Abstract: A system and service for delivery of files to a plurality of users over a communications network comprises one or more server computers operable for receiving a plurality of electronic documents or files and storing those document/files; a plurality of receiving devices capable of receiving the documents/files; and a plurality of printer devices for printing the documents/files. Each receiving device registers itself with a server computer, and for each individual user, a printer device is specified for printing documents/files intended for that user. The server computer distributes the documents for a particular user to the corresponding receiving device specified by that user for receiving those documents/files, and the documents/files are printed on the specified printer device.

Abstract: A sequence of steps for storing an image at a higher resolution in a rendering stage, and making a conversion of the image to a different asymmetrical print resolution. During the conversion corrections are made to avoid losing “on” pixels located on an eliminated row. In some embodiments, an initial narrowing step may occur along the axis of higher resolution and a final horizontal depletion may occur along a carriage scan axis.

Abstract: A biosensor method and apparatus for detecting and measuring nitrate. The biosensor is based on the fluorescence properties of a receptor molecule fragment. The biosensor apparatus contains the active-site fragment of the receptor molecule for detecting nitrate. Both the biosensor method and apparatus provide reversible and sensitive detection of nitrate in the form of a versatile method and device.

Abstract: PPS variation along a scan axis is found by shining a light beam from pen carriage to print-medium position and back to detector, and applying a pathlength/intensity correlation. Sensing is done while scanning, to find relative PPS profile along the track. With no medium in place this measures mechanical imperfections—and can be corrected by later deducting thickness of a medium. If medium is present, adjustment is omitted. For absolute values a plural-lamp sensor is calibrated for each lamp, at the PPS design point. Pagewide/webwide variants are included.

Abstract: Absolute perceptual values are stored in the design lab, for maximum-density-tone cutoffs—preferably a maximum yellow-blue chrominance b* for yellow and minimum luminosity L* for other colorants. Automatic field operations in each printer then force the printer to subsequently print nominal full-saturation colorants so as to match the stored values. In addition to the stored cut-offs, black-and-white reference values measured in the printer are also used in linearizing printer response, for specific combinations of printing medium and printmode.

Abstract: A direct device-space-to-device-space transform adjusts the amount of actual black ink, to avoid highlight and midtone granularity in incremental printing—but with no need for translation into perceptual space. If the amount of black ink specified in the input data for a particular color is very small or very large, then that specified color is passed through the transform without substantial change. Thereby the amount of actual black ink and other colorants is held as nearly as practical at levels dictated by device-space input specifications while minimizing visible granularity. Replacement behavior is chosen to smoothly blend between different kinds of operation in different tonal ranges. This system accommodates personnel trained in classical printing-press technologies, who are accustomed to full control over amounts of black and other colorants.

Abstract: A printer is made by one firm; a RIP made/programmed by a separate RIP firm processes and sends to the printer image data; a two-bit data pipeline passes data through the RIP; a drop table converts data in the pipe to printer resolution. RIP firms set up the table with output dot-per-pixel structure different from the pipe. Ideally the table is in the printer but formed by the RIP; the RIP has precooked printmask instructions, and the printer, popup instructions to refine mask instructions; the instructions hide nozzle-out error and fix which pass prints each pixel; a computer, monitor etc. receive/create data and pass them to the RIP. Another aspect: a printer has a plural-bit data pipe, and interface to accept an external table to convert data from the pipe to numbers of dots per pixel. The interface best accepts a printmode recipe too.

Abstract: While powerful in diffusion at one resolution to print photos at a finer resolution, the invention is not thus limited. It defines superpixels (“spels”) for each desired colorimetric level, generates/receives image data, renders by finding levels for image positions, and prints an image using selected spels. One invention aspect finds a randomized value at each found level and uses the value to select the spel from plural ones for each level. Another aspect derives/maintains a randomized-value matrix; and maps a matrix location to an image position, to select a random value at that location and spel for that position. Another uses the value in common for all planes to select a spel for each plane at the found level—compatible spels for different planes, to coordinate color placement in planes. Another controls defining/selecting for a blue-noise property of spels in aggregate. In another, spels defined for a level vary in value to yield nonintegral color quanta.

Abstract: A printing system is linearized automatically using measurements made with a simple optical sensor, such as a line sensor, that is onboard the system. The printing system itself is for forming images on plural printing media. Because the optical sensor is not a calorimeter or even a true densitometer, the sensor requires calibration, preferably based upon measurements using real inks. In the past it has been considered a requirement that such calibration be performed separately using each of the print media that was to be used for printing images. Linearization according to the invention, however, refers to a single calibration of the sensor, that calibration being used in common for essentially all media—even though the single calibration is performed with respect to exclusively a single one of the plural media.

Abstract: Ramps are printed with ink of a particular color, and also nominally in that color but by inks of other colors. A measured actual-ink ramp is a standard to fix the other-colors ramp, and correct other printing in those colors. In one aspect a particular color is gray, actual ink black (K), and other-color inks magenta (M), yellow (Y) and cyan (C). In another aspect, actual ink is red (R), green (G) or blue (B); other colors M, Y and C in respective pairs. For gray/black, the K ramp is a zero-chroma standard to lower composite-black (cK) chroma below ˜2.5 ?E. A sampling aspect prints for each gray tone plural cK-ink combinations preferably bracketing nominal gray values; and searches these for one nearest the particular gray—or most closely bracketing it, for interpolation—for best match. Bracketing is best optimized, by a color-space pattern centered on nominal. Other aspects are taught.

Abstract: To compensate for color-calibration sensor drift, a measurement of bare-print-medium tonal value is taken in immediate time juxtaposition to each color test pattern; measured bare-medium tone is then used to correct color-patch readings. A line sensor or the like, on the scanning printhead carriage, is used for the reading. Preferably two such readings are taken, one at each end of each test pattern; ideally separate scans of the bare medium are taken without any test-pattern patch to develop longterm and short-term drift profiles, for refining the corrections. To compensate for calibration error due to runout in the carriage track—particularly for wide-bed printers—sensor response to bare medium is used to represent variations in carriage-to-medium spacing along the track; these variations are corrected in later sensor use.

Abstract: Automatic testing determines whether a proofing-file generator and receiver are in a common intranet. If so then the proofing file is automatically sent by a route that is substantially wholly within the intranet, and ideally peer-to-peer. If the generator and receiver are not in a common intranet, then preferably the file is sent by a conventional route through the Internet, preferably via a master server of the proofing service. The test preferably includes dynamically establishing IP addresses for the generator and receiver, and comparing the established IP addresses; however, consultation of a pretabulated listing is also possible.

Abstract: Apparatus and method reduce banding by addressing an image region at under 100% coverage, and adding colorant quanta to selected pixels already receiving that colorant. The amount of that colorant in some pixels is zero, in others a first nonzero number of quanta, in still others a second nonzero number—different from the first. In another aspect, the invention is a method of adding colorant in a region to which colorant is already addressed; it eliminates or reduces white- or light-line banding by automatically establishing a ratio, below half, of number of added-colorant pixels to total number of addressed pixels.

Abstract: A program creates a unitary mask for use over a whole image, with one pattern. The mask need not be full image size; it may be tiled. In the field a printer forms a mask and prints with it, best in the same session, before another image needing another mask, whether due to different image activity or type, or operating conditions. Constraints are controlled to ensure solution. Printout can start before a mask (even the part needed to finish a top swath) is done, going columnwise in each swath. In other invention facets, a program forms a mask of size significant relative to the program and prints with it. Other facets check print conditions and form adapted masks; or find nozzles that cannot back up a known-failed nozzle and to back it up form masks with all able nozzles; or assess image activity and inject mask randomness accordingly.

Abstract: In one form, one or more micropumps and optical micro-detectors are on a substrate, ideally many per square centimeter, each detecting fluid moved by its pump. A second form has many waveguides and, intersecting each, a fluid chamber controlling radiation in the guide; the device is best immersed in a fluid that moves in and out of chambers, intercepting radiation to yield position data—transmitted e.g. wirelessly for external reception. The device can be a chip in a live creature (e.g. implanted, or in blood); data go to a wireless receiver. Each guide ideally couples to a radiation source and detector. In a third form a membrane deflects a radiation-interacting fluid in a plenum; liquid moves between the plenum and a tube. The plenum cross-section is many times the tube's; radiation in the tube is monitored. Deflected liquid in the tube controls specimen movement to and from the tube.

Abstract: An array of colorant nozzles, filled with different colors, is placed at an enclosure through which fluid flow is to be analyzed. The array injects the colors into the enclosure with the flow. Color paths through the enclosure are observed and analyzed. The array best spans the enclosure two-dimensionally and injects different colors at different portions of the channel. Controlled timing of injection, e. g. in pulses, and synchronous detection—including tracking leading/trailing ends of color pulses in the enclosure—is best. Specific spatial-temporal color patterns, and 3D observations (as by plural cameras, aimed through windows or a transparent wall, or inside the disclosure) are preferred. For very large systems a careful, exact scale model is used. Preferably a programmed processor operates the array and controls analysis of resulting observed color patterns in the fluid.

Abstract: An air pressurization system is incorporated as part of a replaceable auxiliary ink supply for an inkjet printer. The auxiliary ink-supply cartridge includes a pressurized container having air, ink and electrical-signal connections. The air pressure applied to the auxiliary ink supply is monitored to maintain it in a predetermined range in accordance with a start-up sequence, and operational sequence, a waiting time, and a close-down sequence.

Abstract: The system images the volume of a turbid medium and detects the contents. The medium can be water or air, or living tissue, or almost any other material which is at least partially light-transmissive. The system includes a light source for producing a series of discrete fan-shaped pulse beams that are substantially uniform in intensity or have been peaked at the edges of the fan to illuminate sections of the medium, a streak tube with a large, thin-slit-shaped photocathode for collecting the maximum amount of light from weak returns, a field-limiting slit disposed in front of the cathode for removing multiply scattered light, a large-aperture optical element for collecting and focusing the reflected portions of the pulse beam on the field-limiting slit and the cathode, and an array of detectors.

Abstract: A gap in an optical guideway is occupied, when the switch is in its diverting condition, by a quantity of air or other gas. To change the switch to its through condition, an actuator forces a column of liquid against the gas to compress (and thereby displace) the gas in the gap with the liquid. The actuator includes a preferably wide reservoir of the liquid and a diaphragm which is flexed to force the liquid up the column against the gas. When the actuator is deactivated the compressed gas forces the column of liquid out of the gap to return the switch to the diverting condition.

Abstract: The system provides electricity to operate any of a multiplicity of device and most typically receives power from a source and passes power to any of the devices. The system also accepts electronic-device identification information for any particular one of such devices. The system also has one or more programmed digital electronic microprocessors that use the identification information to select power parameters—for passage of power from the source to the powered device. The system activates its own power-passing capability to apply power to each device according to the power parameters selected by the microprocessor.