Abstract: The present invention relates to utilizing memory provided in a machine replaceable sub-assembly to be one medium of distribution for software code updates to that machine relating as to how that machine should use that replaceable sub-assembly. In one embodiment, there is provided a replaceable sub-assembly for use in a machine at various setpoints including a memory and further including upgraded executable instruction suitable for directing the machine to use the replaceable sub-assembly with different setpoints, where the upgraded executable instruction is stored in the memory. In this way, the replaceable sub-assembly becomes the medium for it's own or another's software updates.

Abstract: A method for processing digital images to be displayed, stored, or printed, to eliminate blooming and other artifacts. The system utilizes morphological processes to isolate and modify image structures susceptible to marking process artifacts and then combines the modified image structures with the input image to produce a printable image that may be rendered on a given printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a digital image using an imaging input device so as to reduce bleeding of the edges of the detected images comprising receiving a digitized image including at least one of a plurality of representations of objects, and processing the digitized image into at least one of a plurality of images of the digitized image. The processing step includes defining a plurality of bins having a plurality of edge points making up each of the plurality of images of the digitized image.

Abstract: A method for filtering digital data using techniques normally utilized for data compression prior to transmission or storage. These techniques include codebooks and codewords as found with vector quantization and the approach of using look-up tables as found in hierarchical vector quantization. The method described herein achieves exemplary filtering results by using the above techniques in an overlapping fashion rather than being directed in the usual manner so as to achieve data compression. The codewords thus generated by this series of overlapping look-up stages are approximations of the input data neighborhoods. The method achieves filtering by the processing and applying of a mapping function to these output codewords, thereby associating filter output values to the input digital data.

Abstract: A method for improving security with a printer and sensitive hardcopy output. The method comprises examining incoming print jobs for indication of sensitivity and need for increased security. Any such identified job when printed is monitored. This monitoring is accomplished by watching a sensor provided on the output bin. When the identified job is removed from the printer a message is sent to the originator of the print job with a time stamp indicating that the hardcopy output has been removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing supplemental counts or “clicks” to account for recovery conditions in a document processing system. The application of recovery counts combined with the system cycle count when suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear for a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life of a replaceable element in that system. In this manner the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

Abstract: A method for compressing digital image data to improve the efficiency of serial data transmission is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention accomplishes image compression by performing the most complex portions of a standard compression technique on a subset of the originally provided data utilizing a modified two-dimensional discrete cosine transform. The invention includes a fast JPEG compressor using a Haar transform with a conditional transform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing supplemental counts or “clicks” to account for recovery conditions in a document processing system. Furthermore, these recovery condition “clicks” will be further modified depending upon the type of recovery condition encountered. The application of recovery counts thus modified when combined with the system cycle count and suitably summed will provide superior measure of the wear for a replaceable element as well as improved indication for the determination of the end of life of a replaceable element in that system. In this manner, the more timely service or substitution for that replaceable element in the system can be provided, thereby allowing costs and service down-time to be minimized.

Abstract: A method and device for describing a complex color raster image as a collection of objects in a hierarchical and device independent format. The purpose of structured imaging (SI) is to expand the scope of a raster image to a collection of individually manipulable component objects. An SI is a hierarchical description of a single output image raster which may be used as one component of a page in a structured document. Objects contributing to the output raster may originate from text, graphics, other rasters or a combination thereof, and all maintain their heritage for selectability and modification. The SI describes not only the source data but also the image processing operations required for rendering the output raster. SI technology supports re-editability, customization and enhancement, automatic image assembly and high performance imaging. Thus, such a model has implications not only in an image editing and processing arena, but also in the filing and printing services used for image handling.

Abstract: A low ink sensing system is combined with an ink cartridge detection system to enable a more efficient ink jet printer. An ink container which supplies ink to an associated printhead is modified by the incorporation of two light directing elements, in the preferred embodiment, a curvilinear prism-like structure and a curvilinear roof mirror, into a transparent wall of the container housing. The cartridge, comprising the ink container and associated printhead, is mounted on a scan carriage. Periodically, the carriage is conveyed to a sensing station comprising a pair of light sources and a commonly used photosensor. A first light source is energized and a beam of light is directed to a location where the curvilinear roof mirror would be positioned if the cartridge is present. If the cartridge is absent, lack of a reflected return signal is sensed, indicating a cartridge has not been inserted. Print operation is halted until a cartridge is inserted.

Abstract: An improved ink jet head wherein an ink reservoir is provided in the ink jet channel. Such a arrangement improves the printhead latency and broadens the range of inks which may be suitably utilized. In one alternative, this ink reservoir is provided between the heater and the face of the printhead and is actually an expansion of the heater pit. In another alternative, this is accomplished by shifting the forward edge of the heater pit as provided in the thick polyimide (or other photopolymer) layer found sandwiched between a heater chip and a ODE channel chip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting clusters of a set of data items by using a histogram. This method includes receiving item data including coordinates of a metric space; dividing the metric space into a plurality of bins; associating a distance from at least a particular coordinate to each of the item data; inserting each of the item data into a bin within the distance of the item data so as to generate a histogram and, using the histogram to obtain one or more clusters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a color ink jet printer of the type which prints a swath of the image at a time with each transit across a sheet. An image may be optionally preprocessed with undercolor removal, so that each color pixel in the image is defined by black and, at most, two colored inks. Color will be deposited to print the image on forward and return transits of a multiple color printhead across a sheet. The colors and location printed in each transit are determined prior to the first transit, by determining first, which colors may be printed in the second transit irrespective of their order of deposit. The result of this determination is logically ANDed with a checkerboard pattern to determine printing locations. Then, the other required colors and locations for the image which will not be printed with the second transit are printed on a first transit. Each swath is printed with forward and reverse transits, with checkerboarding of the reverse transit to prevent head signature artifacts.

Abstract: A method for processing digital images to be displayed, stored, or printed, to eliminate blooming and other artifacts. The system utilizes morphological processes to isolate and modify image structures susceptible to marking process artifacts and then combines the modified image structures with the input image to produce a printable image that may be rendered on a given printer.

Abstract: A method for dicing small devices including MEMS, ink jet printheads, lasers etc. The method comprises making a first pass cut into a substrate with a blade of narrow kerf and having long wear characteristics. This first pass cut is then followed with a polishing blade of wider kerf having desirable smooth cutting qualities.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to minimize and prevent blooming problems in color image systems. Particular applicability is found where an image on image system is employed. The invention is inserted into the colorant driving signal path of the system. The invention places an averaging circuit in the path of one or more colorant driving signal streams. The averaging circuit produces an average value signal representative of a small area of its respective colorant. A modulator or other signal varying device responsive to the average value signal is placed in the path of yet another but separate colorant driving signal stream. In this manner the separate colorant driving signal is modulated or varied in response to the average neighboring value of a different color thus minimizing and preventing image blooming.

Abstract: A method for improving human interaction with a printer and its hardcopy output. The method comprises printing a first page and placing it into an output bin followed with a pause to allow for full drying of the print. However, this pause will be interrupted if the page is removed from the output bin and thereby expedite any subsequent printing output that may be queued follow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor cover glass for covering photosensitive chips for generating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found for example in a digital scanner, copier, facsimile machine, or other digital imaging device or system. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing a sensor cover glass with an infrared filter material for blocking infrared light from reaching the photosensitive chips. This system is particularly applicable to color input imaging devices or systems.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus allowing the application of two or more distinct halftone types in the rendering of a single image. The invention employs a halftone selector of a threshold type, or as an alternative a segmenter type. The halftone selector determines which areas of an image will receive which type of grayscale halftone treatment on a pixel by pixel basis. Examples of various halftone types include stochastic, clustered dot, line screen, and other high addressability types. Each pixel of data is treated by the appropriate halftoner circuit which in response outputs digital data. A controller circuit remaps the digital data into the appropriate width and position signals for a pulse width position modulator, including any other signals as needed for any additional inverter circuitry. The pulse width position modulator generates a video signal which may be inverted by the inverter circuit as responsive to the controller circuit remapping determination.

Abstract: An aid to the manipulation of microfabricated micro tools in manufacturing and assembly is disclosed. A sequence of micro tools and a manipulator are connected to one another via attachment links as a combination. The attachment links are optimized to readily allow severing of individual micro tools from the combination as needed. The manipulator provides an aid for handling the combination via probe, pliers, clasping, mating or other device. This facilitates human or machine interaction with the combination of micro tools, either for subsequent processing, or for the assembly of the micro tools into a completed product.