Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Kenichi Ohta

Takashi Yabe

Akihiro Usami

Manabu Ohga

Masahiro Funada

Mitsuru Kurita

Yoichi Takaragi

Shuichi Kumada

Hidefumi Ohsawa

Keisuke Araki

Yutaka Udagawa

Takashi Kawai

Eiji Ohta

Akira Negishi

Koichi Ishimoto

Color image data is inputted, flag data indicative of attributes (character image, figure image, mesh image) of each pixel of an inputted image is generated, image processes, an enlargement, and a reduction according to the flag data are executed, the processed data is outputted to a printer, and an image of a high quality is formed.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium

In a copying machine connected to the network, calibrations on the printers are performed as follows. When an execution of calibration is requested, the copying machine displays all identification numbers of the printers connected to the network on the operation panel of the copying machine. When the user selects a printer to be calibrated through the display, the copying machine causes the selected printer to output a specified test pattern. Then the copying machine reads the test pattern, generates a correction table and registers the generated table with the printer.

Copying machine, image processing apparatus, image processing system and image processing method

An image processing method is provided for instructing an image output unit to output onto a recording medium a reference image based on a predetermined patch pattern, and for generating an image output condition of the image output unit on the basis of read data of the reference image output by the image output unit. In the patch pattern, plural identical patches are disposed at different positions on the recording medium. Thus, it is possible to prevent an influence of reading error due to a position of an image reading unit and to generate the satisfactory image output condition on the basis of the reference image formed by the image output unit.

Image processing apparatus image processing method and recording medium

Disclosed are a highly versatile image processing method and apparatus wherein it is possible to preview an image that takes into account a change in the color reproduction characteristic of an output device with the passage of time, as well as a computer readable memory storing a program for executing this preview processing. A printer that outputs an image is calibrated in regard to its image output characteristic and a set of one-dimensional LUTs that conforms to the color reproduction characteristic of the printer is generated. On the basis of the set of one-dimensional LUTs, the content of a set of one-dimensional LUTs, which is used when PCS data that has been stored in a profile corresponding to the printer is converted to data dependent upon the printer, is modified, and another set of one-dimensional LUTs, which is used when data dependent upon the printer is converted to PCS data, is modified.

Image processing method, image processing apparatus and computer readable memory

Data for color conversion which is previously stored in a ROM is transferred to a three-dimensional look-up table when a color copier is turned on. By referring to R, G, B, signals, which have been previously stored in a buffer memory, in accordance with M, C, Y, Bk signals output in synchronization with the printing operation of a printer, a CPU rewrites the data in the look-up table to appropriate data (M, C, Y, Bk output signal values). A color signal processing circuit refers to the updated look-up table and outputs M, C. Y, Bk color signals that correspond to entered R, G, B signals.

Image processing method and apparatus for transforming the color space of entered image data

A device for controlling the copying of an original includes a discriminator for discriminating a specific original in accordance with the degree of significance of the specific original, when discriminating a plurality of specific originals in forming one image. According to another embodiment, the device includes an inhibitor for inhibiting the copying of a specific original, when a memory or peripheral circuit having the discrimination criteria of the specific original is removed or exchanged, or it is out of order, and making a discrimination of the specific original by the same characteristic data of the specific original, even if the image is input from different input equipment, wherein the correct discrimination is effected based on the color tint distribution of the specific original.

Image processing apparatus and method

The invention provides a method and apparatus for processing an image in such a manner that excellent color reproduction is achieved regardless of whether the image is reproduced from m-level data or n-level data. The image processing method and apparatus has first and second modes, wherein in the first mode m-level color data is converted to n (n<m)-level color data, and wherein in the second mode n-level color data is first converted to m-level color data and then converted to n-level color data.

Method and apparatus for processing an image

A color image processing system includes storage of plural specific color data representing a gamut of an output device and judgment of whether input color image data is within the gamut of the output device, the judgment performed based on a positional relationship among a plane defined by the plural specific color data, predetermined color data within the gamut of the output device, and the input color image data.

System for judging whether color data is within a gamut of an output device

In an image processing apparatus and method for effectively removing noise from an input image signal, a mean-value calculation unit calculates the mean value of pixels within a predetermined region in the vicinity of a target pixel, for each color component. A binary-coding unit performs binary-coding processing of the values of pixels within the predetermined region, for each color component, based on the mean value for each color component. A correlation-coefficient calculation unit calculates a correlation coefficient from characteristics between binary image data of respective color components. A smoothing unit performs smoothing processing by adding the value of the target pixel and the mean value using the calculated correlation coefficient, for example as a weight.

An object of this invention is to improve the operability of color adjustment by using a simple hardware arrangement which performs only a matrix arithmetic operation having matrix coefficients properly determined in accordance with adjustment amounts designated from an operation unit for adjusting three variables as lightness, saturation, and hue. In the constitution of this invention, an image input unit inputs a color input signal, and a color conversion unit extracts the minimum value from the input color signal for each pixel, obtaining a difference signal of the input color signal and the extracted minimum value signal. The obtained difference signal is converted in matrix in accordance with matrix conversion coefficients generated by a matrix conversion coefficient unit in correspondence with the adjustment amounts of the adjustment items of an operation unit for adjusting three variables as lightness, hue, and saturation.

Image processing system having color adjusting features

A select-signal generator generates a select signal according to a magnitude comparison between the low-order bit data R.sub.l, G.sub.l, and B.sub.l of input R, G, and B color signals. A table memory generates three addresses with the use of the high-order bit data R.sub.u, G.sub.u, and B.sub.u according to the select signal and outputs lattice point data C11, C12, and C13 corresponding to the three addresses. Another table memory outputs one lattice data C2 for a lattice point which is offset from lattice points in the above-described table memory by addressing with the use of the high-order bit data. Then, an interpolation circuit executes interpolation according to the data C11, C12, C13, and C2 at four lattice points which form a triangular pyramid as a minimum interpolation space.

Color-image processing apparatus and color-image processing method

A color image processing apparatus is rendered capable, in case of output of a color image, displayed for example on a color display, by an output device such as a hard copying device, of judging the color reproduction range of each output device with a limited memory capacity, by defining the color reproduction range of each output device by the interior of a hexahedron on a uniform color space (L*, a*, b*) and judging whether the input image signal Q is present inside the hexahedron by the product of the input image signal with an internal point P with respect to each plane (i) constituting the hexahedron.

Image processing apparatus and image processing method

An input color signal is converted into a color signal representing a color which is visually closer to a color represented by the input color signal by performing gamut mapping processing based on the visual characteristics of humans. An image processing method includes the steps of inputting color signals, and performing gamut mapping processing in which the input color signal is converted into a color signal having a hue different from the hue of the input color signal based on a locus set corresponding to the hue and color saturation of the input color signal in color space.

Image processing apparatus and method for altering color image signals

A color signal processing apparatus which is capable of providing satisfactory operation accuracy while keeping the memory size relatively small. A dividing circuit divides three input signals R, G, and B into upper bit data and lower bit data. A first table memory stores output values for all combinations of the three upper bit signals, the upper bit data of the three input signals being accepted as address signals and a first output value being provided. A second table memory stores the output values for all combinations of signal values obtained by adding a prescribed offset (e.g. 2.sup.NL /2) to a signal value which is expressed by upper bits, upper bit data of the three input signals being accepted as address signals and a second output value being provided. An interpolation circuit outputs a final output signal in accordance with the output value of the first table memory, the output value of the second table memory and the lower bit data.

An illuminator for applying light to an image, a reader for photoelectrically reading the light applied image, an amplifier for amplifying an analog signal outputted from the reader, an A/D converter for converting an analog signal outputted from the amplifier into a digital signal, a logarithmic transformer for logarithmically transforming the digital signal outputted from the A/D converter, a first controller for changing the logarithmic transformation of the logarithmic transformer, and a second controller for changing the gain of the digital signal in accordance with a change of the logarithmic transformation characteristic caused by the first controller.

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Kawasaki, Japan

Kenichi Ohta