Image Coding (encoder/decoder) Patents (Class 358/539)
  • Patent number: 11277580
    Abstract: A time-of-flight device comprises a pixel array including a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in an array, respective ones of the plurality of pixel circuits including a first photodiode configured to selectively output two analog signals respectively via two paths, and including a second photodiode configured to selectively output two analog signals respectively via two paths; a signal line coupled to the first photodiode and a second photodiode; and processing circuitry including: a comparator configured to compare a voltage of the signal line with a reference signal and to output a comparison result, and a counter configured to perform a count based on the comparison result in response to a count control signal, wherein the count control signal is configured to switch the counter between an up count mode and a down count mode while a count value is held in the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Itai Shvartz, Elad Ilan
  • Patent number: 11153578
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing computation-efficient encoding of video or image frames are disclosed. An encoder partitions a video or image frame into a plurality of sub-frame blocks. For each sub-frame block, the encoder selects a subset of the original pixel values based on one or more criteria. In a first mode, the encoder selects the corners of the sub-frame block. Then, the encoder generates encoding vectors to represent the pixels in between pairs of the selected subset of pixel values. The encoder includes the original pixel values of the selected subset in the encoded block that represents the original sub-frame block. The encoder also includes the encoding vectors in the encoded block, wherein the encoding vectors are calculated based on the color parameter differences between each pair of the selected subset of pixel values. The encoder also includes metadata specifying the encoding mode in the encoded block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventor: Navin Patel
  • Patent number: 10964739
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of viewpoint images, an operation information acquisition unit that acquires imaging conditions when the viewpoint image is captured, and a compression unit that compresses the viewpoint image to be recorded on a flash memory (133), and the compression unit compresses the viewpoint image according to imaging conditions such as ISO sensitivity and an aperture value or a value of contrast information corresponding to a contrast distribution. The compression unit changes a compression rate for compressing the viewpoint image according to the imaging conditions or the value of the contrast information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiko Kanda, Yoshihito Tamaki, Hideyuki Hamano
  • Patent number: 10684326
    Abstract: A chain of flip-flops is tested by passing a reference signal through the chain. The reference signal is generated from a test pattern that is cyclically fed back at the cadence of a clock signal. The reference signal propagates through the chain of flip-flops at the cadence of the clock signal to output a test signal. A comparison is carried out at the cadence of the clock signal of the test signal and the reference signal, where the reference signal is delayed by a delay time taking into account the number of flip-flops in the chain and the length of the test pattern. An output signal is produced, at the cadence of the clock signal, as a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Sylvain Clerc, Gilles Gasiot
  • Patent number: 10318957
    Abstract: An example device may include one or more processors to receive a request for a service from a requestor user device; provide transaction information associated with the service to a provider user device, where the transaction information may include location information corresponding to a location at which the service may be provided; obtain verification information from the requestor user device based on an interaction associated with the requestor user device or the provider user device at the location, where the verification information may include one or more characteristics of the requestor user device; generate a verification token based on the one or more characteristics of the requestor user device; provide the verification token to the requestor user device; and provide the verification information to the provider user device to permit the provider user device to verify the requestor user device, in connection with performance of the service, based on receiving the verification information and obtai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Phillips, Zhe Liu, Catherine Bousquet
  • Patent number: 10277902
    Abstract: The present invention has a converting unit that converts image data in a Bayer array into three planes consisting of G, B and R planes that have the same array relationship as YCC 422, and an encoding unit that performs prediction encoding of the G, B and R planes obtained by the converting unit as YCC 422 image data. Here, the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the G plane is twice the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the B or R plane. Also, the encoding unit includes a motion searching unit that obtains a motion vector of a pixel block to be encoded as a motion vector of the G plane, and a correcting unit that corrects a motion vector of the B and R planes based on the motion vector for the G plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10262451
    Abstract: A machine accesses view maps that each corresponds to a different point on a surface of a three-dimensional object. The machine generates vectors of coefficients by calculating a corresponding transform of each view map. The vectors specify a corresponding coefficient for each basis function among a group of basis functions. For each basis function in the group, the machine generates a spatial representation of coefficients specified for that basis function across all of the accessed view maps, and then quantizes the spatial representation of coefficients for that basis function. The quantized spatial representation forms part of a group of quantized spatial representations of coefficients that corresponds to the accessed view maps. The machine then provides the group of quantized spatial representations of coefficients as a compressed version of the view maps. A decoder device can then approximate the view maps based on the group of quantized spatial representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: 8i Limited
    Inventors: Philip A. Chou, Xiang Zhang, Ming-Ting Sun, Ricardo de Queiroz
  • Patent number: 10244260
    Abstract: A method of encoding data (D1) for generating corresponding encoded data (E2) is provided, wherein the method includes: (a) analyzing the data (D1) to be encoded to identify one or more structural features within the data (D1); (b) encoding the data (D1) to be encoded as one or more portions depending upon the one or more structural features, and selecting one or more methods which efficiently encode the one or more portions, wherein the one or more methods include at least one extrapolation encoding method; and (c) generating the encoded data (E2) by combining data generated from the one or more portions, wherein the encoded data (E2) includes information indicative of methods employed to encode the one or more portions with their associated parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Gurulogic Microsystems Oy
    Inventors: Ossi Kalevo, Tuomas Karkkainen
  • Patent number: 9843816
    Abstract: A system and method for coding video data in pattern mode for display stream compression (DSC) is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes determining that a first pattern in a current block of video data is not in a pattern database comprising a plurality of patterns, and adding the first pattern to the pattern database. The first pattern may be associated with a first index identifying a location of the first pattern in the pattern database. The method further includes coding the current block in pattern mode at least in part via signaling (i) the first pattern determined not to be in the pattern database and (ii) the first index identifying the location of the first pattern in the first database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Natan Haim Jacobson, Vijayaraghavan Thirumalai, Rajan Laxman Joshi, Min Dai
  • Patent number: 9781447
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for encoding and decoding a video stream having a plurality of frames are disclosed. Disclosed implementations encode frames having a plurality of planes that include representations of color video data, for example YUV, relying on correlation between planes to form prediction blocks to predict blocks of another plane. Disclosed implementations use lookup tables formed from pixels peripheral to the blocks to transform blocks into prediction blocks. For example, blocks from the Y plane can be used to predict blocks from the U or V planes, or blocks from U or V planes can be used to predict blocks from the Y plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Ronald Sebastiaan Bultje
  • Patent number: 9736481
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for coding video blocks using a color-space conversion process. A video coder, such as a video encoder or a video decoder, may determine whether to use color-space conversion for encoding the video data. In response to determining to use color-space conversion, the video coder may quantize data of a first color component of the video data using a first offset of a first quantization parameter (QP) and quantize data of a second color component of the video data using a second offset of a second QP, wherein the second color component is different than the first color component, and the second QP is different than the first QP. The video coder may further inverse quantize data of the first color component using the first offset and inverse quantize data of the second color component using the second offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Li Zhang, Jianle Chen, Marta Karczewicz, Joel Sole Rojals, Woo-Shik Kim
  • Patent number: 9686560
    Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a video image file is disclosed. The image file includes line segments having a length of M pixels of N bits and a header of H bits. Each pixel is represented by t bits. The apparatus includes a circuit configured to read a first number of unencoded pixel values in a first line segment and read a second number of unencoded pixel values of a second line segment are read. The first and second line segments preceded by a header of H bits and each pixel value is represented by t bits. The differences between each of the first and second unencoded pixel values is determined. The differences between each of the first and second unencoded pixel values encoded only using a smallest number of bits t for a given number of bits for each pixel value in the segment, wherein t is defined as an integer between 1 and N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TELEDYNE DALSA, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Sicard
  • Patent number: 9516315
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating perceptually lossless image data or perceptually enhanced image data including: a color transform unit for color transforming a received image to a desired color space, forming converted color-space (CCS) images; a transform unit for receiving CCS images and transforming the CCS images into transformed CCS images each containing a set of transform coefficients; a quantization unit to quantize the transformed CCS images to form quantized CCS images; an image processor for receiving and processing transformed or quantized CCS images to produce optimized CCS images that are perceptually lossless or perceptually enhanced in quality; and an encoder for compressing the optimized CCS images; wherein the compressed optimized CCS images are subsequently prepared for storage and/or transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HD2 TECHNOLOGIES PTY. LTD.
    Inventors: Damian Marcellinus Tan, David Wu
  • Patent number: 9363517
    Abstract: An encoder may implement an indexed color history that stores color values for previously encoded pixels. The encoder may obtain a current pixel or current group of pixels for encoding and determine whether to encode the current pixel using the indexed color history. In doing so, the encoder may compare a color value of the current pixel with color values of the previously coded pixels to determine whether the current pixel is sufficiently similar to a previously coded pixel color value, e.g., by satisfying one or more similarity criteria. When the similarity criteria are satisfied, the encoder may encode the current pixel as an index value referencing the entry in the indexed color history storing a color value that satisfies the similarity criteria. When the similarity criteria are not satisfied, the encoder may encode the current pixel using another encoding method or technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Garland MacInnis, Frederick George Walls
  • Patent number: 9350994
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved motion estimation encoder for digital video encoding applications. In one example embodiment, the improved encoder receives a raw image in the form of a current frame and estimates the macroblock motion vector with respect to a reference frame. The encoder then performs an initial local search around an initial motion vector candidate derived from spatio-temporal neighboring macroblock parameters. The encoder then compares the user-defined complexity scalable sum of absolute difference between the original and the associated reference macroblock against an adaptive threshold value for motion estimation convergence. The encoder introduces a global full search around a candidate from a coarser level, in case an initial local search fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Sasken Communication Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Sandip Bhaumik, Murali Manohor, Kummini Neelakandhan Manoj, Prakash Murigeppa Harapanahalli
  • Patent number: 9324177
    Abstract: A machine may be configured to process an uncompressed image to obtain a set of intermediate images, which may be alternatively known as working images or temporary images. Such a set of intermediate images may be used as input for an image compression algorithm that, when executed by the machine or other compression engine, outputs a compressed version of the uncompressed image. For example, a compression format called “PVRTC,” which may be used on certain portable devices, accepts a set of three intermediate images as input, specifically, one full resolution, low precision version of the original uncompressed image, plus two low resolution, low frequency color versions of the original uncompressed image. A set of intermediate images for such a compression format may be generated by the machine from the original uncompressed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nils Jonas Norberg, Sulabh Patel, James Ho, Szymon Swistun
  • Publication number: 20150124301
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus for encoding image data and a method of controlling the same, whether an attribute of each of a plurality of areas in image data corresponds to an edge in an image based on the image data is determined, and one of a plurality of sub-sampling processes is selected according to the determination for each of the plurality of areas. Note that the plurality of sub-sampling processes can sub-sample color difference components of each of the plurality of areas by different processes. By the sub-sampling process selected as that corresponding to each of the plurality of areas, each of the plurality of areas is sub-sampled to encode the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Yugo Mochizuki, Fumihiro Goto, Akihiko Nakatani, Okinori Tsuchiya, Takashi Nakamura, Takashi Fujita, Ayumi Sano, Mitsuhiro Ono, Hidetsugu Kagawa
  • Patent number: 9014497
    Abstract: A tile of pixels is encoded by variable length encoding at least a first block of pixels into a first sequence of symbols and a second block of pixels into a second sequence of symbols. The symbols of the first and second sequences are co-organized into a combined sequence of symbols in which the symbols of the first sequence are readable in a first reading direction and at least a portion of the symbols in the second sequence are readable in a second, opposite reading direction. The encoding of the tile to form one or more combined sequences significantly reduces the bandwidth requirements when writing the tile to a pixel value buffer. The co-organization of the first and second sequences enables parallel reading and decoding of the first and second sequences from the pixel value buffer, thereby reducing any decoding latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Jacob Strom, Per Wennersten
  • Patent number: 8982426
    Abstract: JPEG data to be printed is Huffman-decoded on a block-by-block basis and is stored in a Huffman decoded data storage unit as Huffman decoded data, image data is generated by performing a later-stage decoding process (group decoding, run-length decoding, inverse quantization, inverse DCT) on the Huffman decoded data, a display process for displaying an image in a display unit based on the generated image data is executed, and the JPEG data is reconstructed by inserting RST markers at intervals equivalent to every stripe width while encoding the Huffman decoded data produced during the display process and stored in a reconstructed JPEG data storage unit. Then, when rotated printing is instructed, rotation/decoding that performs rotation while decoding the stored reconstructed JPEG data using the RST markers is carried out, print data is created from the image data obtained by the rotation/decoding, and a printing process is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masatoshi Matsuhira
  • Patent number: 8976428
    Abstract: An evaluation chart has test patterns, a first code mark, and a second code mark. The evaluation chart is electronically read at one time to obtain first code information that specifies measuring conditions for the evaluation chart and second code information that specifies image forming conditions for the evaluation chart. Quantized information of the test patterns that is measured under the measuring conditions is associated with the image forming conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Fumito Takemoto, Yoshihiko Ishii, Koichi Tozuka
  • Patent number: 8953220
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus which can rotate input image data in a compressed state, comprises a storage unit which stores a rotation angle of the image data; a holding unit which holds, for each tile including blocks each including a predetermined number of pixels in the image data, information on a color arrangement in the block obtained by compressing the image data, color information corresponding to the color arrangement, and information on a position of the tile in the image data; and a rotation unit which converts the color arrangement in the block in accordance with the rotation angle of the image data stored in the storage unit to form rotated image data based on the converted color arrangement, color information corresponding to the color arrangement, and information on a position of the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyasu Tomi
  • Patent number: 8947726
    Abstract: A screen image displaying image-data items in list form is displayed over a predetermined time period. Then, the display color of an image-data item of the image-data items, the image-data item corresponding to predetermined classification information, is changed so that the image-data item can be differentiated from other image-data items. Consequently, a user can clearly identify the classification of the image-data items and easily find an image-data item satisfying a condition without performing a complicated operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Hachiro
  • Patent number: 8908247
    Abstract: Color image data composed of pixels arranged in a matrix wherein colors are expressed in bit rows is created from an acquired document file, and same-resolution binary image data and low-resolution binary image data composed of binary pixels arranged in a matrix are created based on the color image data. A first combining process is performed in which a lower bit value of a predetermined color of the pixels of the color image data is replaced with the value of the corresponding ones of the pixels of the same pixels, and a second combining process is performed in which a lower bit value of a color other than the bit replaced in the first combining process in the pixels of the first combined image data is replaced with the value of the corresponding ones of the pixels of the low-resolution binary image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Nakajo, Kenichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8902454
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing from mobile devices are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises outputting a machine-readable code associated with the printer; receiving rendered print data specified by the mobile device that scanned and decoded the machine-readable code; and printing the rendered print data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xu Liu, Sergey Chemishkian, Jamey Graham, John Barrus, Bradley Rhodes, Kathrin Berkner, Mike Griffin, Jonathan J. Hull
  • Patent number: 8896896
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes simulating a preprinted form using a presentation overlay. The presentation device is directed to present the overlay as if it had been preprinted on the paper. Document data is then mixed with the simulated preprinted form such that the result accurately simulates a real preprinted form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Harry R. Lewis, Reinhard H. Hohensee, David E. Stone
  • Patent number: 8891145
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing scanned documents by digitizing the scanned documents, converting the digitized documents to a JPEG2000 file, encoding content information corresponding to the digitized documents using spatial capabilities of JPEG2000's Region of Interest feature, and creating an image file having the digitized documents and the region of interest information for forwarding to a computing device, such as a handheld computing device, for display. The system and method are especially useful in Digital Mail applications which entail digitizing and delivering mail documents to recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: William K. Stumbo
  • Patent number: 8873107
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first attribute image generation unit; a second attribute image generation unit; and a foreground image generation unit. The first attribute image generation unit is configured to determine a first attribute value from an input image to generate a first attribute image. The second attribute image generation unit is configured to determine a second attribute value from the input image to generate a second attribute image. The foreground image generation unit is configured to generate a foreground image expressing color information in the specific region according to the input image, the first attribute image, and the second attribute image. Further, the foreground image generation unit is configured to switch a method of determining a pixel value of a target pixel of the foreground image according to contents of the first attribute image and the second attribute image in a reference region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuaki Kuwano
  • Patent number: 8861018
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a character identifying unit configured to identify character data of black from color image data; a character data generating unit configured to add character data of a color other than black to the character data of black as additional character data to generate combined character data; and a character data correcting unit configured to perform thinning process of making a line of a character of the additional character data thinner than a line of the character data of black.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yuuki Sagimori
  • Patent number: 8842937
    Abstract: Methods for reducing dimensionality of hyperspectral image data having a number of spatial pixels, each associated with a number of spectral dimensions, include receiving sets of coefficients associated with each pixel of the hyperspectral image data, a set of basis vectors utilized to generate the sets of coefficients, and either a maximum error value or a maximum data size. The methods also include calculating, using a processor, a first set of errors for each pixel associated with the set of basis vectors, and one or more additional sets of errors for each pixel associated with one or more subsets of the set of basis vectors. Utilizing such errors calculations, an optimum size of the set of basis vectors may be ascertained, allowing for either a minimum amount of error within the maximum data size, or a minimum data size within the maximum error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ian S. Robinson, Bradley A. Flanders
  • Patent number: 8830525
    Abstract: An image creating apparatus has a printing device configured to print a changed image on a recording medium; a difficult-to-recognize color arrangement storage unit configured to store a difficult-to-recognize color arrangement that is difficult to visually recognize; an object extracting unit configured to extract objects from an original image; a difficult-to-recognize object detecting unit configured to detect a difficult-to-recognize object; a representative color obtaining unit configured to obtain the representative color of the difficult-to-recognize object; a color arrangement changing unit configured to (i) change the color arrangement of the image so that the color arrangement of the periphery is changed from the difficult-to-recognize color arrangement in at least part of the difficult-to-recognize object and (ii) embed information about the representative color as dots; and a changed image printing unit configured to command the printing device to print the changed image with the changed color arr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Kishi
  • Patent number: 8830532
    Abstract: A printing control method of a printer is implemented in a printing system including an information providing device and a printer. The printer is connected to the information providing device for printing data sent by the information providing device. Once a printing driver program of the information providing device receives page data to be outputted, the printing driver program converts a number of first color components of the page data into a number of second color components and checks if any one of the second color components contains zeroes for all the content. If one second color component is found to have zeroes for all the content, this very second color component will not be sent to the printer, whereas the rest of the second color components will be sent to the printer for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Aetas Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 8817346
    Abstract: First storage stores code data each of which is formed by arranging identification at head of line code data obtained by coding image in a line unit, from first to last line of the image. Second storage recognizes the identification from the code data read by First reader to store the code data in a line unit. Third storage stores decoded image obtained by decoding the code data read from the second storage by Second reader in a line unit. When the image is rotated 180 degrees, First reader reads the code data from First storage from the last to the first line and reads each line from an end to a head of the line, Second reader reads the code data from Second storage from the identification to the end of the line, and Third reader reads the decoded image from the end to the head of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Naoto Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8797618
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus that improves the accuracy in ACS determination without needing a mechanism to detect an original document size, a user input of an original document size, or pre-scanning of an original document, and a control method therefor. To accomplish this, the image processing apparatus specifies, when reading an original document, the size of the original document, based on the timings at which the leading edge and the trailing edge of the original document that is conveyed were detected. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus determines whether image data read from the original document is a color image or a monochrome image, for each size of a plurality of standard-size printing medium, and selects, from among the determination results, a determination result obtained by performing determination using the standard-size printing medium size that is similar to the specified size of the original document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Onishi
  • Patent number: 8797602
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of processing work flow associated with a print job including Specialty Imaging such as UV and/or IR encoding. According to one exemplary embodiment, a printing system controller accesses a spatially structured ink composed of a plurality of non-overlapping primitive spot colors to render Specialty Imaging effects along with other images and text associated with the print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Chapman, Jonathan Ross Ireland, Reiner Eschbach, William A. Fuss
  • Patent number: 8743417
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is for forming an image with the use of image data items having different resolutions that are input to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a controller unit configured to store the image data items having different resolutions, and report image format information of the image data items; resolution conversion units configured to convert the image data items having different resolutions acquired from the controller unit to have the same resolution, based on the image format information reported from the controller unit; and an image forming unit configured to form the image with the use of the image data items that have been converted by the resolution conversion units to have the same resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8737751
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an image processing apparatus and method that are capable of enhancing encoding efficiency while suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of encoding processing. The image processing apparatus includes an encoding mode setter that sets, in units of coding units having a hierarchical structure, whether a non-compression mode is to be selected as an encoding mode for encoding image data, the non-compression mode being an encoding mode in which the image data is output as encoded data, and an encoder that encodes the image data in units of the coding units in accordance with a mode set by the encoding mode setter. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an image processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazushi Sato
  • Patent number: 8730548
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having various and may functions, in order to easily set a function based on a scanned document, a CPU of an MFP executes a program including: when a document is scanned by a user (YES at S3200), the step of displaying a preview image of the scanned document (S3202); the step of OCR-processing the document data (S3204); when the scanned document has been registered in a document-by-document recommended functions list (YES at S3210), the step of reading the document-by-document recommended functions list from an HDD and displaying the document type and recommended menu on a touch-panel display (S3212); the step of setting the function registered in the recommended functions list in the MFP (S3222) unless the setting of recommended menu is changed (NO at S3218); and the step of executing copy/transmission process based on the set function (S3224).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tani, Terumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8705895
    Abstract: Methods for reducing dimensionality of hyperspectral image data having a number of spatial pixels, each associated with a number of spectral dimensions, include receiving sets of coefficients associated with each pixel of the hyperspectral image data, a set of basis vectors utilized to generate the sets of coefficients, and either a maximum error value or a maximum data size. The methods also include calculating, using a processor, a first set of errors for each pixel associated with the set of basis vectors, and one or more additional sets of errors for each pixel associated with one or more subsets of the set of basis vectors. Utilizing such errors calculations, an optimum size of the set of basis vectors may be ascertained, allowing for either a minimum amount of error within the maximum data size, or a minimum data size within the maximum error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ian S. Robinson, Bradley A. Flanders
  • Patent number: 8699078
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an information obtainment unit that obtains image information including data regarding a binary image, a plate-information generating unit that generates plate information, an instruction obtainment unit that obtains a first or second generating instruction, a job-file generating unit, and an output unit that outputs a job file to an image forming apparatus. The job-file generating unit generates, for the first generating instruction, a job file for causing the image forming apparatus to form images using data representing blank for a plate for which the plate information indicates that no image information exists, and data included in image information corresponding to a plate for which the plate information indicates that image information exists, and generates, for the second generating instruction, a job file for causing the image forming apparatus to form an image for each plate using data included in image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Sugawara, Kazunori Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8665480
    Abstract: A server device includes a print history database; an information adding unit for adding, as invisible information, first information for specifying image data and second information about a server address; a first print data transmitting unit for transmitting, to a print server, the image data to which the invisible information is added; an image storage unit for storing image data which corresponds to the first information; a list generating unit for generating a list of the print product based on a print history of the image data specified by the first information read from the invisible information by a terminal device; a selected information receiving unit for receiving product specifying information that specifies the print product selected from the list of the terminal device; and a second print data transmitting unit for transmitting the print data on the print product specified by the product specifying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Wada, Kyosuke Ono
  • Patent number: 8665472
    Abstract: A method of making a digital image file from a visible first digital image and from a visible second digital image of a machine-readable optical code, wherein the machine-readable optical code encodes information associated with or derived from the first digital image includes using a scanner to scan the visible first digital image and using the scanner to scan the visible second digital image and using a processor to make the digital image file by storing in a memory the scanned first digital image in an image portion and storing the scanned second digital image in retrievable association with the first digital image in an information portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Steven Cok
  • Patent number: 8649037
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus reads an original-document image and generates image data of the original-document image, and includes an image reading unit, a security pattern detection unit, and a main control unit. The image reading unit reads the original-document image and sequentially generates the image data of the original-document image as a plurality of pieces of band data. The security pattern detection unit performs security pattern detection processing on band data of a single band to detect a portion or an entirety of a security pattern included therein. The main control unit causes the security pattern detection unit to perform the security pattern detection processing on band data of a single band having the lowest background color density and not on band data of a single band having the greatest background color density, among the plurality of pieces of band data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yuya Tagami
  • Publication number: 20140036326
    Abstract: Provided are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, for compressing an image by using a representative-color-based compression which includes dividing an image to be compressed into plural blocks, extracting representative colors from each of the blocks, and assigning each pixel in the blocks one of the representative colors. The image processing apparatus includes: a compressing section configured to perform the following operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Asakura
  • Patent number: 8644626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for storing an image sequence and a method for compressing, storing an image sequence. The method for storing an image sequence comprises the following steps: within the image sequence, forming a pixel-bit sequence according to known positions and order of each pixel in each of image frames formed by pixels; within the image sequence, setting a pixel value of a first pixel-bit position of a preceding image frame as a “preceding pixel value”, while setting the pixel value of the same pixel-bit position of the succeeding image frame adjacent to the said preceding image frame as a “succeeding pixel value”, comparing the said “preceding pixel value” with the said “succeeding pixel value”; creating a recording program to record a number of times of consecutively repeated presence of the “preceding pixel value” in the pixel-bit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Intellesys Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peining Yu
  • Patent number: 8625150
    Abstract: An image processing device includes an image data acquiring part that acquires the first and second image data, an edge characteristic extraction part that extracts first edges and second edges forming the shapes of the rectangular regions contained in the first and second image data, a rectangular characteristic calculating part that extracts both a first calculated rectangular region formed by the first edges and a second calculated rectangular region formed by the second edges, a position adjustment parameter calculating part that calculates parameters indicating a separation distance and a separation angle between the first calculated rectangular region and the second calculated rectangular region when the first image data and the second image data are overlapped, and an image data correction part that corrects at least one of the first image data and the second image data by shifting and rotating based upon the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Tomonori Kondo
  • Patent number: 8619310
    Abstract: A CPU perform the steps of: (a) causing a compression/decompression processor to decompress the compressed data of one of three bands in the data area except for the first block in the band, and storing decompressed bitmap data in the data area; (b) rasterizing each of the intermediate data blocks in the band and synthesizing the rasterized data and the decompressed bitmap data in the band; and (c) causing the compression/decompression processor to compress the synthesized bitmap data and storing the compressed data in the data area. The CPU performs the steps (a) to (c) in different respective tasks in parallel, and performs the steps (a) to (c) along the order of (a), (b), (c) for each of the intermediate code blocks in each of the bands while using the 1st to the 3rd bitmap data area in turn for each of the steps (a) to (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 8582168
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus stores pixel data of an input image in a storage apparatus after performing resolution conversion encoding, and performs a pixel interpolation process after reading out the pixel data stored in the storage apparatus and performing resolution conversion decoding. The image processing apparatus determines, when resolution conversion encoding the pixel data of the input image, whether a resolution of the pixel data will decrease due to the pixel interpolation process, based on attribute information indicating an attribute of the pixel data, and performs processing to decrease the resolution of the pixel data in the resolution conversion encoding, if it is determined that the resolution will decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Hasui
  • Patent number: 8570593
    Abstract: In a preflight process for digital print systems, color data from print data are analyzed and the results presented in a report. The color data are individually altered in regard to not only a color profile, in which they are encoded, but also in regard to their color values, using a graphic user interface. Results of the alterations are displayed using corresponding screened document pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Anthony Parkhurst, Jose La Rosa Ducato, Werner Engrocks
  • Patent number: 8559760
    Abstract: Methods for reducing dimensionality of hyperspectral image data having a number of spatial pixels, each associated with a number of spectral dimensions, include receiving sets of coefficients associated with each pixel of the hyperspectral image data, a set of basis vectors utilized to generate the sets of coefficients, and either a maximum error value or a maximum data size. The methods also include calculating, using a processor, a first set of errors for each pixel associated with the set of basis vectors, and one or more additional sets of errors for each pixel associated with one or more subsets of the set of basis vectors. Utilizing such errors calculations, an optimum size of the set of basis vectors may be ascertained, allowing for either a minimum amount of error within the maximum data size, or a minimum data size within the maximum error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ian S. Robinson, Bradley A. Flanders
  • Patent number: 8553301
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises: means for performing color-reduction processing for a block; means for comparing color data of respective pixels in the block, thereby specifying a placement pattern of the color data included in the block; means for extracting, as first color data, color data corresponding to a pixel at a predefined position in the block, and further extracting color data other than the first color data included in the block; means for outputting the placement pattern specified, and the first color data and the color data other than the first color data, which are extracted; and means for controlling to execute color-reduction processing, for second image data formed from the first color data output, upon determining blocks each including a predetermined number of pixels as blocks to be processed, thereby further controlling to re-execute, for the block having undergone the color-reduction processing, processing by each means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Tamura