A method of performing a three-dimensional (3D) scan of an object includes applying an optical contrast powder to the object and illuminating the object with light. First and second two-dimensional (2D) color image data corresponding to the object is generated. First and second 2D monochrome image data corresponding to the object is generated using the first and second 2D color image data. 3D data corresponding to the object is generated using the first and second monochrome 2D image data. Color 3D image data corresponding to the object is generated by adding color information to the 3D data. The color 3D image data is displayed.

A first processing module receives image data transferred from a controller, and executes image processing and a second processing module receives the image data transferred from the controller via the first processing module and executes image processing on the image data. The controller determines color components, of the plurality of color components of the image data, to be processed by the first processing module and the second processing module, based on at least communication amounts produced between the first processing module and the second processing module. Processed data having undergone the image processing performed by the first processing module based on the determined color components is transferred to the controller, and processed data having undergone the image processing performed by the second processing module based on the determined color components is transferred to the controller via the first processing module.

An image processing apparatus connected to an external user terminal includes a scanner unit that optically reads an original to acquire a scanned image, an information acquisition unit that acquires user information, an image storing unit that stores the scanned image in association with the user information, a type acquisition unit that acquires an image conversion type, which indicates a desired converted image type, from the external user terminal, and an image conversion unit that, in response to acquiring the image conversion type, reads out a scanned image from the image storing unit based on the user information and converts the read-out scanned image into an image of the acquired image conversion type.

An image processing apparatus connected to an external user terminal includes a scanner unit that optically reads an original to acquire a scanned image, an information acquisition unit that acquires user information, an image storing unit that stores the scanned image in association with the user information, a type acquisition unit that acquires an image conversion type, which indicates a desired converted image type, from the external user terminal, and an image conversion unit that, in response to acquiring the image conversion type, reads out a scanned image from the image storing unit based on the user information and converts the read-out scanned image into an image of the acquired image conversion type.

A method for detecting background color of a scanned document uses dynamic weights to adjust components of the L*a*b* color space. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the L*a*b* values belonging to pixels within a block are applied to a series of thresholds. In response to the L*a*b* values meeting the thresholds, a given color pixel within the block is reclassified as being monochromatic. The weight values are dynamically updated based on at least one of the L*a*b* values of the given pixel. The thresholding is repeated for remaining pixels in the document. Using the classified pixels, an output document is generated where the background pixels are monochromatic. The output document is transmitted to a display device in communication with the server computer.

A number of monochrome pages printed by a print system in a color mode and a total number of pages printed by the print system are monitored. A ratio of the number of monochrome pages printed by the print system in the color mode to the total number of pages printed by the print system is determined. The print system is switched between the color mode and a monochrome mode of the print system mode based on the ratio so as to reduce color cartridge wear of the print system and/or so as to reduce transitions between the color mode and the monochrome mode while printing monochrome pages.

Color values as a function of position within a painting may be determined by acquiring a plurality of sets of images of the painting. Each set of images may correspond to a different region within the painting. Each image in a set of images may be acquired using a different lighting condition. An optical system comprising a telecentric lens may be used to acquire each image. Within a set of images, corresponding lightness values of pixels may be compared. Lightness values varying from other corresponding lightness values more than a threshold amount may be eliminated. The non-eliminated lightness values for a pixel may be used to generate a processed value for the pixel. The processed values for each pixel representing an imaged region may be combined into a single image. Eliminating lightness values may remove specular highlights and/or shadows. Each of the single images corresponding to each set of images may be registered together to generate a color map image of the painting. The generated color map image may be used to correct color data collected by laser scanning the painting. A 3D printer may, for example, use the corrected laser color data in combination with an elevation map of the painting to produce a faithful reproduction of the painting.

An image processing apparatus is provided with a converter to convert a first color image into lightness information and color information other than the lightness information, a lightness compressor to generate compressed lightness information obtained by decimating a pixel value from the lightness information, a reconverter to combine the compressed lightness information and the color information to generate a second color image, an edge extractor to extract an edge included in the first color image, and a pixel value changer to change a pixel value at a position of the edge in the second color image while maintaining similar colors, to generate a third color image.

An image processing apparatus is provided with a converter to convert a first color image into lightness information and color information other than the lightness information, a lightness compressor to generate compressed lightness information obtained by decimating a pixel value from the lightness information, a reconverter to combine the compressed lightness information and the color information to generate a second color image, an edge extractor to extract an edge included in the first color image, and a pixel value changer to change a pixel value at a position of the edge in the second color image while maintaining similar colors, to generate a third color image.

In an example, a method includes receiving a first data model of an object to be generated in additive manufacturing, at a processor. Using the processor, a second data model may be determined. Determining the second data model may include generating for each of plurality of contiguous, non-overlapping sub-volumes of a volume containing the object, a sub-volume octree characterising the sub-volume and having a root node. Determining the second data model may further include generating a volume octree characterising the volume containing the object, the volume octree characterising in its lowest nodes the root nodes of the sub-volume octrees.