Abstract: Differences between an offline spectrophotometer and an inline spectrophotometer can result in differences between a hardcopy target color and a printed reproduction of that color. The inline spectrophotometer is inside of a printer and configured to measure printer output. As such, the inline spectrophotometer cannot conveniently measure the hardcopy target color. A printing error or an instrument offset can be determined and passed to a color correction module that updates the device dependent color specification associated with the given spot color. This color specification may be stored, for example, in the printer controller, and used when a document subsequently calls for that spot color, thereby providing accurate color reproduction from that particular printer incorporating that particular inline spectrophotometer.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for vehicle occupancy detection using a single band infrared imaging system. First, an infrared image of a vehicle intended to be processed for human occupancy detection is captured using a single band infrared camera set to a predefined wavelength band. A candidate sub-image is identified within the captured image. A cumulative histogram is formed using the reflectance values of each pixel in the candidate region. A threshold reflectance value is then determined from the cumulative histogram using a pre-defined cumulative occurrence fraction value which corresponds to a value equivalent to an average sized human face. Embodiments for setting the threshold reflectance value are disclosed. Thereafter, human occupants can be distinguished in the image from the vehicle's interior by comparing pixel reflectances in the sub-image against the threshold reflectance value.

Abstract: A smart toll network system for “network-based” analysis via communication of relevant vehicle identifications among to stations (i.e., by forming a smart toll network) coupled with a probabilistic-based search is disclosed. Comparing vehicle identification data (such as license plate recognition and vehicle signatures) between toll stations improves the performance relative to point-based vehicle identification analysis. Of the vehicles unidentified by license plate recognition, vehicle signatures are used to link each of them to the corresponding vehicle at the opposite end of the tolling system. If license plate recognition fails on a vehicle at an exit station, vehicle signatures can be used to find the location where that vehicle entered the tolling system. If license plate recognition was successful at the entrance station, that same license plate number can be assigned to that vehicle at the exit station, on the basis of the vehicle signature matching, without requiring human intervention.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for obtaining optimum CMYK values for spot colors, with significantly lower computational effort, by using a set of printer profiles with different pre-computed GCR strategies. Various versions are discussed on how to utilize and/or choose among these profiles for each spot color. The present invention is applicable to spot color emulation for CMYK as well as N-color printing, and can be used to optimize one or more image quality attributes, including graininess, mottle, color stability, ink cost, etc. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for estimating the color of a coated print includes: measuring the color of an uncoated print with a color measuring device; and estimating the color of the print when coated by a coating process based on the uncoated color measurement using a function that correlates uncoated color measurements and coated color measurements; and adjusting at least one parameter of the printing process based on the coated color estimation. The correlating function may be derived by measuring the color of a plurality of uncoated color patches; measuring the color of the plurality of patches after the patches have been coated by the coating process; and correlating the color of the coated patches with the uncoated patches based on the coated and uncoated color patch measurements.

Abstract: Systems and methods of halftoning an image for extended-colorant printing image spot colors are provided which perform a quality ranking of a plurality of periodic halftone screens to be used in halftoning the image and an objectionability ranking of the colorants used to produce the one or more image spot colors. Halftone screen-to-colorant assignments are then made using a ranked ordered pairing of the ranked screens and ranked colorants. The image is halftoned using these assignments and the results can be printed or saved for future printing. Pixel tags can be used to identify the ranked ordered halftone screen-to-colorant assignments.

Abstract: A light-cyan radiation-curable gel ink including at least one curable monomer, at least one organic gellant, at least one photoinitiator, and a colorant. The colorant includes a cyan colorant, a hue-adjusting colorant that absorbs light having a wavelength of from about 500 to about 600 nm, and an optional shade-adjusting colorant that absorbs light having a wavelength of from about 400 to about 500 nm.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for producing images of excellent color fidelity when incorporating a cyan toner with a lower colorant loading in addition to a first cyan toner. In embodiments, the cyan pigmented particles may be cyan emulsion aggregation toners. In accordance with the present disclosure, a pair of cyan toners are matched in color, wherein the color of a first cyan toner printed at a predetermined halftone area coverage on a substrate substantially matches the color of the solid (100%) printed patch of the second cyan toner, which is lighter than the first cyan toner, thus avoiding a visible hue shift on the print that would otherwise be objectionable. In embodiments, the light cyan toner is color matched by adding a hue-adjusting colorant or combination of colorants which absorb wavelengths of light between 500 and 600 nanometers, and optionally adding a shade-adjusting colorant or combination of colorants which absorb wavelengths of light between 400 and 500 nanometers.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a feedback control based system and method for selecting spot color recipes for improved spot color rendition while simultaneously minimizing a function of image quality attributes formed with states defined as vectors such as L*, a*, b*, mottle, graininess, etc. Color is measured with an in-line spectrophotometer or with a full/partial width array. If the sensor is not available, then a model of the print device is used to optimize the function of image quality attributes. In one example embodiment, a spot color of interest is selected along with a set of image quality attributes to be improved for the spot colors of interest. Set points for process actuators and color recipes of the color marking device are adjusted such that a function of the image quality attributes is minimized when the spot color is rendered on the device. Various workflows are disclosed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a feedback control based system and method for selecting spot color recipes for improved spot color rendition while simultaneously minimizing a function of image quality attributes formed with states defined as vectors such as L*, a*, b*, mottle, graininess, etc. Color is measured with an in-line spectrophotometer or with a full/partial width array. If the sensor is not available, then a model of the print device is used to optimize the function of image quality attributes. In one example embodiment, a spot color of interest is selected along with a set of image quality attributes to be improved for the spot colors of interest. Set points for process actuators and color recipes of the color marking device are adjusted such that a function of the image quality attributes is minimized when the spot color is rendered on the device. Various workflows are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed which are capable of efficiently performing color management of a variable gloss color printing system. The methods and systems select at least one set of the linear color values corresponding to the color profile for the printing device (at the nominal gloss condition). The linear color values selected comprise those obtained from color values corresponding to each node of the color profile at the nominal gloss condition. In a colorimetric embodiment, the linear color values can comprise: tristimulus values XYZ; red, green, blue (RGB); or luminance component Y, and two chromatic components C1 and C2 (YCC). In a reflectance embodiment, the linear color values comprise reflectance spectra. This exemplary method adds an offset term to each of the linear color values to produce a corresponding set of modified linear color values, and generates a color profile for the printing device at the desired gloss condition based on the modified linear color values.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for compensating for differences between two spectrophotometers for accurate color control in a color management system. In one example embodiment, at least one print is generated on the digital color printing system incorporating an inline spectral reflectance measurement sensor. A spectral reflectance of the print is measured using an inline spectral reflectance measurement sensor. Spectral reflectance of the print is measured using a selected offline spectral reflectance measurement sensor. From the measurements, a sensor correction model is determined which transforms spectral measurements obtained from the inline sensor into spectra approximating what the offline sensor would measure. The sensor correction model is used to perform color management on the digital color printing system such that print output of the digital color printing system is accurate when measured on the offline sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for rendering tints of spot color objects or target colors between a spot color and a second color in image forming devices. In particular the systems and method provided allow for a sweep of a spot color to be rendered accurately, without discontinuities when transitioning from the tint to the solid spot color. The systems and method will prevent discontinuities even if the solid spot color has been modified by a user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite security element and a method for applying the same to a substrate (e.g., paper). The composite security element has a first pattern mark and a second pattern mark. The first pattern mark is marked in first (active) marking material (e.g., ink) and the second pattern mark is marked in second (passive) marking material. When exposed to light or radiation at wavelengths in the visible spectrum, the first and second pattern marks are indistinguishable from one another (to a naked human eye). When exposed to radiation at at least some wavelengths outside of the visible spectrum, the first and second pattern marks are distinguishable from one another (e.g., first pattern reacts to non-visible light). The first pattern mark may be a security mark or symbol, for example. The marking materials may be colorless. Both first and second pattern marks are also associated with similar gloss.

Abstract: Spot color tables, or spot color emulation colorant recipes are updated using information generated during a first and second process color related system calibration. Rather than separately calibrate, through trial and error, individual spot color emulation colorant recipes, information from the first and second general system calibrations is used to adjust spot color recipes. In one embodiment, processing an existing or initial spot color recipe through both a first system model and a second system model generates a device independent color difference. A colorant difference is then determined by transforming a predicted color difference according to estimated partial derivatives of aspects of the second system model, wherein the partial derivatives relate changes in colorant amounts to changes in parameter values of a machine independent color space.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for image quality (IQ) defect detection via classification of halftone dots present on customer prints. In one embodiment, spatially-varying thresholds are applied on the sensed image in order to classify the halftone dots for IQ defect detection. The resolving power of the sensor is characterized and the sensor responses to patches printed with the print device are characterized. A de-blurring filter is designed which is appropriate for compensating the characterized resolving power of the sensor. Image enhancement is applied to the image using the de-blurring filter. Halftone dots present on the prints are classified by analyzing the enhanced image with the results of the sensor response characterization. Once classified, single separation halftone dot images can be more readily analyzed for defects. The present method allows sensor resolution as low as the size of the halftone dots of the printer under test.

Abstract: An automated vehicle speed measurement and enforcement method and system. Traffic can be continuously monitored utilizing an image capturing unit and a controller. The speed of one or more vehicles within an effective field of view of the image capturing unit can be estimated. A burst of radiation from an associated remote sensing device can be triggered when a vehicle is detected having a speed greater than a predetermined value. An accurate speed of the vehicle can then be determined. Additionally, a transverse velocity component associated with the vehicle can be computed by the image capturing unit in order to thereafter apply the transverse velocity component to a reading generated by the remote sensing device to correct a cosine error with respect to the remote sensing device.

Abstract: A sensor used for determining area coverages of each colorant in a printed image is provided. The sensor includes a plurality of sensing elements for determining area coverages of each colorant in a printed image that includes a plurality of colorants including a black colorant. One of the sensing elements is an infrared sensing element configured to measure infrared reflection, and the others of the sensing elements are each configured to detect a visible color.

Abstract: A print defect management device that supports job-specific print defect management automatically assesses print job pages to determine the severity of image quality defects likely to occur on one or more selected printers. Views of identified troubled pages may be rendered to include approximations of color and image quality defects based on the original page image data, and each printer's color rendition data and defect data, thereby allowing troubled pages for one or more selected printers to be viewed prior to printing. Suggested changes may be automatically or manually applied. Once satisfied with the image quality of print job pages rendered for a specific printer, a user may submit the print job to the same printer, thereby assuring that the user's image quality expectations are met in the printed product. The device may support job-specific print defect management with both local and/or remote printers via LAN, WAN and/or Internet based connectivity.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining and capturing the designer intended colors in an image so that the printer has an accurate color rendition target. The present method operates by capturing the monitor RGB values together with the monitor profile to get a representation of the intended image in a device-independent color space like L*a*b*. The teachings hereof work for vector graphics as well as raster images. Advantageously, this invention solves a real problem currently existing, for example, in the packaging print market, wherein colors produced from multiple spot colors with their overlays and blends are not well color managed.