Abstract: A data stream, such as a digital motion picture, is encrypted in units of one or more blocks, each block having an assigned encryption key. A plurality of encryption keys is assigned to the complete data stream, with a synchronization index provided to map each individual encryption key to its starting data block. Encryption keys and associated synchronization indices are provided separately from the data stream, using one or more additional data transfer mechanisms. An optional offset, randomly generated, allows variation in intervals between data blocks at which encryption by a specific encryption key can be performed.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing image artifacts in printers that employ two or more printhead nozzle banks that must be aligned and registered with respect to each other either through adjustment of orientation and/or position of one nozzle bank relative to another or through selective control of actuation. In the method, discrete dots are printed by the nozzle banks upon a target receiver medium. Examination of the receiver medium or a reproduction thereof is made by a scanner and information regarding location of the dots is generated. From information regarding location of the dots a determination is made of error placement of the dots from ideal locations. Alignment of the nozzle banks are made in accordance with any errors determined in placement.

Abstract: An image processor (14) supporting very high-speed printing. The image processor (14) preferably has two separate connections to a source (12) of the image being printed, e.g., a printer control bus (34) and an image data bus (36). The image processor (14) preferably accepts images from the image source (12) in commonly known graphics file formats, such as the well-known 24-bit, uncompressed TIFF file format. The image processor (14) is a multiprocessor implementation. Preferably, one processor (30) coordinates or “orchestrates” control of the printing system and handshaking with the image source via the printer control bus (34) and the other processor (32) functions as a raster image processor (RIP) processor (52) and accepts and stores images into the printer environment from the image source (12) via the image data bus (36).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying a copy-deterrent pattern (104) within a digital motion picture in order to discourage recording of the motion picture using a video camera or other sampling recording device. A copy-deterrent pattern (104) could be, for example, one or more symbols, a random pattern, a digital watermark or a text message (106). The copy-deterrent pattern (104) comprises a plurality of pixels within each frame of the digital motion picture, and the displayed pixel intensities are modulated at a temporal frequency using modulation characteristics deliberately selected to be imperceptible to human observers while simultaneously producing objectionable aliasing in any copy made using a video camera.

Abstract: In connection with a host processing system (90) capable of delivering commands and raw image data, an apparatus (100) for formatting raw image data and selectively delivering enhanced image data to a print processing subsystem (92). An image data bus section (120) comprises an image bus interface (122) coupled to a host processing system (90) configured to transmit raw image data, a front end memory (124) coupled to the image bus interface (122) to receive the raw image data, a back end memory (126) for receiving the enhanced image data, and a print processing subsystem (92) coupled to the back end memory (126) via a print interface (128) for transmitting print data based on the enhanced image data. A processor bus section (140) comprises an image processor (146) and a processor bus interface (142) adapted to be coupled to the host processing system (90) in order to communicate print processing instructions between the print processor (146) and the computer (90).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an image on a large surface area or walkway provides for imagewise marking of the surface with a color marking solution, to form a visible image on the surface during an image recording mode of a marking engine. The marking engine includes a scanner and the marking engine moves along the surface and operates the scanner to sense a crude image upon the surface and generates data signals representing the crude image or boundaries defined by the crude image scanned. In response to data signals the marking engine is operated to print an enhanced image of the crude image and/or to color the crude image so that the printing overlies the crude image.

Abstract: An ink jet print head is formed of a silicon substrate that includes an integrated circuit formed therein for controlling operation of the print head. The silicon substrate has one or more ink channels formed therein along the longitudinal direction of the noble array. An insulating layer or layers overlie the silicon substrate and has a series or an array of nozzle openings or bores formed therein along the length of the substrate and each nozzle opening communicates with an ink channel. The area comprising the nozzle openings forms a generally planar surface to facilitate maintenance of the printhead. A heater element is associated with each nozzle opening or bore for asymmetrically heating ink as ink passes through the nozzle opening or bore.

Abstract: A method of selecting inkjet nozzle banks for assembly into an inkjet printhead. The printhead when assembled includes at least two nozzle banks and is operative for printing one particular color ink or other liquid and each nozzlebank includes plural nozzles. The printhead is operational in a printer to print raster rows so that at least one raster row is printed using ink drops deposited at respective different pixel locations on the raster row by respective different nozzles on each of the at least two nozzle banks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of producing images on a series of master plates that are suitable for use as printing plates for the reproduction of multiple copies of composite images from said plates. The master plates are supported with a predetermined alignment relative to each other before mounting on a printing press. Counterpart raster lines of images on the master plates are recorded simultaneously or substantially simultaneously using preferably an ink jet printer so that the counterpart raster lines are printed in alignment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data to a printhead by moving a carriage while the printhead records on a receiver medium. The printhead includes a plurality of recording elements and first electronic circuitry is also mounted with the printhead on the carriage for bi-directional movement with the carriage. An optical data link is coupled to the first electronic circuitry. The optical data link carries image data signals from second electronic circuitry remote from the carriage. A multiplexer multiplexes image data signals for transmission to the optical data link. The first electronic circuitry on the carriage includes a demultiplexer that demultiplexes the image data into signals for operation of the printhead.

Abstract: An ink cartridge incorporating a memory chip includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and plural side walls defining the exterior of the cartridge for enclosing a supply of ink. The bottom wall having an aperture formed therein to provide an opening through the exterior surface of the bottom wall. A pocket-like structure is formed within the bottom wall and/or on an inside surface of the bottom wall. A substrate including a memory chip is received in the pocket-like structure, the substrate including at least one electrical contact that faces the aperture so as to be accessible by a contact member external to the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted in a printer's cartridge receiving receptacle.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method that provides for severing of prints from receiver media being printed. The receiver media is moved in a process direction past plural printing stations and the printing stations are recording images upon the receiver sheet. While printing is occurring a cutting mechanism having one or more cutting elements is operated to cut the receiver media along a transverse direction to separate a previously printed image on the receiver media from a portion of the receiver media being currently printed. The cutting mechanism includes a clamping member located proximate the one or more cutting elements for stopping movement of the receiver sheet downstream of the clamping mechanism to provide for a substantially square cut relative to the process direction of the receiver media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a substantially invisible watermark or copy-deterrent pattern within a motion picture frame that utilizes spectral image data in order to apply a pattern that is not objectionable to a viewer, but that can be sensed and recorded by a video camera device. A digital watermark or copy deterrent pattern, message, animation, or obscuring effect can be formed to identify a legally distributed copy, degrade the quality of an illegally recorded copy, or expand the storage requirements for an illegally recorded copy using this technique. The pattern is applied using some combination of UV and IR light sources just outside the visible range, displayed on the movie screen. An illegally recorded copy may bear a visible watermark or copy-deterrent pattern which can be detected upon playback. A copy-deterrent pattern can also be used to make video compression techniques less effective, requiring that an illegally recorded copy require excessive amounts of storage media.

Abstract: A printer capable of forming an image on a receiver substrate according to type of receiver substrate, and a method of assembling the printer. An identifier containing identifier information is associated with each component of the receiver substrate which, for example, comprises paper and, optionally, laminate media. A sensor is disposed to read the identifier information so that an image forming operation can be adjusted based on identified receiver substrate components and media. For example transponder, serving as the identifier, is coupled to a memory device capable of storing information characteristic of media type. A transceiver, serving as the sensor, is disposed within the printer. The transceiver includes antennae disposed for polling an individual transponder attached to each media type. The transponder receives a first radio frequency field from the transceiver and, deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generates a second radio frequency field in response.

Abstract: An image producing device (10) including a digital camera an area image sensor (20) disposed at an image plane for receiving the image of a subject (21), and producing a digitized image thereof. A CPU (32a) is adapted to direct the output to a variety of storage mediums. A printer (30) is connected to the CPU (32a) for producing a hard copy (39) of the digital image as shown on an image display (38b). The integral digital camera adjustably; directable from 0° to 360° in a horizontal plane and selectively directed at a sheet display (54) or at a subject (21) for a portrait.

Abstract: A system and method for the fabrication of a fluid, gas and/or vacuum flow system (10) having a laminate gasket manifold (14) containing a plurality of bi-directional fluid-flow channels (22) therein. Initially, a photoimagable polyimide dry film resist layer (44) is applied to one or more stiffening elements (46) in order to form laminate sub-layers (42). The resist is then patterned to form a plurality of openings therein. Selectively, the laminate sub-layers are etched to form alignment apertures (18) therein. The resist-coated sub-layers (42) are then stacked such that the alignment apertures (18) therein are aligned to each other, respectively, to form bi-directional fluid-flow channels (22). Heat and pressure are then applied to the stack of laminate sub-layers (42) at 70-75 degrees C. in a vacuum laminator for 10 to 30 seconds.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet print head is formed using a combination of traditional CMOS technology to form the various controlling electrical circuits on a silicon substrate having insulating layer(s) which provide electrical connections and a MEMS technology for forming nozzle openings. A blocking structure is formed in the insulating layer(s) between a first ink channel formed in the silicon substrate and a second ink channel formed in the insulating layer(s). The blocking structure causes ink to flow around the blocking structure and thereby develop lateral flow components to the liquid entering the second channel so that, for droplets selected for printing, as the stream of droplets emanates from the bore of the nozzle, there is provided a reduced amount of heat needed for operating a heating element adjacent each nozzle opening.

Abstract: An ink jet printer apparatus and method includes a print head having at least one nozzle. In response to a signal related to media type that is to be recorded upon, gray level image data relating to at least three different drop volumes including no ink drop are recorded at different pixel locations to form dots of different dot size or dot density on the recording medium. In recording image data of the same multitone image data value on different media, drop volumes deposited on one medium by the nozzle are different than drop volumes deposited on another medium by that nozzle. In some embodiments or printing modes image data is also recorded by depositing a variable size dot on a reference raster location and a supplementary dot at an adjacent pixel location on a shifted raster.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic imaging system (20) as a distributed processor network is provided for a system that includes multiple imaging components such as digital cameras (22), printers (34), etc., wherein each component is connected to an intelligence module (24-36) having a microcontroller (58) and memory (62). In the method, the intelligence modules (24-36) are interconnected by way of a data interface (28-37) to form a system network. Next, different image processing steps are assigned to different ones of the intelligence modules (24-36). Image data entered and stored within the imaging system (20) is divided into a plurality of data groups, each of which preferably corresponds to a portion of an image. Finally, the data groups are serially entered through each of the intelligence modules (24-36) such that a specific sequence of image processing steps are conducted on each data group until the processing of a specific image is completed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording image information on a moving receiver media at a thermal print station features a ribbon cassette assembly that stores a thermal ribbon having dye, the thermal ribbon being supported as a supply role and take-up role on the ribbon cassette assembly, the ribbon cassette assembly including a wall structure defining a plenum chamber. Air under pressure is provided to the plenum chamber. An elongated thermal print head is positioned in engagement with the thermal ribbon; and recording elements on the thermal print head are directed along a main scan direction. The print head has associated therewith a heat sink that includes a series of parallel fins arranged along the length of the print head and the fins are oriented at least generally perpendicular to the main scan direction of printing. Cooling air flows from the wall structure, which structure extends in the direction of elongation of the print head.