Abstract: Provided is a method for automatically determining an error of a user operation or a colorimeter caused when the colorimeter is manually slid to measure the colors of color patches on a row-by-row basis. Also provided is a method capable of determining an error or a scanning direction using a feature value obtained from the colorimetric values without using fixed reference and threshold values for each patch.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the disclosures relate to methods and data processing systems for matching a source profile to a destination profile. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a destination test chart and a corresponding first source test chart with each test chart having color patches. The method includes adjusting the source profile to substantially match a known or an unknown destination profile in response to receiving an input for visually matching an adjustable white color patch of the first source test chart to a corresponding white color patch of the destination test chart. The method includes progressively generating a second source test chart having modified at least some and possibly all color patches compared to the first displayed test chart based on applying a first transformation to the source profile in response to visually matching the white color patch.

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

Abstract: Display image data for displaying images on a screen, and when display image data that has undergone specified gradation conversion is received, the characteristics of the output brightness displayed on the screen is checked. In the area for which the output brightness of the display image data is convex at the bottom in relation to the image data gradation values, the display image data gradation values are corrected so as to have a roughly linear relationship between the gradation values and the output brightness. Printing image data is generated based on the post-correction image data and an image is printed. In the area for which the output brightness bottom is convex, by performing this kind of correction, it is possible to print an image with an impression closer to the display on the screen. As a result, it is possible to print images on the monitor screen easily and without losing the impression received from the image displayed on the monitor screen.

Abstract: A dither pattern is formed in such a manner that threshold values 1 to 16 are dispersed in regard to the order of magnitudes of the threshold values. First, there is made a calculation of multiplying each value of the image data by a ratio of 1/2. Thereby, there is produced the divided 17-valued data where every value of all pixels is “2”. Next, binarization is carried out for the divided data by using the dither pattern. As a result, binary data at the first pass is obtained. Next, there is obtained the data by a product of a ratio (1/2+1/2) obtained by adding 1/2 to the above ratio and each value of the image data. Binarization is carried out for the image data by using the dither pattern. This produces binary data. Finally, dot data for the second pass is obtained by subtracting data from the binary data.

Abstract: A pixel in a photograph region image to be subjected to blacking is subjected to a brightness modulation processing so that the pixel is modulated to any of “a pixel having the brightness to be subject to blacking” and “a pixel having the brightness not to be subject to blacking”. Specifically, the modulation by noise addition converts some pixels for which original pixel values are to be subjected to blacking to a pixel having the brightness not subjected to blacking. Thereby, “a pixel having the brightness not to be subject to blacking” thus converted has no change in brightness in the blacking processing. Consequently, a pixel at which the blacking processing is not generated can be caused to exist in the photograph image. As a result, even when the blacking processing set for character/line region is similarly set for the photograph region, the effect of the blacking can be reduced.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus regardless of usage environment, at any time, for any occasion, without requiring a dedicated chart or device, spatial frequency conversion method and program for the apparatus that can calculate spatial frequency response characteristics necessary for calibration. The apparatus includes first and second image reading units reading a print-out image of a patch image stored in a storage section, and first and second spatial frequency conversion units performing spatial frequency conversion on images read by first and second reading units. Based on the amounts of change, caused through processing by first spatial frequency conversion unit, in spatial frequency response, the apparatus determines a patch image used for spatial frequency conversion, and calculates correction amounts for conversion by first and second spatial frequency conversion units, according to a result of spatial frequency conversion, using the patch image, by first and second spatial frequency conversion units.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining a printer metric in terms of image quality (IQ) over a large complex set of conditions based upon measurements taken over a small simple set of conditions while compensating for printer drift. The present system and method effectively utilizes a predictive model that predicts noise measurements of multi-separations from those of single-separation colors and/or a subset of the multi-separations. Because a model is used to comprehend the metric over the entire gamut, the number of patches is reduced. This reduction enables the method to be used within a machine to dynamically characterize the device's image quality metric. Various embodiments have been disclosed.

Abstract: A channel selection section selects whether the subsequent processing to the image data is executed by image distribution precedence processing or by gradation lowering precedence processing in accordance with channel information of the image data. That is, in regard to the channels of C, M and K with relatively high density among inks, the image distribution precedence processing excellent in robustness is selected. On the other hand, in the ink of the color with high brightness or low density, even if the print position of the dot is shifted, the density change due to this shift is not so much large. It is possible to restrict an increase in the processing load due to executing the gradation lowering processing after the distribution processing to each of the plural divided images by thus not selecting the image distribution precedence processing in consideration of the robustness.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores image formation information in which print setting information is associated with an index useful in deciding to suppress consumption of a recording material; and an execution unit that executes a process of displaying one or more pieces of the image formation information stored in the storage unit on a display unit in association with print data to be printed.

Abstract: A system/method of color match assessment for electronic documents includes receiving digital data defining a composite electronic document including a raster image object having an edge and a color graphics object bordering the edge of the raster image object. The pixel color values defining the edge of the raster image object are processed to estimate a local color variance of the pixel color values. The local color variance is used to determine if the edge can be color matched to the bordering color graphics object. If the edge can be color matched, a match color for the edge is derived. The match color is associated with the digital data defining the electronic document so that a downstream object color match system can use the match color as needed.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing the bit depth of grayscale imagery using multi-bit halftoning. The halftoned image data may be lossy or losslessly compressed and stored in memory or transmitted over a communication channel. At the time of printing, the images are decompressed and reconstructed to a grayscale image data using Sigma filtering to preserve edges. Preferably, different Sigma filters may be applied based on contrast information within a local neighborhood region. Fuzzy edge detection may also be used to preserve edge features and prevent smearing.

Abstract: In the image forming apparatus, the partial image data for gradation adjustment is threshold conversion data of a partial image, the partial image is a part of a base pattern image with a predetermined size and does not contain any sides of the base pattern image, and the base pattern image is an image generated in an error diffusion method; and the patch image generator unit generates an image of a toner pattern by arranging the partial image of the partial image data repeatedly, and forms the toner pattern.

Abstract: A display device capable of displaying an image selected by a user for a certain period of time without interruption even when power consumption to be used to completely display the image exceeds a remaining capacity of a battery, and a method of driving the same. The display device includes a storage element; a selection circuit configured to select an image stored in the storage element according to a user request; a battery; a first detection circuit configured to detect a remaining capacity of the battery; a controller; and a display panel coupled to the battery via the controller and configured to display the selected image in accordance with a control output of the controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems herein provide for color conversion. Such color conversion includes a method of optimizing gray component replacement in a color image that includes receiving a color image from an input imaging device (e.g., a digital camera, scanner, etc), determining a color gamut of an output imaging device, such as a printer, and generating a CIELab to CMY numerical model to convert the color image to a color space within the color gamut of the output imaging device. The method also includes generating a CMYK to CIELab numerical conversion model, removing a portion of CMY color values generated from the CIELab to CMY numerical conversion model, and replacing the removed portion of the CMY color values with black color values. The method also includes optimizing CMYK color values via a multidimensional optimization using the CMYK to CIELab numerical model.

Abstract: There is provided a data processing device that includes an obtaining unit that obtains a first image data set, a second image data set generated by reading an image formed using the first image data set, and a property data set indicating the properties of a recording medium on which the image is to be reproduced. The data processing device also includes a specifying unit that determines a threshold for a density difference between the first image data set and the second image data set, wherein the threshold depends on the property data set. The specifying unit also determines an error area where the density difference between images expressed by the first and second image data sets is equal to or greater than the threshold.

Abstract: In the image forming apparatus, a color shift correction execution check unit detects positions of density correction patches of respective colors according to binary signals of density detection outputs by a density sensor on the density correction patches. When distances corresponding to intervals of time from starts of image drawing of the density correction patches of the respective colors to the detection of the positions of the density correction patches of the respective colors and distances between the density correction patches of the respective colors are shifted from a value, the color shift correction execution check unit determines color shift correction processing is required to be executed, and it gives an instruction to a color shift correction control unit to execute the color shift correction processing. And the color shift correction control unit forms a color shift correction patch to execute the color shift correction processing.

Abstract: When image data of an original document is detected to include specific information indicating outputting of the original document is prohibited, a selected color component of the image data is applied with concealing processing to make image data of the selected color component to be solid image data. The selected color component is determined based on whether outputting of the original document as a monochrome image is allowed or prohibited.

Abstract: Provided is a spot color printing color converting device including: an image data acquiring unit for acquiring image data in which the colors of pixels are represented by the gradation values of a first color coordinate system; a spot color list acquiring unit for acquiring a spot color list associating the gradation values of the first color coordinate system with the ink gradation values of a second color coordinate system specifying the gradation of ink colors for printing spot colors.

Abstract: Since a less-than-one-pixel-basis correction and a one-pixel-basis correction are constantly performed on an image after halftoning, unevenness in density disadvantageously occur depending on a halftoning method. According to the halftoning method, whether the less-than-one-pixel-basis correction is performed on a continuous tone image or the one-pixel-basis correction is performed on a halftone image is switched. The one-pixel-basis correction is constantly performed on the halftone image.

Abstract: An image correction method includes the steps of: acquiring a black-side intermediate luminance distribution as a luminance distribution in a region between a lowest luminance in a given intermediate luminance region in a luminance distribution of input image data in an image frame and a reference luminance provided in the center of the intermediate luminance region; determining a low-luminance-region input/output characteristic curve on the basis of the acquired black-side intermediate luminance distribution, the low-luminance-region input/output characteristic curve passing through a reference point, in the reference input/output characteristic line, determined in accordance with the reference luminance and through a minimum luminance point of the reference input/output characteristic line; and executing image correction on input image data having a luminance which is lower than the reference luminance on the basis of the determined low-luminance-region input/output characteristic curve.

Abstract: An image correction circuit includes: a region determining means for determining an intermediate luminance region in each image frame on the basis of the description of input image data; a luminance distribution acquiring means for acquiring a luminance distribution of input image data in the determined intermediate luminance region in each image frame; a determining means for determining an input/output characteristic line in each image frame by adaptively changing a predetermined reference input/output characteristic line on the basis of the acquired luminance distribution of the intermediate luminance region, the input/output characteristic line defining the substance of image correction on input image data; and a correction executing means for executing image correction on input image data on the basis of the determined input/output characteristic line.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a length measurement system, which obtains a value closer to its true one when figuring out the size and edge roughness of a pattern from a noise-included pattern image. Among plural band-like regions representing a portion around an edge in an image respectively, the system calculates the dependency of the edge point position on the image processing parameter at each of a narrow width band-like portion and a wide width band-like portion to calculate an image processing condition that calculates each measured value closer to its true value or estimates the true value itself.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs image formation using colorants of various colors. In relation to a target image, when a first region, formed using colorants of a black color and not using colorants of remaining colors is adjacent to a second region formed using the colorants of the remaining colors and not using the colorants of the black color, the first region is generated using the colorants including the remaining colors based on conversion information generated according to the remaining colors of the second region.

Abstract: Methods and systems herein provide for calibrating for a plurality of different paper types. In one embodiment, a system for calibrating a printer includes a measurement module operable to detect colors printed on a first tangible medium by the printer and convert the detected colors to a detected color characterization. The system also includes a storage module operable to store a calibration file. The calibration file includes color characterizations of a plurality of different tangible mediums and each color characterization includes color measurements for one of the plurality of different tangible mediums obtained from the printer via the measurement module when the printer is calibrated. The system also includes a calibration module operable to compare the detected color characterization to at least two color characterizations of the calibration file and determine an adjustment to an output color scheme of the printer based on the comparison to calibrate the printer.

Abstract: A printing control device included in an image processing device for displaying an observed image on a display screen, the printing control device including: a printing instruction detecting unit for detecting whether or not there is a printing instruction to print the observed image; and a gradation correction information output control unit for outputting information on gradation correction made temporarily for observation of the observed image to one of a printing device and an external storage medium together with original image data of the observed image when a printing instruction is detected.

Abstract: Provided are a displacement/distortion measuring method and a displacement/distortion measuring apparatus for easily and highly accurately measuring displacement or distortion of an object. An image of the surface of the measuring object is picked up by a line scanner apparatus adhered or brought close to the surface of the measuring object. The image is taken, displacement or distortion is measured by image analysis of the image of the measuring object surface prior to time lapse and that after time lapse, and displacement or distortion measuring results are outputted.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that outputs color information to an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet using color toner and transparent toner, the color information representing a toner image to be formed on the sheet by the image forming apparatus, including: an extracting unit that extracts a characteristic region from input image data; a first calculating unit that creates, based on the image data, first color information on a toner image corresponding to the color toner; a second calculating unit that calculates second color information by which a prescribed amount of the transparent toner is applied to the characteristic region extracted by the extracting unit; and an outputting unit that outputs the first and second color information calculated by the first and second calculating units to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Machine-enabled methods of, and devices and systems for, encoding color bitmap data as indexed red-green-blue (RGB) data for printing and optional multi-functional peripheral (MFP) device raster image processor (RIP) bypass.

Abstract: The grayscale of an input signal is converted without amplifying noise components thereof. A grayscale conversion portion performs grayscale conversion on an input signal IS to create a converted signal TS, a noise reduction degree determining portion determines a noise reduction degree NR that expresses a strength of noise reduction processing to be applied to the converted signal based on the input signal IS and the converted signal TS, and a noise reducing portion executes noise reduction processing on the converted signal TS based on the noise reduction degree NR. By doing this, it is possible to convert the grayscale of the input signal without enhancing the noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate generating a ready-to-print binary dual-plane HLC image for output to an HLC device. A print-ready highlight color (HLC) image can be generated without digital front end (DFE) processing. For example, according to one or more aspects, a color scanner can be employed to produce a two-plane binary TIFF image. One plane contains black (e.g., achromatic) content, while the other contains highlight color content. Black pixels are identified and/or determined using neutral pixel and neutral window detection. Background pixels are mapped to white for both planes. Pixels that are non-neutral and non-background are designated as color pixels. After separation into a neutral plane and an HLC plane, the planes are processed into binary data for printing.

Abstract: A color reproduction meth a color printing apparatus which reproduces a color by a combination of a black plate and a plurality of chromatic color materials, which calculates color control values including a quantity of addition of the black plate to a first color reproduced by only a combination of the chromatic color materials to reproduce a second color which is reproduced by adding the black plate to the first color, includes: calculating, based on a color profile of the color printing apparatus, a characteristic data representing characteristic changes of a brightness and a color saturation of a representative color caused by adding the black plate to the representative color, wherein the representative color is reproduced by only any one of the chromatic color materials or a combination of the chromatic color materials; and calculating the color control value based on the characteristic data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store a divisor matrix including at least two kinds of divisor values, and a changing unit configured to change M (M>N) gradation image data into N (N>3) gradation image data, wherein the changing unit is configured to divide a pixel value of a target pixel of the M gradation image data by a divisor value corresponding to a pixel position of the target pixel to change the M gradation image data into the N-gradation image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a quadrangular or polygonal area setting unit that sets a quadrangular or polygonal area that surrounds a group of pixels that has predetermined characteristics for image data; a background setting unit that measures frequency distribution of tone values outside the quadrangular or polygonal area, measures a brightest tone value B in a margin range, which is a range of tone values in which the image data is distributed significantly, measures a most frequent value M in the margin range, and sets a background range, which is a range that includes the most frequent value M as a median point and further includes the brightest tone value B as one end of the range; a black edge statistics unit that measures frequency distribution of tone values of black edge inside the quadrangular or polygonal area and measures a greatest brightness value b in a black edge range, which is a range of tone values in which the black edge is distributed significantly.

Abstract: A method for defining a gloss effect in a printed document includes printing a document region with first and second colorant combinations. The first colorant combination defines a first colorant stack height and said second colorant combination defines a second colorant stack height that differs from the first colorant stack height. As such, the document region has a first appearance when viewed straight-on and a second appearance when viewed at an angle. In one example, the first colorant combination is black (K) colorant that results in a one-level stack height and the second colorant combination is cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY) colorants that result in a three-level stack height. In another example, the second colorant combination can be cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) colorants that define a four-level stack height.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: an image forming section to form an image on paper based on image data according to an image forming condition to output the image on the paper; a storage section to store a plurality of correction values corresponding to setting conditions of the image forming condition, the correction values used for correction of density unevenness in a main scanning direction of the image; a density correction section to perform correction of density of each pixel of the image data based on the correction value; and a control section to read out the correction value according to a set condition in the image forming condition from the storage section and to allow the density correction section to perform the correction of the density of each pixel of the image data based on the read out correction value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a specific image detection unit detecting an area including at least a part of a specific image in an input image, a representative color calculation unit calculating a representative color of the specific image on the basis of pixels belonging to the area detected by the specific image detection unit, plural correction curve acquisition units which acquire plural correction curves resulting in gradation correction for every element color on the basis of the gradation value for every element color constituting the representative color after correction, and plural correction units which correct the gradation value for every element color in each pixel constituting the input image based on the obtained plural correction curves.

Abstract: A controller unit controls an image processing apparatus that includes a scanner unit that acquires image data by scanning an original. The controller unit includes a scanning characteristic correcting unit that converts the image data acquired by the scanner unit into normalized image data, an expanded I/F unit to which a controller image processing unit can be detachably attached to perform an image reducing operation on the normalized image data, and a basic image processing unit that, when the controller image processing unit is not attached to the expanded I/F unit, performs a basic image reducing operation on the normalized image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus executes an area dividing process on color image data that have been divided into blocks of a prescribed size, and for each block, selects a three-color mode when tone gradation is of higher priority and a four-color mode when resolution is of higher priority, as a color mode for an area averaging process. The image processing device executes a compression process in the selected color mode block by block, and outputs image data in a data format of 256 bit length, regardless of the color mode for compression.

Abstract: An image processing controlling unit calculates an image processing parameter to reduce an image quality difference between image data read by a first reading unit and a second reading unit depending on a reading characteristic of a reading unit indicated by attached information (reading-unit information) received together with the calculating request and a writing characteristic of a printer. The calculated image processing parameter is stored in a memory. Next, when printing the image data, a middleware unit causes a printer to print the image data based on the image processing parameter held in the memory.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of realizing miniaturization of apparatus and low cost is supplied. In the image forming apparatus, an inputting section inputs gradation data values P with N bits; a gradation changing section changes the gradation data value P into a data set including 2(N?M) (M<N) data with M bits; and a pixel forming section receives the data sets each includes 2(N?M) (M<N) data with M bits according to an receiving order, forms dots whose energies are different on respective lines of M lines, and forms a gradation pixel of M bits.

Abstract: Pieces of reading frequency information representing the use frequencies of first and second reading units are acquired. Read color information of a color on a document that is read by the first or second reading unit is acquired. Based on the acquired pieces of reading frequency information and the acquired read color information, one of the first and second reading units is decided as a reference reading unit serving as a reference when performing correction to make the reading characteristics of the first and second reading units relatively coincide with each other.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a converter converting an interlace image including a first number of pixels into a first progressive image, an interpolator interpolating the first progressive image to generate a second progressive image including a second number of pixels, a classification unit classifying, in accordance with a feature of the second progressive image, into classes, subject pixels forming a third progressive image, which serves as a target image, including the second number of pixels and having a quality higher than the second progressive image, a storage unit storing a prediction coefficient for each of the classes obtained by conducting learning using a plurality of progressive images, each including the second number of pixels, and a computation unit performing computation using the second progressive image and the prediction coefficient for each of the classes to determine the third progressive image from the second progressive image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image input unit configured to input image data, a calculation unit configured to calculate an application amount of a recording material to form an image on a recording paper according to the input image data, a conversion characteristics creation unit configured to create composite conversion characteristics based on gradation-prioritized conversion characteristics and tint-prioritized conversion characteristics according to the application amount, and a conversion unit configured to convert the image data according to the created conversion characteristics.

Abstract: A first image-data processing unit unifies characteristics of input image data so that the image data is usable in an image writing unit and an external device, stores characteristic-unified image data in a storing unit, and changes an attribute of supplemental information according to an image input condition. When converting target image data into image data with characteristics suitable for outputting to the image writing unit and an external interface unit, a second image-data processing unit makes the stored image data be reusable in the image writing unit and the external device by performing an image processing based on the supplemental information.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method capable of performing appropriate under color removal in image original reading. According to this method, under color removal of the original is performed as follows. A printing medium without any printed image is read by primary and complementary color readings. A brightness signal distribution is generated by converting, using a provisional table, each of image data generated by the reading methods. The lowest one of signal levels is selected from each of the distributions. In correspondence with each of the primary and complementary color readings, a conversion table is formed, which converts the image data to make a pixel value corresponding to the selected lowest one of the signal levels to a value representing white. Under color removal of the image data is performed using a corresponding conversion table in accordance with the reading method of the image original.

Abstract: A method includes dividing an input range of color values of a first color space into a plurality of sub-ranges, wherein at least one of the sub-ranges comprises an over-range color value. The method also includes determining for each sub-range a level of accuracy in converting color values within each sub-range. The method further includes determining a processing step to be applied to input color values in each sub-range based on the determined level of accuracy.

Abstract: Automatically selected adjusters are described, including selecting an area of an image, determining a characteristic of the area, and selecting an adjuster of a set of adjusters based on the characteristic of the area.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes: an image sensing section for sensing an image of a subject; a detector for detecting a luminance of the subject; a compressor for compressing a dynamic range of the subject image; and a controller for controlling a compression characteristic to be used in compressing the dynamic range based on a detection result of the detector.

Abstract: A color processing device includes a color range conversion component, a control component and a color conversion and clipping component. The color range conversion component performs a color range conversion of input color signals in accordance with a specified color range conversion condition. The control component excludes from objects of the color range conversion by the color range conversion component a color value, of the input color signals, of which a position in a predetermined color space is outside a color reproduction range and which satisfies a predetermined condition. The color conversion and clipping component, after a color space conversion, applies clipping to a color value that falls outside the color reproduction range of the designated device in the color space dependent on the designated device, including rounding off such that the color value falls in the color reproduction range.