Minolta Company, Ltd.

Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.

Yoshihiko Hirota

Hiroyuki Suzuki

Katsuhisa Toyama

Shoji Imaizumi

Kazuhiro Ishiguro

Hiroshi Sugiura

Toru Kasamatsu

Junji Nishigaki

Fujio Hashimoto, Legal Representative

Nobue Hashimoto, Legal Representative

Shigeru Moriya

Hideyuki Hashimoto

Kentaro Katori

Katsuaki Tajima

Keisuke Hashimoto

Kazuyoshi Noguchi

Kaoru Tada

Nobuhiro Mishima

Takayuki Nabeshima

Kenichi Sawada

Katsuyuki Hirata

Toshio Tsuboi

Hironobu Nakata

Yoshinobu Hada

Tomohiro Yamaguchi

Masamichi Kishi

Hiroya Sugawa

Shigeo Ogino

Tomoji Tanaka

Kunihiko Omura

Koji Tsukada

In the image processing apparatus, image data is divided into large blocks of a prescribed size and the large blocks are subdivided into small blocks by the dividing unit. The number of isolated points in each large block is then calculated by the large block isolated point calculation unit, and the number of isolated points in each small block is then calculated by the small block isolated point calculation units. It is then determined by the halftone-dot region determination unit whether or not the large block is a halftone-dot region. This determination considers both the number of isolated points in the large block and the number of isolated points in each small block.

Image processing apparatus and image processing method

The inventive image processing apparatus takes steps of 1) dividing an image to be processed into numerals of blocks; 2) determining whether a block is a color block or not; 3) determining whether the image is a color image or not based on the rate of color blocks to the entire blocks. Thereby, valid color pixel rate can be obtained at blocks belonging to a color region even though an image is almost monochrome but partially colored. Accordingly, the inventive image processing apparatus can appropriately determine whether the image is a color image or not.

Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus and color image determination method thereof

It is objected to provide an image processing apparatus achieving decrease of memory volume to be used, simplified print process, and enhancement of productivity. Firstly, a plurality of image data are recorded in memories provided for respective colors. Based on the image data or mode selection by a user, it is determined that whether a multi-color image or a monochrome image is to be outputted. Next, memoriesof respective colors transmit image data of respective colors to a computing unitin accordance with readout-timing signals from a timing selector. In case a multi-color image is to be outputted, the timing selectortransmits readout-timing signals of respective colors taking time difference length of which is predetermined for each color. In case a monochrome image is to be outputted, the timing selectortransmits readout-timing signals of respective color simultaneously. A computing unitforms monochrome image data in accordance with image data of respective colors, whereby process of monochrome print is simplified.

Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing method, and program product thereof

An image forming apparatus using an exposure unit of a solid-scanning type such as an LED head, reads out linear distortion correction data of an LED unit, then, calculates an amount of correcting color deviation based on the read-out data, and after that, carries out address control for color deviation correction memory. Based on this control, the apparatus creates a reference resist patterns, calculates an amount of correcting the color deviation, and writes the calculated amount in the color deviation correction memory. After that, the apparatus reads out the linear distortion correction data, and adds the amount of correcting the color deviation that is determined by sensors, and the amount of the color correction based on the linear distortion correction data, thereby carries out address controls for the color deviation correction memory. This constitution allows correcting linear distortion of the exposure unit itself with ease and accuracy, and correcting positional deviation of the exposure unit occurring during product assembly and deviation in a linear arrangement of an LED head with accuracy.

Image forming apparatus having a function for correcting color deviation and the like

The present invention relates to an image processor provided in apparatuses such as digital copiers and printers, and that distinguishes between a character edge region and a continuous tone region of an original image and switches the tone reproduction processing between the regions.

Image processor and method

There is provided an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of conducting different manners of resolution conversion processing depending on scanning direction. An image processing apparatusincludes: a sub-scanning-directional first resolution converting sectionfor enhancing resolution of input image data in a sub-scanning direction; a sub-scanning-directional second resolution converting section; a main-scanning-directional first resolution converting sectionfor enhancing resolution of input image data in a main-scanning direction; and a main-scanning-directional second resolution converting section. The structure such as above enables the image processing apparatusto conduct resolution conversion processing in sub-scanning direction and main-scanning direction independently, thereby to obtain a high-quality output image.

In an image processor which converts color image data to image data of cyan, magenta, yellow and black necessary for forming an image, a black character edge is discriminated in R, G, B image data. The edge component in a black character area is deleted by narrowing on image data of cyan, magenta and yellow. Further, in a black character area, K data is replaced with maximum density data in the R, G, B data, and edge emphasis is performed on the substituted data. Then, reproducibility of a thin line portion in a character is improved largely.

Method and apparatus for image processing, including processing for reproducing black character areas of color and monochromatic images

Image distortion is corrected in a color printer wherein print units for a plurality of colors are aligned to form a color image by superposing images formed by the print units. A quantity of image distortion is detected, and correction data of main scan address and subscan address are calculated and stored according to the detected image distortion for each main scan address. When input color image data are corrected, printing position is corrected in combination of address change with density interpolation. When the correction data exceeds the maximum correction range, the correction data are replaced by the maximum in the correction range for distortion correction. Further, in the image data correction, after the image data are converted to data having a smaller number of gradation levels, the data are delayed according to the serial arrangement of the print units. Then, the delayed data are converted again for printing.

Image forming apparatus with image distortion correction function

1,800 dpi binary image data is divided into 3-bit data groups or 2-bit data groups, and is input from an input unitto a tone setting unitand a print position controller. Each group of 3-bit image data is converted into 8-bit tone data and 2-bit attribute data by the tone setting unitand the print position controller, respectively, and both sets of post-conversion data are input to a pulse width modulation unitat the same time. Because all 3-bit data is handled at the same time, the input and output operation clock signals can stay the same as for a 600 dpi resolution.

Image forming apparatus and image forming method

In an image processor on multi-level image data, an edge direction of a target pixel is discriminated from differences in density level between the target pixel and adjacent pixels thereof. A pixel is divided into a plurality of sub-pixels, and the image is formed in the unit of sub-pixels. The density level is set for each of the sub-pixels in the target pixel in accordance with the discrimination on the edge direction of the target pixel so that the center of gravity in density is changed in the target level. Then a character edge portion is reproduced more smoothly.

Image-processing apparatus

An image processor performs multilevel error diffusion processing and is provided with: a quantizing unit that quantizes pixel data constituting image information based on output values distributed at predetermined tone differences; an error detecting unit that detects a quantization error of the pixel data; a peripheral error calculating unit that integrates the quantization error of the pixel data detected by the error detecting unit with respect to a quantization error of peripheral pixel data; and an error superimposing unit that adds the integration error calculated by the peripheral error calculating unit to the pixel data input next. The image processor is further provided with: a random noise generating unit that generates random noise in accordance with the tone level of the input pixel data; and a noise superimposing unit that superimposes the random noise generated by the random noise generating unit on the pixel data.

Image processor, image processing method, and program product storing proguram for controlling the image processor method

It is intended to provide an image forming apparatus and image forming method capable of partial magnification corrections on various partial variations of magnification as well as constant and uniform positional shift regardless of any sections. A modulated image clock of a reference color (black) is generated from a clock generated at an image clock generating section and an address is generated at an address generating circuit basing on the modulated image clock. Output sections for respective colors other than the reference color read out correction coefficients from correction coefficient memories of respective colors following the address generated. Frequency modulator circuits modulate image clocks in accordance with correction coefficients. PWM outputs a driving pulse to a laser driver basing on modulated image clocks synchronized with a reference signal by synchronizer circuits and inputted image data.

An image forming apparatus comprising a buffer memory for storing image data, a printer unit for printing based on image data output from the buffer memory, a compression unit for compressing image data output from the buffer memory to generate compression data, a hard disk for storing the compression data compressed by the compression unit, and output unit for outputting compression data from the hard disk to the buffer memory, and an expansion unit for expanding the compression data output from the buffer memory and outputting the expansion data to the printer unit. When printing multiple copies, image data are highly compressed and stored on a hard disk, and output directly to a buffer memory in a highly compressed state. Thereafter, the data are expanded and transmitted to the printer. As a result, multiple copy printing is accomplished at high speed.

Image processing device

In an image forming apparatus, a black edge of a document image is emphasized, and the black edge is detected by deciding an edge from the lightness data and by deciding a black color from the chroma data. The data of cyan, magenta and yellow of a pixel at a black edge are replaced with minima of data of cyan, magenta and yellow of pixels in a prescribed region around the pixel. In order to prevent erroneous decision of a black edge, if a number of isolated pixels is larger than a threshold level, a decision as a pixel at a black edge is invalidated. Automatic exposure can be performed on a color document for correcting a background of the document obtained in a prescan. The background level of the document is determined only on pixels decided to be black. When color balance is adjusted on one of the data of cyan, magenta, yellow and black, the density is kept constant. A part of a color document is reproduced in a sheet of paper with use of different levels of an image forming condition such as edge emphasis. That is, image data on the same part of the color data are supplied repeatedly, while image forming condition on the color data are changed successively. Then, the color data of the part is formed repeatedly in a sheet of paper at different levels of the image forming condition.

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Toyokawa, Japan

Yoshihiko Hirota