel wide border to reduce the number of second state separation pixels in a non-black plane.

Abstract: A mask generation subroutine forms Z number of stacked n by m blank mask matrix arrays to provide a plurality of columnar mask locations. The subroutine then selects randomly any previously unselected column of mask locations from the stack of blank mask matrix arrays and assigns best print mode parameters to the individual mask locations in the selected column. The process of selecting and assigning is repeated until all columns of mask locations have been selected and all mask locations have been assigned best print mode parameters to provide a complete set of Z number of configured mask matrix arrays. A control program selects desired ones of the Z number of masks and applies the selected mask to control indicia patterns so that the depositing of indicia forming material in adjacent pixel locations is spaced in time to occur in different ones of the Z passes.

Abstract: An image processor performs image processing depending upon a plurality of data types such as additive color mixing type colors or substractive color mixing type colors. Other data types may be processed such as when extra colors are used other than yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink and black ink, in order to enhance image quality in an ink jet recorder, or in the event an ink color is arbitrarily changed or one or more types of ink colors are increased or decreased.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a spectrophotometer connected with a computer to measure and store a solid color atlas in the computer. The halftone percentage values necessary for the adjustment of a given color are calculated by determining the desired color coordinates of the color involved and entered into the computer. The latter calculates from them, using the stored color atlas and a regression method, the halftone percentage values sought. In the process, with the aid of printing characteristics, stored color adaptations to prevailing printing conditions can be brought up to date without the need for the preparation of a new solid color atlas.

Abstract: A printing system for printing images, and including a system to reduce marking material coverage, while maintaining color fidelity, includes an image input, where the image defines an amount of marking material to be deposited on an printed reproduction, a marking material coverage calculator, determining expected original marking material coverage for a given area of a received image; and a marking material reduction controller, using the expected marking material determination to control coverage reduced reproduction of the given area in accordance with a non-linear coverage reduction function.

Abstract: A film image reading system includes: a number of photoelectric conversion elements for converting a light image of a film image to an analog image signal indicative of a magnitude corresponding to a light amount; an exposure controller for controlling exposure time of the conversion elements; a converter for converting the analog image signal to a digital image signal; a signal correcting device for correcting the digital image signal to a proper output image signal in accordance with a reference relationship between digital image signal and output image signal, the reference relationship having a first range for variables of digital image signal and a second range for variables of output image signal; and a range changing device for changing the first range of the reference relationship in accordance with a controlled exposure time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a color image forming apparatus provided with an input terminal for plural input color component signals and an output color component control signal, a processing circuit for processing the input color component signal to obtain plural output color component signals specific to the apparatus, and image forming means for forming each color component image according to the value of each output color component signal, in which the processing circuit is capable of controlling the calculation of output color component control signals according to the value of the output color component control signal.

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: In a color correction apparatus for a color display device using 2-dimensional (2-D) chromaticity partitioning, a chromaticity plane is unevenly partitioned such that partitioned areas adjacent to each vertex of the chromaticity plane have larger areas. An area determining unit projects an input 3-D color signal onto the 2-D chromaticity plane, and outputs an index representing the location of the input color signal in the 2-D chromaticity plane. A first memory stores index values of the unevenly partitioned areas of the chromaticity plane, and outputs an index value corresponding to the index. A second memory stores transform coefficients of a matrix defining an input-output relationship of the color signal and outputs a predetermined number of transform coefficients stored in an address designated by the index value output by the first memory.

Abstract: The current invention generally discloses a method of and a system for color balancing colorants independent of their colorant composition ratios over an output intensity range.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for reducing memory usage of look-up table mapping in an imaging system, a method related to the apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus receives a digital input signal and processes it through a two-step mapping procedures instead of conventional skill that it uses only one look-up table, each procedure provides a series of mapping outputs. A comparing unit composed of a lot of logical gates is then comparing those mappings with original input signal and choosing the best one for preparing a final output. Finally, a final output corresponding to the best choice is providing for displaying.

Abstract: An image area extracting method for extracting the desired areas from the image accurately and efficiently. The rough boundary area, in which the boundary area is roughly assigned between the desired area and areas other than the desired area, is divided into a plurality of small areas. The area extracting procedure is executed on each small area and the desired area and areas other than the desired area are detected from each small area. The boundary area mask image is formed based on the detection result and the desired area is extracted based on the boundary area mask image. Thus, the desired area can be extracted from the image accurately and efficiently.

Abstract: A stencil composition processing apparatus for color printing comprises a contouring means which scans data of an original picture made up of multiple figures of different colors and detects the profile and color of each figure, a contact/proximity detection means which detects for each figure as to whether there exists any other figure of different color in contact with or close to a prescribed surrounding area of the figure, and a grouping control means which groups the figures into multiple groups each including figures that have different colors and are not in contact with nor close to each other based on data provided by the contact/proximity detection means and combines the figure groups so as to cover figures of all colors that make up the original picture.

Abstract: An image processor which improves the reproducibility of the color blue, includes an input device which inputs color image data, and a color correction device which performs color correction of the input color image data based on color correction parameters. An output device outputs the color corrected input image data to an image forming device that forms an image by using recording materials corresponding to a plurality of colors including magenta and cyan. The color correction device decreases the amount of magenta used for image formation, and uses the color correction parameters to suppress the elimination of gradation in a color zone formed by cyan.

Abstract: Input data corresponding to three primary colors C, M and Y are subjected to masking correction, to obtain data C', M' and Y'. A correction factor in a masking equation is varied depending on which of three sections into which all the gray levels of each of the input data C, M and Y are divided, the section being a section to which the input data of a selected color belong. As a result, suitable masking correction conforming to the value of the input data is made, thereby to improve color reproducibility of a color image.

Abstract: A group of measured fields (as well as a process for using the measured fields) is provided for determining color data of a printed product, especially for color management in the rotary offset printing of single editions, with a plurality of measured fields, which are printed on a printed product to be checked or on a primary print in such a way that they can be optically scanned. The group of measured fields includes a first combination measured field, in which the fundamental colors are superprinted with their nominal degrees of surface coverage (F.sub.c1, F.sub.m1, F.sub.y1). Additional combination measured fields are provided, in which the fundamental colors are superprinted at varied nominal degrees of surface coverage {(F.sub.c2 =F.sub.c1 +.DELTA.F.sub.c2, F.sub.m1, F.sub.y1), (F.sub.c1, F.sub.m3 =F.sub.m1 +.DELTA.F.sub.m3, F.sub.y1), (F.sub.c1, F.sub.m1, F.sub.y4 =F.sub.y1 +.DELTA.F.sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for printing a color computer screen display on a monochrome printer by establishing for the screen display a print filter including a set of filter blocks for controlling the printing of the screen display, wherein each filter block designates a filter realm area on the screen in which the filter block is active and a filter color acted on by the filter block and a filter type instructing the printer to either print or not print pixels which lie within the realm area of the block and have a color which matches the filter color of the block. Plural print filters can be established for a screen display or display components thereof and each print filter is enabled when the associated screen display or display component is displayed on the screen. For any portion of a screen display or display component which lies within overlapping realm areas of different print filters, the last-enabled print filter governs the printing.

Abstract: A photographed Image printing apparatus includes an image sensor operable to optically read a photographed image on a recording medium; an information reader operable to read photographic information on the recording medium, the photographic information indicative of photographing conditions of the photographed image; an image quality correction manager in responsive to the information reader and operable to judge based on the read photographic information whether image quality correction is necessary, and determine a proper image quality correction, if necessary; an image corrector in responsive to the image quality correction manager and operable to correct the read photographed image in accordance with the determined image quality correction; and a printer operable to print a corrected image on a printing medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying an image defined by data representing the colour component content of each pixel of the image. The method comprises, for each colour component of each pixel,(a) generating unsharp (U) and sharp (S) data and performing an unsharp masking algorithm on the sharp and unsharp data to generate fringe data (F);(b) modifying the fringe data with a weighting function (.phi.) determined in accordance with the values of the sharp or unsharp data for all of the colour components of the pixel; and(c) combining the modified fringe data with the pixel data to generate modified pixel data.By applying a weighting function related to all the unsharp values for the pixel and hence to the input colour component content of the input signals of a particular sample area, the fringe amplitude is varied according to the colour of the region thereby enabling sharpening or smoothing to be appropriate to the part of the image e.g. sharpening hair and smoothing skin colours.

Abstract: A method of processing images preparatory to printing in a color printer adapted to printing serial color separations, that when superposed form the final color image, in which separation color images are received for printing defined by continuous tone separation signals, which are color corrected and halftoned preparatory to printing the color image. The received continuous tone separation image signals are used to derive an estimate of marking material coverage. The marking material coverage estimate is subsequently used in association with random number generation to turn OFF otherwise ON pixels in each separation as the separation is printed for the reduction of marking material coverage.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus according to the invention, a first color and a second color are designated. A color conversion matrix is produced based on the designated first and second colors. With the color conversion matrix, the information of the first color included in an input image signal including color information is converted into the second color information.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image recording apparatus, which can omit a color processing calculation process for designated colors of an image when color processing results for all the colors, which may be designated upon image drawings, can be held, and can increase an image recording processing speed without impairing color reproducibility of an image.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a spectrophotometer connected with a computer to measure and store a solid color atlas in the computer. The halftone percentage values necessary for the adjustment of a given color are calculated by determining the desired color coordinates of the color involved and entered into the computer. The latter calculates from them, using the stored color atlas and a regression method, the halftone percentage values sought. In the process, with the aid of printing characteristics, stored color adaptations to prevailing printing conditions can be brought up to date without the need for the preparation of a new solid color atlas.