Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently handling, modifying, transmitting, re-displaying and storing color images. An image is provided which has a plurality of pixels each having color parameters (information) in the form of color coordinates which can be considered a color point in a color space. The invention provides a plurality of color volume elements which together contain at least a portion of the color space and which in effect quantize the color space. Each color volume element has a representative color value (point) so that a first plurality of representative color values (points) are provided by the plurality of volume elements. A representative color value is determined for each pixel in the image such that, with a typical image, a subset of the first plurality of representative color values are determined. In other words, the image will not use all the values in the first plurality of representative color values.

Abstract: Color transformation apparatus for transforming an input color space into an output color space and including a first LUT for transforming a first portion of the input color space into a corresponding first portion of the output color space, a second LUT for transforming a second portion of the input color space into a corresponding second portion of the output color space, and a control unit for channeling input values included in the first and second portions of the color space to the first and second LUTs respectively.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus functions to convert a first image derived as color-pixel data into a second image generated by a lesser number of corresponding data through a pixel-skipping process. The first image data is segmented into pixel blocks each consisting of a plurality of the color-pixel data relative to the number of second-image pixels to be generated. Each pixel block corresponds to one pixel composing the second image, and serves as an objective block from which the data to produce the corresponding second-image pixel is determined. If this determination cannot be made, the relevant color-pixel data is determined by comparative reference to color data of both the objective pixel block and that of adjacent pixel blocks. Original dot and fine-line features of the first image are thus maintained in the pixel-skipped second image.

Abstract: An image formation system includes one or more image data output device for outputting images composed of three primary colors for full color imaging, and imaging system including a printer where beam light is used to selectively transfer image data from any of the image data output device in an optical image memory, a connecting device for selectively connecting more than two of the image data output device to the printer, a detecting device for detecting whether each of the image data output device is connected to the printer, an erasing device for erasing images remnant in the optical image memory, and a control device for receiving output from the detecting device to operate the erasing device at each end of a period for which each data output device has been connected to the printer.

Abstract: It is determined whether an object pixel in entered image data resides on (a) part of a black character or line, (b) not on part of a black character or line but in close proximity thereto, (c) neither part of nor in close proximity to a black character or line. When it is determined that (a) holds, the object pixel is recorded using dark black ink only. When it is determined that (b) holds, a pixel comprising various color components is recorded using ink whose density is lower that that of ink having a designated density. When it is determined that (c) holds, namely that the object pixel is remote from a black character or line, the object pixel is recorded using the ink of the designated density.

Abstract: In a terminal apparatus for displaying a natural image on a display unit and sending the natural image to another terminal apparatus, the terminal apparatus includes: only one storage unit provided in common for storing RGB data, luminance/color difference data and compression data, the RGB data, and compression data being obtained by compressing the luminance/color difference data under a predetermined method; a switching unit operatively connected to the storage unit for switching content of display on the display unit from the RGB data stored in the storage unit to other image data not stored in the storage unit when the RGB data is converted to the luminance/color difference data and the luminance/color difference data is converted to the compression data; and a control unit operatively connected to the storage unit, switching unit and transmission unit through bus lines for reading out the RGB data from the storage unit, converting the RGB data to the luminance/color difference data, storing the luminanc

Abstract: There is disclosed an image scanning and video printing apparatus comprising a video printing unit controlled by a video synchronization signal, printing control signal and memory control signal for printing the images corresponding to a first video signal received through a first video signal input terminal and a second video signal produced by an image scanning on a printing paper, and generating a monitoring video signal, an image scanning unit for scanning a given material by an sensing device in response to an image sensing device drive control signal for controlling the driving of the image sensing device and image sensing device transfer control signal for controlling the transferring of the image sensing device so as to produce the second video signal supplied to the video printing unit, and a system control unit for controlling the image scanning and video printing apparatus by providing the image sensing device drive control signal and the image sensing device transfer control signal for the image s

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing color matching between populations of color output devices, such as color monitors and color printers. The method includes the steps of establishing a set of aim curves for each population of color output devices based on measured color luminance values of each member of the population, and constructing first and second sets of color correction transforms for each of the color output devices based on the aim curves and the measured color luminance values. The correction transforms are then provided to the device driver of each of the color output devices. The method and apparatus can transform the color outputs of a population of color output devices from a device-dependent color gamut to a population dependent color gamut.

Abstract: A system and method of image reproduction in color with preferential tone mapping in which the image reproduction is subjected to a scene parameter transformation which when taken in conjunction with untransformed characteristics of the image reproduction system and method results in a reproduced tone mapping having instantaneous gamma values of viewed reproduction density relative to density of the original scene which are greater than 1.0 and less than 1.0 plus 0.35 times scene exposure density over a scene exposure density range of from 0.6 to 1.45 as measured relative to a zero density, 100% diffuse reflector in the original scene. Preferably, the instantaneous gamma values within this scene exposure density range further lie substantially within a range of values subtended by an angle of 14.degree. as measured from a reference point at 0.0 scene exposure density and 1.0 viewed reproduction density gradient.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprising a plurality of multi-nozzle heads for forming an image according to input image forming signals, a memory means for storing data corresponding to image forming characteristics of each of the multi-nozzle heads, and a corrector means for correcting the image forming signals based on the data stored in the memory means.

Abstract: A method of producing photographic prints in a printer is provided, in which it is possible to adjust at least the color composition of the light to be emitted by an exposure means of the printer, an image of a master photographic image being reproduced on the screen of a color monitor by making use of an image converter means, which is adapted to be introduced temporarily into the ray path of the printer. The monitor image is calibrated at least with regard to the color of a first optimized print while maintaining the copying light constant. An exposure means suitable for carrying out this method is also described.

Abstract: A single, split-level frame buffer for use in a color imaging system includes a plurality of pixels having a first resolution level. A plurality of bits are provided for each pixel so as to enable accurate pictorial imaging. The frame buffer includes pixels having a resolution level which is higher than the first resolution level. Pixels on the edges of objects being imaged are replaced by the higher resolution pixels to provide images wherein object edges have high-resolution while object interiors have moderate resolution. In using a single frame buffer, images having more than one level of resolution are generated which do not require separation and merging operations.

Abstract: There is described a color image processing apparatus in which time-sequential color image signals are converted into parallel by a delay circuit, then subjected to a desired image processing and again converted into time-sequential color image signals, thus achieving image processing in a simple inexpensive circuit.