Minolta Company, Ltd.

Hideaki Mizuno

Hiroyuki Suzuki

Nobuo Kamei

Hideyuki Toriyama

Tsuyoshi Yoneyama

Katsuaki Tajima

Makoto Kumagai

Hidekazu Takahama

Taisuke Akahori

An image processing system is provided that is capable of performing copying processes by connecting devices which specifications for processing image data are mutually different. In an image processing system comprised of an image reading device for optically reading original documents and converting these into electronic image data and a printing device for printing image data that have been received from the image reading device onto recording media, image processing circuits for processing image data in accordance with specified specifications are respectively incorporated into the scanning device and the printing device, and a device that may be set in accordance with specifications for processing image data based on given circuit arrangement information is used to comprise at least a part of either one of the image processing circuits of these devices. By setting the image processing circuit in accordance with specifications for processing image data on the basis of specification information of the image processing circuit of the opposing device, it is enabled to connect scanning devices and printing devices that are of mutually different specifications.

Image processing system for reading and processing images

In an image processing apparatus which performs first and second operations, a first processor processes image data in correspondence to the first operation, while a second processor which processes image data in correspondence to the second operation. Further, a memory is shared by the first and second processors. A controller connects the first processor to the memory in the first operation and to connect the second processor to the memory in the second operation. For example, the above-mentioned first and second processors are constructed by a common device such as a field gate programmable array wherein a function thereof can be rewritten.

Image processing apparatus

In an image processing apparatus for processing image data in either operation mode of a full color mode or a monochromatic mode having processing speed higher than the full color mode, at least a part of an image processing circuit comprises a rewritable device such as a field gate programmable array. A controller rewrites an internal circuit in the rewritable device according as the operation mode is the full color mode or the monochromatic mode. The internal circuit in the rewritable device rewritten in the monochromatic mode performs processing based on pixel clock faster than in the full color mode.

Image processing apparatus switchable from full color mode to monochromatic mode

In an image processing circuit, an area determination section comprises a device having a rewritable circuit configuration such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Consequently, the circuit configuration of the area determination section is rewritten, so that the image processing algorithm is changed. Specifically, in the area determination section, a filtering circuit and line memories (for example, FIFO memories) for forming a pixel matrix are formed by using the FPGA, and the configuration of the line memories (the lateral size and the number of lines) and the configuration of the filtering circuit are changed in accordance with a set image processing condition such as the output size or the mode.

In an image processing circuit, a color correction section, an area determination section and a MTF correction section each comprises a rewritable device (for example, field programmable gate array (FPGA) circuit) including a plurality of line memories (FIFO memories). A CPU reconstructs the image processing function of the FPGA circuit by using setting information and a processing program stored in the ROM in accordance with the set image processing condition such as the processing speed priority mode or the image quality priority mode.

An image processing device for processing input image data includes a correction unit that corrects for image deterioration caused by changes in image magnification; a reduction/enlargement unit that, based on the magnification, thins out the pixel data when reduction is being performed or carries out inflation of the pixel data when enlargement is being performed; and a controller that changes the operation of the correction unit in response to the magnification. The image processing device further includes a first selector that sends input pixel data to the reduction/enlargement unit when enlargement is being performed, and sends pixel data from the correction unit to the reduction/enlargement unit when reduction is being performed; a second selector that sends pixel data from the reduction/enlargement unit to the correction unit when enlargement is being performed, and sends input pixel data to the correction unit when reduction is being performed; and a third selector that outputs pixel data from the correction unit when enlargement is being performed, and outputs pixel data from the reduction/enlargement unit when reduction is being performed.

Controlled image deterioration correction device with reduction/enlargement

An image forming apparatus capable of realizing reduction in circuit scale by effectively using memory and hardware resources. The image forming apparatus is operable selectively between in two operation modes, a copy mode and a printer mode, and includes a plurality of VRAMs, a VRAM control circuit for controlling data storage and reading into and from the VRAMs, a controller for controlling an operation of the VRAM control circuit, a display for displaying an image, and an interface for inputting data transmitted from an external apparatus. The controller rearranges wiring of a gate array of a device in the VRAM control circuit according to the operation mode, thereby switching at least one of the VRAMs so as to act as a memory for storing image data for displaying an image on the display or as a buffer for temporarily storing data input through the interface.

Image forming apparatus having copy mode and printer mode

An image read apparatus includes a group of CCDs reading out a document image, a data processing unit, a line buffer to delay data to obtain data of the same pixel, a comparison unit comparing data of the same pixel, a data table in which a threshold value that becomes the reference of comparison is stored in correspondence with each type of mode, a threshold value set unit referring to the data table to set the threshold value, a determination unit receiving the comparison result with the threshold value from the comparison unit to determine and control data to be sent downstream, and an averaging unit averaging the data sent from the determination unit to output the average as image data. An image read apparatus is provided that can prevent generation of a black streak or a white streak on a readout image caused by the presence of dust at the readout position, and that can improve the picture quality of the entire image.

Image read apparatus and method that can obtain favorable readout image

During reading process, an image reading unit read a white pressing plate (reference member) under a state where no original exists between the white pressing plate and an original glass plate. On the basis of the read image data, it is judged whether dirt is detected on the glass plate or not. If dirt is detected, a page in which a black line appears is determined. Information of the page is displayed on a display section. An original of the page is reread by the image reading unit.

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Toyokawa, Japan

Hideaki Mizuno