Abstract: A method of printing an image with a printer having magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) toning capability, the method comprising the steps of: converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of one or more edge pixels or interior pixels independently, thereby altering the concentration of magnetizable substances within the image when printed in order to improve the readability of printed characters by reading instrumentation.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling raster image data in multiple directions. One embodiment of the present invention comprises obtaining input scan lines containing a raster image and obtaining at least one scaling value. The method involves a process for altering the length of the scan lines to produce modified scan lines. The method also involves the generation of a plurality of masks, wherein the masks comprise a number of selected bits, and wherein the number of selected bits is based on the scaling value. The method processes sequences of the modified scan lines with individual masks to produce a plurality of output scan lines. The output scan lines are configured to form a raster image having a modified scale in multiple directions.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for generating a gray level rendered pixel value that has been subjected to a halftoning process. In the method and apparatus a gray level pixel value of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is provided as one input to a lookup table. A coordinate value that is determined from a pixel location in the image of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is also provided as a second input to the lookup table. The first and second inputs represent an address in the lookup table of a rendered halftone value for halftone rendering of the pixel having the input gray value and the pixel location in the image.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method of generating setup instructions for use with a printing system having connected thereto one or more finishing devices. The inventions involves printing a sheet of setup instructions which the operator carries to the finishing device to be setup, so that the operator may refer to the printed instructions while setting up the finishing device. The printed sheet allows more extensive, clear instructions to be communicated to the operator than is possible on the printer user interface. The method also involves automatically placing one or more print jobs on hold during setup, until the operator has finished setting up the system and released the job.

Abstract: A method and system, for component replacement, which use a combination of replaceable component life tracking and error condition occurrence history to identify the need for component replacement.

Abstract: Provision is made for identifying selected pages of a document to be automatically sent for printing to one of two or more printing devices. As an example, specific pages can be flagged for printing on a color device while remaining pages stay in default mode, which could be pre-selected as a particular black and white printing device. Upon submission of the job for printing, black images are automatically sent to the black and white device while color pages are sent to a specified color device. The original job remains intact and particular page level settings remain with the job for future use.

Abstract: Automatically maintaining, for life tracking purposes, the correct set of replaceable components in systems with variable configurations and replaceable components using replaceable component data from four sources to determine the correct set of replaceable components for life tracking purposes. The four sources are: 1) hardware driven sensor data provided by the low level system control computer, 2) machine modification data from the list of upgrades that have been performed on the system, 3) configuration specific replaceable component data based on the replaceable component information that is known about each possible system configuration, and 4) replaceable component information obtained by prompting the field service engineer for any supplemental information that cannot be determined automatically from the first three sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the transmission of multiple control characters of the same type to a receiver to improve the retention of transmitter to receiver synchronization in a noisy environment having receiver code that is less complex and does not require an increase in the bandwidth of the system since the control codes are already utilized to initiate other functions. Detection of any of the control characters of the same type by the receiver allows the receiver to maintain proper synchronization. The receiver will detect these control signals and anticipate the occurrence of an event within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An edge enhancement processing system and method for modifying image data at certain pixel locations to include gray scale image data so as to reduce jaggedness in the image. An adjustable threshold device establishes a binary pixel value for an incoming current gray level pixel in accordance with a thresholding criterion. An operator accessible input to the thresholding device is used by the operator to adjust the threshold value in the thresholding criterion. A current binary pixel formed in accordance with the thresholding criterion and neighboring pixels also so formed in accordance with the thresholding criterion are examined in accordance with predetermined criteria for determining adjustment of the current pixel to a gray scale value to reduce edge jaggedness of the image. Generally, adjustment of the thresholding value is made in instances where under color removal and/or gray component replacement is employed.

Abstract: An automatic process of setting control set-points, control rates, calibrations, timing parameters and maximum density levels for color modules within a color print engine by utilizing addressable settings of multiple configurable parameters for each color module. The parameters can be independently controlled and maintained. Each color module maintains a list of parameters by storing the parametric values in a non-volatile memory. At initialization, the parameters for each module are read out of the non-volatile memory to set the correct settings for the specific color module.