Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method includes a sub-sampler decompression unit that takes an inverse transformation to rebuild 411 sub sampled luminance/chrominance color space components which are than transformed into full resolution luminance/chrominance color space pixel data. The luminance/chrominance color space pixel data is then separated into individual luminosity and chromaticity components which are scaled. A scaling unit responsive to the sub-sampler decompression unit applies different processing algorithms to the various ones of the luminance and chrominance components to scale the main luminosity component utilizing a spacial algorithm while simultaneously scaling the minor chromaticity components utilizing a perceptual algorithm. The scaled full resolution luminance and chrominance color space components are then converted into RGB color space for display purposes.

Abstract: A signaling method for a pen driver circuit interface is embodied in a signal interface between a controller circuit and a pen driver circuit for a printer. At least one signal of the interface is omitted; and the pen driver circuit is modified to process a combination of signals including at least one of the signals on the signal interface to provide information pertaining to the at least one omitted signal. According to a preferred method, the combination of signals are processed when data is not being transferred via the signal interface to provide a pen firing control signal for the printer such as a warm enable signal or a fire enable signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile stackable Internet appliance printer having a removable combination input/output tray cassette with a removable bezel.

Abstract: A pinch roller acts in combination with a drive roller to provide a nip through which sheets are passed in a sheet handling system. To reduce hand-off errors in the line feed accuracy of the sheet handling system, the pinch roller includes a compliant outer surface and soft undersurface volume. The flexibility of the outer surface allows the pinch roller to shift its holding force from the media to the pinch roller as the media leaves the nip between the rollers. This reduces the force seen by the media in the direction of the media travel, thus reducing the localized push on the back edge of the media. The soft undersurface volume is formed by a foam core.

Abstract: Error diffusion apparatus processes and stores image data on a sub-column basis for pixels below and to the left of a current pixel along a common diagonal. Error data is diffused on a pixel by pixel basis relative to a next pixel right of the current pixel until the left most sub-column of pixels has a height corresponding to the height of the total number of nozzles in a single column of an inkjet printhead. In this manner, error diffusion is accomplished on the fly with buffer memory storage capacity being substantially reduced relative to other error diffusion processes.

Abstract: The invention accomplishes print medium feed functions, at least in part, by making use of pre-existing printer apparatus that is used to accomplish other functions of the printer. For example, the invention can enable the use of a single print drive mechanism to accommodate multiple print medium feed paths within a printer and, in particular, feed paths in which print media are fed into the print drive mechanism in different (e.g., opposite) directions. Additionally, the invention can enable a rotatable media guide that can be positioned in one position to guide a sheet of a print medium during a print operation and in another position to release the sheet of the print medium after the printing operation, to be positioned in still another position to facilitate guiding a sheet of a print medium into a print drive mechanism after the sheet has traversed a gap in the feed path.

Abstract: A wet-wiping printhead cleaning system including a treatment fluid applicator placing treatment fluid on at least one of two elements involved in wiping, said two elements being a printhead orifice plate surface and a wiper, the system being so configured that treatment fluid is applied before wiping the printhead by projecting treatment fluid onto at least one element through the atmosphere, thereby avoiding direct contact between the applicator and said one element, the treatment fluid being placed so as to be available to assist in wiping a portion of the printhead orifice plate where the nozzle orifices are located to remove debris that may have accumulated, the treatment fluid lubricating the wiper so as to lengthen wiper service life and enhance wiping performance, as well as acting to render such accumulations more removable by wiping, the source of treatment fluid being uncontaminated by contact with either the printhead or the wiper.