US5911004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image processing apparatus for discriminating image characteristics using image signal information obtained in an image scanning operation
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-05-08
•
Granted: 1999-06-08
•
Expires: 2016-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An image processing apparatus generates color image signals representing an image of a scanned original document. A series of image discriminating units are provided. An edge discrimination unit discriminates edge regions with respect to each pixel. Further discrimination units discriminate other image regions, such as half tone regions, white background regions, photograph regions, or color regions, with respect to each pixel block. Discriminating results are stored in a memory to be used for subsequent image scans.
Inventors
- 👤 Satoshi Ohuchi
- 👤 Sadao Takahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/40062; H04N1/46; H04N1/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: image input means for scanning an original document and generating a plurality of image signals representing an image of said original document; first image discriminating means for discriminating first image characteristics of the original document image with respect to each pixel thereof, to obtain first discriminating results; second image discriminating means for discriminating second image characteristics of said original document image with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels thereof, to obtain second discrimination results; memory means for storing said second discrimination results; and image processing means for processing said plurality of image signals in accordance with said first and second image discriminating results obtained from a first scanning of said original document, and for processing image signals generated by subsequent scans of said original document using said first discrimination results from said subsequent scans and using said stored second discrimination results for said subsequent scans.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: image input means for scanning an original document and generating a plurality of image signals representing an image of said original document; first image discriminating means for discriminating first image characteristics of the original document image with respect to each pixel thereof, to obtain first discriminating results; second image discriminating means for discriminating second image characteristics of said original document image with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels thereof, to obtain second discrimination results; memory means for storing said second discrimination results; and image processing means for processing said plurality of image signals in accordance with said first and second image discriminating results obtained from a first scanning of said original document, and for processing image signals generated by subsequent scans of said original document using said first discrimination results from said subsequent scans and using said stored second discrimination results for said subsequent scans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first image discriminating means discriminates an edge region with respect to each pixel of said original document image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second image discriminating means discriminates a half tone region with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels of said original document image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second image discriminating means discriminates a white background region with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels of said original document image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second image discriminating means discriminates a photograph region with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels of said original document image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second image discriminating means discriminates a color region with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels of said original document image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image processing means executes an image forming operation for a black colorant in the first scan of said original document, and executes image forming operations for another colorant in subsequent scans of said original document.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: an image scanner scanning an original document and generating a plurality of image signals representing an image of said original document; a first image discriminating circuit discriminating first image characteristics of the original document image with respect to each pixel thereof, to obtain first discriminating results; a second image discriminating circuit discriminating second image characteristics of said original document image with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels thereof, to obtain second discrimination results; a memory storing said second discrimination results; and at least one image processor for processing said plurality of image signals in accordance with said first and second image discriminating results obtained from a first scanning of said original document, and for processing image signals generated by subsequent scans of said original document using said first discrimination results from said subsequent scans and using said stored second discrimination results for said subsequent scans.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
153 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: an image scanner scanning an original document and generating a plurality of image signals representing an image of said original document; a first image discriminating circuit discriminating first image characteristics of the original document image with respect to each pixel thereof, to obtain first discriminating results; a second image discriminating circuit discriminating second image characteristics of said original document image with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels thereof, to obtain second discrimination results; a memory storing said second discrimination results; and at least one image processor for processing said plurality of image signals in accordance with said first and second image discriminating results obtained from a first scanning of said original document, and for processing image signals generated by subsequent scans of said original document using said first discrimination results from said subsequent scans and using said stored second discrimination results for said subsequent scans.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first image discriminating circuit discriminates an edge region with respect to each pixel of said original document image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second image discriminating circuit discriminates a half tone region with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels of said original document image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second image discriminating circuit discriminates a white background region with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels of said original document image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second image discriminating circuit discriminates a photograph region with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels of said original document image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second image discriminating circuit discriminates a color region with respect to each predetermined size block region of pixels of said original document image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said at least one image processor executes an image forming operation for a black colorant in the first scan of said original document, and executes image forming operations for another colorant in subsequent scans of said original document.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-07 | 2002-12-07 | 2003-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-07 | 2006-12-07 | 2007-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-07 | 2010-12-07 | 2011-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |