EP0506379A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Image processing apparatus and method
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-03-26
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an image processing apparatus where plural line memories (6-10) store first image information corresponding to a first recording density based on input image data for plural lines, and a logical circuit included in a decision circuit (15, 16) determines a pixel data to be interpolated corresponding to the pixel position of second image information when the first image information is converted to the second image information in accordance with the stored first image information for plural lines. A logical circuit also included in the decision circuit detects a predetermined pattern in accordance with the stored image information for plural lines when the pixel data to be interpolated is determined, calculates a logical expressions for predetermined pattern diffusing processing, and determines a value of the pixel to be interpolated to diffuse the predetermined pattern in the second image information. With the above structure image information for a lower recording density is converted to information for a higher recording density, where half-tone images in high quality can be obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Kaoru C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Seto
- 👤 Atsushi C/O Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Kashihara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G06T3/4007; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/004; G06K2215/0054; G06K2215/0057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: memory means (6-10) for storing first image information corresponding to a first recording density for plural lines; pixel interpolation means for, when said first image information is converted to second image information corresponding to a second recording density higher than said first recording density, in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored by said memory means, determining a pixel data to be interpolated corresponding to the pixel position of second image information; and predetermined pattern diffusion means for, when said pixel interpolation means determines said pixel data to be interpolated, detecting a predetermined pattern in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored by said memory means and, when said predetermined pattern is detected, determining a value of said pixel data to be interpolated to diffuse the predetermined pattern data in said second image information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising smoothing means for, when said pixel interpolation means determines said pixel data to be interpolated, detecting a jagged edge portion in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored by said memory means and, when said pixel to be interpolated is detected, determining a value of said pixel data to be interpolated to smooth said jagged edge portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for expanding or compressing said first image information in a main scanning direction corresponding to said second recording density, wherein said memory means stores the image information expanded or compressed by said expanding/compressing means, for plural lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said pixel interpolation means determines a pixel data to be interpolated corresponding to the pixel position of said second image information by carrying out a predetermined logical operation to said first image information for plural lines stored by said memory means, and performs interpolation in the main scanning direction and interpolation in the sub scanning direction based on different logical operations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said memory means includes the number of line memories for storing image information more than said pixel interpolation means needs the number of line memories to execute interpolation, and while image information are simultaneously read out from several memories of said plural line memories, writes the next image data in a line memory of of the rest of said plural line memories.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined pattern diffusion means detects an predetermined pattern by carrying out a predetermined logical operation to said first image information for plural lines stored by said memory means, and when said predetermined pattern is detected, determines a value of said pixel data to be interpolated to diffuse said predetermined pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined pattern diffusion means determines a logical expressions in a predetermined order and carries out a logical operation in accordance with the logical expression.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising count means for counting the number of pixels interpolated by said pixel interpolation means, when the counting value of said count means reaches at a predetermined value, said predetermined pattern diffusion means changes over said logical expression to another logical expression.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising selection means for selecting either a first mode to carry out both said predetermined pattern diffusion means and said smoothing means or a second mode to carry out only said smoothing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
183 words
An image processing apparatus inserted between a printer controller and a printer engine, comprising: memory means for storing an first image information corresponding to a first recording density input by said printer controller for plural lines; pixel interpolation means for, when said first image information is converted to second image information corresponding to a second recording density higher than said first recording density, in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored by said memory means, determining a pixel data to be interpolated corresponding to the pixel position of the second image information; and predetermined pattern diffusion means for, when said pixel interpolation means determines said pixel data to be interpolated, detecting an predetermined pattern in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored by said memory means and, when said predetermined pattern is detected, determining a value of said pixel data to be interpolated to diffuse the predetermined pattern data in said second image information, wherein said second image information generated by said pixel interpolation means and said predetermined pattern diffusion means is output to said printer engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: storing step for storing first image information corresponding to a first recording density for plural lines; pixel interpolating step for determining a pixel data to be interpolated corresponding to the pixel position of a second image information when said first image information is converted to second image information corresponding to a second recording density higher than said first recording density, in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored in said storing step; and predetermined pattern diffusing step for detecting a predetermined pattern in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored in said storing step when said pixel data to be interpolated is determined in said pixel interpolating step, determining a value of said pixel data to be interpolated so that the predetermined pattern data can be diffused in said second image information when said predetermined pattern is detected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method according to claim 11, further comprising smoothing step for detecting a jagged edge portion in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored in said storing step when said pixel data to be interpolated is determined, and determining a value of said pixel data to be interpolated so that said jagged edge portion can be smoothed when said jagged edge portion is detected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
186 words
An image processing method for performing data conversion between a printer controller and a printer engine, comprising the steps of: storing step for storing an first image information corresponding to a first recording density input by said printer controller for plural lines; pixel interpolating step for determining a pixel data to be interpolated corresponding to the pixel position of a second image information when said first image information is converted to second image information corresponding to a second recording density higher than said first recording density, in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored in said storing step; and predetermined pattern diffusing step for detecting an predetermined pattern in accordance with said first image information for plural lines stored in said storing step when said pixel data to be interpolated is determined and, determining a value of said pixel data to be interpolated to diffuse the predetermined pattern data in said second image information when said predetermined pattern is detected, wherein said second image information generated in the pixel interpolating step and the predetermined pattern diffusing step is output to said printer engine.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
32 words
A method or apparatus for increasing the definition of image data, characterised by calculating pixel values at a higher definition in response to lower definition values obtained from a plurality of lines.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method or apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said higher definition pixels are one-bit values for driving a relatively high definition print engine.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
29 words
A method or apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 15, wherein said lower definition pixel values are one-bit values for driving a relatively low definition print engine.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
28 words
A method or apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein low definition values for a plurality of lines are stored in line memory devices (6-10).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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