US5381248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image processing apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1993-09-08
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Granted: 1995-01-10
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Expires: 2013-09-08
Abstract
Abstract An image processing apparatus includes a synthesizing unit for synthesizing a color image and a binary image, a processing unit for performing multigradation processing of the color image and high-resolution processing of the binary image, and a control unit for controlling the processing unit to preferentially execute the high-resolution processing for an area where the color and binary images overlap each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshinori Ikeda
- 👤 Hiroyuki Ichikawa
- 👤 Mitsuru Kurita
- 👤 Yasumichi Suzuki
- 👤 Toshiyuki Kitamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/387; H04N1/3871
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) memory means for storing a binary image; b) synthesizing means for synthesizing a color image and the binary image stored in said memory means; c) processing means for outputting a print signal to be used for printing the color image in a first resolution and the binary image in a second resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution; and d) control means for controlling said processing means for preferentially executing the second resolution in an area where the color and binary images overlap each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) memory means for storing a binary image; b) synthesizing means for synthesizing a color image and the binary image stored in said memory means; c) processing means for outputting a print signal to be used for printing the color image in a first resolution and the binary image in a second resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution; and d) control means for controlling said processing means for preferentially executing the second resolution in an area where the color and binary images overlap each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input means for inputting the color image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said input means comprises conversion means for scanning an original and converting an original image into the color image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing means comprises pulse width modulated signal generating means for generating pulse width modulated signals, and wherein said processing means outputs the pulse width modulated signal modulated having a first pulse width in a case of performing the image processing in the first resolution, and outputs the pulse width modulated signal modulated having a second pulse width in a case of performing the image processing in the second resolution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising binarization means for binarizing the color image input by said input means, and wherein said storage means stores the color image binarized by said binarization means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said synthesizing means synthesizes the color image and the binary image by reading out the binary image stored in said storage means in synchronism with an input of the color image by said input means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image forming means for forming an image in accordance with an output from said processing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said processing means causes said image forming means to increase a printing resolution of the binary image, such that the printing resolution of image is higher than that of the color image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) discrimination means for discriminating a character area automatically on the basis of first image data representing a first image and for outputting a character area signal; b) control signal generating means for generating a control signal for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of the character area signal output from said discrimination means; c) area designation means for designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing means for synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output from said area designation means; and e) control means for controlling the processing of the synthesized area having the second image, irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) discrimination means for discriminating a character area automatically on the basis of first image data representing a first image and for outputting a character area signal; b) control signal generating means for generating a control signal for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of the character area signal output from said discrimination means; c) area designation means for designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing means for synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output from said area designation means; and e) control means for controlling the processing of the synthesized area having the second image, irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second images are color images.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising input means for inputting the first image data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said input means comprises a CCD line sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the specific area designated by said area designation means is a non-rectangular area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) discrimination means for discriminating a character area on the basis of first image data; b) control signal generating means for generating a control signal for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of an output from said discrimination means; c) area designation means for designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing means for synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output from said area designation means; and e) control means for controlling the processing of the synthesized area irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area, wherein the control signal is a signal for performing high-resolution image processing of the character area discriminated by said discrimination means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) discrimination means for discriminating a character area on the basis of first image data; b) control signal generating means for generating a control signal for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of an output from said discrimination means; c) area designation means for designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing means for synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output from said area designation means; and e) control means for controlling the processing of the synthesized area irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area, wherein the control signal is a signal for performing high-resolution image processing of the character area discriminated by said discrimination means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising input means for inputting the first image data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first and second images are color images composed of a plurality of color component signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) discrimination means for discriminating a character area on the basis of first image data; b) control signal generating means for generating a control signal for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of an output from said discrimination means; c) area designation means for designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing means for synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output from said area designation means; and e) control means for controlling the processing of the synthesized area irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area, wherein said control means controls said apparatus so that high-resolution processing is not performed for the character area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) discrimination means for discriminating a character area on the basis of first image data; b) control signal generating means for generating a control signal for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of an output from said discrimination means; c) area designation means for designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing means for synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output from said area designation means; and e) control means for controlling the processing of the synthesized area irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area, wherein said control means controls said apparatus so that high-resolution processing is not performed for the character area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising input means for inputting the first image data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first and second images are color images composed of a plurality of color component signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) process means for performing an image process operation for a specific area of input image data; b) identification means for identifying a character area in the input image data automatically on the basis of the input image data and for outputting a character area signal; c) first control means for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of the character area signal output from said identification means; and d) second control means for controlling the output character area signal from said identification means differently for the specific area than for a portion of the character area outside the specific area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) process means for performing an image process operation for a specific area of input image data; b) identification means for identifying a character area in the input image data automatically on the basis of the input image data and for outputting a character area signal; c) first control means for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of the character area signal output from said identification means; and d) second control means for controlling the output character area signal from said identification means differently for the specific area than for a portion of the character area outside the specific area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising designation means for designating the specific area.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the specific area is a non-rectangular area.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said process means performs at least one of zoom processing, inclination processing and taper processing, for the specific area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said second control means controls the output signal from said identification means with respect to the specific area in accordance with a kind of image process operation executed by said process means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
90 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) process means for performing an image process operation of a specific area of input image data; b) identification means for identifying a character area in the input image data; c) first control means for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of an output signal from said identification means; and d) second control means for controlling the output signal from said identification means with respect to the specific area, wherein the output signal from said identification means comprises a resolution switching signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
90 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) process means for performing an image process operation of a specific area of input image data; b) identification means for identifying a character area in the input image data; c) first control means for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of an output signal from said identification means; and d) second control means for controlling the output signal from said identification means with respect to the specific area, wherein the output signal from said identification means comprises a resolution switching signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising designation means for designating the specific area.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the specific area is a non-rectangular area.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said process means performs at least one of zoom processing, inclination processing and taper processing, for the specific area.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said second control means controls the output signal from said identification means with respect to the specific area in accordance with a kind of image process operation executed by said process means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
86 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) a first input means for scanning an original image and for generating first image data; b) second input means for inputting second image data from an external apparatus; and c) processing means, switchable between operating in a first resolution and operating in a second resolution, for processing the first image data in either the first resolution or the second resolution and for processing the second image data in the first resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
86 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) a first input means for scanning an original image and for generating first image data; b) second input means for inputting second image data from an external apparatus; and c) processing means, switchable between operating in a first resolution and operating in a second resolution, for processing the first image data in either the first resolution or the second resolution and for processing the second image data in the first resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said first input means comprises conversion means for scanning the original image and for converting the original image into a plurality of color component data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising synthesizing means for synthesizing the first and second image data.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said processing means comprises discrimination means for discriminating a character area on the basis of the first image data and wherein said processing means performs processing at the character area in the second resolution.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said processing means comprises pulse width modulated signal generating means for generating pulse width modulated signals, and wherein said processing means outputs the pulse width modulated signal modulated having a first pulse width when performing the image processing having the first resolution, and outputs the pulse width modulated signal modulated having a second pulse width when performing the image processing in the second resolution.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) discrimination means for discriminating a character area automatically on the basis of first image data representing a first image and for outputting a character area signal; b) area designation means for designating a specific area on the first image; c) synthesizing means for synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output from said area designation means; and d) processing means for processing the specific area designated by said designation means in a first processing condition and for processing a portion of the character area other than the specific area in a second processing condition different from the first processing condition, based on the character area signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a) discrimination means for discriminating a character area automatically on the basis of first image data representing a first image and for outputting a character area signal; b) area designation means for designating a specific area on the first image; c) synthesizing means for synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output from said area designation means; and d) processing means for processing the specific area designated by said designation means in a first processing condition and for processing a portion of the character area other than the specific area in a second processing condition different from the first processing condition, based on the character area signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) storing a binary image in memory means; b) synthesizing a color image and the binary image stored in the memory means; c) outputting a print signal to be used for printing the color image in a first resolution and the binary image in a second resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution; and d) controlling said outputting step for preferentially executing the second resolution in an area where the color and binary images overlap each other.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) storing a binary image in memory means; b) synthesizing a color image and the binary image stored in the memory means; c) outputting a print signal to be used for printing the color image in a first resolution and the binary image in a second resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution; and d) controlling said outputting step for preferentially executing the second resolution in an area where the color and binary images overlap each other.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) discriminating a character area automatically on the basis of first image data representing a first image and outputting a character area signal; b) generating a control signal for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of the character area signal output of said discrimination step; c) designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output of said area designation step; and e) controlling the processing of the synthesized area having the second image irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) discriminating a character area automatically on the basis of first image data representing a first image and outputting a character area signal; b) generating a control signal for controlling processing of the character area on the basis of the character area signal output of said discrimination step; c) designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output of said area designation step; and e) controlling the processing of the synthesized area having the second image irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) discriminating a character area on the basis of first image data; b) generating a control signal for controlling a processing of the character area on the basis of an output of said discrimination step; c) designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output of said area designation step; and e) controlling the processing of the synthesized area irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area, wherein the control signal is a signal for performing a high-resolution image processing of the character area.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) discriminating a character area on the basis of first image data; b) generating a control signal for controlling a processing of the character area on the basis of an output of said discrimination step; c) designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output of said area designation step; and e) controlling the processing of the synthesized area irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area, wherein the control signal is a signal for performing a high-resolution image processing of the character area.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) discriminating a character area on the basis of first image data; b) generating a control signal for controlling a processing of the character area on the basis of an output of said discrimination step; c) designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output of said area designation step; and e) controlling the processing of the synthesized area irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area, wherein in said control step a high-resolution processing is prevented from being performed for the character area.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
113 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) discriminating a character area on the basis of first image data; b) generating a control signal for controlling a processing of the character area on the basis of an output of said discrimination step; c) designating a specific area on the first image; d) synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output of said area designation step; and e) controlling the processing of the synthesized area irrespective of the signal for controlling the processing of the character area, wherein in said control step a high-resolution processing is prevented from being performed for the character area.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image processing method comprising: a) a process step of performing an image process operation of a specific area of input image data; b) an identification step of identifying a character area in the input image data automatically on the basis of the input image data and outputting a character area signal; c) a first control step of controlling a processing of the character area on the basis of the character area signal output of said identification step; and d) a second control step of controlling the output character area signal of said identification step differently for the specific area than for a portion of the character area outside the specific area.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image processing method comprising: a) a process step of performing an image process operation of a specific area of input image data; b) an identification step of identifying a character area in the input image data automatically on the basis of the input image data and outputting a character area signal; c) a first control step of controlling a processing of the character area on the basis of the character area signal output of said identification step; and d) a second control step of controlling the output character area signal of said identification step differently for the specific area than for a portion of the character area outside the specific area.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image processing method comprising: a) a process step of performing an image process operation of a specific area of input image data; b) an identification step of identifying a character area in the input image data and outputting a signal; c) a first control step of controlling a processing of the character area on the basis of the output signal of said identification step; and d) a second control step of controlling the output signal of said identification step with respect to the specific area, wherein the output signal of said identification step comprises a resolution switching signal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image processing method comprising: a) a process step of performing an image process operation of a specific area of input image data; b) an identification step of identifying a character area in the input image data and outputting a signal; c) a first control step of controlling a processing of the character area on the basis of the output signal of said identification step; and d) a second control step of controlling the output signal of said identification step with respect to the specific area, wherein the output signal of said identification step comprises a resolution switching signal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image processing method comprising: a) a first input step of scanning an original image and generating first image data; b) a second input step of inputting second image data from an external apparatus; and c) a processing step, switchable between an operation in a first resolution and an operation in a second resolution, of processing the first image data in either the first resolution or the second resolution and processing the second image data in the first resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image processing method comprising: a) a first input step of scanning an original image and generating first image data; b) a second input step of inputting second image data from an external apparatus; and c) a processing step, switchable between an operation in a first resolution and an operation in a second resolution, of processing the first image data in either the first resolution or the second resolution and processing the second image data in the first resolution, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
109 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) discriminating a character area automatically on the basis of first image data representing a first image and outputting a character area signal; b) designating a specific area on the first image; c) synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output of said area designation step; and d) processing the specific area designated in said designation step in a first processing condition and processing a portion of the character area other than the specific area in a second processing condition different from the first processing condition, based on the character area signal.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
109 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: a) discriminating a character area automatically on the basis of first image data representing a first image and outputting a character area signal; b) designating a specific area on the first image; c) synthesizing a second image different from the first image on the designated area based on an output of said area designation step; and d) processing the specific area designated in said designation step in a first processing condition and processing a portion of the character area other than the specific area in a second processing condition different from the first processing condition, based on the character area signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-09 | 1998-07-11 | 1999-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-09 | 2002-07-11 | 2003-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-09 | 2006-07-11 | 2007-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |