Abstract: In a printing device, a head ejects ink on each of a plurality of printing media. Each of the plurality of printing media is classified into one of a plurality of media types. A control device acquires image data, and performs a halftone process to convert the image data to print data for controlling the head to eject the ink. The control device controls the head to eject the ink to print the image on the basis of the print data. Before the controlling, the control device acquires media information indicating, as an indicated media type, a media type from among the plurality of media types; and performs a decision process to decide a target conversion method from among a plurality of conversion methods on the basis of the indicated media type. The halftone process converts the image data to the print data according to the target conversion method.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus converts a first combination including color signals respectively corresponding to first ink, second ink, and third ink, which are input to be recorded in a first area on a recording medium into a second combination including color signals respectively corresponding to the first ink, the second ink, and the third ink, and converts a third combination including color signals respective corresponding to the first ink, the second ink, and the third ink which are input to be recorded in a second area on the recording medium into a fourth combination including color signals respectively corresponding to the first ink, the second ink, and the third ink, wherein a difference between a color of a first image and a color of a second image is reduced and a difference between a frequency of the first image and a frequency of the second image is reduced.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a conveyance portion configured to convey a first medium; a first imaging portion; a first reading processing portion configured to cause the first imaging portion to read a first image of a first reading surface of the first medium conveyed by the conveyance portion; a second imaging portion; a second reading processing portion configured to cause the second imaging portion to read a second image of the second reading surface of the second medium by scanning while the second imaging portion is being moved along a second reading surface of a second medium placed on a medium placement surface; a reading control portion configured to control the first reading processing portion and the second reading processing portion to operate in parallel with each other; and a synthesis processing portion configured to generate a synthesized image by synthesizing the first image and the second image.

Abstract: An image capture device may include an image sensor, a processor, and memory. The image sensor may be configured to obtain an image. The processor may be configured to: generate a grid on the image forming tiles; determine a fringing level of each vertex of the vertices; sort all of the tiles based on the fringing level of each tile so that the tiles are sorted in a descending order from the tile with a highest of the fringing levels to the tile with a lowest of the fringing levels; and apply a fringing compensation to a subset of the sorted tiles to obtain a processed image. The memory may be configured to store the processed image.

Abstract: A method for printing at least a first and a later print job includes receiving a first print job containing first image data of one or more first images to be printed in a printable area and a later print job containing later image data associated with a colour, determining a first sub-area of said printable area where no image of the first images is to be printed, using the first image data; printing the one or more first images in the printable area and at least one first control patch in the first sub-area, using for said at least one first control patch at least one colour representative for the colour associated with the later image data, measuring the colour of the printed at least one first control patch, and using the measured colour of the at least one first control patch for controlling the later print job.

Abstract: One motor is shared for carriage movement and document sheet conveyance. An abutting member stops the carriage, that has moved from a second position located below a first end portion of a platen glass, at a first position located below a contact glass. The carriage supports the motor and first and second main body gears. The main body gears interlock with the motor. A cover input gear meshes with the first main body gear when the carriage is located between the first position and a relay region. A main rack gear meshes with the second main body gear when the carriage is located in a region extending from the relay region to a third position located below a second end portion of the platen glass. A load torque applied to the motor is larger when the carriage is fixed than when the cover input gear is fixed.

Abstract: A peripheral blown-out pixel counter counts the number of blown-out pixels in a block including a target pixel and peripheral pixels in image data. A G threshold setting unit sets a G threshold such that the G threshold is greater as the number of the blown-out pixels is larger. A (B?G) threshold setting unit sets a (B?G) threshold such that the (B?G) threshold is smaller as the number of the blown-out pixels is larger. A correction necessity determination unit determines that a color of the target pixel should be corrected when a G signal is determined to be smaller than the G threshold and a (B?G) value is determined to be greater than the (B?G) threshold. A color correction unit corrects at least the G signal and a B signal when the color of the target pixel should be corrected.

Abstract: In one example, a method for rendering graphical objects on a display includes rendering each of a plurality of graphical objects within respective layers. The plurality of graphical objects includes first, second and third graphical objects. The second graphical object is directly linked to the first graphical object and the third graphical object is directly linked to the second graphical object. The method additionally includes receiving user input manipulating one of the graphical objects in a manner that affects a directly linked graphical object. The method additionally includes re-rendering the manipulated graphical object and the directly linked graphical object without re-rendering graphical objects that are not directly linked to the manipulated graphical object.

Abstract: A color image processing system includes an image capture module, an image digitizing module, an optimizing ratio calculation module and an image processing module. The image capture module captures an original color image. The image digitizing module digitizes the original color image to obtain N pixels in ascending order according to value of RGB of the pixel. The optimizing ratio calculation module calculates an optimizing ratio H. The image processing module multiplies original value of RGB of the pixel before the ((N?N*H)/2)th pixel by 1/H to obtain new value of RGB of the pixel before the ((N?N*H)/2)th pixel and multiplies original value of RGB of the pixel after the ((N+N*H)/2?1)th pixel by H to obtain new value of RGB of the pixel after the ((N+N*H)/2?1)th pixel. A color image processing method is also provided.

Abstract: Method of setting up a color separation table for a specific print system, comprising finding first NP (Neugebauer Primary) area coverages of a specific print system that correspond to color values, adding second NP area coverages by converting halftone data from at least one pre-determined pair of halftone data and corresponding color value to NP area coverages, and generating a color separation table arranged as input for a halftone process that comprises color values linked to the corresponding first and second NP area coverages.

Abstract: For each totally black pixel of image data to be printed using a fluid-ejection printing device, it is determined whether the pixel is part of a line feature or an area fill feature of the image data. Where the pixel is part of a line feature, a first printing mask selected that is optimized for printing line features. Where the pixel is part of an area fill feature, a second printing mask is selected that is optimized for printing area fill features. Each mask specifies a number of fluid droplets to be printed and positions where the fluid droplets are to be printed. The selected mask is applied to the pixel. The pixel is printed using the mask that has been applied. The fluid-ejection printing device prints the pixel by ejecting the number of fluid droplets specified by the mask at the positions specified by the mask.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an amplifying unit for, during a main scanning line period, amplifying an analog image signal input from a photoelectric conversion element and outputting the signal; an A/D converting unit for analog/digital-converting the signal to digital image data and outputting the data; and a digital offset correcting unit for performing a low-pass filter calculation based on the data to obtain an average value, calculating, based on the average value, a digital correction value used for correcting the data to obtain a desired black offset level, and performing correction on the data using the value. The digital offset correcting unit compares the value to a threshold, reduces the value to be equal to or less than the threshold if the value is equal to or greater than the threshold and updates the value to the reduced value, and performs the low-pass filter calculation and calculates the value.

Abstract: When a recording agent amount limiting process is carried out, a color reproduction range is narrowed, and therefore gradation properties of dark areas are deteriorated and information originally held by an image is sometimes undesirably lost. By obtaining (401) a colorant amount for each target pixel of input color image data, calculating (402) a colorant amount of a peripheral area of the target pixel, and correcting (400) a density range of the input color image data based on the colorant amount of the target pixel and the colorant amount of the peripheral area of the target pixel, amounts of recording agent are limited and reductions in image quality are prevented.

Abstract: A carriage motor which is a heat generating device is arranged next to a CIS in a scanner unit. The carriage motor drives respective transport rollers of an ADF unit via a gear system as well. The scanner unit makes a white reference board be read so as to obtain white reference data, and obtains black reference data more frequently than the white reference data, e.g., in a continuous process for reading a document. As a CIS module continues a reading process, the black reference data changes as being affected by a change in temperature in the CIS module, etc. The scanner unit deals with such a change in the black reference data by obtaining the black reference data more frequently.

Abstract: A method enables primary color values for pixel to be processed before the pixel is rendered. The method includes allocating non-black primary colors as being under black, secondary colors, or tertiary colors.

Abstract: A method for processing black point compensation parameters for a color image to be printed so as to enhance image quality of the color image is provided. The method includes converting a received color image to a gray scale image; determining, using the received color image and the gray scale image, a performance attribute to estimate the effect of the black point compensation parameters on the image quality of the received color image, respectively; deriving a model to estimate relationships between the black point compensation parameters and the determined performance attribute; maximizing the performance attribute of the derived model so as to process the black point compensation parameters for the color image; and using the processed black point compensation parameters to construct output device profiles.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an input unit sequentially scanning first image data having first resolution, in units of a predetermined number of pixels that are contiguous in a first direction, in a second direction crossing the first direction at right angles, thereby inputting a pixel group corresponding to each unit of pixels, a computation unit calculating pixel values of second image data having second resolution using pixels in a reference area having a predetermined range in the first image data, a storage unit storing pixel values of a range of the first image data that is larger than the reference area in the first direction, and a control unit controlling the computation unit so as to successively output pixels of the second resolution in the first direction in units of the predetermined number of pixels using the stored pixels.

Abstract: An image revising method, an image forming apparatus, and a method for revising image spreading are provided. The image revising method includes regulating a black color level in a black area of an input image; adjusting a color level of at least one other color excluding the black color in the black area; and revising the image by applying the regulated black color level and the adjusted color level of the at least one other color. Thus, in copying a document, the black color with the enhanced legibility can be serviced.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an analog gain range determining unit that determines a range to which an analog gain setting an amplification factor of a pixel signal read from a pixel belongs, a clamp parameter control condition setting unit that sets a control condition of a clamp parameter setting the black level based on a result of the determination by the analog gain range determining unit, and a clamp parameter control unit that controls the clamp parameter based on the control condition set by the clamp parameter control condition setting unit.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document table, an image reading portion, a cover member, a reading control portion, and a document determination portion. On a color reference surface of the cover member which opposes to a document table, a partial region is provided which has a predetermined density different from a density of the color reference surface. The reading control portion reads image data from the color reference surface and the partial region of the cover member by the image reading portion. When a density difference between a density of the color reference surface and a density of the partial region on the image data read by the reading control portion is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the document determination portion determines that the document placed on the document placement surface is a book document.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device, a method, and a storage medium to create a color conversion table. According to one implementation, a color conversion table creating device includes, a color material amount limiting processing section; a first color conversion processing section; a second color conversion processing section; a combining section; a color material amount limiting inverse conversion processing section; and an output value determining section. The color material amount limiting processing section performs color material amount limiting of an input value in the color conversion table. The color material limiting inverse conversion processing section performs inverse conversion of the color material amount limiting after color conversion and combining the CMYK components. The output value determining section sets the inverted CMYK color components as an output value in the color conversion table.

Abstract: A method for processing black point compensation parameters for a color image to be printed so as to enhance image quality of the color image is provided.

Abstract: A method for colorizing a monochrome image is provided. The method includes the step of transforming the monochrome image to a luminance color domain and also transforming a color sample corresponding to the monochrome image to the luminance color domain. The method also includes the step of mapping the transformed color sample on to the transformed monochrome image and merging the transformed color sample with a lightness channel of the transformed monochrome image to yield a final image. A further step of the method involves transforming the final image to a color space.

Abstract: A print controller controls a printing unit to print an image on a recording medium by using a black ink and M chromatic color inks. The print controller stores a part of image data having a plurality of sets of pixel data and determines whether one pixel data set is subject pixel data to be subjected to bleed suppression and includes: setting the one pixel data set as target pixel data; setting, as peripheral pixel data, pixel data set corresponding to a pixel located within a prescribed range from a target pixel; acquiring the N color value set of the target pixel data; acquiring the N color value set of the peripheral pixel data; and determining whether the target pixel data is the subject pixel data based on the N color value sets.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a print job to be printed, determining if the print job is to be processed according to a formula based workflow and invoking formula based International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles to perform color transformations if the print job is determined to be processed according to the formula based workflow.

Abstract: A bi-color-image-signal generating apparatus includes a reception unit and a generating unit. The reception unit receives specification of a specified color in a case of generating a bi-color image signal from a color image signal. The bi-color image signal has color components representing two colors which are an achromatic color and a chromatic color that is the specified color. The generating unit obtains an amount of each color material which is to be used to form an image having the two colors from the color image signal on the basis of a brightness of the specified color, an amount of each color material which is necessary for image formation using the specified color, and a brightness of the color image signal, and generates the bi-color image signal from the color image signal using the obtained amount of each color material.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a first colorant reducing unit that performs a first colorant reducing process that reduces colorant of black on second image data to output fourth image data representing tone values of the black separation on a per-pixel basis; a second colorant reducing unit that performs a second colorant reducing process that reduces the colorants of the colors other than black on a portion of third image data, the portion corresponding to the separations of the colors other than black, to output fifth image data representing tone values of each of the separations of the colors other than black on a per-pixel basis; and a combining unit that combines the fourth image data and the fifth image data to output sixth image data representing tone values of each of the separations of the colors including black on a per-pixel basis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for color conversion from one CMYK color space to another CMYK color space. The system receives a color defined by a first coordinate in the first CMYK color space. The system converts the color to a second coordinate for the second CMYK color space, and determines a location in a perceptual color space for each of the first coordinate and the second coordinate. The system further identifies a distance between the locations in the perceptual color space, and reduces the distance in the perceptual color space between the two locations by iteratively revising the second coordinate in the second CMYK color space while holding the black level of the second coordinate constant.

Abstract: A standard density print profile capable of producing a print of standard densities is generated by a printing press set to standard density conditions, and a designated density print profile capable of producing a print of designated densities is generated by the printing press when the printing press is set to designated density conditions. A color conversion table capable of producing the print of the designated densities with the printing press set to the standard density conditions is generated using the standard density print profile and the designated density print profile. The colors of the image data are converted using the color conversion table.

Abstract: An image processing method causes a computer to execute calculating a reference ink use amount considering a black level of image data of an initial image as a reference level; calculating a relation between a correction value of each black level and the ink use amount from a state of using no ink to the reference level; calculating a proper correction value of the black level corresponding to a target ink use amount input by a user in the relation between each black level and the ink use amount; and generating image data of a correction image representing the initial image by the proper correction value and displaying the correction image on a display.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method of inheriting intended GCR into a 4-to-4 cascaded LUT to compensate for print engine change which adversely impacts the quality of an output print. The present method uses the device link transform to generate starting LUT nodes for the inverse of the drifted printer model by inputting CMYK or RGB into the device link at a color space resolution sufficient to determine output nodes. Lab and CMYK values are derived from this process, and a “starting LUT” is created at the Lab destination nodes. An iterative control begins with this starting LUT to produce an inverse drifted printer model that contains a close approximation for the intended GCR. The present method captures the intent of the device link transform for a fleet and generates the cascaded LUT for drift, specific printer, side1/side2, and other modes leading to special GCRs.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus suitable for processing a digital image in YCrCb color space, the image having an initial luminance plane Y and two initial Cr, Cb chrominance planes, the processing apparatus including a first block that receives the initial luminance plane Y of the digital image and processes and modifies the initial luminance plane Y in order to provide a modified luminance plane Y in output; a color artifact correction block, operating in parallel with the first block, the correction block receiving the initial planes Y, Cr, Cb of the image and modifying the initial chrominance planes Cr and Cb through a pixel by pixel processing approach with a mobile working window, the correction block having a false colors correction sub-block and a purple fringing correction sub-block, or both, the sub-blocks structured to modify values of the initial Cr, Cb chrominance planes based on information contained in the initial Cr, Cb chrominance planes and also based on information contained in the initial lu

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes an image pixel array, a dark pixel array, data bit liens, reference bit lines, a driver, comparators, and analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) circuits. The image pixel array generates analog image signals in response to incident light. The dark pixel array generates analog black reference signals for analog black level calibration of the analog image signals. In one embodiment, the data bit lines each coupled to a different column of image pixels of the image pixel array and the reference bit lines each coupled to a different column of black reference pixels within the dark pixel array. The driver is coupled to the reference bit lines to drive an analog black reference signal. The comparators each couple to one of the data bit lines and each coupled to an output of the driver and offset the analog image signals with the analog black reference signals in an analog domain. The ADC circuits each coupled to an output of a comparator.

Abstract: A first color conversion unit converts RGB signals from a line input unit to L*a*b* signals. A lightness range compression unit matches the lightness range of the input color signals with that of an output gamut. If the maximum saturation point on an input line is outside the output gamut, an input line correction unit corrects the point in such a manner that it is mapped onto the surface of the output gamut. If a near-surface determination unit determines that the corrected line is not located on the surface of the output gamut, an out-of-gamut mapping unit maps it onto the surface of the output gamut, whereas if it determines that the corrected line is located near the surface of the output gamut, the surface mapping unit maps all points on the surface of the output gamut. A second color conversion unit converts the mapped L*a*b* signals to CMYK signals.

Abstract: A method for determining a blended color transform for use in producing printed colors on a color printer having at least four device color channels, comprising: forming first and second color transforms, wherein the first color transform produces printed colors that have a reduced sensitivity to color printer process variations in at least a first region of color space that includes a near-neutral color region, and wherein the second color transform produces printed colors that have a reduced image noise visibility in at least a second region of color space; defining a blending function which computes weighting values for the first and second color transforms as a function of input color values; and using a processor to determine the blended color transform by blending the first color transform and the second color transform, responsive to the blending function.

Abstract: An ink set that includes a plurality of chromatic primary color inks that can reproduce achromatic color in combination with each other and at least one spot color ink having a hue different from any of the chromatic primary color inks is prepared. A color to be reproduced on a printing medium in accordance with a given input color is termed a reproduction color, and a combination of ink amounts for inks in the ink set to be used to reproduce the reproduction color on the printing medium is termed a color separation ink amount set. When a saturation parameter value that is correlated with the saturation of the reproduction color falls within a first range that is close to achromaticity, the ink amount of the spot color ink included in the color separation ink amount set is adjusted such that it decreases in accordance with a change in the saturation parameter value in the direction of lower saturation.

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: A method of converting a RIPped K-only page or pixels to composite black in a digital print engine is included which executes the conversion process during current job workflow, while detecting the K-only page or pixels for billing purposes as K-only, and printed out as composite black.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes an image pixel array, a dark pixel array, data bit liens, reference bit lines, a driver, comparators, and analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) circuits. The image pixel array generates analog image signals in response to incident light. The dark pixel array generates analog black reference signals for analog black level calibration of the analog image signals. In one embodiment, the data bit lines each coupled to a different column of image pixels of the image pixel array and the reference bit lines each coupled to a different column of black reference pixels within the dark pixel array. The driver is coupled to the reference bit lines to drive an analog black reference signal. The comparators each couple to one of the data bit lines and each coupled to an output of the driver and offset the analog image signals with the analog black reference signals in an analog domain. The ADC circuits each coupled to an output of a comparator.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an additional image formation unit configured to form an additional image having a first predetermined density. At least a part of the additional image is overlaid with a main image having a second predetermined density, the main image being formed on an image formation medium. A boundary image formation unit is configured to form a boundary image which is formed in an area defined in the vicinity of an overlaid area where the additional image is overlaid with the main image. A density of the boundary image is lower than both the first predetermined density and the second predetermined density. A synthesized image formation unit is configured to synthesize the main image, additional image and the boundary image to form a synthesized image.

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: A print controller controls a print process in which black ink having permeability to a recording medium and chromatic color ink having permeability to the recording medium different from the permeability of the black ink are used to form an image on the recording medium. The subject pixel setting unit sets, as a subject pixel, one pixel that satisfies a first condition that the pixel is a black pixel, a second condition that a plurality of peripheral pixels that are located adjacent to the pixel and that surround the pixel include at least one chromatic pixel, and a third condition that gradation level of black changes discontinuously between the pixel and at least one of the at least one chromatic pixel. The bleed suppressing unit executes a bleed suppression process to a set of pixel data corresponding to the subject pixel to suppress bleeding of the black ink on the recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for image processing are disclosed, each of which obtains a mark from image data, detects additional information in the mark, determines whether the mark is detected in the mark to generate a determination result, and controls processing performed by an image processing apparatus with respect to the image data based on the determination result.

Abstract: A method and system modify a rasterized digital image to reduce registration artifacts, the image having a black plane and a color plane by determining if a pixel is part of a connected black region and if the pixel is part of a connected color region. It is determined if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous. A dilation operation is performed on the color plane value of the pixel if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous.

Abstract: The presence or absence of outside light is individually decided with respect to each of the time of executing AFE adjusted value acquiring processing, the time of executing LED adjusted value acquiring processing and the time of executing black correction data acquiring processing. In the case of deciding that the outside light is present, a parameter in the case of deciding that the outside light is present is modified to a predetermined value or a reacquired value. As a result of this, even when an incident state of outside light changes at the time of acquiring each of the parameters, it can properly be switched whether or not their parameters are replaced with the predetermined value or the reacquired value.

Abstract: A segmentation process section classifies signals of pixels in input image data into respective signals of a black text/low density area, a black text/high density area, a color text area, and an area other than a text area. A black generation and under color removal section performs an under color removal process with respect to the signal of the black text/low density area so that an amount of UCR is a middle value (C, M, Y) of signals indicative of color component density levels. Consequently, it is possible to prevent color fringing and a white spot at a time when chromatic aberration occurs in the input image data.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for performing a CMYK to CMYKKpRGB color transform which helps reduce engine-specific halftone artifacts in diverse printing devices capable of dot-on-dot printing. The present method lends adaptive color overlapping control to local color regions depending on the engine behaviors and imaging artifacts to be addressed. With such a transform, an added degree of flexibility is provided to a variety of halftoning algorithms to reduce engine-specific halftone artifacts. Advantageously, increased halftone image quality is effectuated for different engine behaviors in a computationally efficient manner. Various embodiments have been disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system modify a rasterized digital image to reduce registration artifacts, the image having a black plane and a color plane by determining if a pixel is part of a connected black region and if the pixel is part of a connected color region. It is determined if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous. A dilation operation is performed on the color plane value of the pixel if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous.

Abstract: A print controller controlling a print process in which black ink having permeability to a recording medium and a plurality of kinds of chromatic color ink having permeability to the recording medium different from the permeability of the black ink are used to form an image on the recording medium. The subject pixel setting unit sets, as a subject pixel, one pixel that satisfies conditions that the pixel is a black pixel and that peripheral pixels that are located adjacent to the pixel and that surround the pixel include at least one chromatic pixel. The reducing unit reduces a black component value of the subject pixel to a reduced black component value. The increasing unit increases chromatic component values of the subject pixel to increased chromatic component values. The print executing unit executes the print based on the reduced black component value and the increased chromatic component values of the subject pixel.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus where in an additional image storage unit 3, a color additional image is stored into a color image storage unit 4, and a black/white additional image is stored into a black/white image storage unit 5. A color judging unit 2 judges as to whether an input image corresponds to a color image, or a black/white image every page thereof. Based upon the judgment result of the color judging unit 2, an image synthesizing unit 6 adds the color additional image stored in the color image storage unit 4 to the input image when the input image is the color image, and adds the black/white additional image stored in the black/white image storage unit 5 in the input image when the input image is the black/white image. Then, the image synthesizing unit 6 outputs the resulting image synthesized with the additional image.