Abstract: A method for controlling tension in a print media in a tension zone of a printing system comprises enabling an active tension control mode until the tension in the print media is in a stable state for a given period of time, and then switching to a synchronized control mode. The tension is monitored to determine if it exceeds a tension inner band but does not exceed a tension outer band while in the synchronized control mode. The speed of drive rollers is adjusted in response to this determination. The tension is also monitored to determine if it exceeds the tension outer band while in the synchronized control mode. The synchronized control mode is disabled in response to this determination and the active tension control mode is enabled. The frequency of speed adjustments is lesser in the synchronized control mode than in the active tension control mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling tension in a print media in a tension zone of a printing system comprises enabling an active tension control mode until the tension in the print media is in a stable state for a given period of time. Then, the active tension control mode is disabled and a synchronized control mode is enabled. The tension in the print media is monitored to determine if the tension exceeds a tension inner band but does not exceed a tension outer band while the synchronized control mode is enabled. The speed of a drive roller is adjusted in response to this determination. The tension in the print media is also monitored to determine if the tension exceeds the tension outer band while the synchronized control mode is enabled. The synchronized control mode is disabled in response to this determination and the active tension control mode is enabled.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) forms a latent indicium onto a sensitized medium, using an area energy source (26) for applying a substantially uniform sensitizing energy over an area of the sensitized medium and a pixel exposure source (30) for applying radiant energy to expose a pattern of pixels (14) onto the area of the sensitized medium for forming the indicium.

Abstract: A method for forming a pixel (20) having a predetermined density onto a sensitized recording medium moving in a length direction energizes a pixel exposure source (14) to begin exposure at the leading edge (34) of a pixel (20) and for a first predetermined time interval. The pixel exposure source (14) is de-energized for a period depending on the predetermined density and on media transport speed, then re-energized at the termination of the period. The pixel exposure source (14) is then de-energized at the end of a second predetermined time interval to terminate exposure at the trailing edge (36) of the pixel (20), whereby spatial dimensions of each pixel (20) are maintained at variable transport speed or density of pixel (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recording a watermark pattern on a color recording medium that forms an image using a number N of colorants, the method comprising the step of forming the watermark pattern using at least two colorants, but fewer than N colorants.

Abstract: A method for forming a pixel (20) having a predetermined density onto a sensitized recording medium moving in a length direction energizes a pixel exposure source (14) to begin exposure at the leading edge (34) of a pixel (20) and for a first predetermined time interval. The pixel exposure source (14) is de-energized for a period depending on the predetermined density and on media transport speed, then re-energized at the termination of the period. The pixel exposure source (14) is then de-energized at the end of a second predetermined time interval to terminate exposure at the trailing edge (36) of the pixel (20), whereby spatial dimensions of each pixel (20) are maintained at variable transport speed or density of pixel (20).

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a watermark pattern along a length of photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium having a frame pitch in the length direction that is the sum of an image frame height plus an interframe distance. The method exposes watermark tiles contiguously along the length of the photosensitive medium, wherein each watermark tile has a height dimension that is an integral divisor of the frame pitch.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a watermark pattern along a length of photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium having a frame pitch in the length direction that is the sum of an image frame height plus an interframe distance. The method exposes watermark tiles contiguously along the length of the photosensitive medium, wherein each watermark tile has a height dimension that is an integral divisor of the frame pitch.

Abstract: A cassette (10) for storing media in sheet form is described. The cassette (10) has urging means (26) for urging a stack of media items (34) to one end (24) of the cassette (10), such as a media pick area (22). The cassette (10) also has sensing means (52) for determining the size of the stack of media items (34) remaining in the cassette (10). The cassette (10) includes display means (50) for displaying to an external viewer, such as a replenisher, an indication of the size of the stack of media items (34) remaining within the cassette (10).

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) includes an adaptable fascia (12). The fascia (12) has a first appearance when not in use, and a second, different appearance when a user has been identified by the terminal (10). This enables a card issuer to associate its corporate color scheme with a user, so that when the user operates the terminal (10), the terminal can adapt the fascia to present the color scheme of the card issuer in a method of use.

Abstract: A cassette (10) for storing media in sheet form is described. The cassette (10) has urging means (26) for urging a stack of media items (34) to one end (24) of the cassette (10), such as a media pick area (22). The cassette (10) also has sensing means (52) for determining the size of the stack of media items (34) remaining in the cassette (10). The cassette (10) includes display means (50) for displaying to an external viewer, such as a replenisher, an indication of the size of the stack of media items (34) remaining within the cassette (10).