Abstract: An electronic device includes an image processing system to binarize a gray-scale image to generate a corresponding binary image in the electronic device. Binarization of the gray-scale image by the image processing system includes generation of a binarization array to store binarization threshold values that each corresponds to a pixel of the gray-scale image, and binarization of the gray-scale image according to all binarization threshold values stored in the binarization array.

Abstract: A solution for detecting a streak in a JPEG image is disclosed that includes an extraction system for extracting a DC value from each cell block in the compressed image; an identification system for identifying a peak DC value in each rank of cell blocks within the compressed image; and an analysis system for analyzing the peak DC values to determine if a streak exists in the compressed image.

Abstract: Background images are removed and only desired payment information is extracted from a grayscale image of a check or similar financial instrument. A density distribution improvement process applied to grayscale raw image data 40 acquired by scanning a check corrects the density distribution of the raw image data 40 to separate the density range of the desired payment information from the density range of the background image. A threshold level 44 for clearly separating the payment information from the background image is then calculated from the characteristics of the density distribution of the grayscale improved image data 42 acquired by the density distribution improvement process. Histograms of the density distributions are used to determine the characteristics of the density distribution. The improved image data 42 is then converted to binary image data 46 using the threshold level 44.

Abstract: A method for image compression coding is provided. According to the method, a plurality of codebooks is created according to the correlation between pixels, and the quantization value of each state is determined by dynamically looking up the codebooks. Therefore, the present invention not only enhances the image compression ratio but also improves the image compression quality.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for binarizing an image. The method comprises establishing boundaries of image objects of the image and classifying each image object as either suspect or non-suspect. The method further comprises creating a local binarization threshold map comprising threshold binarization values associated with image objects classified as non-suspect and then expanding the local binarization threshold map to cover the entire image thereby to create a global binarization threshold map for the entire image.

Abstract: This apparatus includes a generator which generates a reference matrix having a correlation with an information matrix to be coded from the information matrix. A classifier classifies matrix components around the ith row component of the reference matrix, and generates a set of matrix components equal in distance from the ith row component. A calculator forms a context tree including a plurality of internal nodes corresponding to the matrix components of the set, and a plurality of branches and a plurality of leaf nodes which have one-to-one correspondence with the symbols of the components, associates a sequence of the symbols with a path extending from the leaf node to the root node of the context tree, and calculates the coding probability of the ith row/jth column component of the information matrix. A coder arithmetically codes the ith row/jth column component of the information matrix in accordance with the coding probability.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, systems include a segmentor to segment text binary image data to a first plane. A subtractor subtracts text binary image from binary image data to generate a non-text binary image data in a second plane. A converter converts non-text binary image data in the second plane into non-text gray scale image data in the second plane. A first compressor compresses the text gray scale image data in the first plane. A second compressor compresses the non-text gray scale mage in the second plane.

Abstract: The disclosed system and method provide a binary image generation method. Used, for example, in a digital reprographic system, the method is suitable for eliminating printing artifacts for high addressable binary digital output, such as digital copies, using an optimized ordered error diffusion method with dynamically computable quantization error and dynamic binary output calculation.

Abstract: A method for the automatic detection of fields or frames in film or video content having similar or substantially the same luminance or color component values, for example to detect black frames. Image sample values are assigned to a sample value range having a signed weight associated therewith, and a contribution to a discriminator function is determined for each sample range depending on the signed weight and the number of input samples in the sample value range. The discriminator function output is then compared with a threshold.

Abstract: Upon outputting halftone image data to an output device, density transformation is prevalently performed to improve image quality. Density transformation corresponds to linear gamma correction, and cannot correct for color fog and the like that may occur in a photo image. Hence, lightness and color-difference information of halftone image data is acquired on the basis of low-frequency components of frequency data obtained by transforming halftone image data into spatial frequency components, and a lightness and color-difference transform amount of the halftone image data is set on the basis of the acquired lightness and color-difference information.

Abstract: For binarizing an image, which is composed of pixels, the image is split into two semi-images. Local parameters are initialized based on values of pixels that lie in an area adjacent to a boundary separating the semi-images. A binarization is then performed separately for each of the semi-images using an adaptive threshold, wherein the adaptive threshold is calculated for each of the semi-images proceeding from the initialized local parameters.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing method and image processing apparatus using least significant bits (LSBs). The image processing method includes generating first binary codes by converting pixel values of an input image into a binary code format; converting the first binary codes into gray codes and determining a predetermined number of sequential LSBs from among the gray codes; and generating second binary codes by converting the determined LSBs of the gray codes into the binary code format.

Abstract: An image processor for converting input multi-grayscale image data, into binary data for each of the pixels has a binary unit. If a grayscale value of the multi-grayscale image data of a target pixel is lower than a reference value less than ½ of a maximum grayscale value, the binary unit converts the input image data into the binary data of a “dot present” or “dot absent” based on a threshold matrix, in which a plurality of threshold values are dispersed without concentrating a plurality of low threshold values, and if the grayscale value of the multi-grayscale image data is higher than the reference value, the binary unit converts the input image data into the binary data of a “dot present”, and propagating an error by adding the error to the peripheral pixels based on a first error diffusion matrix.

Abstract: A method and imaging systems that process images employ image binarization. An image processing system includes a processor, a memory and a computer program stored in the memory and executed by the processor. A scanning system includes a scanner that scans an image source to produce a grayscale image and an image processor that includes a computer program. The respective computer programs include instructions that implement image binarization. The method of image binarization includes generating a solid fills binary image from a grayscale image and generating an edge enhanced binary image from the grayscale image. The method further includes combining the generated binary images to produce a composite binary image and providing the composite binary image as an output binary image.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting faces at different views within images that allocates the computational effort based on a prior probability associated with a view is provided. A face detection system determines whether an image contains a face using detectors that are adapted to detect faces at various views and a filter that filters out windows of the image that are provided to a detector based on a prior probability associated with the view of the detector. Each view has an associated prior probability that a face from a collection of real-life home photographs will be at that view. The face detection system allocates increasing computational effort to a detector as the prior probability of its view increases.

Abstract: A method for improving print quality by using lossless image compression (JPEG-LS) technology and system thereof are provided. The detailed characteristics of prediction errors generated during lossless image compression encoding or decoding process are retrieved and fed back to a halftone print mode of the printer and are used to adjust the halftone print mode.

Abstract: An image data processing method transforms a picture signal having a broad dynamic range to another picture signal having a narrow dynamic range. The picture signal having the narrow dynamic range is subjected to inverse transform to thereby output a recovered signal having the broad dynamic range. A difference between the original picture signal and the recovered signal, both having the broad dynamic range, is produced and then stored in a recording medium as difference data. A parameter for software processing to be executed for reproduction of the original picture signal later is also stored in the recording medium. In this way, the method can transform the original data with the broad dynamic range to the data of a standard file format with the narrow dynamic range, record the transformed data, and allow the original data to be recovered and effectively used later, as desired.

Abstract: Image processing systems and methods are presented for encoding 8-bit color image data to 4-bit data using an encoding table by assigning a pixel type value to each 8-bit pixel according to a 9×3 tiling pattern with 9 unique pixel type values in each 3×3 window of the 9×3 tiling pattern, and for decoding the 4-bit image data based on the pixel type value and the encoded data values for neighboring pixels.

Abstract: An image processing method for reducing jaggy effect, which is applied in an image output device, is provided. Firstly, a continuous tone image is generated, and continuous tone pixels are defined according to a first addressing space. Then, a halftone image is generated. After that, the continuous tone image is low-pass filtered to generate a low-pass filtered image. Next, determine whether a position of the low-pass filtered image whose density is approximate to a pre-determined density. If so, generate a set of second addressing space co-ordinates of a key point corresponding to the position. Then, a moving vector corresponding to the key point is generated so as to regulate the position of a display point of the halftone pixel. Afterward, output the display point according to the position after regulation.

Abstract: In a threshold matrix generation part 3 implemented by a computer, a tint image in a specified gray level is generated from temporary lighting order set in a matrix area, and a smoothing operation is performed on the tint image, to generate a grayscale evaluation image. The lighting order is modified by changing ordinal numbers in the lighting order of respective positions included in specified areas in the matrix area which correspond to areas around boundaries of halftone dot areas in the tint image on the basis of values of corresponding pixels in the evaluation image.

Abstract: An encoding method to encode image data comprising a sequence of blocks with a predetermined compression rate in one pass is disclosed. The blocks are divided into two sets, a first set and a second set. The blocks in the first set are encoded within the sum of an available bit length and a predetermined lending bit length. The blocks are encoded in the second set within the available bit length. A lending bit length is updated when the current bit length is larger than the available bit length. The left bit length is updated when the current bit length is not larger than the available bit length. The left bit length and the lending bit length are adjusted when the current block is in the second set, the lending bit length is positive and the left bit length is larger than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A VSB communication system or transmitter for processing supplemental data packets with MPEG-II data packets includes a VSB supplemental data processor and a VSB transmission system. The VSB supplemental data processor includes a Reed-Solomon coder for coding the supplemental data to be transmitted, a null sequence inserter for inserting a null sequence to an interleaved supplemental data for generating a predefined sequence, a header inserter for inserting an MPEG header to the supplemental data having the null sequence inserted therein, a multiplexer for multiplexing an MPEG data coded with the supplemental data having the MPEG header added thereto in a preset multiplexing ratio and units. The output of the multiplexer is provided to an 8T-VSB transmission system for modulating a data field from the multiplexer and transmitting the modulated data field to a VSB reception system.

Abstract: Display driver (10) with a frame memory (13) for temporarily storing image data representing a color image, and a data bus (11.1) for feeding image data to the display driver (10). The display driver (10) comprises means for performing a decision process (8, 9), said decision process being based on an analysis of the color characteristics of a pixel cluster of said image data, the means for performing a decision process (8, 9) allowing the display driver (10) to decide whether a first compression format or a second compression format is to be applied for compression of said pixel cluster. It further comprises first compression means (7) performing a compression of said pixel cluster into said first compression format, and second compression means (6) performing a compression of said pixel cluster into said second format.

Abstract: Various aspects can be implemented to enhance image compression by using a byte representation to reduce the color values and increase redundancy in the color information. In general, one aspect can be a method for enhancing compression of a digital image having a plurality of pixels, each pixel including at least one color component, the method includes obtaining an original number of bits for representing a color value associated with the at least one color component. The method also includes assigning a first reduced number of bits for representing a plurality of case attributes. The method further includes assigning a second reduced number of bits for representing a new color value, wherein the sum of the first reduced number of bits and the second reduced number of bits equals the original number of bits. Other implementations of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image, and an electronic device are provided. The method comprises: picking a maximum gray level from the gray levels in the sub-pixels of each image pixel in the image to obtain a luminance map which is consisted of the maximum gray levels of the image pixels; determining an image-content lightness of the image according to the luminance map; and adjusting the gray levels in the sub-pixels of the image pixels in the image according to the image-content lightness of the image.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide an image processing circuit for gray scale correction, an image display apparatus, and an image processing method that allow reduction in the storage capacity needed for storing correction characteristics data without increasing clock rate in relation to interpolation processing of correction characteristics. A exemplary image processing circuit according to the invention can be applied, for example, to color correction or gamma correction of color image data. Gray scale correction characteristics data for a number of gray scale levels that is less than the number of gray scale levels of input image data can be stored in first and second lookup table storing units.

Abstract: A technique for enhancing a gray-scale image to improve conversions of the image to binary employs fuzzy reasoning. In the technique, pixels in the image are analyzed by comparing the pixel's gray scale value, which is indicative of its relative brightness, to the values of pixels immediately surrounding the selected pixel. The degree to which each pixel in the image differs in value from the values of surrounding pixels is employed as the variable in a fuzzy reasoning-based analysis that determines an appropriate amount by which the selected pixel's value should be adjusted to reduce vagueness and ambiguity in the image and improve retention of information during binarization of the enhanced gray-scale image.

Abstract: A method and system for performing spatial temporal multiplexing using a multi-threshold mask. A mask generator (404) outputs a threshold value for each pixel of a display. The mask generator typically creates a blue noise mask for a given pixel array that is replicated over the face of the entire display. The blue noise mask generator (404) typically is implemented as a memory lookup table. An index generator (402) provides an offset into the memory lookup table that allows the table to be shifted from time to time. The output of the blue noise mask generator (404), which may be the threshold value itself or a signal representing which threshold is being used, is an input to a selective inverter (406). The selective inverter (406) provides the option of inverting the blue noise mask. To reduce artifacts, the mask is periodically shifted and/or inverted. The value from the mask generator (404), whether inverted or not, is compared to the LSBs of the input data word to yield the fractional bit values.

Abstract: Image data processing methods, hard imaging devices, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one embodiment, an image data processing method includes accessing image data of an image and comprising a plurality of pixels, defining a plurality of subsets of the pixels, defining an overlapping region comprising image data of pixels located adjacent to a boundary intermediate one and an other of the subsets, independently processing the image data of the one and the other of the subsets individually comprising comparing the image data for respective ones of the pixels with a plurality of thresholds corresponding to respective ones of the pixels, and modulating the thresholds of the pixels of the overlapping region using a common modulation pattern for both the processing of the one and the other subsets.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for creating a binary mask image from an a inputted digital image of a scanned document, comprising the steps of creating a binarized image by binarizing the inputted digital image, detecting first text regions representing light text on a dark background, and inverting the first text regions, such that the inverted first text regions are interpretable in the same way as dark text on a light background. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for comparing in a binary image a first pixel blob with a second pixel blob to determine whether they represent matching symbols, comprising the steps of detecting a line in one blob not present in the other and/or determining if one of the blobs represents an italicized symbol where the other does not.

Abstract: Techniques for generating dither masks are provided. A dither mask is generated by selecting a sequence of at least three original patterns comprising pixels of at least one of a first color and a second color. At least two patterns are interpolated to generate interpolated patterns in the sequence between the at least three original patterns. If a pattern having at least one specified characteristic exists in the sequence, the steps of interpolating between at least two patterns, and determining if a pattern having at least one specified characteristic exists in the sequence, are repeated. The interpolation is between at least one pattern from each side of the pattern having at least one specified characteristic in the sequence.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for compressing images are provided. One method includes creating halftone mask structures and applying compression coding techniques to arrayed pixels sorted using the halftone mask structures in order to convert an image to a compressed multi-level, halftoned image.

Abstract: An original of copying, fax, or the like is read by a CCD image sensor and resulting image data are input to a data abnormality detecting section via an A/D converter and correcting unit. A maximum value and a minimum value of the pieces of gradation information of the image data are detected and compared with a black determination value and a white determination value, respectively, whereby whether the original is all white or all black is detected and an data abnormality announcing section issues an alarm message or the like. The data abnormality detection is performed before a binarizing section binarizes the image data.

Abstract: A technique to perform error distribution in a graphics system. More particularly, embodiments of the invention include at least one technique to distribute the error resulting from converting computer generated graphics pixels from one pixel depth to another.

Abstract: A print system having an enhanced depth resolution of an image. The print system includes a host device to divide a gray image into basic block units, to determine whether the basic block units represent an edge area, to convert the gray image into binary data, and to output the converted gray image; and an image forming apparatus to determine whether the binary data received from the host device represents an edge area, to convert the binary data into a gray image according to the result of determination, and to print the gray image. As a result, depth resolution is enhanced, and print data transmission time is shortened.

Abstract: A method for generating a dither matrix for converting a gray scale image having N gray levels into a halftone image, which includes using a parametric filter to generate a dither halftone pattern for each gray level Gi>Gt, where N>2, Gt represents a transition gray level, the lightest gray level is G0, the darkest gray level is GN?1, and Gt?G0, the parametric filter based upon a desired spot profile function of the halftone image, and using the generated dither halftone pattern to generate the dither matrix.

Abstract: Artifacts of error diffusion halftoning are reduced by selecting a halftone threshold for a current pixel on the basis of an accumulated halftone error for the pixel and its neighbors.

Abstract: A method of automatically scoring intravascular calcium. The delineation of a body surface is detected in a tomographic image produced by an X-ray CT system. Images of bones are removed from a field encircled with the delineation of the body surface. The delineations of blood vessels are detected in the tomographic image having the bone images removed therefrom. Calcium is scored using the tomographic image having the bone images removed therefrom. Only the scores of intravascular calcium obtained from the fields inside the delineations of the blood vessels are displayed.

Abstract: When generating output image data represented by a reduced number of gray levels from gray level image data, an image processing apparatus subtracts a pixel value of a selected pixel from a pixel value of adjacent pixel, amplifies the reduced value obtained by the subtraction, adds the amplified value to a numerical value in a numerical matrix, and finds a pixel value in the output image data represented by a reduced number of gray levels of pixel values, based on a value obtained by further adding a value obtained by adding the amplified value to the numerical value in the numerical matrix to a predetermined value.

Abstract: There are provided a communication apparatus and method that enables the retransmission of an electronic mail if an error occurs in the transmission of the electronic mail due to its excessive data size, by reducing the data capacity of the electronic mail without taking time and labor, and a program for implementing the method. In a digital copying machine as the communication apparatus, when an electronic mail that notifies an error relating to an electronic mail transmitted with image data attached is received, the error notification electronic mail is analyzed. If an error that is attributable to the data capacity of the electronic mail is detected from the analysis result, the image data attached to the electronic mail for which the error notice has been received is acquired and the capacity of the image data is reduced by lowering its resolution. The electronic mail to which the image data thus reduced in capacity is attached is retransmitted.

Abstract: A system and method for encrypting and/or compressing an input data string is disclosed. The input data string is divided into a plurality of blocks of data that each contains a plurality of bits of data. A block code is used to identify the size of each of the blocks of data. The blocks of data are analyzed to determine how frequently different groups of bits of data are present within each block of data. The blocks of data are also analyzed to determine whether certain relationships among the groups of bits of data exist within the blocks of data. After the blocks of data are analyzed, and in response to the analyses, a control code is generated for each block of data through the use of a control code index. After the control code for each block of data is generated, a position code is also generated for each block of data in response to the control code for the corresponding block of data.

Abstract: A method for image compression coding is provided. According to the method, a plurality of codebooks is created according to the correlation between pixels, and the quantization value of each state is determined by dynamically looking up the codebooks. Therefore, the present invention not only enhances the image compression ratio but also improves the image compression quality.

Abstract: With an encoding section 301 in an encoding apparatus, an image reading section 310 sequentially inputs binary signals by a predetermined bit length; a run counter in a run length processing section 320 outputs a run length determined within the binary signal of the predetermined bit length input by the image reading section 310 and a run length not determined within the binary signal; an adder in the run length processing section 320 adds the indeterminate run length to the first run length of a binary signal of the predetermined bit length to be subsequently input by the image reading section 310, and encoding unit 340 encodes the run length output by the run length processing section 320.

Abstract: A color signal of a primary color or a color signal of a complementary color is converted from a CCD to signals in a color space having an intensity, a hue and a chroma. Tone conversion is performed on a luminance signal. A chroma correction coefficient is calculated to be used for performing correction on a chroma signal. A first maximum chroma value is calculated with respect to the luminance signal and a hue signal and a second maximum chroma value is calculated with respect to the hue signal and the converted luminance signal. And a correction coefficient is calculated based on the first and second maximum chroma values and the chroma signal is corrected based on the correction coefficient and the chroma correction coefficient.

Abstract: An image processing method comprises forming a histogram of an entire image, determining a ratio between a reference luminance value and a reference threshold value at a maximum frequency, dividing the image into local areas, forming a histogram of each local area, determining a luminance value at a maximum frequency, multiplying this luminance value by the ratio between the reference luminance value and the reference threshold value to obtain a threshold value of the local area, and performing binarization for the local area using the threshold value. Therefore, it is possible to determine an appropriate threshold value in each local area of a multiple gray-level image, and obtain, using this threshold value, a binarized image which enables accurate separation of an object from a background.

Abstract: To provide a line noise eliminating apparatus and the like, with which the picture quality of the area that has no line noise is not deteriorated, and a line noise having no periodicity can be eliminated. The line noise eliminating apparatus includes: an image binarizing device which generates a binary image by an input image; a line noise reliability calculating device which calculates an edge feature quantity for each of black-pixel consecutive areas in the rotated images, and calculates line noise reliability based on the edge feature quantities; a line noise area determining device which determines the line noise areas that correspond to each of the rotation angle candidates based on the line noise reliability; a density converting device which generates a density-converted image by applying local image enhancement on an area that corresponds to the line noise area of the input image so as to generate a density-converted image.

Abstract: An alpha-map encoding apparatus includes a first down-sampling circuit (21) for down-sampling an alpha-map signal which represents the shape of an object and the position in the frame of the object at a down-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information, an up-sampling circuit (23) for up-sampling the alpha-map signal at an up-sampling ratio based on size conversion ratio information given to restore the down-sampled alpha-map signal to an original size, and outputting a local decoded alpha-map signal, a motion estimation/compensation circuit (25) for generating a motion estimation/compensation signal on the basis of the previous decoded video signal and a motion vector signal, a second down-sampling circuit (26) for down-sampling the motion estimation/compensation signal at the down-sampling ratio, a binary image encoder for encoding the alpha-map signal down-sampled by the first down-sampling circuit to a binary image in accordance with the motion estimation/compensation signal down-sampled by t

Abstract: In a method for identifying objects in a digital image which is included in a sequence of images, luminance values of a current digital image are compared with at least one threshold value in order to create a current binarized image on the basis of the comparison. A quality measure for the current binarized image is also calculated, whereupon said at least one threshold value is updated on the basis of the quality measure for use in binarization of a subsequent image. The method can be realized in the form of a computer program, a computer program product, a device, and a hand-held apparatus for position determination.

Abstract: Upon outputting halftone image data to an output device, density transformation is prevalently done to improve image quality. Density transformation corresponds to linear gamma correction, and cannot correct any color fog and the like of a photo image. Hence, lightness/color difference information of halftone image data is acquired on the basis of low-frequency components of frequency data obtained by transforming halftone image data into spatial frequency components, and a lightness/color difference transform amount of the halftone image data is set on the basis of the acquired lightness/color difference information.

Abstract: A method evaluating threshold of a data cell in a memory device including a programming locus coupled with the data cell for receiving a programming signal setting a stored signal level in the data cell and responding to a read signal to indicate the stored signal at a read locus; includes the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) selecting a test threshold signal; and (2) setting a read signal at a non-read level; (b) applying the test threshold signal to the programming locus; (c) cycling the read signal between a read level and a non-read level while applying the test threshold signal to the programming locus to present at least two test signals at the read locus when the read signal is at the read level; and (d) while cycling, observing whether the at least two test signals manifest a difference greater than a predetermined amount.