Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Yoshiki Uchida

Shinobu Arimoto

Yoshinobu Sato

Yasuhiro Yamada

Kazuo Yoshinaga

Masanori Yamada

Nobuatsu Sasanuma

Hiroshi Tanioka

Yasumichi Suzuki

Yoichi Takaragi

Takehiko Nakai

Toshio Hayashi

Akiko Kanno

Tsutomu Utagawa

Yushi Matsukubo

Shingo Kitamura

Robert D Wadsworth

Tetsuya Nagase

Sadahiro Tanaka

Takashi Suzuki

Yukihiko Shimizu

Kazuhito Ohashi

Junko Kuramochi

Denny M Lin

Junichi Tanahashi

An image processing system utilizing block selection processing. According to the system, pixel data of an image is input and block selection processing is performed on the input pixel data to determine types of pixels within the image. It is then determined, based on the block selection processing, if a pixel is in an object area of the image and, if the pixel is determined to be in an object area of the image, the pixel is processed. Such processing may include detecting a proximity of the pixel to an edge, detecting a chromaticity of the pixel and detecting a width of a character in which the pixel is included.

System for processing object areas of an image

An image process comprising inputting image data, performing block selection of objects in the input image data, discriminating whether each block of the input image data is character or non-character image data, detecting a feature of each block of the character data without utilizing edge portions of the character data, performing an image process on each block of the character data based on the detected feature of the character data, and performing an image process on the non-character image data, and outputting the processed image data. The detected feature of the character data may be a foreground or background color of the character data. The block selection detects edge portions of the character data and utilizes portions of the character data internal to the edge portions in detecting the feature of the character data. The foreground color detection process may comprise converting input color component values of the character data to color space values, determining an average color space value from the converted color space values, comparing the average color space value to a threshold value, and determining whether or not the character data is black based on the comparison result. Additionally, the input step may comprise selecting a processing mode of the image data based on a type of image being input, wherein each block of the input image data is discriminated based on the selected processing mode. The processing mode may include one of a text mode, a photo/illustration mode, a magazine mode and a mixed document mode.

Text color detection for copier image processing

Image processing method and apparatus

Black correction to character, lines, and the like, is performed smoothly so as to maintain quality of an image as much as possible. In a character thickness determining circuit of a black character determination unit , the thickness of characters and lines are determined based on RGB signals. Further, character/line outline information is obtained at an edge detector , and chromaticity information is obtained at a chromaticity determining unit . When an image processing is performed based on the combination of the outline information and the chromaticity information, a thickness determination signal is corrected so that the thickness of the character, lines, and like changes continuously.

Image processing apparatus and method that determines the thickness of characters and lines

An image processing system includes input of image data, performance of block selection processing on the input image data to determine types of pixel data within the image data, a first determining step of determining, based on the block selection processing, if subject pixel data represents a text pixel, a second determining step of determining if the subject pixel data represents an edge pixel, performance of a first processing on the subject pixel data in a case that the subject pixel data is determined to represent a text pixel and an edge pixel, and performance of a second processing on the subject pixel data in a case that the subject pixel data is not determined to represent a text pixel and is not determined to represent an edge pixel.

Block selection-based image processing

Composing image data representing an original image in an image processing device, the image processing device having an input device and a display device, including performing a block selection process on the image data to identify at least one image block and to determine a set of block attribute data for each identified image block, displaying a composite image on the display device, the composite image comprised of each identified image block superimposed on the original image, receiving a block designation command from the input device, the block designation command designating one of the identified image blocks as a designated image block, and displaying, in response to the block designation command, a function command list for the designated image block, the function command list containing a plurality of function commands based on the set of block attribute data for the designated image block.

Image editing with block selection

A decrypting compiler that accepts encrypted source code from a software manufacturer, decrypts the encrypted source code into plain text that is not accessible outside the compiler, and compiles the decrypted source code into linkable binary objects. Because the decrypting compiler decrypts the encrypted source code such that the plain text is not accessible outside the compiler, trade secret and proprietary information from the source code is not easily learned by third-party software developers.

Compiler that decrypts encrypted source code

The present invention relates to controlling a presentation device coupled to the presentation system using a user interface generated by a computing system, the user interface including one or more regions which vary in size based on whether the user interface is being displayed, the user interface accepting input from a pointing device to control the presentation device.

Control of digital projection system

An apparatus and method for processing images, which can discriminate a specific original image from other images with high accuracy. The apparatus includes a first judgment unit for judging whether image data includes data corresponding to image information that is difficult for human eyes to perceive, a second judgment unit for judging whether the image data includes data corresponding to line information arranged such that the line information overlaps image information that is difficult for human eyes to perceive, and a discrimination unit for discriminating whether or not the image data corresponds to a specific image, based on a judgment result of the first judgment unit and a judgment result of the second judgment unit. The method includes corresponding steps to perform these functions.

Image processing apparatus and method for discriminating an original having a predetermined pattern

An image processing apparatus for adding additional information to an input image so that it cannot be easily identified by the human eye, and a method of operating such an apparatus, are provided. Various functions are described for adding predetermined additional information to the input image in such a way that it cannot be easily identified by the human eye. The apparatus includes a first input device for inputting first additional information by a first data input method; a second input device for inputting second additional information by a second data input method different from the first input method; a selection device for selecting one of the first and the second input device; an addition device for adding the first or second additional information, input from the first or second input device, to the input image data so that it cannot be easily identified by the human eye; and an output device for outputting the image data to which the additional information is added by the addition device.

Image processing apparatus and method

An image processor in which image information is read from a recording medium, such as a film used in a camera, with color-processing or filter-processing being efficiently performed in accordance with the contents of the image information. Focus information is also recorded on the recording medium by a method different from the method used for recording the image information. Using the focus information, the image processor suitably switches operation between color processing and filter processing.

Method and apparatus for image processing, and storage medium

Color image data is stored while being added with an attribute associated with a copy limit of image data in correspondence with a type or level of secretary to be maintained (e.g., allowing only a specific person to make a full color copy, or to make any copy, of a particular image, or allowing only monochrome copies to be made of a specific image regardless of who is making the copy, etc.). When the color image data is output, an output mode is selected according to the designated type of secrecy to execute image processing and an image output operation, thereby maintaining the desired degree of secrecy of the color image.

Image processing apparatus having means for limiting use of the apparatus

An image processor includes a first reader which obtains a first signal corresponding to visible information read on an original, and a second reader which obtains a second signal corresponding to invisible information on the original. A comparator compares the first and second signals to discriminate a predetermined pattern on the original.

Method and apparatus for determining a predetermined pattern on an original based on visible and invisible information on the original

When an image from a scanner or an external apparatus is to be printed out, in order to achieve both high color reproducibility and high gray reproducibility, a black signal is extracted from an input color image signal, the ratio of the extracted black signal to the color image signal is changed in accordance with an input instruction, and an output operation is performed in accordance with the extracted black signal and the color image signal. When a color image signal is formed by scanning an image, a black signal is extracted from the color image signal, a high-frequency component of the extracted black signal is removed, and an output operation is performed in accordance with the black signal, from which the high-frequency component is removed, and with the color image signal.

Color image forming method and apparatus

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method both offering a high-precision and general-purpose capability of identifying an image and performing appropriate processing depending on whether identification is effected. In the image processing apparatus and image processing method, image data is detected in visible and invisible light reflected from each of a target pixel and surrounding pixels. Based on the image data detected in visible and invisible light, a specific pattern is identified. The specific pattern appears substantially the same in color as a surrounding area under visible light but different in characteristic therefrom under invisible light, which is identified using the image data of the target pixel and surrounding pixels provided by a detector. The image processing apparatus is controlled depending on whether the identification is effected.

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Newport Beach, CA, United States of America

Yoshiki Uchida