Abstract: A contextual fault handling method and apparatus in a printing system replaces a first diagnostic message with a second diagnostic message based on a measure of fault occurrence frequency. The first message includes information relating to a symptom of a first fault and the second message includes information relating to a root cause of the first fault. Printer usage log data is collected during operation of the printing apparatus. A trend analysis is performed on the print usage log data. Then, in response to a second occurrence of a first fault event and based on a result of the trend analysis, a second diagnostic message is displayed for providing information to the operator or end user relating to a root cause of the fault. The second diagnostic message could be displayed together with the first message or as a replacement for the first message.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use in a document processing system including a memory and at least one document processing subsystem where a job, including a set of images, is processed in accordance with a selected job control ticket including a set of programmed attributes. The method includes: storing one or more job control tickets in the memory, the one or more job control tickets including the selected job control ticket; creating a master job control ticket including one or more user selectable portions, the one or more user selectable portions being corresponded respectively with the one or more job control tickets; and selecting one of the one or more user selectable portions, the one of the one or more user selectable portions being corresponded with the selected job control ticket so that, upon submitting the job with the master job control ticket to the document processing subsystem, the job is processed in accordance with the set of programmed attributes of the selected job ticket.

Abstract: A system and method for outputting finished image receiving medium in an image forming device are provided. The systems and methods include receiving an image forming operation in an image forming device. The image forming operation is evaluated to determine a number of pages required. Image receiving medium information relevant to an image receiving medium available to the image forming device may be accessed. Stacking thickness may be estimated based on the determined page count and the image receiving medium information. The image forming operation is processed based on the estimated stacking thickness. Processing may include comparing the estimated stacking thickness to an available stacker space and determining, from amongst a plurality of available stackers, a target stacker to deliver finished image receiving media to based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A raster image path architecture having the capacity for supporting the rendering and output of a device-independent grayscale raster image, while also offering the capacity for supporting the rendering and output of a device-dependent binary raster image, thus offering the advantages of outputting a device-independent grayscale raster image while preserving the performance and image quality advantages of a conventional binary raster image path architecture.

Abstract: A method for positioning a print integrity image capture device comprises the steps of creating electronic document data; adding print integrity markings to the electronic document data; sending the electronic document data to a raster image processor; determining the location of integrity markings for a tangible print of electronic document data; automatically adjusting an image capture device location based on integrity marking location information; providing necessary scheduling information to a feeding device and/or a sorting device; printing a tangible print of electronic document data; scanning a tangible print of electronic document data based on a determined image capture location; analyzing an image to determine which integrity marking is located on the tangible print of electronic document data; relaying an integrity marking number to a production management algorithm; determining whether all tangible prints of electronic document data have been printed; and determining whether all documents have be

Abstract: An automated document template creation method comprises: inputing data of an existing document that contains a visual design to input an image; decomposing the image into at least one object using at least one image processing technique; determining at least one design attribute of the object; and synthesizing a document template containing the design attribute. An automated document template creation system comprises: an input device that receives data of an existing document containing a representative visual design to obtain an image; an image processor that decomposes the image into at least one object and determines at least one design attribute of the object; and a template creator that synthesizes a document template containing the design attribute. The systems and methods allow a scan/preparation user at a makeready station to generate additional and/or replacement pages for an existing document that are visually coherent with the predetermined visual design of the document.

Abstract: A raster image path architecture having the capacity for supporting the rendering and output of a device-independent grayscale raster image, while also offering the capacity for supporting the rendering and output of a device-dependent grayscale raster image, thus offering the advantages of outputting a device-independent grayscale raster image while preserving the performance and image quality advantages of a conventional binary raster image path architecture.

Abstract: An automated document template creation method comprises: inputing data of an existing document that contains a visual design to input an image; decomposing the image into at least one object using at least one image processing technique; determining at least one design attribute of the object; and synthesizing a document template containing the design attribute. An automated document template creation system comprises: an input device that receives data of an existing document containing a representative visual design to obtain an image; an image processor that decomposes the image into at least one object and determines at least one design attribute of the object; and a template creator that synthesizes a document template containing the design attribute. The systems and methods allow a scan/preparation user at a makeready station to generate additional and/or replacement pages for an existing document that are visually coherent with the predetermined visual design of the document.

Abstract: A printing machine that records information about conditions of the machine while carrying out a printing request. The recorded resource information includes information about color calibration tables or machine process temperatures that may affect the appearance of a printed job depending on the value of the conditions at a particular time. Subsequently, before carrying out another printing request, the printing machine compares the conditions of a machine, to satisfy the next printing request, to the recorded information to permit an operator to predict whether a job will reprint with acceptable accuracy.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an image production system to account for a variable property of a desired output medium includes storing a reference characterization of at least one measured value associated with a reference output medium. An output value, adjusted for the variable property of the desired output medium, is determined based on data including the reference characterization of the reference output medium, for example stored in color lookup tables, color rendering dictionaries, or the like. Based on the adjusted output value determined, the desired output medium is then printed or otherwise marked using the output value.

Abstract: A method for positioning a print integrity image capture device comprises the steps of creating electronic document data; adding print integrity markings to the electronic document data; sending the electronic document data to a raster image processor; determining the location of integrity markings for a tangible print of electronic document data; automatically adjusting an image capture device location based on integrity marking location information; providing necessary scheduling information to a feeding device and/or a sorting device; printing a tangible print of electronic document data; scanning a tangible print of electronic document data based on a determined image capture location; analyzing an image to determine which integrity marking is located on the tangible print of electronic document data; relaying an integrity marking number to a production management algorithm; determining whether all tangible prints of electronic document data have been printed; and determining whether all documents have be

Abstract: An apparatus including: a transfer station adapted to receive a continuous web feed, wherein situated on both sides of the continuous web are transferable paired printed images, and the station is further adapted to thereafter simultaneously transfer the paired printed images from the continuous web to respective substrates.

Abstract: There is provided a job control system for a document processing system having a document processing subsystem in which a job, including a set of image data and a job control ticket, is processed each time the job, along with the job control ticket, is submitted to the document processing system.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use in a document processing system including a memory and at least one document processing subsystem where a job, including a set of images, is processed in accordance with a selected job control ticket including a set of programmed attributes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to maintain constant tone reproduction on a printed output over time. This is accomplished by performing template matching on a halftoned binary image prior to sending the binary image to a Raster Output Scanner (ROS). The template matching operation selectively replaces bit patterns in the binary image with template bit patterns, based on a detected xerographic density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which improves the precision of a color look-up table used to transform from the input image's color space to device-dependent print engine color space. The generated look-up table includes nodes in excess of those necessary for a single image transformation. A node selecting device allows for the selection of a subset of the nodes in accordance with image requirements which can be determined either alone or in combination, a distribution of color content of the image throughout the print engine color space, or customer-defined critical color regions.

Abstract: A printing machine that records information about resources expended to carry out a printing request. The recorded resource information may include quantities of particular paper types and colored toner needed to satisfy the printing request. Subsequently, before carrying out another printing request, the printing machine uses the recorded information to make a prediction or estimate of resources required to carry out the printing request. The printing machine thus reduces uncertainty about whether there are sufficient resources to satisfy the next request, and alleviates the burden of maintaining excessive consumables in inventory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the control of darkness/lightness in a digital image rendered by a printing system. The technique preferably employs templates to selectively apply different amounts of darkening (lightening) to borders of structures detected within the image dependent upon the need for darkening (lightening).

Abstract: A method of developing a job for output with an output subsystem is provided. The method includes generating a first electronic representation of a first image at a first time, reading a subset of placemarking instructions at a second time, generating a second representation of a second image at a third time, wherein the second time is after the first time but before the third time. At a fourth time, which fourth time is after the first, second and third times, a selected function is performed relative to a third electronic representation of a third image in response to the reading of the subset of placemaking instructions.

Abstract: A primary pump system for lubricating an internal combustion engine includes a pump constructed and arranged to pump lubricant to an engine prior to engine cranking and continuously during operation of the engine. A variable speed electric motor is constructed and arranged to drive the pump independently of engine speed. A controller controls operation of the motor and thus the operation of the pump. An engine load sensor senses a load on the engine. The controller is responsive to a signal received from the engine load sensor to control the motor so that the pump may supply lubricant to the engine in accordance with engine load.