Abstract: A method of computing swath data in response to a digital image having a plurality of rows and columns of pixels, each pixel having a multitone code value, the swath data suitable for commanding an inkjet printer containing at least one printhead having plurality of nozzles, wherein the inkjet printer is capable of ejecting ink drops in response to the swath data.

Abstract: A tray for receiving printed media from a printer, the tray including a print well, a ramp and at least two side walls. There is at least one support member extending from the tray adapted to engage the printer and position the tray such that the print well is laterally offset from the exit slot of the printer and prints exiting from the printer overhang one of the side walls of the tray. A ledge feature projects from the side wall that exiting prints overhang, the ledge feature configured to bias movement of the printed media exiting the printer and in contact the ledge feature to fall into the print well.

Abstract: A system wherein already-existing computing and memory resources in an electronic camera are used to process an image for printing. Rather than duplicating, in printers, computing and memory resources that are already in digital cameras, significant computing and memory resources need exist only in the camera. A digital camera can support many different printers, each with its own set of parameters such as for example print size, pixel size, colorimetry, sensitometry, and artifacts compensation. Printer parameters are uploaded from the printer to the camera to provide a basis for image processing specific to the associated printer; whereby compensation may be done for variations in the printer characteristics which may occur as a result of printer manufacturing variations, and further so that compensation may be done for different media types which may be installed in the printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining defective heating resistors Ri in each of a plurality of inkjets in an inkjet printer, wherein each heating resistor Ri is connected in parallel with a common capacitor, the method for each heating resistor Ri includes providing a variable power supply effective in a first condition to produce a first operating DC voltage and, in a second condition, to produce a second known test DC voltage Vt, and inserting a known reference resistor Rr in series with the heating resistor Ri and capacitor and also open circuiting the capacitor in response to sensing that the power supply has changed from the first condition to the second condition. The method and apparatus further include digitizing the voltage Vi at the electrical junction between the heating resistor Ri and the reference resistor Rr, and using the digitized voltage to determine if the heating resistor Ri is defective.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting chad in a paper printer including a paper supply, a cutting mechanism for cutting the paper perpendicular to the path of the paper and a diverter flap positioned downstream of the cutting mechanism, the diverter flap being biased to reside in a first position defining a first path for chad to travel to be delivered into a receptacle, the diverter flap moving to a second position when a cut sheet falls thereon thereby allowing the cut sheet to travel a second path into a receiving tray.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having an expandable ink container biased to expand and configured to receive refill ink and an ink reservoir to provide refill ink to the expandable ink container. The printer also has an electronic volume detector to detect a refill value and a full value of the volume of the expandable ink container. The flow of refill ink begins when the volume of the expandable ink container decreases to the refill value and ceases when the volume of the expandable ink container increases to the full value.

Abstract: An ink container for an ink jet printer adapted to supply ink via a tube to an ink jet cartridge. The cartridge includes a bottle, a cap engaging the bottle to form an ink containing cavity, an ink exit channel from the ink containing cavity through the cap, an air inlet channel through the cap into the ink containing cavity, and an air entrance opening from the air inlet channel into the ink containing cavity. The air entrance opening has a perimeter to area ratio that is greater than 2/R where R is the equivalent radius of the air entrance opening. This perimeter to area ratio (or shape factor) allows for easy formation and break off of bubbles at the air inlet channel. If such bubbles remain attached to the air inlet opening they can prevent some of the ink in the container from flowing therefrom for printing.

Abstract: A sensing system is described for detecting the presence of ink at a predetermined level in an ink reservoir for an ink jet printer. The reservoir includes a perimetric wall having first and second wall sections, wherein at least a portion of said first wall section and a portion of the second wall section are substantially transmissive to light. A light emitter is located proximate to the first wall section and positioned at the predetermined level. A photo detector is positioned at the predetermined level and located proximate to the second wall section for detecting the light emitted from the light emitter, the light emitter being oriented to direct light at the photodetector. The light from the light emitter follows a first path when ink is present in the reservoir at the predetermined level and follows a second path when ink is not present in the reservoir at the predetermined level, the photodetector receiving the light from the light emitter traveling only one of the first path or the second path.

Abstract: An ink container for an ink delivery system in an inkjet printer, the ink container including a bottle for holding a supply of ink, a cap attached to the bottle to form a hermetic seal therebetween, the cap including an air inlet channel and an ink exit channel, and a color indicator ring having a key projecting therefrom. The color indicator ring resides between the ink bottle and the cap and is capable of being fixed in a plurality of predetermined orientations, with each orientation corresponding to a predetermined angle between the key and a line defined by the air inlet channel and the ink exit channel. The inkjet printer includes a plurality of receptacles, each adapted to receive a corresponding ink container containing an ink of a different or predetermined color. Each receptacle has an ink reservoir attached at the base thereof and includes a vertically oriented groove located at a predetermined position on the sidewall of the base.

Abstract: A method for ink jet printing a plurality of pixels corresponding to a digital image including pixels of image data is taught using a half toning algorithm wherein droplets of two different volumes are formed. The method includes the steps of determining if the print command is invalid by examining previously formed adjacent print commands; replacing an invalid print command with a valid print command resulting in a modified error value to be diffused; and diffusing the modified error value in accordance the half toning algorithm.

Abstract: A method of making a light diffusing microfilm, includes providing a carrier substrate; coating a coating fluid onto the carrier substrate; drying the coating fluid on the carrier substrate to form a releasable light diffusing microfilm on the carrier substrate; and separating the light diffusing microfilm from the carrier substrate.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a color imaging system is provided. The method comprises obtaining first data indicative of output of the color imaging system. The first data is processed, to yield second data, according to a color appearance model that varies in accordance with neutrality of colors indicated by the first data. Other methods are provided as well as systems and computer program products for characterizing color imaging systems and devices and for producing colors.

Abstract: Improved color image display accuracy can be achieved across a computer network by obtaining information characterizing the color response of display devices associated with a client residing on the computer network, and using the information to modify color images delivered to the client. The information may include a gamma estimate. In one embodiment, the gamma estimate is limited to only the green color channel, without reference to the gammas for the red and blue channels. In this manner, the gamma estimate concentrates on the most dominant color channel and avoids errors that can arise due to the red-blue imbalances that are highly prevalent in many display devices. The information can be obtained, for example, by guiding the client through a color profiling process that profiles the color response of the display device. For example, such guidance may take the form of a series of instructional web pages that are delivered to the client.

Abstract: A method of film fabrication is taught that uses a coating and drying apparatus to fabricate resin films suitable for optical applications. In particular, cellulose acetate films are prepared by simultaneous application of multiple liquid layers to a moving carrier substrate. After solvent removal, the cellulose acetate films are peeled from the sacrificial carrier substrate. Cellulose acetate films prepared by the current invention exhibit good dimensional stability and low birefringence.

Abstract: A thermal printer is adapted to prevent crease formation in successive dye transfer areas of a dye donor web that can cause line artifacts to be printed on a dye receiver during dye transfer from each dye transfer area to the dye receiver in a dye transfer printer.

Abstract: A method for heat treatment of printing plates includes arranging a plurality of printing plates into a stack, interspersing a plurality of thermally conductive plates at a plurality of levels in the stack, and placing the stack of plurality of printing plates with the interspersed conductive plates in an ambient of heated medium, wherein the conductive plates are larger laterally than the printing plates such that portions of the top and bottom surfaces of the conductive plates are exposed to the ambient of heated medium and thereby collect and conduct heat into the interior regions of the stack where the conductive plates are in thermal contact with, heating the interior regions up at a higher rate than would be achieved without the conductive plates in place.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid injection system (12) for an environmental scanning electron microscope. The liquid injection system comprises a liquid firing device (18) for firing a liquid and a heat transfer system (17, 22, 24). The heat transfer system functions to maintain the liquid below its boiling point at an operating pressure within the specimen chamber of the environmental scanning electron microscope. The invention also provides an environmental scanning electron microscope incorporating a liquid injection system according to the present invention. The invention provides a simple and robust system for enabling investigation of the liquid injection system within an environmental or variable pressure scanning electron microscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for light leakage compensation in a multi-channel display device. The invention may be particularly useful in calculating single-channel emission spectra for liquid crystal displays (LCD). In order to accurately model and calibrate a display device, an accurate spectral output estimate for each of the individual color channels is needed. The invention provides techniques to compensate for light leakage from adjacent color channels that cause hue shifts in the images reconstructed by the display device. In accordance with the invention, a light leakage emission spectrum can be determined for each color channel of a display based on a measured emission spectrum for the display at a minimum level and assumed emission spectra for light sources in the display. A single-channel emission spectrum is the difference between a cumulative color channel emission spectrum measurement and the light leakage spectra of adjacent color channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are taught for cutting a sheet material comprising the steps of engaging a first side of the laminated web structure with a crack initiator having a high rake angle, the crack initiator extending from a first cutter base having a low rake angle; simultaneously engaging a second side of the laminated web structure with a second cutter; generating a first crack in the first side of the laminated web structure with the crack initiator; generating a second crack in the second side of the laminated web structure with the second cutter; and propagating the first crack and the second crack to intersect. The crack initiator extends from a cutter base to a height of at least 5 ?m. The high rake angle of the crack initiator is in the range of from about 30° to about 70°. The cutter base has a low rake angle that is at least about 15° less than the high rake angle of the crack initiator.

Abstract: A method of film fabrication is taught that uses a coating and drying apparatus to fabricate resin films suitable for optical applications. In particular, acrylic films are prepared by simultaneous application of multiple liquid layers to a moving carrier substrate. After solvent removal, the acrylic films are peeled from the sacrificial carrier substrate. Acrylic films prepared by the current invention exhibit good clarity and low birefringence.