Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Kei Sato

Noboru Murayama

Masahiro Ito

Haruka Nakamura

Kazutaka Nagata

Tsutomu Sato

Koichi Suzuki

Hiroshi Takemoto

Koji Kuwata

Tomoaki Enokida

Kyouji Omi

Yasutoshi Hiroe

Koichi Suziku

A copying system is provided in which an image inputting unit and an image outputting unit are connected via a conventional data transmission path, and a copying operation is performed at the same speed as the conventional standalone copying machine. The image inputting unit has a first communicating unit, and the image outputting unit has a second communicating unit. Image data is transferred directly from the image inputting unit to the image outputting unit via the first communicating unit, the transmission path and the second communicating unit after a copying operation is initiated by a controlling unit. A scanning operation of the image inputting unit is performed in synchronization with an image forming operation performed by the image outputting unit.

Copying system having image inputting unit and image outputting unit

A digital image processing method includes first through fifth steps. The first step is providing a first matrix pattern having a plurality of threshold values stored in a storage memory. The second step is defining a size of each of second matrix patterns based on a predetermined area of the first matrix pattern. The first matrix pattern is composed of the second matrix patterns each of which includes a partial set of the threshold values and has the defined size so that a line density of an output image is determined. The third step is reading two or more threshold values of one of a plurality of basic matrix patterns from the storage memory at specified addresses. Each second matrix pattern is composed of the basic matrix patterns each of which has two or more threshold values and corresponds to one pixel. The fourth step is comparing the digital image data relating to one pixel with the threshold values of the basic matrix pattern to produce a multilevel image signal based on the comparison result. The fifth step is outputting the multilevel image signal relating to one dot, so that each dot is represented by a plurality of tone levels determined by each basic matrix pattern.

Digital image processing method suitable for halftone representation

An image synthesizing system is provided which uses an intermediate transfer belt on which a plurality of toner images are superimposed. The image synthesizing system is used for an image processing apparatus which forms a toner image on a recording sheet by using an electro-photographic method. The image synthesizing system comprises a photosensitive drum on which the toner image is formed and an intermediate transfer belt which makes contact with the photosensitive drum so that the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt. A plurality of toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt, each of the toner images being formed on the photosensitive drum in accordance with image data obtained from different image data sources, the toner images being transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt one after another. A command ejection mode can be set by an operator in which an additional image will be superimposed on a first superimposed image. In the command ejection mode, the image generation will be begun by a print command and an ejection command will terminate the command ejection mode. Both the print and ejection command are inputted by an operator via a control panel.

Image synthesizing system synthesizing images by using an intermediate

An image output system includes a memory for storing multi-level information which describes each pixel of a binary image when the binary image is scanned in a main scanning direction, where the multi-level information has a first value at a black transition point where a pixel changes from white to black and has a second value at a white transition point where a pixel changes from black to white, a counter for keeping a count, a decoder for decoding the multi-level information read out from the memory, where the decoder outputs a value indicating black when the count of the counter is greater than or equal to one, and a controller for controlling an operation timing of the decoder in synchronism with reading of the multi-level information from the memory. The controller scans the memory to read the multi-level information from the memory and supplies the read multi-level information to the decoder. The decoder increments the count of the counter by one when the multi-level information has the first value and decrements the count of the counter by one when the multi-level information has the second value.

Image output system for outputting multi-level information stored as

An automatic focusing system includes an image pickup system for picking up an image and for outputting an image signal, a compression part for digitally compressing the image signal from the image pickup system and for outputting a compressed image signal, an operation part for obtaining focal information by carrying out a digital operation on the compressed image signal, and an adjusting part responsive to the focal information for automatically adjusting a focal point of the image pickup system to an in-focus position.

Focusing system and image input apparatus having automatic focusing

A direct memory access device has an increment counter for indicating an address increment between succeeding transfer blocks of data from a first storage location to a second storage location within a memory device. Each block of data has a lateral width determined by the content of a line byte counter associated with both the source and destination areas of the memory device. After the transfer of each block of data, the address is advanced by an amount corresponding to the content of the increment counter. The direct memory access device is capable of multi-dimensional data transfers; for example, two- and three-dimensional transfers.

Direct memory access device for multidimensional data transfers

A pattern pitch adjustment is applied to dot matrix pattern data as it is output from a CPU to a printer. The data is transferred from a DMA to the printer bit by bit, and the number of synchronizing signals output from the printer for each bit is counted to decide picture element timing. During a given period of time after transferring each data pattern, a waiting signal is applied to the DMA so that space picture element data is fed to the printer.

Signal processing apparatus

To provide a smooth representation in half-tones of a record, the area of a dot recorded by a laser printer is controlled. Binary image information which is applied to the laser printer is examined to determine if it is isolated when it is to be recorded 'black'. When the laser printer is operated in the background exposure scheme, the off time of the laser which records an isolated 'black' is increased whereas when the laser printer is operated in the image exposure scheme, the on time of the laser which records an isolated 'black' is reduced. The control of the recorded area per dot is disclosed for one dimension array (in the direction of main scan X) and two dimension array (in the directions of main scan X and subscan Y). Also, the recorded area per dot can be controlled by controlling the transmission of laser beam through an AO modulator in a manner corresponding to the detection of the isolation.

Dot corrected laser printer

A halftone image processing method for providing image information in a bit distribution by specifying a matrix pattern in response to tone data which is indicative of a recording density. Several matrix pattern groups are prepared each comprising matrix patterns which are larger in number than dots which define a dot matrix. The matrix pattern groups are provided with density characteristics different from each other. One of the groups is specified in conformity to a required density characteristic, while one of the matrix patterns in the specified group is specified in response to tone data. Any one of various modes of tone representation is selectable and, in addition, numerous tones may be rendered to enhance smooth representation of tones.

Halftone image processing method

A mother matrix pattern as a fixed matrix pattern is specified with gradation data, and information in an area of the specified mother matrix pattern in accordance with the instructed magnification is extracted as information of a child matrix pattern so as to obtain image information with the child matrix pattern being allocated to the gradation data. Plural types of mother matrix patterns are prepared and one of them is specified in accordance with the instructed magnification. For example, at small instructed magnifications, the mother matrix pattern having recording (display) dots dispersed as widely as possible over the entire pattern is specified and used for conversion of the gradation data, while at larger instructed magnifications, the type of the mother matrix pattern is specified to match characteristics of the image.

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Atsugi, Japan

Kei Sato