Abstract: A method of data processing is described for generating a screened bitmap in an adaptive manner. The page being printed is subdivided into a plurality of smaller areas, and the optimal screening method is selected based on the content of the data being processed. Areas of the page that primarily comprise of graphic elements and/or fonts are screened as part of the rendering process, while areas that are primarily continuous tone elements are screened as a secondary step after the rendering process.

Abstract: Lower resolution source data is synthesized to a higher resolution format for subsequent rendering on a lower resolution output device. Synthesis occurs by selecting or generating and using a synthesis template that represents a configuration of a plurality of pixel data in the higher resolution format into which the lower resolution source data is to be synthesized. A working or active pixel is identified from the lower resolution source data, a synthesis template is selected, and then the synthesis template pixel data is substituted for the working pixel for rendering on the output device. The synthesized higher resolution data is rendered in a manner such that dots represented by the synthesized data are formed interstitially relative to scan lines of the given lower raster/resolution capability of the output device. The working pixel is identified in the lower resolution data by recognizing a configuration of a plurality of pixel data adjacent the working pixel.

Abstract: Methods of providing lower resolution format data into higher resolution format are described. A laser printing system is provided having first and second lasers configured to receive and be driven by raster data. Image data, which is to be rendered onto a print medium is received in a first resolution format. The first resolution format is converted into a second resolution format which is greater than the first resolution format by mapping the image data to provide mapped image raster data in the second resolution format. The first laser is driven with a portion of the mapped image raster data, and the second laser is driven with another portion of the mapped image raster data.

Abstract: The present invention includes image forming devices, imaging assemblies, sensors, and methods of forming an image. One aspect of the present invention provides an image forming device including a housing configured to guide media along a media path: an input device configured to receive an image; a sensor adjacent the media path and configured to monitor the media and to generate a signal responsive to the monitoring; and an imager adjacent the media path and configured to provide developing material corresponding to the image upon the media according to an imaging parameter and to adjust the imaging parameter responsive to the signal.

Abstract: Methods of providing lower resolution format data into higher resolution format are described. In one embodiment a first predetermined amount of image data is provided which is to be rendered onto a print medium. The first predetermined amount of image data is provided in a first resolution format. Using the first predetermined amount of image data, the first predetermined amount of image data is replicated into multiple predetermined amounts of data sufficient to provide said first predetermined amount of image data into a second resolution format which is greater than the first resolution format. At least one laser beam in a laser printer system is modulated using the multiple predetermined amounts of data.

Abstract: Methods of providing lower resolution format data into higher resolution format are described. In one embodiment a first predetermined amount of image data is provided which is to be rendered onto a print medium. The first predetermined amount of image data is provided in a first resolution format. Using the first predetermined amount of image data, the first predetermined amount of image data is replicated into multiple predetermined amounts of data sufficient to provide said first predetermined amount of image data into a second resolution format which is greater than the first resolution format. At least one laser beam in a laser printer system is modulated using the multiple predetermined amounts of data.

Abstract: An imaging device is enabled to stabilize toner mass usage by implementing a closed loop feedback system. Actual toner mass per area used is compared with a target mass per area reference to produce an error signal for modifying toner consumption in the imaging device. A method for stabilizing toner mass consumption in an imaging device includes calculating first indicia indicative of an actual mass per area of toner consumed in the imaging device, comparing the first indicia with second indicia indicative of a target mass per area of toner consumed, and modifying toner consumption in the imaging device based on the comparing. In a preferred embodiment, a toner level sensed is compared to an original toner reference amount to produce a toner mass used. Pixels rendered are tracked to calculate a total area imaged relative to a time frame established in association with the original toner reference amount. The total mass used is divided by the total area imaged to produce the actual mass per area used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image forming devices, fusing assemblies and methods of forming an image. According to one aspect of the invention, an image forming device includes a housing including a media path configured to guide media in a downstream direction within the housing; an input device configured to receive an image; a developing assembly adjacent the media path and configured to provide developing material; a sensor adjacent the media path and configured to determine a qualitative characteristic of the media and to generate a signal indicative of the qualitative characteristic; and a fuser adjacent the media path and configured to adjust a fusing parameter responsive to the signal and to fuse the developing material corresponding to the image to the media and according to the fusing parameter.

Abstract: The present invention includes image forming devices, imaging assemblies, sensors, and methods of forming an image. One aspect of the present invention provides an image forming device including a housing configured to guide media along a media path; an input device configured to receive an image; a sensor adjacent the media path and configured to monitor the media and to generate a signal responsive to the monitoring; and an imager adjacent the media path and configured to provide developing material corresponding to the image upon the media according to an imaging parameter and to adjust the imaging parameter responsive to the signal.

Abstract: Text and line art image data is distinguished from halftone image data for selectively enhanced rendering thereof. Specifically, a method of rendering a raster pixel image from a stored bitmap includes (i) determining whether an orphan pixel is detected within a bounded sampling window of the bitmap, and, (ii) processing at least one selected pixel of the bitmap within the sampling window relative to the determining of whether an orphan pixel is detected. In general, an orphan pixel is defined as an isolated white or black pixel in a halftone image. In one embodiment, an orphan pixel is recognized as having a predefined pixel value and as having no other pixels with that value adjacent thereto within the sampling window. In the event an orphan pixel is detected within the window, then the bitmap within the window is determined to be halftone image data and the selected pixel is processed accordingly.

Abstract: A printing system for printing multiple colors on a sheet of print media includes an electrophotographic printer having a photoconductor drum and a transfer roller configured to interact in co-rotation with the drum during transfer of a color image plane from the drum onto a sheet of print media passed therebetween. A paper drive sheet feeder system is included which has a grit shaft extending generally transverse of a paper travel path, a first pinch roller configured to interact in co-rotation with the grit shaft along a first edge of a sheet of print media, and a second pinch roller configured to interact in co-rotation with the grit shaft along a second edge of the sheet of print media. The grit shaft is driven in rotation to drive the sheet of print media along a bidirectional sheet travel path such that a plurality of different colored image planes is superposed onto the sheet of print media in accurate registration therebetween. A method for printing multiple colors is also described.

Abstract: A toner projection printer is provided with a developer surface which manifests a developer bias, and includes a cloud of entrained toner particles. A platen structure is positioned opposed to the developer surface and manifests a platen voltage that is attractive to the toner particles. An address plate is positioned between the developer surface and the platen structure. The address plate includes a determined thickness insulator with through pixel apertures. Each pixel aperture has at least first and second conductors that are electrically insulated from each other by the insulator, and a screen electrode for distorting the electric field between the address plate and the platen structure in a manner to reduce toner spreading. A first drive circuit is coupled to the first conductor for controllably applying a row drive voltage which is either a reference potential that exerts a repulsive force on the toner particles or a high voltage which is attractive to the toner particles.

Abstract: A color printer incorporating the invention hereof includes an ionographic image projection head which employs AC and DC potentials to provide an ion pool from which ions may be projected onto a movable dielectric surface. Plural developer modules are arranged about the dielectric surface, each developer module including an ion imaging head and a color toner module. Each developer module, after ion-beam imaging the movable dielectric surface, develops the charge image on the dielectric surface by bringing it into contact with a single color toner module. A processor controls each ionographic image projection head and each associated toner module to immediately apply the color toner after imaging of the dielectric surface. A transfer station is located downstream from the plural developer modules and enables transfer of the full color toned image from the dielectric surface to a sheet after a single pass of the dielectric surface past the plural developer modules.

Abstract: Various laser patterns for vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are disclosed. The patterns utilize lasers with different size apertures. By utilizing these laser patterns, an image forming system is able to form images with improved resolution and halftoning. Apparatus and method implementations which use these laser patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention comprises a single-component dendrimeric toner particle, and methods of making and using the toner particle in the liquid EP process. By using dendrimeric chemistry, a dendrimeric toner particle may be made that has controlled content, structure and size and that includes a colorant, a binder, and a charge director. The toner particles made this way will have high uniformity, so that toner dispersions containing them may be made to have good stability, print performance, and quality control. The colorant of choice for the toner particle is made the core of the dendrimer toner particle. Dendrons, which are made of generations of building or polymer units, branch out from the core and include a resin or other binder molecule, for binding the colorant to the paper in the EP process. One or more of the final polymer units, located at the terminus of the dendrons, comprise a coordinating or chelating agent for the toner charge director.

Abstract: A system and method for electrophotographic printing an image with a plurality of toners, where the plurality of toners includes toners that are attracted to either a first charge potential or a second charge potential. The electrophotographic system includes a photoconductive surface that is charged to the second charge potential. A laser selectively discharges the photoconductive surface to the first charge potential in accordance the image to be printed. Those toners that are attracted to the first charge potential are applied to the photoconductive surface, wherein the toners are electrostatically attracted to those areas of the photoconductive surface that are at the first charge potential. The photoconductive surface again charged to the second charge potential. The photoconductive surface is again discharged to the first charge potential in accordance with those areas of the image to which those toners that are attracted to the second charge potential are to be repelled.

Abstract: The invention is a positive charge director for liquid electrographic toners. The charge director comprises a very strongly chelating functional group covalently bonded in the resin coating or pigment component, or an intrinsic part of the pigment component, of the toner particle, and a very weakly associated, preferably ionic, molecule dispersed in the liquid phase to achieve charge separation. The strong chelation site on the resin is prepared, via well-known polymer chemistry. For the ionic molecule, preferred cations are those with no regulatory, health or environmental issues, such as K+, Na+, Ca.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+, Zn.sup.2+, Zr.sup.4+, Mg.sup.2+, ammonium (NH.sub.4 +), and organic cations.The chelate-containing resin is brought into dispersion with the liquid phase containing the ionic molecule. When this is done, the equilibria that compete for the cation are such that it is released from the ionic molecule and bound in the chelate.

Abstract: The invention is a negative charge director for liquid electrographic toners. The charge director comprises a very weakly associating, charged functional group covalently bonded in the resin coating of the toner particle, and a very strongly chelating, preferably neutrally charged, molecule dispersed in the liquid phase to achieve charge separation. The weak association site on the resin is prepared, via well-known ion-exchange chemistry, in the metal form desired. Preferred metals are those with no regulatory, health or environmental issues, such as K+, Na+, Ca.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+, Zn.sup.2+, Zr.sup.4+, Mg.sup.2+, ammonium (NH.sub.4 +), and organic cations.The cation-associated resin is brought into dispersion with the solution phase chelating molecule. When this is done, the equilibria that compete for the cation are such that it is released from the resin and bound in the chelate.

Abstract: An imaging system incorporating the invention includes a movable photoconductive surface, and an electrostatic system for repetitively charging the photoconductive surface to a first charge potential. A laser system selectively discharges the photoconductive surface to a second charge potential in accordance with image signals. A color toner supply provides color toner to the photoconductive surface, the color toner exhibiting a charge state that is attracted by the second charge potential and is repelled by the first charge potential. An adhesive toner supply provides adhesive toner to the photoconductive surface, the adhesive toner exhibiting an opposite sense charge state to the color toner. The adhesive toner is attracted by the first charge potential and is repelled by the second charge potential. A controller causes the color toner to be applied to the photoconductive surface and the entire photoconductive surface is recharged.

Abstract: Image development and transfer apparatus for use in electrophotographic color printers and including a photoconductor, such as either a photoconductive drum or belt, which is spaced from sources of liquid color toners. An intermediate transport film is driven around a section of the photoconductor surface and between this surface and the sources of liquid color toners. Thus, the latent image developed on the surface of the photoconductor is transferred from the surface of the photoconductor to the outer surface of the intermediate transport film where the composite color image is developed. Then, this composite color image is transferred directly onto a print receiving media. Consequently, the photoconductor is not exposed to heat or carrier fluids during the image transfer and development process. This novel feature not only improves overall print quality on the printed media, but additionally extends the useful lifetime of the photoconductor.