Océ Technologies

Océ Image Logic

Océ Image Logic was developed and patented by Océ with the objective that 99% of all originals should be copied and scanned with the right quality the first time without any operator intervention. This saves a lot of time since the process of copying and scanning is a very time-consuming task. Originals, even if imperfect, such as text, photos and fine drawingsare turned into perfect copies

Image logic animation

Advantages

• Time-saving and cost-saving
  Scan or copy more in less time and therefore save costs
• Excellent quality scans and copies
  • Crystal-clear reproduction of "photos in text"
    through automatic, separate detection of text and photo (including dithering)
  • Optimal reproduction of "mixed" originals (containing text, photos, drawings)
    through separate optimisation of all pixels (pixel by pixel)
  • Brilliant reproduction of fine/thin lines (drawings)
    through automatic recognition and optimisation of fine lines (1 pixel)
  • Creation of "stainless" scans/copies
    through automatic background compensation
  • Sharp reproduction of photos
    by avoiding the "moiré effect" through automatic dithering
• Little usage of memory
  through very high compression of bitmaps
• Increase operator productivity
  Scan or copy without user interference
• Reduce wasted media
  Better output quality first-time around

How the technology works

The Océ Image Logic system consists of the following components:

1. Scanning
   The paper original is fed into the scanner and scanned line per line. Each scanned image line is converted on a scale of 0-255. This generates the 256 grey scale image (image data in 8-bit form, representing 256 grey scales per pixel).
   From here on Océ Image Logic takes over.
2. Automatic background compensation
   In this step the background is eliminated. Essentially this is done by raising the pixel values on the basis of the detected background level. In each line of pixels, all background levels (=white areas) are set to the same grey level. As the background level is adjusted continuously over the page, this results in a background-free image.
3. Advanced filtering
   Weak information, such as fine pencil lines are digitally enhanced by Océ Image Logic. Shaded areas are also identified and smoothed and softened by the filtering process.
4. Halftoning
   This process converts the grey scale image (256 grey scales per pixel) into a black and white image (1 bit per pixel) using the error diffusion technique. Every line and pixel of every document is processed on the fly. In helicopter view, the randomly arranged pixels create a visual perception of smooth shades of grey, while at the same time ensuring that (weak) lines, solids and text characters are sharply delineated and filled. The optimised image is now ready for printing.