Image processing apparatus, computer product, and image processing method

• US 7,450,280 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Hayashi, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Kimberly A
• Application Number:
  US11/174,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20060007465A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.13, 358/1.15, 358/2.1, 358/474, 358/505, 358/519, 358/521, 382/169, 715/515, 715/520, 715/521
• US Class Current: 358/521
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10008 from scanner, fax or copier
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20192 Edge enhancement; Edge preservation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/92 based on global image properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6027 Correction or control of colour gradation or colour contrast H04N1/6058 takes precedence

Abstract

An image-quality-mode receiving unit receives a selection of an image quality mode for forming an image based on image data. A first gradation converting unit performs a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on the image quality mode. A feature extracting unit performs a gradation conversion of a feature-extraction threshold based on the gradation conversion parameter, and extracts, based on the feature-extraction threshold after the gradation conversion, a feature amount from the image data after the gradation conversion. A second gradation converting unit performs a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on a result of extracting the feature amount and the image quality mode.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

an image-quality-mode receiving unit that receives a selection of an image quality mode for forming an image based on image data;

a first gradation converting unit that performs a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on the image quality mode;

a feature extracting unit that performs a gradation conversion of a feature-extraction threshold based on the gradation conversion parameter, and extracts, based on the feature-extraction threshold on which the gradation conversion is performed, a feature amount from the image data on which the gradation conversion is performed; and

a second gradation converting unit that performs a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on a result of extracting the feature amount and the image quality mode.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feature-extraction threshold includes any one of extraction threshold of a primary differential filter, extraction threshold of a secondary differential filter, and high-density threshold.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the gradation conversion parameters set in the first gradation converting unit and the second gradation converting unit has a target gradation-characteristic-value for each image quality mode.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second gradation converting unit uses gradation conversion characteristics created by piecewise linear approximation.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the gradation conversion parameter for a text portion set by the second gradation converting unit is changed to adjust density for a text portion of the image, and

the gradation conversion parameter set by the first gradation converting unit and the gradation conversion parameter for a halftone-dot portion of the image set by the second gradation converting unit are changed to adjust density for a photographic portion of the image.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a pattern creating unit that creates a plurality of first gradation patterns and second gradation patterns by changing density of the image;

an image reading unit that reads the first gradation pattern and the second gradation pattern; and

a correcting unit that corrects the gradation conversion parameters set by the first gradation converting unit and the second gradation converting unit based on a result of reading the first gradation pattern and the second gradation pattern, wherein

the first gradation pattern is obtained by performing an error diffusion using quantization threshold that oscillates periodically, and

the second gradation pattern is obtained by performing an error diffusion using either one of quantization threshold that oscillates periodically, having an amplitude or a period different from the first gradation pattern, and fixed quantization threshold.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a programmable image processor that includes an executing unit that executes a sequential process, wherein

processes performed by the feature extracting unit and the second gradation converting unit are implemented by a process executed by the image processor.

8. An image processing method comprising:

receiving a selection of an image quality mode for forming an image based on image data;

performing a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on the image quality mode;

feature extracting including

performing a gradation conversion of a feature-extraction threshold based on the gradation conversion parameter; and

extracting, based on the feature-extraction threshold on which the gradation conversion is performed, a feature amount from the image data on which the gradation conversion is performed; and

performing a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on a result of extracting the feature amount and the image quality mode.

9. A computer-readable recording medium that stores an image processing program, wherein the image processing program causes a computer to execute:

receiving a selection of an image quality mode for forming an image based on image data;

performing a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on the image quality mode;

feature extracting including

performing a gradation conversion of a feature-extraction threshold based on the gradation conversion parameter; and

extracting, based on the feature-extraction threshold on which the gradation conversion is performed, a feature amount from the image data on which the gradation conversion is performed; and

performing a gradation conversion of the image data by setting a gradation conversion parameter based on a result of extracting the feature amount and the image quality mode.