Abstract: A method for utilizing redundant color inks to improve image quality while minimizing any undesirable effects such as texture or graininess. The method comprises tessellating the available redundant color space as defined by the available redundant ink colorants into regions where the regions are arranged so as to minimize the range of luminance variation found within the regions. The result is perceived by the eye as less grainy in texture as well as much more pleasing to the eye.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Moiré-free color halftone configuration for clustered dots. Unlike conventional methods, the disclosed method produces periodic hexagon rosettes of identical shapes. These exemplary hexagon rosettes have three fundamental spatial frequencies exactly equal to half of the fundamental frequency of the three halftone screens. The resultant halftone outputs are truly Moiré free, as all the fundamentals and harmonic frequencies are multiples of and thus higher in frequency than the rosette fundamental frequency. The halftone outputs resulting from the employment of the exemplary rosette design methodology provided herein, are also robust to the typical misregistration among color separations commonly found in color systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to providing a user interface for the effective generation of differential gloss images. The user is instructed to indicate the base primary image data, and the desired gloss image data. This data may be displayed for verification and position adjustment by superimposition of the gloss image data upon the base image data. In an alternative, the placement information may be inferred from the position of originals upon the scanner or copier platen and the result may or may not be displayed. By selectively applying halftones with different anisotropic structure orientation characteristics to the base primary image data as directed by the desired gloss image data, a differential gloss image file or hardcopy may be provided.

Abstract: A method for reduction of differential gloss as found in hardcopy image prints. The method comprises selecting a first halftone having a high apparent gloss characteristic and a second halftone having a low apparent gloss characteristic while retaining an identical matching density characteristic to the first selected halftone. a A determination is then made of which areas of the halftone image correspond to potentially high gloss and low gloss regions under normal printing conditions. The first halftone is applied to those portions of the halftone image determined as corresponding to potentially low gloss regions, and the second halftone is applied to those portions of the halftone image determined as corresponding to potentially high gloss regions of the halftone image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expanding the range of image densities over which the manipulation of differential gloss as may be inherent in halftoned images may be achieved. By selectively applying halftones with anisotropic structure characteristics which are significantly different in orientation while remaining identical in density, a gloss image may be superimposed within an image without the need for special toners or paper. This technique may be enhanced across low and high density areas by application of clear toner. Further, in color systems, light color toner may be applied to low density image areas and dark under-color applied in high density image areas, to expand the range of image densities over which a desired glossmark image will bear an effect.

Abstract: A method and system for classifying images between natural pictures and synthetic graphics is provided. In embodiments of the invention, a picture/graphic classification method and system implements one-dimensional color discreteness features, two-dimensional color discreteness features, or three-dimensional color discreteness features for image classification of natural pictures and synthetic graphics. In another embodiment of the invention, a picture/graphic combination classification method and system implements one-dimensional color discreteness features, two-dimensional color discreteness features, and/or three-dimensional color discreteness features is used to classify images between natural picture and synthetic graphic classes.

Abstract: By providing a secure EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) device or other non-volatile memory (NVM) in an arrangement of a master key system operation key (SOK) plus any subsequently installed SOK to control the configurable machine option attributes, various problems associated with machine option configuration and updates may be accommodated. At the initial install of either SOK type the identity of the machine is written to the NVM, i.e. the machine serial number. This is performed during the initial machine power up or reboot sequence. If the SOK type is a subsequently installed SOK, the option code(s) from the subsequently installed SOK are written to the master key SOK. As part of the power on or reboot routine the machine will check to ensure no tampering has taken place and that the machine identity and the NVM serial number location data match.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the segmentation of an image into a main area and a image segment for variable data differential gloss image control. A single color is selected. Two or more different color definitions are created by combining the selected single color with two or more halftones having anisotropic structure characteristics which are significantly different in orientation to each other while remaining identical in density. By alternatively assigning the color definitions to the image segment in accord with the variable data content, a variable data differential gloss image may be superimposed within an image having reduced data processing and storage requirements.

Abstract: By providing a secure EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) device or other non-volatile memory (NVM) as a system operation key (SOK) to control the configurable machine option attributes, various problems associated with machine option configuration and updates may be accommodated. At initial SOK install the identity of the machine is written to the NVM, i.e. the machine serial number. This is performed during the initial machine power up or reboot sequence. As part of the power on or reboot routine the machine will check to ensure no tampering has taken place and that the machine identity and the NVM serial number location data match. A new swapped in SOK can be installed so long as the NVM serial number location has not been previously written to with a conflicting identification number. The machine will then write the serial number to the new SOK thereby protecting it.

Abstract: Provided herein are teachings directed to calibrating an output device such as a color display, using a visual method of determining the gamma for the blue primary that is easier to perform and more consistent than methodologies employing a luminance-matching task. The methodology is based on the insight that accurate gamma estimation for blue is important not for luminance reproduction, but for proper color-balance, and most importantly grey-balance. Thus, it follows to use grey-balancing, rather than luminance-matching, as the criterion for selecting the blue gamma value. One variant as taught herein is to provide a user visual task to find a patch best representing neutral, given previously determined calibrated digital values for the red and green primaries that produce 50% fractional luminance. A large patch is displayed within a larger surround containing both a white border and either a checkerboard or a line pattern, so as to establish a reference for the neutral axis.

Abstract: A method for reduction of differential gloss as found in halftone image hardcopy prints. The method comprises selecting either a single halftone or employing two halftones: a first halftone having a high apparent gloss characteristic; and a second halftone having a low apparent gloss characteristic. A determination is then made of which areas of the halftone image correspond to potentially high gloss and low gloss regions under normal printing conditions. An overlay of clear toner is applied to the hardcopy print of the halftone image. In one approach a single halftone is employed to control the physical area coverage of the applied clear toner layer so as to adjust the local gloss across for the determined regions and thereby balance the evenness of gloss across the entire hardcopy print of the halftone image. Greater physical area coverage is provided as controlled by the single halftone in low gloss regions, and corresponding less physical area coverage is provided in the low gloss regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to creating differential gloss images in clear toner by the manipulation of halftones employed prior to the depositing of the clear toner layer upon a substrate. By selectively applying halftones with anisotropic structure characteristics which are significantly different in orientation although remaining identical in density, a differential gloss image may be superimposed within even clear toner as applied to paper. Further, this technique may be used to enhance color toner Glossmark images across the low and high density areas of application where the differential gloss effect would otherwise be weak.

Abstract: An improved waveguide shuttle optical switch design which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a waveguide shuttle platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alternative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: An improved cantilever beam optical switch design which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a cantilever beam platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alterative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: Selective edge softening and selective edge dithering is introduced into an image representation to improve local control where halo problems are expected. Selective areas of dilation are isolated and separately dithered or halftoned, the result of which is then swapped back into or substituted for the stored original image. In this manner misregistration and color plane-to-plane interactions can be compensated for in plural image forming station architecture systems. The same technique is also valuable in monochrome systems as an aid to overcoming edge displacement and slow toner problems when the selective edge softening is selectively applied to edges which are in particular perpendicular to the fast scan direction.

Abstract: Selective edge softening and selective edge dithering is introduced into an image representation to improve local control where halo problems are expected. Selective areas of dilation are isolated and separately dithered or halftoned, the result of which is then swapped back into or substituted for the stored original image. In this manner misregistration and color plane-to-plane interactions can be compensated for in plural image forming station architecture systems. The same technique is also valuable in monochrome systems as an aid to overcoming edge displacement and slow toner problems when the selective edge softening is selectively applied to edges which are in particular perpendicular to the fast scan direction.

Abstract: By providing a secure EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) device or other non-volatile memory (NVM) with a wireless interface as a system operation key (SOK) to control the configurable machine option attributes, various problems associated with machine option configuration and updates may be accommodated. At initial SOK install the identity of the machine is written to the NVM, i.e. the machine serial number. This is performed during the initial machine power up or reboot sequence. As part of the power on or reboot routine the machine will check via the wireless interface to ensure no tampering has taken place and that the machine identity and the NVM serial number location data match. A new swapped in SOK can be installed so long as the NVM serial number location has not been previously written to with a conflicting identification number. The machine will then write the serial number to the new SOK thereby protecting it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manipulation of differential gloss as may be inherent in halftoned images by utilization of tags. By selectively applying halftones with anisotropic structure characteristics, which are significantly different in orientation while remaining identical in density, as directed by tag settings, a gloss image may be superimposed within an image without the need for special toners or paper. Conventional copier systems will not typically be able to copy such a superimposed gloss image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manipulation of differential gloss as may be inherent in halftoned images. By selectively applying halftones with anisotropic structure characteristics which are significantly different in orientation while remaining identical in density, a gloss image may be superimposed within an image without the need for special toners or paper. Conventional copier systems will not typically be able to copy such a superimposed gloss image.

Abstract: A method for improving human interaction with a printer and its hardcopy output. The method provides printing a print job and placing it into an output bin followed with a pause before printing a banner page for that print job. However, this banner will not be printed if the print job is removed from the output bin before the pause concludes and thus thereby expedites any subsequent printing of output that may follow. This allows the individual to pick up their print job immediately without accruing the expense or waste of printing a banner sheet.