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US5208663A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Color image processing apparatus provided with an image discrimination means

Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-23
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Granted: 1993-05-04
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Expires: 2012-07-23
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Abstract

Abstract An image processing apparatus including input terminals for introducing color image data in the form of pixels obtained by reading an original image, a classifying circuit for classifying a color of each pixel as either an achromatic color, a chromatic color, or an intermediate color by processing the color image data in accordance with classifying criterion, a discrimination circuit for discriminating a kind of the original image on the basis of the color image data, the classifying circuit being capable of changing the classifying criterion in accordance with the discriminated kind of the original image.

Inventors

  • 👤 Seiichiro Hiratsuka
  • 👤 Koji Washio
  • 👤 Masahiko Matsunawa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 18:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/90; H04N1/58; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10004; G06T2207/10008; G06T2207/10024; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30176

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 153 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: means for reading an original image to obtain color image data in a form of pixels and for generating a plurality of color component signals for each pixel, each of said color component signals representing a density level of a corresponding component color; first classifying means for classifying a color of each pixel as one of a chromatic color, an achromatic color, and an intermediate color on the basis of said color component signals, said intermediate color being a color in a color region between said chromatic color and said achromatic color; means for detecting a change in density level between pixels on the basis of the density levels of the color component signals; and second classifying means for further classifying a color of pixels classified as said intermediate color as either said chromatic color or said achromatic color on the basis of said change in density level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 153 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: means for reading an original image to obtain color image data in a form of pixels and for generating a plurality of color component signals for each pixel, each of said color component signals representing a density level of a corresponding component color; first classifying means for classifying a color of each pixel as one of a chromatic color, an achromatic color, and an intermediate color on the basis of said color component signals, said intermediate color being a color in a color region between said chromatic color and said achromatic color; means for detecting a change in density level between pixels on the basis of the density levels of the color component signals; and second classifying means for further classifying a color of pixels classified as said intermediate color as either said chromatic color or said achromatic color on the basis of said change in density level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reading means includes means for generating red, green, and blue color component signals as the plurality of color component signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein said detecting means includes means for detecting a change in density level on the basis of the density level of one of said red, green, and blue color component signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 33 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein said detecting means includes means for detecting a change in density level on the basis of the density level of said green color component signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 162 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: means for reading an original image in a form of pixels and for generating a plurality of color component signals for each pixel, each of said color component signals representing a density level of a corresponding component color; first classifying means for classifying a color of each pixel as one of a chromatic color, an achromatic color, and an intermediate color on the basis of said color component signals, an intermediate color being a color in a color region between said chromatic color and said achromatic color; means for selecting one of a plurality of image processing modes, the plurality of image processing modes including a letter mode to process a text image and a picture mode to process a color gradation picture image; and second classifying means for further classifying a color of pixels classified as said intermediate color as either said chromatic color or said achromatic color in accordance with a selected image processing mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 162 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: means for reading an original image in a form of pixels and for generating a plurality of color component signals for each pixel, each of said color component signals representing a density level of a corresponding component color; first classifying means for classifying a color of each pixel as one of a chromatic color, an achromatic color, and an intermediate color on the basis of said color component signals, an intermediate color being a color in a color region between said chromatic color and said achromatic color; means for selecting one of a plurality of image processing modes, the plurality of image processing modes including a letter mode to process a text image and a picture mode to process a color gradation picture image; and second classifying means for further classifying a color of pixels classified as said intermediate color as either said chromatic color or said achromatic color in accordance with a selected image processing mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second classifying means includes means for classifying the color of pixels classified as said intermediate color as said achromatic color when said letter mode is selected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second classifying means includes means for classifying the color of pixels classified as said intermediate color as said chromatic color when said picture mode is selected.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-05-03 1996-11-02 1997-05-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-05-03 2000-11-02 2001-05-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-05-03 2004-11-02 2005-05-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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